Gardner Dream Home
Long heralded a pioneer in the home-building industry, Don Gardner of Donald A. Gardner Architects, Inc. (DAG) has a reputation for marrying innovation with designs families love. So, when Don and his wife Gloria decided to build their dream home, they became much like their customers. After determining the style and amenities they desired, the Gardners created a 7000+ square-foot European villa that manages to radiate both luxury and comfort.
VISION
Don and Gloria knew they wanted the home to reflect Euro-Italian flair, complete with authentic products that ranged from imported tile to a European-designed balustrade. A fan of gadgets and electronics, Don also wanted to implement smart-home technology and an environmentally friendly geo-thermal heating and cooling system. The result is a home that powerfully blends Old-World ambience and forward-thinking technology.
“We wanted a home that appeared to have been there for 100 years, so we looked for elements that would have been created many years ago,” Don said. “But we also wanted comfort. We wanted an environment that would stimulate and energize the family.”
LOCALE
And they found that stimulation on a pristine stretch of Florida’s eastern coast just south of St. Augustine, Florida. The Hammock Dunes community was instantly the family’s favorite spot for the home’s location. “Once we drove into Playa Del Sur (the location in the community), we thought, ‘what an unusual situation.’ We have water to the east and water to the west.”
With the Atlantic Ocean in the backyard and a lake running parallel to the street, Don and Gloria achieved a Feng Shui haven with calming waters surrounding the entire residence.
INTERIORS
While the home’s location produced a soothing environment, the Gardners looked to interior designer Amy Emery of Allora, LLC to help create the interior’s elegant blend of comfort and luxury. “The interior design of the home was driven by the Gardners’ desire for a comfortable and inviting, yet elegant, setting. The color palettes are light and airy, invoking a feeling of serenity and relaxation, and the traditional furnishings are offset by an array of interesting natural materials: stone and leather floors, and silk and linen wall coverings,” said Emery.
The Gardners and Emery worked closely together to produce a sensory-stimulating environment. From an outdoor fountain that immediately greets visitors, to a leather floor in the study, the entire home inspires sensory awareness.
Don and Gloria were also very cognizant of the importance of natural, genuine products within the home. Because they wanted the feel of a previous century, they used only authentic materials and imported products to yield a true European ambience. “We were interested in using materials that would last, that were low-maintenance and durable,” Don said.
EXTERIORS
Wanting their residence to look as Euro-authentic as possible, they used real stucco on the exterior and pre-cast concrete for the columns and balustrades instead of traditional foam-board. For effect, these outside surfaces were also pitted to look like they’d been weathered over time.
For the roof, the Gardners chose clay tiles—which do not absorb heat, adding to the home’s energy efficiency—imported from Belguim. Each tile varies in color, giving more depth and texture to the overall facade. “We left the mortar in the hips and ridges of the roof unpainted,” said Don, “which helps to add the the authentic look we were seeking.”
MATERIALS
Tile is also the material of choice for flooring throughout
the home. The entire first floor
is made of stone tiles cut from the side of a mountain. Even the staircase steps are composed of this classic material.
“We selected this particular tile because the manufacturer carried everything we needed: a great line of tumbled natural stone products, decorative tumbled stone accents and borders, glass mosaics, as well as ceramic tile used in the baths and around the pool,” Emery said. Perfect for coastal homes, having tile floors throughout helps cool the
house and is also convenient for sandy feet when coming to and from the beach.
Because many DAG plans often feature impressive foyers with formal staircases, Don looked to his own company’s portfolio for inspiration. With the help of Southern Staircase, he designed a stunning spiral version that flows through three floors. Unsatisfied with
pre-designed railings, Don and Gloria also developed the design for the balusters. “We envisioned the look of waves on the stairs,” Don said of their vision to mimic the graceful flow of the nearby ocean in the seaside estate. “It was very difficult to make, but a gentleman that once lived in Europe came over and hand crafted each one for us.” Through both materials and craftsmanship, the Gardner home beams with European authenticity.
While several features give the home an Old-World look, Kohler products throughout the home elegantly combine functionality and style. Gloria knew that she wanted a luxurious and bright master bath. Choosing bronzed Kohler Artistic Edition sinks and faucets, she aimed to give the master bath a look that was functional yet artistic, much like the rest of the home.
“One thing I regretted not doing in our previous home was having a lot of light in the master bath. We designed this master bath with glass block in the windows that gives both
privacy and light. The addi-
tional light and the Kohler fix-
tures gave us the look we wanted. Actually, from the kitchen to the bathrooms, we have a total Kohler home,” she said.
ART
Ultimately, Don and Gloria were intent on designing a home that mirrored an art gallery. In the lofty foyer, the commanding staircase immediately stuns visitors, but it is the 17-foot driftwood sculpture that really captures the eye.
“We wanted a vertical element in the center of the spiral staircase. I saw a driftwood sculpture of a blue heron by Paul Baliker and liked it so much that I asked him to design something for that large, open space,” said Don.
To draw the eye further upwards, the Gardners implemented functional art in the form of windows that frame the coastal views. Pella Windows and Doors provided all of the glass, and with a soaring 20-foot window wall in the great room, the Gardners are able to capitalize on their seaside scenery.
By installing impact glass from Pella (an ionoplast layer sandwiched between two sheets of glass), Don and Gloria made sure their home was not only beautiful, but safe from the coastal forces of Mother Nature.
“This laminated glass product provides strength and rigidity to the home. This is especially useful to coastal homes because it protects against nature’s harsh elements,” Pella sales manager Greg Bevan said.
Always the innovator, Don found yet another way to fuse art with function in his choice of ceiling fans.
“I wanted to have the fans be a form of functional artwork. The tongue-and-groove stained-wood ceiling was the canvas on which the fans were placed. The fans look like they were made a century ago, and because of the leather belts pulling and connecting them, it all resembles an old-time pulley system,” Don said.
TECHNOLOGY
While the fans beckon the look of a simpler time, the home itself is completely modern with a state-of-the-art automation system. Don and Gloria have complete control over the lighting, security, electronic and mechanical systems. Whether dimming the lights with a touch of a button, thanks to Centralite, or simultaneously powering the music, lighting and television, the system grants the Gardners complete home automation—even from remote locations.
“We can even control the skylight opening and shutting. We can also program the lights to go on at certain times if we’re not there. With the touch of our entertainment scene button, the music, sound system and lighting will all turn on. It’s truly unlimited,” Don said.
ENERGY
More important is the energy the system saves. “What’s nice about the Centralite system is every light in the house can be at 10, 20, even 60 percent of its maximum power. It has a dimming and brightening switch, so the light can be at any level you want, which results in greater efficiency.” Don said.
The Gardners also chose to implement a geo-thermal system, which draws from the earth for heating and cooling, to control the home’s heating and air.
“We wanted to use products and systems that utilized our natural resources, even if it cost more initially. Payback time will be very short, and the environmental benefits are astounding,” said Don.
For all of their energy conservation efforts, the Gardner home was recently approved BuildSmart® home by the Florida Power & Light Company. This certificate is only awarded to homeowners when the home exceeds current state energy code requirements.
Don believes that the technology employed in building this home, like the geo-thermal and home automation systems, will become more popular in smaller homes as people become aware of the cost advantages and environmental benefits.
“All of this technology is available in any size home. There are several ways to do it. Each homeowner must determine the most cost-effec
tive and environmentally friendly
route for his own family,” Don said.
HOME
Ultimately, the Gardner sea-side villa is a direct reflection of the features Don and his team commonly design in stock plans: innovative layouts, modern amenities, lavish entertaining spaces, and most of all, a heightened sense of comfort. Knowing that these traits are his company’s trademark, he and Gloria wanted their home to be all of these things, but most of all, comfortable.
“While the house is large, it’s still very livable,” said Gloria.
Added Don, “Yes, it’s definitely home.”
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