Photos courtesy of Interior Concepts, Inc.
Her home, which took two years to build and five years of gathering unique pieces to accent and furnish, is a distinctive study in grand luxury.
“We involved a lot of specialized artisans that made this a very unique project,” says Brad Lundberg, Lundberg Builders, who helped design and build the home. “Much of the millwork in the home was built on site by our craftsmen, as well as some furniture pieces. There are plaster crown molding and panels, heavily textured stucco installations, and artists’ paintings on the stucco.”
Every room in this magnificent residence features pieces with stories and history behind them. For example, the kitchen features a 18th century butcher’s counter and an old- English 19th century fireplace. Massive 12-by-14 foot antique doors from a chateau in France divide the living room and billiard room. “The antique doors were planned into the project from the beginning,” says Lundberg. “We did some extensive restoration work on them, which was a fun challenge.”
The Critzoses did encounter some challenges when building, but according to Lundberg, they handled them with ease. “Arlene and John were ready, they knew what they wanted, and they understood the challenges that are inherent in building a custom home with pieces from around the world,” he says, noting that some of the antique pieces had to be rejected after they were brought to the site because they didn’t fit properly. “They [the Critzoses] were very decisive when small issues cropped up, and they stayed small issues. Changes are the norm on a project like this and the collaboration between all parties was great. This project was a real pleasure to work on.”
Thinking about creating the warmth and elegance of a European look in your home? Use the Critzos home for inspiration and start gathering your own collection of unique pieces.
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The 12-foot-high French doors separating the living room and billiard room actually influenced the architecture of the entire home because they required a 17-foot wall to carry them. According to Critzos, the doors, acquired from a chateau, exhibit the very rare “silvered” form of art, and although the glass was in perfect condition when she bought them at auction, the iron and woodwork required painstaking restoration.
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Critzos designed the distressed mahogany dining room table. The moldings on the ceiling add interest and highlight the ornate chandelier.
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The formal living room is large enough for two seating areas. The space is an example of how Critzos juxtaposes varying styles of furniture and accent pieces. “I’ve mixed a steel table with a Louis XVI, and there are some Chinese pieces as well,” she points out. “I have a little bit of everything.” A powerful painting of a monk with child from the Murillo school centers the main living space.
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rHome & Garden Editor Renee Houston Zemanski thanks Interior Concepts, Inc. and Lundberg Builders for their input in this article and will move right into the Critzos house if asked.
