Architecture
Home Styles: Split Personality
Creative spaces update split-level homes for today
When my husband and I bought our house, our real estate agent remarked that we were her first clients to ask specifically for split-levels. I'm not surprised — the split is one of the most polarizing house styles, and many people just can't get past the Brady Bunch connotations. Personally, I think they offer some of the most livable and family-friendly layouts around. Love 'em or loathe 'em, they're here to stay for a while: Split-levels are flooding the market as their original baby-boomer occupants downsize or trade up. Here are some smart ideas for bringing them into the 21st century.
Too often, split-level stairs look clunky and awkward. These appear to float, underscoring the restful lines and serene feel of the space.
It's fun to get a look at how the basic footprint can be expanded. This version takes on the feel of a bungalow, thanks to updated colors and materials and an expanded layout.
Spare blond wood and clean, pure white give this split layout an almost Scandinavian sensibility. The low ceilings might have made this space feel cramped were it not for the pale palette; as it is, it works beautifully.
What a smart way to make use of the odd niches of space that splits tend to have. These floating shelves would be right at home in my foyer, which is way too small for a freestanding piece of furniture.
One of the things I can't wait to change in my own split-level is the dated wrought-iron railing that separates the middle and lower floors. I've been scratching my head over how to update it, and I love this approach. The glass panels preserve the same openness as the railing, but look sleek and sophisticated.
These stairwells also incorporate glass panels, but the heavy black railings give them a completely different spin. The dark color helps to define the expanse of space.
Here's one more cool railing treatment. The metal spindles are subtle enough not to stop the eye, which is essential if you want to blur the boundaries between two spaces.
Tell us: What do you love about your split-level house?
More: Cape-Cod Style Across America
Getting it Wright: Today's Prairie Style
Mountain Homes: Big Design for Majestic Places
Tell us: What do you love about your split-level house?
More: Cape-Cod Style Across America
Getting it Wright: Today's Prairie Style
Mountain Homes: Big Design for Majestic Places