Creating homes is in many ways a matchmaking process. With a client-commissioned custom home, this is made simpler by matching the clients’ wish list with an eye on a possible sale in the future. How much more complicated this is when the home is for people that the designers and builder have yet to meet!
I’m returning this week to the St. George Parade of Homes and a home in the Stone Cliff gated community built on spec by KH Traveller Custom Homes (Kayson Traveller). The interior design is by Tasteful Trends Interiors (Angie Marshall). I thought the size, use of space, and flow carefully anticipates the lifestyle and needs of a potential buyer in the Southern Utah desert.Â
The opening shot is the north side of the home. Built into a bluff, the views are out to the lights of town and to Pine Mountain, which had a new dusting of snow when I was there. Reading from the left, the guest suite, open living area, and the master all enjoy poolside views.
The street side shows an emphasis on privacy. The exception is the glass at the entry, which allows for transparency through the home. The two garages recognize the need to provide storage for recreation vehicles. Campers, boats, side-by-sides, motorcycles, and bicycles are how people get out to enjoy the country. The minimal low-maintenance yard makes it easy to leave for an adventure, or to return to another home, as many people do.
The front entry leads into the open plan. The wall-length gas fireplace is a strong architectural feature to make the space memorable. I have been reading a lot of discussions recently about how to define the living spaces in open plan, and whether walls or partial walls are desirable or necessary. In this case, a cloud lowers the ceiling over the kitchen, and the dining area, to the right at the back, is an alcove with two glass walls.
Here is a closer view of the dining area, semi-defined, but still openly connected.
Isn’t it amazing the different qualities a desert home takes on daytime versus evening? Here we look to the south toward the glass entry door and surround. To the right is an office that also looks out to the front. It’s convenient to the front door and spacious enough for seating for an office that might on occasion receive clients. There is adequate parking in the front for guests or clients.
The kitchen is larger than you might anticipate given the size of the home and the living area. But consider also the entertainment area around the pool and the potential for a home like this to be the center for big gatherings at holidays or special events like reunions, graduations, parties, fundraisers, or even small weddings. The kitchen island to the right has a long line of seating and serves to separate the kitchen from the living in the open plan. The central island is a working surface with the sink and access to storage on three sides. Looking back to the left is the entrance to the butler’s pantry.
In the kitchen detail, you can see the furniture-like cabinetry. There’s a closer peek into the butler’s pantry. Unseen is a separate storage pantry off the butler’s pantry.
Down the passage by the office is the utility, laundry, crafts area. People past raising their family often anticipate they will have time for passions they have neglected. While working and raising a family, there is often little time for sewing, crafts, artwork, and projects. And when you finally have time, often there isn’t space in homes for doing these things. This room addresses that. There is also additional storage for linens, serving dishes, holiday pieces, and the belongings people with grown families have assembled. The door to the back leads to the master bedroom closet/dressing room for conveniently putting away the laundry.
The master bedroom enjoys pool and patio views and access.
The size and generous windows make the master feel open and unconfined, and there’s both a glass walk-in shower and a soaking tub. The wall and cliff outside the window ensure privacy.
This isn’t a particularly large home. The master suite, kitchen, and utility/laundry have the most generous space. However, the outdoor patios provide a great deal more living space that the mild St. George climate will allow to be used. It’s a home where I anticipate all the space will be enjoyed—right-sized.
Looking for more design inspiration? Find of our Photo Friday features here.