In 2015, Eric and Amanda Fobes fell in love with a sprawling one-acre property located in a highly sought-after Elkhorn neighborhood. The mature landscape and serene locale made the estate a rarity in the area, which was one of the biggest selling points for the couple. Although the 7,000 square foot home—originally built in 1999—required a significant amount of renovation, the Fobes were excited to bring their strategic vision to life.
“The idea was to live in the home for a year before starting the process,” Eric Fobes said. “I wanted to see how we used it and how to optimize the space that was available with the current configuration to figure out how to create more cohesiveness throughout the space.”
The couple, who were busy raising a four-year-old and two-year-old at the time, started with necessary updates to the home’s windows, roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, pool, and landscaping. However, the process was temporarily put on hold when the family relocated to Houston in early 2017. Upon returning to the home in February 2020, the Fobes resumed their renovation by addressing cosmetic elements and the home’s overall layout.
The flooring was the starting point and served as the foundation for all other design decisions. Fobes explained, “We had tile floors and wanted those gone, and that led to changing baseboards. Next, we needed to get rid of textured walls, which then led us to start thinking about removing walls. It really spearheaded from there.”
The family’s idea was to highlight the beautiful details in the home and emphasize that “less is more.” For example, the Fobes chose hand-scraped white oak floors to contrast with the white walls and then curated furniture to not only fit the space but also allow the floor and other architectural details to shine.
The kitchen was redesigned to be more inviting and less dramatic. Fobes said this allows the focus to be on the walnut accent pieces and massive center island. Additionally, to preserve the beauty of the new space, the oversized pantry provides a place to store countertop appliances and other unnecessary distractions.
While the completely remodeled five bedroom and seven-bathroom home is contemporary, it is also functional in ways that aren’t necessarily contemporary—like the tub style sink in the kitchen and the warm wood tones used on the floor and cabinetry. Additionally, the countertops have an appearance like Carrara marble but are actually Cambria—an alternative that is equally beautiful but more practical. In the end, the Fobes’ choices were not based on design criteria but rather on personal preference and usefulness.
Throughout the entire home renovation process, the Fobes complemented each other’s strengths and offered support to one another. “Amanda is a great partner, and she allowed me to spend the time necessary to make good decisions,” Fobes said. “She did not care about the design decisions as much as I did, but all the stuff in the house that makes it a home is 100% her.”
Fobes’ favorite space in the entire home is the family room, which features oversized windows on three sides, offering a private view overlooking the golf course. Keeping the bigger picture in mind, the family focused on creating an incredible abode where experiences can be shared with loved ones. For instance, fun memories have been made in the home’s seven-car heated garage that doubles as batting cages and a sports court. “We bought the home because of its size and we knew we could grow into it,” Fobes said. “We loved that it had a pool and lots of recreational area—an attraction to bring people into our home. We really wanted to design a house that people wanted to gather in, whether that is hanging out by the pool, in the basement in the theater, or at the bar.”
From epic holiday parties to relaxing evenings in the outdoor living area, the house has served the Fobes well over the past eight years. Being situated out of the hustle and bustle of the city, but only a few minutes from restaurants, grocery stores, schools, and shopping has made life convenient as well.
While the Fobes initially remodeled this property with the notion that it would be their forever home, they now have the exciting opportunity to start the renovation process all over again in their new home. “It’s an even bigger undertaking, but we’re looking forward to it,” Fobes said.
For more information or to schedule a private showing, contact Michael Maley, realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate, at 402-981-7400.
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