Story By Angela Reeves | Photography By Kristen Mayfield | Home By Kirby Builders
Kyle Kirby, owner of Kirby Builders, and Tara Coomer with Coomer and Co. interior design company, were able to dream big with their recent work on a livable retreat on Barren River Lake – a boutique modern lodge. Each floor and room in the home was treated as its own unique space, and designed as a retreat of its own, with the result simply breathtaking!
The demanding layout of the lot made this custom build quite the challenge with over a 50 foot fall from front to back. Kyle Kirby and his team had their work cut out for them designing a home to meet the owners’ preferences with more hurdles than normal. Additional detail was spent on unique challenges with site prep, retaining walls, driveway, and just everyday mobility of materials on a project of this magnitude. “This custom build definitely called me to think outside of the box with more difficult work than usual, but that is what I love to do, and was no doubt worth it in the end! I’m very pleased with the final product and blessed to have had the opportunity to build for this family,” said Kyle.
As you walk into this magnificent home, a two-story foyer with custom stairway welcomes you with grandeur. The main floor has a 28’ vaulted ceiling with custom wood beams and woodwork, and was designed to feel spacious yet cozy, light and airy but very warm. This floor incorporates light taupes and whites mixed with other elements to provide the warm feel. Design elements such as wood (in the furniture, cabinets, and mantles) and stone (in the fireplaces, marble countertops and powder room accent wall) were used to provide texture and to balance some of the more sleek and modern furniture. Metals were implemented in various areas to add another layer of depth.
The kitchen and dining room provide ample open space and enough seating to accompany the homeowners’ large family gatherings. The open concept kitchen includes custom cabinetry, a huge island, stainless appliances, and a massive walk in pantry.
The entire left wing of the house is dedicated to the master suite, situated behind a custom designed barn door. There is a quiet sitting room with a fireplace, that leads into the tongue and groove vaulted master bedroom. The lake side view is prominent through the many windows adorning the beautiful scenery. The master bathroom is complete with his and her vanities, a stainless-steel free-standing tub, and huge walk-in tile shower.
In the basement the husband wanted the complete opposite feel from the rest of the home, so an “upscale lounge” was created. A beautiful tile fireplace is the focal point of the area, with the lounge feel complete with dark bronze walls, trim, and doors. The basement houses plenty of entertainment options and gaming spaces with a wine room, pool table, shuffleboard, poker room, and multiple tv areas. The kitchen area is laid out in bar fashion with minimum appliances, allowing the focus to be on the wallpaper accent wall which houses a generous bourbon collection.
Upstairs was created for kids and guests to have a fun and comfortable stay. Each guest room and bathroom were treated as its own retreat. As you come up the stairs you are greeted with a fun sitting area for kids with swinging chairs and a filled bookcase. Off from there is a “bunk room” with four custom built in bunk beds to accommodate a fun stay for the little ones.
The different levels of the home are equipped with porches, breezeways, and vignettes for enjoying the beautiful land and lake scenery, and easily transitioning entertainment from the inside to outdoors. “Amazing outdoor living space is one of my favorite things to incorporate in planning and building for a new home. I don’t think there is anything better than enjoying the outdoors with your family on a beautiful day, so we were able to create this for them,” said Kyle. There is an outdoor fireplace at the basement walk out, a turf recreation area, and steps leading down to an outdoor firepit and seating area.
In addition to the home’s uses of living and entertaining, it is also used for business. Another level of design complexity was for the space to feel luxurious but still livable, and great for photoshoots for the Pink Lily Boutique brand. On the main floor the neutrals help different types of clothing look great in multiple areas, and inspired by the homeowner’s love for pink, a little bit of a blush pink was infused in the master sitting area.
“With a home of this size it is definitely a task creating spaces which stand on their own and still feel cohesive to the rest of the house. We were very particular about the house in its entirety not feeling choppy, and all rooms being their own unique space while there still being a consistent flow throughout,” said Tara. “We love how inviting and welcoming it turned out with a mix of comfortable living with a luxurious feel.
We utilized stain resistant materials where it would matter and mixed those with fine elements. It’s all about bang for your buck and that yin and yang a house should ultimately always have.”