home feature: union bluff

I first came across Hutker Architects when I blogged about Grey Barn Farm. Designed by Hutker, Grey Barn is a stunning working farm and home inspired by traditional Belgian farmhouses. I became re-familiarized with the firm's work - specifically the home below - when I came across this image on Pinterest.

Hutker Architects | THE PLACE HOME

Called Union Bluff, there is such simple perfection captured in the image of this home. I love the asymmetry of the windows, how the roof dormers outward, the juxtaposition of the stone wall with the white facade, the color of the roof, the minimalist trim - my list could go on. Hutker describes the Union Bluff home as "combines(ing) the best of the shingled 19th century waterfront cottage with elegant contemporary elements". 

Situated on Martha's Vineyard and built by Andrew A. Flake, Inc., this home is part restoration project and part new addition. Built between October 2012 and June 2014, this 7000 square foot home is beautifully massed to hide its large size. Modern, bright interior spaces designed by Wells and Fox combine with more intimate and smaller rooms to create a truly stunning home both outside and in. 

images by Brian Vanden Brink via Andrew A Flake Inc. 

Want to read more? Check out one or all of these related posts. 

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screened in porches
february 10, 2015

firm feature: ensemble architecture

Ensemble Architecture is a Brooklyn based design firm headed up by Elizabeth Roberts. Since establishing her own firm in 1998, Roberts and her small team of architects and interior designers have been focused on bringing "the sought-after sensibility of its home borough to every project: a healthy regard for history overlaid with a clean and lively newness" (Ensemble). 

Its is this mix of old and new, that - I think makes the firm's work so successful. I am especially fond of their portfolio of bathrooms...

and kitchens....

all images via Ensemble Architecture

Want to read more? Check out one or more of these related posts.

firm feature: workstead
october 30, 2013

brockway sink
july 28, 2014

antique rugs in the bathroom
april 6, 2015

in favor of a distinct room plan

via about.com

Living in an old home, I have come to appreciate the value of having distinct rooms. And while yes, we are looking to start a renovation that will open our living room up to our back hall and kitchen, our first floor while remain four distinct spaces - kitchen, dining room, den and living room (we also have a back mud room which currently is just a dump space). We spend the majority of our time in the kitchen and living room but we also get really good use of our dining room and den. We have just a small bistro table in our kitchen so any time there is more than just the two of us, we use our big table. I also love the convenience of being able to fold laundry on it, spread out work or just drop things on it as we come in the back door. Our den gets the most use in the colder months making it more of our "winter room". It's where we put up our Christmas tree and where our wood burning stove is located. Its a great space to watch the fire or curl up and read a book. Down the road, I could see it becoming more of a cozy office/adult space when kids come into the picture. The draw of the living room is our TV and our new sofa which we are eagerly anticipating (especially because I am pretty concerned about it fitting through our front door). Each room has its own use and feel yet isn't so zoned off to only get used one or twice a year. I think for us this means we are in the right size of house. Its also a promotion for the distinct room plan which is almost never featured or designed these days.

In today's residential design world its all about the open floor plan - tearing down walls, creating full sight lines with one big space and no separation. And while, I understand the advantages of this approach - I question it. A few drawbacks I see are:
- an inability to create cozy, intimate spaces that draw people in
- a loss of usable space to circulation i.e. awkward dead space
- a greater infiltration of TV into daily life as there is basically no escaping it
- less encouragement for people to get involved in a particular activity (cooking, watching the fire etc.) because they can be in the same room but doing something else
- no privacy
- rooms outside of the "big open space" getting no use for example the dining room
These are just a few things that I have thought about and while it might seem that I am really hating on the open floor plan - I am more just trying to give pause and question what has become such an accepted trend. Some food for thought on this Monday....

Like this post? Check out wood stoves, antique home style or resource review: the distinctive floor plan.