Reflection Rooms

This spec-built home in Beaverton, Ore. gets its distinctive character from a combination of polished high-end finishes, rustic outdoor materials and contemporary amenities which accent its interior living spaces.

The 4889-square-foot-residence was designed by Jim Mei for Renaissance Homes. Targeted to an upscale mature market, the home's floor plan features the master and secondary bedrooms on separate levels making it well suited to meet the lifestyle requirements of an empty-nester couple or a family with older children.

The master suite features a private, rear corner location on the main floor creating a personal sanctuary for the homeowners that does not compromise future accessibility. A separate entry vestibule marks a clearly defined transition from the home's living spaces into the retreat, which includes its own sitting area and luxurious bath. "We really wanted to make this space a place of tranquility and peace," says Heather Donnelly, director of design and merchandising for Renaissance Homes.

The focal point of the bedroom is a dramatic accent wall with a highly-burnished Venetian plaster finish that shines like polished marble. "At first glance," says Donnelly, "most people thought it was actually stone. It really made a very dramatic backdrop for the bed."

One of the room's most dramatic features, its 14-foot vaulted ceiling accented by box beams, actually came about as an afterthought, says Donnelly. "The original plan called for the bed to be built into its own niche, almost like a grotto, but once we saw the volume of the space during the home's framing stage, we decided to finish it off that way instead. Sometimes things look differently when they are on paper and having the flexibility to make changes as the project is being built can make a big difference in the end result."

The use of natural materials such as stained alder trim, stone and hand-crafted brick was a key element of the home's interior design theme, according to Donnelly. The master bathroom features a mix of travertine, granite, glass mosaic tile and alder cabinetry including a built-in dresser. "This home actually features more than 200 custom-designed and built cabinets," say Donnelly.

The home, which features 10-foot ceilings throughout, was completed in August 2003 and sold after completion.