The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
TEAM PREPS FOR 25TH OPENING
Lake County YMCA Dream House marks silver anniversary
Landscaper Paul Love dug deep while planting a row of lush spirea along the walkway leading up to the 2018 Lake County YMCA Dream House.
Love, who works for McCaskey Landscape and Design based in Chardon, was among dozens of people busily adding finishing touches to the home earlier this month.
The traditional home with modern features is at 5360 Highland Way in the new Lakeshore Highlands Development in Mentor, southwest of the Lake Shore Boulevard-Route 44 interchange.
Love said he may be among the thousands who purchase tickets for a chance to win the custom built, professionally designed home. Those choosing to tour the house valued at approximately $600,000 may do so June 30 through Aug. 5.
Upon entering the 4,400-square-foot home visitors will find a formal dining room with a striking decorative ceiling element. The softly curved feature draws the eye upward while seamlessly blending in with the room’s neutral color palette. It was designed by
John Perkovich of JEMM Construction, a company based in Painesville Township which built the home.
Another focal point rests in the Great Room where designer Carolyn Rigo of Karen Hayes Interiors in Willoughby pointed to a dramatic cantilevered hearth stretching across the full length of one wall. While explaining that she and co-designer Karen Hayes wanted to keep the room modern yet comfortable she noted that the soft brushed denim sofa donated by Sheraton Furniture helped to accomplish their objective.
Working toward achieving an easy feeling yet upto-date look for the master bedroom and bath was designer Greg Mononen of Gregory Todd Interiors in Mentor who was busy positioning pillows and attending to last-minute details.
He chose to outfit the room with a luxurious bed, sofa and window seat, all welcoming places where homeowners can relax. Mononen noted that Arhaus Furniture donated most of the furniture in the room.
Assisting Mononen by carrying bundles of pillows up to the restful retreat was Kate Spansel of Mentor who is serving as a design intern.
Mononen mentioned that some creative elements used in the suite are drapery rods constructed from plumbing parts, a lamp built from a large decorative pot and a special tile design highlighting the slipper tub.
The designer said he prefers to use fewer elements but those which are bold and bigger in scale to achieve impact.
A toddler bedroom designed by Tracy Baker of Design Details in Mentor boasts a unique handmade element constructed by Baker and designer/artist Kate Weaver of Faux What in Mentor.
While vacationing in Florida Weaver came across interesting pieces of palm bark. She collected bagfuls of the woody substance and brought them home. After painting the pieces Baker and Weaver used them to erect a tree in a corner of the room.
A natural branch affixed to the ceiling completes the tree look.
Weaver also used her talents in a powder room where she blended glazes to embellish walls with a faux reclaimed wood pattern.
A tribute to the Dream House project’s 25th anniversary is found on the lower level. Each of the 25 homes built through the Y’s projects are displayed in photos and grouped together on a single wall.
It’s also directly outside of the lower level that one of the most dramatic features of the home is found. McCaskey Landscape and Design created a waterfall which can be viewed from a bank of windows.
“Our goal was to be natural, to bring Mother Nature in,” said production manager Tim McCaskey, . “If you were in the woods and found a natural waterfall this would be it.”
Deb Metcalf of Metcalf Interiors in Concord Township said the water feature enhances her design of the lower level which also includes an interesting ceiling she created using stained wood planks.
In the lower level guest bedroom another window also provides a view of the waterfall. Karen Koeth of KSA Design in Concord Township used a combination of lavender, purple and grey to dress the beautifully appointed room.
She said silver night stands built and donated by DT Custom Cabinetry of Willoughby and closet accessories provided by Sophia Boutique in Concord Township were helpful additions.
Built by JEMM Construction of Painesville Township, the house includes nearly 3,400 square feet plus another 1,000 square feet of finished lower level space on a 0.25-acre lot.
It also has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a great room, morning room and three-car garage.
Special ticket prices are being offered through June 29. Regular price tickets will be available beginning June 30, the day tours begin. For details, visit www.lakecountyymca.org/dream-house/dreamhouse-main.