HB kitchen of the month: the rest of the house

Several years ago, I became a fan of Los Angeles based architect William Hefner. His work is incredibly beautiful; rooted in classic design, but with a fresh and contemporary interpretation. I looked back over my blog archives to see when I first posted about him, and July 2008 seems to be the first time, although his work has been a constant presence on my blog ever since!

I included the picture above in my post about ‘Steel Windows and Doors’, from June of 2009 - one of my all time favorite posts. I noticed right away that William Hefner has a love for steel windows; in fact, I had never really seen or noticed steel windows until I saw all of the beautiful examples on his website. Steel windows have such beauty and grace, perhaps because the elegant and narrow sightlines that enable more of the outside to be seen.

Imagine my surprise when I turned to the House Beautiful kitchen of the month in the April 2010 issue, and saw this very kitchen! With my newfound love of kitchen design, and my deeper understanding of some of the flow and process decisions that need to be made when designing a kitchen, I have become a huge fan of the House Beautiful kitchen of the month. I never really paid much attention to this feature before, but now I analyze every single detail of the kitchens featured.

I love this view of the kitchen - contemporary art in a kitchen is a fantastic touch, and it is interesting that the door leading out the back is more of a traditional French door (mixed with the steel windows leading out the side). The House Beautiful issue this month features many great pictures of this spectacular kitchen (you'll have to buy a copy of the magazine to see them), but it got me wondering – what does the rest of the house look like?

Fortunately, a trip to William Hefner’s website was fruitful, as the entire house is featured in his portfolio. Here is the outside of the house, which is located in Los Angeles. Hefner calls it a ‘1920’s French provincial house’.

A closer view of the front courtyard, which features a fountain and a pea gravel path. The landscaping is very natural and unstructured – I love the lavender that is planted in the front. I wish lavender would grow in Atlanta!

The back yard emphasizes the efficient use of space; the back of the house has a wing and a courtyard, as well as a long elegant lap pool which is oriented to the guest house. The kitchen is in the wing; the door in the back is the French door, and I assume that the doors leading to the patio (which can't be seen) are the steel doors. I like and appreciate the simplicity of the landscape design; there is an art to understanding how to do simplicity well.

Look at that niche under the stairs to the guest house - what a clever way to create a shaded outdoor seating area!

A view of the guest house.

Here is a glimpse into the interiors of the house . Hefner always seems to emphasize light and windows in his designs, and this room has both light on two sides as well as the indoor-outdoor connection with the French doors opening to the back patio.

The dining room connects to both the living room and the entry hall. Based on an analysis of the back of the house, both of these rooms open to the yard, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor connection that was designed into the architecture of the house.

And the final picture from the Hefner portfolio – a charming zinc tub that seems to blend in so well with the feel of the house. The stone on the floor has a great look, and the marble on the wall is a great idea a decorative way to wall mount the tub faucet.

One more gratuitous picture of the steel doors leading out to the patio…I showed this picture to my husband, and was shocked at how much he liked the look of the steel windows. What do you think of these windows? I don’t think the kitchen would be the same without them – they really define the look of the room. After seeing the rest of the house, I am particularly charmed by the fact that the steel windows are just in this one area of the house - it is a special and memorable touch.

All images via www.williamhefner.com

To see more pictures of this beautiful kitchen, and an interview with the architect, please see the House Beautiful Kitchen of the Month feature, April 2010 (page 130).

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The Third Dimension in Architecture and Design

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Recently, I profiled Massachusetts architect Katie Hutchison. When I first learned of her online articles, I was particularly smitten with Katie's discussion of the third dimension in design and architecture. In her article, Katie wrote:

"You would think it would be obvious, but sometimes it needs to be said: attention to the third dimension is critical to shaping space. All too often in a rush to plan room-to-room adjacencies and sequencing on a particular floor level, treatment of the third dimension becomes an afterthought".

After reading Katie's article, I went through the pictures in my own inspiration files to see where the 'third dimension' adds to, and even defines, a space. Many of the examples I found were in the beautiful ceiling treatments that the designers and architects used, but there are so many possibilities for adding the third dimension to a space. Here are some of my favorite examples.

This picture has circulated around the blogosphere, and it seems as if the ladder is the feature that captures everyone's attention. The ladder and the opening at the top is the third dimension that gives definition to this large two story space. The mystery of what is at the top of the ladder is part of the intrigue of the room. Interior design by Christopher Maya.

Katie says that an area often neglected is the ceiling, and many designers see it as the perfect canvas for a beautiful design feature. This ceiling, in Marble House, Newport, was one of the most memorable features of the home. The intricacy of the ceiling and the fretwork all around the room was breathtaking to see in person.

My favorite stately home in England, Blenheim Palace, has a beautiful library that is my favorite room in the house. The eye is naturally taken up to appreciate the detail on the ceiling, and the shape of the space makes it feel like you are passing through an amazing portal. At the end of the space: a magnificent organ.

John Saladino is perhaps the master at making every space full of subtle dimension; every surface is an opportunity for a statement, whether it be subtle or bold. The walls are textured and appear to be carved out of stone, an impression solidified by the columns that flank the door. The leather door with the detail in nails is so original and adds so much to this space - it simply would not be the same with just plain painted wood doors.

I love the look of this entry to designer Frank Babb Randolph's townhouse; he added the door surround, which is quite sculptural and defines the style of the house. I am a big fan of beautifully defined front doors as the perfect introduction to a home, and a great extra dimension to a house.

This is an amazing interpretation of a staircase, in an entry designed by Bunny Williams. There are so many elements in this space that add the 'third dimension' - the texture of the walls, the columns in the window above the stair, the wave pattern on the floor, the curve of the wall, and of course the magnificent stairs.

The groined ceiling and detailed columns are the the third dimension of this space that makes it extraordinary. Would a flat ceiling and walls have the same impact?

This unusual room has a recessed ceiling and a curve built into the wall, a third dimension to the room that makes it very powerful from an architecture and design perspective. The shape of the dining chairs reflects the shape of the room, in a nice use of a repeating design element. Interiors by J. Randall Powers.

Do you notice that the area for the console is recessed in this room? A unique architectural feature that gives this room extra dimension. Architecture by Steve Giannetti.

A richly detailed room with beautiful moldings on the ceiling and an ornate mantel give this room an extra dimension of elegance. Interior design by Suzanne Kasler, architecture by Bill Baker.

I went to a party at this house many years ago, and was struck by the hand painted ceiling and the trestle beams in the ceiling. It is hard to see the painting on the ceiling, but the trestle really made a large room with high ceilings much more intimate. This room would not have the same impact if it did not have the detail on the ceiling - an example where the third dimension in the ceiling treatment really defines the room. Architecture by Jack Arnold.

I love the look of this room - the walls have beams, similar to what I have seen in Tudor style homes in England that are authentic to the time. Again - it is the third dimension of the wall and ceiling treatment that defines this room. Interior design by Tom Scheerer.

This Hermes box inspired room has lovely walls, a third dimension in design that really defines the room. I have seen those more and more often in Atlanta - a paneled wood room with wood that is bleached, waxed, or glazed to lighten the feel of the wood. The Pottery Barn rug also adds a great look to the room. Interiors by Melanie Turner.

I can't tell if this is a groined ceiling, but the effect of all of the curves in the ceilings is dramatic and beautiful - a beautiful dimension to the space. Design by Katherine Newman.

I did not notice the ceiling when I first saw this picture, but upon further examination, I see that the ceiling is painted to give it a coffered look. Simply painting a ceiling or giving it an interesting treatment is an easy way to add dimension to a space.

I saved this picture because of the beautiful painting by Mira Hecht, but also love the look of the curved arch that separates the two seating areas, varying the ceiling for additional interest and space definition. These are elements that give an extra dimension to the space.

I love this arched passageway in a home with architecture by Steve Giannetti. What a great way to transition from one room to another - and a good use of the dead zone under the stairs. Katie says that 'spatial variety in the form of interludes with lower ceilings in which to pause or take personal shelter can relieve otherwise tall, open spaces'. I thought about this picture when reading Katie's words.

This picture, from an ad for oak flooring, has both a massive fireplace and beams on the ceiling, as well as thickly framed bookshelves to the side of the fireplace. There is a lot of texture and dimension to this room.

Yet another space with architecture by Steve Giannetti (who adds such outstanding architectural details to the houses he designs). I love this ceiling, which has beams but they are laid in a pattern that gives a coffer effect.

The art mounted on the bookshelf, a signature design feature in libraries by Jan Showers, adds a great dimension to the room.

One of my new favorite pictures - I think the double doors is a beautiful third dimension' design element that adds so much to this space, a thoughtful approach to balancing privacy and light.

Even something as seemingly simple as painting a door in a color other than white is a great way to add that extra third dimension to a room (although, of course, this room has so many other wonderful dimensional design features too). Interiors by S. Gambrel.

Windows can be a powerful design element in a room that gives a great dimension to the space. The beautiful windows (not to mention the gorgeous chevron floors) add to the architectural strength of this room. This is from Ina Garten's pied a terre in New York City.

An example where unique windows add a great dimension to the room; the 'x' motif is one of my favorites. Note the beams used as the window frame - unusual and beautiful.

Another dimension that is often seen in French architecture is an enfilade style design, where one room opens to another, without the use of halls. This design gives a wonderful axial view from one room through to the room on the end, often with a beautiful vignette at the end. The walls are also done in an interesting treatment that adds dimension to the room.

Another home with the enfilade design, as well as a unique and beautiful treatment on the ceiling and door surrounds.

Look at the detail in this stairwell, in a home by architect William Hefner. The curve of the stair, the design of the rail and window, and even the design of the ceiling are details that certainly add many layers and that 'third dimension' to the architecture.

The depth of the window was what first caught my eye in this beautiful room designed by Betty Burgess. This room is full of the kind of architectural details that make a room exceptional, from the ceiling to the fireplace to the windows and flooring. Image via Veranda.

A kitchen from a renovated 1930s home in Atlanta. The kitchen was added on, and the vaulted ceiling and lack of upper cabinets emphasizes the airiness of the space. The home is Tudor in style, with relatively low ceilings and a cozy, intimate feel that are typical of the time when it was built, so entering the kitchen wing is a great way to balance differing ceiling heights. This is another way that a third dimension in architecture is utilized - varying the heights of the ceilings.

The shiplap style ceiling is so popular these days, and adds a noticeable third dimension to this beautiful kitchen by Victoria Hagan.

There is something about this room that is so unique and appealing. It has light on two sides - both sides of the room are glass. The columns make a seamless transition between the inside and the outside, giving this indoor room the feeling of a loggia. The ceiling adds texture and dimension to the room. Interiors by Lars Bolander.

Readers have emailed me and asked how they can make a house have more of a unique feel, as most of us do not live in custom homes where there is a lot of architectural detail. Although many of the homes in this post are very customized, I have seen home design shows, particularly ones focusing on getting a home ready for sale, install interesting architectural elements into fairly bland homes - like crown molding purchased from Home Depot, wall molding that frames spaces on a wall, detail on stair treads, and interesting ceiling treatments. Even painting a ceiling or a door in a color, instead of builder's white, is a great way to add another dimension to a room.

Vanishing Threshold

A few months ago, my friend Terry of Architecture Tourist emailed me about a wonderful blog by landscape designer and author Tara Dillard called 'Vanishing Threshold: Home Garden Life'. Since that time, I have become a huge fan of her blog - her posts really cause me to think about the relationship between the home and the garden in a different way. As much as I enjoy Tara's blog, it was one specific post on Coming Home: Vanishing Threshold that really spoke to me. I highly encourage you to go read it for yourself - you will probably think differently about the connection between home and garden after reading it (click here to go read the post). I think about this post often, and come back to re-read it on a regular basis. Have you ever encountered a post like this on a blog or in a magazine? It doesn't happen too often, but when it does - it is truly magical.

The picture above is from Tara's post on vanishing thresholds. As Tara says, 'vanishing threshold begins in thought, then inside your home, then outside in the landscape. In that order'. A vanishing threshold occurs when there is a thoughtful relationship between the inside and the outside, between home and garden; when the outside complements the interior, and the interior complements the outside. It occurs when you are inside and the outside to so well framed, or so seamlessly integrated with the home, that you want to go outside; and when you are outside you get lovely glimpses of what is inside, and want to go in. Home, garden, and life.

I recently profiled a beautiful home on the market in Atlanta; when I saw this view at the end of the hall, I immediately thought about vanishing thresholds. Look how beautifully the inside flows to the outside; the bench is the perfect touch, a welcoming place to rest in the garden. Notice how the wall behind (which is actually part of the family room) is covered with ivy, so it blends in with the greenery in the back of the property.

This picture is from a home designed by John Saladino. The opening of the door is perfectly situated so that it looks across the expanse of the pool into the arch of the pool house. Quite a stunning example of vanishing threshold.

William Hefner, an architect out of Los Angeles, is a master of the vanishing threshold. He clearly designs his homes with an eye for the relationship between the home and garden. I think the ideal situation when building a home is to have the architect, landscape designer, and interior designer all on the team at the onset of the project, to maximize the integration of the home, the garden, and the interior.

I've always liked this picture, not because of the decor (which is not really my style) because there is such a good relationship established between the inside and the outside in this home. Looking out the wall of windows makes me want to go out there and sit on the patio.

I always think that a conservatory type space almost becomes part of the garden - a beautiful example of the vanishing threshold. This is the breakfast room of Brooke's home, from Velvet & Linen.

I saw this kitchen on a tour of homes, and the kitchen was specifically designed so that the owner of the home could gaze out at the greenery in her backyard while cooking. I think this is a lovely vanishing threshold, don't you? The expanse of windows are perfectly designed to reveal and highlight the beautiful greenery in the backyard.

I think there is something about steel windows that automatically create a vanishing threshold. This picture, taken by the Architecture Tourist during a garden tour, beautifully frames the kitchen and makes me want to go inside - a vanishing threshold from the outside. I can just imagine that the owner of this home probably has these doors open all of the time during the spring and fall.

Another picture from William Hefner's portfolio. Again, he uses steel windows to great effect - steel windows really create such a striking indoor/outdoor relationship.

This picture, via House Beautiful and Architect Design, shows how windows can be used as a design element in a home - not only does this space have natural light coming in from two sides, but clearly it has a lush green view that is perfectly framed by the casement windows. The windows can open and close like doors, enabling a indoor/outdoor feel (if this were on an upper level, though, I would want to make sure that they can't open too wide - would not be good for the dogs or the kids!).

I love it when a master on the main opens to the back of the home. This bedroom, from an Atlanta real estate listing, opens to a covered porch off the back of the house - creating a great vanishing threshold.

This home, from an Atlanta real estate listing, has beautiful wooded views (although this picture was taken during the winter - I can only imagine how it looks now that we have had a rainy spring and summer that has made all of the trees leafier than ever). Because Atlanta is very hilly, many homes have terraces or decks across the back instead of a flat walk out back yard, and a full daylight basement. I love an expanse of French doors across the back of a home, particularly for a living room.

My dream study - with casement windows that look out onto a beautiful green view, capable of being opened with the flick of a lever.

I have always found this picture to be fascinating. Yes, there is a beautiful relationship between the indoors and the outdoors from a visual standpoint - how could there not be with huge floor to ceiling windows like this? However, I would have made these doors. The lack of doors makes the windows seem a little like a barrier between the inside and the outside.

I like this arrangement better - two sets of arched French doors, framed with billowing silk, one door cracked open to let in the fresh air. A great realtionship between the architecture, the interior design, and the garden beyond. Image via Elle Decor.

One of my favorite pictures of a casual dining area - in part because of the lantern, but also in part because of the indoor/outdoor connection of the room with the outside. Home and garden are truly in sync at this home. Image via Traditional Home.

This city apartment achieves the vanishing threshold with a rewarding view of the outside at the end of this gallery kitchen. I get the impression that the owners must enjoy sitting out there on nice summer evenings, don't you? Image via Alan Higgs Architects.

One of my favorite family rooms has a great connection between the inside and the outside - this room is in a wing, and the other side of the wall with the fireplace is actually a part of the garden landscape, as it is covered with ivy and looks like a garden wall.

This image, from an Atlanta real estate listing, shows how important the outside of a home can be for the vanishing threshold. Vanishing threshold is all about tying the home to the garden. In this case, the home and garden are both of the same French style - and clearly, there is a big connection between the inside and the outside (as the nine sets of French doors are testament to this).

I don't have too many other pictures to illustrate the connection from the outside to the inside - but Tara says a lot of it involves being aware of the view in the windows from the outside. We have all experienced the lovely view, particularly at night, of a glimpse inside a home through a glowing window - perhaps of a pretty lamp, or a curtain that has been finished just as beautifully from the outside view as from the inside. I will never forget passing by a window once, to a child's party that was in the backyard, and catching a glimpse of the back of a dining room chair - the back was a contrasting fabric. I kept that image in my mind, and when I was invited back to the house a few months later, the first thing I did was look into the dining room from the entryway, to see what the front of the chair looked like.

Please visit Tara Dillard's blog for more information on vanishing thresholds, and for landscape design inspiration. Tara is also the author of several books on landscape design, which come highly recommended. I hope this post and Tara's blog will cause you to think about the vanishing threshold in your own home!

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