Preview: The 2011 Potomac Country House Tour

A 15,000-square-foot estate sits on a two-acre corner lot in Potomac, and features a 30-foot paneled ceiling, 24-foot windows, nine bedrooms and inlaid marble floors. The incredible house was built in just under a year, in what can only be called a labor of love.

Owner Prem Puri, founder of Classic Homes, has been a home-builder for nearly 30 years, but in all his years constructing houses, Prem never had the opportunity to build his own home, according to daughter Amita Jain.

"My mom's been talking about building her own home since I can remember," Jain said of Kim Puri, a homemaker and mother of three.

Beginning when the Puris moved to the United States in the 1970s, the family has moved from one rental house to another each time Prem changed business locations, and Jain said her mother never felt that she had a real home to do with as she pleased.

Now, Jain said, her mother is finally able enjoy a house of her own. In 2009, the Puris had the pleasure of building a home for themselves in Potomac, but the estate that stands as the Puris' home, was originally planned as a condo.

According to Jain, her father came to her privately to discuss the couple's new home and different visions. With their three children grown and out of the house, Prem was hoping for a condo to house the couple.

However, as Jain pointed out to her father, after supporting Prem's career for 30 years and raising a family, it was Kim's turn to make the decision. In a way it was her right.

"A housewife's love is her home," Jain said.

As visitors tour the Puris' home, Jain said they will see where the design had her mother in mind.

"You can sort of see how the house was designed by a house wife," Jain said.

The kitchen pantry, for example, is a highlight of the home. At first glance, it looks like part of the cabinetry, but visitors will find that it opens into an expansive room stocked with kitchen and home essentials. Kim had an ironing board built into the wall of her bedroom, and the house contains two master bedrooms, on the first and top floors, as well as an elevator to allow Kim and Prem to "age into the house," Jain said.

The kitchen area also opens into the main living space, allowing Kim to feel included in family life while spending time in the kitchen.

"Her main thing was just having openness," Jain said. "When you walk into the house, you can almost see the entire first floor." 

Prem Puri was named Builder of the Year by Montgomery County in 2009.

The Puri home is featured in this year's Potomac Country House Tour. Proceeds from the tour benefit the outreach programs of , including Habitat for Humanity and .

Click through our preview photos of the Country House Tour to see more, and check back tomorrow for the second part of our tour preview.