Real Design. Real Drama. Compass Pointe Hosts Nation’s Next Top Model Home
Story by Hilary
Brady
From Big
Brother to Biggest Loser, John and Kate to Fake-A-Date, reality shows are all
the rage. And, now,
Nation’s
Next Top Model Home is the latest addition to this popular trend in
programming.
The
web-based interior design competition recognizes exceptional interior design
among the nation’s finest model homes. Top-notch design makes the show unique,
and exciting drama keeps you tuned in week after week.
This
captivating contest is the brainchild of producers Kelly Burnette, Amy
Tharrington and Paula Knorr.
With a
background in real estate and a fascination for the hype surrounding reality
television, the trio was inspired to create something fresh, something that
would make the new-home market buzz once again. And so Nation’s Next Top Model
Home was born.
Rather
than the traditional television format, Nation’s Next Top Model Home (NNTMH)
was broadcast entirely on the web. Each week beginning in July, viewers tuned
in to the NNTMH website to watch webisodes. The online videos documented every
facet of the competition, beginning with the exhausting, entertaining, caffeine-fueled
review of the designer applications.
The
producers partnered with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) as a
way to recruit an all-star designer cast. ASID members were informed of the
call for entries, while the producer’s public relations efforts quickly
garnered coverage in industry newsletters around the country, not to mention
the explosive attention harvested through social media. Word of the competition
spread like wildfire
with
tweets sent through Twitterspace, fan pages on Facebook and posts on blogs.
Before they knew it, the producers were weeding through more than 200 designer
applications from around the United States.
Undergarments
were sent with notes, grocery carts stuffed with design materials appeared in
their office building and personal video messages arrived in creative
packaging. Although some were extravagant and some were elegant, one thing rang
true. There were many qualified, dedicated and
enthusiastic
individuals clamoring to have a shot at the opportunity to be a part of NNTMH.
But after extensive review, interviews and confirmation that they were in good
standing with the ASID, only seven were selected to compete.
The
Challenge
Seven lucky interior designers were then
tasked with decorating some of the nation’s most beautiful model homes. Each
designer was challenged with outfitting one home’s main living area with a
total budget of $10,000. Seven designers, seven model homes and one host
community. The grand prize at stake? A $25,000 cash prize and the priceless
title of Nation’s Next Top Model Home Designer.
From
August 1 through 28, the designers had access to their assigned homes and were
busy creating the most stunning, unique and interesting interiors. During those
28 days, fabric flew, personalities collided and homes were transformed. With a
cast like this, it’s no wonder that hundreds of thousands of people were glued
to their computer screens each week.
The Cast
Drama-loving
Jody and design fanatic Wade are the sassy and silly hosts that led viewers
through the
Nation’s
Next Top Model Home webisodes. They guided viewers and teased designers, adding
a bit of fun to a serious competition between seven very different designers.
From San
Diego to Wilmington, the designers not only spanned the United States, but also
a wide spectrum of personalities, experience levels and design styles.
Corine
Maggio is an interior design student born and raised in the Midwest but now
living seaside on the West Coast. As a student Corine has never had the opportunity
to implement her designs, which both excited and frightened her throughout this
challenge. Although she doesn’t have magazine articles and multiple accolades just
yet, the California surfer and yoga-fanatic brings youthful energy and fresh
styles that can rattle the nerves of even the most practiced competitor.
Raleigh
native Susan Tollefsen has been an interior designer at heart since childhood
and is not new to challenges. In fact, her first design project was a challenge
by her parents to design her own room. Susan gravitated to antique stores and
flea markets, quickly discovering her passion in making old things new again.
Appropriately, “up-cycling,” a form of green design that essentially transforms
trash into
treasure,
intrigues her. Susan not only brings eco-friendly enthusiasm, but also a good
bit of humor to the competition.
Wilmington’s
own Cindy Blunt has design in her genes — her father is a master carpenter and
her other is an artist. After her parents discovered her design skills, they
urged Cindy to attend design school, where she soon fell in love. Cindy’s
experience runs the gamut from commercial to residential, minute to massive.
She’s eager, energetic and has a way with budgets, which may prove to be a huge
advantage in this low-cost challenge.
Amy
Tyndall, also from Wilmington, is well known for her work in commercial and
multi-family design and renovation. Amy’s clients know her for her flexible,
open-minded personality and her special ability in giving new life to old items.
From green building practices to architectural drafting, this Southern
gal offers
unique knowledge, great taste and is not afraid to share a piece of her own
sweet mind.
Known as
the design veteran of the bunch, Tim Schelfe of Raleigh brings 24 years of
extensive experience to the competition. From presidency of the ASID’s Coastal
Chapter and owning his own firm, to having projects featured in large
publications and being the recipient of countless awards, Tim was quickly
targeted as the biggest threat in the competition.
Suzanne
Walker has been coined the diva of the group. Currently a resident of Dallas,
Texas, Suzanne owns two award-winning design businesses and still has time to
be very visible in the community. From charitable work to being recognized as
one of the “Most Dynamic Women in Dallas,” Suzanne is well known at home and
will be well remembered in this competition. Her personality proves that
everything is bigger in Texas.”
Florida
native Jill Shevlin also owns her own successful interior-design business. Her
typical projects range from high-end primary residences to winter retreats and
have been featured in several popular trade publications. This self-confident,
candid and down-to-business designer is certainly one to keep an eye on.
The
Community
Each year,
Nation’s Next Top Model Home producers will select a different host community.
The host community will offer unique character and several new model homes
available for the competitors to decorate.
Brunswick
County’s own Compass Pointe has been selected as the host for the inaugural
season of Nation’s Next Top Model Home. For the producers, it was the ideal
choice for a number of reasons. Compass Pointe’s coastal location and proximity
to historic Wilmington make it an extremely popular destination. The community was
also at the perfect stage in its development, with new model homes being built
that could easily accommodate the space needed for the competition. And, the
developers, known for the many quality neighborhoods they’ve created in the area,
were thrilled about being showcased as the competition’s first host community.
The
resort-style, new-home community located 10 minutes from historic downtown
Wilmington is beautifully peppered with lakes and waterways, wooden bridges,
country club amenities and welcoming coastal architecture. Seven model homes
situated in different neighborhoods within Compass Pointe are the canvas for
this year’s designers, including two town homes and five single-family homes.
The Call
So, who
wins? It’s your call. The fate of these designers lies in the hands of the
public. On August 29, the completed model homes were unveiled. Homes are open
to the public for viewing and voting until September 26. Donations of $1 per
ballot are being collected at Compass Pointe to benefit the
Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity. At the close of the competition, the
developers of Compass Pointe
will announce a donation match. Stop by the Compass Pointe Discovery Center to
pick up your ballot, support the local Habitat for Humanity, tour (and even
purchase) the models and cast your vote for The Nation’s Next Top Model Home.
If you
cannot make it out to view the homes in person, tour the models online at www.nationsnexttopmodelhome.com
and cast your vote virtually. The winner of $25,000 cash and the title of
Nation’s Next Top Model Home Designer will be announced on October 3.
Be a part
of the Brunswick County drama. Have your say in who wins the first season of
Nation’s Next Top Model Home. Then tune
in next year to see which town follows in our now famous footsteps.
Details:
Voting
Open: August 29 – September 26
Location: Compass Pointe, Leland
Model Home
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 am to 5
pm, Saturday 9 am to 4 pm, Sunday 1 to 4 pm
Winner
Announced: October 3
NNTMH
website: www.nationsnexttopmodelhome.com
Compass
Pointe website: www.compasspointenc.com
