2011 Home of the Year

Indoors and outdoors become a single living space in LaBelle, by Phil Kean Designs. Concealed, retractable screens ward off insects and maintain air conditioning.

By Randy Noles

Considering the economy, we didn’t know what to expect when the call for entries went out for Orlando Home & Leisure’s 2011 Home of the Year competition. After all, the real estate market has remained stuck in low gear as a toxic combination of job worries, tight lending policies and a glut of foreclosures takes its toll. Would anyone even bother to enter?

Indeed they did. In fact, there were more than 40 entries in a variety of categories. In addition to Home of the Year, a distinguished panel of judges selected the winners in a variety of sub-categories. It appears that there’s still plenty of building and remodeling activity in the higher price ranges, where qualifying for a mortgage isn’t an issue.

On the following pages are the winners in each category. Enjoy the tour.

HOME OF THE YEAR

LaBelle

Entered by Phil Kean Designs
Team members: architect, Architecture by Phil Kean; builder, Phil Kean Designs; landscape designer, Kelly Outdoor; interior designer, CRT Studio; kitchen cabinets, Cabinetry Creations; pool designer, Phil Bowles Pools; pool contractor, Phil Kean Designs; photography, Harvey Smith Photography

The LaBelle, the 2011 Home of the Year, is a French West Indies-inspired design with contemporary interiors. The floorplan provides lake views from every living area, excluding the media room and second-story, street-facing bedroom. With a nod toward aging-in-place, there are master suites on both levels as well as an elevator and a garage entrance. The family business is operated out of the home, so a separate entrance to the office/conference room is located off the front courtyard. The home also boasts indoor/outdoor living spaces on both levels, and uses retractable screens concealed in the first-floor lanai and the second-floor master bedroom. The screens hold up to 90 percent of the home’s conditioned air while keeping out insects.

FROM THE JUDGES
Elegant ... the designers achieved all this with restraint and at a modest scale ... doesn’t rely on gimmicks, wow factors or any other nonsense to impress ... on what appears to be a relatively tight lot, the designers have managed to accommodate aging-in-place and live-work uses ... views captured of the lake, the connections between spaces, all are well done ... simple and easygoing.

RUNNERS-UP
Phil Kean Designs, Miwa; Masterpiece Design Group, Casa Cortile

LANDSCAPE OF THE YEAR

New American Home

Entered by Redmon Design Company

Team members: architect: Michael Curtis, The Studio, Alexandria, Va.; landscape architect / designer, Redmon Design Company; pool designer, Redmon Design Company; builder, Continental Homes & Interiors; interior designer, Continental Homes & Interiors; pool contractor, Southern Pools; photography, James F. Wilson

The landscape for the New American Home 2011 – a show home built in conjuction with the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders Show held earlier this year – had to exemplify the latest trends while appealing to a variety of tastes. So the team emphasized privacy through tall garden walls and large specimen trees. Artificial turf allows grass to tuck up tightly to the edge of the pool and around the foxtail palms, while a secret garden features herbs and an overhead pergola and provides a long view across the entire backyard. In the front yard is a wide suspended walkway to the front door. Rainwater is harvested using cisterns, and water-wise plants limit the need for heavy water use.

FROM THE JUDGES
While I disagree with the use of artificial turf, the underlying structure of the garden, its correspondence to the house’s architecture and its formal clarity make this garden a winner ... the use of pergolas, pools and paved surfaces enhance the underlying order and create lovely vignettes ... clean and classic.

KITCHEN OF THE YEAR

LaBelle

Entered by Phil Kean Designs
Team members: architect, Architecture by Phil Kean; builder, Phil Kean Designs; interior designer, CRT Studio; kitchen cabinets, Cabinetry Creations; photography, Harvey Smith Photography

This transitional kitchen boasts contrasting ebony mahogany Shaker cabinetry and snow-white quartz countertops as well as a white lacquered tongue-and-groove ceiling with beams. Finishes include a custom stainless hood, vintage light fixtures and white Italian leather stools. There are two islands, one created for bar seating and the other for cleanup. Appliances include a 48-inch professional range, a built-in microwave drawer and an electric warming drawer. The toaster, the coffeemaker and other small appliances are inside a large service pantry with a hidden entry to the right of the range. The kitchen opens onto the great room, and a spacious breakfast nook opens onto the lanai via sliding glass doors. The lanai encompasses a summer kitchen and outdoor dining area.  
FROM THE JUDGES
Well organized ... the high contrast between the dark wood and white countertops and walls creates a crisp, clean feel ... the axial alignment of the stovetop, sink, island and bar order the space symmetrically ... all the functional requirements are met perfectly ... a little sterile, but well laid out.

RUNNERS-UP
CL Studio, Windermere; CL Studio, Lake Sarah

SPECIALTY ROOM OF THE YEAR

LaBelle

Entered by Phil Kean Designs
Team members: architect, Architecture by Phil Kean; builder, Phil Kean Designs; interior designer, CRT Studio; kitchen cabinets, Cabinetry Creations; photography, Harvey Smith Photography

The owner, who operates a business out of the home, required an office with a separate entrance and a sound barrier from the living areas. The office also needed a sitting area, a conference table, computer desks, ample room for storage and plenty of natural light. The challenge was creating an office entrance that wasn’t confusing to visiting clients and that didn’t detract visually from the home. The solution was to design a front door that opened onto a courtyard where there were two entrances: one to the foyer and the other to the office. For soundproofing, a half-pound spray foam was used. Corner pocketing sliders allow the owner to step outside of the sitting area and enjoy a spectacular lake view.

FROM THE JUDGES
Adjacency to the courtyard, with its pleasant fountain, makes it a desirable space in which to work ... built-in desk and storage space defines the separate work and conference spaces ... a well-appointed office with excellent access to the adjacent courtyard and fountain ... well-lit with ample room to spread out.

RUNNERS-UP
Saxon Clark, Tuscan di Amore; Closet Factory, New American Home

BEDROOM OF THE YEAR

Boy’s Baseball Room

Entered by Masterpiece Design Group
Team members: architect, Bob Morales; builder, Silliman Homes; building designer, Bob Morales; interior designer, Masterpiece Design Group; photography, Studio KW

This room was designed for a toddler who also happens to be the son of a Major League Baseball player. The focal point is the bed, with its glove-inspired, leather-stitched headboard and awning reminiscent of a dugout. The walls, appropriately painted turf green with gloss white trim, feature hand-painted signs indicating “home” and “visitor.” The storage area is actually a functional locker system beneath which sits a dugout bench. Framed baseball memorabilia and baseball-inspired bedding complete the theme.

FROM THE JUDGES
Charming, fun, imaginative, delightful ... makes me wish I were a kid again ... nice to see a themed room that isn’t trite ... beautifully executed theme showing design consistency, creativity and playfulness.

RUNNER-UP
Lamar Design, Chantilly Avenue

REMODEL OF THE YEAR

Richbourg Residence

Entered by R. Nursey Development
Team members: architect/structural engineers, FDS & Associates; builder, R. Nursey Development; building designer, Karen Kassik; landscape designer, Joe Brooks; interior designer, KJR Interiors; kitchen cabinets, IAS Kitchen & Bath; pool designer, T. DeSilva; pool contractor, Seven Seas Pools

The owners originally bought this property not for the home, but for its location on a lakefront lot within a prestigious golf community. The owners considered tearing it down before settling on a renovation and an addition. At the entry, visual interest was enhanced with a porch featuring an arched focal point. The second-floor addition encompassed two new bedrooms while the garage was expanded. At the rear, a wall was removed and new roof trusses were installed, increasing the height of the great room and the porch. A kitchen wall was also removed and rebuilt to accommodate an 8-foot door and a slide window system. The addition of a summer kitchen and a second-floor open patio provided additional gathering and recreation space, as did the remodeled boathouse.

FROM THE JUDGES
The designers have managed to take a house that felt small, dark and overgrown and create a house that looks well-maintained, bright and cheery ... connections between the interior spaces and the view to the lake beyond are very well captured ... reconfigurations were well-considered ... beautiful materials assembled in an elegant manner ... an overall quality job yielding a pleasant atmosphere.

BATHROOM OF THE YEAR (TIE)

Chantilly Avenue  (Top photo)

Entered by Lamar Design
Team members: building designer, Thomas R. Lamar; bathroom designer, Steve Garrison, Lamar Design

Windermere  (Bottom photo)

Entered by CL Studio
CL Studio team members: builder, Sunscape Homes; interior designer, Jose J. Cabrera, CL Studio

Lamar Design. The owners loved their home but didn’t love the small masterbath and its inadequate closet space. Now there’s a large master closet with a marble-topped island and window seat off the luxurious new bathroom, with a large soaking tub, a separate toilet room, clerestory windows and a generous shower.

CL Studio. The "modern bachelor pad" bathroom went through a complete design overhaul. Sleek, modern walnut cabinets in a dark espresso finish accented with fine nickel hardware elevate the senses, while the elegant Italian porcelain tiles on both floors and walls complete this refined look. The large art deco sconces contrast the simplicity of forms and space.

FROM THE JUDGES
Lamar Design. The simplicity of the bathroom design, the layout of the fixtures, the use of the soaking tub as a focal point and the symmetrical balance are all fine details.
CL Studio. This project's transformation resulted in a sleek, sophisticated and well-appointed bathroom.  In particular, the attention given to lighting, both natural and artificial, gives this bath an unusual, but still very relaxing ambiance.

RUNNER UP
CL Studio, Lake Sarah

LIVING ROOM OF THE YEAR

Miwa

Entered by Phil Kean Designs
Team members: architect, Architecture by Phil Kean; builder, Phil Kean Designs; interior designer, CRT Studio; photography, Harvey Smith Photography

This contemporary living room features clean lines, extensive details and attractive focal points. The open architectural style and large windows provide plenty of daylight, while large overhangs and low-E windows keep out heat.  The room is open to the home’s foyer, dining area/kitchen and lanai. LED backlit floating ceilings provide drama and absorb sound while a slightly curved sculptural wall element serves as both an art niche and a setting for the television. The left wall features a wine cooler, glass shelving and a hidden wet bar behind center sliding panels. A vent-free modern fireplace is built into the corner between the living room and dining area. A retractable screen, which is built into the lanai, can be lowered when needed.

FROM THE JUDGES
With its tightly controlled color palatte, angular lines and floating planes on walls, ceilings and even in the furniture, this modernist living room achieves a refined state of serenity ... carefully chosen focal points - such as the television, the floor lamp, the artwork and the view to the outdoors - work off the canvas of grays and whites in a very sophisticated way.  

RUNNER-UP
Phil Kean Designs, Lake Catherine

OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE OF THE YEAR

Miwa

Entered by Phil Kean Designs
Team members: architect, Architecture by Phil Kean; builder, Phil Kean Designs; landscape designer, CRT Studio; photography, Harvey Smith Photography

The objective was to connect the main structure to the existing guest house. This was accomplished with a center garden and a floating step walkway that mimics the main home’s entrance. The back garden features fire and water with a pool, a fountain and a fire pit. Various seating areas are arranged around the walkway, including the orchid garden, which is off the master suite. Non-spreading bamboo plants define the property line and will eventually provide complete privacy. The home’s great room, dining area and kitchen all open onto the lanai and summer kitchen via sliding and folding glass doors. A retractable screen is built into the lanai. The “wow” factor is the LED lighting under the floating steps, which is complemented with groupings of garden lanterns.

FROM THE JUDGES
The design language is consistent with that of the house, with the addition of beautiful paving materials, lush vegetation and elegant lighting around the pool.

HOTY JUDGES

Christine G.H. Franck, G.H. Franck Inc., New York, N.Y. Franck is a designer and educator whose work includes award-winning residential design and decorative projects. She is a frequently published author and a leader in classical architectural education. Franck also serves on the board of directors of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America  (ICA&CA), the leading nonprofit organization, represented by 14 chapters nationwide, dedicated to advancing the classical tradition in architecture, urbanism and the allied arts.

Richard Franklin Sammons, Fairfax & Sammons Architecture, New York, N.Y.; Palm Beach, Fla.; Charleston, S.C. Sammons is a founding partner of his nationally known firm and an internationally recognized expert in the field of architectural proportion. Sammons is also a founding director of the ICA&CA.

Gregory F. Shue, Shue Design Associates, Sullivan’s Island, S.C. Shue, who began his architectural career after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1997, has experience with the spectrum of residential work, including primary residences, seasonal and vacation homes. His commentaries have been published in magazines and books, and he has been a fellow of the the ICA&CA since 2005.