ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida - Nestled within a heavily wooded community of oaks sculptured by time and salt breezes, the Waterford model by Brylen Homes celebrates coastal Florida architecture and offers all the conveniences today's home buyers desire in a new home. Sisler Johnston Interior Design recently completed the Waterford model's interior design at Istoria, a picturesque community in northern St. Johns County.

"Brylen's Waterford plan is a new interpretation of a best-selling classic," said Judith Sisler Johnston, president, Sisler Johnston Interior Design and ASID Allied Member. "Walls were removed to completely open the kitchen into the entertainment areas. The visual expanse, upon entering the home, runs front to back and side to side. The entertainment potential of such open space is tremendous."

The Waterford model home features 3,139 square feet with four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. The tree canopy surrounding the home provides a picturesque view from virtually every window. A courtyard home by design with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a natural stone splash pool, the home has a cascading waterfall and lush colorful landscaping, the kind of oasis one might stumble upon when hiking through a rocky forest terrain.

"The view from every room is like gazing at a beautiful landscape painting by a fine artist," Sisler Johnston said. "To complement this lush environment, I used warm and cool earth shades like moon glow, bronze, umber, and charcoal."

Sisler Johnston chose 20-inch porcelain tile flooring in roman noche, gold, and bronze for the first floor living spaces and installed the stone on a 45 degree angle to visually widen the already spacious and open home. The wall tints are macadamia and the lighting fixtures are Old World bronze with alabaster glass. In the foyer, an oval console has a rich walnut finish. Painted matte black framing and hand-applied stenciling create an exotic entry statement.

The living room seating group faces the gas fireplace. It has an understated, traditional painted wood mantle and millwork surround. A three-panel iron scroll screen was added to the fireplace décor, and a dramatic black background oil painting of a southern magnolia branch graces the wall above the mantle.

The raw silk sofa is in putty tones with a weave of charcoal threaded through the fibers. Accent pillows have small print geometrics and large print tropical leaves. The charcoal background print is repeated in the lounge chair and a scrolled arm chair has putty velvet striping. All of the tables are walnut with lamp tables painted in black.

In the dining room, black, wheel-back side chairs surround the table, which has a rustic walnut inlay top and a scrolled pewter iron base. The upholstered host chairs have short box-pleated seat skirts, which give the appearance of slip covers and evokes a relaxed ambiance for entertainment and dining.

By completely removing the kitchen walls, the preparation island doubles as a wet bar for the formal living areas. The island is brown cherry and the granite reflects bronze and putty highlights while the kitchen cabinets are cherry wood, painted in latte with a mocha glaze. The breakfast room sits against a wall of glass overlooking the lush natural backyard. The chairs have bronze spindles framed in brown cherry and the glass-top table reflects the wooded backyard.

For the guest suite, Sisler Johnston selected a black-painted pine secretary/storage armoire. The rattan patterned comforter is topped with pillows in Cajun spice and a black tropical print. The black-patterned window coverings cascade from bamboo rods at ceiling height and have jeweled trim and beads.

The powder room pool bath has a stone wainscot with tiny glass mosaic tile bands to separate it from the wall covering's textural grassy weave. A freestanding furniture sink is tailored in its styling. It has a mahogany wood base with a black galaxy granite top and antique pewter hardware. Designed for privacy, the master retreat has its own foyer and reveals a room filled with Moroccan intrigue. Sisler Johnston selected a poster bed from Lane's National Geographic Collection. The nightstands have open shelving with drawers and the dresser has British Campaign style hardware. It is topped by an oval mirror with black marquetry inlays. The bed coverings are doeskin suede with faint tropical leaves embroidered into the fabric. Sisler Johnston added black accents and painted all of the walls in soft sage.

The master bath has a whirlpool tub, frameless glass walk-in shower and two vanities including a desk-height makeup counter. The two window walls have geometric floating cornice embellishments. Extensive tile patterns, evident in every bathroom throughout the house, are part of this room's décor. Another guest bedroom is designed to appeal to the boating enthusiast. The antique, hand-painted louver front dresser and nightstands are stained sage/aqua over pine and rubbed through with a bronze glaze in the corners. The headboard has a creamy finish with worn corner louvers revealing deep wood tones underneath. Painted in spa tones, the room is decorated with nautical maps, beach-themed art and accessories.

The upstairs bonus room has a refreshment bar with granite countertops and pewter hardware contained within cherry cabinets. One area of the room has a professional billiards table and another has a pub table with seating for two. A wall-mounted plasma television is a focal point in this fun-filled family space. For window treatments, instead of traditional rods Sisler Johnston used neutral drapery panels and medallion-shaped valances suspended from miniature pool cues. The billiards style is also featured in the room's framed art.

Along with experiencing the award-winning company's interior design work in the Waterford model at Istoria, Brylen home buyers choose their new home selections with the assistance of a professional designer from Sisler Johnston Interior Design.

"Brylen Homes has a longstanding practice of providing their homebuyers with the services of a professional, licensed residential designer from our talented staff," Sisler Johnston said. "Homebuyers visit our design center to select from the fine finishes Brylen offers in a setting where they receive professional assistance to design the home they have always aspired to own. Because Brylen Homes esteems each home and homeowner, they include this professional service in the purchase price of their homes at Istoria."

To visit Istoria, travel U.S. Highway 1 to Island Landing Drive and the entrance to Eagle Creek. Go right on Capo Island Road to the Istoria entrance on the left.

Sisler Johnston Interior Design of Jacksonville creates award-winning interior designs with timeless elegance and classic style. The company offers comprehensive services for residential and commercial clients. Sisler Johnston Interior Design specializes in luxurious living spaces for exceptional homes. The company also designs model homes and commercial spaces, including condominiums, hotels, community amenity centers and office suites.

Judith Sisler Johnston and her team of licensed, highly trained and gifted designers combine experience, knowledge and professionalism to help clients develop their vision while analyzing their design requirements. The company celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2004 and has been recognized with more than 75 industry awards, including Aurora, Laurel, Excel and the National Association of Home Builders Senior Housing awards.

For more information about Sisler Johnston Interior Design, call (904) 288-0908