Fall 2022

Next-Level Entertaining

Willis Custom Homes’ contemporary industrial Clydesdale 2022 at Loch Lloyd takes the lower level to the next level. 

Words by Jessica Bahr  |  Photos by Josie Henderson

Artisan Home No. 8 | Willis Custom Homes

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hat happens when an award-winning builder gets to dream up a new take on a model meant for entertaining? You get this 2022 Artisan Home Tour entry tucked away in the woodsy, resort-like Village of Loch Lloyd—with a lower level ready for whatever party life throws your way.

It used to be that a lower level was either an afterthought or, at the very least, an overflow from the main living area. But as more homeowners desire to have their homes reflect the “live, work and play” ethos, having that additional room has become even more important. If not for working or making everyday meals, it’s a special space set aside to entertain guests in style or to serve as an in-home destination for family relaxation.

With this in mind, Patrick Willis of Willis Homes envisioned this winning Artisan submission. He went with his popular Clydesdale model and worked with frequent collaborator Betsy Judd of Judd Designs. Betsy added the details and finishing touches to round out the home’s sophisticated contemporary-industrial personality.

“The Artisan Home Tour is an opportunity to showcase something special, either to try something we’ve never done before or to implement a culmination of ideas,” Patrick says. “This is probably the most exciting version of the Clydesdale we’ve done in terms of focusing on entertainment throughout the home. This model was already designed that way, but I think here we expanded on that idea quite a bit, especially in this lower level.”

And it all starts with a floating steel staircase with quartzite treads leading down from the home’s entry. Visitors can see right away that it’s not an average stairway leading to an average lower level. A floor-to-ceiling white marble ledgestone wall draws the eye from main level to lower level in a continuous sweep, with backlit mirrored shadow boxes lighting the way.

The inviting space welcomes gaming and party enthusiasts alike, with everything from a golf simulator, a humidity-controlled bourbon-tasting room and cigar humidor, plenty of room for a pool table, a showstopper bar area, and easy access to the outdoor seating and firepit. A comfortable seating area, fitness center, two bedrooms and two bathrooms complete the level.

Much more than just overflow space, this elevated lower-level design has all the sophistication of a main floor. And, most likely, more of the fun.

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