Concept Home Combines Classic Design with Modern Living

Design devotees certainly have had endless ideas to explore with all the showcase homes on display in Central Florida. One of the latest examples of trends, tradition and technology is the Concept Home. And although the tours have ended, the inspiration shouldn’t as well.

That inspiration comes in two ways. The first, and most obvious, is the home’s luxury features, but the other is in the tour’s example of giving back to a very special community home.

Marilee McGinn, the project’s lead interior designer, became connected with the Concept House after visiting The Russell Home for Atypical Children in South Orlando. “There was a very strong emotional tie to this charity, and I felt that my talents would be used for a very worthy cause,” she said. Proceeds from the ticket sales were designated for the home.

The overall design theme of the Concept Home, built by Sorenson Construction and located on Lake Hancock, is classical Italian with the use of round arches and symmetrical composition. Taking a cue from the Renaissance architect and architectural writer Leon Battista Alberti (1404 – 1472), this villa was designed with a large room (sala) and interior court (cortile).

Marilee’s interpretation of the style came from her travels and studies in Europe. She wanted the home to be comfortable, casual, elegant and, of course, classic.

The breezes across Lake Hancock provided the name — Brezza di Lago — for this Central Florida villa. The architecture enhanced the water view from several rooms, in addition to the lanai with a pool, spa and state-of-the-art summer kitchen. The private balcony off of the master suite is a quiet spot for surveying the serene scene.

For relaxed living, the home includes many amenities and extras that create a soothing environment. Highlights and details:

• Motif details are repeated throughout for a harmonious flow.

• Paint colors, luxurious fabrics, ironwork, light fixtures, hardware, stone and tile patterns and colors all work together from room to room.

• Natural tiles, mosaic feature strips and stones are reminiscent of those in the Roman bathes and villas of Capri, Pisa, Tivoli, Pompeii and Florence.

• The use of metallic tile inserts and feature bands accent the primary tile and stone.
• The men’s retreat has extensive Renaissance-style woodwork mixed with faux crocodile and leather finishes added to the walls.

• An indoor atrium creates the feel of being in an outdoor courtyard with a tiled roof, ironwork railings, aged-finish shutters and ledges on the stairway with planters.

• A double-sided carved and cast-stone fireplace can be enjoyed from the living area and dining room.

• The master bath features his-and-her vanities, a round whirlpool tub encased in stone tiles and edged with metallic tile beading, a double walk-through shower with a rain shower and multiple shower heads and a trompe l’oeil Italian landscape.

•  Natural tiles, mosaic feature strips and stones are reminiscent of those in the Roman bathes and villas of Capri, Pisa, Tivoli, Pompeii and Florence.

•  The use of metallic tile inserts and feature bands accent the primary tile and stone.

•  The men’s retreat has extensive Renaissance-style woodwork mixed with faux crocodile and leather finishes added to the walls.

•  An indoor atrium creates the feel of being in an outdoor courtyard with a tiled roof, ironwork railings, aged-finish shutters and ledges on the stairway with planters.

•  A double-sided carved and cast-stone fireplace can be enjoyed from the living area and dining room.

•  The master bath features his-and-her vanities, a round whirlpool tub encased in stone tiles and edged with metallic tile beading, a double walk-through shower with a rain shower and multiple shower heads and a trompe l’oeil Italian landscape.

•  Rich, earthy colors were used on the walls, furnishings and fabrics in shades of terracotta, paprika, rust, sage and basil.Marilee said her greatest challenge was keeping the design fresh with the latest trends, yet classic and authentic. A member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ), as well as a design consultant for Robb & Stucky Interiors, she can relax. This classic Italian/Mediterranean home blends together the best of both worlds — a classic Italian villa with a well-designed floor plan filled with luxurious amenities ideally suited for the contemporary family of today.

The Russell Home for Atypical Children in South Orlando has been in continuous operation for more than 50 years without any government support. It’s the only private, non-profit facility of its kind for severely handicapped children in Central Florida. russellhome.org.