Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY AL WEEMS PHOTOGRAPHY HAUTE PROPERTY In the dining area of the Radiance model home, designer Ally Coulter juxtaposes elegant white furniture and a cozy striped rug. "Simplification is a luxury right now in our chaotic lives. "—ally coulter continued from page 115 Year-round amenities also abound: an indoor (and outdoor) Olympic-style equestrian facility with stables, as well as four heated Har-Tru tennis courts and two raised paddle tennis courts with a warming hut. Also of note: This community is designed for families as opposed to empty nesters, unlike many golf communities. Initially, the club's The living room of the Radiance model house features a serene palette of neutrals, with pops of color for interest. sister property started as a gentleman's club, says Fraser. "It wasn't family-centric." But that evolved, so in addition to world-class golf, Carnegie Abbey also began a kids' camp and year-round sports clinics. "We've seen and reacted to how busy families have become," says Fraser, "and evolved the club to go with that change in lifestyle." She says her clientele's biggest concern is needing activities to be right at their fingertips to maximize their limited family time. Natalie Ward, general manager, who oversees all aspects of The Carnegie Abbey Club as well as future programming at The Newport Beach Club, says that safety and security are as important to the residents as the diverse athletics. "We have a private police force here," she says. "The gate guards know everyone." And travel within the Carnegie Abbey community is mostly by golf cart—teens can get licensed to drive one on the property at age 14. Paul Lukez, an architect based in Somerville and author of Suburban Transformations, has studied the gated-community trend extensively. "They represent the desire to create a real sense of community, a place where you can feel safe and relax," he says. "Such opportunities haven't always been available in suburban contexts." Often the sense of community arises from knowing the staff as well as having shared interests. "It's a natural human tendency to want to be with people you feel comfortable with," he adds. Celebrity interior designer Ally Coulter couldn't agree more. That's why she and her family have a home at Carnegie Abbey and why she wanted to be involved with designing one of the model homes at The Newport Beach Club. "It's the place where I can unpack, the kids can take art classes, ride horses, take a golf lesson, and I can see friends —then we can all meet for dinner at the restaurant on property," she says. "It's the only place they can do all of that in one day. It's a real community. We know the servers and the tennis pro, plus all the other families and their kids. There's a built-in safety with that." INSIGHT Home prices: $625,000 to $4 million Size: 1,600 to more than 5,000 square feet Lots: Custom lots are offered from $1.2 million to $1.6 million. Timeline: Some homes are already open; all amenities will be completed by July 4, 2013. Coulter teamed with Ralph Lauren Home to create the interior for the Radiance model house, a 4,020-square-foot abode offered for $3.9 million. She wanted a beachy feel to reflect the home's location on the coast and incredible views of the Newport harbor, but she also layered in cozy, warm elements like silk upholstery and cashmere throws for the year-round resident. Opting for a serene palette, she used mostly white, with sand colors on the walls, which pop against the dark- wood flooring. "Black accents add a classic refinement to seaside living," she says. A Roark hanging-pendant nickel light is The Newport Beach Club by the numbers: in polished suspended in the great room, lending a Soho sophistication to the space. "There's a harmony there," she says, version of ideal design. "Refine ment, a great through rooms, but also referring to her luxurious interior flow great comfort. Simplification is a luxury right now in our chaotic lives. You want a place that envelops you, so you feel safe, feel good." The Newport Beach Club, 8 Newport Harbor Dr., Portsmouth, RI, 866-606-1111; thenewportbeachclub.com BC An Olympic-style equestrian facility with multiple stables is one of the many amenities at The Newport Beach Club. 116 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM