flexiblefullpage -
Currently Reading

Design Spotlight: Specialty Rooms

Advertisement
billboard -
Design

Design Spotlight: Specialty Rooms

See how two builders and an architect executed their visions for wine rooms, a basement spa, and a children's bunk/craft room with access hidden behind a swing-away bookcase.


By By Mike Beirne, Senior Editor January 16, 2017
This article first appeared in the CB Winter 2017 issue of Custom Builder.

Gus Rubio

Garbriel Builders, Travelers Rest, S.C.

Featuring cedar walls, mahogany cabinetry, cigar storage, a barrel tile ceiling, and a ladder system, this humidity-controlled wine room holds 1,972 bottles. The stairway to the living area has custom-turned woodwork, including newel posts and tower finials. Access is also possible via a wood-paneled elevator.

 The gym in this home is pro quality. With architect Mel Dias, we ensured that floor supports could handle the dropping of heavy barbells. The gym has a second story with cardio equipment and a stretching area. Home automation delivers music, satellite TV, and security. The fitness area extends outside to a push-sled track and half basketball court. Few need a gym of this caliber, but many would enjoy a scaled-down version.
 This rustic wine tasting room was inspired by the homeowner, who lived in France for several years as a young girl. 

 

Richard Landry

Landry Design Group, Los Angeles

The first step in design is asking clients to ponder how they live and entertain and the life they anticipate as their families mature. Those answers, along with knowing which home style the clients like, provides the basis for a plan. Home theaters, entertainment centers, gyms, and wine rooms often are customary in homes with ample underground space, but sometimes we’re asked to design a room for beauty treatments and massage. 

Situated alongside a gym and full spa in the basement of a classical Chicago home, this room owes its relaxing ambience to a fireplace, rich materials, a warm palette, and cove lighting.

Another unusual request was made by clients whose daughter practices meditation. There, we designed a meditation tower. The serene space is an exotic mélange of colors and cultures, yet it works in this residence. 

Sven Gustafson

Stonewood, Wayzata, Minn.

Imagine the excitement when a child discovers a hidden entrance behind a swing-away bookcase.

The bookcase opens to a set of stairs leading to the highest level of the home. Anticipation builds as the child ascends the stairs until finally he or she pushes open the door and enters the best room of the house.

This bunk/craft room is the perfect space for kids of all ages. A long concrete table, brightly painted storage cabinets, and a full sink add function. Whether finger-painting or doing homework, the space is designed to be fun, colorful, and comfortable.

Adjacent to the craft area are two custom-made bunk beds for sleepovers.

Each bunk has individually controlled lamps for ghost stories or bedtime reading. Or, turn everything off and enjoy watching a movie from bed. Several of our clients have kids, and these bunk/craft rooms are becoming more and more popular.

Tags

Related Stories

Custom Builder

Floodproof on a Floodplain

An impressive addition to the IDEA Home series, the NEWLOOK Experience Home is a master class in engineering and creative design, with builder Michael Freiburger out-thinking an exceptionally tricky lot

Custom Builder

3 Questions Answered About Reliable Energy in Home Construction

Energy expert Bryan Cordill makes a case for why and how propane is an answer to growing concerns about reliability and resilience in home construction 

Business

Custom Builder to Talk Color Design with Becki Owens at IBS

At this year's IBS, renowned designer Becki Owens will sit down with host James McClister, editor of Custom Builder, to discuss a variety of topics from basic color play in design to the Allura Spectrum palette, a collection of Sherwin-Williams colors curated for the benefit of pros

Business

PERC Highlights Sustainability and Efficiency at IBS with 'Clean Build Conversations'

Hear from industry standouts Matt Blashaw and Anthony Carrino at this hour-long Show Village event

Custom Builder

Telling a Story That Preserves the Past

Custom builder and historic restoration and preservation expert Brent Hull walks us through the careful details of his Pennsylvania Farmhouse project

Business

Defining Outdoor Living in 2024

Residential experts weigh in on outdoor living trends in new report

Construction

How to Air Seal the Garage

A poorly sealed wall or ceiling between the garage and the main house can let harmful fumes into the living space

Business

Taking Advantage of Incentives Through Weatherization

Industry insider Kristen Lewis walks us through the basics and benefits of weatherization

Custom Builder

2023: A Year of Case Studies

A look back at the custom homes and craftsman details we spotlighted last year

Customer Service

A Smart Home Built Smart

Custom builder August Homes blends efficient, hi-tech home automation systems with high-performance, sustainable building strategies
 

Advertisement
boombox1 -
Advertisement
boombox2 -
Advertisement
boombox3 -
Advertisement
native1 -

More in Category

Custom Builder

Floodproof on a Floodplain

An impressive addition to the IDEA Home series, the NEWLOOK Experience Home is a master class in engineering and creative design, with builder Michael Freiburger out-thinking an exceptionally tricky lot

Custom Builder

3 Questions Answered About Reliable Energy in Home Construction

Energy expert Bryan Cordill makes a case for why and how propane is an answer to growing concerns about reliability and resilience in home construction 

boombox4 -
Business

Custom Builder to Talk Color Design with Becki Owens at IBS

At this year's IBS, renowned designer Becki Owens will sit down with host James McClister, editor of Custom Builder, to discuss a variety of topics from basic color play in design to the Allura Spectrum palette, a collection of Sherwin-Williams colors curated for the benefit of pros

Business

PERC Highlights Sustainability and Efficiency at IBS with 'Clean Build Conversations'

Hear from industry standouts Matt Blashaw and Anthony Carrino at this hour-long Show Village event

boombox4 -
Advertisement
native2 -
Advertisement
halfpage1 -