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Jim and Karen Somers are proof positive that empty nesters can build the home of their dreams and enjoy every room. Their new residence, in the Canyons of North Pointe Woods, was finished in the spring of 2009. It is a reflection of their collective vision.
“When you’re empty nesters, you can move into a house that suits you,” said Karen Somers. “This is our ‘reward’ house. It was designed for us and reflects what we like.”
The Somers initially considered remodeling their previous house rather than relocating. They were interested in an open kitchen and living room, as well as a walk-in shower. However, they determined that they wouldn’t get the value out of the home if they made such considerable changes. So they decided to build a new house instead.
Jim discovered the wooded lot in Canyons of North Point Woods a few years ago. The couple bought the scenic property and began planning the home’s design. They hired Tim Staffer of Cedar Creek Homes and Cindy Friend of Cindy Friend Lifestyle Studio to turn their visions into reality.
The Somerses weren’t new to the building process. They knew what they wanted and how to communicate with their builder and subcontractors.
For instance, the couple knew they no longer needed a home with an upstairs, main level and basement. They also knew they wanted to incorporate ample arches into the design of the house. The resulting ranch-style home with walkout basement features smooth arches expertly balanced with squared-off elements and various geometrical shapes.
“Jim and Karen were wonderful to work with,” said Stauffer. “They trusted us to ‘design+ build’ the home for them, from the initial architectural design to construction and then final furnishings and accessories. They were definitive about their likes and dislikes but always trusted us in our respective areas of expertise. I believe the end result is a testament to this process.”
The stone exterior of the Somerses’ home is a blend of gray and tan earth tones. It features a tall entryway with an arched opening. A custom-built, solid wood front door and surrounding windows, all with a rich espresso finish, share the same rounded shape.
Large floor-to-ceiling arched windows, complete with grids, are positioned on each side of the entrance. Light tan rectangular stones frame the top of the archway and windows, subtly adding to their prominence. Even the white carriage doors used for the three-car garage include a gentle curve as part of the design.
A series of peaks rise gently from the roof in contrast to all of this. A large bay window trimmed in white is located at one end of the house and adds further dimension and contrast. This section also features fiber cement that resembles stucco and complements the texture of the stone covering the rest of the façade.
The juxtaposition of shapes, colors and textures continues inside. Square white pillars support archways that draw attention to the main living area, as well as archways that frame the dining room to the left. Three large windows, identical to the ones on the home’s façade, provide a scenic view of the wooded are behind the house.
An iron stair railing with diamond detail and a dark wood handrail is positioned amidst the archways that separate the entryway from the great room. This railing connects two of the pillars and then curves artistically back toward its starting point before descending into the lower level.
The rich espresso color of the front door is reflected in the railing and banisters, as well as in the narrow French doors that lead to Jim Somers’s den. Travertine flooring covers the entryway, skirts along the edge of the carpeting in the main living area and travels on into the kitchen. Its varied earth tones serve as a foundation for much of the décor, including the warm paint colors of the main rooms. The soft blue walls of the dining room are a subtle, yet distinct, contrast to the rest of the area.
The diamond shape integrated into the railing is also reflected in the multi-tonal tile backsplash behind the oven is capped with an arch design and surrounded by stone that mirrors the home’s exterior.
Some sections of the kitchen cabinets are a deep brown and the appliances are black. Other cabinets are very light and covered with a darker glaze that produces the effect of a painted finish. The granite countertops are dark with lighter colors running through them.
The furnishings also blend light and dark colors, straight edges and curves. Solid couches and chairs are intermingled with the occasional colorful pattern on a chair here and accent pillows there. Glass-top tables with curved bases share space with bar stools. Eye-catching, artistic pieces and interesting lamps, light fixtures and ceiling fans provide the finishing touches.
“Cindy has an eye for things,” Somers said. “She knows what to get and goes out to find it. We worked well together, because I was open to the things she suggested. I also like a lot of different things. I just love it.”
Not only the décor, but also the physical space appeals to Somers. She appreciates the dens- one for her and one for her husband- along with the Jack and Jill bathroom located between the dens. She values the master bathroom, complete with vessel sinks made of natural stone and a walk-in shower.
Multiple decks, including one accessible from the master bedroom enable the Somerses to enjoy a view of their secluded backyard and the thick woods that envelops it. A sunroom- Karen Somers’s favorite space- connects the kitchen to the outside and down to a stamped patio. The steps were specially designed in short sections to make it easier for the Somerses’ dog to reach the back yard.
Then there is the lower level, which includes an entertainment area and a theater room. Dark bar cabinets stand out from lighter walls and carpeting. Silver chairs with martini glasses forming a portion of the backs are positioned around the high counter. Artwork in the shape of a hand holding a martini glass hangs on the wall.
A pub table is situated on the opposite wall next to a large window. Another seating area is found further down the wall, beyond the patio doors but still next to a large window.
Special shelves were created in the corner of the room to showcase Jim Somers’s Green Bay Packers paraphernalia. The light above the pool table also pays homage to the Packers, as does a framed photo of a packed Lambeau Field on game day.
And there are also two bedrooms- one for each of the boys- and a full bath with a vessel sink, dark granite counters and intriguing light fixtures. A small weight room area is tucked into the ample storage room.
The Somerses are quite pleased with the entire layout, including aspects of the lower level they haven’t had in a home before.
“We always wanted a bar,” said Somers. “We recently had an open house, and it was wonderful. There was more room for entertain and interacting with one another. We had places for everyone to sit from cozy nooks to the seats on the stamped patio.”
“I use every space in my house,” she added. “I relax on the chaise, read in the sunroom and enjoy movies in the theater room. If I had to build again, I would describe this house. How could I do without one I had this?”
The Somerses’ grown sons apparently agree. According to Somers, one wants to sell his house and move into the new “nest,” while the other one thinks the home should be featured on an episode of “Cribs.”
Carmody, LauraMarie. “A ‘Reward’ House.” Fort Wayne Monthly October 2009: 38-42. Print.
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