The new builds that dot the American landscape today run the gamut of architectural and interior styles, creating a wide range of options.
For Lyndsay White, being married to a builder means she’s experienced this range firsthand. She and her husband Chad have lived in half a dozen homes that were built by his company—before moving each time the home sold. But all that changed with the latest build, a luxury getaway in Beavercreek Township.
“With the previous builds, we wanted to showcase styles to appeal to different people. But they were not necessarily our style or what we would put in a forever home,” Lyndsay explains.
Chad adds that living in homes with a variety of features allows him to gain experience and be better informed when meeting with clients. That way, he says, “I can give them real-world feedback when working with them to design their dream home.”
So how do a builder and his wife make the vision of their own forever home come to life?
“It was important to us to have a space our young son could grow into and, if we grow our family, we could grow into that,” explains Lyndsay. “We also wanted something very warm and inviting as a place to entertain.”
Also, in keeping with many home seekers today, the Whites wanted a property that would offer a complete lifestyle package—a place to work, unwind and have fun. The outdoor kitchen, back yard, lower-level bar, and gym are just a few of the many perks enticing them to hang around the house.
Farmhouse inspiration
In terms of style, the driveway unfurls to showcase a stunning modern farmhouse enveloped by woods. Though the garage wraps around the house, it appears as a separate structure, as if it were a barn on an actual farm. “This was about bringing the farmhouse theme home,” explains Chad, who works for G.A. White Homes. “But instead of being a red ‘barn,’ it’s black, which was a very fun concept to incorporate.”
There’s a side entry created especially for guests, but the showstopper is the front entrance, where French doors, flanked by gaslit copper lanterns, open to a flawlessly executed, 24-foot-tall cathedral ceiling, vaulted ceiling beams and voluminous windows that reveal woodsy views and allow for tons of natural light.
“We wanted a ‘wow’ effect as you walk through the door,” explains Chad. “It’s the anchor of the home.”
Wide-open spaces
The open-concept kitchen-dining-great room space is well-scaled and creates a wonderful symmetry, key for entertaining but also for family togetherness—this is where the Whites spend most of their time. They can host intimate family dinners but also large-scale dinner parties of 30-plus people without it feeling crowded. Cooking for such gatherings is made easy with the 60-inch Wolf range, multiple Sub-Zero refrigerators, Cove dishwashers, and a Sub-Zero icemaker. There’s also an expansive island that can seat eight people comfortably.
Lyndsay loves how the open concept kitchen co-exists with other areas in the home and brings in the warm, natural light. The palette is soothing yet sophisticated, and warm, oak floors flow seamlessly throughout, illuminated by gold and brass lighting.
But one of her favorite features is the sprawling walk-in pantry that spans the length of the kitchen. White oak cabinetry is meticulously offset by charming black-and-white marble tile, and the space includes a built-in espresso machine. “It almost feels like you’ve walked into a little Paris café,” says Lyndsay.
Fresh-air options
Two large sliding doors off the kitchen open to the spacious outdoor living areas. The vision here was an open, versatile space that would accommodate plenty of seating and the accoutrements that would allow them to entertain, as well as to cook on the patio on a year-round basis.
“It’s set up as a seamless space, so you can move indoors to out doors without feeling like you’ve traveled too far,” says Chad. “And while entertaining, you feel like you are connected from wherever you are.”
Lyndsay also likes the privacy afforded by their back yard, which is surrounded by woods. The woods are also visible from the soaking tub in the primary bathroom, which is part of a luxurious suite that boasts a tongue-and-groove cathedral ceiling, stone fireplace and immense walk-in closet. Custom cabinetry in the closet keeps clothes and clutter tucked away, and with its display shelf, it resembles a serene, high-end showroom. In addition to the soaking tub, the spa-inspired bathroom features oversized dual showers and dual vanities, as well as heated floors.
Life down under
Travel down the extra-wide staircase to the lower level, and the feel here is different than upstairs. Everything is still luxe, but in a toned-down sense, with dark wood floors and an overarching pub-like feel. As graduates of Ohio University, Chad and Lyndsay wanted to bring their alma mater into this space and give a nod to Athens. The bar area was intentionally set up to encourage conversation, with surround seating versus bar stools in a row. There’s a walk-in, climate-controlled wine room with a separate bourbon display area, not to mention a home theater and fully equipped CrossFit gym, and a Star Wars themed playroom, among other things.
After building homes that ranged from urban industrial to modern to more traditional, Chad and Lyndsay were able to focus in on what they themselves liked and the features that were most important to them, in order to make their vision come to life.
“We wanted luxury but at the same time, we didn’t want it to be overwhelming,” concludes Lyndsay. “Ultimately, we wanted to create a happy home where we could build memories and share with others.”
RESOURCES Builder G.A. White Homes Architect Shawn Duncan and Associates Interior Design G.A. White Homes Cabinets Mauk Cabinets by Design Countertops Konkus Marble and Granite Plumbing and lighting Ferguson Appliances Sub-Zero and Wolf from Tisdel Distributing
Article by Lee Rhodes | Photos by Dawn Smith
Article originally appeared in September 2024