The outside wrapping is pure traditional white.
A pair of rocking chairs sits on the front porch. The metal roofing atop a bay window brings a touch of Craftsman bungalow.
Inside, traditional gives way to modern. There’s an open floor plan, colors that pop in purple and copper next to grays and beiges on interior walls, and state-of-the art connectivity and technology.
(Provided by Javic Homes)
Out back, two covered patios, a fire pit, a waterfall and a flat-screen television add charm to a spacious, deep lawn.
“We call it the ‘wow’ lawn,” said Jon Solomon, president of Javic Homes. The company built this luxury 2015 Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home in the Brookside subdivision in Wesley Chapel.
The tree-lined streets and manicured landscape within this gated community evoke the homey feel of neighborhoods of the past.
“I always think it’s a Norman Rockwell neighborhood,” said Solomon. “You just don’t see this anymore. It’s a really nice family neighborhood.”
During March, the showcase home, at 29318 Chapel Park Drive, drew between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors. Proceeds from ticket sales benefited two local charities, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Operation Finally Home.
Visitors still have a chance to see the home during the 2015 Tampa Bay Parade of Homes, from April 11 through April 26.
Nearly 150 model homes from 35 builders in 82 communities in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, Citrus and Marion counties are on this year’s tour. That makes it the largest new-home showcase in the Tampa Bay area, according to the sponsor, the Tampa Bay Builders Association.
The association is based in Tampa and has more than 750 members including local builders, developers, suppliers and architectural firms.
Homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 pm., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday, during the parade. A panel of industry professionals will judge the homes based on site plan, curb appeal, design, materials, outdoor living spaces, architectural details and workmanship.
The sales price for the four-bedroom, 4,100 square-foot home in Brookside is $895,000. Planning, design and construction took about a year. About a dozen open lots remain in the subdivision, which is adjacent to Saddlebrook Resort, off State Road 54.
This is the second time Javic Homes has been included in Southern Living’s Custom Builder Program for showcase homes. Last year’s home was in South Tampa.
“I think it’s a great way to highlight our work,” said Solomon. Making it a charitable event is a plus. “We like to give back to our community,” he added.
Southern Living’s custom builder program is by invitation only, and includes about 100 of the nation’s top builders. Magazine representatives review homeowner and business references, and make site visits before adding a homebuilder to the group.
Showcase homebuilders can choose from more than 1,000 design plans in Southern Living’s database, but can modify plans or do their own.
Southern Living representatives have to approve the plan and the interior finishes, Solomon said.
“So we can coordinate everything with Southern Living designers,” he added.
Javic Homes was founded in 2001 and has built about 300 homes in the Tampa Bay area.
For its 2015 showcase home, Solomon said, “We had inspiration from one of (Southern Living’s) plans. It’s a little more open. It’s what people want these days.”
The two-story home opens to a grand foyer, flanked by a den and formal dining room. The master suite is off the great room, which flows into the kitchen and a breakfast nook. There also is a powder room, mudroom, laundry and a two-and-a-half car garage. On the second floor, there are three bedrooms, a bonus room and a balcony.
Local artists such as Sarah Hull, Francine Bauer, Lori Starkey, Debra Radke and Sharon Britton display their artwork throughout the house.
Personal tastes in homes vary, but Solomon said trends generally are for clean lines and interiors that are not ornate, but have simple styles.
Homebuyers also want durability and energy efficiency. Technology is an integral part of new homes with devices that operate televisions, garages, sprinkler systems, alarm systems, lights and sound.
Lifestyles, budgets and personal tastes are part of the decision making when building a custom home. “You always try to balance lifestyle needs with decorating and design details,” Solomon said.
Published April 8, 2015
