Long before you drive up to this home constructed by Marty Gibbs you will have noticed it. The house sits alone on 14 acres in the country, but even in the city it would stand out. This is not your typical ranch home.

“I designed this house myself basing some of it on some homes I’ve worked on in the past,” explains Gibbs of Marty Gibbs Construction. “Other aspects of the house were new and we now are using them on some of the spec homes were building. The exterior of the home I saw in a magazine and added some features to this as well.”

The home hardly seems like a ranch thanks to three large peaks. Three sides of the home have been built using brick, with stone interspersed throughout. And the arch windows hint at one of the many themes that have been incorporated into the home’s design.

The sidewalk leading up to it is lined with exposed aggregate, which is also used on the stoop. A large arch, nearly 20 foot high, frames the entrance.

Outside, the landscaping enhances the home's features, particularly in the summer when the flowers in the rock garden are in bloom. A fountain is at the center of the ground and the steps leading to a bench are actually stones found in the countryside.

Open the front door and you’re greeted by a Brazilian Cherry floor with granite insets. While more exotic than many types of flooring, it’s also more durable. This flooring is also used in the hallways and the Great Room.

Two large pillars frame the entrance to the room, which is notable for its size and natural lighting. The pillars have smaller siblings at the other side of the Great Room, where guests can exit into the kitchen. Pillars are a second motif of the design, found not just in this room, but the master bath and the downstairs.

“I like the look pillars add to a home,” explains Gibbs. “They add a sense of style to a room.”

The 15-foot vaulted ceiling in the Great Room frames the outer wall, where wraparound cathedral windows allow for a spectacular view. They frame the fireplace, which has granite insets and a granite top. The mantel is oak, as is the trim around this room and the rest of the house. This is the perfect room to relax in and carry on conversations.

The kitchen has features that allow a cook to prepare a large meal for a gathering or a simple dish just for the family. There is plenty of storage space, thanks to the many hickory cabinets and the countertops are an emerald pearl granite.

The main floor is also the living quarters for the family and there are four bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own look to reflect the personalities of each family member. The three rooms for the children all have 12 foot vaulted ceilings and arched windows, making them appear to have more space. And while the Master Bedroom's ceiling is 9 feet high, a tray ceiling adds another foot to the center of the room.
If each bedroom has its own look, so too, do the bathrooms. Various styles of porceilan tile were used on each bathroom floor and the paint decor is different on each wall. Obviously the Master Bath is the largest of the four. Not only does it have a whirlpool, but the large walk in tile shower has six shower heads.  

The stairs leading to the downstairs stand out due to their railing. Decorative metal spindles are innermixed with wood spindles. The landing has a granite inset, duplicating the motif used in the entranceway.   

Once downstairs your likely not going to want to leave. To the left an area has been sectioned off as a game area, including a pool table. Arches separate this room from the family room.         

The centerpiece of the family room is the fireplace. Its unique look is due to the use of dark bricks that extend all the way to the ceiling. A 50-foot plasma television has been encased in the brick.

The look of the fireplace comes from the design of the bar. A bricklayer built the base of the bar out of old town brick and stone, and then topped it with granite. Gibbs liked the look so much he had it duplicated with the fireplace.

The bar is like a half-circle shape with openings on both ends for easy access. Hickory was used for the cabinets, some of which were designed to show off the homeowner’s collectibles. Low key lighting makes the pieces stand out even more.

Another conversation piece is a 125 gallon aquarium built into the wall to the right of the staircase.         

Gibbs has built a home that meets the family’s needs for the present and anticipates their needs in the future. There are three rooms downstairs that could eventually serve as bedrooms, but for now server more functional purposes. One is a computer room, a second a toy room, and the third has become an exercise room.

Also downstairs is a three car capped garage. The driveway that winds down to the garage is bordered by a large retaining wall covered in exposed aggregate.

With more than 3,100 feet of living space just on the main floor, and so many windows, heating would seem to be a challeng. But infloor heating throughout the house and in the upper and lower garages keep the family warm in the long, cold winters.