The Tudor Country Home is a sprawling bungalow Jesse designed for a double-wide lot in Tampa Bay, FL. He created this body of work to reflect the charm of the English countryside in a fresh-faced format, featuring a range of transitional detailing that captures an invitingly grand character. In Jesse’s words, he “wanted the proportions to feel out of the ordinary in the best way possible.” To that end, the front façade of the home spans 140 feet of frontage, giving Jesse the opportunity to design proportions that feel not only expansive and grand, but also balanced to complement the setting.
As you look closer, you’ll begin to realize just how intentional every exterior detail is in the grand scheme of making the design plan feel balanced. Each of the compositional and refining elements was designed with a highly critical eye to ensure they speak to the elegant character he sought to capture. A few of my favorites include the symmetrical dormers and large bay windows clad with unique trim details, the subdued chimneys with elegant capping profiles, and the curved front porch roof supports that flank the arched entrance doors.
It’s worth noting that the most significant aspect of what makes this home’s character so special is the way Jesse addressed the first-floor flood line height. This compositional element was designed to feel so low and wide that the requirement for the home to be elevated six feet from grade becomes almost unnoticeable—its width dwarfs the perceived height. Of course, in his usual fashion, Jesse saw this as an opportunity to create tiered planter boxes that serve as extensions of the home’s façade. The result is a balanced massing that feels connected to its surroundings, to the extent that these planter boxes feel like an extension of the facade itself.
The garages, tucked off to the side, follow a similar design language and are dressed as another wing of the home. This design feature reflects the benefit of having a corner lot for Jesse to work with, as he always makes a spectacle out of the two architecturally significant façades he has to work with. In this case, the gable walls featuring arched, stable-style garage doors are a nod to the legacy of the manors and country homes that grace the Cotswolds.
He approached the interior as a place to recharge, enjoy time with family, and entertain. Each space had to feel sprawling, harness natural light, and maintain proportions that also feel grand. It’s a balancing act that Jesse maintained through every detail.
When it came to the finishes, every space had to feel highly layered, with each shade of the desired colour represented through a variety of textures. Examples of this include limewash paint, plush drapery, luxurious fabrics used for furniture and rugs, as well as the composition of millwork throughout—each contributing to a space that feels impressively curated.
The bar nook is a notable feature, as it both characterizes the ground floor with warm wood wine racks and ambient lighting and serves as the perfect space to entertain guests. It flanks the living room, which features a solid stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides of the room.
In the kitchen, the vaulted ceilings and proportions of the rooms Jesse created were used to design a space that feels impressive even when it’s empty. The composition of these spaces ensures the proportions feel architecturally intentional, a feeling enhanced by the sheer amount of natural light Jesse was able to harness. Once this impactful compositional element is paired with the kitchen millwork, island, and flooring details, the space becomes a luxurious setting for entertaining and relaxing with family. It is visually distinguished by the vaulted ceilings, which also serve as ambient lighting features, while the sprawling layout feels much more informal and connected.
Jesse specifically sought to make the principal bedroom a serene and tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. To achieve this, he created a highly layered environment that almost feels like living inside a Benjamin Moore paint colour swatch. The layering of brown tones extends across the millwork design, flooring, bedding, drapery, limewash paint finishes, and furnishings. By curating every aspect of this space, Jesse was able to create an environment that feels deeply considered and cohesive, more like a sanctuary for sleep and relaxation than a traditional “bedroom.” His hope is that clients will be hard-pressed to find a hotel that offers a higher level of comfort than what he’s designed for them at home.
The rear facade plays an equally integral role in curating the environment you experience throughout the grounds by defining the backyard amenity spaces with architectural significance. Jesse used a “C”-shaped footprint to create a rear courtyard that surrounds the pool deck, pool house, and even the principal bedroom amenities, which include a sauna and cold plunge, with architectural intention.
In doing so, Jesse created a feeling of connection between all elements. The backyard amenities align with the larger rear windows he designed to harness natural light, while the architecturally significant wings of the home that form the “C”-shaped footprint are visible from several vantage points within the home. This outdoor space serves as the final piece of the puzzle in creating a “micro-resort” made for family enjoyment, something Jesse has become known for.
Westport Manor