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Casa de Colina: The Hill House
Casa de Colina
The Hill House
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By Ray Hunter Photography by Walt Roycraft
1 This 2,200 square foot single-family home has three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. There is a three-car garage, and the one on the end is over 46 feet long with space for two vehicles. The roof is made with a lightweight, stone-coated metal product manufactured by Decra Roofing Systems. Mark and Sonya chose this look to mimic the authentic barrel-style Mediterranean appearance of most Spanish-inspired homes and the simplicity of installation.
2 Spanish-style living spaces not only feel traditional and sophisticated, but they also embody a sense of warmth and comfort. This stunning kitchen features off-white cabinets, beautiful countertops, and exposed natural hand-hewn wood beams to give it a rustic Spanish feel.
3 Spanish design often pays homage to history and maintains vintage elements throughout the space. This living room features oversized white leather sofas that give it a luxurious and vintage vibe. Sprinkled in throughout the rest of the room are other Spanishinfluenced accessories like pottery and natural wood elements.
Situated roughly ten minutes outside of downtown Ashland in Hickory Pointe sits a stunning and unique Spanish-inspired home. Owners Mark and Sonya Breeding named their retirement home “Casa de Colina,” which means “the hill house” in Spanish because of the elevated area on which it sits.
“The views are breathtaking. We can see for miles across the Eastern Kentucky hills and valleys,” Mark said. “Often in the mornings, there is fog lying in the valleys and reminds us of the Great Smoky Mountains.”
Mark Breeding is a certified appraiser, auctioneer, realtor, author, and builder. “I helped develop the neighborhood with John Dean and Gene Wilburn 14 years ago and have built six luxury homes here in Hickory Pointe,” Mark said. “Out of the six homes I’ve built up here, four have been Mediterranean, which is unique for an eastern Kentucky subdivision.”
The couple both fell in love with the Mediterranean-style and Spanish revival architecture in their youth. “I saw the rich architectural style of Spanish-inspired homes on my first visit to California in my early twenties and could never get it out of my system,” Mark said. “Sonya lived in Florida for several years when she was younger and also fell in love with Mediterranean styles and designs, so we have that in common and seldom disagree on design and decor.”
Spanish eclectic architecture, also known as Spanish revival, has its roots in the rich architecture of Spain and Latin America. These timeless homes blend Moorish, Mediterranean, and Spanish Colonial elements.
During the building process, Mark worked closely with architect W.A. “Bud” Lawrence, Principal Owner Managing Partner and Chief Designer of Period Style Homes in Fort Myers, Florida. For over forty years, Lawrence has designed houses in the classical, traditional, and vernacular styles nationally and internationally.
“I found him online while searching for Spanish Revival house plans. We wanted to know if Mr. Lawrence could replace the ranch-style exterior with a Spanish Revival design utilizing the floorplan we found,” Mark said. “I explained we also wanted a couple of cathedral ceilings with beams and the end garage to be lengthened to double size.” Eventually, the Breeding’s and Mr. Lawrence agreed on details and price for the custom design and waited to receive the blueprints. “I remember we were having dinner at a local restaurant when Mark checked his emails on his phone, and his eyes lit up,” Sonya said. “He immediately turned his phone so that I could see the pictures of the home from the architect. Mr. Lawrence had certainly given us an authentic design on the exterior.”
Warm, welcoming, and utterly stylish, few interior design styles are more romantic than Spanish-style designs. Sonya is a Registered Nurse who trains home health aides. She also has a love for interior design and tackled the job herself.
“Sonya did an outstanding job with the interior decor choices, including the wall decor pieces and accent pieces throughout the home,” Mark said.
“We both agreed to choose the dark stained interior doors and trim and stuccoed taupe walls,” Sonya said. “It was important to both of us to stay as authentic as possible with everything, including the interior design and decor.”
Another popular feature of Spanish revival homes is the private courtyard, perfect for entertaining in milder climates. The courtyard door is made with reclaimed cedar boards from a 200-yearold dairy farm in Gallia County, Ohio.
“If I had to choose the one place I love more than any in the entire house, it would be the courtyard,” Mark said. “The view from there is breathtaking, and it gives us a place to display Mediterranean pots with a variety of colorful flowers.”
Despite the home’s traditional style, it is equipped with a music system, security system, and cameras.
“With the latest phone apps and technology, we can speak with a visitor, see who it is and unlock our gates from anywhere in the world,” Mark said. “I think we’re finally settled in, and the projects are all finished. Time to relax and enjoy the place with good friends and family.”
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4 Paired with complementary pieces and lighter design elements, the master bedroom is designed with dark furniture that offers an air of luxury and relaxation.
5 This elegant master bathroom is fresh and crisp without feeling sterile. The various shades of off-white and grey throughout the space give the room depth without feeling overly stark.
6 Mark’s home office is rustic and neutral and incredibly inviting. This is where he completes most of his work-from-home obligations. Spanish design is all about showing off family heirlooms and embracing history at home.
7 The rear porch, paved in traditional materials, such as brick, flagstone, and tile, allows for a relaxing atmosphere to entertain guests.
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8 Hand-painted Mexican Talavera 4x4 tiles enhance the home’s foyer, hallway, two bathrooms, laundry room and dining room. This stunning terra cotta style porcelain floor tile was also used to accent around the fireplace, the kitchen backsplash, and one bathroom shower. The mural on the ceiling of the dining room (by Ashland artist Mike Spears) “opens” the room, giving it an outdoor vibe.
9 The private courtyard is Breeding’s favorite spot in the home. “If I had to choose the one place I love more than any in the entire house, it would be the courtyard,” Mark said. The courtyard door is made with reclaimed cedar boards from a 200-year-old dairy farm in Gallia County, Ohio.
10 This Spanish-style home boasts thick, textured stucco walls. Heavy wooden doors and gates are also noticeable features. Warm, rich wooden doors complement the home’s light stucco color. The Mediterranean-style fountain was purchased in Lexington from Housewarmings on Palumbo Drive several years ago. It was used at a previous Italian-style home in the same development, and Mark and Sonya had it moved to “Casa de Colina.”
Builder Mark Breeding
Landscape Design Landscaping by Hillcrest
