Capturing Contemporary Charm

COLLABORATION AT ITS BEST

Contrasting with the Cyberspace exterior, the inside of the home is airy and light, all the while maintaining a certain richness. “I think something really cool about this home was the way we were able to work with the homeowner. Not only was the homeowner interested in contemporary design, but it’s also something that everyone at our firm really appreciates,” says Young. “The homeowner has a very technical mind, and through collaboration, we were able to talk through and overcome the challenges that were presented. That can be pretty unique for tricky projects, and it meant he was able to bring his own design style and taste to the build.”

To see more from Surface Architecture, visit surfacearch.com.

Keeping with the contemporary theme, the home’s living room is soft and spacious. A modular light fixture hangs from the ceiling and is centered over a seating arrangement that consists of two sofas and a pair of swivel barrel-back chairs. A sleek, two-tiered circular coffee table brings in the rich black that can be found in other areas of the home such as the window and door frames and a piano that’s nestled in the corner. 

“The details in this home are what really make it special.” says Young. “We knew that we wanted to pull the soffit material from the entry canopy into the interior of the home, and took the opportunity to use this detail on the fireplace and ceilings as well. This keeps a continuous design language throughout the residence, and the verticality of the slats reinforces the height of the space.” 

“When it came to the slats, we tossed around the idea of using traditional tongue-and-groove or a composite material, but we really wanted to be able to utilize them in a variety of places so we went with these cut and stained two-by-fours. Seeing something like this as a finished product and seeing all the ways in which it ties the home together is really special.”

– Ross Young, Surface Architecture 

Not far from the home’s entryway is the elegant and streamlined kitchen. Slab cabinetry is complemented by the oversized island, which features a waterfall edge on one side and a butcher block detail on the other. Simple leather barstools are tucked neatly under the quartz countertop while a quartet of bell-shaped pendant lights emits a warm glow. A large picture window provides even more light, and its accompanying minimalist range hood goes almost unnoticed. 

Countertops: Granite Warehouse

The real crown jewel of this home, however, is a courtyard located right off of the main living space. Here, a sectional rests on top of durable composite decking, and several plants add a lively touch. 

“The homeowner wanted a way for his family and guests to be outside without feeling like they were removed from everyone else,” explains Young. “That led us to create this courtyard, and we paid a lot of attention to keep this moment sacred.” 

With all of the windows being the same size, when guests enter the home, this courtyard provides a direct sightline through the dining space and into the yard, and its proximity to the kitchen makes entertaining a breeze.

Also creating quite the impact are several of the home’s bathrooms. Both the powder room and a full bathroom on the other side of the home ramp up the contrast with their paint and tile selection. 

In the powder room, black tile is paired with a floating, leathered granite vanity, which offers up a tasteful touch of texture. The wall-mounted plumbing fixture, circular mirror, and globed light are accented in black and maintain the room’s no-frills approach. White walls round out the space and prevent it from becoming weighted and heavy. 

In the other bathroom, white large-format tile is arranged in a herringbone pattern and is bisected by a swath of color. Slab cabinetry provides continuity with the kitchen, and pops of black appear yet again in the mirror, cabinet pulls, and plumbing fixtures. 

Both monochromatic bathrooms are successful in striking a delicate balance and echo the equilibrium of design selections found elsewhere in the home. 

Tile: Louisville Tile 

Regardless of how big or small, each decision when building this home underwent careful consideration, and that very attention to detail is what lead to the creation of this contemporary masterpiece. 

Other suppliers:
Appliances, lighting, and plumbing fixtures: Ferguson
Brick: Acme Brick, Tile & Stone
Doors, trim, and windows: JB Millworks
Flooring: Professional Flooring Supplies
Roofing: Matt Hoover Construction