Winner of 3 design awards including “Reader’s Choice Award for Best Overall Home”.

Inspired by the stately manor homes of old-world European architecture, especially those of French Normandy, this regal home was designed to blend tastefully into its upscale established neighborhood, comply with strict community guidelines and meet the modern lifestyle requirements of its owners.

This French Normandy all-stone home, stone courtyards, and the landscape gardens surrounding it were designed to complement each other and to re-create the charm of French/ European villages.

The design challenge of this home was to be sensitive to, and respectful of, the traditional architecture of the surrounding homes and the private country club which the house is sited adjacent to while at the same time taking advantage of its very unique site and creating a home which is extremely livable with all the best 21st century hi-tech amenities, with the charm and character of old-world architecture.

The house is sited to capture both outstanding views of the lush rolling golf course, which is directly across the private road, as well as breathtaking views of the lake to the rear of the house. The primary interior spaces as well as extensive outdoor living spaces, with wrap around stone loggias and flickering gas lanterns, are organized to capture the magnificent views of the lake.

The lot was challenging, sloping steeply from right to left, requiring an extensive retaining landscape plan to achieve a desirably-sized building envelope for the home and to not disturb the drainage on the neighboring lot. This challenge was met by creating terraces with stone walkways to lead from space to space, which mimic the streetscape of many French hill villages. 

Stone garden pathways meander around the residence, private courtyards are constructed for relaxing and entertaining, and romantic vignettes are created throughout the landscape.

The stone that was used on the exterior of the home was pulled into the landscape design to create garden courtyard walls and garden walk-under arches to add a playful, fun sense of anticipatory space to the overall design.