Mon | Sep 8, 2025

Dream House | A Hanover home of daring simplicity, bold design

Published:Sunday | September 7, 2025 | 12:15 AM
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The angular living room in all its splendour, enclosed within walls of sliding glass.
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The angular living room in all its splendour, enclosed within walls of sliding glass.
The primary bathroom, with its own private toilet room, a floating twin sink vanity, a soaking tub, and a sliding glass rain shower.
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The primary bathroom, with its own private toilet room, a floating twin sink vanity, a soaking tub, and a sliding glass rain shower.
The primary bedroom ceiling is amazingly illuminated by hidden lighting.
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The primary bedroom ceiling is amazingly illuminated by hidden lighting.
The grand double staircase is a sculptural focal point of this architecture.
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The grand double staircase is a sculptural focal point of this architecture.
This dream abode boldly challenges what we have long come to expect in residential design. It raises eyebrows.
Contributed
This dream abode boldly challenges what we have long come to expect in residential design. It raises eyebrows.
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This dream house has courageously broken free from the constraints of the tried and tested in its renovation. It has dauntlessly challenged what so many of us have lived and come to expect in residential design.

Protruding from the building on its sloping lot, we are met with a grand, split-double staircase that is not only functional but also goes further by creating a transformative, sculptural focal point. We also see unusually angled walls, adding to the raising of eyebrows.

As we step inside the angular-shaped rooms, we are greeted by walls of extensive sliding glass that frame stunning views of the azure Caribbean Sea. What comes as a shocker is that the remaining solid walls are deliberately left completely bare, with no paintings or other decorations.

This is a minimalist, contemporary atmosphere, where the strict adherence to simplicity leads to the avoidance of clutter (including furniture arrangement), creating a peaceful, airy atmosphere and a sense of spaciousness.

A point of interest is that the plain walls throughout the interior are intentionally painted all white. This allows for a timeless, clean look, reflecting sunlight beautifully and letting the surrounding décor stand out.

The floor plan pleases the eye with an expansive, fully air-conditioned home, encompassing spacious living and dining areas, and a dedicated games room, featuring a pool table and flowing seamlessly onto vantage terraces. The plan also provides for a fully equipped kitchen.

Feel free to take a nap in any of the five bedrooms, all en-suites. The primary bathroom with a private toilet, a floating dual-sink vanity, a soaking tub, and a double sliding-glass rain shower. High ceilings right through the residence impress, with many amazingly illuminated by hidden lights.

Outside, notable features include the brick deck, swimming pool, and lush shaded gardens.

The residence is to be found in a ritzy, gated and guarded hillside community, in the parish of Hanover. It has private access to beach, golf and tennis amenities.

As we bid farewell, the nature of the house reminds us of a quote on simplicity by Hans Hofmann, one of the most inspirational art teachers of the 20th century: “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak!”

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barryrattray1@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.