Stunning lake views, ample living and entertainment spaces, and higher-end finishes make this one-of-a-kind home the perfect place to get away from it all.
Story by Ann Butenas | Photos by Josh Mais of 7x design
If award-winning home builder Fred Delibero, owner of Summit Homes, ever wants to take a vacation and get away from it all, he does not have to venture far. In fact, he doesn’t even have to leave home. Located in the Raintree Lake neighborhood of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, this gorgeous lakefront home is not only a luxurious retreat but also the perfect place in which to entertain family and friends. From the first spade in July 2015 to completion in April of 2016, this home was ambitiously brought to life, boasting a transitional style, combining elements of modern/contemporary design while simultaneously embracing traditional architectural design elements.
After living in their previous home for 12 years in which they raised their kids, Delibero and his wife Lisa wanted something with more of a modern flair, along with higher level finishes that fit the needs of their changing family.
“We wanted to be in a lake community and also wanted plenty of space for entertaining,” explained Delibero.
The unique design was inspired by a home Delibero had previewed in Destin, Florida, which had a rectangular angled shape, low roof pitch, and grand two-story ceilings overlooking the water. This particular home mirrors that appeal and the ample outdoor views continue on the upper level with the expansive hallway and loft space that overlooks the great room and dining room and out onto the lake. After Delibero embraced the vision for his new residence, he sketched out the design and partnered with Dan Webster of Webster Architects to bring that vision to life.
“Dan also brought some great ideas to enhance the plan and its functionality,” expressed Delibero. Summit Homes designer Darrell Naeger was also a highly integral part of the project, incorporating the copious design elements that give this home its authentic personality.
“When I started working with Fred and Lisa on their new home they wanted to make sure the ‘contemporary’ look still had a cozy and inviting feel to go with their lifestyle,” noted Naeger. “We created a neutral backdrop using warm grays, warmer toned countertops, rich dark wood tones and then infused it with texture by strategically adding natural stone and wood elements. The interplay of warm grays and soft off-white tones let your focus move around the room – for example, the soft tone stone on the fireplace and soft toned quartz island contrasting with the dark toned cabinets and wood floor. From there, we added the detail and shine with polished nickel fixtures, mixes of shiny glass and metals, unique wall papers and dynamic light fixtures, like the four-foot sphere hanging from the 20-foot ceiling in the main living room.”
Encompassing 6,000 square feet, this 1.5 story home comes with many unique features, including the lower level 10 foot clear-span ceilings with no drops for HVAC, beams or plumbing. The main level boasts 10 foot ceilings while the upper level has nine foot ceilings, which is unusual for most homes. The main living areas, which include the living and dining room, enjoy 20-foot-tall spaces with vast, oversized windows dominating the home to invite ample natural light in while also maximizing the views of the lake.
“The home is also highly energy efficient with 6-inch exterior walls insulated with a combination of spray foam and blown in blanket insulation,” explained Delibero. “All heating and cooling equipment is very efficient, allowing the home to achieve a HERS score of 50, which means the home costs about half as much to operate as a typical site built home.”
While the energy efficiency designs go to work behind the scenes, the eye-catching interior designs are equally impressive. On the two main levels, the entire home features seven-inch hand-scraped hardwood flooring with tile in the bathrooms and laundry areas. The two main floors support the modern design while the lower walk-out has more of an urban ambiance to it.
Among the top features in the home include the numerous open spaces, soaring ceilings, large expanses of glass and upper end finishes throughout the space. The fun begins right at the entry way, with its solid wood door, enhanced with a modern glass panel arrangement. The walls at the entry are 12 x 24 porcelain tile that evoke the look of board formed concrete and the bench is naturally formed Acacia wood, complemented by the Mitchell-Gold rug.
The great room sets the perfect stage for the 48-inch sphere-shaped pendant with integrated LED array light and the white oak split-face stone fireplace, which is a soft off-white ledger stone product made from fine marble. Balancing out the look of the main level is the impressive staircase, with its aluminum railing system and coated twisted cable running horizontally. The nearby main level powder room confidently shows off its tiled metallic wall and horizontal grain walnut cabinetry, partnered with sparkly silver and white metallic wallpaper.
A strong focal point of the home is the kitchen. The dark glazed mission-style cabinetry extends to the ceiling in areas combined with tiled walls to the ceiling. The cabinetry is top-lighted and also has under cabinet lighting with LED strips. The eye-catching island features a fun waterfall design, bringing the countertop down on the ends to the floor. Delibero chose a lighter colored Cambria surface with lots of motion in the design. The appliances include Monogram and Thermador brands.
One of Delibero’s favorite rooms in the home is the master suite, which offers a tranquil retreat with a private screened deck. The soft grey wall colors complement the warm flooring selections and the spa bathroom with oversized shower and Kohler fixtures finished in polished nickel provide elegant touches. The suite also has a connecting laundry room, expansive closet, and an adjoining den area with built-in cabinetry in a honed-leather finish on Black Pearl granite with custom made pillows for the sectional.
Another star of the show, the master bathroom, enjoys hex-shaped tiles in a mix of metal and glass. The flooring is comprised of flat cut natural pebbles and the spa set up includes a rain shower head at the ceiling, a multi-function hand shower, a wall shower head and three water tile body sprays. Linear glass tiles accent the vanities and the heated porcelain tile floor provides warmth on cold days.
With two bedrooms upstairs, the guest room was designed to invoke “Hollywood glam,” with walls comprised of 3 x 6 ivory subway tile with an accent of random metallic and champagne colored glass mosaic, which is also installed above the vanity to create the mirror frame. The vanity is a custom metallic shimmer glaze and the counter top is Silestone Gray Amazon with a Kohler Vox sink.
But now it is time to get to the bottom of things – the impressive lower level.
“We wanted the lower level to feel like you’ve walked into a different home, and we achieved that with warmer colors, reclaimed barn wood on accent walls, stone, and dark walnut cabinetry,” noted Delibero. The entertainment features in the lower level include a bar area with an extra-long bar that hugs the wall so guests can easily access the bar and help themselves. Several high-top gathering tables with seating make hosting large gatherings a breeze. The large recreation room has multiple TV set ups, a pool table, and foosball table. This place could definitely make it easy to overstay your welcome!
Of course, what is a full-service recreation area without a wine room, accessed by a custom-made wrought iron door? This space does not disappoint with its Thermador wine stack refrigeration and plenty of space for wine storage and Delibero’s bourbon collection. The space is finished in reclaimed barn wood, stone veneers, a solid surface counter top, a distressed wood shelf at the rear to feature select items and a Thermador wine stack refrigeration system. LED lighting with back lighting on the cabinetry and a beautiful wrought iron hanging light fixture complete the elegant, yet relaxing, vibe.
And before calling it a night, Delibero and his family can settle in for a movie in the theater, which houses a 120-inch screen and six reclining leather seats arranged stadium-style. The wall coverings are natural grass cloth with custom upholstered panels made from a glazed cotton fabric in a pewter tone. A stunning half-bath in the lower level does not go unnoticed, either, with its unique black toilet and a vanity made of knotty rustic alder partnered with a trough-style sink made of concrete.
Taking a step outside, this home takes curb appeal to a new level with spectacular landscaping, private courtyard, stucco and stone veneer facade, and slate tile roofing. The garage doors are aluminum framed in a black finish with frosted glass inserts, adding a decidedly nice touch to the home, a look Delibero borrowed from homes on the West Coast and in Arizona, which accentuates the modern design of the home.
More enchantment can be found in the rear of the home, with its generously sized hardscape allowing for ample space to entertain guests. Other amenities out back include multiple dining areas; several decks; a lounge area; and an outdoor kitchen with a Coyote Grill station, cooler and refrigerator. Boral stone decoratively creates the perimeter of the space, which beautifully complements the Silestone countertop.
From top to bottom and front to back, nothing says, “We can get away from it all without ever leaving” like this one-of-a-kind home.
Resources
Builder: Summit Homes | Architect: Webster Architects, Dan Webster | Designer: Summit Homes, Darrell Naeger
