Laura Kaehler

A retired couple came into our office with firm ideas about the look and flow of a new home they wanted to build. They had purchased a serene two-acre property privately located yet very convenient to the shops and restaurants downtown. The clients wanted a symmetrical Georgian brick and limestone exterior with classic and traditional interior detailing. Functionality with clean simplicity was a paramount concern.

Client Needs/Requirements

To respond to our clients’ needs for a beautiful and functional home, we designed all the main rooms of the home, including the master bedroom suite, on the first floor. Each room has easy access out to a covered porch and to the gardens beyond.

To provide a classic and balanced exterior, we used hand made brick, weathered slate, and limestone details on the windows and doors, which added “old world” character and detailing.

To create a traditional symmetrical home, we used straightforward axes. The first axis leads from the front door directly out the rear French doors to the back yard beyond, while the second axis runs perpendicular to the first and leads the visitor from one end of the home to the other along a paneled and columned gallery hallway.

To create a private area for houseguests, we designed the guest rooms on the second floor. To maximize energy efficiency, these infrequently used rooms are in a different heating and cooling zone and can be conditioned separately from the first floor of the home.