WRITTEN BY Bek Mitchell-Kidd
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Kyle Schraff, ProLocal
BUILDING DESIGN BY Ashley J. Design
CONSTRUCTION BY Grainda Builders
Located on the shores of Lake Norman, this family home is designed with beauty, energy, and efficiency in mind. It is focused on function that leaves you wanting for nothing but to enjoy the beautiful lake views.
Building designer, Ashley Jimenez of Ashley J. Design, describes the style of the home as “Southern Scandinavian farmhouse.”
The exterior architecture plays on the farmhouse style with gabled roofline, a steep pitch, white finishes, and simplicity in overall form. There’s a balanced approach with triple windows at the front of the house.
Ashley and her team worked with some challenging topography; a severe fall of the land meant there couldn’t be a typical driveway configuration and pool placement in the rear of the property. Plus, the clients really wanted the pool on the main level which meant it needed to be positioned to the left of the home.
The design placed value on the most-used spaces and ease of access to the pool and lake views. The hand-laid herringbone pattern brick is a nod to the Southern roots of one of the owners, as is the beautiful porch swing.
The kitchen is the owners’ favorite part of the home as it is where they gather daily.
The low-profile Restoration Hardware barstools provide seating beneath the basket light pendants and create an organic continuity of color from the flooring to the ceiling. There is also additional dimmable recessed lighting around the perimeter, seamlessly hidden until needed.
The beverage center holds more than 40 wine bottles and is perfectly within reach when entertaining friends.
The counters are clutter-free including an induction stovetop. “It gets hot super-fast and is very easy to clean,” the owner says. “We also want to minimize gas usage since we have solar installed on the roof, and we are trying to utilize as much of the energy as possible.”
Custom-built pocket doors lead to the scullery which also doubles as a home office when needed.
The fireplace is a real showstopper and shows how less can be more. “We wanted something modern without the glass in front of the fire—it took a while to find a solution that complied with code and met our design desires,” says the owner.
There’s a lot of natural light, and beautiful sunrises can be enjoyed over breakfast. The folding living area doors disappear to open up to the outdoor dining space, creating the option to extend the entire space from the kitchen into the dining area and out to the deck.
Ashley says, “I find beauty in function and efficiency—space planning to make sure everything is maximized. When everything has a place, even behind closed doors, it creates a peacefulness.”
The drop zone is exceptionally well-designed with custom doors and beautiful finishes. The area also incorporates the laundry. “Grainda Builders was remarkably helpful with all the design details. They hand made the sliding door that hides the washer and dryer and created a laundry chute from the second floor that falls right into the hidden basket inside the laundry cabinet,” says the owner.
The master bath is a master class on why minimalism doesn’t mean less. There is a sense of space. “Note how the cabinet doesn’t run from the wall to shower—there’s an intentional gap which gives a sense that there is more than enough space,” says Ashley.
The shower and the tub both have a view; by focusing on space planning and natural light the space feels like an escape.
“I wanted it to be light and luxurious without too much ’shine’—a room that you can relax in with a spa feeling—so we chose matte tiles with a marble look,” says the owner.
Artwork on display includes one of the owner’s favorite artists, Caroline Boykin, who explores porcelain forms and flora that capture movement and life, and watercolors by Vesela Baker.
The color palette is monochromatic with pops of blues and grays, which are always fun to include when you’re on the water.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Ashley Jimenez, lead designer of Ashley J. Design, has been designing custom homes in the Charlotte area for more than a decade.
By keeping abreast of the latest in materials, design trends, and industry technology, she assures her clients the benefit of an astonishing wealth of design opportunity.
ABOUT THE BUILDER
State-of-the-art construction and quality finishes are a given in the luxury home market. What sets Grainda Builders apart is dedication to problem-solving and focus on customer satisfaction through every phase of a project.
Ashley is one of the most talented designers I have ever followed. I have followed Ashley for over 10 years now. She has been involved in all types of designs according to the client. Minor to major projects she takes personally. Anyone who has ever worked with Ashley will tell you how beautifully talented she is. I recommend her to EVERYONE!