FENG SHUI RETREAT

Reprinted with permission from South Shore Home Life and Style, The Pinehills, 25 Years of Home
Written by Joey Macari

Step inside and the world quiets. Sunlight filters through clerestory windows, casting soft lines across pale walls and wide-plank floors. The air feels still, intentional—like every inch of space is exactly as it should be. In this house in The Pinehills, it's a modern sanctuary where balance is built into the blueprint and where thoughtful design creates a sense of calm from the moment you cross the threshold.
When homeowners Jean Sundin and Enrique Peiniger decided to build their dream home in The Pinehills, they knew they wanted more than just a place to live—they wanted a space that embodied modern design, simplicity and the principles of Feng Shui. "We knew what we were looking for, but we also knew we needed the right builder to bring it to life," Jean says. "From the very beginning, Glenn just got it."
That builder was Glenn MacKenzie of MacKenzie Brothers, who understood their vision not as a checklist, but as a design philosophy. "The customers requested a modern Feng Shui designed home," MacKenzie says. "We all met with my architect Walter Yarosh to share thoughts and ideas. The exterior look was to have low-pitched roof lines and appear as a one-story structure. From there, the details unfolded."
Inside, the home is awash in natural light, with 9' ceilings and a striking vaulted corridor that fosters an expansive calm. But it's not just the height—it's how the light flows through the space. Jean and Enrique, founders of the renowned lighting design firm OVI (Office for Visual Interaction), turned their professional expertise inward, designing a home that glows. "We have these clerestory windows in the living room," says Enrique. "During the day, we don't even need artificial lighting. The house just glows."
Light takes center stage here, guiding the flow and feel of each space. "We know how to use light to create focal points," says Jean. "It's not just about visibility—it's about setting a mood. Every fixture, every placement, was chosen to create warmth and quiet energy."
To bring that vision to life, the couple worked closely with MacKenzie on details that would matter not only in aesthetics but in experience. "The fireplace wall was a bit of a challenge," MacKenzie says. "The homeowners wanted very clean lines with full-height granite panels. We had to figure out how to make it seamless, and in the end, it's one of the most striking features in the home."
Another standout—the sunroom, enclosed in glass and radiant-heated for year-round comfort. "That space faces the rear yard and connects visually to the living room," says MacKenzie. "It's filled with natural light—like a retreat within a retreat."
That sense of openness and peace carries throughout the home, including two beautifully executed office spaces. "We added black steel doors with glass panels to both offices," MacKenzie says. "They add structure and polish but still let the light and sight lines carry through."
Every design element, from the wide-plank flooring to the floating shelves and custom lighting packages, reinforces the couple's original intention: to create a space of modern minimalism grounded in natural materials and harmony. "We didn't over-design," Jean says. "That was key for us. We had a clear plan and didn't want to second-guess it halfway through. That gave us space to focus on execution."
MacKenzie agrees: "They came in with a clear vision and made most of their decisions up front. That made the process much smoother. It let us spend our time on craftsmanship, not course correction."
That upfront planning also meant the couple could zero in on elements that would elevate the home—like the curbless entry in the primary bath, where three window insets wrap the shower in natural light. "The tile work around those windows was intense," MacKenzie says. "But it was worth it."
And while the home itself is a masterclass in mindful design, its setting in The Pinehills adds another dimension altogether. "From the start, we felt embraced here," says Enrique. "Coming from New York City, it's night and day. There, you might not even know your neighbors' names. Here, people wave, they stop to talk. They lend you tools for gardening. It's a true community."
That spirit isn't accidental—it's embedded into The Pinehills' DNA. "It's thoughtfully designed, but never forced," Jean says. "There's charm, there's personality, and this openness—not just in the homes, but in the people."
You can feel it in the details—at the post office, where neighbors gather with coffee; at community events filled with laughter and connection; in the fact that homes, like theirs, are allowed to reflect the uniqueness of the people who live in them.
"This doesn't feel like a development," Jean says. "It feels like a village. And our home, more than anything, feels like ours."
Back inside, the light begins to change as the sun sets beyond the pines. The clerestory windows glow soft gold, and the rooms take on a gentle hush. It's the kind of moment that reminds you a house can be more than walls—it can be a reflection of who you are and who you're becoming.
"This house gives us peace," Enrique says. "Every day."

– Jean Sundin & Enrique Peininger

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From the start, we felt embraced here...people wave, they stop to talk. They lend you tools for gardening. It's a true community.

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