The multi-award-winning builder’s latest show home goes beyond “wow” as the 2,532-square-foot move-up home captures the winsome charm of the coastal French Country design with an elegant modern twist.

The Vida is part of Mahogany’s new Lakeland Collection. It’s as gorgeous as it is playful, functional and stylish with plenty of warmth — a home that can impress guests but comfortable enough for a relaxed family lifestyle.

It is not the first time that Sabal Homes uses the Vida as a show home, but the Lakeland Collection edition presents Vida as it has never been seen before. “The last time we featured a Vida show home, was designed more along a classic, traditional theme. This time, we’ve given it a more modern flair,” says Brad Vogelsang, Sabal’s regional sales manager for Calgary.

Any designer can tell you that going with a modern design can be a double-edged sword, as this can sometimes make homes come off as cold and uninviting. But Sabal somehow always seems to pull this off with style and ease.

An understated play on dark and light themes is felt throughout the home, elegant white quartz countertops and the marble random strip full-height backsplash in the kitchen blend seamlessly with the charcoal oak cabinetry and the Foxwood maple hardwood flooring. Obsidian black tiles in the foyer further add to the stately feel. “There is a Zen-like quality to the design, a very symmetrical alignment of design elements,” he adds.

The kitchen grabs the attention and does not let go. A 12-foot eating bar runs the length and flows into a U-shaped counter, where sexy (not to mention energy-efficient) stainless steel appliances add dramatic focal points to the setting. “As with any Sabal product, the kitchen is not just a kitchen, it’s a great central location for parties and large gatherings,” Vogelsang says.

“The area is generously sized and expertly designed to be the centre of entertainment for special occasions, and also provides a comfortable setting for the day-to-day life of the family. But it’s always ready for a party.”

The standard nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows, that are hallmarks of Sabal Homes, have an even bigger impact with the open-to-above staircase — that makes the 1,096-square-foot main floor seem even more spacious than it already is. The stair’s open space is oversized as well, encompassing part of the generously sized lifestyle room and allowing more natural light into the home.

The lifestyle room with the built-in shelving that frames the centre fireplace gives it a cozy air that encourages friendly conversations by the fireside.

“The dining room is particularly huge, and hosts can comfortably hold court here in an airy, well-lit space that can accommodate a hall-sized dining table,” Vogelsang notes.

The 1,397-square-foot second-floor is neatly designed too, with an eye for the family’s comfort and convenience. The walk-thru entertainment room is situated right in the middle of the upper floor making an excellent buffer between the kids’ rooms and the master retreat. “This gives the owners a lot more privacy, kids can be watching movies or playing video games here and not bother anyone else in the household,” Vogelsang says.

The upstairs laundry room is another popular choice, and this one is equipped to make even the most arduous chore a snap with plenty of elegant cabinetry and built-in shelving, even a small TV of its own.

The master retreat is a private world, where the owners can relax in spacious, airy comfort, even coming with it’s own luxurious spa environment in its attached ensuite (just check out the glass-encased, dual-head shower stall) and the massive walk-in closet with its impressive array of built-in shelving.

“Buyers have a choice of either going with stucco-and-stone exterior or the James Hardy siding, but whatever they choose, they know it’s going to stand out even in an upscale neighbourhood like this,” he says.

Price starts at a very reasonable $507,000 and Vogelsang says all can agree that living in the award-winning lake community of Mahogany is the cherry on top of it all.

In fact, the only real debate with regards to the Vida is how the name is pronounced, with a long “i” sound (as in “rider”) or the short “i” (as in “diva”), but everyone can agree: it is the embodiment of the sweet life.

FAST FACTS:
BUILDER: Sabal Homes 
AREA: Mahogany
DEVELOPER: Hopewell Residential Communities
STYLE: Two-storey move-up single-family home
SIZE: 2,532 sq. ft.
PRICE: Starts at $507,000
ADDRESS: 64 Mahogany Heath S.E.
DIRECTIONS: South on Deerfoot Trail and east on Hwy. 22X and follow the signs.
HOURS: Monday to Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m.
PHONE: 403 452.6177

For more information, visit http://www.sabalhomes.com