Multigenerational Masterpiece

Remarkable things often result from pushing the envelope, thinking outside the box, and focusing on how to innovate. In this case, a well-acquainted group of luxury home professionals did just that, resulting in a ground-breaking style of home that will surely be mimicked and remembered for its unique archetype.

“We wanted it to be like opening a new book. It’s a new era, and we wanted a new style of house,” says John McGarvey, founder of McGarvey Custom Homes. The vision behind his new home in Naples’ coveted Pine Ridge Estates neighborhood was purposely designed to be a “multigenerational-style” residence.

The McGarvey team, led by John, his wife Joanne, and their daughter Jennifer McGarvey Burch, approached this project like they do with any other private residence or model home. They assembled their team and began collaborating on the design, bringing in residential designer Rich Guzman of R.G. Designs, founder and principal Faith Fix and lead interior designer Arlynn McDaniel of Freestyle Interiors, and landscape architect Christian Andrea of Architectural Land Design.

Not only was this a personal project for the McGarvey-Burch family, but it was also very special to Guzman, McDaniel, and Andrea, who have been collaborating with the McGarvey Custom Homes team for nearly two decades.

“We are comfortable enough with them that we were able to be open and honest on planning the drawings for our house,” explains Burch, who is director of residential construction for McGarvey Custom Homes. “There were times that we took the ‘piece of paper’ someone brought to the table and we’d throw it in the trash,” exclaims McGarvey. “Other times, we emphasized it to another level. Sometimes we disagree, but there is nothing wrong with that!” he continues as he recalls the importance of building a team that isn’t composed of “yes men.”

Rich Guzman, principal residential designer for R.G. Designs, first worked with McGarvey when he designed one of his previous personal homes. Since then, they have partnered together on countless private residences, models, and projects. “When he approached me about the concept, I kept an open mind,” says Guzman, recalling when McGarvey first mentioned he wanted to build a home for him and his daughter, “But I knew I would have to design it differently, so that it would be acceptable to him and his tastes.”

Arlynn McDaniel, senior lead designer of Freestyle Interiors also has a longstanding relationship with the McGarveys and McGarvey Custom Homes. “I’ve known John McGarvey for almost 20 years,” admits McDaniel. “I’ve done several projects for him and had the pleasure of planning the interior design of three of his personal homes.”

“We definitely wanted it to have two separate visions of what the ‘house’ would be,” explains McGarvey, although the team unanimously agrees that both visions work well together architecturally. After searching for over a year, they secured a unique lot that provided them with everything they needed to achieve their multigenerational, dual-vision design concept.

The estate is composed of two residences: a 4,663-square-foot “main” house, where Burch and her family reside, and a 3,024-square-foot “guest” house, where John and Joanne McGarvey live. Each house has its own driveway, entrance, and outdoor living areas, yet both structures complement each other and may appear to be “one” at a quick glance.

“You could have strangers living in both houses and never know there is a neighbor,” says principal landscape architect Christian Andrea of Architectural Land Design, who designed each of the home’s landscapes and outdoor living areas. “They each had their own landscape approach, and we did our best to respect and deliver each of their goals and objectives with the planting design.”

As one would imagine, both Burch, McGarvey, and their spouses, Zachary Burch and Joanne McGarvey, were all very involved in the selections and design process. “Jennifer had a lot of input and was very adamant about what she wanted, and that was black and white,” explains McDaniel, also noting Burch’s husband agrees. “In fact, if Zachary could have done everything in black and white, that’s what it would have been!”

“Both couples wanted similar designs with a contemporary feeling, but they wanted different color schemes,” McDaniel elaborates. “Jennifer and Zachary wanted a cooler gray tone. The house they had lived in previously for several years was very Tuscan, and they wanted to be at the opposite end of that spectrum. On the other end, John and Joanne wanted a warm walnut scheme with whites and creams.” Achieving two different design plans on the homes’ interiors was not an issue. “Because you don’t see the two residences at the same time, I felt like we could give them both what they wanted and it wouldn’t be offensive as a whole,” McDaniel says.

Selecting the perfect palette for the exterior of the homes was a little more challenging. McDaniel recalls playing the “taupe game” with Burch and McGarvey to find the perfect balance between tan (McGarvey’s preference) and gray (Burch’s preference). Challenge aside, McDaniel muses, “I think the end result is fantastic!” Guzman agrees, noting that when approaching the “front” of both homes — which is architecturally his favorite part of a house — “they feel totally separate, but they both work really well together.”

While McGarvey favors more variety in his landscaping selections, Burch prefers a cleaner looking, simple palette. “I have to compliment John and Jen on their material selections, as well as Rich who was fantastic with his architecture design. They gave me a lot to work with,” Andrea says. He and his team were able to accommodate both styles on the property. “They’re able to share a lifestyle together where they both get the best of what they want,” Andrea concludes.

Although many elements of this project were centered around maintaining two separate yet complementary visions, a main purpose of the homes’ design was to encourage togetherness. Several of the McGarveys’ immediate family members live locally, and they’ve always loved to entertain. “Usually, we would host the holidays and big family dinners because John loves to cook,” says Joanne McGarvey, “But now as we’re getting older and live here, we’ve passed the baton to Jen, who as you can see has a huge dining room to accommodate the big family meals!” Luckily for them, that dining room isn’t more than a few steps from John and Joanne’s own kitchen.

Ironically, a welcomed by-product of the project’s distinct design was how it proved to serve the two families during a time of social distancing. “It wasn’t the original intention,” Guzman admits, “But when you look at what people want for their future, we’re going to see a lot more of a multigenerational design in our homes.” Having their own spaces, neither the McGarveys nor the Burches have to worry about jeopardizing their health and safety, yet they are able to stay connected and support one another as needed.

“As much as John likes to move around, buy different homes, and design them for himself,” Guzman concludes, “I think this is the home he’s going to stay in.”

Feature cover image: Situated on a corner lot with an overall footprint of 12,000 square feet, this “new style” of estate boasts two unique homes and was designed to accommodate a multigenerational family.

Interlocking ring pendants from Lighting First are delicately suspended above the main master bedroom’s floating nightstands. Various shades of blue in soft, velvety textures draw the eye toward the inviting upholstered bed from Freestyle Interiors.