“We don’t just build houses. We build homes, and we take that responsibility very seriously.”
When Brookline Homes’ interior designer Laura Brown walks through homes in the Vanguard at Vermilion community in Huntersville, North Carolina, she sometimes pauses and has the same thought many prospective buyers do.
“I would want to live here,” she says simply.
For Laura, that reaction matters. Her work influences how a space feels and how someone imagines their life unfolding there, shaping how buyers will experience and see themselves in their new home.
With its walkable setting, light-filled architecture, and flexible layouts designed for modern living, Laura finds herself designing not just beautiful spaces at Vanguard, but a lifestyle she genuinely believes in.
A Walkable Community in Huntersville, NC
The Vanguard community is located within the larger Vermillion neighborhood in Huntersville, a family-friendly suburb just north of Charlotte.
The development includes thoughtfully designed townhomes and villas that offer low-maintenance living while still feeling connected to a vibrant neighborhood setting. Residents also have access to Vermillion’s established amenities, including pools, recreation areas, and community gathering spaces.
For many people looking to buy a home in Huntersville, NC, location quickly becomes one of Vanguard’s biggest advantages. “You can walk out your door, and in five minutes, get coffee or pizza,” Laura explains. “There’s a children’s museum nearby, parks, and downtown Huntersville is right there.”
That kind of walkability stands out in a suburban setting. In a region where many neighborhoods require driving for everyday errands, Vanguard offers something different: a community where daily routines can happen close to home.
Being located between Lake Norman and Uptown Charlotte also gives residents access to both outdoor recreation and city life, making it a perfect option for people who want convenience without giving up space or a sense of community.
Townhomes Designed to Feel Bright and Open
Brookline’s three-story townhomes are one signature element of the Vanguard community. The homes typically offer around 1,800 to just over 2,000 square feet with three bedrooms and spacious layouts designed for everyday living.
Laura says the homes feel more spacious than many buyers expect.
“These homes have very tall ceilings and lots of windows that allow a lot of natural light,” she explains. That architectural openness shaped her design approach for the model home.
“I stuck to mostly neutral colors with an earthy palette to let the home speak for itself,” Laura says.
When visitors walk through the model home, her goal is simple. “My hope is always that they remember the home itself more than how it was decorated or furnished,” she says. “I hope they walk through and think, ‘wow, I could really see myself here.’”
Flexible Spaces for the Way People Live Today
One of Laura’s favorite features in the Vanguard townhome model is a flexible space on the first floor. The room was intentionally left open so homeowners can adapt it to their needs.
“It could be a great place for a home gym, office space, craft room, movie room, anything that you need,” she explains. Laura also sees it working well for families. “I have an almost two-year-old and I think it would be a perfect playroom or hangout space if you have older children.”
In another case, a potential buyer imagined something entirely different. “He said it would be perfect for storing his paddleboards, canoes and fishing equipment so he didn’t have to use his garage,” Laura recalls.
The main level also includes an office nook designed for today’s remote work lifestyle. “With work from home being so common now, we added a built-in desk with storage so as a compact space, it is very efficient.”
The Brookline Difference: A Family-Run Builder Designing for Real Life
Brookline Homes is an award-winning, female-operated, and family-owned homebuilder with a tight-knit team, and for Laura that culture shapes the entire experience of building and buying a home. “People bring their dogs to work. I used to bring my son to work with me,” she says. “Brookline really is different.”
That closeness carries into the way the company approaches homebuilding. Because the team lives in the same communities where they build, the work feels personal. “We work here. Our kids go to school here,” Laura explains. “We don’t just build houses. We build homes, and we take that responsibility very seriously.”
In the Vanguard community, surrounded by greenery, set within a walkable neighborhood, and designed with flexible spaces that adapt to everyday life, there’s a sense of comfort that feels both practical and welcoming. Even for the interior designer herself.
“Every time I come here,” Laura says, “I think to myself,‘this is a really great house.’”
