Search results for "Collectors focus" in Home Design Ideas

Michael J Lee
Example of a transitional family room design in Boston with white walls
Example of a transitional family room design in Boston with white walls

Family room library - rustic light wood floor family room library idea in Burlington with white walls

Embracing the challenge of grounding this open, light-filled space, our Boulder studio focused on comfort, ease, and high design. The built-in lounge is flanked by storage cabinets for puzzles and games for this client who loves having people over. The high-back Living Divani sofa is paired with U-Turn Benson chairs and a "Rabari" rug from Nanimarquina for casual gatherings. The throw pillows are a perfect mix of Norwegian tapestry fabric and contemporary patterns. In the child's bedroom, we added an organically shaped Vitra Living Tower, which also provides a cozy reading niche. Bold Marimekko fabric colorfully complements more traditional detailing and creates a contrast between old and new. We loved collaborating with our client on an eclectic bedroom, where everything is collected and combined in a way that allows distinctive pieces to work together. A custom walnut bed supports the owner's tatami mattress. Vintage rugs ground the space and pair well with a vintage Scandinavian chair and dresser.
Combining unexpected objects is one of our favorite ways to add liveliness and personality to a space. In the little guest bedroom, our client (a creative and passionate collector) was the inspiration behind an energetic and eclectic mix. Similarly, turning one of our client's favorite old sweaters into pillow covers and popping a Native American rug on the wall helped pull the space together. Slightly eclectic and invitingly cozy, the twin guestroom beckons for settling in to read, nap or daydream. A vintage poster from Omnibus Gallery in Aspen and an antique nightstand add period whimsy.
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A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space.
Crispin Sartwell
Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home.
As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction.
The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside.
The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting.
Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for.
Overview
Oconomowoc, WI
Completion Date
August 2015
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Embracing the challenge of grounding this open, light-filled space, our Aspen studio focused on comfort, ease, and high design. The built-in lounge is flanked by storage cabinets for puzzles and games for this client who loves having people over. The high-back Living Divani sofa is paired with U-Turn Benson chairs and a "Rabari" rug from Nanimarquina for casual gatherings. The throw pillows are a perfect mix of Norwegian tapestry fabric and contemporary patterns. In the child's bedroom, we added an organically shaped Vitra Living Tower, which also provides a cozy reading niche. Bold Marimekko fabric colorfully complements more traditional detailing and creates a contrast between old and new. We loved collaborating with our client on an eclectic bedroom, where everything is collected and combined in a way that allows distinctive pieces to work together. A custom walnut bed supports the owner's tatami mattress. Vintage rugs ground the space and pair well with a vintage Scandinavian chair and dresser.
Combining unexpected objects is one of our favorite ways to add liveliness and personality to a space. In the little guest bedroom, our client (a creative and passionate collector) was the inspiration behind an energetic and eclectic mix. Similarly, turning one of our client's favorite old sweaters into pillow covers and popping a Native American rug on the wall helped pull the space together. Slightly eclectic and invitingly cozy, the twin guestroom beckons for settling in to read, nap or daydream. A vintage poster from Omnibus Gallery in Aspen and an antique nightstand add period whimsy.

Before their move, the family had always lived in subdivisions. “Our previous homes were a great place to raise our kids, and we always loved getting to know our neighbors,” she notes. However, she and her husband began looking for a home with a little extra outdoor space and a more manageable interior that would accommodate them as they grew older.
Though they’d toured many houses and even put contracts on a few, this Westwood ranch-style home spoke to them as soon as they stepped foot through the front door. “The house and the property just had the feeling I was looking for, even though it wasn’t in the best condition yet. It was just so peaceful.”
Peacefulness and a connection to nature were the main focuses for the renovation. The homeowners sought the help of Rochelle McAvin of LU Design Build to make their vision come to life.
“I needed a designer who understood my love for gently-used furniture, which I find more personal and interesting. They also needed to get the look I was going for; Mid-century modern with a twist. I felt that LU Design Build was creating the kind of projects I was looking for.”
Designer Rochelle McAvin has worked in the design build industry for over six years, and she focuses mainly on residential remodeling. For all projects, she believes in letting the clients’ priorities fuel the design. “Form follows function, and we wanted to make this house as efficient and comfortable as possible for the homeowners.”
The goal of the project was to create a personal oasis for the pair they could enjoy for years to come while leaving a minimal environmental footprint. They aimed to make the space feel calm, serene and interesting without making the entire house white.
The home is interesting from the moment you enter. To the right of the front door is a sunken living room that the homeowners lovingly call “The Pit.” Built in 1967, the sunken living room was original to the home, but the previous owners leveled the space in a 1980s remodel. Both the new owners and Rochelle agreed that restoring the sunken floor plan gave the home character, though they made it smaller to increase coziness and intimacy.
Primarily used as a family gathering place and game room, “The Pit” needed ample seating and enough space for visitors to pull up a chair and enjoy each other’s company. The large couch was a find from Stash Home, and the gray swivel chair and roomy coffee table came from Pottery Barn. The homeowner finished off the space with vintage ottomans from an estate sale to act as side tables. Large windows at the front of the room give a perfect view of the pond just outside and let in plenty of natural light during the day. Dimmable light fixtures from West Elm give the room a warm glow once the sun sets.
Because the homeowners don’t always require a lot of seating, they opted for a table in their dining room with many removable leaves, allowing it to shrink down to the size of a desk. A Napoleon electric fireplace adds to the warm ambience at dinners, gently lighting the striking wallpaper.
White oak floors and tongue-and-groove white ceilings lead from the front of the home back into the main living space. The living room has vaulted ceilings and an original brick fireplace. The homeowners wanted to find a perfect balance between bright and cozy; the windows and the added skylights gave the room great natural light, but the team added an oiled plywood wall to warm up the color scheme. The fireplace, painted beige in a previous remodel, received a fresh coat of gray paint to act as the room’s anchor.
The homeowner found the majority of the home’s furniture from Facebook marketplace. Buying furniture second-hand is a great way to recycle interesting pieces and minimize one’s environmental footprint in the remodeling process. “She has such a good eye bringing in earthy, vintage pieces that made every space more personal and cozy,” says Rochelle. “I think she nailed it!”
In the kitchen, the homeowner desired a space that “felt like any other room. I didn’t want it to scream ‘kitchen.’” To achieve this look, the team chose natural Missouri limestone from SFI for the island and countertops. The walnut cabinets are custom-made from Hulls Cabinetry; the bottom cabinets are painted evergreen to match the lush trees shown through the large windows. Lucite hardware with brass accents from CB2 add interest and ease. The Facebook marketplace table keeps the space light and fun.
To avoid clutter, the team created a butler’s pantry off the kitchen to house the family’s odds and ends, as well as the wife’s house plant collection. “We created a bright, functional space for her off the main living area for her to stow all her keepsakes," comments Rochelle. "She’s a collector, and we wanted to give all her things a home without affecting the rest of the home’s design.”
Rochelle knew the main bedroom needed a calming, relaxing vibe for both homeowners to enjoy. “I don’t spend much time in my bedroom, but I wanted it to feel like a getaway, almost like our own personal hotel room,” the wife notes. She and Rochelle chose the softest carpet they could find. A Harlequin “Foxley” wallpaper accent wall elevates the suite, complemented by walls painted in a custom gray/taupe. A tree trunk headboard in gray adds a final natural element.
“Our last bathroom was very large, and it was always cold,” the wife says. “We wanted this bathroom to be as warm as possible.” They kept the bathroom’s layout relatively small, but it allowed enough space for all the wife’s requests, including a matte eco-friendly Perlato Vittoria tub in lapis stone, zero-entry shower and Missouri limestone vanity. Heated porcelain floors designed to mimic slate paired with high-gloss, straight stacked tile on the walls keep the bathroom both natural and eye-catching.
“This project was so organic from beginning to end,” says Rochelle. “The homeowner and I made changes to the design as we went along. Our constant collaboration is what made this home so customized for them. It really fits their personality."
“We don’t intend to move again, so with this house, we really went for it,” the wife says. “It’s everything we wanted from the start: easy to live in, peaceful, beautiful. I’m so happy every time I come home because I know this space made for us.”

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space.
Crispin Sartwell
Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home.
As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction.
The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside.
The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting.
Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for.
Overview
Oconomowoc, WI
Completion Date
August 2015
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

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Vienna, VA
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Photo: Parisi Images © 2018 Houzz
Example of an eclectic living room design in Cincinnati
Example of an eclectic living room design in Cincinnati

Embracing the challenge of grounding this open, light-filled space, our Aspen studio focused on comfort, ease, and high design. The built-in lounge is flanked by storage cabinets for puzzles and games for this client who loves having people over. The high-back Living Divani sofa is paired with U-Turn Benson chairs and a "Rabari" rug from Nanimarquina for casual gatherings. The throw pillows are a perfect mix of Norwegian tapestry fabric and contemporary patterns. In the child's bedroom, we added an organically shaped Vitra Living Tower, which also provides a cozy reading niche. Bold Marimekko fabric colorfully complements more traditional detailing and creates a contrast between old and new. We loved collaborating with our client on an eclectic bedroom, where everything is collected and combined in a way that allows distinctive pieces to work together. A custom walnut bed supports the owner's tatami mattress. Vintage rugs ground the space and pair well with a vintage Scandinavian chair and dresser.
Combining unexpected objects is one of our favorite ways to add liveliness and personality to a space. In the little guest bedroom, our client (a creative and passionate collector) was the inspiration behind an energetic and eclectic mix. Similarly, turning one of our client's favorite old sweaters into pillow covers and popping a Native American rug on the wall helped pull the space together. Slightly eclectic and invitingly cozy, the twin guestroom beckons for settling in to read, nap or daydream. A vintage poster from Omnibus Gallery in Aspen and an antique nightstand add period whimsy.

The modern and clean lined living and family room allows the eye to focus on the guitar, banjos and mandolin. The homeowners are also avid collectors of old 33 rpm records.
Alise O'Brien photography

This custom home office features charcoal and high gloss white with vanilla backing, designed to save space and complement your working style. Eye-catching brushed nickel handles are accented with leather for added color and style. Interior and under cabinet LED lighting provide greater visibility while working. Top shelves have open and closed shelving that provides space to decorate your office with home décor and plenty of room to store your favorite reads. The large stained maple countertop has tons of room to keep everything you need with in arms reach. Electronics are kept neat and tidy with a concealed wire management system. Our custom workspaces are designed with plenty of sturdy drawer space. Side to side file drawers fit letters and legal folders. Full extension glides make it easy to access all of your files and supplies. A transFORM home office is your place to stay focused and organized.

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space.
Crispin Sartwell
Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home.
As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction.
The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside.
The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting.
Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for.
Overview
Oconomowoc, WI
Completion Date
August 2015
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space.
Crispin Sartwell
Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home.
As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction.
The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside.
The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting.
Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for.
Overview
Oconomowoc, WI
Completion Date
August 2015
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space.
Crispin Sartwell
Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home.
As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction.
The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside.
The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting.
Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for.
Overview
Oconomowoc, WI
Completion Date
August 2015
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space.
Crispin Sartwell
Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home.
As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction.
The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside.
The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting.
Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for.
Overview
Oconomowoc, WI
Completion Date
August 2015
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Embracing the challenge of grounding this open, light-filled space, our Aspen studio focused on comfort, ease, and high design. The built-in lounge is flanked by storage cabinets for puzzles and games for this client who loves having people over. The high-back Living Divani sofa is paired with U-Turn Benson chairs and a "Rabari" rug from Nanimarquina for casual gatherings. The throw pillows are a perfect mix of Norwegian tapestry fabric and contemporary patterns. In the child's bedroom, we added an organically shaped Vitra Living Tower, which also provides a cozy reading niche. Bold Marimekko fabric colorfully complements more traditional detailing and creates a contrast between old and new. We loved collaborating with our client on an eclectic bedroom, where everything is collected and combined in a way that allows distinctive pieces to work together. A custom walnut bed supports the owner's tatami mattress. Vintage rugs ground the space and pair well with a vintage Scandinavian chair and dresser.
Combining unexpected objects is one of our favorite ways to add liveliness and personality to a space. In the little guest bedroom, our client (a creative and passionate collector) was the inspiration behind an energetic and eclectic mix. Similarly, turning one of our client's favorite old sweaters into pillow covers and popping a Native American rug on the wall helped pull the space together. Slightly eclectic and invitingly cozy, the twin guestroom beckons for settling in to read, nap or daydream. A vintage poster from Omnibus Gallery in Aspen and an antique nightstand add period whimsy.

Embracing the challenge of grounding this open, light-filled space, our Boulder studio focused on comfort, ease, and high design. The built-in lounge is flanked by storage cabinets for puzzles and games for this client who loves having people over. The high-back Living Divani sofa is paired with U-Turn Benson chairs and a "Rabari" rug from Nanimarquina for casual gatherings. The throw pillows are a perfect mix of Norwegian tapestry fabric and contemporary patterns. In the child's bedroom, we added an organically shaped Vitra Living Tower, which also provides a cozy reading niche. Bold Marimekko fabric colorfully complements more traditional detailing and creates a contrast between old and new. We loved collaborating with our client on an eclectic bedroom, where everything is collected and combined in a way that allows distinctive pieces to work together. A custom walnut bed supports the owner's tatami mattress. Vintage rugs ground the space and pair well with a vintage Scandinavian chair and dresser.
Combining unexpected objects is one of our favorite ways to add liveliness and personality to a space. In the little guest bedroom, our client (a creative and passionate collector) was the inspiration behind an energetic and eclectic mix. Similarly, turning one of our client's favorite old sweaters into pillow covers and popping a Native American rug on the wall helped pull the space together. Slightly eclectic and invitingly cozy, the twin guestroom beckons for settling in to read, nap or daydream. A vintage poster from Omnibus Gallery in Aspen and an antique nightstand add period whimsy.

Embracing the challenge of grounding this open, light-filled space, our Aspen studio focused on comfort, ease, and high design. The built-in lounge is flanked by storage cabinets for puzzles and games for this client who loves having people over. The high-back Living Divani sofa is paired with U-Turn Benson chairs and a "Rabari" rug from Nanimarquina for casual gatherings. The throw pillows are a perfect mix of Norwegian tapestry fabric and contemporary patterns. In the child's bedroom, we added an organically shaped Vitra Living Tower, which also provides a cozy reading niche. Bold Marimekko fabric colorfully complements more traditional detailing and creates a contrast between old and new. We loved collaborating with our client on an eclectic bedroom, where everything is collected and combined in a way that allows distinctive pieces to work together. A custom walnut bed supports the owner's tatami mattress. Vintage rugs ground the space and pair well with a vintage Scandinavian chair and dresser.
Combining unexpected objects is one of our favorite ways to add liveliness and personality to a space. In the little guest bedroom, our client (a creative and passionate collector) was the inspiration behind an energetic and eclectic mix. Similarly, turning one of our client's favorite old sweaters into pillow covers and popping a Native American rug on the wall helped pull the space together. Slightly eclectic and invitingly cozy, the twin guestroom beckons for settling in to read, nap or daydream. A vintage poster from Omnibus Gallery in Aspen and an antique nightstand add period whimsy.

Embracing the challenge of grounding this open, light-filled space, our Aspen studio focused on comfort, ease, and high design. The built-in lounge is flanked by storage cabinets for puzzles and games for this client who loves having people over. The high-back Living Divani sofa is paired with U-Turn Benson chairs and a "Rabari" rug from Nanimarquina for casual gatherings. The throw pillows are a perfect mix of Norwegian tapestry fabric and contemporary patterns. In the child's bedroom, we added an organically shaped Vitra Living Tower, which also provides a cozy reading niche. Bold Marimekko fabric colorfully complements more traditional detailing and creates a contrast between old and new. We loved collaborating with our client on an eclectic bedroom, where everything is collected and combined in a way that allows distinctive pieces to work together. A custom walnut bed supports the owner's tatami mattress. Vintage rugs ground the space and pair well with a vintage Scandinavian chair and dresser.
Combining unexpected objects is one of our favorite ways to add liveliness and personality to a space. In the little guest bedroom, our client (a creative and passionate collector) was the inspiration behind an energetic and eclectic mix. Similarly, turning one of our client's favorite old sweaters into pillow covers and popping a Native American rug on the wall helped pull the space together. Slightly eclectic and invitingly cozy, the twin guestroom beckons for settling in to read, nap or daydream. A vintage poster from Omnibus Gallery in Aspen and an antique nightstand add period whimsy.
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