When the Pelley family in Darien needed a transformed space in their home, they looked no further than Amber Penberthy of Woodland Partners. She was tasked to create the custom home of their dreams. Her approach to individualization to each client and personal attention to detail along with her ability to draw plans in both CAD and Sketchup 3-D separates her from other firms. She sat down with the Pelley family to see what things would really look like before they made any decisions. Darien Lifestyle was able to get a sneak peak into their gorgeous home and share some of the detailed finishings.
The kitchen
For most of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home. In this specific scenario, the floor plan needed to change to get rid of the enclosed desk area and walk in closet at the opposite side. This opened the space up for a sitting area that enjoys the morning light and a breakfast/wine bar with open shelving. Woodland Partners installed a new island with a new, polished calacatta capri marble countertop with a waterfall edge and seating for 5. Then reworked the cabinetry with some new pieces to accommodate a wall over and recessed TV. As an American journalist and author who has been a correspondent and anchor for CBS News for more than 31 years, it was a requirement that the Pelley’s can watch the morning news over coffee. The upper cabinetry was removed on the other side in favor of floating shelves with LED lighting. The countertops were brought up as the backsplash throughout the kitchen, and faux painting was done behind the floating shelves to bring the countertop design up.
The new floor plan allowed for three bedrooms with ensuite baths instead of four bedrooms and two baths. Bertch vanities are enhanced with beautiful polished iceberg blue quartzite countertops. There was just enough material for a makeup table. That same bathroom has alternating 12” x 24” shower tile and 3” x 12” arctic white glass tile walls with a herringbone tile shower floor. The other bath has 12” x 24” gray polished marble tile with an ivy gray polished marble shower floor and niche accent.
The office
The office was a mechanical challenge as Scott wanted an open fireplace. The Phoenix TrueView Indoor gas fireplace by Heat and Glo was chosen for its authentic look and glass free view. Venting requirements necessitated a framing change in the ceiling above and a false chimney was erected on the roof. Natural thin stone with a variegated depth was installed at the fireplace on the front and side walls as well as the new chimney. An LG cool art HVAC system was installed to provide a contemporary solution for temperature control at the office.
One of the coolest parts of the home is in the basement. An oak bar was reframed with acoustiblok sound proofing within the new walls and at the ceiling, as well as a homosote layer and foam interior to create a new sound studio for the owner. The original basement oak wall paneling was painted. New cabinet hardware and flooring creates a gym section and a separate section for ping pong.
