Earthy Modern

After purchasing this house in mid-construction, the owners pivoted from their original selections and brought in the designer to help choose materials that felt more personalized to their own needs and style. They appreciated modern elements but wanted their home to avoid the “cold” tone that sometimes accompanies a strictly modern house. The earthy, modern aesthetic of their decisions now reflects their warm, inviting personality—accentuated by smart and edgy design choices—while using materials that elevate each room with intention. Customized tweaks to the countertops, tile, cabinet color and lighting resulted in significant differences in style.

Since the homeowner planned to work from home, they converted a pantry into an office. A custom black metal-and-glass wall gives the converted space a sense of privacy, expansion and openness, helping optimize its small size. The trim goes three-fourths of the way up the wall, with a trim board along the top for a ledge effect.

In the two-story great room, the designer faced the challenge of a large space with high ceilings, an extended hearth and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace—all contributing to a vast blank space on the wall to the left of the fireplace. To bring balance, texture and scale to the room, she selected grasscloth in a warm-neutral shade that plays nicely with the gray fireplace stone. She then leaned—rather than hung—a sizeable art piece against the wall for an effortless look. The entire home feels comfortable yet still elevated, intentional yet not stuffy, with a variety of small, smartly placed details that help to amplify the intended effect.