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Homes of the Year: $500,000 to $750,000

HOMEOWNERS: Pat and Tina Brown BUILDER: Brad King and Jeremy Loftin, King Built Properties

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A GALLERY OF PHOTOS OF THIS HOME

On a five-acre parcel with breathtaking vistas of the Ozarks hills sits an impressive 5,400 square foot European-style home in the Hickory Ridge Subdivision. Poised to take full advantage of the setting, the home’s position was changed three to four times on paper until the owners, Pat and Tina Brown, were certain they had captured the perfect view. It was no coincidence that the home’s setting was of utmost importance to the Browns. As a land surveyor and partner in Wolfe Surveying, Pat was clear about what he wanted. “It’s his business,” says Tina, “and he knew exactly how this house needed to sit on this lot.”

Described by Tina as “rustic elegance,” the style of this five-bedroom home is comfortable, yet finished. Working with builders Brad King and Jeremy Loftin of King Built Properties and architect Ron Hill of EuroWorld Designs, the Brown home took eight months to complete. And both homeowner and builder describe the design and construction of the house as a relatively smooth process. “Pat and Tina were good about making decisions, which helped move the project along,” says King.

Acting as a decorator for the home, Tina, who is currently a Library Media Specialist at Branson Intermediate School, discovered an untapped talent she had for putting rooms together. “I have always loved design and decorating, and as we progressed with the house I figured out how much fun it is to be creative,” she says. She was so successful that, during the

home’s open house at the Parade of Homes, builder King was receiving numerous requests for the name of the decorator behind the décor. “She didn’t even realize how talented she was,” says King. “She has a real design eye,” he adds. Picking up a few design jobs after finishing her home, Tina concedes that one day she may actively pursue freelance work in addition to her current job.

Having constructed two other homes in the Hickory Ridge Subdivision near Branson, King Built Properties has been in business for six years and has built about 30 homes in the area. “We surround ourselves with creative, talented people who share in our success,” says King of his partners and subcontractors. On the Brown house, a dedicated group of carpenters and specialty painters worked hard to bring Tina’s design ideas to life.

The home’s first floor foyer opens up to the sun-filled living room with high ceilings and a gas log fireplace, one of two in the home. Twelve-foot high built-in bookcases house the television, books and family photos. The combination stained and painted wood cases flank the tall stone fireplace complete with a large wood beam mantel. Similar hand distressed beam work defines the ceilings and provides a rustic feel to the home, along with the multiple-sized rough-sawn pine flooring. Eight-foot tall knotty pine interior doors complete the European elements.

An open arched pass through in the living room provides a partial view to the kitchen and its connected hearth room. A copper sink from Mexico that Tina found on the internet provides a warm contrast to the commercial grade appliances. A desire to have the cabinets resemble pieces of furniture inspired Tina to use three different finishes on the kitchen cabinets. “Our painter Omar was an artist,” says Tina. “When I suggested to him that I wanted something unique in the kitchen he was all over that,” she says.

Painting the massive granite-topped island black anchored the piece in the open space. A stainless cook top is framed by stained and painted wood. A tall pot water spigot on the back tiled wall allows spaghetti pots to be filled directly on the burners. Glass-paned doors with interior lighting draw the eye up to the high ceilings and recessed lights.

A family dinner table for Tina, Pat, and their three sons separates the hearth room from the kitchen. Tina unified the décor throughout the house by using taupe, red and gold colors in many of the rooms. “I also used a lot of black in the house,” she says. A lively black and taupe check couch faces the second stone fireplace on the first floor, surrounded by tall, narrow windows with mullion detailing that overlooks the back yard.

The master suite is an elegant retreat located on the first floor with astonishing views and a door that leads to the veranda. A four-poster bed and red traditional décor are set apart by the golden brown walls. A stenciled “Love” in gold leaf above the patio door is a design trademark of Tina’s—one of several words that are on the walls of her home. Custom millwork above the windows in the bedroom sets it apart and adds a unique architectural element not often found in new homes.

In the master bathroom, a round shower was created from walls of travertine stone and offers a full shower system with six individual body sprays. A jetted tub with arched millwork is one of Tina’s favorite spaces. “I found a picture of a bathtub that had this wonderful trim surrounding it,” she says, “and I showed it to the finish carpenters, and they hit the nail on the head.”

Double copper sinks, oil-rubbed bronze faucets and granite countertops make up the vanity area. Stained wood cabinets are designed to resemble furniture with spindle detailing. Twelve small drawers and a large center counsel with additional storage provide ample space for toiletries.

Completing the space is a generous 164-square foot walk-in closet. A built-in white dresser island and cubbies offer a customized solution for shoes and sweaters. A low bench provides seating, and a shimmering chandelier on the ceiling adds a touch of elegance.

Five-year-old Cooper’s bedroom is also on the first floor, complete with a spiral staircase and a special loft for playtime. As the youngest son of Tina and Pat, Tina says Cooper spends hours playing and being creative. Although not in the original plan, the Brown’s worked with architect Hill to design this special space to feed Cooper’s imagination. “He has so used this space, and his toys and Legos are up there. It was absolutely not a waste of energy or time to build and design it,” Tina says. A custom iron staircase leads to the space high above Cooper’s bed where another stenciled saying spells out “Move Mountains.”

A colorful Talavera ceramic sink exported from Mexico brings life to the first floor half bath. In tones of blue, orange and gold, the sink shares the space with an elaborate gilded mirror. By matting nearby artwork in orange, Tina repeats the color in the small space. “I was a pretty thrifty shopper,“ says Tina of finding the sink on the web, “and I enjoyed the hunt looking for unique items.” 

Completing the first floor is a mudroom and laundry room with a brick floor. A bench with built-in cubbies and six wire baskets provide order to back door chaos. A red accent wall contrasts with the multiple finishes in the room, from the black and stained cabinetry to the white trim on the doors and windows.

Two additional bedrooms, a hobby room and a large game room with a sport’s bar area make up the walk-out level of the home. A combination of tile and carpeting, the space provides a recreation area for the Brown’s other sons, 11 and 15-year old boys. A custom iron hand railing leads to this level.

King says the brick exterior of the home is a custom blend of different colors of brick, and in addition to it, King used a combination of stucco, Centurion stone, cedar wavy lap siding and paver brick reclaimed from old buildings. In the center of the yard, a large brick fire pit provides a place for this family of five to cozy up around and enjoy eachother’s company.

In the future, the Browns may consider finishing the space above the garage, and have planned for that with a staircase inside the house. For now, they are pleased with their new home and are hard pressed to think of any negative experiences they had with the building process. “We had great communication with King Built,” says Tina. Brad was so so thorough in the process. Everything did go smoothly and as planned.”

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