Belle Maison
Black House/White House
-Liesel Schmidt
They say that not everything is black and white. But in the case of the Little home in the Verandas subdivision of Fairhope, it’s all black and white.
The classic modern farmhouse stands one-story high, clad with bright white Hardy plank and white painted brick that stands out against the accents of the massive black shutters, black French doors, and custom-built black sliders that accent the center front entry doors running along the front facade. A large front porch offers a welcoming place to sit, and metal accents on the front porch roof which are complimented by metal accents over the front windows and three-car garage.
Built in 2020 by ARK builders and slated to be their Parade of Homes entry for 2020, the house was almost complete when Garry and Kim Little signed a contract on the home in August of 2020 and moved in on October 30, 2020. They worked exclusively with Ron and Amy Cuny (ARK Builders) to complete the interior and exterior finishes of the 3,062 square foot home. What they achieved matched the exterior aesthetic—a modern farmhouse style with clean lines and white painted nickel gap complimented by provincial English oak flooring and comfortable, inviting furniture. Charles Phillips accent pieces and a unique pantry door provide a contrast of warm wood tones with rustic charm.
The home itself is spacious, comprised of four bedrooms; three and a half baths; a three-car garage; a flex room; foyer; mudroom; large open concept kitchen, dining room and living area; and a Gunite pool that was added after the Littles closed on the house. “The first thing that people notice when they come to the house is the attention to detail,” says Kim, who retired from a career in retail sales and management, while Garry is a retired Special Agent in the Air Force. “As you enter the home, you’ll see beautiful Chicago brick on each side of the foyer and black metal framed glass sliders. The great room is both inviting and cozy, with a beautiful Chicago brick fireplace, floating wooden shelves, transom windows above the door openings, and a warm coastal palette. Most people are immediately drawn to the 12-foot sliding glass doors that lead to the large rear patio and pool, where we also have motorized retractable screens. As you step down into the pool area, a retractable Sunbrella awning provides 300 square feet of shade.”