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Houzz Tour: Southwestern-Style Florida Mansion
Spanish clay tile, rough-sawn timber beams and a horse paddock lend a hacienda feel to a vast Southwestern-style home
When architect Roger Gritton's clients approached him about a custom house, he knew that his firm's biggest challenge would be their preferred Southwestern style. "We had never before created a design in the client's selected style. Fortunately for us, the [clients] could see that although this style was new to us, we had demonstrated the ability to learn and adapt. I think we were able to create their dream home," says Gritton.
The end result? A home that is symbiotic with its environment, reflecting the homeowners' love of horses and deep respect for nature and the outdoors.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: An equine-loving couple and their children
Location: Florida's northern peninsula
Size: 7,950 square feet
That's interesting: All doors and beams were made of salvaged barn wood and timbers.
The end result? A home that is symbiotic with its environment, reflecting the homeowners' love of horses and deep respect for nature and the outdoors.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: An equine-loving couple and their children
Location: Florida's northern peninsula
Size: 7,950 square feet
That's interesting: All doors and beams were made of salvaged barn wood and timbers.
| The kitchen materials and color palette embody Southwestern style. Ceramic tiles, a mantel-style range hood, rough-sawn timber beams and ceiling, rusticated brick floors and stucco walls evoke the feel of Arizona, where the owners previously had a home. |
The tall cabinets near the breakfast nook have metal rails installed at the top, along which a ladder slides for easy access to items in the higher cabinets (much like the way libraries utilize ladders for books). The ladder tucks neatly along the side of the cabinetry when not in use. Gritton says, "The ultimate goal for the kitchen was to be warm, inviting, functional and a bit unexpected."
| The house's architectural massing breaks up its profile to avoid a boxy look and feel more like a hacienda. "We tried to make the house feel like it had been added onto many times and built organically by using different roofing materials in different pavilions: flat roofs with parapet walls or sloped roofs with Spanish clay tile," says Gritton. |
| Many of the exterior spaces on the rear elevation are covered, due to Florida's torrential summer rains (as opposed to the uncovered patios of the dry Southwest). The living room windows become the focal point with numerous large, stepped, fixed panes of glass. Wings open at obtuse angles to reach out and embrace the horse pasture and surrounding environment. |
| The stairway's organic shape makes it feel as though it is carved out of a mud wall. A beautiful chandelier in the round tower element creates contrast with the milky, light-washed ceiling. A dried chili pepper garland wraps around the railing, adding a personal touch. |
| From the covered porch, you can see the pool, horse paddock and side yard. A corner fireplace anchors the porch, and the visible flue accents the ceiling height. Splashy colors on the fireplace complement the vibrant Adirondack chairs. |
| The living room serves as a gathering space and gives optimal views of the pool and horse paddock. Gritton says, "The materials stay consistent in this room: clay tile floors, stucco troweled walls, wood-beam ceilings. All of the accessories are the homeowners' touch and create a personal feel in this space." |
The foyer hall sets the tone of the house from the instant you enter. Openings leading to the wings flank each side. These openings are stabilized by wood beams and shaped to resemble “donkey” door openings — a unique touch.
"Notice how the clay tile floor changes pattern to a 45-degree [angle] that helps to define the space and anchor the dining table," says Gritton. Rough- sawn wood timbers frame the tall coffer in the ceiling, and green paint accents the arched niche, which utilizes another beam as a display shelf for more accessories.
| The rear porch is one of many that incorporate heavy timber columns and beams, coupled with rough-sawn wood brackets. Most of the porches serve a dual purpose as circulation corridors. Lantern-style wall sconces line the porches to offer light as well as Western detailing. |
River rocks add an outdoor feel to the shower, which was designed to feel open, "almost as if you were taking a shower outside in a horse stable," says Gritton.
The homeowners wanted the tub to make the space feel as rustic as possible. "We did this by placing it on a platform and using a classic stand-alone tub with a base," says Gritton. "The tub is lit by a rustic wrought-iron chandelier. Decorative heavy timber beams and the same heavy-duty iron plates continue to give the illusion that the timbers, posts and beams are actually structural."
Authenticity was of utmost importance to Gritton's clients, who wanted both the interior and exterior to remain true to Southwestern style. Gritton says that the home is "a beautiful, approachable residence that doesn't feel quite as large as it actually is. Kudos to the homeowners for the personalized design details; they are what bring the home to life."
More:
Historic Home in Austin, Texas
Tahoe Ridge House
Pattern Play: Subtle Southwest Style
Southwestern Chic
Home Design Ideas for the Cowgirl at Heart
Authenticity was of utmost importance to Gritton's clients, who wanted both the interior and exterior to remain true to Southwestern style. Gritton says that the home is "a beautiful, approachable residence that doesn't feel quite as large as it actually is. Kudos to the homeowners for the personalized design details; they are what bring the home to life."
More:
Historic Home in Austin, Texas
Tahoe Ridge House
Pattern Play: Subtle Southwest Style
Southwestern Chic
Home Design Ideas for the Cowgirl at Heart
Ideabook updated on Feb. 28, 2012.
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People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
The copy is funny; the shower is cool, but I didn't like the description of a horse stable because I could not get past the imaginary smell.
Overall it is a beautiful home, and see why the clients love it, but personally, I prefer a home that fits its setting. This home looks like it belongs in Paradise Valley or Carefree.