What happens when a home is designed entirely around how a client truly lives?
You get a house that feels less like a showpiece and more like a sanctuary.
This recent project reveal tells the story of a deeply personal custom home built on the footprint of a previous house that simply could not become what the client needed—no matter how much remodeling was considered. Instead of forcing compromises, we started fresh and designed every inch from scratch around one guiding principle:
Not resale. Not trends. Not “what most people do.” But how this particular client truly wanted to live.
And that distinction changed everything.
The Backstory: A Summer Home Rooted in Cleveland and Family Legacy
This home is a summer retreat for a client with longstanding ties to the West Side of Cleveland. She grew up in Westlake, spent more than 20 years living in North Carolina, and now splits her time—returning each summer to escape the Florida heat and reconnect with the area that has always felt like home.
What makes this project even more meaningful is the relationship behind it.
Her parents were longtime clients of our firm and built multiple homes with us over the decades. They knew our story, our process, and our unwavering commitment to excellence. That trust carried forward seamlessly into this next generation.
In many ways, this was not just a new build. It was a continuation of a multigenerational design relationship.
Why Was the Original House Torn Down Instead of Remodeled?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions when clients see the reveal.
The home sits on the exact spot where a previous house once stood. After careful evaluation, it became clear that no amount of remodeling could transform the existing structure into what the client truly wanted for this stage of life.
Rather than layering compromises onto an outdated layout, the decision was made to design a home from the ground up—one that answered real lifestyle questions such as:
- How do you want to feel in your home?
- Do you host often and for extended stays?
- Do you have hobbies that require dedicated space or storage?
- Do you own equipment that needs to be incorporated into the design?
- How should the home function 10, 20, or 30 years from now?
These answers became the architectural and interior framework of the entire project.
Designing From Afar: How Trust Shaped the Entire Process
Another defining element of this project was geography.
The client was living in another state for much of the design and build process. That meant many key decisions—materials, finishes, furnishings, and details—were truly designer’s choice.
That level of trust is rare, and it is deeply personal.
It was built on decades of family history with our firm and the confidence that we understood not just her aesthetic preferences, but her values and lifestyle. She trusted that we would make the best decisions on her behalf, even without her putting her eyes on every selection in person.
This allowed for a holistic, cohesive design approach rather than fragmented, piecemeal decision-making.
What Was the Client’s Top Priority for the Home Design?
Her answer was immediate and unforgettable:
“I want three true primary suites. Because if I like someone well enough to let them stay with me, I want them to be as comfortable as I am.”
This philosophy redefined the typical guest experience.
Instead of secondary guest rooms, the home features three full primary suites—each with generous proportions and beautifully appointed en suite baths. The result is a home designed for hospitality, dignity, and comfort rather than hierarchy.
A Subdued, Color-Drenched Palette for a Calm Luxury Aesthetic
The client specifically requested a subdued and cohesive color palette. To achieve this, we color-drenched the walls, woodwork, and doors in Sherwin-Williams White Sesame.
Rather than introducing contrast through multiple paint colors, we used varied sheens:
- Matte on the walls
- Semi-gloss on trim and doors
This technique creates the illusion of multiple tones while maintaining a calm, unified aesthetic. It also blended seamlessly with the painted and glazed cabinetry, reinforcing a timeless, quietly luxurious atmosphere.
Nothing competes visually. Everything feels intentional.
Pet-Friendly Luxury: Flooring That Balances Beauty and Durability
Designing for real life means designing for pets, too.
The client’s dog, Arlo, was an important consideration, which led to the selection of premium luxury vinyl flooring throughout much of the home. This choice offers:
- High durability against dog claws
- Low maintenance
- The warmth and visual appeal of natural wood
- Long-term performance for a frequently used home
It is a perfect example of practical luxury—elevated design that supports daily living without anxiety.
Why This Dining Room Has No Buffet or Storage
One of the most intentional design decisions appears in what the dining room does not include.
There is no buffet. No extra storage furniture. No pieces dedicated to holding unused items.
Because this house is not about “stuff.” It is about living.
The space is centered around a custom 5′ x 6′ mounted glass artwork created specifically for the client, serving as both a focal point and a conversation piece. Caster dining chairs were selected to allow effortless movement, making the room ideal for card games, long dinners, and relaxed gatherings.
This is a dining space designed for use, not display.
Functional Luxury Features That Support Long-Term Living
Every major feature in the home was selected through the lens of longevity and lifestyle.
Key elements include:
- Two laundry rooms, including one for guests
- An elevator for long-term accessibility
- An upstairs screened porch for summer naps and guest privacy
- Three full primary suites for extended hosting
These decisions were not about excess. They were about foresight.
A Welcoming Home, Not a Precious One
While the home is undeniably beautiful, its most defining quality is how welcoming it feels.
Nothing says, “Don’t touch.” Every piece says, “Sit awhile.”
Furniture invites use. Materials support real life. Spaces encourage gathering rather than formality. This is especially important as a summer home, where the client hosts, relaxes, and reconnects with family and friends during extended stays away from Florida’s heat.
The Emotional Side of Design: More Personal Than a Career
Design is often perceived as a profession rooted in aesthetics, but projects like this reveal a deeper truth.
This work is profoundly personal.
When a client trusts you enough to design their home from afar, build on a family legacy, and make designer’s choice decisions without hesitation, the responsibility goes far beyond finishes and floor plans. It becomes about stewardship—honoring their story, their lifestyle, and their sense of home.
The Final Result: A Home Designed Exactly Right for This Client
This project is not about resale metrics or trend forecasting. It is about alignment.
A summer home for a woman who grew up in Westlake. A legacy relationship spanning generations. A house built from scratch because compromise was not the right answer. A design rooted in hospitality, longevity, and trust.
The result is a home that is calm, cohesive, durable, and deeply livable.
Beautiful, yes. But more importantly, welcoming.
And in the end, that is always the true measure of successful residential design: not how a home photographs, but how perfectly it supports the life lived inside it.
