Orlando, FL
The general layout is on three levels while the site consists of 6 acres. Mere Belle was sited on a sloping lot facing a lake with a rear view. The general layout is Formal rooms on ground floor with Guest wing and bedrooms with the Master Suite and secondary bedrooms upstairs.
A walk out basement was contrived due to the slope and it is a partial space containing a spa and exercise room. On the grounds (and included in the plans) is a Service Quarters, Gazebo, and Boat House.
A decorative wood beamed Covered Entry Porch opens to the Foyer, two story, with a Grand single curving stair ahead - cantilevered. The stairs go up to the second floor and a smaller central spiral takes you down to the Walk Out Basement. There is a Foyer, Office, and Library/Den, Formal Living Room, Parlor and Dining Room.
There are columns and arches framing the Library and Parlor with a two-story space and bridge overhead. A full range of French doors faces the rear view down a long corridor leading to the left and right wings. The doors open to an equally long Verandah which is covered and has a grand stairway leading down to the walk out Basement level and the Pool.
There is an elevator and two Powder Rooms on the First Floor.
The right wing contains the Kitchen, Family Room, and Breakfast area. There is a rear patio open to the rear from the Family Room and a covered Porch off the Breakfast area. A secondary stair takes one up to the Master Suite only. A spiral stair leads down from the Family Room into a Wine Cellar.
Through a covered Driveway to the right of the Kitchen you can take a small car or other equipment to the back yard. On the other side of this passageway are two Guest Suites at an angle to the main block with private porch and also connected to a 3 car Garage which forms the right front main wing of the house. The matching left front wing has a 2 car Garage with a Breezeway connecting to the left rear wing.
The left rear wing contains a full Mother-in-Law Suite with Formal Living and Dining Room, Island Kitchen and two Bedrooms with Baths ensuite. It has a private entry but also connects to the end of the main Corridor of the main living quarters.
The Pool in back is framed by the rear left and right wings and has an intricate limestone pattern. Much of the exterior stone was sourced and carved in Mexico.
In the main block of the house on the Second floor, the right side contains the Master Bedroom with Private Balcony at rear and a small one at front with a Sitting Room, Bath and large Walk in Closet. There is a large private Office or Craft Room off to the right of this suite and has a private exterior open stair to grade.
The Master Suite also has a spiral stair leading up to a small view tower.
The left side of the second floor has two bedrooms with two baths ensuite. There is a Laundry room off the Bridge. Access to both levels is via the main stairway or Elevator.
The center of the Basement has sitting areas, room for Games and a Spa, Exercise Room and Sauna. There is a bath and dressing area also available to the Pool.
A Wet Bar faces the rear of the house with access to the pool. A secret passage was developed to go to a Billiard Room or Home Theater under the rear left wing. A conference room was added later below the Family Room of the right wing.
There is a delightful design for a Gazebo, used once as an aviary and then converted to a small wedding Pavilion.
Status: Built
Location: Orlando, FL, US
Firm Role: Architect of Record
Additional Credits: John Raya, original concept
Gary Nelson, contractor