Shelby-lane
Trickle Creek Designer Homes gives personality a face–and she’s lovely!
Frickle Creek Designer Homes takes a unique approach by giving a face to personality. Inspired by the qualities of those they know best, they have fondly transferred a feeling and a look that speaks to individualism and the child within.
“About a year ago, my husband Michael and I talked about all of our homes having their own specific personality and thought about our favourite people—our kids,” recalls Nicole Tew with a grin. The Shelby-lane is a reflection and the name of their fifteen-yearold daughter who, she admits, is the perfect unique blend of quirkiness and confidence. “She’s also an old soul. We crafted all of these traits into this show home that people can’t help but love.”
Located at 2042 – 44th Ave SW in Altadore, the Shelby-lane hosts a delightful façade that captures a modern French Country ambience with two-story flows and a loft. Showcasing 3,175 square feet in addition to a finished basement, its homey interiors are warm and inviting with places to relax or simply ‘hang out.’ “It’s a family home that’s also perfect for entertaining. We wanted to do something different so we added a built-in linen closet, gas lit wall sconces in the kitchen, and lots of window seats. The one in the loft even has a queen-sized bed,” shares Nicole.
Located on a deep yet fairly narrow 38-footwide lot, they opted to subdivide the original lot, given the high cost of inner-city real estate, and created a spacious and light-infused design with an open and engaging layout. With a desire to represent French Country features, a stone wall in the kitchen provides rustic character that displays an over-grouted, old-world feel. The stucco-cladded hood fan and fireplace further capture Mediterranean influences that contribute to elements of timeless appeal.
“Our visitors love it! It’s funny, when you open a show home you are really putting yourselves out there as people openly discuss their likes and dislikes. But when we opened the Shelby-lane, all of the feedback was incredibly positive and they all just agreed that it if feels like home,” says Nicole. “The front entry was also one of my splurges with an arched, classic look that adds to its cottage appeal.”
Putting a face to their show homes was a happy and shared collaboration of this husband and wife team. Included is their eldest son, The Maxwell that is completed, and The Cassidy, which is currently under construction also in
Altadore. “They are all so different—it’s exciting and The Benjamin’s in permit,” adds Michael.
Vested in establishing a connection from the front yard to the community, Trickle Creek creates visually appealing sitting areas that engage the street. “We wanted a swooping roofline, a stone façade, and curved front door and after that the home came together in a snap!” she admits.
Proud of a team that ‘get’s it,’ Michael and Nicole admit to a strict policy of only working with talented, like-minded people who they would want to have a beer with. The unity and synergy of this group strengthens an effective collaboration with results that shout, yes! “Our team experience and industry expertise is unparalleled. We offer more of a concierge service than a typical homebuilder and our people are truly the difference,” affirms Michael.
Launched in 2006, Trickle Creek Designer Homes currently focuses on inner-city developments. “It works well for our process because what we do is a little different, and oftentimes people are drawn to these differences given that there can be a lot of similarity in urban communities,” says Nicole. “People respond to our show homes and oftentimes it’s the starting ground for something exceptional.”
“We walked Shelby-lane through the home when it was finished and it was pretty special. It was like getting reacquainted again, but on new terms,” recalls Nicole. “I can’t help but feel that when someone does buy this house they have to be pretty great because they get it.”