Ask Cedar Creek homeowner Debbie Miller how long she and husband Troy plan to reside with their three young children in their stunning new home, and her response is immediate and crystal clear: “Forever.”
After having spent only two months in this 8,400-plus-square-foot home, which took roughly two years to build, this family has been swept away by the sheer magnificence of their Old World French Country manor, which peeks out from the end of an obscure, meandering driveway.
There is little doubt the Millers likely experienced more than the usual anticipation about what life in their new home would be like. That’s because the home’s completion in October 2009 meant it would finally be unveiled to an inquisitive public.
In fact, through extended weekends in late October and early November, well before the Millers’ move-in day, about 2,000 eager visitors toured this concept home to get a glimpse of the latest and greatest in home decorating, design and product trends.
A sophisticated estate defined by stylistically French and European elements, including a Normandy-style turret, the residence was slated as a “Home of Distinction” early on, and the tour of the finished home raised money for the Ophthalmology Department at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
“Our family friend and builder James LaVoy and his partner Rick Forner of Forner-LaVoy Builders, built a previous Home of Distinction, and they asked us when we began our building process if we would be interested in participating in this year’s project,” explains Debbie.
The couple decided that the proposal offered them a prime opportunity to give back to the community through charitable fundraising, and so they agreed.
Typically, past Home of Distinction events—which are marketed annually in select major cities by Overland Park-based TLConcepts—have almost always been model or spec homes with no homeowners involved.
But in this case, Debbie and Troy were involved every step of the way.
Blissful Beginnings
The couple officially arrived in Cedar Creek 13 years ago in December when they closed on their first house, were married and moved – all in the span of a three-day-weekend blur.
In the years that followed, their life blossomed and they soon had three beautiful children.
However, as often happens, the home that was once so spacious seemed to somehow shrink as the family grew.
As deeply rooted and happy members of the Cedar Creek community, Debbie and Troy knew they wanted to build again in Cedar Creek.
“We were ingrained in this community,” says Debbie. “All our friends were here.”
They fell in love with a secluded lot overlooking the tenth hole of Cedar Creek’s prestigious Shadow Glen golf course.
The spectacular wooded lot, located just blocks from their first home, offered a tremendous amount of privacy to the Kansas born-and-bred couple and a return to the peaceful, countryside atmosphere they each grew up in.
They negotiated with Cedar Creek developers to acquire the adjacent lot, which translated into almost three acres for their total property.
Through their builder, the couple was introduced to architect Scott Bickford of Bickford and Company with whom they met every Friday for nearly eight months to map out plans for their second home.
Construction began after extensive site preparation was done by the builder on the rugged terrain, which presented coarse, uneven land, dense trees and steep drop-offs.
It wasn’t long before interior designer Janet Alholm was brought in to provide creative guidance.
Debbie says that she and Troy had known for some time they would eventually seek out Alholm’s assistance.
“We toured so many homes over the years, and we realized that every time we saw a home we really liked, Janet’s card would be there,” says Debbie. “We came to recognize Janet’s style, and we got to a point where we could walk in and say to each other, ‘This is a Janet home.’ Without a doubt, we knew we wanted to work with her the next time we built a home.”
Elements of Inspiration
Debbie contends that, during the homebuilding process, she rarely made a decision without consulting Alholm.
Whether lighting, furniture, paint color, wall texture, flooring or window treatment decisions were being made, Alholm was usually at the helm.
It’s of little surprise that the combination of spot-on design plans, meticulous construction and rustic country-inspired décor ultimately came together in a symphony of bucolic charm, intriguing finishes and furnishings and simple creature comforts.
Hand-scraped teak hardwoods, distressed beams, sensational porcelain, marble and glass tile work done by Eddie Cummings Tile Company and naturally-inspired elements including wood and stone were instrumental in composing this home’s earthy aura.
On the flip side, the latest technology in professional appliances, home automation, controlled lighting, advanced security and distributed audio and video give this home cutting-edge distinction.
“While this home is gorgeous, it is also very livable,” says Alholm. “Debbie and Troy are very family-oriented people, and they wanted their home to be comfortable.”
As an extremely busy couple – she is executive national vice president for skin care company Arbonne International and he is a senior executive for consulting firm Accenture – family time is serious business.
When travel schedules, work demands and wrestling, gymnastics or soccer activities are not dictating schedules, the family can often be found nestled in the home’s cordial recreation area on the lower level.
While a sunny guest suite, exercise room and Troy’s spacious office are housed on the lower level, the mantra is definitely not “all work and no play” thanks to a dashing stone-topped bar, wine cellar, billiards area and an intimate media area designed for snuggles, snacking and cinematics.
Winding, faux cement stairs provide a durable path up to the main floor where the bulk of the family’s daily activities take place.
From the versatile kitchen and clever second cooking area in the butler’s pantry to the rustic hearth room adjacent to the four-season lanai, the main floor offers plenty of space for everyday goings-on.
A “friends and family” entrance, flanked by two sets of double garages, opens to a terra-cotta walled corridor where furniture-style lockers for each family member ensure that coats, shoes, gloves, backpacks, cell phones, and sports equipment have proper places.
Debbie’s office is on the main floor as well, something she loves since she says, “My life is right here,” as she gestures toward the kitchen, hearth room and overall heart of the home.
“From my office, I can see the kids outside in the backyard, or they can be in here with me doing their homework,” she says.
While practical thinking is a must in the Millers’ daily life, the main floor – like the rest of the house – is outfitted in exquisite furnishings from Seville Home, phenomenal wall textures by faux painter Brenda Groover and unparalleled details, such as those found in the custom alder cabinetry by Built to Fit Custom Cabinets or the flowing crystal-fringed silk draperies custom-made by Ivanna Orr.
There is no doubt that creative inspiration was in full force as Alholm pooled her resources and worked her design magic to make this stunning home the prize that it is. In addition, Forner-LaVoy’s ability to collaborate on and execute these creative visions was equally impressive.
Hallmarks of Alholm’s artistic vision are apparent in the striking slate-tiled wall in the back staircase, the subtle iron detailing above various doorways and the home’s carefully-selected array of crystal chandeliers, wall sconces and lamps.
Debbie says the interior décor came together under Alholm’s direction as she and Troy, Alholm and builders James LaVoy and Rick Forner met at least once a week for nearly two years.
“There were several times that Janet found products that I had not seen yet, and I trusted her choices completely,” explains Debbie. “For instance, I never saw the tiles in the risers on the front circular staircase until they were laid. Janet found them one day and said the tile would be perfect for the stairs. She was right—I love it.”
In Time to Come
While a residential move can be dramatic for young ones, 11-year-old T.J., 9-year-old Morgan and 5-year-old Greyson appear as though they couldn’t be more content.
While Mom and Dad’s main floor master suite is sublime in soft shades and custom bedding, the kids each have their own themed second-floor bedroom suite to the tune of extreme sports, vibrant pink and turquoise, and Star Wars.
Additionally, a cozy loft area, which can disappear behind sliding double pocket doors provides a perfect central entertainment area upstairs where TV, games, reading and snacks can be enjoyed after school.
The home’s design also gives forethought for extended family, with space dedicated to future “in-laws’ quarters” that are accessible by an elevator that reaches all levels of the home.
Already, in the short time the Millers have enjoyed their home, visits from nearby grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have been delightfully frequent.
There can be little doubt that when the steamy days of a Sunflower State summer are in full swing, this family will eagerly be taking full advantage of the picturesque pool tucked amidst lush landscaping behind the home.
There will likely be quiet moments spent watching deer that wander nearby and perhaps countless trips through the grass to the fairways that lie just over the hill.
“We are all avid golfers,” says Debbie with a smile.
But for the moment, the family is still in the process of getting acquainted with their new pride and joy.
And across town, Children’s Mercy Hospital is putting its brand new opthalmoscope, a retinal camera, to good use with young patients—thanks to a very successful tour of this captivating home.
words: Rachael Hedgcoth
photos: William and Jill DiMartino