Contemporary
SOFT CONTEMPORARY NEW CONSTRUCTION
This family wanted to live in a work of art which would showcase an important collection of drawings. They asked us to design it such that it would embrace both family life and large gatherings for charity events.
With contemporary architectural lines, we selected finishes with warm colors and lots of texture so that it didn’t cross over into modern design. Likewise, we furnished it with pieces that had a foot in both the contemporary and traditional genres — clean lines, but enough detail to add warmth. Note the stone panel with fish fossils over the fireplace. This stone is found in the Green River formation in Wyoming.
Integral drink tables are inserted into the home’s window seats that feature a lake view.
We teamed with architect Mark Kawell on this project. In 2001 we won an ASID (Amer. Soc. of Interior Designers) award for this project in the Residence Over 3000 sq. ft.’ category. It was published in the Dec./Jan. 2002 issue of Midwest Home & Garden.
See www.kawell.com and www.greenriverstone.com. CONTEMPORARY NEW CONSTRUCTION We chose finishes, fixtures and furnishings for this home that continued the architectural theme. The angles, massing and voids of the architecture are repeated on a smaller scale by layering different finishes into the cabinets, counter top details and millwork. The combination of greens with warm woods and heavy textures acknowledges the the wooded site and conveys the connection to the home’s natural surroundings. While ceramic tile is an usual choice for living area flooring in Minnesota, it suits the client’s request for low maintenance flooring. The avid racing enthusiasts can work on their car in the garage, then walk up the stone stairs into the tiled kitchen for lunch without a worry. We partnered on this project with architect Mark Kawell, www.kawell.com. In 2000 we won a ‘Best in Show’ award from ASID for this project. LATE-CENTURY MODERN REMODEL Our selections of finishes, fixtures and furniture for this condo remodel required us to let their world-class art collection be the focal point in every space. We also needed to visually lift the 7′-10″ ceiling height. Fireplace stone quarried from the Green River formation in Wyoming features fossilized fish. To see more examples of this unique stone visit LODGE-STYLE NEW CONSTRUCTION We selected finishes, fixtures and furniture for this project, as well as consulting on architectural detailing. Our assignment was to blend beauty and function for a casual home. Taking cues from the architecture, our selections communicated the warmth of traditional lodge styling, but kept details pared back to keep it more contemporary. Heavily textured finishes and substantially scaled furniture balance the visual weight of beams supporting a vaulted ceiling. A dark green ceiling keeps the soaring height from feeling cold and impersonal. The construction method precluded use of recessed lighting in this area. Selecting several different light fixtures that can be seen at the same time was a special challenge in this space. We partnered with architect Steven Mooney on this project, see www.stevenjmooney.com. The project was featured in the May/June issue of Architecture Minnesota.
Furnishings act as a subtle backdrop to for art by repeating neutral tones used in architectural finishes. We used color sparingly.
A dark floor with pale walls and ceiling visually weights the space so that the eye is fooled into seeing more height. Low seat backs contribute in the same way.
In 2007 we were awarded ‘Residential - Best in Show’ for this project. It was published in the Dec. 2007 issue of Mpls.St.Paul magazine.
