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FeedHeaven on Earth
Family creates their ultimate comfort zone
By Amy Diehl | Photos by Johan Roetz
When Pip Heavenridge needed to find an interior designer for her new house, she didn’t need to look far. Long-time close friend Tamara Martin lived right next door. The friends, who met 15 years ago through their husbands, already shared the same tastes in style and enjoyed each other’s company so it was an easy fit.
A friendly partnership
“Tamara is an interior decorator with a tool belt,” Pip laughs. From guiding Pip and her husband in flooring and granite choices to faux painting the kids’ walls and hanging pictures, Martin was there every step of the way, with a few small exceptions. “I even sewed my own window treatments in years past, but I just don’t have the time for that anymore,” Martin says.
For Pip’s home, she designed all the window treatments and had them sewn for her. For custom-built pieces, like the guest bath vanity, she turns to her favorite contractor Jason Siling, of Jay Gee Construction, who turns her ideas into reality.
The color scheme of this home is muted, earthy taupe and brown with bright pops of deep red. “Pip originally wanted a Tuscany style so we worked with that as a starting point.” An important feature of the home is the gorgeous travertine tile flooring that is used throughout the home. Rich in color and texture, it truly is a design feature here. “Tamara had to convince us about this and we’re glad she did,” Pip says. “It definitely makes a statement.”
The same marble is used on some of the bathroom walls as well as the outdoor lanai. “I really felt the travertine was a piece of art,” Martin says. Another element found throughout the home is the faux iron. Used in many areas including as accent pieces on the ceiling, as backing in an alcove and on the master shower windows, this composite material looks like iron scrollwork but is far less costly and easily adaptable to many design needs. The repeated usage of this design element creates a thread that ties the home together.
Numerous personalities
This 7,300-square-foot home works well for this busy family. With five children at home, Pip knew she wanted each child to have a full bedroom, bath and walk-in closet so one wing of the home is devoted almost entirely to the children’s rooms.
Josh’s room features a fishing and hunting theme; numerous plaques for his fishing tournament wins decorate the wall. In Haven’s room sherbet green and lavender colors keep it bright and cheery. “She wanted it to be really bright and colorful. I stenciled the walls and added rhinestones for a little glamour detail. It fits her personality,” Martin says.
Chelsea’s room includes aqua blue walls with black and white accents. “We tried to do this a little more glamorous,” Martin adds.
Oldest son Cameron’s room reflects his love of fishing and is also a second master suite, while daughter Bree’s room reflects the more mature style of one who is already in college.
This wing also features a beautiful laundry room complete with full antique ivory cabinetry, a stainless steel LG Tron washer and dryer set, and a granite-topped center island. At the entrance to the children’s wing, a large open space originally designated as a kid’s study area was turned into Pip’s office. Open and airy, it features a built-in desk area with storage cabinetry as well as comfortable seating. “This is where I come for my coffee in the morning,” Pip says.
At the other end of the home is the master suite with the husband’s office and a large bedroom and bathroom. The dark wood bedroom suite features lush bedding and draperies and soft pile carpet. The master bath was specially designed to this couple’s requests. With access from both sides of the room, this space features two separate vanity areas and toilet closets for both husband and wife. A full Jacuzzi tub with marble surround and a spacious shower with dual access is a central element in the space. A shared walk-in closet offers plenty of storage.
Entertainment destination
“This house is designed for entertaining,” Martin says. The only formal area is the dining room to the right of the foyer. Richly decorated, it has close access to the kitchen for more formal dining. The open floor plan means a large flowing kitchen and general family area. “We chose not to do a formal living room because we never used the one in our old house,” Pip says.
Comfortable seating faces the fireplace and large television, for relaxed viewing. More places to play can be found in the game room on the opposite side of the kitchen. The huge space houses a full bar complete with a secret door to the kitchen pantry, as well as full-sized pool table, multiple TVs and a poker table. Half the room is dedicated to movie viewing with plush leather couches for seating. The wall of windows facing the pool can be fully recessed for parties but also have blackout curtains for the best movie viewing. As the co-owners of the Courtside Grill restaurants as well as a commercial produce company, the Heavenridges know how to have fun.
Family first
The real heart of this house is the kitchen. A massive, T-shaped central island dominates the space. “We travel a lot and I saw this at a house we stayed at in Key West. I noticed that everyone always gathered around the island every night and I said, ‘That is what I want,’” Pip explains. And it has turned out as planned; this is where everyone gathers. “We’ve even had little kids dancing on it,” Pip laughs.
No party house is complete without a place to play outside and this house is no exception. Situated on a picturesque 50-acre ski lake, this house has it all. The covered lanai boasts over 2,500 square feet and includes a full outdoor kitchen and offers plenty of places to relax and socialize. The large freeform pool, built by Landmark Pools, includes a beachfront entry and sunning platform as well as a mountain formation with waterfall and slide, an element both kids and dog love to slide down. A half-sized basketball court and a horseshoe pit make for some major competition.
“Every weekend the house is full of kids and adults jet skiing, playing football, horseshoes, you name it. My oldest daughter and son do bowhunting so sometimes they set up a fake deer in the yard and target shoot from the mountain. You just never know what you will find,” Pip smiles.
Resources:
Designer: Tamara Martin, Design by Tamara; Builder: Jay Gee Development LLC; Flooring: Travertine Group; Cabinets: Fine Wood Designs; Granite countertops: International Granite & Stone; Pool: Landmark Pools; Appliances: Wolf and Sub-Zero, supplied by Florida Builder Appliances
To see this Home Decor article featuring:
flooring, cabinets, countertops, laundry room, game room, and pool
as it appeared in the Tampa Housetrends magazine,
please visit our May/June 2012 Digital Edition, pages 22-31.
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