CUSTOM HOME BUILDER - PERSONAL PREFERENCE

The personalities of Andy and Asia Backus shine through the design of their 4,400-square-foot, custom home in Oshkosh. The newlyweds blended the practical and the luxurious in their three-bedroom, two and a half bath home that sits on a three-quarter acre wooded lot in an Oshkosh subdivision complete with a pond and abundant wildlife.

Andy Backus, the owner of Fine Homes by Andrew, LLC, had worked for his father, Len Backus, for eight years at Andrew Homes designing homes for others in Oshkosh, Appleton and Fond du Lac before opening his own business.

Now it was his turn

"Asia and I wanted it to look like a young couple moved into an older, character home," Backus said. To achieve that look, the Backus's blended a variety of styles from classic to contemporary and took advantage of the lay of the land to ensure a sun dappled hearth room with wood-burning fireplace next to the open concept kitchen.

While the custom home has many luxury features, it has its practical side as well in the heated garage with the dog shower for the Backus' two dogs. They chose dark floor tiles to hide big muddy paw prints, they said.

• Cedar shingles
• Walk-in pantry off the kitchen
• First floor study with built in bookshelves and maple crown molding
• Large finished lower-level rec room with wet bar
• Second floor laundry

Family Matter

The Kitchen

When entertaining everyone wants to hang around the kitchen, builder, Andy Backus, said. On one side of the kitchen is an arched opening over the sin to allow for interaction with the family room, noteworthy for its huge fireplace and nearly floor to ceiling windows. They beautified their home adding cabinetry in the kitchen with furniture-style bases, gleaming black granite countertops, and a dining room with maple columns and a transom window, coffered ceiling, and custom maple built-ins to show off family heirlooms and pieces of art, some created by Asia Backus' mother, Oshkosh artist and teacher, Sue Hazelberg.

The Bedroom and Bath

Of special note is the couple's master bedroom suite. It is different from the rest of the home in that it has painted white woodwork rather than dark wood tones. The Backus's wanted an elegant, yet cozy feel to their bedroom. The suite boasts his and her walk in closets and vanities, a whirlpool tub, and a separate two person shower.