“A marriage of Arts and Crafts and contemporary” is how architect Jay Caughman describes this Riverview home. The house has many exterior architectural features of the Arts and Crafts period, also known as the American Craftsman period, such as complex roof lines, broad eaves, and a mixture of wood and stone. Inside, Arts and Crafts features can be seen in an open floor plan and the use of earthy colors and rich, warm colored woods. It’s the use of woods and furnishings in this home that parts ways with the Arts and Crafts style to make the home’s interior a reflection of a more modern design. “We didn’t want to do the typical craftsman, so we stepped things up a notch and were aware that the home needed a mix without feeling jarring,” says interior designer Laura Hertle.
Caughman describes the floor plan as “long sight lines to public places.” An abundance of light from large windows shines crisply throughout the open floor plan. Clean lines and contemporary finishes are apparent and accentuate the kitchen and great room. The kitchen, a cook’s kitchen, yet efficient for two people, is high-tech with all appliances hidden behind natural cherry cabinets with long, slender polished chrome handles. Even the gas range is barely visible, placed on the back side of the L-shaped island. The serpentine track lighting in the kitchen is custom designed and suspended from the ceiling. There are two seating areas; a raised pedestal table for casual dining and a banquette for more conversational dining.
The living room to the right of the front entrance is open to the great room and kitchen. As in the den area, the fireplace is the focal point; this one is constructed using more traditional Arts and Crafts materials. A raised hearth and outer surround are made from Brazilian cherry. The top surface of the hearth is onyx with green, gold, and red
veining which complements the room’s color scheme. A smaller inner surround is crafted from hammered copper. On one side next to the fireplace is open shelving constructed of thick boards attached in a recessed wall. The room’s seating includes a sofa and two Louis XIV style chairs grouped around a circular coffee table with a glass top.
The upstairs private rooms are more defined. The master suite uses colors inspired by the sea. The four poster bed has a blue quilted coverlet folded at the foot and a cream colored bed covering. Three horizontal striped pillows in shades of blue, green and orange line the headboard. At the foot of the bed is a bench upholstered in a blue and white striped fabric. Matching Morris style chairs made of rattan with ottomans in each corner are positioned to view the adjustable flat-screen TV over an unadorned white marble fireplace.
An arched doorway leads to the master bathroom. Mahogany cabinets, white marble countertops, and a heated green tile floor accentuate this room along with a freestanding soaking tub positioned in front of two lovely framed windows. Further reinforcing the elegance of the master bath is a strikingly large walk-in glass shower with multiple shower heads lined with blue and green glass tile.
The marriage of contemporary materials and furnishings with Arts and Crafts architectural features works seamlessly to provide a stunningly beautiful home perfect for the style and taste of the homeowner.