This Homes for You

An Anheuser-Busch exec and his family found their dream home in a Porto Cima cove, and set about making it their very own.

Cindy Kane and Jim Brickey live in St. Louis, but come to the Lake every weekend and often during the week. They used to have a condo at Regatta Bay, but found that they spent most of their time on the water in their favorite cove in Porto Cima. There was one particular house in the cove that Cindy often said was her “dream home.” Last spring, the couple discovered that the house was on the market, and Jim put a contract on the property. Later, he told Cindy the deal had fallen through.

Then on the Saturday of the Fourth of July weekend, the couple was celebrating their four-year anniversary together. They took a boat ride and went to the familiar cove. As they neared the house, Jim turned to Cindy and said, “Happy Anniversary baby, welcome home!”

For a few moments, Cindy was too stunned to react. Then she noticed that all of their family and friends were waiting on the dock. “I almost had a heart attack,” Cindy says.

Although they bought the house mostly furnished, Jim had personalized it with framed photos of their kids, and many other special items to make the new house their home. Cindy, who works for Trouveer and Associates as a medical staffing consultant, has three children: Nate, 15; Alex, 13; and Sophia, 9. Jim is the vice president of human resources for Anheuser-Busch. He has two children: Taylor, 17; and Jimmy, 13. The family dogs, Bree, a Maltepoo, and Hunter, a Yorkie, have the run of the house.

This family’s dream home is Tuscan-inspired, with a Dijon yellow, stucco-type Dryvit exterior accented with white pillars, and a multicolored tile roof. The stained-clay heated driveway edged with textured concrete leads to a four-car garage.

The 8,100-square-foot residence, built by Four Seasons Homes, is filled with custom amenities. The grand entryway features an arch with spans of glass of up to 11 feet layered with detailed wrought iron. The double doors open into a magnificent foyer. Underfoot is a red onyx marble floor highlighted by an inlaid marble medallion. Throughout the house are several eagle sculptures. The eagle is the trademark symbol of Anheuser-Busch.

One step down from the foyer is the formal living room. With hardwood floors, a carved white stone gas fireplace and a double tray ceiling with tiered backlighting, it’s the perfect setting to showcase the Tuscan- style furniture with ornately turned wood enhancements. Large, arched windows offer a stunning view of the Lake.

The kitchen is a culinary delight. Recently, a friend of Cindy and Jim’s who is a gourmet chef came to visit. Cindy says that when he saw the kitchen, he didn’t want to leave the area to tour the rest of the home. The room was designed not only for beauty, but also for efficiency. A granite-topped, angled, raised bar has a lower level with a double sink. The work island offers a bar sink and two warming drawers. The Wolf stove is a workhorse with its double ovens, six gas burners, a griddle and grill. The custom cabinets and range-hood cover are designed with an Old World feel, and tiles above the stove add to the Italian countryside theme. White crown molding and pillars throughout the house complete the Mediterranean ambiance.

“I love the kitchen,” Cindy says. “I want to take cooking lessons so I can take better advantage of all of these appliances.”

There is a small eating area by the kitchen for informal meals. Completing the rear area of the home is a family room, and a long balcony off the kitchen made of ornate wrought iron.

The master wing of the home includes a large master suite with a magnificent panoramic view. French doors open onto a balcony. The master bath features a 10-foot-tall glass shower and a square Jacuzzi tub framed with a sweeping arch and white columns. The marble floor is laid in a checkerboard design. The master wing also includes a powder room and a study with another full bath. This room could be converted into a seventh bedroom suite if desired. Another bedroom suite and a large laundry room are also located on the main floor.

A wide staircase featuring ornate wrought iron in a scroll pattern anchored by custom wooden posts leads down to the lower level. The family room is less formal with comfy leather seating, a gas fireplace and a pool table.

“This is where we live,” Cindy says. “The kids love to play pool and we have family tournaments.”

Another full kitchen is also less formal than the one on the upper level, with bisque-colored custom cabinets and white appliances. Above the cabinets is a colorful countryside display replete with silk flowers and produce.

The lower level includes two master suites — both immediately claimed by the kids, but often used by guests when Jim and Cindy entertain adults for the weekend.

“We want our guests to have their privacy,” Cindy says. “They have a deck right off the room and can stay down here as long as they like,” she adds. The deck runs the entire length of the lower floor.

The favorite room for both Cindy and Jim is the state-of-the-art full gym.

“It has everything,” Jim says. The remarkable room is cheery, with bright yellow walls covered with large spans of mirrors. Any type of workout is possible, with several sets of free weights, an elliptical machine, Stairmaster and treadmill, to name just some of the equipment in the gym.

There are two more bedroom suites that open to both the gym – making it accessible to guests – and to the hallway. Cindy and Jim have made it easy for guests to feel at home with a second laundry room, a large hall closet stocked with beach towels and extra swimsuits and another closet fully stocked with beer – Anheuser-Busch beer, of course!

Lakeside is where you’ll find family and guests relaxing in the hot tub or swimming in the infinity pool that ends with a waterfall. The dock holds a 30-foot Profile. Cindy and Jim spend much of their time in warmer weather sitting on the two blue Adirondack chairs made from recycled milk jugs. Cindy says the house is truly her “dream home.”

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