Remodel of 1989 Home Into Tuscan Jewel

Orlando Custom Builder Jorge Ulibarri Transforms Outdated Home into Tuscan Jewel

Orlando Custom Builder Jorge Ulibarri discovered an architectural jewel in the gated community of Heathrow, Florida several years ago in need of a makeover and some TLC. “The home is located in a picturesque and highly desirable neighborhood of moss-covered oak trees and unique custom homes but this one was very outdated. It was stuck in a weird place between the worst of the 80s and 90s taste and style but the home had good bones and a lot of square footage all on a single floor with a rear entry garage. Those are rare features in today’s new homes where the garage is placed on the front of the home in order to squeeze the house on a lot and square footage is stacked in two stories instead on one. I think front facing garages detract from the home’s facade and so in my book, that’s a deal breaker when I look for a home to remodel,” says Ulibarri, who bought the home in 2007 began extensive renovations.

Ulibarri took the home down to the studs and reframed the interior adding sleek architectural curves and arches. He removed all of the popcorn ceilings to create custom ceiling treatments in wood, stone and with beams. He resurfaced all fireplaces and replaced outdated carpet with travertine floors to transform this outdated home into a Mediterranean custom residence.

In the entrance, Ulibarri created a step down and added a wrought iron custom front door and railing to divide the space between the entrance and dining room. He added a niche, arches and architectural curves and replace carpet with travertine floors and a floor medallion for a visual focal a point. On the dining room ceiling, Ulibarri added beams after removing the home’s original popcorn ceilings.

In the kitchen dining area, Ulibarri removed the outdated space-age looking recessed ceiling over the dining table and replace it with a circular stone niche that holds a wrought iron fixture. The original ceiling over the range had a soffit with flourescent light panels. Ulibarri removed that ceiling and created a warm wood beam to frame the space. He resurfaced the eat-in bar top with stone mosaics and the kitchen island with a contrasting granite countertop and added a sleek stainless steel rangehood.

Ulibarri added a wine cellar to the home by taking extra space from the guest bathroom located behind the cellar and reframing the space into a walk-in wine cellar in the formal living room.

The formal living room made the most dramatic transformation with wood plank ceiling and grand wrought-iron chandelier and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. Notice the how the architectural arches bring a touch of Old-World forms to the space. During the remodel, Ulibarri completely redid all of the home’s interior walls replacing outdated rectangular entrances with graceful arches and curves.  Ulibarri replace carpet throughout the home with travertine floors.

In the master bath Ulibarri resurfaced the tub platform in stone mosaics and added faux finish to the walls. He reframed the window to create an arch and added a niche.

In the master bedroom, Ulibarri resurfaced the fireplace surround in stone accented with a wood beam, replaced an out-of-style ceiling fan with a wrought iron fixture, removed the popcorn ceiling and added crown moulding and replaced the carpet with travertine floors for a much warmer look with a rich blend of textures.

The 3,800 square foot home wraps around a pool and outdoor living space. Ulibarri kept the original blue and white Spanish decorative tile on the pool edge and he resurfaced the pool deck with travertine pavers and added a pergola and blue fountain pots in place of the outdated diving board.

The pool’s blue and white Spanish tile became the design theme for the Cobalt blue outdoor living room decor.

In the top photo is the original exterior of the 1989 home remodeled by Orlando Custom Builder Jorge Ulibarri. The photo below shows the home’s new Tuscan facade. Ulibarri kept the original tile roof and added stone to the facade to give it a Tuscan flair and removed the outdated stucco bands