Seeing is Believing: Art Adds Colorful Touch to New Quail Model Home

A new spec home by Florida Lifestyle Homes has become a pallet of artistry in a unique concept combining real estate and galleries.

This week, the new Cambridge II was unveiled to the public in Quail West. Denise Ogden, specializing in sales and marketing for Florida Lifestyle Homes, wanted the event to be more than Realtors and guests traipsing through the house. So she teamed with seven local artists. Each artist picked a room in the unfurnished home to display their art.

“We thought, ‘What could we do that’s different?’ ” Ogden said. “Our homes are a work of art so we have this event we call ‘A Work of Art.’ We got to think out of the box. It was a vision and it all came together.”

Joseph Swenarton of Swenarton Fine Art Collections displayed his 17 oil and acrylic paintings on the walls of the great room. He said the concept is perfect for an unfinished spec home.

“The walls are bare and there are no furnishings,” Swenarton said. “It shows them the possibilities. It’s a win-win. People get to see the newest model as well as the art.”

Cynthia and Steve Adams of Casa Art Studio displayed their art in the dining area.

“It makes it nice for showing a house,” Cynthia Adams said.

“I would like to get other real estate doing this,” Steve Adams said. “It is a nice way to get people in, and it’s a way for them to see ideas.”

Karen Barro of Barrow-Barrow Art specializes in the artwork of automobiles. She chose the den to highlight the possibilities of art in a man-cave atmosphere. Besides painting on canvas, she displayed a painting of a car on the huge hood of a Porsche.

“I like the idea of working with other artists and each of us being able to put our stamp on a part of the house,” Barrow said.

Besides the artwork, Florida Lifestyle Homes also brought in some specialty cars to decorate the driveway. There was a white Aston Martin and a bright orange Lamborghini being washed and polished in front of the house. About 150 Realtors, residents of Quail West, potential buyers and other guests attended the event.

Bill Ennen, founder of Florida Lifestyle Homes, was excited to see how well the “Work of Art” event unfolded.

“It’s a great opportunity for local artists to show off their work and get exposure for local Realtors, too,” he said. “I love it. They did a nice job and it shows well. I would definitely do it again. It’s a good win-win.”