From the grassy loggia of the Southwind Farm, nests of Spanish moss drape from ancient oaks, capturing the brilliantly hued North Central Florida sunshine before gently filtering it out over the lush pastures. It’s a soft cacophony of texture and color lulling the senses into a relaxed bliss.
This loggia, its view and subsequent effect is the home’s raison d‘être… the very reason that a couple from Massachusetts were lured to this quiet corner of northwest Marion County in the first place.
“Initially, the owners explored the idea of remodeling the existing owners residence on this 40-acre property, simply because they only imagined spending a few weeks a year here,” says Builder-Developer Rusty Stout of Nadeau-Stout Custom Homes. “Much to their surprise, they found themselves staying for months instead, and the existing house was just too old, outdated and small for their needs. Starting from scratch was the only way for us to incorporate everything the family envisioned.”
The couple’s list of must-haves blended elegant architectural details and luxurious, hand-crafted materials with modern, eco-conscious amenities in equal measure. “Imagine old-world glamour reinterpreted with a modern flair. There isn’t anything glitzy here. Every detail was highly-researched and chosen to address a specific purpose,” Stout says.
The greatest challenge was blending the farm’s existing structures — several barns, guest houses and pool home— with the construction of a new residence. “All the original buildings were staying, so it took some virtuosity to devise a plan that made sense from a functional and an aesthetic perspective.”
To execute such a vivid, detailed plan, Stout corralled a team of artisans, craftsmen and design professionals, who spent months hand-crafting this home.
Equal parts grand and gracious, their flawless attention to detail imbues this 9,000-square-foot custom home with a striking, old-world elegance enhanced by timeless decor and whip-smart amenities. Far from looking like fresh construction, Southwind Farm’s newest residence now feels as though it has reigned over its rolling pastures for decades.
INTERIOR ELEGANCE
Quality, elegance and craftsmanship are mantras effortlessly repeated throughout the home, and the owners spared no expense when refining each and every detail. Meticulously handcrafted woodwork, beamed ceilings and artisanal stone heighten interest while fostering a sense of intimacy that makes the spacious rooms feel cozy. There’s an old-world nod to elegance with a real-life patina etched into every feature, and it begins, as it should with the very entry.
A resplendent, chiseled edge porcelain tile walkway winds upward to greet a hand-forged, wrought iron Cantera door, its hefty weight providing safety and soundproofing. Interior doors are similarly crafted, featuring solid Alder wood that’s been hand-distressed and is finished with hand-cast, Rocky Mountain Mack Collection hardware.
From here the home flows through massive archways to the great room, formal dining room and modern gourmet kitchen all with custom, cherry wood beams in stark relief to coffered ceilings.
Authentic Venetian plaster adorns the walls. “And by authentic, we mean to say that the artisan was originally trained in Italy by a family of old-world craftsmen going back several generations,” explains Stout. “The finish is, bar none, the best I’ve ever seen.”
Likewise, the custom cabinetry throughout the home was artfully crafted and installed by Ocala Kitchens and Baths. “With years of expertise, they knew how to deliver a cabinetry solution that incorporated every feature the owners wanted,” says Andre Nadeau, Stout’s partner and long-time mentor. “The owner had specific ideas about the kitchen design and what she was looking for.”
The interior kitchen features rich wood cabinetry, natural stone countertops and the latest Miele, Wolfe and KitchenAide appliances that are chef’s dream. Similarly, the outdoor kitchen, nestled strategically within the open lanai, comes replete with DCS Outdoor Grill and Ventahood perfect for large dinner parties or intimate family gatherings. In fact, the entire home was designed with a keen eye toward entertaining, both inside and out.
A magnificent 52″ gas fireplace crowned with imported Italian limestone, custom-fabricated and laid by Southeastern Stone anchors the living room. “Before cutting the stone, we built a full scale mock-up in wood so as to solidify even the most minute of details. After the mock up was approved by the owner, detailed shop drawings were created and then given to the stone cutters. It was quite a project!”
In today’s luxury home the master bath has become a point of focus and this home is no exception. Designed as a calming oasis the master bath features an MTI Primm free standing tub with cast iron cat tail wrap warmly ensconced in a floor-to-ceiling glass alcove giving the bather a feeling of being in the great outdoors. A custom tiled waterfall on the rear wall of the outdoor bath garden, soft outdoor lighting and beautiful landscaping adds to the ambiance and serenity of the bathing experience.
This attention to detail continues throughout the master bath with its custom cabinetry, hammered sierra copper sinks, programmable heated floor system, Kohler DTV with digital interface, rain shower with body sprays and luxurious Myson electric towel warmer.
CLEAN AND SMART
From the outset, IPC Services, Inc, a residential design firm and sister company of Nadeau-Stout Custom Homes, worked tirelessly to develop a sensible design that incorporated a number of renewable, energy-efficient technologies: Amvic Insulated Concrete form exterior walls, Andersen 400 Series windows, Icynene open cell spray foam insulation, and a geothermal HVAC system by Water Furnace all became integral components of the overall design solution.
“I’m particularly impressed with how well the house performs from an energy perspective. The Water Furnace Envision Series Geothermal HVAC units all include integrated hot water generators which capture energy for potable hot water throughout the house,” Stout says. “Hot water captured from those units is stored in 80 gallon tanks then fed through Rinnai tankless gas water heaters which control the temperature, and provide endless hot water for all the fixtures in the home.”
The result is a clean, all natural heat solution that saves energy and benefits the environment.
Indeed, from light bulb to lanai, renewable energy and whip-smart technology powers the property. Two 1,000-gallon underground propane storage tanks ensure plenty fuel is available for the appliances and the Kohler RES 45KW propane generator. In the event of a power outage, the generator provides seamless power supply to the house through an automatic transfer switch.
In inclement weather, remote controlled, motorized 8′ tall pocket sliding glass doors by Windoor (installed by Doors-in-Motion) close the space between home and lanai with just the touch of a button, while remote controlled power-retracting hurricane screens from Armor Screen not only protect the outdoor space during storms, but can also offer additional shade when needed.
A programmable automated lighting control system reduces both wattage and the quantity of light switches, making illumination simpler to operate; and the home’s low voltage systems finish out with a security system and central vacuum system with toe operated sweep pans in many locations throughout the home.
Yet, perhaps the home’s true crescendo lies not in a to-be-expected home theatre, but rather with the music room. “Or, as I like to call it, the ultimate man cave,” says Stout. “This room truly expresses the husband’s personality — an indulgent celebration of everything he loves, music, reading and privacy.”
Crafted with the care of a perfectly tuned recital hall, it’s an audiophile’s dream. Power conditioners were integrated into the room’s circuitry so the amplifiers could deliver the richest sound quality, sound-proofing offers optimal privacy for leisure pursuits, and a private bath completes the retreat. The wild black cherry wood flooring features a handmade wood mosaic border with inspiration provided by the chandelier in the great room.
“We watched in utter amazement as Matt Marwick of Precision Floorcrafters carefully placed each of the over 100,000 custom cut wood tiles to create a one of a kind custom mosaic. The result is simply stunning!” says Stout.
“Working on this home was a dream come true,” Stout says. “It was, truly, a great marriage of ideas, where the entire team all brought our strongest abilities to the table to create something that I believe is simply spectacular.”
