The Moment You Walk In

There’s a moment Mark Schmidt and Jo Howell both chase, though neither describes it in exactly the same way. It’s not something you can blueprint or source from a catalog. It happens quietly, usually just after someone walks through the front door.

They pause.

They take a breath.

And for a second, they don’t say anything at all.

“That’s the biggest compliment we get,” Schmidt says. “When someone walks into a space and just… has a moment. They’re taking it all in.”

That moment—equal parts architecture, light, texture, and feeling—is what defines the Southern Living Showcase Home they brought to life this year in Wilmington’s East & Mason community. It’s also what keeps them coming back.

This marks the second time Schmidt Custom Builders and Ginger Interiors have been featured in the Southern Living Showcase Home program, following their 2023 debut. For Schmidt, who has been involved with Southern Living since 2009, the program has evolved from a branding opportunity into something far more meaningful: a collaborative, ever-evolving exchange of ideas.

For Howell, it’s a chance to translate something less tangible: how a home feels to live in.

Together, they’ve created a home that doesn’t just impress—it invites.

A Plan That Breathes

At the heart of the project is Southern Living’s “Mason’s Farmhouse” floor plan, a design that immediately resonated with both Schmidt and Howell. While the plan provided a strong foundation, the real work—and the real creativity—came in how they adapted it.

“We were able to modify the plan to really fit the lot and the way we wanted the home to live,” Schmidt explains. “That’s always the goal—taking something great and making it specific.”

For Howell, the appeal was instant.

“The windows,” she says without hesitation. “That’s what excited me right away. The amount of natural light this home brings in—it changes everything.”

And it does. From nearly every vantage point inside the 4,200-square-foot home, light pours in with intention. It softens edges, highlights textures, and shifts throughout the day in a way that makes the home feel alive.

But it’s not just about brightness. It’s about connection.

“You can see from the front of the house all the way to the back,” Howell says. “There’s this natural flow that makes everything feel open, but still grounded.”

That sense of flow is reinforced by 10-foot ceilings that elevate the space—literally and figuratively. Rooms feel expansive without being overwhelming. There’s a quiet grandeur to it, the kind that doesn’t need to announce itself.

“You walk in, and it feels bigger than it is,” Schmidt says. “But it’s not wasted space. Every inch has a purpose.”

Designed for Living, Not Just Looking

While the home undoubtedly makes a strong first impression, its true strength lies in how it functions day to day.

Take the primary suite, for example. It’s designed as more than just a place to sleep—it’s a retreat within the home.

“There’s a beverage cooler built into the space,” Schmidt notes. “Little conveniences that just make life easier.”

The primary en suite continues that philosophy. A zero-entry shower creates a seamless, spa-like experience, while a floating bench and integrated LED lighting add both function and atmosphere.

“It’s clean, it’s intentional, and it feels effortless,” Howell says. “That’s what we’re always trying to achieve.”

That balance—between beauty and usability—is something both Schmidt and Howell return to often. It’s not about designing for a moment in time, but for the way people actually live.

“People want homes that work for them,” Schmidt says. “Not just something that looks good in photos.”

A Landscape That Belongs

Step outside, and the story continues.

The lot itself presented a unique opportunity. Backing up to conservation space, the property already had a sense of privacy and natural beauty. The challenge was enhancing it without disrupting it.

“We really wanted to lean into that,” Schmidt says. “To make it feel like the home was part of the landscape, not just sitting on top of it.”

The result is a carefully curated outdoor environment that evokes a meadow-like feel—soft, organic, and intentionally unstructured.

“It’s not overly manicured,” Howell adds. “It feels natural. Like it’s always been there.”

There were also requirements from the East & Mason development to incorporate new trees into the design. Rather than treating that as a constraint, Schmidt saw it as an opportunity.

“Those new trees will grow alongside the existing ones,” he says. “Over time, it’s all going to blend together in a really beautiful way.”

It’s a long view—one that reflects the same philosophy guiding the home itself.

Designing Beyond Trends

If there’s a common thread running through Howell’s work, it’s a resistance to chasing trends for their own sake.

“Design has definitely become more important over the years,” she says. “But it’s also changed. It’s less about what’s trending and more about how a space makes you feel.”

That shift is evident throughout the home. The color palette leans into earthy tones—warm, grounded, and quietly sophisticated. Tilework is used not as a statement, but as a complement, adding texture and depth without overwhelming the space.

“It’s curated, but it doesn’t feel forced,” Howell explains. “We want it to feel authentic.”

That authenticity is especially important when working with clients who may not have a clear vision of their own.

“A lot of the people I work with don’t have interior designers,” she says. “They’re looking for guidance. They know what they like when they see it, but they need help getting there.”

In this case, the Showcase Home becomes both a finished product and a kind of blueprint—a way for visitors to experience what’s possible.

Building with Intention

For Schmidt, who builds around seven custom homes each year in addition to renovations and other projects, the Showcase Home is an opportunity to push boundaries while staying true to his core approach.

“It’s a chance to try new things,” he says. “But at the end of the day, it still has to be a home. It has to work.”

That mindset has been shaped in part by his long-standing relationship with the Southern Living program. What began as a way to align his brand with a respected name has grown into something much more collaborative.

“There’s a lot of education that comes with it,” Schmidt says. “We’re constantly learning from other partners—whether it’s lighting, paint, tile, all of it.”

One example stands out: the science behind lighting placement.

“It’s not just about where it looks good,” he explains. “There’s actual science to how lighting affects a space—how it highlights certain features, how it changes the way a room feels.”

That kind of knowledge doesn’t just stay within the Showcase Home. It carries over into every project that follows.

The Power of Collaboration

If the home feels cohesive, it’s because it is. And that cohesion is the result of a collaboration that has grown stronger over time.

“Working with Jo, there’s a level of trust,” Schmidt says. “We understand each other’s process.”

Howell agrees.

“It’s not about one person’s vision,” she says. “It’s about creating something together that’s better than what either of us could do alone.”

That partnership is evident in the details—the way materials transition from one space to another, the way light interacts with color, the way the home unfolds as you move through it.

It’s also evident in what’s not there. There’s no sense of excess, no element that feels out of place.

“It’s edited,” Howell says. “Everything is there for a reason.”

After the Tour

By the time this issue reaches readers, the Southern Living Showcase Home tours will have come and gone. Hundreds of visitors will have walked through the space, pausing in doorways, running their hands along countertops, and taking in the view from the back of the house.

Some will have had that moment.

For Schmidt and Howell, that’s what matters most.

“It’s not about how many people come through,” Schmidt says. “It’s about how it makes them feel when they’re here.”

And while the tours may be over, the impact lingers—in the ideas sparked, the conversations started, and the quiet realization that a home can be more than just a place to live.

It can be something you experience.

Something you remember.

Something that, even for a brief moment, stops you in your tracks.

For more information, visit schmidtcustombuilders.com and gingerinteriordesign.com