Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

Columns and arches between the living room and den open the lines between the spaces. The family spends most of their time in the den. The kitchen overlooks the den.

By Diane S. Morales, Caller-Times

June 25, 2006

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

An arched wall recess above the fireplace, scalloped draperies and other arches in the living room soften the 20-foot height of the space.

The first night Suzette and Bill Arriaga stayed at their custom-built home, she heard coyotes howling. It was a creepy welcoming that eventually became familiar in a secluded area with only two other homes in the development.

The details Address: 6110 King Trail, King Estates Subdivision Price: $689,900 Square feet: 4,929 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3 full, 2 half Built: 1997 Information: Judie Weaver-Manning, RE/MAX Metro Properties, 877-4077

The coyotes have moved out or quieted down since more residents have discovered the peacefulness of living on one-acre lots in King Estates. It’s what lured the couple to the scene in the first place.

“I fell in love with it,” Suzette said. “I have my space, a private lake. It’s just so quiet out here.”

The couple sketched out ideas for their Braselton home for spacious bedrooms, an open balcony between floors, arches, a swimming pool and a game room.

Seeking change

Coming from a home half the size, their custom dream house was everything the local business owners envisioned for family gatherings and to entertain friends.

“But you know us women, we think, ‘Hmm, I want to build again,’ “ Suzette said.

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

The main guest suite near the kitchen is a private retreat from the rest of the bedrooms. A languorous plum color scheme soothes the psyche.

After eight and a half years in the home, the Arriagas are ready for a change and want to downsize. They plan to build a home at another out-of-the-way subdivision a few miles from King Estates.

In the meantime, they’ll continue to enjoy the home they built together with its elegant monochromatic beige and ivory color scheme.

Shapely arches

A traditional red brick façade opens to an airy home with light pouring in through the living area’s vertical rectangular windows nearly reaching the 20-foot ceilings.

Beige tile floors spread from the foyer to the living room and kitchen, but transition to wood floors in the formal dining room at the right of the foyer.

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

A sparkling chandelier floats above a glass-top table in the formal dining room. A larger, wrought iron chandelier in the foyer also features mini-shades. The chandelier lowers with a flip of a switch for cleaning.

Arches supported by squared columns topped with white crown moulding dominate the home’s interior lines and shape.

“I wanted it to be very open,” Suzette said. “Taupes and browns are welcoming to me. My dad was skeptical at first, but once he saw it put together, he liked it.”

Light enters the dining room through two large windows; one stretches close to the ceiling. A pewter iron chandelier with mini lampshades sparkles above a glass-top table. Ivory tapestry chairs circle the round table. A majority of the home’s furniture is from Buddy Walker Home Furnishings. Suzette credits Interiors by Braselton for the color-coordinated paint in the home.

The family seldom spends time in the formal dining room, but the living area’s inviting glow is a spacious catch-all for guest overflow from the den and kitchen.

“I love my arches and the fireplace looks amazing with candles lit at night,” Suzette said.

A massive white mantle sits opposite an open wall of arches that overlook the den and kitchen. French doors in the living room lead to the back yard and swimming pool.

Eddie Seal/Special to the Caller-Times

The Arriaga home sits on about 1.25 acres overlooking a private lake in King Estates. An upstairs game room with a balcony offers access to the view. “We have pool parties, Super Bowl parties. My husband loves to barbecue and we love to be around family and friends,” Suzette said.

Sunroom for son

The den and master suite are where the Arriagas usually hang out. While Suzette cooks, Bill and her son watch TV in the den. Granite counters cover oak surfaces in the kitchen. French doors allow access to the backyard from the den.

Near the kitchen is the main guestroom friends and family call the “five-star hotel room,” complete with purple chenille bedding and purple walls.

“It’s nice because you have your own privacy with a bathroom nearby,” Suzette said.

On the other side of the living room is the master suite with a sitting room. The space was an afterthought when the couple designed the house.

“Mom said ‘Where’s the baby room? The other room is too far and so is the upstairs,’ “ Suzette said. “So at the last minute, we added the sunroom for a son later.”

Scalloped draperies operated by remote control block sunlight from the sitting room.

In the master bath, white columns surround a marble jet tub against a mirrored wall, making it the focal point of the space.

Game room dream

Upstairs Bill’s game room is a guy’s paradise with a pool table, wet bar and sports memorabilia with a balcony view of the swimming pool and a private lake.

From the game room, an open landing that overlooks the living room and foyer leads to a staircase, two bedrooms and Suzette’s office.

Their home holds special memories for Suzette, especially because her son grew up there. But she’s ready to make more memories elsewhere.

“I’m comfortable making another nest elsewhere. As long as you have family, you’re OK,” she said.