Dream House | Spring Farm Estate home a jewel of a residence

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is a nation in Southeast Asia where many of its historic architectural treasures are coated resplendently in gold.

Burmese-born family physicians Soe and Khine Naung left their country and came to Jamaica 35 years ago to render their service at Cornwall Regional Hospital. Both now in private practice, they have a well-established medical centre in Montego Bay.

The happily married couple of 45 years and counting, when the opportune time presented itself to actualise their dream space, sought this virgin, one-acre seaview parcel of land in one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in St James.

Is this stately home, built 21 years ago, worth its weight in gold? How valuable is the building to the psyche of those who dwell within its inner sanctum? Come, my friends. Let’s find out.

The ground floor generates unmitigated admiration throughout with Italian marble, the most famous and superior marble in the world. It is white with faint grey patterns. The upper level is floored with porcelain tiles, except in bathrooms.

The high ceilings are elegantly detailed, with crown mouldings giving distinction to all rooms. The roof is covered and protected with decramastic tiles.

The colour palette has interior walls in off-white paint, while the shade is light grey on the outside.

The traditional style home took two years to build, exhibits within its 5,000 square feet dispersed over two floors a porte-cochere (covered drive-thru at front door entrance); a grand hallway; and separate formal living and dining rooms. The kitchen is custom-designed, built and shipped from Germany. In the worldwide kitchen industry, German quality and durability is second to none. The generous-size verandah and balcony above have commanding views of the backyard.

We count four bedrooms, with three bathrooms fully tiled from top to bottom in marble. We spot the study and a powder room, along with a generous-size front balcony.

The imposing wood staircase connecting sleeping and living areas is impeccably carved and finished.

We also find staff quarters and a double garage with automated doors.

Water tank, electrical generator, and 24-hour security is right there for whenever a response necessitates.

The Naungs, who have two children, have always considered Jamaica home away from home.

The Shwedagon Pagoda is Myanmar’s most famous, symbolic, sacred landmark. It is indeed covered in gold (with estimates of up to 60 tons), and its rooftop is studded with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies, accompanied by sapphires and other precious stones.

This structure in Spring Farm Estate on the Half Moon Golf Course is not a shrine. It’s a jewel of a residence, where your soul, mind, and spirit are at peace with the architecture.

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.