When it’s your home being built, the client is always right.
Photos by Muriel Silva
Every home builder and interior designer knows clients can be challenging at times, what with their exacting demands, personal requirements, and maybe the occasional quirky request. For Jason Ulm, President of Shoreline Custom Homes, working with one special client wasn’t without challenges, but he knew in the end that the home would turn out just right. After all, he was the client.
Finished in 2022, the Neptune Beach home covers approximately 3,600 square feet with four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. It’s a space he shares with wife Leah, two young sons, and their pets Koa and Bunk. Most of the furniture is new, purchased specifically for the home.
According to the builder/owner, the layout was inspired by Charleston side-court homes to create an open courtyard effect. The style blends Northeastern coastal influences, such as stained cedar siding with flared details and painted brick, and then contrasted by modern touches like a black steel front door. Inside, the plan was to balance modern and transitional elements with a warm, inviting palette. “Our goal was to dedicate the first floor to living and entertaining spaces and the second floor to the bedrooms, laundry, and kids’ spaces,” says Jason.
Being near the beach and with a house full of kids and animals, much thought went into selecting the right materials and finishes for the various surfaces. For example, white oak engineered flooring with a light matte finish was chosen because it holds up well to the feet and playthings of a young family and pets.
This thought carried over into the cabinet choices, as well. “I wanted to move away from simple white cabinets and use a mix of woods like the white oak in the kitchen, paired with a warmer painted finish called White Duck by Benjamin Moore. The bar features walnut cabinets, and there’s a mix of stained and painted finishes throughout—all tied together with a warm overall tone,” Jason explains.
“I’m drawn to symmetrical kitchen layouts. Incorporating the wine fridge added both visual interest and function,” he continues. “We cook and entertain often, and a good bottle of wine is always part of it.”
Of course, entertaining in Northeast Florida practically requires one to embrace outdoor spaces. This is especially true when the cooler temperatures of autumn and winter roll around. Also, with kids and pets, being able to use the yard year-round was a priority. “Given the confined space, we wanted every part of the yard to be highly functional,” says Jason. “Using artificial turf makes it comfortable for the kids and dogs to play without tracking in dirt.”
It’s not a common space one finds in many Northeast Florida houses, especially those at the beach. But one of the things Jason counted as a must-have for the home was a billiards room. And, as the owner and builder, he got exactly that. A room big enough for a pool table, “designed as an adult hangout with smoky blue paneled walls and custom walnut cabinetry,” he says. “And the prep kitchen to keep clutter out of the main kitchen.”
Not surprisingly, the billiard room and the backyard are among his favorite spaces. “It’s a home that truly fits our family—stylish and detailed, but not precious,” he says. “Every space has a purpose, and it just feels good to be in.”
Credits
Cabinets: Shoreline Custom Homes | Flooring: Handy Andy Flooring
Countertops: Design Works | Tile: Traditions in Tile | AV: TAC Security
Appliances/Plumbing Fixtures/Lighting: Ferguson Home
Landscaping: Stewart Landscaping | Roofing: Stonebridge | Siding: Shield
Artificial Turf: Turfside | Hardscape: Stonecore
Architecture & Interior Design: Shoreline Custom Homes
