This is a winter of firsts for Denver and Joan Shaffer. It’s one of their first winters at home in years and it’s their first in a new condominium unit, which is also the first home they have ever built.

The empty nesters, who usually travel to warmer climes in motor homes during the winter, decided for several reasons to build and stay put. A home they had in Indian Lake was not the answer, so they sold it.

Joan toured several condominium communities and preferred Bob Webb’s Park Place Village at North Orange in southern Delaware County. After selecting the Windsong model, they worked with Webb’s designers to come up with a plan and amenities that fit their lifestyle.

Denver says it was a challenging yet satisfying experience to plan and watch their home being built. The couple worked closely with Adam Langley, a sales representative at Webb. Denver adds Langley was invaluable as he advised them during planning and construction, making certain all was done as planned and important changes were made. Denver visited the project almost daily, often getting advice and suggestions from subcontractors about last-minute decisions or changes.

Of the 1,900-square-foot main floor layout, the Shaffer’s took 2 feet off the front dining room and added 2 feet to the Florida room at the rear. They also added 6 feet to the master bedroom for a comfortable seating area where Joan spends time watching a big screen television.

To the right of the foyer is the dining room, where they had chair-height wainscot paneling placed. On the wall facing the foyer, mirrors reach the ceiling and create the appearance of a larger and more open room.

On the opposite side, a short hall leads to a full bath and the guest bedroom. The laundry room is off the hall, as well.

The foyer leads to the great room and the L-shaped kitchen to the right. Joan selected off-white glazed finish for the maple cabinets that blends nicely with the Venetian Gold Light granite counter tops. A stool-height counter, unchanged from the original plan, separates the kitchen from its dining area, a niche off the great room.

Joan also had a service counter and wall cabinets installed opposite the range and refrigerator in the galley kitchen. She calls it “the best layout I have seen, with everything within a few steps reach and the dining room readily accessible through an opening next to the service counter.”

Design selections are Joan’s, with some based on ideas from the Webb model that was decorated by Becky Webb, company treasurer, and others from the “many, many magazines” she reviewed. She points out that open areas above the wall cabinets and a pantry allow for attractive floral decorations she selected.

In the great room, the Shaffers chose large double-hung windows in the first row of the ceiling-height window wall rather than sliding windows in the original plan. The corner fireplace is highlighted by a marble face and a floor-level hearth with custom-designed white wood trim including ceiling-height columns.

While the Shaffers enjoy watching television, the great room does not have a TV. Joan says she wanted it to be only a living area. There is a small TV on a kitchen counter and a large screen on the wall in the Florida room, which adjoins the great room and is accessible through a wide opening from the dining area. The topical décor includes Tommy Bahama fabric on the couch.

Floors in the main traffic areas, such as foyer and kitchen, are porcelain tile rather than wood, acknowledgement of the wear and tear that might be caused by their black Labrador retriever, the family pet and Denver’s hunting companion.

The ceiling in the enlarged master bedroom suite off the great room was specially structured with a narrow tray. The original plan called for a ceiling sloping from one side to the other. As in the Florida and great rooms across the rear of the home, large windows extend and offer a pleasant view of the woods bordering the property.

The 1,100-square-foot lower level is all Denver’s design, from his original plans to its contents. At the builder’s suggestion, 9-foot walls were poured to raise the ceiling so it could be built without any pillars. Special beams were installed instead.

With walls placed where he wanted them, he has an office on one side, a sitting and TV-viewing area in another, a computer installation and work area in an offset that’s below the Florida room, and generous windows that also view the woods. Off to one side is a bedroom that Denver says he sometimes uses. It has a full bath. His décor includes hunting, with a gun case prominently placed and a display of personal photos.

Behind the finished walls are the amateur photographer’s work area, where he produces the fruits of his hobby and a storage area for his camera equipment.

Joan says they were “gypsies when we had motor homes,” and Denver adds this winter likely will involve a couple of vacations to warm weather spots, but by car instead.
Meanwhile, Joan says she was “anxious to decorate for Christmas and spend winter at home.”

Duane St. Clair is a contributing editor for Luxury Living.