Designer Interiors’ IKEA Condo Model Debuts at Wellesley Gardens

October 3, 2006

Ann Arbor, Michigan – Tapping into the popularity of IKEA home furnishings, and the international retailer’s new Canton store, Designer Interiors by Mary Olk recently unveiled the IKEA model at the Wellesley Gardens condominium community southeast of Ann Arbor.

The two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath model residence features a complete line-up of IKEA furnishings and accessories, selected to showcase the 1,350-square-foot condominium’s unique lifestyle appeal for prospective buyers. In the first month since it opened, the model has drawn increased buyer traffic, and even a few inquiries into the availability of similarly furnished homes in Wellesley Gardens, which is located on the north side of Michigan Avenue, west of US-23 in Pittsfield Township.

“This is a new design for this model,” said Mary Olk, president of the award-winning Designer Interiors in Troy. “Wellesley Gardens developer, Brown Communities, asked us to come in and recreate the space in anticipation of the launch of Wellesley Gardens’ second phase. They wanted a look and feel to match the tastes of the first time buyers and single adults who are the prime demographic at Wellesley Gardens. The IKEA merchandise really resonates with this group.”

Jeffrey Brown, president of Birmingham-based Brown Communities, agreed, noting that the contemporary styling, utility and value of the IKEA collection have had a powerful, impact on prospective buyers.

“I’ve had several people come through since we opened the redesigned model last month, and ask if they could buy a furnished home here with the same décor,” he said. “We have a fairly young demographic, and this interior styling really jumps out and grabs their attention.”

Designer Interiors chose pieces for the model home from IKEA’s popular Canton store, which opened in June as the Swedish retailer’s first Michigan outlet. The 300,000-plus-square-foot facility offers a full-line of affordably priced furnishings and accessories. In addition to sleek designs, the Wellesley model’s IKEA merchandise places an emphasis on the function and storage capability that appeals to many condominium owners, said Olk.

Prior to its work on the IKEA model, Designer Interiors provided interior merchandising for a second model at Wellesley Gardens. That best-selling residence also features contemporary furnishings to complement its open floor plan, hardwood flooring and vaulted ceilings.

“Mary and her team really understand what our customers want, and we continue to generate real interest based on the feel she has created with each of these homes,” Brown said, noting that Wellesley Gardens has recently sold out its 207-unit first phase, and has just broken ground on its second phase on the community’s north side. Brown Communities plans to work with Designer Interiors an a future IKEA model that will feature complementary, contemporary finishes including floor coverings, window treatments, trim-work, mantels and more.

With attached condos priced from the $170s, Wellesley Gardens offers large open common spaces, attached garages and Club W, an upscale fitness center offering a complete line-up of modern exercise equipment, personal trainers and classes, a co-ed sauna, hot-tub and an adjoining outdoor pool with a spacious sundeck. Designer Interiors’ success at Wellesley Gardens reflects its acclaimed work at a range of residential sales models throughout Metro Detroit from affordable condominium and lofts to elegant estate homes. Its performance has increased its annual production over the years to a current, yearly volume of roughly 50 models for the region’s leading homebuilders. Its work has been recognized through consecutive Sales and Marketing Awards from the Building Industry Association of Southeast Michigan. By continually analyzing emerging consumer trends and through regular trips to shop furnishing and accessories markets in New York, Chicago and High Point, North Carolina, Designer Interiors creates interior residential environments to meet a broad spectrum of tastes. With materials stocked at its Clawson and Orion warehouses, Designer Interiors provides rapid convenient set-up, while its wide subcontractor network ensures timely and professional service, including drapery and wallpaper installation.

To learn more about Designer Interiors by Mary Olk, schedule an interview or arrange a tour of its IKEA model at Wellesley Gardens, call the company 248-649-5885, or visit www.designerinteriors.com. To learn more about Wellesley Gardens, visit www.browncommunities.com.

To obtain additional information, contact Jennifer Davis at Digital Image Studios, 248-477-5600, Ext. 115.

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