within the bigger picture where they can express themselves individually.”
One place where they all come together is in the study. Much of the work Brent
and Mariella do in their businesses is accomplished here, and the kids love to
work alongside their parents doing homework or art. The gigantic desk in the
study was originally an Italian dining table and was delivered to the house to
be considered as the de Jong
’s formal dining table. It is most definitely long enough; however, they decided
that their dining table needed to be much wider, so they returned it.
“We could not get the beauty of the piece out of our heads,” Mariella says, “so it eventually dawned on us that it would make a great two-sided desk.” Brent’s desk chair is another stunning European antique, this one from Germany.
Behind the desk is a built-in wall of bookshelves where books and photographs of
friends and family are artfully displayed. The other wall displays another
reflection of this family
’s heart. There, beneath the Ugalde portrait, sits the framed eulogy that
Mariella wrote for her father, alongside the wedding bouquets that she and
Gabriella, her daughter, carried when she and Brent got married. Both are in
their own delicate glass box, preserved forever as a memento of the union of
the families, which may very well be why this is Mariella
’s favorite room in the house.
The balance and beauty the de Jong’s have achieved in their lives is reflected in their Tanglewood residence, and
their family blend inspires everyone who knows them. Evidence exudes from the
architecture, the aesthetic and the aura of this magnificent home and will no
doubt continue to unify and ground this amazing couple and their children.
l
The huge wall of windows in the master bedroom provides a serene scene of the
picturesque backyard. The oversized bedframe is 18th century Indian and is
topped with exquisite handmade, hand-painted bedding.
The outdoor kitchen and dining area flows easily from both the family room and
formal living room, making entertaining large groups a breeze. Another long
wooden table, the wooden ceiling and fans along with the beautiful arches
underscore the rustic charm of the home.
