Building a Home, Embracing Family
BY BARBARA DALY
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When Kris and Denise Miller decided to build their own home, it was a way to bring the family together. They wanted to design a place that would be large enough for the whole family to gather and enjoy each other’s company.
What Kris Miller, a Stockton custom homebuilder, wasn’t prepared for was that he would become his own worst client. He and his wife Denise, an interior decorator, would pore over samples, spend hours researching products and appliances, and just when they were ready to place an order, Kris would say, “Guess what’s just now coming out?” They’d then scrap plans and redesign for the latest product, like their Wolf professional range and the farmhouse sink with commercial faucet. Kris admits that having his finger on the building industry’s pulse prolonged the construction process, but they now have a wonderful home with lots of surprises throughout. The French-country-meets-Old-World-Tuscany home may be 5,500 square feet, but each room has warmth and inviting charm.
Step down into the great room, where a crackling fireplace, a curved wall of windows, acacia floors, mud textured walls and sand blasted, exposed beams all nicely tie in with nature’s elements. Being on 20 acres of orchard and farmland, Denise thought it important to have a “wash-and-wear house,” so slipcovers on the living room furniture give the room a shabby chic look while spills disappear in the wash.
Through the knotty alder, distressed French doors in the kitchen, homeowners watch the sun rising over the dew-covered orchard. The wood-burning fireplace next to the kitchen table takes the chill off the dawn. Details like South American granite countertops with hand-chiseled edges, distressed cabinets and stained concrete floors all contribute to the casually elegant ambience.
Next stop: Heaven. Denise wanted the master bedroom to make her feel like she was living among the clouds. A canopy bed draped in gauzy whites, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves housing an antique book collection, and two sets of French doors create an ethereal atmosphere. A rock-faced fireplace provides the masculine balance Kris insisted upon.
But heaven doesn’t stop at the bedroom door. A “his-and-hers” adjoined master bathroom forms the largest, most luxurious room in the house. Travertine marble flows from the countertops to the flooring, and throughout the shower. What began as a nice but basic shower soon became a magnificent spa room in and of itself. The steam shower has 10 water tile showerheads – another one of Kris’ last-minute additions. Essential oils can be dropped into the diffuser for a deluxe aromatherapy treatment.
Ignite the fire in the fireplace, and turn on the ceiling-mounted faucet next to the sparkling crystal chandelier to create a spectacular waterfall that fills the infinite tub. Jets, lights, and a heater complete the ultimate experience.
So many special touches make this an incredible retreat for the Millers. But most important is that the home is welcoming to their kids and grandkids. “They are here all the time,” says Denise. “There’s lots of food, noise, laughter and love here.”
It is just how they designed it.
What Kris Miller, a Stockton custom homebuilder, wasn’t prepared for was that he would become his own worst client. He and his wife Denise, an interior decorator, would pore over samples, spend hours researching products and appliances, and just when they were ready to place an order, Kris would say, “Guess what’s just now coming out?” They’d then scrap plans and redesign for the latest product, like their Wolf professional range and the farmhouse sink with commercial faucet. Kris admits that having his finger on the building industry’s pulse prolonged the construction process, but they now have a wonderful home with lots of surprises throughout. The French-country-meets-Old-World-Tuscany home may be 5,500 square feet, but each room has warmth and inviting charm.
Step down into the great room, where a crackling fireplace, a curved wall of windows, acacia floors, mud textured walls and sand blasted, exposed beams all nicely tie in with nature’s elements. Being on 20 acres of orchard and farmland, Denise thought it important to have a “wash-and-wear house,” so slipcovers on the living room furniture give the room a shabby chic look while spills disappear in the wash.
Through the knotty alder, distressed French doors in the kitchen, homeowners watch the sun rising over the dew-covered orchard. The wood-burning fireplace next to the kitchen table takes the chill off the dawn. Details like South American granite countertops with hand-chiseled edges, distressed cabinets and stained concrete floors all contribute to the casually elegant ambience.
Next stop: Heaven. Denise wanted the master bedroom to make her feel like she was living among the clouds. A canopy bed draped in gauzy whites, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves housing an antique book collection, and two sets of French doors create an ethereal atmosphere. A rock-faced fireplace provides the masculine balance Kris insisted upon.
But heaven doesn’t stop at the bedroom door. A “his-and-hers” adjoined master bathroom forms the largest, most luxurious room in the house. Travertine marble flows from the countertops to the flooring, and throughout the shower. What began as a nice but basic shower soon became a magnificent spa room in and of itself. The steam shower has 10 water tile showerheads – another one of Kris’ last-minute additions. Essential oils can be dropped into the diffuser for a deluxe aromatherapy treatment.
Ignite the fire in the fireplace, and turn on the ceiling-mounted faucet next to the sparkling crystal chandelier to create a spectacular waterfall that fills the infinite tub. Jets, lights, and a heater complete the ultimate experience.
So many special touches make this an incredible retreat for the Millers. But most important is that the home is welcoming to their kids and grandkids. “They are here all the time,” says Denise. “There’s lots of food, noise, laughter and love here.”
It is just how they designed it.