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Pro Spotlight: How to Design for Natural Light and Privacy
Enjoy the sun’s rays without putting your home on display using these tips from a Bellevue builder
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Who: Heather Dosch of John Buchan Homes
Where: Bellevue, Washington
In her own words: “I look at our company as really being a bunch of artists rather than builders.”
Sunlight streaming into a home makes it feel warm and inviting. A wealth of windows, however, can also lead to a lack of privacy. “No one wants to put their private life on display,” says Heather Dosch, CEO of John Buchan Homes in Bellevue. A key to good home design, she says, is finding ways to achieve the former without sacrificing the latter.
Where: Bellevue, Washington
In her own words: “I look at our company as really being a bunch of artists rather than builders.”
Sunlight streaming into a home makes it feel warm and inviting. A wealth of windows, however, can also lead to a lack of privacy. “No one wants to put their private life on display,” says Heather Dosch, CEO of John Buchan Homes in Bellevue. A key to good home design, she says, is finding ways to achieve the former without sacrificing the latter.
A new direction. Dosch spent her childhood learning about home building from her father, John Buchan, who in 1961 started the business she now heads. As an adult, she worked in other industries, including owning and operating a bakery, before returning to the family business. Dosch became CEO in October 2008 and saw the start of the housing crisis as an opportunity to rebrand as a boutique builder. “We can have more fun on the artistry side now,” she says.
Finding a balance. Building a home with the right blend of openness and seclusion takes some forethought. “You need to design to maximize your natural light while preserving privacy,” Dosch says. Exploring all of your design options, from how the house is placed on the lot to the type of glass you use, can give you the light-filled home you want.
Ready to brighten up? Dosch shares some tips below.
Ready to brighten up? Dosch shares some tips below.
1. Create a Living Screen
Plant trees and tall shrubs around the perimeter of your home. A landscaping screen allows you to add larger and more windows while creating beautiful views and maintaining privacy, Dosch says.
The team edged this home in Medina with tree- and shrub-filled terraces to shield the house from the street. “You’ll still get natural light as long as you keep the plants at least several feet away from the windows,” Dosch says. The terrace “steps” also add depth and interest to the landscape while cocooning the house.
See more of this project
Plant trees and tall shrubs around the perimeter of your home. A landscaping screen allows you to add larger and more windows while creating beautiful views and maintaining privacy, Dosch says.
The team edged this home in Medina with tree- and shrub-filled terraces to shield the house from the street. “You’ll still get natural light as long as you keep the plants at least several feet away from the windows,” Dosch says. The terrace “steps” also add depth and interest to the landscape while cocooning the house.
See more of this project
2. Go High
Add clerestory windows to enjoy natural light in rooms where privacy is important or where lower windows would interfere with furniture placement. “You can even add high windows to interior walls in closets or pantries so you can take advantage of light from other rooms,” Dosch says.
In the master bedroom of the same Medina home, two walls of windows and a fireplace limited the possible locations for the bed. To bring in more light without losing wall space, Dosch added a row of high windows to the wall seen here. Their placement also means there’s no need for drapes or blinds to shield the room from view.
Add clerestory windows to enjoy natural light in rooms where privacy is important or where lower windows would interfere with furniture placement. “You can even add high windows to interior walls in closets or pantries so you can take advantage of light from other rooms,” Dosch says.
In the master bedroom of the same Medina home, two walls of windows and a fireplace limited the possible locations for the bed. To bring in more light without losing wall space, Dosch added a row of high windows to the wall seen here. Their placement also means there’s no need for drapes or blinds to shield the room from view.
3. Keep Things Mysterious
Use translucent glass to bring in light from the outside without giving a clear view of your home’s interior. There are a number of options to choose from, including artisan leaded glass, laminated glass, beveled glass and etched glass. “It’s a great opportunity to express your style,” Dosch says.
She worked with a Washington state artisan to create a custom look for this Kirkland home on Lake Washington. The front door, sidelights and transom feature a Prairie-style leaded-glass design that brightens the entryway inside and out. The look is also safe and strong. “The custom glass art is sandwiched between safety glass,” Dosch says.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Heather Dosch and examples of her work, visit John Buchan Homes’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Use translucent glass to bring in light from the outside without giving a clear view of your home’s interior. There are a number of options to choose from, including artisan leaded glass, laminated glass, beveled glass and etched glass. “It’s a great opportunity to express your style,” Dosch says.
She worked with a Washington state artisan to create a custom look for this Kirkland home on Lake Washington. The front door, sidelights and transom feature a Prairie-style leaded-glass design that brightens the entryway inside and out. The look is also safe and strong. “The custom glass art is sandwiched between safety glass,” Dosch says.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Heather Dosch and examples of her work, visit John Buchan Homes’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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