Custom-built is best when you're the builder

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Custom-built is best when you're the builder

Lori and Robert Beardslee's custom-built home in BridgeMill in Cherokee County sports all the right details -- because Robert is a custom builder.

Lori and Robert Beardslee spend a good amount of time in the basement of their Canton home, entertaining friends and family. Robert Beardslee, who builds custom homes, made the ceilings 12-feet high so it doesn't feel or look like a typical basement.

The Beardslees live in the BridgeMill subdivision of Cherokee County. Robert hand picked their lot and added custom details throughout. Lori is a mortgage broker.

The breakfast area flows into the great room of the Beardslee house, which features 25-foot coffered ceilings.

Robert Beardslee built stone archways like this one in the dining room to give it an old world feel.

Lori Beardslee had draperies made for the dining room that are more for ornament than function. She loves her windows and doesn't like to cover them up.

Lori Beardslee used the antique high chair in the dining room for both of her sons. Her two boys are now in college.

The kitchen in the basement includes a small, two-burner range and other appliances. The chairs are from the 1920's and are the same style as one found in Elvis Presley's home at Graceland.

A closeup of the Elvis barstool.

The pool room has a secret door that leads to a storm shelter/safe room with 10-inch thick concrete walls.

The couple love to fill and empty their 1,500-bottle wine cellar. Lori Beardslee also does tastings in the room with her friends.

The exercise room includes life-size photos of Jerry Rice and Joe Montana for inspiration. Robert Beardslee is a huge San Francisco 49ers fan.

The kitchen was built with a variety of smart features, including pull-out spice racks next to the stove and a microwave drawer built into the island.

The kitchen has ample room for entertaining. Lori Beardslee loves to cook, but the family is eating out this week after an intense week of holiday gatherings.

Details from Robert Beardslee's upstairs office, including a "Bob the Builder" doll. (Some of his friends refer to him by that name.) His commute is short since he's currently building the house next door.

Robert Beardslee likes to include lots of details in his homes such as the coffered tray ceiling in the master bedroom with rope lighting.

The double, dark wood vanities contrast with the light tile in the master bathroom. A lighting expert recommended using sconces on the mirrors instead of a light bar. Lori Beardslee loves the result.

A guest bedroom is done in black and tan tones with safari accents.

Guests are treated well at the Beardslees' home. The guest bath includes a Jacuzzi tub and separate shower. Lori Beardslee hung a wooden wall hanging above the tub to give the room visual interest. It looks like an antique from Bali, but Beardslee said it probably came from a home decor store.

This photo of Lori Beardslee and son T.J. hangs outside his bedroom, much to his chagrin.

The basement media room includes a 110-inch projection television surrounded by wood trim.

This is the sitting room in the master bedroom. Lori Beardslee calls her style eclectic and finds her decor and furnishings in a variety of places.

Lori Beardslee used a cool technique to paint the walls of the basement bathroom. She took crinkled tissue paper, glued it to the walls and then painted over it, giving the walls a faux plaster effect.

A few of Lori Beardslee's antiques remain. She has collected antiques since she was 19, but she has pared down in recent years. A baby stroller from the 1920's, which was actually used by her sons, is parked in a guest room.

The downstairs powder room was built with a half wall to separate the toilet and sink.

Custom builder Robert Beardslee is known for his trim details. The keeping room's elaborate wood ceiling is what Beardslee calls a tongue-and-groove ceiling with open beams.

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Lori and Robert Beardslee spend a good amount of time in the basement of their Canton home, entertaining friends and family. Robert Beardslee, who builds custom homes, made the ceilings 12-feet high so it doesn't feel or look like a typical basement.

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