Photos by Spacecrafting
Over the years, the design styles of Jeff and Kristi Cernohous’ homes have bounced all over the board. In fact, they’ve nested in an eclectic-style home, a prairie-inspired abode, and even spent a few years in a beautiful model home—one that was nothing short of lovely, they affirm, but never felt right. “People would come into that house and rave about it,” Kristi recalls, “but it was never, ever ours.”
But this home, a four-bed, five-bath modern Mediterranean masterpiece in Hudson, Wisconsin, is theirs in every sense of the word—so much so, it underwent an arduous 10-year evolution before it was finally brought to life by Hartman Homes. “It was actually designed in 2010,” says Jeff, a local business owner. “We debated building it back then, but when the market crashed, we ended up buying the short sale. This design was always in the back of our minds.” Kristi chimes in, “Every few years, we would pull it out and say, ‘We need to build this.’”
And when the time was right, the pair did exactly that—forging ahead with a revised plan that complemented the lifestyle of their now-older, growing family. The new design and fairytale-like location that overlooks the breathtaking St. Croix River Valley checked all their boxes in function and form, but also catered to their love of entertaining, made evident with a roomy yet secluded soundproof theater, climate-controlled wine room (“I’m definitely a wine person,” Jeff says, laughing), outdoor pool area, and top-floor telescope deck.
But you don’t often see Mediterranean-style abodes of this scope and caliber in the Midwest, and Julie Speer, director of design at Hartman, knew it. She took full advantage of the opportunity, and her profound understanding of her clients’ wish list is expertly demonstrated inside and out through clean lines, soft edges, circular fixtures, curved arches, and stucco cladding—all of which align with (and elevate!) the home’s Mediterranean style. The distinctive design called for equally unique materials, so Speer and the homeowners opted for a wealth of walnut. The material is found in abundance throughout all three levels of the home, including in the master bathroom, where a handcrafted walnut bathtub is perhaps the home’s most unexpected feature. (Arguably a second contender for “most showstopping” is a larger-than-life chandelier—which acted as a springboard for the interior design, Speer says—that packs a punch above the dining room table.)
These are just two examples of the home’s several spectacular spaces, but the homeowners say Kristi’s office, the dedicated grill patio, and main-level sunroom are actually their favorites. The latter, which connects to the open-concept great room and kitchen via large folding accordion doors, flaunts vertical fire features, cozy seating, and plenty of places for the family’s two Bengal cats to bask in afternoon light.
But thanks to the entire Hartman team, every inch of this 7,215-square-foot stunner brings something both eye-catching and jaw-dropping to the table. “Despite the scope of this project, Hartman was just unbelievable,” Jeff muses. “Everyone in that organization is a class act.”
Home Details
- Builder: Hartman Homes
- Home Location: Hudson
- Square Footage: 7,215
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 5
- Style: Modern Mediterranean
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