A tight-knit family enjoys the laid-back serenity of their clean, comfortable Arcadia abode.

While in the market for a new home, Eric and Celeste Silvernail had a running list of needs and wants whirling through their heads, many of which focused on creating a relaxing haven where their busy family of four could find peace and restoration at the end of long, hectic days. “We are in that time of life where our two kids are deep into school and extracurricular activities,” says Celeste. “Most evenings we are either on a soccer field, at a dance studio or at theater rehearsal. We needed a house that would give each of us our own comfortable space to be ourselves and unwind, but one that would still center around the heart of our home.”

Just as the couple was losing hope of finding that perfect house, they discovered the work of architect Greg Kent, who had already drawn up plans for a residence in Arcadia that met many of the Silvernails’ criteria. “Once we saw Greg’s vision of what could be created, we were sold,” recalls Celeste. “He truly knows how to make a home flow while keeping it aesthetically pleasing.”

On the nearly half-acre property, Kent had planned out a 3,900-square-foot modern ranch-style home with four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, plus an office space, recreation room and a three-car garage. “Eric and Celeste wanted an open-concept great room with the bedrooms split on either side so that both the parents and children had their own sense of privacy,” Kent explains of the design. Additionally, the couple sought to include architectural elements that emphasized the tranquility of the home, such as soaring vaulted ceilings to make the master suite feel luxurious and welcoming patio space in both the front and back yards.

“Our goal was creating a place to raise our kids where we could each have our own space while still being able to hang out together as a family.”

—Eric Silvernail, homeowner

While in the market for a new home, Eric and Celeste Silvernail had a running list of needs and wants whirling through their heads, many of which focused on creating a relaxing haven where their busy family of four could find peace and restoration at the end of long, hectic days. “We are in that time of life where our two kids are deep into school and extracurricular activities,” says Celeste. “Most evenings we are either on a soccer field, at a dance studio or at theater rehearsal. We needed a house that would give each of us our own comfortable space to be ourselves and unwind, but one that would still center around the heart of our home.”

While in the market for a new home, Eric and Celeste Silvernail had a running list of needs and wants whirling through their heads, many of which focused on creating a relaxing haven where their busy family of four could find peace and restoration at the end of long, hectic days. “We are in that time of life where our two kids are deep into school and extracurricular activities,” says Celeste. “Most evenings we are either on a soccer field, at a dance studio or at theater rehearsal. We needed a house that would give each of us our own comfortable space to be ourselves and unwind, but one that would still center around the heart of our home.”

Just as the couple was losing hope of finding that perfect house, they discovered the work of architect Greg Kent, who had already drawn up plans for a residence in Arcadia that met many of the Silvernails’ criteria. “Once we saw Greg’s vision of what could be created, we were sold,” recalls Celeste. “He truly knows how to make a home flow while keeping it aesthetically pleasing.”

On the nearly half-acre property, Kent had planned out a 3,900-square-foot modern ranch-style home with four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, plus an office space, recreation room and a three-car garage. “Eric and Celeste wanted an open-concept great room with the bedrooms split on either side so that both the parents and children had their own sense of privacy,” Kent explains of the design. Additionally, the couple sought to include architectural elements that emphasized the tranquility of the home, such as soaring vaulted ceilings to make the master suite feel luxurious and welcoming patio space in both the front and back yards.

While in the market for a new home, Eric and Celeste Silvernail had a running list of needs and wants whirling through their heads, many of which focused on creating a relaxing haven where their busy family of four could find peace and restoration at the end of long, hectic days. “We are in that time of life where our two kids are deep into school and extracurricular activities,” says Celeste. “Most evenings we are either on a soccer field, at a dance studio or at theater rehearsal. We needed a house that would give each of us our own comfortable space to be ourselves and unwind, but one that would still center around the heart of our home.”

Just as the couple was losing hope of finding that perfect house, they discovered the work of architect Greg Kent, who had already drawn up plans for a residence in Arcadia that met many of the Silvernails’ criteria. “Once we saw Greg’s vision of what could be created, we were sold,” recalls Celeste. “He truly knows how to make a home flow while keeping it aesthetically pleasing.”

“Our home tells a story about us and our love for each other.”

—Celeste Silvernail, homeowner

On the nearly half-acre property, Kent had planned out a 3,900-square-foot modern ranch-style home with four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, plus an office space, recreation room and a three-car garage. “Eric and Celeste wanted an open-concept great room with the bedrooms split on either side so that both the parents and children had their own sense of privacy,” Kent explains of the design. Additionally, the couple sought to include architectural elements that emphasized the tranquility of the home, such as soaring vaulted ceilings to make the master suite feel luxurious and welcoming patio space in both the front and back yards.

“All of these amenities and more were items on our wish list but, at the end of the day, our goal was creating a place to raise our kids where we could each have our own space while still being able to all hang out together as a family,” says Eric.

To help the Silvernails achieve the desired tone and aesthetic throughout the whole house, interior designer Jaimee Rose brought her subdued style to the scene. “One word Eric and Celeste kept repeating throughout the process was ‘simple,’” Rose recalls. “But of course what they meant by that was clean, edited and serene, because nothing about this house is simple below the surface. For example, in the planning stage, we had to sketch out every inch of each wall in order to create beautiful moldings that make the relatively neutral color palette pop through the use of texture.”

Other key words highlighted by Eric and Celeste, such as white, airy, fresh and bright, were crucial in guiding the overall feel of the interior design. “It was challenging in some ways to keep the house interesting while still staying true to the simple edict the family had asked for,” notes Rose. “We had to push a little bit to avoid doing plain white everything, everywhere.” Sandy-hued French white oak flooring runs throughout the living spaces and bedrooms, which are draped in soothing shades of eggshell, cream and dove-gray made luminous by ample natural light. More vibrant tones appear in small details around the house: Numerous potted plants infuse the living areas with verdant vivacity; beach glass-blue pops up in bedding and wall art; and ochre pillows add a cheerful punch to a cozy sitting area.

To create interest, movement and warmth, Rose included a variety of textures and layers throughout the home. “Overscaled lighting fixtures did a lot of the heavy lifting by adding flare and drama. Also, we mixed polished nickel finishes with some black and brass elements to keep things from getting too monotonous,” she says. Touchable textiles, including faux fur and chunky knits, helped create a cozy motif.

“Jaimee really took note as she witnessed family celebrations, Eric’s passion for his work, our commitment to family, my enduring love for my Southern roots—hence the gas lanterns on the front patio—and how we live day to day. As we moved forward with the build, design and decorating, she incorporated all of those moments into the beautiful house we live in today,” Celeste says. “Our home tells a story about us and our love for each other, and I owe a lot of that to Jaimee.

“It was important for us to have a place that was inviting and comfortable in which to create memories,” she continues. Even when we’re all so busy and sometimes are like passing ships during the week, we always find our port at home where everyone can get refueled and refreshed. We can always slow down and regroup together.”

Architect: Greg Kent, KENTarchitects. Interior Designer: Jaimee Rose, Jaimee Rose Interiors.
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