Annual Homes & Design Issue 2019
In a home that focuses on minimal design styles, the modern amenities and touches of a charming farmhouse bring this home into full vibrancy. “There’s a warmth to this house; even though it’s very minimal, it’s still warm and welcoming,” says Jackie Howard of Scarlett’s Cabinetry and The Tile Store, who played a vital role in the whole home’s stylish and comfortable design. Smart utility spaces and an inviting flow pattern make this home a comfortable and stylish place to make memories.
The streamlined, state-of-the-art kitchen is the heart of this home. Open to the living and dining room with ample workspaces, the sleek design of the kitchen allows for a seamless flow throughout these main spaces. Materials in the kitchen maintain the home’s modern aesthetic in clever ways. “They really wanted the look in the kitchen to match the rest of the house, so we opted for these light gray quartz countertops – they blend well with the concrete and light colors in the rest of the house. Plus, they are low maintenance and durable,” Howard shares. The appliances in the kitchen were designed and installed with precision to ensure the homeowner’s wish of having their ovens set flush with the drywall. Also, to attain the minimal appeal, this kitchen was designed with very few wall cabinets, meaning the drawers had to be planned meticulously. “We spent hours talking through the movement and function and all of the homeowners’ preferences to make sure every drawer had the features they needed,” Howard shares.
White oak flooring throughout the home is stained in a custom pale shade while warm white walls chime in, completing the light-toned backdrop. Howard explains, “It was really important for us to choose the exact custom stain for the white oak hardwood flooring first. Their color and layout influenced several choices in the rest of the design.” A rich, industrial walnut dining table lines up perfectly in an offset windowed nook, parallel with large picture windows and a pass through quartz serving counter. Modular seating found in the chairs and bench join the straightforward light fixture to reinforce the minimal theme. Meanwhile the shiplap wrapped casing of the passthrough countertop, which was designed to perfectly frame the window, adds a hint of farmhouse flair.
In the adjoining living area, modernized farmhouse features such as floating bookshelves, touches of greenery, and a tongue and groove ceiling are all executed to meticulous perfection. The inset stacked-stone fireplace features a black, poured concrete hearth. Further emphasizing the modern flair for this room, straight lines across the focal wall are reinforced by the sleek dimensions of the furniture, as well as the accordion-style sliding patio door. Though the home is carefully crafted to align with precision, it is also a warm, family-focused dwelling. The accordion door helps connect the interiors of the home with the exteriors for amplified livability. Howard shares, “The homeowners basically have a playground in the backyard, with a volleyball court, basketball court, in-ground swimming pool, and a beautiful courtyard, so this door ties it all together with the main living spaces inside.”
Solid knotty alder cabinetry with a warm honey-hued stain brings warmth to the black, white, and gray master bathroom. Poured concrete countertops and slate-look porcelain tile floors add texture and luxury to the space. Continued straight lines create a clean aesthetic with modern minimal style, all the way to the free-standing soaking bathtub with a floor-mounted faucet.
A fully tiled charcoal-colored walk-in shower is spacious enough to sit back from the direct water flow of the rainfall shower head and just enjoy a nice steam. A frosted picture window provides ample natural sunlight and privacy.
In the master bedroom, minimalism equates serenity. Clean shades of white mingle with muted forest photographs, pale natural wood, and a dazzling white wrapped stone fireplace reminiscent of the living room’s fireplace.
Upstairs features a spacious theater room complete with a huge screen for projected movies, television, and entertainment. A plush, sizable sectional with ottomans and floor pillows further provide for truly memorable movie nights. And for sleepover guests, there are four specialty, built-in full-sized bunk beds with privacy walls and matching linens.
Downstairs, an expanded laundry room functions as an arts and crafts area and as a multipurpose utility room. With beautiful views out of three large picture windows, this laundry room was designed and crafted into an area that the owners would want to spend time in. “Any time you make a laundry room fun, you’ve succeeded,” says Howard. The same quartz countertops from the kitchen are paired with a custom designed worktable that emerges from a set of natural wood built-in shelves and cabinetry. To set a more dramatic background, the perimeter cabinetry was done in flat panel doors and an approachable shade of dark gray.
With sleek designs, incredible sight lines, and touches of farmhouse charm, this modern farmhouse keeps it minimal in order to have plenty of space for all of the memorable experiences to be had here.
