Inspired by South Florida’s Mediterranean designs, Billy Weathers and his wife, Connie, chose to bring the same influences to their newly constructed dream home. Built in an elite Chattanooga golf community, overlooking the 13th hole, the Weathers’ back yard is a lush green fairway highlighted with a large pond Billy affectionately refers to as “the lake.”
The stucco exterior features StoTique, a coating considered to be the newest way to achieve an aged, old look. Interior decorator Mary Jane Tallant-Fitzgerald, ASID, of Tallanted Interiors, worked closely with the couple on their dream home décor, and says such an exterior finish “will keep the home looking stately rather than brand new.” “This is one of the first houses to have StoTique in Chattanooga,” Tallant says. “Many houses in Florida have it but this will be the beginning of a new trend in Chattanooga.”
Additional Mediterranean features include covered porches surrounding the rear of the home on both levels. The porches give the family an extra 1,500 square feet of functional space. “Covered porches are important because of the location of the sun,” Billy says. “They are nice for entertaining and protection, but they are also blocking a lot of sunlight.”
Upon entering the home through dramatic glass front doors – which are detailed with ornate solid steel, handmade in Mexico – a view unfolds through the entrance parlor and onto the lanai and pool. Unique coffered ceilings impress with their bold presentation throughout the main living area. A stone “rug”, designed by Stone Source, rests impressively in front of the entrance doors. Ten-foot doors and 12-foot ceilings allow for rooms to virtually flow from one to another.
When weather permits, the family spends much of their time on the spacious lanai, emphasized by stamped concrete and boasting an outdoor kitchen and fireplace. The lanai encircles a popular in-ground infinity pool, also known as a negative edge pool. A hot tub flowing into the pool provides a relaxing place to watch golfers tee off to pristine greens. Lights installed at the back of the pool dramatically spotlight the greens at night. Limestone surrounding the pool hails from Crossville, Tennessee, and rivals limestone from the hills of Italy.“The infinity pool gives the illusion of water flowing into the lake behind,” Billy says.
Like the architecturally rich homes found in South Florida, the Weathers’ home features premium, Travertine flooring in addition to hardwood floors. Tallant-Fitzgerald embellished the home with neutral undertones accentuated by a splash of chocolate and Robin egg blue. Connie felt the neutral hues blended better with the home’s outdoor settings rather than pinks or pastels that normally epitomize Florida homes in areas like Naples, Marco Island, or Destin.
For an added component of sophistication, Tallant incorporated richly textured chenille fabrics with crisp linens in the family’s furniture. A faux marble finish, accented by a vein of Robin egg blue and made to imitate Italian Carrera marble, emphasizes stately columns in the dining room.
Connie describes her own decorating style as “traditional with a European flair.” And although this new home is unlike any they have ever owned, Connie says she still brought a bit of the old into the new. She adds, “We’ve taken decorating ideas from every house we’ve lived in and pulled them all together into this house.”
The home, which the Weathers share with their two young teenagers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Abby, offers 6,300 square feet of finished space that includes five bedrooms, four full baths, two half baths, a media room and golf room; and a contemporary gourmet kitchen. A three-car garage provides ample storage space for SUV’s, golf carts, or other lawn equipment.
Overlooking the pond and golf course, the design of the home is structured to maximize views of the golf course. Several large open windows are strategically placed throughout the back side to provide panoramic views of greens from almost all angles of the house.
With each room flowing naturally into the next, the house provides a perfect layout for entertaining. The family room offers a seamless entrance into the kitchen and a perfect view of the lanai, pool, and golf course, making it a natural spot for casual gatherings. In keeping with a Mediterranean flavor, the island kitchen allows for maximum function with its state-of-the-art appliances, granite countertops, and custom cabinets by Classic Cabinetry.
The master suite provides a peaceful retreat with oversized windows facing the golf course. High tray ceilings dramatize the romantic setting. Walk-in closets accentuate the gallery leading toward the master bath. The master bath inspires a spa ambiance with its walk-in shower, donning four body sprayers, a rain shower spray faucet and a small hand-held sprayer.
“It (the shower) is by far my favorite thing on this side of the house,” Billy admits. The marble countertops and stone “rug” further add an element of luxury. To accent the master bath, faux ostrich skin highlights the barrel ceiling and matches the glistening accent tile found in the shower. Throughout the home, a signature style abounds with a sophisticated slant toward chic, modern yet traditional, and functional.
“I love the openness of the house,” says Connie, who notes how the family’s previous homes were more traditional in layout and design. In 18 years of marriage, the couple has moved 23 times; this new Mediterranean home is where they hope to stay, at least until their children move away to college.
“The Weathers have been wonderfully engaged in their cutting edge Mediterranean home,” Tallant-Fitzgerald says. “It has the feel of old Italy with all the luxuries wrapped in a stylish package that creates a perfect blend for family and friends.”