If the real estate we purchase is a representation of our true, timeless, comfortable selves - the backdrop to our lives, molding our experiences and subconsciously showing our community our priorities – The Monroe tells the story of elevated, purposeful, in-town living with a casual elegance that is deeply rooted in significant history.
Twenty-nine homes will sit on the centrally located, gently rolling topography formerly home to Monroe Harding, the 128+ year old orphanage turned Children’s House, with a steadfast mission to give every child and young adult the chance for a better life. The Monroe, an homage to the incredibly impactful thread Mrs. Fannie E. Harding started weaving in 1893 when she generously donated her twelve-room residence to help the orphaned children of Middle Tennessee as a memorial to her late husband, Dr. James Monroe Harding, pays an intentional respect to prior custodians of the land and an altruistic legacy tremendously worthy.
I recently spent an afternoon with Lindsay Argo of Focus Builders – a custom and spec home developer in Nashville she and husband, Seth established 10+ years ago – who, along with Barlow Builders and Hidden Valley Homes have been tasked to masterfully repurpose these twenty-two serene acres into a community worthy of its namesake. Sitting in a kitchen of distinction, with warm Southern hospitality, Argo is deliberate as she explains their process from ideation through execution. When creating an everlasting contribution to our burgeoning Nashville community she and Seth apply their cooperative experience, education, and personal life experiences toward each project.
Spec homes can be tricky - We talk of the complexities in trying to build something appealing to all, while creating an enhanced, detailed, nuanced experience. Families of four live differently than empty nesters. One home may lend itself better to the entertainer with a grand scullery with it’s own dishwasher, wine refrigeration, and an ice maker, offering plenty of storage for platters under a directional built-in buffet. Another creation may be more masculine with moody, dark undertones focused on more adults only entertainment and yet another, curated for moments of quiet reflection with a good book overlooking the courtyard and mature growth trees. Their homes live well, with elevated efficiencies more commonly found in custom built projects – bathroom vanities include an outlet under the sink for electric toothbrushes, razors, and the other “unsightly” products of everyday living, as well as heat resistant compartments so hairdryers and flatirons can be put away upon completion of use. These foresights carry throughout, with roll-away laundry hampers in every closet, pre-wiring for Infratech heaters on the covered porch as well as pre-wiring for electric screens. It’s all here or ready to be installed by the new owner depending on tastes and preferences.
We spend most of our time in the kitchen, where I am most comfortable entertaining, speaking to the Décor appliances which Lindsay loves, the spice drawer placement, the storage for trash bags hidden within the trash drawer, their design emphasizing ease of everyday use without comprising aesthetics.
As parents of three, Seth and Lindsay know how a family lives. They place “locker” cabinets on the back porch catch-all for our daily accumulations of sports gear, schoolwork and plethora of shoes that seem to pile up in everyone’s home. The majority of their homes feature a space designed to be a kids workstation – for school work and projects, knowing full well if kids are left to their own rooms, doors closed, social media will inevitably be an itch they end up scratching to their productivity’s demise. There is a space for everything to be in it’s place.
This extensive planning toward anticipating how one will live and use the home is abundantly clear as we tour two of their completed three projects in the Monroe. Lindsay speaks to the “why” behind every wall placement, solid wood door, hardware manufacturer, and air duct return positioning eluding every single aspect of the home has at one point garnered their unmatched Focus. “We are always looking to make things better and delivering the highest quality home we possibly can,” she says. "There’s always continuing education being done…to make sure we’re doing things the right way and keeping up with it. Best practices keep getting better!”
Each element must complement the overall result too. It’s akin to assembling a bespoke timepiece or luxury automobile. The supple leather and the thread that binds it are both crucial and rigorously selected elements that enhance the Rolls Royce experience, much like wood selections, hardware, hinges, and stone finishes affect the overall tone of a space. It is artistry.
Seth and Lindsay apply their practical knowledge built from experience, inspiration from travel, and their thirst for education to produce a cohesive home for everyday life without sacrificing an understated refinement that is inherent in every one of their projects. “I would say travel is a huge part of it. It’s one reason why we are passionate about natural stone on a countertop. There’s a reason why you go to Pompeii and they had marble!” The pursuit to only use natural materials adds an embracing warmth of comfort. It’s that “you know it when you see it” or “you can feel it" feeling when stepping into the foyer. That certain je ne sais quoi of soundly built, understated perfection.
