Attention to detail, quality and design is why this grand home has that certain “something”, and more.
Most design briefs are based around the functionality of a home for its occupants, and then naturally followed up by a form that is pleasing, perhaps even exciting. In this case the client, a building contractor, wanted more. He wanted to showcase to his potential clients his ability to construct quality homes in a “grand style” and this home, designed by Graham Jones Design, showcases such talents.
Size was of particular importance in the initial design process, along with its presentation to the streetscape. The front façade has dimension and impeccable style, with a water feature taking the look to the next level. Room requirements alone dictated a house of enormous substance, with the overall scheme to include six bedrooms, all with walk-in wardrobes and private or shared ensuites; formal dining and meals areas; large living spaces including a combined theatre, trophy and games room with a commercial-sized bar; indoor swimming pool and gymnasium; and two double garages. It was decided early on that a home of such proportions required a theme of interest both internally and externally. Thus soft curves were introduced to portray both contrast and flow. A central porte-cochere sets up a balanced entry from the street and upon arrival at this point, one is treated to the theatre of continuous flowing waterfalls filling the reflection ponds on either side of the double entry doors. The double-volume entry and grand staircase are impressive but your attention will be caught by three large circular light drums that appear to hang from the ceiling, filling the space above.
Beyond the entry, the floorplan opens up from all rooms to seamlessly integrate with part of the rear garden, which has been designed around entertaining and social activities. A glass wall is all that separates an indoor swimming pool from the formal dining area, which in turn is gently screened from the main family, meals and kitchen spaces. Bi-fold doors to the pool room open up to glass pool fencing, allowing the pool to become an “outdoor” fixture during the warmer months. An avid hunter, the client wanted space to display his “trophies” and no space was more perfectly suited than the themed games and entertainment room. This space includes a wet bar, comfy sitting area, full-sized billiards table and home theatre. The special attention paid to detail in its planning and interior design detailing are why it is such a success. Also, keeping it single-storey provided the opportunity to raise its ceiling to create a feeling of grandeur in such a specialised room.
The top floor of the home appears to be reserved for sleeping, with five of the six bedrooms located on this level. Three of these rooms enjoy the luxury of opening onto a rear balcony, with the gardens and tennis court below. The rumpus/entertaining room on this level provides a buffer between the master suite and the other bedrooms. Here, in the private zone of the master bedroom, a spacious ensuite features a freestanding bath with a picture window backdrop to a front balcony, principally designed to add three-dimensional interest to the front façade of the building. The home is particularly well detailed throughout, the clients themselves travelling overseas with the interior designer to select tiles, fittings and furniture for the majority of the project. Painstaking effort has been expended to create a contemporary, yet sophisticated ambience that is considered tasteful, while avoiding the tag of opulent. Overall, the home showcases all the style and functionality it needs to, yet maintains its sense of homely warmth.
