The Story
Featured In Orlando Homebuyer Magazine
Featured In Orlando Magazine
2003 Aurora Award Winner
Resort living 365 days of the year. That’s what might first come to mind after experiencing the recent whole house renovation of this Sweetwater home located on the edge of Lake Brantley.
Formerly the home of the late Charles Givens, author of “Wealth Without Risk”, the lakeside home had been built in the 1980’s and was in need of a facelift. But the new homeowners requested a more casual character for the project, a departure from the stiff and formal look the home initially had.
“As big as the house originally was,” PSG Construction partner Stephen Gidus explains, “the floor plan was inadequate and did not make good use of the space.”
PSG Construction joined with Lucia Custom Home Designers, Inc. to make the house “more livable for the new family,” says Lucia Custom Home Designers President Karen Kassik. “The family wasn’t after a ‘big mansion’ feel from this house,” Kassik points out. “They wanted to create a casual and welcoming feel in their new home.”
PSG Keeps in Constant Contact with Out of Town Homeowners
PSG Construction used e-mail and the internet to keep in close contact with the homeowners, who were living out-of-state during renovation. Demolition of the interior took a total of 18 days, with as many as 21 men working each day, literally tearing the interior apart piece by piece. With a full-time on-site superintendent, the project took just nine months to complete.
Former Ballroom is Converted to Open Entertaining Area
To help carry out the homeowner’s wishes for a less flamboyant home, the existing lakefront ballroom located at the rear of the house was eliminated. In this 50 foot by 36 foot space is now an open family room, kitchen and dining room. Each of these rooms flows into the other without divisions. The space is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors that boast a panoramic view of the lake, soaring palms, pool and spa. Such a view in itself easily puts to rest any workday stress or strain.
Regardless of how casual the home may appear, it radiates unqualified comfort and a well thought-out floor plan.
“The new floor plan is conducive to children,” Kassik points out. The children’s bedrooms are intentionally located near the pool, pool bathroom, wet bar, game room and laundry. As an ultimate retreat, the second floor is dedicated to the self-contained master bedroom suite that includes a 16 foot x 26 foot office, granite shower/steam room and wet bar, and affords an equally outstanding view of the lush landscaping and water. An oversized four foot door leading to the suite shuts out unwanted stress and interruptions.
20 Foot Ceilings Greet Guests in the Entry
The entry and living room open to the entry sets the stage for the rest of the home with 20 foot ceilings and a wood floor inset with patterned marble. Pine beams and a stone fireplace reaching 16 feet high give the rooms an impressive but casual elegance. French doors open to the spacious screened porch and more casual seating. A wood staircase accented with an iron and wood railing leads to a balcony overlooking the foyer and living room. The spacious master bedroom suite is tucked behind a foyer leading from the balcony.
A guest suite with a private entrance makes entertaining easy for the homeowners and unforgettable for guests.
In addition to the office in the master bedroom suite, a second office is located just off the kitchen. A den, exercise room and butler’s pantry with a second dishwasher are also nearby. Details like marble counters, granite inlays, a copper sink, and mosaics are pampering embellishments.
Considerable renovation was completed at the rear of the home also. The pool deck was refinished, a cabana was erected, and a new sea wall at the lake was installed to give the rear of the home a resort-like presence. The brick-enclosed Thermador™ grill is serviced by a stained concrete counter for effortless pool side entertaining. A bridge leads to the boathouse, private beach and observation deck.
The newly renovated home no longer reflects the formal pretentiousness of its original state, but offers its new owners true estate living in every sense of the word.
SOURCES
Drywall – R.K. Edwards
Appliances – Southeast Steel
Cabinetry – Central Kitchen & Bath
Windows – Garner Window & Door
Plumbing Labor – Modern Plumbing
Air Conditioning & Heating – Air Masters
Carpet – Florida Home Carpet
Closet Shelving – Get Organized
Roofing – Steppi Roofing
