Whatever its proper title, this is a home with more visual high points than one usually sees in a dwelling of moderate size. High on the list of unique features are 11 different types of marble, leading to the owner’s (highly logical) assumption that this 1920s structure was occupied previously by someone “in the business.” Marble’s first appearance is in the floor of the enclosed porch, where three different types were used. There also is a border made of marble that gives the appearance of carpet. The porch apparently was enclosed a long time ago, given the age of the brass fixtures on the windows. It currently functions as the owner’s office and projects a wonderful openness, partly due to its picture-window connection to the living room behind it.

The marble tour continues: Once inside, visitors will observe a magnificent marble fireplace to the right. Marble covers top most of the home’s radiators and window seats. Behind the dining room, the wainscoting in the home’s sleek kitchen is marble. And behind the kitchen is a step-down pantry lined with (that’s right) marble.

But scores of (non-marble) modifications also have been made to this gem. High on the list is its parquet-like floor stenciling, which first appears in the sunroom. Done by local artist Laurel Herbold, the floors then were urethaned to preserve the art. Even more extensive stenciling was done in the dining room. A magazine cover inspired the design, which resembles the face of a compass. The dining room also has original built-in cabinets with leaded glass. The exposed beams in the dining room were painted to match the other wood accents.

Of further interest, the kitchen has glass walls, called Vitrolite. The pattern on the kitchen walls was used to make the stencil in the hallway and kitchen floors. The present owner added the stainless steel appliances. The walls in the bathroom also are glass. Because of this, the showerhead had to be installed in the ceiling. And of course, the bathroom’s baseboards are made of (that’s right) marble.

Further floor stenciling is evident in the master bedroom, which contains the owner’s collection of Audubon prints. A second bedroom (not original to the house) contains a large antique bed—a family heirloom.

Lastly, the interior’s imaginative tones and color combinations evolved in an amusing way: The owner provided an interior designer with a children’s book and a William Morris calendar demonstrating the colors and tones that appealed to him. The designer then selected color combinations that fit both the owner’s interests and the home’s architecture.

From the enclosed back porch, visitors move to an anti-yard, designed and installed by the current owner. Instead of grass it contains a stunning array of lush plantings, a pond, a small shrine, and even an elaborate gravestone for a previous owner’s pet. How much doubt could there be that Breeze (perhaps a dog or cat) and its master(s) were right at home in this unique dwelling. After all, marble is a “breeze” to clean.

Look For:
-- Fainting couch in the sunroom from British Colonial India, c., late 1800s.
-- Dining room floor painted and polyurethaned to simulate parquet. Star design is emulated in the framework of the dining room table.
-- One-of-a-kind furniture throughout, including the living room screen and most of the living room furniture, including the “rudder chair” which are prototypes created by interior designer John F. Koncar.