K3151 Base, K3101 Plain Half Column, K3111 Capital
Trendy family room photo in New York

Inspiration for a transitional home design remodel in DC Metro

THE SHADOW HOUSE IS A PRODUCT OF THE CONTEXT IT SITS WITHIN, YET IT SUBVERTS IT AT THE SAME TIME. IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE IT UP CLOSE, YET FROM AFAR IT DISAPPEARS INTO THE ETHER. A TINY LOT, A LARGE PROGRAM, RESTRICTIVE ZONING REGULATIONS AND AN INVOLVED NEIGHBORHOOD INTEREST GROUP WERE THE CONSTANT AND UNRELENTING PRESSURES THAT CREATED THIS HOUSE — AND THE RESULT IS BETTER OFF FOR IT. THE SCALLOPED SHINGLES ARE A COMMON ELEMENT ACROSS THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT ARE OFTEN RESERVED FOR DETAIL AREAS UNDER EAVES, AS THE MATERIAL WAS VERY EXPENSIVE ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO. WE TOOK THAT HIGHLY-SPECIALIZED, VERY EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL AND APPLIED IT AS A BROAD, MASS-PRODUCED TEXTURE ACROSS THE ENTIRE RESIDENCE — TAKING SOMETHING FROM HIGHLIGHT TO BACKGROUND TEXTURE. THE SILHOUETTE DIRECTLY ECHOES THE ITALIANATE HOMES IN THE LARGER NEIGHBORHOOD — BUT WE STRIPPED THE TYPICAL ORNATE, DECORATED FAÇADE BACK TO UTTER MINIMALISM. WE ENLARGED THE TYPICAL WINDOW SIZE TO EXAGGERATE THE RIGID SYMMETRY OF THE STYLE, AND BROUGHT THEM TO THE FLOOR AND THE CEILING TO PROVIDE AS MUCH LIGHT AS POSSIBLE — AND THEN RECESSED THEM DEEP INTO THE FAÇADE TO MIMIC THE HEAVY BRICK AND STONE LINTELS OF THE PAST. THE HOUSE IS BLACK — THE ONLY COLOR IT COULD BE. IF WE’D PAINTED IT UP LIKE ITS VICTORIAN SISTERS, IT WOULD’VE COMPETED FOR ATTENTION. BLACK CAUSES THE HOUSE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY DISAPPEAR AND STAND OUT — IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE WHILE YOU’RE WALKING PAST, BUT A FEW BLOCKS AWAY IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO DISCERN AGAINST THE BACKGROUND. TWO BEDROOMS WITH EN-SUITE BATHS, FLOOR-TO-CEILING WINDOWS, AN AIRY AND OPEN STAIRCASE AND A MASSIVE GLASS ROOF DOOR MAKE THE SHADOW HOUSE IMPOSSIBLY LIGHT AND OPEN — YET IT’S ONLY 1,400 SQUARE FEET ON A 30’ X 50’ LOT.

Large project with multiple walk-in closets, shaker drawer fronts
Example of a large minimalist gender-neutral dark wood floor and brown floor home design design in New York with raised-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Minimalist living room photo in Detroit

Mid-sized trendy single-wall light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Vancouver with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Austin

Savannah K Photography

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless guest bedroom remodel in San Francisco with white walls

Large transitional master bathroom photo in Atlanta with beige walls

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Philadelphia

Shortly after starting my firm in 1982 one of my neighbors in Historic Fourth Ward asked if I would design the renovation of a three story 1890's building in downtown Charlotte for use by his law firm. The building had been stripped of al of it's historic features and was finished with stucco. Due to the size of the project I worked in the offices of Reg Narmour. My first order of business was to create a three story lobby with a monumental stair. During the design process the Owner and i traveled to New York City and Connecticut in search of architectural elements for inside and out. There we found bronze doors and light fixtures, paneling from the 17th Century and countless other historic artifacts. By the time the renovation was complete I had renovated a two story walk up next door for my offices.

Home design - modern home design idea in Dallas