Mastering Modern Elegance: Inside the Collaborative Creation of this Stunning Ono Island Home

This striking Ono Island home, designed by Bob Chatham and built by Phillip Vlahos Homes/Vlahos DeBogory & Tuck Construction, with interior design by Cindy Meador of Cindy Meador Interiors is truly a creation of a talented team. “This project is a great example of teamwork and collaboration,” says Meador. “I love working with Bob Chatham and his staff and have worked with him on any number of projects. I really appreciate being able to get involved at the very beginning of a project - when the plans are being drawn - and understanding all the background,” she notes. “It makes for good interaction and good communication among all the players, and everyone feels they have a voice in creating the final product.”

This team of professionals has collaborated a number of times, and with each project, they refine their interaction and communication and develop a synergy that shows in the process and in the end result. Homeowners Clyde and Krista Collins admit they were blown away when they first experienced Chatham’s design process. “Being part of designing our home and having genuine input in just about every aspect was really amazing,” he says. “What we wanted was a modern, functional home, the best possible use of space, and something that truly reflected our tastes. We had never built a house before, so having this team was ideal. The process is that you feed Bob what you think you want, and he dreams up a vision that’s way beyond what you thought you wanted. He can see the whole thing, and he can put it on paper so we can see it too.”

Clyde and Krista Collins played an active role in the project, from the initial drawings to the finished product. They were referred to Meador by relatives, who knew her and were familiar with her work. “Cindy knew what we liked almost right away,” notes Clyde Collins. “We didn’t even know what we wanted until she showed us. I can’t imagine how she keeps it all straight, but she does.” Meador notes that as soon as she saw Chatham’s initial drawings, she was in. “Clyde and Krista have a very modern, edgy style, lots of contrast, no trim, no molding, and dramatic finishes. We were able to give them that feel, that sleek crisp feel, and still inject some warmth, some comfort, into their sleek modern style.” When asked if she has a favorite feature of the home, Meador immediately mentions the unique stairwell mural and the fireplace wall. “This is a real showpiece! I have worked a number of times with a company called Left Bank Art, that can customize just about anything. I saw a tryptic in watercolor on linen, and I had them re-orient the panels from horizontal to vertical and turn them into wallpaper for the . ‘stairwell. I had the same company create the custom wallpaper for the powder room.”

The open kitchen boasts a dramatic countertop that Meador describes as ‘art in itself,’ and some one-of-a-kind cabinetry detail on the range hood. Some architectural details were added back to the kitchen to add a degree of softness without detracting from the modern lines. “This is one of those things that requires communication among the parties,” Meador notes. “We had built a good foundation of communication and collaboration so we could work together on items like this.” The designer and the homeowners were able to pull together a kitchen that is both fully functional and truly a work of art.

A bonus that is also truly functional and adds a sense of fun to the home came from converting the twin garages on the first level into a bar, game room, and party space, with ample display space for trophy cars and other memorabilia - with the added bonus of direct access to the patio and the infinity pool. This conversion was essentially Clyde Collins’ idea, and it reflects his interests and his sense of fun and hospitality. “It’s definitely not your dad’s garage,” Meador notes. The infinity pool, the spacious porch, and the patio area continue with the stripped-down, architecture-forward, clean modern feel that resonates throughout the home.

Cindy Meador Interiors is located in Orange Beach AL and consists of a showroom offering a wide range of services, including new construction, renovations, and interior makeovers. In addition, there is a retail store, open to the trade and to the public, offering art, accessories, furnishings, and textiles.

Cindy Meador Interiors
25299 Canal Road
Orange Beach AL 36561
251-974-1907
info@cindymeador.com

Bob Chatham Custom Home Design
78 South Section Street
Fairhope AL 36532
251-928-0988
designer@bobchatham.com

Phillip Vlahos Homes
25556 Canal Road
Orange Beach AL 36561
251-981-3383
https://vdtconstruction.com

Cox Pools
22656 Canal Road
Orange Beach AL 36561
800-978-8744
coxpoolsse.com