The Williams Home
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When a friend showed Tom and Connie Williams this stunning, three-acre bluff view lot over 20 years ago, they immediately loved it.
“We bought it right then and had two other people offer to buy it from us before we even started building,” Connie recalls.
The grand foyer of the Williams’ home makes a striking statement with a curving staircase and beautifully stained French doors that hold etched glass windows. The chandelier and custom wood-planked ceiling that greets you were features meticulously chosen by Tom and Connie. “The great thing about working with all the builders and craftsmen was giving them the freedom to be creative. We ended up with so many amazing features in the house because we trusted them to do a good job and let their skills shine,” Connie says, fondly remembering the two-year building process.
Open to the foyer is the elegant dining room, with an incredible bluff view. Centered outside the bay of windows is a very special ornament. A large bronze eagle sculpture, which was a housewarming gift from Tom’s brother, marks the view with its iconic silhouette. “My brother Eddie brought that up from Florida for us when we moved in, and it’s very special to me,” Tom shares. The Queen Anne-style dining table is adorned with orchids, silver goblets, and the daintiest china. An antique Oriental rug grounds the room in subdued shades of red and blue. “I would say our style is very traditional. But my goal, as we’ve curated our belongings, was to make sure this house never felt cold or empty. Every piece is purposeful and hopefully helps the house feel welcoming and homey,” Connie says.
Through another archway to the right are more of the main living spaces. The kitchen is an open concept, circular arrangement that points focus to the Viking range and custom copper hood. “I really loved this layout because we like to have people over, and this allows whoever is in the kitchen to feel like they’re still a part of the conversation,” Connie says. Naturally finished cabinets are embellished with carved corbels, while Verde Brazilian granite countertops and elite appliances complete this gourmet kitchen. The openness of the work space to the adjoining great room invites family and guests to come have a seat in the heart of the house and be a part of the action.
In the great room, the stacked mountain stone fireplace has five custom-fitted keystones, hand-placed in archways for support as the structure continues upward. The antler chandelier is a statement piece which Connie helped create. After ordering antlers, she arranged them piece by piece how she wanted them, and her contractor built the light from her arrangement. Sumptuous leather furniture adds to the mountainous aesthetic of this room, which Connie says is one of their favorites.
To the side of the living room is another sitting area with a bay window, and through the doorway topped by a mural is a separate apartment. “We actually built that part of the house first, so we could stay here while the rest was being worked on. Shortly after we moved in to the main house, my mother was able to come live with us in the apartment, which was such a blessing. She lived with us for nearly 10 years,” Connie shares.
A spiral staircase with a special wooden banister leads to the second story of the home.
Upstairs is host to a myriad of other rooms, including a billiards loft, several guest bedrooms, a library with the Williams’ collection of leather-bound books, and a special log cabin room. “Mother and I chinked the log cabin walls ourselves,” Connie smiles, remembering the task. “And this is where our two granddaughters love to stay when they come to visit.”
Back on the main level, tucked on the end of the house opposite the great room, is the master suite. The master bedroom is laid out in a long fashion with a fireplace to the side and a wall of windows to the other side. French doors open onto the wide stone porch, and beyond are breathtaking views of the valley.
The adjoining master bath evokes a Tuscan warmth with custom paint treatments on the walls and warm tile work surrounding the light-colored cabinetry. A spacious jetted bathtub nook provides an alluring escape flanked by a picture window and a built-in fireplace. Another luxurious feature is the walk-in tiled shower, complete with a separate steam room.
From details as seemingly small as the molding around the door jambs to the decision to incorporate curved lines as often as possible, the Williams had their hands in every aspect of building their dream home. The mountain views, true craftsmanship, and ample space to hold their loved ones have all been enjoyed by Connie and Tom for decades, and they look forward to continuing the memories. CS
Connie and Tom Williams with their dogs, Bella and Tess
