More and more I am meeting people who have had full and interesting lives who are finding an ideal lifestyle in Utah. The homeowner who recently completed a custom home in the Park Meadows area of Park City designed by Upwall Design and built by Midway Construction fits this description. A retired broadcaster whose face is familiar from nightly TV coverage of war zones and history-changing events built a home that highlights his interests in music, art, sports, and enjoying the company of friends, and it is sprinkled with hints of his interesting life. 

Upwall Design, Midway Construction, Sheltered walkway, Pivot door, Outdoor fireplace, Home entry
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

Above is the sheltered entry walkway leading to a wide pivot door with glass to the side that allows transparency through the home. Guests are welcomed by a fireplace. In the opening shot, one can see how the home steps down to create the intimate scale of the entry and see more transparency through the main living and staircase.

Upwall Design, Glass staircase, Stone fireplace, Glass bridge, Pivot door, Asian design
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

Inside, one can see the stone elements move inside, a barely-there floating glass staircase, a glass bridge separating the office from bedrooms and a music room, and the somewhat Asian proportions and characteristics of the pivot door. The Asian influences complement the art and antique pieces the homeowner collected. 

Bench, Entry, Jim Jones, Living area, Dining area, Window wall, Upwall Design
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

Above the bench in the entry is a stunning painting by Utah artist Jim Jones. Looking down the social area, the living and dining areas are surrounded by unfurnished space to gather, enabling hosting large parties and events. (Remember those?) A window wall opens, disappearing and uniting the living space with the outdoor living for even easier entertaining.

Dining area, Kitchen, Baseboard lighting, Quartz countertops, Kitchen island, Flat-faced cabinets, Pantry, Chinese antiques, Upwall Design
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

Just opposite the dining area is the sleek kitchen. The baseboard lighting, light quartz countertops, angled wood of the island, and uniform flat-faced cabinets without hardware combine to give it clean modern, almost sculptural lines. Extensive U-shaped counters offer workspace for practicality, which is augmented by a pantry through the glass door at the opposite end which doubles as a butler’s pantry. The shelves hold antiques from China, and these and many serving pieces have histories attached related to the owner’s stories covering far-away places where he made these discoveries. 

Nook, Open shelves, Upwall Design
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

Just off the kitchen is a nook furnished for comfort and conversation. Intermixed on the shelves are art pieces from his collections and broadcasting awards.

Master bedroom, Master bathroom, Freestanding tub, Bonsai, Upwall Design
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

The master bedroom suite is on the main floor, the opposing direction from the social area. Looking toward the door to the bedroom one sees the soaking tub with protective screening landscaping that includes specimen trees and bonsais. And yes, there are shades as well. 

Patio, outdoor fireplace, Midway Construction, Runnel, Terrace, Upwall Design
Photo by Scot Zimmerman
Upwall Design, Midway Construction, Patio, Golf course
Photo by Scot Zimmerman

The patio space includes terraces for conversations, dining, and warming before the fire. A runnel marks the edge of the patio and provides the relaxing murmur of moving water. The home is situated on a by-passed lot with homes on each side and abutting the golf course to the rear. Privacy is enhanced by how the home is positioned on the lot and the careful placement of landscaping. 

The home has so much natural light, I used only small fill lights to augment. The horrific fires in the West have posed problems for photographing exteriors, and I am reverting to more evening shots to compensate. I feel that evening also better captures the home, as it comes alive. It looks like a party ready to happen. 

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