Off the Beaten Path: Delightful Alcove Spaces
Create a mini retreat within your home with a recessed nook, dormer or under-stair hideaway
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I am licensed to practice architecture in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey & Wisconsin and I am a certificate holder from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Since 1996 I have worked from my home office and provide full architectural services exclusively to the single family residential market. My passion is to transform my clients' houses into their homes. I strive to have the "new" home accommodate my clients' lives without fighting them at every junction. I look to add curb appeal to encourage a beautiful streetscape. And I design any addition to look and feel like it has always been there.
Our projects have won numerous design awards as well as having...
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located... More »
My favorite spot to watch the hustle and bustle at New York's Grand Central Station is from one of the stairs overlooking the main concourse. From this vantage point I get to be a part of all the activity in that great space while being safe along the periphery.
Whether for art, a bed, a chair, a tub or any other reason, alcoves provide those special spaces that give us a place to rest, recharge and get "away." Sometimes these spaces are carved out of leftover spaces, like the underside of a roof in a Cape Cod styled house. Sometimes these are "found" spaces like reusing the area below the stairway. And sometimes these are bump-outs added to provide a space for a cherished work of art.
Whether for art, a bed, a chair, a tub or any other reason, alcoves provide those special spaces that give us a place to rest, recharge and get "away." Sometimes these spaces are carved out of leftover spaces, like the underside of a roof in a Cape Cod styled house. Sometimes these are "found" spaces like reusing the area below the stairway. And sometimes these are bump-outs added to provide a space for a cherished work of art.
An alcove at the stair landing provides a great place to sit in the sunshine and watch the world go by both inside and out. And the alcove's strategic placement centered on the flight of steps extends the space of the stairway to the outside.
Built to hold a favorite sculpture, this alcove adds light and interest to the room. By extending the space of the "hallway" between the eating, kitchen and sitting areas of the larger space, the alcove gives definition and distinction to each functional area. And it's no accident that the shape of the alcove makes a house for the sculpture within the larger house.
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| A place for the bed is carved out of the leftover space under roof, while the eyebrow dormer adds joyous light to this bedroom. In a child's room, placing the bed in the alcove frees up the main area for play. |
| Another bed tucked away in an alcove created by both the architecture (the roof structure and window) of the room, as well as the built-ins that provide just the right amount of extra depth to nestle the bed in place. |
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| The little desk in the alcove makes a secret place to hide for the lucky owner of this bedroom. |
Here's a beautiful spot to sit and wait for that person to come downstairs and join you.
Found space in an upstairs hallway now serves as a cozy reading and napping nook.
This alcove is also a perch. Built for a small child, another place to watch the world go by, curl up with a book or take a nap. Certainly a nice place for a time out.
Here's an office space carved out of the walls with just enough room for the basics to keep everyone in the know.
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| Our best friends deserve alcoves too. And certainly an alcove they can call their own located near the kitchen makes it all the better. |
Like a big, bright, red piece of sculpture, the Aga range sits in its alcove in this classic kitchen design.
An outside alcove carved out of the space under the stair provides a bit of shelter and great place to take a nap.
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Comments
cmalovrh I love a home with nooks and crannies! These are fabulous.
21 months ago · Like
Bud Dietrich, AIA hi dhermansen - you can e-mail me directly (with photos of the space) or post the question on houzz for others to chime in as well. Either way, photos will help us get an understanding of the space.
21 months ago · Like
Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR I love these. They are so cozy. I'm in the middle of designing an alcove for my sister's room. She loves sitting in her bay window when the sun comes in. Good inspiration!
21 months ago · Like
Mona This idea book is over and above. Love all the ideas for nooks and crannies too. The dog cranny is spectacular and we will be doing that one for sure!
21 months ago · Like
jannabelle fantastic ideabook!
21 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Sept. 19, 2011.
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