Candy-colored condo on Brandywine offers space, great location
Molly DiBianca was one of the first buyers in The Pointe, a luxurious high-rise condominium development overlooking the Brandywine River, steps from the Wilmington city limits.
“I was lucky enough to be able to design my condo before the drywall went up and those design choices have proven to suit my lifestyle perfectly,” she says. “When I have a less-than-glamorous day at work, I come home and feel fabulous in minutes.”
She’s a lawyer with a penchant for design and her colorful, contemporary condo reflects that. Sited on the fourth floor, the condo has the hip flair of Manhattan, with space most New Yorkers covet.
“When making design choices, I firmly committed to follow my gut,” she says. “If a paint color took my breath away, or if a light fixture made me stop in my tracks, I chose it.”
Cozy Wilmington home oozes with charm, updates
It was an intuitive process, making decisions based on her immediate reaction and working backward from there.
“That may be scary to some but, after all, it’s just paint,” she says. “You can always pick another.”
The spacious kitchen is outfitted with deep cerulean blue lacquer custom cabinetry and professional-style stainless steel appliances. An intimate dining room is sheathed in shimmering wallcoverings, topped with a recessed ceiling illuminated by hot pink uplighting.
Got a Delaware Space you'd like to see featured?
We're looking for historical, eclectic and new homes, outdoor living or other interesting spaces to feature. Send an email with your name, address of the space and a photo, if possible, to spaces@delawareonline.com.
Most of her furnishings are one-of-a-kind pieces. The chairs in the living space were designed by Jimmie Martin, a London-based design firm whose clients include Madonna.
“He is, truly, a designer for and to rock stars and all of his pieces reflect that,” she says. “The process was more of a personality test than design inquiry. He spends a lot of time getting to know you via email and the phone and then creates his vision based on that.”
Nine months later, a trio of wood-framed air chairs arrived, each accented with splashes of bright aqua, yellow or pink, and decorated with hand-written affirmations.
“When the crates were unpacked and the chairs revealed, I was speechless,” she says. “He captured me in every element. They are truly works of art.”
The hardest choice at this coastal house: bay or ocean today?
While DiBianca’s furnishings make an artistic statement, the condo itself retains many of the qualities of a blank canvas. It is large — 2,835 square feet, with an open-concept floor plan, abundant natural light and bountiful views of the outdoors.
After 10 years, she has decided to set the stage for a new owner’s aesthetic interpretation and has put her home on the market.
The listing agent, Victoria Dickinson, says the condo offers both luxury and convenience.
“It’s all custom with very high-end finishes, far and above what might find anywhere else,” she says. “And you can walk to Trolley Square, you can walk to town or Alapocas park. It’s urban living at its best, without the city wage tax.”
Currently, the owner’s collection of wines is resting in the third bedroom. Racks can be removed to convert the space to a guest room, office or craft room.
HER FAVORITE PLACE IN HER HOME: “The kitchen, without a doubt. It is where I spent the vast majority of time. I love to entertain and I’m happiest when I am cooking, surrounded by friends and family.”
OVER THE TOP: A walk-in closet the size of a studio apartment, with a center island to store accessories and a professional rack system. And a chandelier, of course.
WHAT SHE WILL MISS MOST: “My neighbors, for sure, as I have many treasured friends at The Pointe. The views are just unbeatable. Watching nature through the changing seasons is a gift and a privilege that I will surely miss. I can’t deny I will surely miss the semi-private elevator that takes me from the parking garage to my private lobby. Who wouldn’t?”
Delaware Spaces
1702 N. Park Drive, Wilmington
LISTING PRICE: $685,000
SIZE: 2,835 square feet, three bedrooms, two baths
HOA FEES: $875 per month
OUTDOOR FEATURES: Two balconies with views of the Brandywine
BUILT: 2008
NOTEWORTHY: Amenities at The Pointe include a fitness center, swimming pool and a common space room with TVs and a pool table
CONTACT: Victoria Dickinson, Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate, (302) 463-4720
More
Bella Coast to become Touch of Italy this year
Miss Delaware didn't get Miss America. Here's who did.
Eileen Smith Dallabrida is a Wilmington freelance writer and editor. Contact her at esmith@smithreports.com.