By Duane St. Clair
For five years, Lynne Livingston searched for the home with features she and husband Ben wanted: first floor master suite and laundry room –
and trees.
“Nobody was doing first floor bedrooms at the time,” says Lynne of her search that began nearly 15 years ago. Besides, “it was dark,” she says and Ben agrees, adding that most interiors were done in dark wood and had other design features that overrode ample windows. Initially, “We thought we should have a condo,” Ben says, but they ruled that out for numerous reasons. After Ben joined Lynne’s search, they found a nearly finished Bob Webb Group home that fit their wishes almost exactly. “We downsized to five bedrooms,” Lynne says laughingly of the Webb Yorkshiremodel home they bought in a Highland Lakes neighborhood north of the Lakes Golf and Country Club in southern Delaware County.
The stone and stucco two-story is on a cul-desac street with 18 other homes, all but one by Webb, with a tree-lined ravine as its backyard border.
The immaculately trimmed and manicured yard reflects the pleasure they have found making the home theirs for nearly nine years. Lynne tells of looking at older photographs of the interior that were taken for insurance purposes after they bought the nearly finished spec home. “We were so excited to be here but (the photos show) there was nothing here,” she says. “It’s a great design,” Ben says.
Since the house was nearly complete when they bought it, there weren’t walls to move or doors to change or other typical design changes owners want during construction, but they still could make some interior design decisions. Large tiles had been placed in the foyer and walkway to the kitchen. The Livingstons selected cherry wood for the dining room floor and then added an area rug under the table and chairs – a pleasant greeting to anyone who
enters from the foyer.
The den was then finished with walnut cabinets, shelves and floor, located through French doors to the right. Immediately ahead is the great room with a two-story window wall, tastefully decorated with slim floor-to-ceiling drapes on either side. Comfortable seating offers a view of the trees. The master suite is just to the right of the great room. It too features ample rear windows. They share walk-in closets that create a short hall to the bath that has a heated whirlpool tub to one side. The sink counter on the opposite wall is angled, with a sink in each section, creating an interesting feature. Clear glass encloses the amply sized tiled shower.
From the great room, access to the kitchen is on either side of a wall that has a seethrough gas fireplace. A white wood mantel adorns the great room side of the unit. In the kitchen is a feature Lynne says is the most popular to visitors. The fireplace is finished in the same stone that was used on the exterior. They created a cozy area with two sofa chairs facing the fireplace and just steps from the kitchen serving island. The kitchen has granite tops and white cabinets and appliances. The dining area has a large marble-like table that can seat as many as ten people. The upstairs has three bedrooms, a larger one, which Lynne says amounts to a guest suite because it has a sitting area with a couch and a full bath. The other two bedrooms have a Jack and Jill bath connecting them. The Livingstons use the the second level for their numerous guests, mostly the families of their five
grown children.
When they moved in, most of the walkout basement was unfinished. “We never thought we’d use it,” Lynne notes. It had one finished bedroom with a full bath plus a door and window wall facing a grassy area. Steps from the balcony intruded on the grass area and spoiled the view. That’s all changed now. Much of the basement is finished. The bedroom is now Ben’s office – Lynne calls it a computer room – where he spends a lot of time “just playing,” she says.
A feature for Ben is the office desk he used when working with his company that had a chain of retail greeting card stores. He retrieved the desk
when the office closed recently. A segment of the large open area is dedicated to a theater with a half dozen leather theater seats that recline
electrically. With leg supports that rise, too, “It’s very easy to go to sleep,” Ben points out.
A room they added is for the grandchildrens’ video games, and Ben had three pieces of fitness equipment he uses when he’s not getting enough exercise working in the yard. Even the three-car garage reflects the enjoyment the couple has found. It’s all neatly arranged.
There’s a wall of cabinets they built together where they store a multitude of indoor and outdoor items, all neatly arranged, Ben notes by Lynne who says, “I’m anal about it.” Their supply of yard tools – electric and battery powered and all neatly stored – reflect their dedication to their landscape.
Lynne is a cheerful person who seems to find fun and humor in most of what she does. It’s abundant when she talks about her home and their closely
knit neighborhood where the two retired, empty nesters are enjoying a good life.
Duane St. Clair is contributing editor of Luxury Living.