because we couldn’t agree on the chandelier. At the dealer’s shop, we had narrowed down our choice to one style—a 17th century French chandelier, but I was insisting on the larger version,” Brent confides.
Grinning, Mariella admits, “He won that argument. Once we situated all of the furniture, art and
accessories, the smaller chandelier would
’ve been lost in the golden, domed ceiling among all the big furniture.” He’s right. Behind the enormous Indian dining table and custom handmade chairs
hangs a colossal headboard from an Indonesian wedding bed with a distressed
mirror insert. Beneath it is another extraordinary rug
—this one Turkish and unusual due to its predominantly green hue.
The media room sports multiple over-sized, over-stuffed recliners and is
equipped with theatre-quality video and audio, as well as a concession area
(which even features an authentic, old-fashioned popcorn machine). The family
room downstairs and the upstairs den both offer comfortable, generous furniture
and proportionate flat-screens where a couple of different groups of teens
might gather well within their parents
’ jurisdiction.
The only bedroom downstairs is the master, and its style remains refined and
perhaps more serene than the other rooms. The tranquility is punctuated by the
floor to ceiling windows overlooking the backyard pool area. The outdoor
setting with its magnificent landscaping is picture perfect to match the art,
furniture and bedding in the room.
A handmade, delicately hand-painted coverlet complements the 18th century Indian
bed. A huge Spanish mirror carved from one piece of wood hangs superbly on one
wall adjacent to an antique Chinese armoire, equivalent to the mirror in its
majesty.
“We love our bedroom,” confesses Mariella. “Like most married couples with children, we view our private space as a
sanctuary, so when we were planning it together, we selected things that would
enhance that concept.
”
The kids’ rooms echo that idea. Their rooms are personalized spaces, each with a mural
and accessories that reflect the child
’s interests. Whether it be horses, dolls, fashion, elaborate Lego architecture
or bunny rabbits and fairies, each child in this family can feel
at home in their private space.
Brent asserts, “A lot of the success of any blended family comes from time spent together, but
each of our kids also knows that they have their own retreat
The formal dining room, used primarily for holidays and family gatherings,
features modern abstract art juxtaposed with antiques like the carved goose
centerpiece. Beneath are Peruvian handmade silk linens, which dress the table
elegantly.
˙ Mariella is especially proud of their baby’s room, which she decorated herself. The wonderful wrought-iron chandelier
complements beautifully the baby bed and crib. Another remarkable rug softens
the hardwood floor and handpainted murals line the walls of this and all of the
children's rooms.
˙ Each child’s room in this home is personalized by a hand-painted mural reflecting the
interests of the child. In this case, the baby
’s room features lots of bunny rabbits, fairies and a plethora of stuffed
animals.
