Some would argue the true test of a home's functional bandwidth is a party, and the InSync Home is built to handle even the biggest of blow-outs. Distributed audio, mood lighting, and professional-grade kitchen wares notwithstanding, the physical environment is conducive to socializing in every which way—be it a big family holiday dinner, an intimate cocktail hour, or a summer bash with friends.
An inspired progression of intertwined social realms at the home's core makes it all possible. For fancy occasions, a formal dining area connects to a butler pantry and sits just across the hall from a temperature-controlled wine cove. Laid-back parties and everyday living are made effortless by fluid design in the home's more casual indoor/ outdoor zones. Retractable accordion-fold Nana Wall Systems doors in the first-floor family room fold completely away, opening up the first floor to a spacious outdoor veranda and pool deck.
“This is how Florida lives,” says Goehring. “It's imperative for the connections between indoor/outdoor rooms to be seamless.” With a flatscreen TV, a massive marble fireplace, summer kitchen, and retractable bug screens, the covered patio makes entertaining a breeze.
Credit: James F. Wilson
GOOD WOOD: A coffered cypress ceiling lends a touch of class to the back patio. "Cypress is a natural, high-density hardwood that won't split or shake," says builder Goehring. In fact, the native species makes multiple appearances throughout the home -- in the soffit overhand and outriggers under the campanile's cap, and in some of the interior trim carpentry.
Credit: James F. Wilson
VIEW TO A GRILL: InSync's industrial-strength summer kitchen on the back patio takes outdoor entertaining up a few notches. An iridescent Crossville tile backsplash complements heavy-duty, stainless appliances by KitchenAid and a range hood from Best by Broan.
Credit: James F. Wilson
TO DINE FOR: The ceiling treatment in the regal dining room with a formal table is as commanding as the view to the outdoors. Ornamental tiers of Fypon decorative crown molding look like natural, carved wood. “We used satin finish faux painting, making no attempt to cover up the seams, as natural wood would show the seams,” says interior designer Donnie Saxon.
Credit: James F. Wilson
CATCH FIRE: Because the ambiance of a fireplace is appreciated in Florida, the home has three from Lennox Hearth Products, including a 42-inch Lennox Elite stainless steel outdoor gas unit and a Superior vent-free unit. The Elite offers 60,000 BTUs, optional bifold doors, and a herringbone brick pattern liner. The Superior unit has the look of a traditional fireplace and has a built-in convection system.
Credit: James F. Wilson
COOL DOWN: To help beat the Florida heat, the InSync Home has a variety of ceiling fans from Hunter Fan Co., including the Fellini, Coronado, and Royal Palm. Measuring 60 inches, the Fellini has five hand-carved walnut blades. The Coronado features wood blades that call to mind lush palms. And with an island influence, the Royal Palm (shown) has four cherry and rattan blades and a faux-plantation leather finish.
Credit: James F. Wilson
BUG OFF: The weather here is nice, but this is Florida after all: You need to guard against insects. InSync's back patio is protected with Executive Screens from Phantom Screens. Integrated into the architecture, the retractable screens disappear into the arches when not in use. The screens are made of PVC-coated fiberglass mesh and are specified in charcoal with a sun control factor of 40 percent.
Credit: James F. Wilson
ARCHWAY TO HEAVEN: The groin-vaulted hall flanking the formal dining room culminates at a handsome, yet practical, butler station, outfitted with supplemental counter and storage space.
Credit: James F. Wilson
VINTAGE VAULT: A wine cove across from the dining room makes practical use of an odd-shaped space underneath the main staircase. The honeycombed storage cubbies are fashioned from sections of terra cotta pipe.
Credit: James F. Wilson
DOOR WAYS: Swing patio doors from Hurd Windows & Doors permit sightlines to the outdoors. The aluminum-clad doors are specified in a brick-red color and feature oil-rubbed hardware. In addition to the insulated glass, the company offers nine glazing options including one that blocks 99.9 percent of UV rays, which can cause fading of home furnishings and interiors.
Credit: James F. Wilson
TASTEFUL TUNNEL: An arched passage just outside the wine cove repurposes another empty space underneath the main stair landing. It's a perfect spot for a wine tasting bar, with storage cabinets for stemware and a stacked set of wine refrigerators by KitchenAid. “These little transition areas in the house are fun,” says designer Bobby Morales. “They create pacing and a sense of discovery and arrival in the floor plan. We intentionally used varied ceiling heights to create peek-a-boo views from these little interludes into the grand spaces.”
Credit: James F. Wilson
MARBLE MAGIC: The house has a large number of architectural details, including a travertine floor medallion, stair inserts, and custom marble fireplace surrounds by Cuellar USA, a Cosentino company. The floor medallion and stair inserts (below) are made of Rojo Alhama and Nazari travertine, Crema Marfil marble, and black granite, the loggia/ summer kitchen has a Gris Viola marble fireplace and TV surround, and the living room fireplace (bottom) is made from a single block of Rojo Alhama travertine. www.cuellarusa.com
Credit: James F. Wilson
Credit: James F. Wilson
Click here for "Great Escapes," the next article in this series.