Diamond Custom Homes earns Two Silver Aurora Awards

Naples, Fla. — Diamond Custom Homes was recently recognized with Silver Aurora Awards for two of its southwest Florida projects during the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC), held by the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) last month in Kissimmee. The organization recognized Diamond Custom Homes’ West Bay Club project for Best Renovated or Restored Single Home, and its Modern French Chateau project, located in Naples, for Best Custom Home over 10,000 square feet. 

The Aurora Awards are presented annually to outstanding builders, planners, architects, developers, designers, interior merchandisers, and other housing-related professionals. Residential and commercial construction professionals actively involved in projects located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the Eastern Caribbean are eligible to participate.

“Our team is passionate about the hard work we perform every day to help our clients create the home of their dreams,” said Diamond Custom Homes President Michael

Diamond.  “We are pleased to be acknowledged by our peers and colleagues and in turn, we congratulate our fellow winners and industry colleagues who are equally committed to excellence.”

While searching for a new custom home, Diamond Custom Homes’ clients toured one of the company’s completed models in Quail West Golf & Country Club. The clients challenged the custom home builder with transforming the residence they ultimately purchased, a 21-year-old single-family home in West Bay Club, into a new luxury home with the same aesthetics as the Quail West model. The original design was Mediterranean with multiple arches, columns, and soffits. Spaces were broken by dropped ceilings, which made the home feel smaller than it was. The kitchen and dining room were closed off from the great room. The master bathroom had a standard tub instead of a free-standing tub, with glass block and limited storage. The study was very small, which was an issue since the owner wanted a spacious home office. Diamond Custom Homes reimagined the enclosed lanai and used part of that space to enlarge the home office/study. This required redesigning the front of the house and reinforcing the roof line. Walls in the kitchen pantry were removed to make it wider. Removing soffits opened the ceiling and made the space much airier. Taking out a knee wall and peninsula allowed for the creation of a multifunctional island. With interior design by Freestyle Interiors and custom cabinetry by EDGE, the transformed home is transitional; meaning, a blend between modern and traditional, with a more fully open floor plan, added closet space and higher ceilings.

Diamond Custom Homes’ modern French château-style project is a stunning new custom estate in a Naples gated golf course community. Outdoors, this six-bedroom, seven bathroom home makes a grand statement with multiple columns, balconies, and French doors. Inside, the drama continues with open, elegant rooms including a bar, home theater, spacious loft, and stunning lanai, in a dramatically clean, modern black and white palette. Blue accents add appeal and adaptability. The home’s interior design was completed by Pacifica Interior Design, with custom cabinetry by EDGE.

“This custom-built residence epitomizes the Diamond process – prioritizing the details to build our client’s dream home,” said Diamond. “The finished home is elegantly well-appointed and equally functional for our clients.”

Incredible through-views extend from the two-story home’s entry through to its outdoor living areas. Horizontal gallery hallways located on both floors connect the surrounding spaces. Kitchen highlights include custom cabinetry, oversized stainless steel range hood, two center islands, and double-door refrigerator flanked by built-in ovens. A dining room with a wet bar is located off the great room, with six access doors to the back lanai. Upstairs, via elevator or staircase, is a spacious lounge with wet bar and office, gas fireplace and balcony with sweeping backyard and golf course fairway views. The loggia features a full kitchen, covered seating and conversation areas, unique pool design with sun shelf, daybed, spa, reflective pool, stepping-stones, fire pit, and powder room. Significant architectural and engineering plan changes, after construction had begun, resulted in redesigning the first floor living spaces and converting the fitness room into a bar which opens to the pool. Considering southwest Florida’s climate, concrete-block second floor exterior walls are practical enhancements.

Established in 1979, the Aurora Awards are presented each year to outstanding homebuilders, architects, developers, interior designers, and interior merchandisers. This year’s competition drew nearly 400 entries in 61 categories. Entries were reviewed by a panel of six building industry leaders. Judges are selected from among the most creative and successful individuals within the homebuilding industry and represent the many disciplines contributing to building and design, as well as geographic diversity.

About Diamond Custom Homes

Diamond Custom Homes creates and renovates luxury residences for discerning homeowners in Southwest Florida’s most prestigious communities and neighborhoods. The firm is known for quality craftsmanship, creative custom designs, and concierge estate management services, as a fully accredited member of the National Home Watch Association. Offices are located at 9130 Galleria Court, Suite 204, in Naples. For more information, visit www.DiamondCustomHomes.com.