Main Level

Uphill lots can be a creative challenge for a home design. Early on in the design process, a decision was made regarding vehicle access and garage location for this home.

The developer/design team decided ultimately to place the car court and garages at the very back of the lot, making it level with the main floor of the home. This decision allows family and friends to drive up to the side entry of the main living level and, therefore, not be dependent on steps leading to the dramatic and elevated front entry terrace of the home.

Additional considerations that influenced the floor plan layout of the home was locating the preferred outdoor spaces based on micro climate analysis, views, street noises, privacy, etc. The outdoor terraces are located on the south side of the home, providing better seasonal sunlight and protection from winter winds. The main level has an outdoor terrace, which is elevated above the garden terrace below. This outdoor space has shared access from the master suite and the grand living room. This special living space is designed to feel like a conservatory or garden room. The combination of a tall, beamed ceiling, a grand fireplace and generous natural light will make this a favorite spot to enjoy quiet times as well as family and friends.

The living room opens dramatically through tall, arched openings to the entry hall and the formal adjacent dining space defined by a “groin vault” ceiling. The dramatic and open feeling of the main level “public zone” continues on an axis toward the kitchen, eating and gathering spaces.

The kitchen has been designed as a social hub, so it’s visible and accessible to much of the main-level public areas. While sitting at the island barstools, family and friends can be at the heart of the activity. The kitchen also includes sufficient space for comfortable seating and ample table. It’s also designed to be flexible so that the homeowners can choose their preferred lifestyle arrangement. Once again, these spaces are well-defined yet visually open to each other in order to socially connect the various functions of the main level.

Back to the front entry hall, a gracious stairway leads down to the lower level. The stairway is also in line with the gallery/hallway that leads to the back of the home where the master suite, side entry, garages and other house functions exist.

When entering the master bedroom suite, you’ll see an arched barrel ceiling, which defines the bed alcove. This space also includes a sitting zone next to a dramatic arched window and a custom door with direct access to the main-floor terrace.

The master bath and closet are both functional and luxurious as well. The feeling of Old World elegance is complemented with modern functional requirements. The dressing room/closet contains a secluded makeup area, beverage center, and washer and dryer location. In the master bath, a free-standing tub sits inside an arched alcove so you can observe nature through a tall, clear one-story window that floods the space with daylight. A gracious walk-in shower and private commode complete the master bath.