KJIMS Homes handled the design for this five bedroom, six-full and one-half bath 9,100-square-feet under air home. The builder included some of his preferred historical elements such as corbels, a tower above the entrance, and pavers reclaimed from demolished buildings in Chicago. Steps, broken by planter terraces, allow ease of access to the wrought iron and glass front entry.
Jon MacDonough spent his teenage years in New England, falling in love with historical homes and eventually restoring many of them. “While working on 200-year old houses, I became very interested in the history of the homes and the architecture. I enjoyed the work involved with preserving the bricks, beams, wooden plank floors and all the other period details that gave the historical homes their charm,” recalls MacDonough, now the principal of KJIMS Homes in Naples, Florida.
A stunning entrance, the living room’s ten-foot glass doors allow light to softly spill onto the custom Legno Bastone wide plank flooring installed throughout the home by Naples Flooring Company. “Legno Bastone created the handcrafted finish Pompeii that uses artisan skills and traditional methods,” notes Tiffany Guido of Legno Bastone in Naples. “The flooring is from our Dolce Vita Collection with a width of 10¼-inches. There are multiple processes to create this exquisite and highly desirable finish.” A precast stone fireplace recalls northern hearths and 12-foot-long cypress wood crossbeams by Final Touch Moulding & Cabinetry are reminiscent of support beams in historic homes. The statement chandelier is a reproduction of a mid-century modern Murano glass design. All furniture, window treatments, accessories and lighting in the home are by Restoration Hardware.
When he got involved with a team designing a spec home to be built on a secluded lakeside lot on South Lake Drive in Old Naples, MacDonough wanted to include many of the elements he remembered so fondly from his time in New England.
A Torche De Verre round chandelier shines down on a long wooden table with ivory and chrome parson chair-seating for eight. Purposely excluding crown moulding to give the room a clean and contemporary look, KJIMS Homes instead created a cove light near the ceiling.
Rustic cypress wood beams crafted by Final Touch Moulding & Cabinetry soar above the Allikristé Custom Cabinetry designed kitchen with twin islands—one for entertaining, one for food preparation—both topped with Super White extra polished marble. A 60-inch Wolf gas range, two SubZero refrigerator/freezer units, a Wolf steam oven and microwave drawer, built-in freezers, two dishwashers and a Miele coffeemaker are from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. The luminous backsplash from Ruben Sorhegui is 12-by-12-inch split Carrera. A pair of Emile round chandeliers brings a touch of elegance to this hard-working kitchen.
“I really liked the idea of including the look of exposed beams, the distressed flooring and as many classic finishes as I could, to retain that old world charm in a brand new custom home,” he explains. The team at KJIMS Homes set a budget for this model home available for purchase, and the hand-picked team of professionals began the project the way they do all projects—by estimating and watching costs carefully.
Acadian Iron Works French doors off the dining room lead to the convenient wine room and bar. Twin 30-inch built-in SubZero wine refrigerators from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery —one for reds and the others for white vintages—hold 90 bottles each. The corking station accented with 8-by-8-inch Ruben Sorhegui mosaic tiles displays glassware in Bernier dark maple cabinets. Countertops are Super White extra polished marble with a 2 1/2-inch mitered edge.
Acadian Iron Works Tuscan doors of oil-rubbed bronze and glass, echoing the home’s front door, lead to this serene study. Dark leather armchairs and a metal-banded cream leather footstool create a conversation area near the glass-fronted credenza. A brass chandelier lights the scene.
“Efficient design means I would rather spend extra money on beautiful finishes,” says MacDonough. “Since our firm is small, I am personally involved from the very beginning and throughout the project in regards to both design and construction. That allows me to be more creative throughout the build process and work with subcontractors for ideas to improve the design. For example, in this home, we decided after collaboration with our pool and landscape contractor, to add three majestic Alexander palms by the poolside. Those are not inexpensive trees, but we all agreed this was needed to add to the home’s ‘wow’ factor.” MacDonough continues, “When I am designing for clients, I meet with them often, determine what their vision is and put together the very best team to fulfill those dreams.”
The gas fireplace, the focal point of this serene silver-toned first-floor master bedroom, has a marble hearth set on the floor as seen in northern homes and is vented through the roof. The stepped flat stock ceiling supports a two-tiered chandelier. The glass door offers views of the lake, as well as access to the pool and private seating area paved with old world bricks and shaded by a large, leafy Ligustrum tree.
Rectangular windows from Andersen top a marble backsplash above the DXV freestanding china tub from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. Bianco Neve marble with a 2 1/2-inch mitered edge tops the twin vanity with Bernier dark maple cabinets. Atop the polished marble from Ruben Sorhegui Tile, the tile-look area rug hosts a cozy tufted ottoman positioned under the chandelier.
The second floor VIP suites and terrace are easily accessed by elevator. An outside terrace provides access to the infinity edge pool below via a private staircase and gives guests a peaceful sanctuary. Dark tiles lining the pool give the illusion that it runs into the lake beyond. The raised Rimco spa allows water to run through scuppers to join the pool. Cable rails give a contemporary look without blocking the view of Naples’ breathtaking sunsets. Chaises rest on the grassy section poolside, creating what Macdonough calls one of many resort-like “destination spaces” in the home.
Brushed pavers from Ruben Sorhegui Tile with Mexican pebble insets foot a casual seating area on one level of the outdoor living area. Guests gather in front of the shell stone gas fireplace and enjoy libations from the nearby sports bar MacDonough designed.
The dramatic lakeside setting of this home features a sleek rectangular expanded lap pool with waterfall of Lapiz Glass Mosaic Tile from Ruben Sorhegui Tile and raised spa, lit by changeable LEDs. A cypress tongue-and-groove ceiling shades the outdoor kitchen with grill, refrigerator, sinks, and every convenience for the outdoor chef. The sports bar features comfortable bar stools and multiple televisions. The private terrace off the master bedroom is easily reached from the pool area. Majestic palms offer shade for chaise lounges; grass underfoot is cool on hot days.
AlliKristé Custom Cabinetry & Kitchen Design 633 9th Street North, Suite 301 Naples, FL 34102 239.403.0600 www.allikriste.com
Andersen Windows 100 4th Avenue Bayport, MN 55003 1.800.426.4261 www.andersenwindows.com
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 38 Goodlette-Frank Road S. Naples, FL 34102 239.643.0070 www.Ferguson.com
Final Touch Moulding & Cabinetry 25070 Bernwood Drive Bonita Springs, FL 34135 239.948.7856 www.finaltouchmc.com
Kjims Homes 1045 Crosspointe Drive Suite #1 Naples, FL 34110 239.300.9628 www.kjimshomes.com
Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring 2684 Horseshoe Drive South Naples, FL 34104 239.206.1898 www.legnobastone.com
Naples Flooring Company 900 5th Avenue South Naples, FL 34102 239.263.1213 www.naplesflooring.com
Ruben Sorhegui Tile 3876 Mercantile Ave Naples, FL 34104 239.643.2882 www.sorheguitile.com
Builders Glass of Bonita 24181 South Tamiami Trail, Suite 4 Bonita Springs, FL 34134 239.947.1505 www.BuildersGlassBonita.com
Written by Kitt Walsh Photography by Blaine Johnathan
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