A Dual-Family Jewel

by Katie Faulkner  |  photography by Philip Slowiak

Ambreen and Sadiq Sohani designed a custom home to accommodate their own family of four, as well as Sadiq’s parents, who moved to America to be nearer to family. With the goal of dual-family dwelling in mind, they partnered with Dexter White Construction to build a spacious, semi-symmetrical home with plenty of shared living spaces.
A sprawling stone paver entryway leaves a striking first impression as it directs traffic to two mirror image garage entrances. The cast stone archway to the front door, a later addition, was imagined once Ambreen saw the captivating cast stone work fashioned in the home’s interior.

Entering the house, a double-barrel vaulted ceiling opens to the second story. Ambreen explains, “One of the most important features for us to capture
was the openness of the floor plan and natural light throughout the home.”

“I especially wanted the whole house to be visible from the entryway,” Ambreen says. With a two-story foyer ceiling and two extra-wide archways, the second story, formal living room, and formal dining room are all in sight. Expansive white marble creates a palatial landscape, providing contrast to the exquisite metal railings. The handrails, custom designed and finished on-site, are made of molded steel, hand treated by local artisans to look like antiqued silver. “The rails are one of my favorite elements,” Ambreen says. “You can see them from both the foyer and the living room, and I think they did such a beautiful job on them.”

To the right of the entry is the formal dining room. A soft luster in the silk draperies is echoed in hand-painted metallic walls. The antiqued silver patina of the custom rails seen in the entry is continued through the dining room, both in the chandelier and a silver-painted buffet. A large Oriental rug highlights the shades of soft teal blues in the room and even mimics the golden neutrals found in the silk damask upholstery of the chairs.

Walking into the formal great room, the Sohani’s preference for natural light is evident. A wide, glass French door, surrounded by sidelights and enormous transoms, lends a bright and airy feeling to the serene, yet sophisticated, great room. “I really enjoy light taupes, tans, and blues. They make me feel peaceful and remind me of the beach shore,” Ambreen says of her home’s tranquil tones. Damask patterns are featured in the carpet; in a taupe, tan, and brown painting above the cast stone mantle; in the mantle’s pediment; and in the silk, skirted arm chairs. Gorgeous, gauzy silk draperies with tassels accentuate the curves and peaks of the great room’s towering transom windows. Custom-built, hand-painted cabinetry flank the fireplace and continue the look of the mantle’s cast stone aesthetic.

Also open to the formal great room and dining room are the family room and entertaining kitchen. “This is where I spend time cooking with my mother-in-law,” Ambreen says. “She really loves to cook, and I like to help her and learn.” Custom cabinets in a light tan are complemented by a cast stone hood over the cooktop, brown and tan beveled edge granite countertops, and two turquoise islands. The oversized cooktop, sporting a char-grill surface, is frequently used for indoor grilling. Ample counter space and sizable appliances accommodate the large family and any entertaining they may do. “The boys’ friends used to come over a lot in high school, and they liked being able to come to the kitchen and grab some food,” Ambreen laughs. Extra seating at the bar-height counter connects to the adjoining family room.

The family tends to spend the most time together in these two spaces, with the family room allowing them to enjoy each other’s company in a more intimate setting – ideal for watching television or eating dinner. Comfortable seating and a cozy natural stone fireplace create a friendly atmosphere for this central location.

Also on the main level, the master suite is washed in blue shades, helping to create a tranquil mood akin to a tropical resort. A blue velvet bed, custom made for the couple, anchors the room, while the neighboring metallic chests serve as nightstands. A pair of mirror-legged ottomans at the end of the bed provide a convenient place to park momentarily, whereas the plush, gray velvet arm chairs function as an additional seating area. “I think one of my favorite places in the whole house is the master bedroom’s private patio. It’s secluded, but still offers beautiful views of the pool and gardens,” Ambreen says.

The connected master bathroom has a unique layout: A large, raised jetted tub is centered in front of a massive marble walk-through shower, complete with dual stations and multiple shower heads. Cream-colored cabinets with crystal pulls and antiqued silver-framed mirrors add a softer touch to the design, and the expansive counter space forms three separate work stations.

Out back, the Sohanis have created a lush landscape surrounding a spacious pool and overflow hot tub. “A lot of our family is in North Georgia, and our boys and their cousins love to come over and spend time in the pool. Even now that the boys are older, the cousins will still come over and spend time here,” Ambreen laughs.

The outdoor living space boasts tropical plants, stone pavers for the surrounding patio, four separate seating areas, and a pristinely landscaped side garden. The land behind the home and around one side is a protected wetland, so the family benefits from added privacy in an otherwise bustling neighborhood.

With wide open spaces and beach-inspired colors used throughout, this family home feels more like an all-inclusive retreat. And the Sohanis enjoy nothing more than being able to share it with their large, loving family.