When Derek and Linda Wiseman looked around their 1960s ranch house, they took stock of what they had versus what they imagined. Eventually, what started out as an idea to raise the ceilings resulted in an expansion that included another floor and such huge renovation that now only two original walls exist in their almost 10,000 square-foot Spanish Colonial home. In addition, the residence offers five bedrooms and a maid’s room, nine bathrooms, a children’s playroom and a media room. And with an impressive home office and gym, the couple can work and workout without ever leaving the comforts of their fabulous home.

As they embarked on the project, they knew they would need outside help. The couple enlisted the help of Charlotte’s interior designer, Fran Timbrook. “Fran listened to us,” says Linda. “She isn’t the type of designer who comes in with her ideas about your home. She saw our vision and helped pull it together. She is amazing at resourcing extraordinary materials.”

On approach, the home - which sits on about an acre of land - is stunning. It is beautifully landscaped with numerous varieties of blooming cactus and other seemingly endless native plants, as well as crape myrtle, pine, pistachio and olive trees that round out both front and back yards. The home is further set off by its stately limestone pillars and fascia and eaves of Mexican copper (which patinas differently than standard copper).

Inside the residence, columns of travertine mimic the exterior pillars, blending exquisitely with the custom travertine floors that flow throughout much of the house in variegated shades of toasted almond. And, though the ceilings are 18 to 24 feet throughout the home, the textured, hand-scraped walls in café latte masterfully balance each area, imparting a feeling of comfort.

“We live in our kitchen and family room,” Linda says, smiling. And, the granite “fantasy amber” island, sourced from Africa, with shades ranging from charcoal and forest to dusty pink and rust is enough to make one want to linger in the space. Hammered Mexican copper makes up the hood above the range and is also inlaid with the dark alder wood of the island’s base. The two-tier design of the island and the farmhouse sink (which aids in getting large pots under the faucet) make the area not only an elegant showpiece, but functional as well. The Sub Zero refrigerator is housed in a stunning washed sage green cabinet with aged black detailing. While the knotty alder cabinetry is rich and dark, the space is brightened not only by the beautiful wrought iron chandelier/pot rack, but also by the natural light that streams through the decorative skylight.

The sunken formal living room is dignified yet inviting, elegant yet comfortable. Hand-forged iron railing surrounds the space and the authentic hand-scraped mesquite wood floors add a note of warmth and earthiness. An antique grate accentuates the deep mahogany fireplace which is further off set by the granite base that includes soft colors of seashell pink and lavender. Giant pots purchased on trips and original art infuse the area with the personalities of the homeowners and the Ralph Lauren coffee table and Marge Carson sofa and chairs make this room a form of art all its own.

Another room that boasts the beauty of the mesquite flooring is the master suite. While the color scheme of the walls is carried through much of the house, this room deviates, with a heavily textured dark chocolate color. Upon entrance there is a seating area which faces the massive fireplace. A substantial wrought iron and crystal chandelier hangs from the dramatic coffered knotty alder ceiling. The side yard, complete with Jacuzzi and water features, is easily viewed from the spiraling four-poster Ralph Lauren bed and accessed from the elegant French doors.

All-in-all, this home is a dream house. A place where the Wiseman family can entertain, relax and even work and get fit. It’s a place to display their art and to reminisce. In this house, they enjoy family and friends, they eat, they talk, they laugh and play. With all they’ve incorporated into their home, it truly is one-stop living.

Fran Timbrook received a merit award for the interior of this home as awarded by the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and was featured, as such, in Luxe Magazine in their Legacy of Design Awards (supplement) – 2007