More than four years ago, as Nate and Porsha Sherman were deciding on features they wanted built into their new home, they had to strongly consider their family of eight.

The Dublin residents toured models and homes by various builders before having the Truberry Group build their home in The Glen at Tartan Fields. It would not be a plan based on a model. Instead, the Shermans wanted their own features designed to accommodate their large family.

Porsha, who works fulltime in pharmaceutical sales, wanted a living area – the kitchen, dining area and great room – where she could easily “cook, watch television and do laundry” while being close to family members. “I want to be engaged in what’s going on,” she says.

She also wanted a bridal staircase at the entry, a splendid feature she’d seen in a Truberry custom home in Ballentrae. Nate, an emergency medicine physician, requested that the home be pre-wired for sound equipment and have Internet connection availability. Truberry Group owner Scott Shively and his architects worked with the Shermans to incorporate all their wishes.

Upon entry, the foyer entails custom-built wood rails and white spindles on twin curved stairs, which reach an attractively decorated walkway above. An oversized silk floral arrangement punctuates the generous circular foyer.

The Shermans wanted a second stairway as well. The second, or back stairs, also with stained wood rails and white spindles, is opposite the window wall and is the most frequently used because it leads directly to the master suite.

A powder room to the left features a painted mural focused on Corinthian columns, illustrating Porsha’s affection for European art. At the entry to the office to the right is an authentic-looking Greek bust and pedestal that Porsha bought in Los Angeles years ago and painted white.

The foyer subtly impacts both the bath and office, where walls are curved enough to change appearance without noticeably intruding on the spaces. In the office, a small door opens to a large storage space under one of the stairways.

Through the foyer are the great room and kitchen, the latter which features cherry-stained walnut cabinets. Wood floors almost entirely cover throughout the first floor. Kitchen features include a commercial-grade, six-burner gas range and built-in double convection ovens. Granite tops sit atop the counters and an island that has stool seating for two. A short hall to one side leads to a laundry room that gets plenty of use.

A sliding door leads to an expansive patio of pavers the Shermans had built after the home was finished, the only extra feature they didn’t include during construction. The curtain over the door has a slanted line design that mirrors the lines in nearby white countertop backsplash tiles, notes Porsha.

The fire-engine-red formal dining room, with a glass table for four, is off the kitchen opposite the great room. A lighted, glass-shelved cabinet contains some of Porsha’s collection of Versace wares.

It’s in the great room that the Versace influence is greatest. Perched on two ornate shelves high on either side of the 10-window wall are two blue and gold Versace vases, gifts from Nate. The colors are used in stripes in curtains that reach the top of twin rows of windows.

The Shermans often watch television, so the great room has a flat screen above the fireplace. An ornate French tapestry, Arms of Lavois, adorns the wall above the screen.

In their second-floor quarters, the Shermans have twin walk-in closets off the master bath, which features a large shower with a glass door and twin shower heads, twin sinks in a marble top, and a soaking tub. In the bedroom, a cozy seating area is placed through an opening punctuated with columns on each side as the European influence continues.

Also on the floor, one bedroom with a full bath is for the couple’s only daughter. Boys use two rooms served by a Jack ‘n Jill bath. Bunk or twin beds are used.

In the finished lower level, the family room includes a 65-inch television central to video game playing. Off one side of the room, Nate had a theater built, complete with an overhead projector and 96-inch screen. The floor is raised 6 inches to elevate for one of two comfortable, three-person black leather couches which face the screen. Nate collects movies and all – he doesn’t know how many – are stored in closets with electronic gear on one side of the theater, also painted fire-engine red.

Overall, the couple has created a home they agree is “comfortable, elegant and great for the family,” Porsha says.

Duane St. Clair is a contributing editor for Luxury Living Magazine.

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