Villa on the Edge of Romance

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“Romantic, exotic and sexy” aren't words ordinarily used to describe Rogue Valley homes, but, then again, there's nothing ordinary about Jimy and Kelly Angel's 4,000 square foot house that graces a Medford hilltop.

With Moroccan tiles, Italian filigree chandeliers and an antique sleigh bed recovered from a crumbling castle in Switzerland, the 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, U-shaped villa takes classic Mediterranean design to a new level of luxury that's been kissed by contemporary touches.

“We wanted to create an open-air environment where we could relax and soak up the surroundings,” Jimy says of the vista from Table Rock to Mt. Ashland. “Basically Kelly and I wanted a house that totally takes us away form our workdays and makes us feel like we're in another world.”

Inspired by “20 years of daydreams” and a life of travel, the villa was designed by Medford salon owner and father of Lauren, 11, and Maxfield, 4.

Jimy envisioned entering a huge main floor and living space through giant, arched, wooden doors. A casual, sunny kitchen would hide behind a partial wall in one corner, leading to the “work wing” of the house – laundry room, storage and garage. On the other side of the living area would be the kids' wing and a guest room. Facing the front door would be a grand staircase curving up to a sumptuous master bedroom. Nearly all the rooms would open onto an interior courtyard that beckons with beautiful, sheer fabrics blowing in the mountain breeze.

To make sure his idea became reality, Jimy turned to Ashland designer Nola O'Hara, of O'Hara Interiors. Nola gave an enthusiastic nod to the basic design and suggested a few minor changes. “We raised the height of some windows to maximize views and raised the hearths on the fireplaces to create larger gathering spots for family and friends.”

Nola also helped pick the soft colors that make the house so inviting. “Jimy basically told me he wanted a real lively Moroccan feel that fits his personality – very creative, fun-loving and hopelessly romantic.”

After researching Mediterranean design, they decided on a subdued, pre-sunrise pink for the exterior and chose varying shades of gold and terra cotta for the inside walls. Red, yellow and blue tiles for the stairs were imported from Morocco and, for a more modern feel, amber glass mosaic tiles were used on the living room fireplace and in both the bathrooms.

Once the walls were up and painted and the exterior balustrades were chosen, it was time to decorate. Jimy called Kissy Millner, owner of Terra Firma Home in Medford. Together they created the perfect “Bohemian chic” style that blended his collection of art, candles, religious icons and eclectic furniture with traditional Mediterranean elements and a few cleaner, more linear pieces that would add an edge to the romance.

Keeping true to Jimy's vision of exotic-meets-inviting. Krissy focused on texture and fabrics by using wool, silk and cotton throughout the house – on floors, furniture, windows, and even walls and ceilings.

To lend warmth to the massive living room, Krissy layered imported rugs, upon which sits a custom-designed, large-scale sectional covered in chocolate brown chenille.

“It adds more drama to the space,” says Krissy. “A room that large needs to carry something significant that isn't overpowered by the other focal points. Then we added the striped chair with fabric from Italy – the flash of exuberant upholstery really captures the essence of Jimy.”

More exotica awaits after winding up the staircase around a cement urn sprouting a towering family of exotic plants. The 1,000 square foot master bedroom evokes a Middle Eastern den, tended by yards of Indian silk, warmed by a fireplace and furnished with low benches and cushions covered in metallic Moroccan textiles. Jimy and Kelly's substantial sleigh bed sits at an angle, away from the walls.

The master bath, completely open to the rest of the room, also wears Jimy's signature stamp of luxury. A Kohler Infinity tub that fills from a ceiling spout sits between a picture window and a limestone and marble shower. Italian light fixtures, a glass medallion floor inset and drawers that warm towels, pajamas and blankets make an everyday toilette anything but routine.

“We wanted the bedroom to be where the whole family ends up, watching TV, doing homework, talking,” says Jimy. “And it had to have a bit of fantasy – like being in a genie's bottle in another part of the world.”

In fact, every room in the voluptuous villa is like stepping into a fairytale, proving that, at least for Jimy and Kelly Angel, dreams really do come true.

by Jennifer Strange for Homelife

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