"Best In American Living: Best One-of-A-Kind Custom Home 6,501 square feet and Over" Luxury Homes magazine 2003 Vol. 1, Issue 2 photos by Martinot Multimedia and George Cott The primary design challenge for this French Country-style home was to reconcile the client's wish that it be an intimate family home as well as a grand entertainment venue. To give the home the "quaint cottage" ambience the homeowner desired, the European-style front entrance is minimized and the full mass of the home is screened by a detached guest suite and an arched porte cochere. Inside, the living and entertainment rooms and the adjoining lanai areas are interconnected, providing the space to host parties of 300 guests, as the homeowners often do. Still, as parents of a young family, the clients also desired a living environment that was casual and comfortable for their everyday needs. It was also important that the interior spaces capitalize on the lake views the site offered. The main-floor owner's retreat features a second-floor loft that connects to the children's bedrooms upstairs. Authentic design details abound and include intricate moldings, wainscoting and coffered ceilings. The exterior features a blend of slate, copper, heavy timbers and natural and cast stone that lends an ambience of warmth and timelessness. Tour the French Country home Back to Publications main page