Annual Homes & Design Issue 2019
A fabulous French farmhouse with enviable views captures the best of laid-back living and modern luxuries. Built to showcase unbelievable bluff front vistas, this home is a joy to walk through. With French exteriors on a linear layout, and touches of both French and American country interior design styles, the home has an inviting and elevated ambiance and vantage point.
This outdoor living area on the back of the home was thoughtfully designed and executed with the intention to leave all sightlines unimpeded. With a tempered glass railing and dark painted columns, eyes easily follow panoramic views to the horizon. A poured and stamped concrete patio creates a substantial feeling while the vaulted, wood-planked ceiling elevates the outdoor aesthetic. The space feels more like an extension of the interiors than a porch. “This house is very wide, because it sits on a lot with over 300 feet of bluff frontage. It was designed to have a fantastic view in almost every room. Of course, the view from this outdoor living area takes the cake,” says Jordan Cain of Cain Development, LLC.
“The glass railing on this porch made all the difference. After we used it, we fell in love with it. I think it was absolutely the right choice. Out of all the amazing areas in the house, this is where you want to be.”
– Jordan Cain, Cain Development, LLC
Swirled gray veining set against a sky of black on the island countertop evokes a feeling similar to wispy clouds.
Open to the main living spaces, the kitchen is a welcoming area with a bold and timeless design. An expansive island is topped by a dramatically dark granite slab countertop, which immediately establishes the room’s ambiance. The swirled gray veining set against a sky of black in the island countertop evokes a feeling similar to wispy clouds, a subtle tie into the home’s positioning on the edge of a mountain, nestled in the clouds. The black painted island cabinetry matches black countertops on the warm, creamy white perimeter cabinetry. Subway tile with a special herringbone pattern inset above the stove creates a pleasing backdrop to collected copper pieces and custom gold-toned pendant lights. This kitchen also boasts a six-burner gas cooktop, warming drawer, dual ovens, an industrial refrigerator, and a hidden walk-in pantry. “When we built this kitchen, it was a little ahead of its time. But it’s as classic as a black and white tuxedo. It will always look good,” Jordan says.
The main living spaces are all open to each other, increasing visibility through enormous picture windows. Just to the right of the foyer is a nook that could serve as a dining room, but the homeowners are using it as an office space. The décor is reflective of their careers in the music industry, while the arched window looking out to the front of the home reinforces the French flair. Industrial lighting and custom hardwood laid in a rectangular pattern are subtle details that make the home unique. From the desk, the living room’s large wall of windows, and the view beyond, is also visible.
The main windowed wall in the living room looks out to the outdoor living area, which was purposefully dropped about 18 inches. “The homeowners decided to drop the porch and have a couple of steps down so that the furniture, and porch itself, wouldn’t block the view from inside the house. It turned out really nicely. It’s one of those details that just reflects a smart design,” says Josh Cain of Cain Development, LLC. The dark stained beams and a stacked-stone fireplace continue the elegant yet approachable French farmhouse feel.
Down a private hallway, the master suite features additional expansive views from large picture windows. A corner fireplace is perfectly positioned so as not to steal any sightlines while still providing a cozy ambiance. Silky bed linens and a fur throw partner with an antique accent chair with cabriole legs and a rustic chandelier to cement the French styling.
In the bathroom, herringbone porcelain tiles in soft grays and creams set the soothing tone of the color palette. Individual “his and hers” vanities and closets, a heated floor, and a large walk-in shower take this stunning master bathroom to levels of luxurious opulence.
In this understatedly elegant French-inspired home, all of the thoughtful features and materials pair with sweeping views to create a breathtaking home.
