Photography by Amy Bartlam
The main floor of our Organic Modern project is mostly one open space, with an office in the middle that opens to the entry and living room with steel-and-glass doors. Continuity between the spaces was very important, and our clients wanted a serene, modern, simple space that was highly functional. We really wanted to play with different materials in the home, and it was important to not have wood on the bottom floor since they live right off a lake, so we opted for a porcelain tile that feels and looks like limestone but is VERY durable. The warm grey color and off-set pattern makes it feel less modern and more classic in design, and then we used white oak as cabinetry and flooring on the second floor as a warm counterpoint.
Similarly, we knew we were doing the whole house the same color but when we started testing out white paint colors, we had a hard time finding the perfect tone. Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore is usually a favorite, read too cool, then White Dove by Benjamin Moore was too grey. We loved Simply White, but at full capacity it turned yellow in certain rooms, so we tested it out at different percentages. At 25% concentration, it is PERFECT. This is why testing in multiple rooms and looking at it over the course of a full day is crucial and can save you thousands of dollars when painting an entire home!
See more of this project: Entry, Laundry, Art Bath
The Living Room + Porch
Located at the back of the house, the living room shares space with the kitchen and dining area, so the furnishings and built-ins needed to be congruent. We designed the hearth wall to have a custom fireplace surround in a dark stone (a counterpoint to the light marble we used in the kitchen) and a bookcase that is flush with the wall on one side. Instead of a pair, we bucked symmetry a bit and did a built-in bench (made by the clients' son as a surprise!) with a sconce on the right. The furnishings are a custom sectional with a pair of slender wood-framed chairs and a huge ottoman that has a floating wood top. The room as a beautiful view of the lake, so we installed metal doors that recess into the walls for the ultimate in indoor-outdoor living. We also ran the same porcelain tile out onto the patio for a seamless transition.
The Office
Located between the entry and the living room, this is my favorite room in the house! I love how it's centrally located, yet doesn't feel like a random office in the middle of the house. Sliding doors that match those out to the patio can be closed for noise control, but they still let in plenty of light. The room's exterior leads out to the atrium, which is lined with natural stone from floor to ceiling and has a really charming cobblestone floor. But the bookcases are my favorite part! I designed the white oak shelving and topped them with brass sconces and they bring so much warmth and texture to the room.
The Kitchen + Dining
The kitchen is the real showstopper and was so much fun to design! The space is centered around the 16-foot-long island that has a waterfall edge using the most gorgeous marble. The stone is a piece of natural art and we used it as the inspiration for the entire space. To really appreciate it, we ran it up the wall as a backsplash, and even behind the the glass cabinets that flank the sink window! But, I think my favorite detail is the little ledge along the top of the backsplash. It's a small moment, but it feels very finished and custom.
Most of the cabinetry is white oak with a simple profile and a full overlay, so we added some texture with a reeded detail on the range hood. We chose burnished brass hardware made in Europe and pendant lights with exaggerated empire shades for an note of old-world elegance. All of the windows let in tons of natural light, but there are some discreet can lights too for lots of lighting options.
This home was a blast to design, but it took time. If you have a big custom project in mind, get in touch sooner than later but filling out our design inquiry to find out more about working with Lindsey Brooke Design.