Roswell home designed to be a gathering place

Howard Zuckerman, developer of active adult communities that appeal to the downsizing baby boomer, isn’t ready for the simple life.

Zuckerman and his wife Amy decided they needed space to attract their three grown children and friends to the homestead. They wanted their new Roswell home to be a gathering place, with a putting green, swimming pool/hot tub, pool table, outdoor entertaining area and koi pond. And a professional-grade kitchen with lots of space didn’t hurt either.

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Sean Drakes / AJC Special

Howard Zuckerman walks to the putting green.

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Sean Drakes / AJC Special

The koi pond is one of many interesting features of the Zuckerman home. The couple also pictures an English garden in their future, if the drought ever resolves.

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Sean Drakes / AJC Special

Amy and Howard Zuckerman designed their Roswell home to be a fun gathering place for the family.

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“They like coming over and making a big gourmet meal,” Amy Zuckerman, 57, said of her children, who live intown.

“With the kids having smaller places … it’s hard to get together,” she added. “And we still have our parents. Once you go small you don’t go up again.”

Howard Zuckerman, a principal of Camelot/Signature Development LLC, said they also designed it with an eye toward entertaining grandchildren someday. The home has five bedrooms, 7.5 baths, three garages and five fireplaces. Not to mention a generator.

“We designed it around a ‘hopefully’ big family one day,” he said.

She added, “Our previous yard was very small. It’s nice to have the space to move around and be in our own oasis.”

Howard Zuckerman, 58, took two years to perfect their home, of course overseeing the process.

Decorating style: The couple describe their style as “understated elegance” and modern transitional.

“We designed the house around artwork we’re collecting and glass,” Howard Zuckerman said.

Pineapple House designed the home’s interior, with much of the lighting coming from Vinings Lighting.

“We spent a lot of time trying to figure out the right light,” he said.

The home’s exterior is more in a lodge style.

“We did not want it to look dated if we sold it in 20 years,” he said.

The heart of their home: The keeping room is where the family gathers. “You’ve got the view, nature, the refrigerator and the TV,” Howard Zuckerman said.

With ample windows on the front and back of the house, the Zuckermans can admire water features in all directions. They have a fountain in the front drive, the swimming pool in the back.

“I like to sit here sometimes … just observing,” Amy Zuckerman said.

Added her husband, “The house is kind of like a resort. We don’t go to our Hilton Head condo as much.”

Future project: The Zuckermans picture an English garden in their future, if the drought ever resolves. And they continue to collect glass and artwork.

Past project: “Building this house. Once we were all done, we thought, ‘What are we supposed to do now?’ Every weekend we’ve been out looking at stuff,” Amy Zuckerman said laughing.

Coolest feature: Howard Zuckerman likes the lighting throughout the home. His wife enjoys the way the home is centered around the backyard, with good access to the pool.

Tips for good living: It’s important to plan your home before you build, Howard Zuckerman said. He encourages people to look at magazines, attend home shows as well as do Internet research.

“It’s cheaper to [make changes] on a piece of paper,” said Howard Zuckerman, noting that the final design was a collaboration of several experts.

Most cherished item: Family comes first in the Zuckerman house, but they also treasure their art collection, such as the painting by local artist Ford Smith. They’ve collected several pieces while on vacation, and their children admire the art as well. “Our kids already have it all picked out,” she said.