THE GREAT OUTDOORS
By Mark Walker
Photographs by Lawrence Taylor
Villa Zaffiro brings Old World elegance to a Central Florida built for outdoor living.
Approaching Villa Zaffiro, visitors are
immediately struck by its graceful proportions and the prominent bridge – a bridge that connects this Sorrento home with the European roots of its owners. Taking a page from the sketchbooks of the Florentine Renaissance architect Brunelleschi and adding Floridian features produced a handsome blend of classic style and contemporary comfort.
Villa Zaffiro reflects on the elegance of the past while incorporating high-tech comforts.
Set in formal gardens, this villa would fit right at home in Central Italy, but the views framed by the carefully planned walkways and sentinel-like cypress trees aren’t of Tuscany but of the Wekiva State Forest. A harmonious blend of Renaissance, Romanesque and classic elements, Villa Zaffiro has the timeless character of a home that wasn’t built, but rather evolved. From the rounded balusters on the entry bridge to the mix of Doric and Corinthian columns on the facade to the wrought iron lanterns and accents of the loggia, the look spans the architectural vocabulary of several eras.
Grazing the grounds reveals a paved walkway that crosses a curved bridge with a stone balustrade. It’s as charming and tranquil as the burbling sound emanating from nearby fountains. The five-bedroom, 10,000-square-foot villa also has a well-appointed outdoor living space surrounding a resort-style pool taking full advantage of its setting.
Entering the villa through imposing 8-foot bronze and wrought-iron double doors, the foyer floor features an onyx and marble medallion capped by a 25-foot high ceiling with custom scrollwork and four original murals based on the gardens and architecture Villa Zaffiro.
“The mission was to design a home for a European couple who wanted a villa reminiscent of the many classical homes they’ve seen in Italy,” says Catherine Lane, design director and licensed interior designer for Élan Design Studio. “They wanted an elegant home for family gatherings and entertaining that reflected their European roots.”
Completed in February of 2009, Lane says it was truly a project of passion for all involved.
Working with builder Brentwood Custom Homes and Matt Murrell of the AIBD (American Institute of Building Design), Élan Design Studio helped bring the past, present and future together with a classical yet uniquely forward-thinking home.
There may be columns and arches on the outside, but just below the surface lies a bundle of contemporary conveniences.
Outdoor poolside entertaining is only a click away. Literally.
“The computerized pool system comes with a pool-party setting that operates all features at one time – electronics, fountains, bronze water features, lighting and music,” Lane adds. “And the bottom of the resort-style pool [by Keller Outdoor and Paradise Pools by Design] has exquisite custom marble mosaic tiles and medallions.”
The capacious outdoor lanai includes a full summer kitchen with slate tile backsplash and Noce travertine countertops. An outdoor gas fireplace, two spa fountains at each end of the pool and an outdoor gas firepit complete the outdoor oasis.
The decorative iron grilles from the loggia are repeated on the lanai, while an aged stone console was accented with a large sailfish caught by Villa Zaffiro’s owner.
The entire back of the house is joined to the outdoor entertaining area.
The lanai flows seamlessly from the adjacent dining room, through a 12-foot sliding glass panel to a spot overlooking the pool and fountains – a perfect spot for after-dinner drinks.
A glass wall from the family room opens to a casual outdoor dining area with a 10-foot stone dining table.
Strategically placed conversation areas are centered on the outdoor kitchen, the dining area off the family room, around the fireplace and around the sitting area off the dining room. Comfy wicker and wrought-iron chairs around the firepit are ideal for enjoying cooler nighttime hours.
Two chaise lounge areas complete the outdoor seating, with a market umbrella punctuating each end of the pool.
The hardscaping is inviting, but the gardens outside are stellar. A square pocket garden centered on the entry door is bordered by rows of cypress and highlighted with colorful plantings. Stone urns topped with flowers were placed along the loggia to echo those bursts of color. The homeowners plan to add stone benches in the gardens, but they’re still looking for the perfect classical pieces on which to sit and enjoy their view.
The interior was planned with the same sense of care to ensure continuity of the look. The designers chose to focus on a few highlight features, accenting them with detailed finishes on walls, floors and ceilings.
“We started working on the finishing touches with the faux artist to accentuate the great ceiling and wall details,” Lane explains. “Following the faux finishes, our design team put together a full interior furnishing presentation.”
Two of the home’s most unique features: A two-story, hand-sculpted scagliola stone fireplace and the grand, curved foyer staircase with its wrought-iron railings. Storage for wine was built under the staircase adjacent to an open pantry with counter, sink and display cabinet.
“The hand rail and built-in wine storage are made from mahogany and finished off with an ornate head of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine,” Lane explains.
Lane’s favorite room in Villa Zaffiro is the potting room, where the lady of the house can indulge her passion for gardening. It’s outfitted with Vermont soapstone counters, a copper sink, cedar cabinets, hand-painted glazed tiles and a fieldstone floor impervious to water and spilled potting soil.
The attention to detail, design and construction of Villa Zaffiro garnered Élan Design Studio a coveted Aurora Award this year in the Custom Home Category.
“This was a wonderful project,” Lane says, that allowed her design team to work on an “elegant villa reminiscent of the classical period that gave our clients a home they will enjoy for years to come.”
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