Custom-designed cherry cabinetry and support columns for the catwalk give the eye-catching bookcase wall in this luxury model home a library-like appearance of superior quality. The fireplace surround was created using a mix of tile and cherry detailing, which included the hearth. Additional cabinets above the built-in television provide storage space for electronic equipment. Flooring throughout the great room and adjoining kitchen is also cherry.
|
A bookcase wall serves as the focal point for the great room in this luxury model home by Toll Brothers in Castle Rock, Colo. This intriguing element results when clever design couples with ingenious carpentry to make the improbable work structurally, says Ken Clark, senior project manager.
"The project was extremely challenging to execute because of local building codes and the location of the main staircase," says Clark. "But it was really a wonderful opportunity for us to do something more than just a sea of drywall on one wall."
Capitalizing on the volume, a mid-level catwalk cantilevers out 4 feet from the room's rear wall, creating a false ceiling above the fireplace and a more intimate environment for the seating area. That same walkway also serves a practical function - providing access to the built-in bookcases that trace the angle of the upper wall, culminating at the ceiling's 22-foot peak.
"We wanted to create some very dramatic interior architecture that would set this house apart from any other," says interior designer Mary Cook, who originally suggested the concept of creating a bookcase wall. In addition, says Cook, the unique wall treatment gives this portion of the great room its own identity, even though it opens to the adjoining kitchen. "Although it is really one big room, you don't get the feeling that the great room is just an extension of the kitchen."
The loft, located at the top of the stairs, serves as a children's study or game room in the family-oriented home. Custom maple cabinetry provides a mix of display space and storage to hide clutter.
|
The home was completed in November 2002.
Style of Home | Traditional
Location | Castle Rock, Colo.
Total Square Footage | 4,294
Estimated Market Value | $1.1 million
Builder | Toll Brothers, Castle Rock, Colo.
Architect | RNS Architects, Newport Beach, Calif.
Interior Design | Mary Cook & Associates, Chicago, Ill.
Builder's Luxury Model Home
Major Products Used | Fireplace: Heat-N-Glo | Windows: Milgard Windows
Photography by Mark Boisclair
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