Luxurious Lincoln
Jan 31, 2009 04:00PM
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Super Admin
There is no substitute for what is natural and unspoiled in our world, which prompted famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright to say, “I go to nature every day for inspiration in the day’s work.” Using the environment to explain the architectural integration of form and function, Wright championed the harmonious existence of nature and building. Locally, this idea is evident at Twelve Bridges, a luxurious master-planned community in Lincoln, home to Monte Azul Estates and its 46 home sites from Greenbriar Homes, with prime access to all that the area has to offer.For Jim and Charlla Maggi, proximity to both Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area figured prominently into their decision to purchase their semi-custom, Monte Azul property – a 5237-square-foot residence with bungalow architectural styling that occupies a large lot and one acre (as does all Monte Azul homes). “The area allows us to feel like we’re in the Foothills, yet is close enough to all the conveniences of city life,” Charlla says. “The rear of our lot backs up to open space that cannot be built upon. [Monte Azul] homes are situated in such a way that there is a vast amount of space between them.” But privacy is just one of several perks that the Maggi’s enjoy.Their split-level home has an “Adirondacks” floor plan – one of seven Monte Azul floor plans inspired by and named after some of the world’s best known mountain ranges – that is marked by 5 bedrooms, including a large master suite; 6 baths; a library and bonus room; a broad front porch and covered outdoor patio; an expansive kitchen, dining spaces, and family room for entertaining; a spacious 4-car garage, and panoramic views. The overall style of the Twelve Bridges community is traditional elegance, which the Maggi’s luxury home complements and typifies with a cottage-inspired exterior most evident in the home’s roof line and front entry porch, and elegant interior touches, including distressed hardwood floors, striking granite and stone, and a warm color scheme with a palette that reflects the natural world. In combination, these elemental features create an interior picture of not only a life well lived by design, but also of the surrounding community with its mature oak trees and dramatic boulders. This arresting environmental quality inspired former Greenbriar design consultant Jill Goolsby, who was tasked with helming the home’s overall interior design in close collaboration with the Maggi’s, to create comfort, tradition and understated elegance. The result is a stately but far from stuffy interior filled with statement-making textiles, and classic fixtures and finishes such as the home’s aforementioned color palette, which includes paints straight from nature’s toolbox – medium to dark browns complemented by cream, golds, reds, and white trim. “The Maggi’s are very close to their children and grandchildren, so my strategy was to start with colors that they liked and hone in on the way that they would live in the home,” Goolsby says. “We chose colors to fit the house and their lifestyle. We didn’t want the interiors to be fussy or hard to maintain.” Variations of color tone and depth provide a subtle backdrop and accent neutral details.Other features that give the Maggi’s home its sense of informality are distressed hardwood floors, which are cozy and casual for the family-centric couple, but also durable and elegant to complement more formal spaces. They also help unify the overall residence. Enhancing the home’s hardwood floors are crown moldings that help draw the eye up to high, beamed ceilings, while subtle yet decorative elements, including crushed glass, marble and stylish metal tile insets, lend each individual space its own distinctive feel. Beyond a united color scheme, sensitive lighting helps create a specific atmosphere, openness and flow in the home, which was architected for integration. “It has an open feeling by having the family room, nook and kitchen as one large space,” Goolsby says. “The entry, living and dining rooms all open to each other yet remain somewhat separate from the family room and kitchen, so that you can go into another area if you want to.” Soft lighting filtered from natural sources and chic fixtures help to orientate the home and make larger spaces more intimate. It also highlights the structure’s overall dimensions and architectural details, and helps create an overall mood that is fashionable but flexible.A great majority of the features and amenities of the Maggi’s Energy Star home are located in the kitchen, the focal point of their particular floor plan. They include natural raised panel cherry cabinetry; slab granite kitchen countertops; state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances; large kitchen island with pendant lights; and a walk-in and butler’s pantry that is located between the dining room and kitchen. “This is a great space because it has cabinets to store rarely used items and linens,” Goolsby says. “We were also able to install wine storage and chiller drawers as well as a beautiful granite counter, so that it is both beautiful and functional.”Having a large kitchen was crucial for the Maggi’s who, along with their 22-year-old daughter Michelle, a college student, require space to entertain family and friends. Thankfully the kitchen flows seamlessly into the family room, which has built-in cabinets on either side of the fireplace. This space overlooks a large, private backyard, which is still in the planning stage. While the kitchen and adjacent family room allow the Maggi’s to entertain guests comfortably, these spaces also provide the visitors with plenty of space and privacy. “We spend a good amount of time with our daughters and their families,” Charlla says. “It’s great to have the room to be all together.”Among the home’s most dramatic spaces, beyond the kitchen, living and dining areas, is a large master suite and bath, which is laden with natural stone and has a separate shower, jetted tub and dual vanity. Although the home’s finished bathrooms are today quite striking, in their planning stages they presented Goolsby with her most persistent interior challenge. “The most challenging aspect was selecting stone and tile for the bathrooms,” she says. “So we took the space one at a time and reviewed everything at the end [of the process]. We also had several meetings with the tile setter to make sure that he understood our vision.”Today, with simplicity, functionality, and graceful interiors that frame a picture of elegance and make a grand statement about the quality of contemporary life, the Maggi’s home stands as a pinnacle of the Twelve Bridges community and is redefining residency in the Foothills.Resources:Twelve Bridgestwelvebridges.comGreenbriar Homesgreenbriarhomes.comJill Goolsbyjaeldesigngroup.com
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