Sycamore

This 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath home was a design/build project based on specific criteria dictated by the client and implemented by the Architect/Builder. The defining features of the 3800 heated square feet are the floor to ceiling stone walls mimicking the exterior materials.  One wall has a double fireplace between the sunken great room and the formal dining room. Another provides a dramatic nook for the cooktop in the kitchen. A unique walk-through butler’s pantry connects the dining room with the kitchen. The client’s favorite ‘room’ is the screened porch, perfectly situated in the center of the home.

As in all of our projects, the desires of the client were paramount. She decided to give up her 14 aces and move into town after 30 years of ranch-style living out in the country. The plan started with large open rooms to accommodate entertaining friends and family and gave substantial consideration for furnishings like the client’s grand piano, antique grandfather clock, and oversized master suite pieces.

The impressive stone walls establish the tone and colors of the entire house and give the spaces a comfortable yet elegant feel. There is an abundance of windows in every room – with some unique locations like transoms in the pantry, over the master closet doors and the skylight in the shower. Larger more dramatic windows in the dining room, the piano room and the great room allow the home to be entirely lit during the day without ever flipping a switch.

Spatially, the master suite, complete with a walk through closet and luxurious bathroom is separated from the two secondary bedrooms; but all remain on the main level. The placement of the structure was sensitive to the natural topography of the land and ensures maximum outdoor enjoyment and privacy.

The truly unique building factor is that this home is among the first EarthCraft House homes in the upstate. EarthCraft House is a third party certified green building program that recognizes the importance of environmentally responsible design and construction. Subcontractors working on the site were educated about green building practices and were required to recycle materials where possible. The home’s green features include low VOC paints and solvents, compact fluorescent light bulbs and fixtures and ENERGY STAR appliances. Most importantly, the home was built on a sealed crawl space, topped with radiant barrier roof sheathing and in between has numerous other techniques to make the home energy efficient. While building green can cost more upfront, the client’s utility bills reflect significant reductions because of these construction methods and careful placement of the home~ and the client is proud to be responsible green homeowner.