Nestled right on the river in Rock County, Wisconsin, this exquisite custom home is certainly a sight to behold. This 16,000+ sq.ft. beauty involved a specialized team of architects, builders, and designers to complete, and we were so honored to be a part of the planning and development of our client’s dream home. It all started with the selection of the exterior materials to highlight the captivating architecture and picturesque scenery of this home.

This home boasts so many intriguing details to showcase, it is hard to select just a few spaces to highlight. When it comes to selecting materials for a home of this caliber, it always helps to start with the main living spaces like the kitchen and living room. Right as you enter the home, you come face-to-face with this exceptional three-story staircase. The floating steps are custom stained in a darker finish to contrast the hard maple engineered hardwood floors that run throughout the main level. We custom-built the stair rails and selected a contemporary honed stacked stone to highlight the wall behind the stairs. We also carried this stone on to the living room fireplace for continuity. The fireplace has a tailor-made mantle and hearth detail created from a matte finish quartz stone. Even the beams on the ceiling in the living space were designed by hand to reflect the architecture of the home and the angles of the windows.

One of the main showpieces of this home has got to to be the kitchen. This was such an intriguing space to design. One of the main challenges of this space was trying to find a way to allow the homeowners and their guests to not only take advantage of the stunning river views out of the floor to ceiling windows, but to also have island seating facing the work zone of the kitchen for entertaining. This is where the floating window island idea was born. We were able to create a live-edge wood slab countertop that mounted right over the window for optimal views outside and a quiet space to have a cup of coffee.

When it came to the kitchen, it was important to keep the materials minimal and in line with the rest of the home. We selected a maple cabinet because the clean lines and tight grain of the wood lended itself well to the overall design and the flooring selection. The stain was a proprietary color to the cabinet company we worked with and is one of their best sellers. The most jaw-dropping element in this space has got to be the two book-end quartz slabs on the island. We selected the island size based on the dimensions of these two slabs so that they would perfectly meet in the center to create a seamless look. This entire island is over 18’ long. The quartz was such a stunning element that we had to run it up the wall as the backsplash as well. This space would not be complete without a custom-made range hood, luxury appliances, and architectural beams throughout.

One of the most unique elements of this kitchen is the hidden pantry design. We were able to incorporate the door to the pantry into the run of cabinets on the wall for a smooth transition between the two spaces. The pantry carries the same cabinet design, but we selected a subway tile backsplash to differentiate this space from the main kitchen.

This home has so many incredible features that we could showcase. There is a floating catwalk leading to a private office, a bowling alley, a theater room with a custom star lit ceiling design, a wine room, a gaming space, a trophy room with an attached Irish-style pub and bar, secret doors and hidden rooms, and a three-story slide which is pictured below. If you are interested in checking out the rest of these amazing spaces and seeing more of this incredible home, follow us on social media and stay tuned as we share more on Facebook and Instagram!

Visual Interest and Dimension

It is so important to add layers and dimension to your space. Without dimension, your design will fall flat and become lackluster and dull. I feel the best way to bring in texture is through your art and accessories. They can be the element that brings the whole design together. A ladder can be an exciting way to add a pop to your space and bring life to an otherwise flat run of cabinetry or wall space.

A Hint of Whimsy

Whenever I think of rolling ladders, I think of the library in Beauty and the Beast. Who hasn’t dreamed of having a grand space full of books as far as the eye can see? Adding in a ladder is the perfect way to add a little bit of fun and whimsy to your home library. They are also very functional for those top shelves that are hard to reach!

Raising the Height of Your Space

Speaking of top shelves, if you are anything like me, it is difficult to reach some of the items at the top of your pantry or on the higher shelves of your kitchen cabinets. If you incorporate a ladder rail along the tops of all of your cabinets, you can access anything you need and you have the potential to raise the height of your ceilings and cabinets if you are doing a new construction or remodel project. I always try to make my cabinets touch the ceiling when possible. If you think the ladder will get in the way, you can always add a small hanging spot on the side of your cabinet run to store the ladder when it is not in use.

Decorative Elements

I always try and include three-dimensional decorative elements into my design. It really makes your space come alive. With a ladder, you have so many options for the finish and the construction. The design opportunities are endless. A decorative rolling ladder is essentially a piece of art in your space. It is a sculptural element that is also functional while bringing the whole design vision together.

Versatility

One of my favorite things about a rolling ladder is how versatile they are! You can add one in your kitchen or pantry design. They work perfectly in a home office or library space. They are also very practical in a closet or even a home bar! The options are limitless and the fun is contagious! If you decide to incorporate one in your design, please share your pictures with me! I hope you all have a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend!