Alexander Julian was practically born in a clothing store. His parents, through their store Julian's (in Chapel Hill) have been described as the "Godparents of Preppy." In the early 1970's Alex set out to modernize traditional menswear with innovative new silhouettes and fabrics. He inadvertently became the first American fashion designer to design his own cloth.

Julian's unique use of color quickly captured the popular imagination. He almost single-handedly brought menswear out of the "dark ages." The New York Times heralded him as "Master Colorist." He introduced new colors and color combinations into the common vernacular.

Alex Julian's work always includes a unique signature that flows across many currents of fashion, not only in clothing but also in furniture, paint, home furnishings amd much more. The international design community says he has a penchant for perennial chic, and it reverberates throughout everything he touches. Revisited classics like argyle diamonds transcend scale and material from sweaters to neckties to furniture to basketball uniforms. Equally ubiquitous are his signature iterations of classic herringbone patterns, realized in everything from clothing to tabletops to ceiling design.

He is a protagonist for aesthetic entertainment. His details playfully subvert the expectations of both viewer and wearer. To Alex Julian, fashion and home furnishings are not simply functional decorations, but self-expression. His overall mission is simple. Create unique products that foster a sense of well-being.

That mission was evident when Preservation Homes approached Meagan and Alex Julian about collaborating on a collection of home designs. Everyone immediately realized that there was a sense of common ground. The Julians believe, like the customers who have bought their clothing, home furnishings and paint over the years, that in housing, people simply want something that looks good, is distinctive and feels comfortable. When it comes to housing by Preservation Homes, everyone agreed that people want a great looking place to live that doesn't look just like their neighbors' homes, and that lives comfortably.

So this idea of bringing people together who are experts in shape, texture and color, and teaming them with a growing homebuilder who understands scale, proportion and quality, seemed to be a really great fit. The many years of working in the spotlight of the fashion industry allow Meagan and Alex the talent and experience to offer area homebuyers a rare opportunity to own something truly distinctive.

An incredible portfolio of uniquely designed homes is available now at South Lakes in Fuquay-Varina, Olde Towne in Raleigh, Carolina Colours in New Bern and Old Fields in Mebane.