Cozy Spaces

Written By Joan Lerch

Photography By Alise O’Brien

If you’ve ever curled up on a window seat to contemplate a snowy day, then you know the magic of a snuggly space, and the master suite in this custom home captures that magic in charming detail. Private and romantic, the main-floor suite is the happy ending to a storybook barrel-ceilinged hallway and custom arched door. The cozy continues into the master bath, where a freestanding soaking tub sits beneath tall windows with treetop views. 

Master Bedroom: An intriguing barrel-ceiling hallway leads to the master bedroom suite, accessed through a custom arched door.

Home to owners Michelle and Mike, their three sons and one adorable dog, this custom house is an architectural gem throughout, all at once expansive yet intimate. Tucked away on a picturesque and private lane, it is a little bit Georgian Revival and a little bit Currier and Ives (complete with the occasional visiting horse snacking on the front lawn).

Michelle explains that they looked for just the right lot for a long time and adds, “We love it because it’s so private from every window.” Encircled by mature trees, the 2 ½ acres slope gently to a small creek in back, where deer and wild turkeys are frequent visitors. 

The couple hired Schaub + Srote Architects to design their new home. Greg Terbrock, owner, G. Terbrock Luxury Homes, was chosen to bring the plans to life, and multiple award-winner Heather Helms, director of interior design at Schaub + Srote, ensured the family’s wish list was successfully fulfilled. For Terbrock, working with Helms was a win-win: “She’s very smart in how she directs clients to pick up the right items.”

Michelle says, “Heather has this undeniable confidence without overpowering what was important to me.”

The family’s new house has a traditional white stucco exterior, with architectural details defined by crisp black trim. Entering beneath a balcony-topped portico, guests are greeted with a see-through nested fireplace built into the wainscot wall, opening to a welcoming study. Tucked into a wall of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves is Michelle’s “prayer nook” — a peaceful retreat outfitted with an abundance of cushions and a picture window.

Across the foyer, a formal dining room graciously beckons dinner guests to a conversation-friendly round table, and the inviting welcome continues in the great room, bathed in southern light and perfectly situated for a view of the glimmering swimming pool.

Upstairs, additional bedrooms surround an atrium that brightens the foyer below. And when guests outnumber bedrooms, there’s a semi-detached guest cottage to keep everyone close. 

“Our other house had vaulted ceilings and high windows,” Michelle explains, “it just never felt cozy.” The designer’s artful mixture of natural materials and comfortable seating keep spaces intimate. Beck/Allen Cabinetry, Wilson Lighting and O’Keefe Construction helped keep that vibe throughout other portions of the home.

The design team worked closely with the couple to incorporate their existing furniture and art seamlessly into the new spaces, keeping things familiar but fresh. The sense of familiarity is especially important to Michelle, who moved frequently growing up. When the project began, she had a portfolio of ideas she had gathered from magazines and websites, and this is an important part of interpreting a client’s dreams, designer Helms explains. “Images are a great way to convey what people are really drawn to.”