Special Homes
of Ellicottville
Chalet Moranda
(10/10/2008)

The tour of this exquisite, durable log home begins one mile west of Ellicottville off of Bibbs Rd. on Moranda Lane. Situated on a park like wooded, one and a half–acre lot stands one of the most magnificent log homes in the country. Regarding the house, architect, builder and proud owner Stuart Renaldo mentioned, “the home will soon be featured in a 10-12 page article in Log Home Illustrated, a nationally accredited builders and buyers magazine featuring only the best in log homes in the country.”

Renaldo was highly successful as a designer and builder of homes in Florida with a desire to return to the 4-seasons and all Ellicottville has to offer, with his wife Diana and their two daughters they pulled up roots returning to the area they love.

Green conscious and a passion for scenic Western New York motivated Renaldo to build this spectacular contemporary log home. Paying close attention to intricate details that integrate green and environmentally sustainable materials and features evolved into a 3 level, 4000 square foot, 12 room (4 bedroom, 4.5 baths) fully open concept home. “Chalet Moranda” combines the concept of tranquil Ellicottville mountain living with the beauty of natural elegance in form and function.

The home is dignified but not overwhelming. Rather, this home flows from room to room and floor to floor, designed for maximum comfort with synergy, warmth and architectural balance. The well designed floor plan incorporates the main level with all the essential functions of living, master suite, half bath, laundry, living, dining, kitchen and storage on one floor. The thinking behind this design was that this level could be separately heated and cooled when not needing to use the rest of the Chalet.

This unique log home was designed with the outdoors in mind. Wherever you are in this home your senses come alive; aesthetically correct windows bring the outside elements in, blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors. Richly stained 12” by 8” solid pine logs frame the interior structure, which along with the open and high ceilings incorporates the sense of space and style into the chalet. Abundant deck space is accessible from many points in the house plus two walkout patios to the outdoors offers additional room for entertaining.

Stuart and Diana’s desire to create a space of natural color palettes, natural looks, and natural materials was a vital element in their choice of quartz stone, colored concrete and cork flooring, while both interior and exterior walls are rich with slate, recycled from the property.

“Chalet Moranda” is comprised of 12 rooms, with the upper level being a spacious open loft living space centering two adjacent bedrooms, each with private bath c/w 10 jet Jacuzzi enclosed glass showers and comfortably furnished with mission style furniture inspired by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

The main living space accesses an open 24’x12’ kitchen that features a 300 year old, three inch thick single redwood slab as its showpiece countertop. A true chef’s delight, the kitchen features “state -of -the- art” fuel efficient Jenn-Air appliances including, counter depth refrigerator, dishwasher, two wine beverage centers with three independent cooling levels. A 5-burner Italian Bertazzoni gas stove welcomes a savory pot of homemade soup!

The adjacent 16’x14’ dining space bathed in natural light, seats the family at an 8’ dining table, hand-crafted from the same redwood tree with a single free-form top sitting on the stump in original form. A powder room serves the main area complete with a sculptured sink mounted on a hand carved redwood tree trunk appearing to be growing out of the floor!

One of the lower entrances opens to shale rock walls creatively set and stained cement floors that are warmed with in-floor radiant heat. The lower level also features an oversized 12’x33’ heated garage, mechanical room for the in floor heating system and instant hot water boiler. Two doors from the garage lead to a walk out level 12’x18 mudroom c/w a 16foot closet. The level also contains an art studio, spacious 24’x20’game room with walk out, guest room with walkout to hot tub and 10 foot ceilings.

With a home that seems to have everything the question arose on why they would want to place it on the market. The answer he gave provided insight as to where this talented architect is headed in life. “I feel that I have been given a great talent and have a drive within to keep exploring more opportunities in the area. Just as an artist moves from canvas to canvas.

To view this exquisite home contact David Blanchard at Holiday Valley Real Estate 716 699 3941.