http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/ en susan@maximumdesign.com Copyright 2009 2009-12-04T21:48:52+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/the_nationals_recognizes_maximum_design_advertising_inc._with_three_silver_/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/the_nationals_recognizes_maximum_design_advertising_inc._with_three_silver_/#When:20:48:52Z Wilmington, NC – Maximum Design & Advertising, Inc., a full-service destination lifestyle marketing firm, was announced as the recipient of three silver awards from The Nationals, the largest competition in the nation for new-home sales and marketing professionals and communities. Maximum’s ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home’, held this year at Compass Pointe in Leland, NC,  received recognition in the following categories: − Best Strategic Sales Promotion - Limited Time − Best Special Promotion - Limited Time Marketing Promotion − Best Integrated Internet Marketing Campaign Now in its 28th year, The NationalsSM pays tribute to superior new-home sales and marketing achievements by individual sales and marketing professionals, homebuilders and associates, and sales and marketing councils. The largest competition in the nation for new-home sales and marketing professionals and communities, The NationalsSM is also the most prestigious, in part because it is national in scope, and categories are effectively linked to real-world marketing strategies and challenges. As a Silver Award winner, Maximum is now eligible for the highest honor, the Gold Award, in any of its three categories.  The 2010 Gold winners will be announced January 19th at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.  2009-12-04T20:48:52+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/river_landing_marine_thanksgiving_2009_press_release/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/river_landing_marine_thanksgiving_2009_press_release/#When:17:04:15Z FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 19, 2009 River Landing Opens Its Doors and Hearts to Single Marines on Thanksgiving Wallace, NC – River Landing, a private golf community in Wallace, NC, will be hosting approximately 100 Marines from Camp Lejeune who don’t have families to be with on this year’s Thanksgiving Day holiday.  This isn’t just a “come have dinner ” scenario, but much more of a day-long initiative where an entire community rallies around the young men and women about to be deployed and honors them in a very special way that they’ll remember forever. On Thanksgiving Day morning, in the manner of a celebration, a procession of two busses from Camp Lejeune will make the 45-minute ride to River Landing escorted the entire route by local, county and state police and sheriffs, and flanked by a sizeable group of motorcycle riders.  The convoy is meant to show respect to these volunteers who are serving our country.  Upon arrival, River Landing will open the doors to the entire community for their military guests to enjoy.  A breakfast will start off the morning at the clubhouse, followed by a full day of fun.  Each Marine chooses how to spend their day.  Some will want to take advantage of the many activities the community offers – golf and golf lessons, fishing, kayaking or using the fitness center or pool.  Others will be just as happy being a couch potato while watching games on TV, throwing a football around the yard or helping to cook dinner.  Families living at River Landing host the Marines and top the day off with Thanksgiving dinner in their homes with their own families, many of which also have sons and daughters in the military.  All the Marines will leave with gift bags, some hearty Thanksgiving leftovers and good memories. The entire initiative was started, and is now coordinated, by River Landing resident, Robert Steen. With a 20+ year army background, Steen has always had a soft spot for the military.  He knew that, for most Marines, Thanksgiving is just another day on the base, so three years ago he and his wife, Carol, decided to host 12 single Marines in their home for the holiday.  A more formal program escalated from there.  In 2008, more families got involved and hosted 49 Marines—a full busload.  This year, that number has doubled.  Over half of the Marine Corps is single and its Single Marine Program looks to find ways to help meet that group’s specific needs.  According to Susan Goodrich, Camp Lejeune’s program coordinator, whomever the lucky Marines are that are selected to attend will have a day to remember for the rest of their lives. “These guys and girls are looking at being deployed right after this and it may be their last home cooked meal for a while with a family,” said Goodrich.  “It’s incredible to see the bonding that quickly occurs between these Marines and the families and what happens at the end of the day when you see the exchange of love and phone numbers. It’s just a great, great thing that they’re doing.”  When asked about what he’d like the Marines to get from this experience, Steen responded emotionally, “You’re going to break my heart, aren’t you.”  Steen hopes when Marines leave River Landing that they know that there are a lot of folks out here that are thinking about them and will pray for them when they leave.  “We will hope they get back safe and sound,” said Steen, “and we hope they know how thankful we are for the mission they perform.”    About River Landing Founded in 1995 by The Murphy Family of Duplin County, 1,700-acre River Landing ranks among the top-selling private golf communities in North Carolina. To date, more than 1,200 homesites have been purchased in the thriving community along the Northeast Cape Fear River, including the early stages of the state’s latest vineyard – the Vineyards at River Landing.  www.riverlanding.com   Client Press 2009-11-20T17:04:15+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/nations_next_top_model_home_interior_design_competition_begins_search_for_2/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/nations_next_top_model_home_interior_design_competition_begins_search_for_2/#When:19:36:42Z FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 9, 2009 ‘NATION’S NEXT TOP MODEL HOME’ INTERIOR DESIGN COMPETITION BEGINS SEARCH FOR 2010 HOST COMMUNITY Wilmington, NC – ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home,’ a unique, web-based reality show, has begun its search for a host community for its 2010 season. In this competition, interior designers from across the country are selected to decorate living areas of new model homes within one single new home community. Working within a set timeframe and budget, designers vie for a $25,000 cash prize. The show drew a significant amount of attention in its first season, which very positively impacted Compass Pointe, the 2009 host community.  During the 30 day “grand reveal” of the designers’ finished homes, the new home development attracted over 860 visitors, more than doubling the number they had had since the beginning of the year.  The community was also able to directly attribute over 25 property sales to the ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home’ exposure.  And, the ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home’ website, which attracted over 130,000 unique visitors during the show’s 3-month run, actively fed traffic to the community’s website and social media venues. ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home’ is searching for a new location to host next year’s competition.  Producers are considering new developments with homes, townhomes and/or condominiums, as well as multifamily buildings.  Developments must be in a sought after locale that appeals to people in both local and national markets. Applications are currently being accepted from communities interested in participating in the 2010 ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home’ season.  Entry information and requirements can be found on the competition’s website at www.nationsnexttopmodelhome.com/2010. . About ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home’ Established by KAMY Properties, LLC, ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home’ is a unique web-based reality competition that recognizes exceptional interior design among the nation’s finest model homes. www.nationsnexttopmodelhome.com     Client Press 2009-11-16T19:36:42+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/garden_fare_and_hot_chowder_deluxe_chefs_past_and_present_stirring_pots_aro/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/garden_fare_and_hot_chowder_deluxe_chefs_past_and_present_stirring_pots_aro/#When:17:29:02Z By: Liz Biro, Star News food writer If you’ve been wondering about Deluxe’s new chef, Trinity Hunt, see him in action today at Waterford’s chowder cooking competition. Meantime, his former boss, Keith Rhodes, will be cooking at a new Wilmington community garden. Hunt, took over Deluxe’s kitchens when longtime chef Keith Rhodes in late September departed the beloved downtown restaurant. The 31-year-old served as Rhodes’ sous chef at Deluxe, where Hunt has long been responsible for soups. To continue reading this article about Deluxe chefs past and present click here Client Press 2009-10-24T17:29:02+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/designer_susan_tollefsens_eclectic_style_makes_for_top_model_home/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/designer_susan_tollefsens_eclectic_style_makes_for_top_model_home/#When:17:53:36Z Designer Susan Tollefsen’s eclectic style makes for ‘Top Model Home’ by Allison Ballard Seven designers faced off in the locally filmed Web-based reality competition Nation’s Next Top Model Home.  After months of decorating and public voting, Susan Tollefsen, an interior designer who works with Furnishing Solutions in Raleigh, was named the winner for her work at a model home in the Leland community Compass Pointe.  As the winner, she gets a $25,000 prize. To continue reading this interview with Susan Tollefsen printed in Wilmington Star News, click here. Client Press 2009-10-19T17:53:36+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/raleigh_designer_is_a_winner/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/raleigh_designer_is_a_winner/#When:17:42:25Z Raleigh designer is a winner by Debra Boyette Susan Tollefsen, an interior designer from Raleigh, is the winner of the “Nation’s Next Top Model Home.” She beat out more than 200 designers, including Tim Schelfe of Raleigh, to take home the $25,000 grand prize in the online reality competition. To continue reading this article about Nation’s Next Top Model Home printed in the Raleigh News & Observer, click here. Client Press 2009-10-14T17:42:25+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/susan_tollefsen_wins_nations_next_top_model_home_competition/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/susan_tollefsen_wins_nations_next_top_model_home_competition/#When:15:51:08Z Susan Tollefsen wins ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home’ competition by WIDN Staff Writer Susan Tollefsen, a North Carolina-based interior designer, has won the 2009 winner of the web-based reality competition ‘Nation’s Next Top Model Home.’ Susan Tollefsen was awarded the title at the taping of the show’s finale party at Compass Pointe, on October 3, 2009. Tollefsen was selected from over 200 applicants from across the country and was awarded a cash prize of $25,000.  To continue reading this article about Nation’s Next Top Model Home from the World Interior Design Network, click here. Client Press 2009-10-14T15:51:08+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/fayetteville_native_wins_national_home-design_contest/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/fayetteville_native_wins_national_home-design_contest/#When:17:35:59Z Fayetteville native wins national home-design contest A staff report Fayetteville native Susan Tollefsen is the 2009 winner of the Nation’s Next Top Model Home contest. Tollefsen emerged as the winner of the Internet reality competition after topping six other interior designers in votes. The design contestants were challenged to transform an empty model home in Wilmington. They had only 28 days and a budget of $5,000 with the option to use $5,000 of their own money to create an inviting look for the home.  To read more of this article from The Fayetteville Observer, click here. Client Press 2009-10-12T17:35:59+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/raleigh_designers_compete/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/raleigh_designers_compete/#When:15:55:24Z Raleigh designers compete by Luciana Chavez Since Aug. 1 two interior designers from Raleigh have been throwing down paint chips and fabric swatches against five other designers from across the county on “The Nation’s Next Top Model Home.” Never heard of it? It could be because this reality show competition, with viewers picking a winner, is happening online at www.NationsNextTopModelHome.com. Susan Tollefson and Tim Schelfe represented Raleigh.  Also, Amy Tyndall and Cindy Blunt represented Wilmington. To continue reading this article from the Raleigh News and Observer featuring two designers from Nation’s Next Top Model Home, click here.   Client Press 2009-09-28T15:55:24+00:00 http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/news_permalink/designer_seeks_win_in_national_contest/ http://www.maximumdesign.com/index.php/news/designer_seeks_win_in_national_contest/#When:16:59:19Z Designer seeks win in national contest by Amneris Solano Susan Tollefsen, a Fayetteville native, is in the running to become the Nation’s Next Top Model Home designer.  Tollefson is one of seven design contestants from around the country who were chosen to transform an empty model home in Wilmington.  The designers had only 28 days and a budget of $5,000 with the option to use $5,000 of their own money to create an inviting look for the home.  She said she relied on donations from different vendors to help her furnish parts of the home.  To continue reading this article published in the Fayetteville Observer, click here. Client Press 2009-09-23T16:59:19+00:00