This Plus Sign-Shaped Home in Central Indiana Knows All Its Angles

This blog post features a unique custom-built home located at 3482 Flamingo Ave. on Siesta Key, currently on the market for $5.8 million. Completed in 2019, the residence seamlessly blends Old World architectural elements with modern design aesthetics. The owner, Gary McDermott, who had no prior experience in architecture or home design, custom-built the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom house with personal touches that also appeal to a broader market. McDermott is selling the home due to a relocation to Raleigh for work. The exterior of the home showcases more than 24 feet of hand-carved Cantera stone framing the double front doors, which are 10-foot-tall mahogany. These carvings include frangipani, his wife’s favorite flower, and a flamingo, a nod to the home's address. Wall-climbing vines and a water fountain contribute to a regal entrance, while wrought-iron balconies overlook a Roman-style pool. The property sits on an acre of land on the north end of Siesta Key and includes a three-car garage. Inside the 4,152 square-foot residence, the fusion of styles continues. An interior courtyard houses a 45-foot lap pool, surrounded by stone pillars. This five-foot-deep pool not only serves as a focal point but also functions to cool the house, reportedly lowering the temperature by 10-15 degrees and creating a natural draft. The pool area also offers views of a large backyard and canal access to Sarasota Bay. McDermott sourced the hand-carved stone from Mexico, emphasizing his preference for Old World styles while maintaining a clean, modern look. The interior features extensive tiling throughout, with traditional furniture pieces and light fixtures complementing updated bathroom and kitchen cabinetry. The kitchen boasts blue azul granite countertops, a material also used around the pool. The owner noted that delays in finding specific tiles provided ample time to refine their vision for the home. A notable amenity for contemporary living is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house equipped with a full kitchen and a luxury office, catering to remote workers. Looking ahead, the roof was intended for further development, with plans for a greenhouse, a day bed, a putting green, and a bocce ball court, adorned with cacti and bromeliads. These future projects are now available for the next homeowner to undertake. Steve Abbe of the Abbe Ross Team with Coldwell Banker Realty in Florida is the contact for inquiries regarding the property. #SiestaKey #CustomHome #LuxuryRealEstate #MediterraneanArchitecture #OldWorldDesign #ModernDesign #SarasotaHomes #HomeForSale #ArchitecturalFeatures

The Dowell family, consisting of Rebecca, Jeremiah, and their sons Deacon, Wyatt, and Ryder, along with their boxer Rookie, recently relocated to La Grange's Heather Ridge neighborhood to be closer to Oldham County Schools due to their sons' involvement in football and other sports. Jeremiah, a Realtor at Keller Williams Louisville East, had long admired the five-level Avery model by Fischer Homes. The family purchased a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom, 3,229-square-foot multi-level home built in 2023, which offered the ideal blend of shared and private living spaces. The Dowells undertook several customizations to personalize their new home. They installed luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout and equipped the kitchen with GE Café appliances. A significant change involved moving the fireplace from a corner to the center of the great room, opting for a gas fireplace. This tan brick fireplace, extending to the 18-foot ceilings, is complemented by a matching column in the basement office and an entryway arch, creating a cohesive design. Trim and sconces were added to frame the fireplace, creating symmetry, with a frame TV displaying a black and white family photo when not in use. Jeremiah emphasized the desire for the room not to be solely focused on the television. Rebecca, an independent travel advisor, established an in-home office in the basement. This space features a large, T-shaped desk with two chairs, shelving, and his-and-hers display cases. Rebecca's side showcases whimsical travel and childhood mementos, while Jeremiah's side displays award plaques and framed degrees. A wall-mounted TV in Rebecca's office streams live views of various locations, like New York, beaches, and castles, adding light and an outdoor ambiance to the space. The opposite side of the lower level is dedicated to a workout area, with a discreet entry to a large storage space. The family's love for football is evident in the rec room, which includes a large TV, ample seating, an NFL Blitz arcade game, and a wall adorned with a mural of the Caesars Superdome, reflecting Rebecca's New Orleans roots. The room also features dozens of mini football helmets, which previously were scattered in the children's rooms. The 10-foot ceiling in the rec room was a major selling point for the family, as it provided an expansive feel typically not found in basements and connected seamlessly with the kitchen. Exterior customizations were also undertaken. Initially, Rebecca found the original brown exterior with shutters too busy. After consulting an artist on Etsy for exterior renderings, they chose Sherwin-Williams Oyster Bay, an algae-hued neutral paint with slate-blue undertones, to enhance the home's curb appeal. Jeremiah, being in real estate, considered resale value in all their modifications. While the Dowells anticipate moving again in the future, they are currently enjoying their customized home, particularly its open floor plan, which facilitates family gatherings and entertaining, as exemplified by a Derby party where Rebecca could remain engaged with guests while in the kitchen. Key distinctive elements of the home include an entryway with a tan brick archway made with German schmear, quartz countertops, large kitchen cabinets with trim to the ceiling, a custom pantry mirroring the kitchen with a mini-fridge, and a second pantry for dry food and appliances. The first floor features custom luxury vinyl plank flooring. Other notable features include floor-to-ceiling trim in the great room and entryway, a custom mudroom, a renovated basement with an office, gym, bathroom, large framed TV, and ample hidden storage. The primary bedroom boasts a brick wall, a custom 4K electric fireplace, tiled bathroom floor, custom vanity, and custom closet. The backyard includes custom pavers and a gas fireplace, while the garage has an epoxy floor. The Dowells enlisted various professionals for these customizations, including Fischer Homes, Andreanna for LVP flooring, Olde Town Chimney for the gas fireplace, Wes Stutz for fireplace installation and trim work, Wes Stutz and Chris Barber for storage solutions, Jeff Hancock of Triple Trade for electrical and plumbing, Coronado Stone for the primary bedroom brick wall, Kilo’s Painting for interior and exterior painting, Earthscapes LLC for pavers, and Epoxy Dude for garage flooring. #HomeDesign #CustomHome #MultiLevelHome #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #FischerHomes #OldhamCounty #FamilyHome #HomeCustomization

A unique home in West Michigan, priced at $6.5 million, features a distinctive two-story walk-in closet with a spiral staircase, which the current owner has fully utilized with clothes and shoes. The property is situated on 323 acres and boasts a 14,000 square foot residence. The extensive amenities of this luxurious home include a 9-acre private lake with access to four additional lakes, offering vast recreational opportunities. For security and privacy, there is a 5,000 square foot underground bunker, providing a substantial safe haven or storage space. The home also comes equipped with a state-of-the-art greenhouse, catering to gardening enthusiasts, and a heated driveway, ensuring convenience during colder months. The interior of the house features five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and three half bathrooms, accommodating a large family or numerous guests. A four-car garage provides ample space for vehicles and additional storage. The residence includes a walkout basement, adding to its functional living areas. The kitchen and other key areas are outfitted with quartz countertops and high-end appliances, reflecting a commitment to quality and modern design. Convenience is further enhanced by a washer and dryer on every level, streamlining daily chores. The master bedroom suite is particularly opulent, featuring 'His & Her' showers and a dedicated laundry area. Entertainment options abound with a home theater for cinematic experiences and a Yoga Room for wellness activities. A spa completes the suite of luxury amenities, offering a dedicated space for relaxation and rejuvenation. The article emphasizes the visual appeal of the home, encouraging readers to view accompanying photos, particularly highlighting the two-story walk-in closet and its spiral staircase, showcasing the distinctive design and practical luxury of this Michigan property. #MichiganHome #LuxuryRealEstate #TwoStoryCloset #HomeDesign #UniqueHomes #BattleCreek #ZillowListing #RealEstateMichigan #DreamHome

Jim and Jennifer Wissing, residents of a three-bedroom, 2 ½-bath ranch home in the North Shore area, have meticulously transformed their 1963 house into a Victorian-era abode, reflecting their shared passion for the period's aesthetics and history. The couple, who acquired the house in 1977, initially decorated it in a traditional style. However, about two decades ago, after their children moved out, they began collecting antiques, progressively upgrading their pieces over time. Their collection is not merely an assortment of old items; the Wissings specifically seek out pieces with a historical connection to Milwaukee. For instance, they own three documented artifacts from the Schandein mansion, which once stood at 24th Street and Wisconsin Avenue. These include a large wood carving of a court jester, a newel piece shaped like a lady, and two carved wood panels that extend their crown molding. These particular items were acquired from the Alpine Village restaurant when it was sold. Another notable acquisition is a wrought-iron lunette by Cyril Kolnik, originally an archway piece from the Blatz Hotel on North Water Street, also sourced from the Alpine Village sale. Their collection further includes a chandelier from the Josiah Noonan House and hand-carved wood statues from the Brumder mansion. Beyond purchasing antiques, Jim Wissing contributes significantly to the home's Victorian ambiance by crafting furniture that aligns with the era's style. He constructed the three-piece bedroom set in their master bedroom, designed by Jennifer, as well as bookcases in the office, a decorative block front chest in the living room, and wall paneling in the family room. When asked about their choice of a ranch house over a period home, Jennifer explained that while they considered Victorian homes in areas like Concordia, they ultimately prioritized their preferred neighborhood, close to their parents. They have adapted the ranch structure to better suit their Victorian decorating style by installing new six-panel oak doors with gold leaf corner blocks and adding thick molding and trim throughout the house. A primary challenge has been fitting large Victorian pieces into the ranch's smaller spaces, necessitating creative solutions such as using a smaller gaming table from the 1880s or 90s in the kitchen and shortening chandeliers to accommodate lower ceilings. The home’s interior colors are all Victorian-inspired, with Jennifer drawing inspiration for the living room from “Victorian America, Classic Romanticism Through Decorating” by Wendell Garrett. The kitchen underwent a significant transformation, with Jennifer designing custom cabinets with raised panels and a hutch, built by Jim. They also incorporated stained glass windows from a house on Brady and Prospect Avenue, black granite countertops with bronze flecks, and hardware chosen to match the bronze accents. The couple collects epergnes, decorative glass pieces for dining room tables. The family room features a French hunting cabinet from around 1850, two 1870s newel post figures, and a three-piece parlor set. The living room is furnished with mahogany pieces, reupholstered in teal sculpted velvet, and includes high-back chairs from an Atlanta courthouse. The guest bedroom showcases an R.J. Horner & Co. three-piece set from the 1880s, with a bedspread made from reproduction fabric from St. James Place castle in England. The dining room boasts an antique oval table that extends to 11 feet, with six chairs upholstered in sculptured velvet damask, and custom-made window treatments. Large gasoliers, typical of Victorian mansions, are present in most rooms, including a piece by Cornelius & Baker in the dining room. Their future plans include transforming the basement into an old beer hall. The exterior complements the interior with an English garden, chosen for Jennifer’s love of roses and its suitability for the light-colored brick exterior of their home. #VictorianDesign #HomeRenovation #AntiqueCollection #MilwaukeeHistory #InteriorDecorating #RanchHomeTransformation #CustomFurniture #ArchitecturalSalvage #PeriodStyle