A Single-Story Contemporary with Vaulted Ceilings Galore in Indian Hill

Homeowners Jeremy Tan and Theresa Ng sought a modern luxe interior design concept for their ground-floor unit at Faber Walk, with a specific request to avoid an overly opulent aesthetic. Carmen Tang of Wolf Woof, the interior designer, embraced this vision, challenging the common misconception that luxurious design is exclusive to larger apartments or must involve excessive embellishment. Tang's approach focused on achieving elegance and charm through understated means. A key feature of the unit is its 4.27-meter high ceiling, which Tang leveraged to enhance both aesthetics and functionality. This substantial vertical space allowed for the integration of two lofts: one situated above the dining area and another within the master bedroom. These additions significantly increased the available storage capacity while also introducing unique spatial elements. The loft above the dining area functions as a private "chillout" space, offering a mezzanine-like experience with views over the living room. This area is further equipped with storage cabinets lining one of its walls, demonstrating how vertical space was utilized for practical storage solutions without compromising the luxurious feel. A cozy reading nook is nestled within this loft, providing a secluded retreat within the home. In the master bedroom, the high ceiling similarly permitted the creation of a loft. The area directly beneath this loft is designed with future adaptability in mind, capable of being converted into a walk-in wardrobe. This forward-thinking design element ensures that the space can evolve with the homeowners' needs. To materialize the modern luxe aesthetic without incurring exorbitant costs, Tang carefully curated a palette of materials, textures, and colors. This selection aimed to project an elegant and chic style throughout the residence. Metallic accents were strategically incorporated into the neutral-toned bedroom decor. These accents serve as focal points, elevating the overall design and contributing to the desired luxurious ambiance in a subtle yet impactful manner. #Clementi #HomeTour #Loft #InteriorDesign #ModernLuxe #HighCeiling #StorageSolutions #ElegantDesign #WolfWoof

This blog post details the transformation of a ground-floor condominium unit on River Valley Road into a unique living space that evokes the feel of a landed property. The homeowner, a lawyer in her mid-30s, sought a tranquil retreat to de-stress from work and travel. Lim Shing Hui, the principal architect at L Architects, was tasked with the renovation, which spanned 12 weeks for the 1,119 sq ft, two-bedroom unit. Upon initial inspection, Shing Hui identified the apartment's potential, particularly its access to a beautiful patio adorned with trees, plants, and water features. This outdoor connection inspired her to design the living room and bedroom to seamlessly integrate with a garden-like environment, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. A crucial discovery during the renovation was the presence of additional ceiling space above the existing false ceiling. The removal of the false ceiling revealed lofty pitched ceilings, which became a cornerstone of the design strategy, reinforcing the vision of a house-like ambiance within a condominium. The apartment's original state was described as old, dark, cold, and sombre. Shing Hui aimed to redefine the negative perceptions often associated with ground-floor units, particularly in land-scarce Singapore where landed properties are rare and aspirational. The renovation aimed to transform these perceived drawbacks into delightful features reminiscent of a landed home. A key aspect of the design involved maximizing natural light. The original kitchen wall was removed to allow more sunlight to penetrate deeper into the interior, also expanding the dining area. The floor plan was conceptually divided into three distinct zones: the living area, the dining area, and the master bedroom. Each of these zones features its own pitched roof, creating the illusion of separate, smaller houses within the larger apartment. To further enhance this distinct zoning and sense of transition, occupants must cross thresholds marked by granite steps surrounded by river pebbles when moving between areas. This architectural choice is intended to create the feeling of traveling from one "house" to another, contributing to the overall landed property aesthetic. Shing Hui deliberately chose not to introduce a loft, a common approach for high-ceiling apartments, as the homeowner's simple lifestyle and minimal possessions made the existing open floor area sufficient. Instead, the pitched roofs and ceilings were strategically utilized to evoke the archetypal image of a house, which is deeply ingrained in architectural symbolism. The architect's objective was to challenge conventional notions of condominium living and eliminate the stigma associated with ground-floor apartments. The unique "house form" within the apartment often surprises and intrigues visitors, who typically anticipate a standard condominium interior. This design, however, was not merely an arbitrary choice but a contextual response to the site and the client's needs. It aimed to read the spatial requirements of the rooms and infuse visual appeal with deeper meaning, transcending mere interior decoration. The homeowner, who moved into the unit in September 2020, has found that the transformed space has positively impacted her lifestyle, leading her to prefer staying home and hosting friends for meaningful conversations, underscoring the success of the design in creating a comfortable and inviting retreat. #CondominiumDesign #PitchedCeilings #InteriorArchitecture #LandedPropertyFeel #GroundFloorRenovation #NaturalLight #ZonedLiving #Minimalist

Nicole Cole, CEO and founder of Vestige Home, embarked on a design project for a couple transitioning from their Boston residence to a condo in Society Hill Towers, a building recognized for its 1960s architecture by I.M. Pei. The clients, a retired art museum curator and a retired political science professor, sought a design that would integrate their extensive collection of antiques, books, and travel souvenirs into a layered and inviting space, all while respecting the building's inherent architectural style. The wife's background as a specialist in historic interiors meant she specifically connected with Vestige Home's approach to creating warm and personalized environments. The design process began with extensive client consultations, a method Cole employs to understand the homeowners' lifestyles and preferences. This particular couple's desire was to infuse their new, modern living space with the rich history and personal stories embedded in their belongings. The challenge was to achieve a cozy and eclectic feel without clashing with the sleek, somewhat austere backdrop of the I.M. Pei-designed condo, which also boasted expansive floor-to-ceiling views that were considered integral to the aesthetic. For the primary bedroom, Cole drew inspiration from Raffles Singapore, a favorite hotel of the couple. This influence translated into the selection of Maxwell’s Le Toucan charcoal wallpaper, which served as a foundational element for the room's design. Complementary pieces included a West Elm velvet pintuck quilt, adding texture and comfort, and a mid-century-modern-style cane headboard, which blended classic and contemporary elements. The office space was designed to be both functional and a reflection of the couple's academic and artistic interests. East Germantown design firm Edgewood Made crafted a wall of walnut millwork, incorporating a custom-designed integrated desk by Vestige Home. A framed poster showcasing the work of British artist Eric Ravilious, a personal memento from the couple's travels, was prominently displayed, adding a touch of their personal history to the professional setting. In the living room, the design focused on creating an inviting space for relaxation and intellectual engagement. A custom sofa from Highland House was chosen for its comfort and style. This was paired with an oversized Woodbridge Furniture coffee table, specifically selected to provide ample surface area for displaying the couple's numerous books, making the living room a central hub for their intellectual pursuits and daily life. The dining room features a bespoke banquette by Vestige Home, designed to optimize space and provide comfortable seating. The banquette is complemented by a Rosanna Corfe bird print, which adds an artistic focal point. Both elements are set against a wall painted in Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball, a deep, rich color that enhances the room's sophistication and allows the art and custom furniture to stand out. This design harmoniously blends the clients' cherished possessions with modern custom pieces, creating a home that is both personal and stylish within the iconic Society Hill Towers. #SocietyHillTowers #CondoDesign #EclecticInterior #VestigeHome #I.M.PeiArchitecture #InteriorDesign #CustomFurniture #HomeDecoration #LuxuryLiving

The Dowell family, consisting of Rebecca, Jeremiah, and their sons Deacon, Wyatt, and Ryder, along with their boxer Rookie, recently relocated to La Grange's Heather Ridge neighborhood to be closer to Oldham County Schools due to their sons' involvement in football and other sports. Jeremiah, a Realtor at Keller Williams Louisville East, had long admired the five-level Avery model by Fischer Homes. The family purchased a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom, 3,229-square-foot multi-level home built in 2023, which offered the ideal blend of shared and private living spaces. The Dowells undertook several customizations to personalize their new home. They installed luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout and equipped the kitchen with GE Café appliances. A significant change involved moving the fireplace from a corner to the center of the great room, opting for a gas fireplace. This tan brick fireplace, extending to the 18-foot ceilings, is complemented by a matching column in the basement office and an entryway arch, creating a cohesive design. Trim and sconces were added to frame the fireplace, creating symmetry, with a frame TV displaying a black and white family photo when not in use. Jeremiah emphasized the desire for the room not to be solely focused on the television. Rebecca, an independent travel advisor, established an in-home office in the basement. This space features a large, T-shaped desk with two chairs, shelving, and his-and-hers display cases. Rebecca's side showcases whimsical travel and childhood mementos, while Jeremiah's side displays award plaques and framed degrees. A wall-mounted TV in Rebecca's office streams live views of various locations, like New York, beaches, and castles, adding light and an outdoor ambiance to the space. The opposite side of the lower level is dedicated to a workout area, with a discreet entry to a large storage space. The family's love for football is evident in the rec room, which includes a large TV, ample seating, an NFL Blitz arcade game, and a wall adorned with a mural of the Caesars Superdome, reflecting Rebecca's New Orleans roots. The room also features dozens of mini football helmets, which previously were scattered in the children's rooms. The 10-foot ceiling in the rec room was a major selling point for the family, as it provided an expansive feel typically not found in basements and connected seamlessly with the kitchen. Exterior customizations were also undertaken. Initially, Rebecca found the original brown exterior with shutters too busy. After consulting an artist on Etsy for exterior renderings, they chose Sherwin-Williams Oyster Bay, an algae-hued neutral paint with slate-blue undertones, to enhance the home's curb appeal. Jeremiah, being in real estate, considered resale value in all their modifications. While the Dowells anticipate moving again in the future, they are currently enjoying their customized home, particularly its open floor plan, which facilitates family gatherings and entertaining, as exemplified by a Derby party where Rebecca could remain engaged with guests while in the kitchen. Key distinctive elements of the home include an entryway with a tan brick archway made with German schmear, quartz countertops, large kitchen cabinets with trim to the ceiling, a custom pantry mirroring the kitchen with a mini-fridge, and a second pantry for dry food and appliances. The first floor features custom luxury vinyl plank flooring. Other notable features include floor-to-ceiling trim in the great room and entryway, a custom mudroom, a renovated basement with an office, gym, bathroom, large framed TV, and ample hidden storage. The primary bedroom boasts a brick wall, a custom 4K electric fireplace, tiled bathroom floor, custom vanity, and custom closet. The backyard includes custom pavers and a gas fireplace, while the garage has an epoxy floor. The Dowells enlisted various professionals for these customizations, including Fischer Homes, Andreanna for LVP flooring, Olde Town Chimney for the gas fireplace, Wes Stutz for fireplace installation and trim work, Wes Stutz and Chris Barber for storage solutions, Jeff Hancock of Triple Trade for electrical and plumbing, Coronado Stone for the primary bedroom brick wall, Kilo’s Painting for interior and exterior painting, Earthscapes LLC for pavers, and Epoxy Dude for garage flooring. #HomeDesign #CustomHome #MultiLevelHome #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #FischerHomes #OldhamCounty #FamilyHome #HomeCustomization

The great room within the Tahoe Pines project showcases an impressive design featuring vaulted, wood-clad ceilings and steel-frame windows on three sides, creating a significant and visually striking space. The initial architectural design of the room included a wood ceiling with steel I-beams and large window systems, which provided a foundation for a modern aesthetic. Despite the grandeur of the high ceilings, the design objective was to infuse a sense of coziness and invitation into the space, encouraging occupants to linger. To achieve a more inviting atmosphere, subtle modifications were made to the room's elements. The previously contemporary limestone fireplace, characterized by straight lines, was softened with the addition of gentle curves. This alteration aimed to make the focal point of the room feel less stark and more harmonious with a relaxed interior. A challenge arose with the scale of the space, particularly concerning the window seats flanking the fireplace. Standard sconces appeared disproportionately small in the expansive environment. To address this, the built-in benches for the window seats were designed to be slightly higher than typical, which helped to balance the oversized nature of the room's architecture and window systems. The furniture selection process focused on combining classic foundational pieces with items that introduce visual interest. A classic main sofa was chosen to provide a timeless base, while side pieces were incorporated to add character. Notably, a plaid sofa was introduced to bring a pattern into the room, reflecting a deliberate choice to be bolder in a vacation home setting. The plaid pattern was selected for its classic appeal, ensuring it would remain stylish over time. The design team also ensured the room's paint scheme complemented the overall aesthetic, using Westhighland White by Sherwin Williams throughout the majority of the home, including the great room. This creamy white color contributes to the desired hominess, effectively integrating with the modern structural elements. Additional design elements enhance the room's functionality and style. A pair of Beck Leather Stools from McGee & Co. are positioned in front of the fireplace, their slender and structured form offering a subtle nod to mid-century design. The choice of specific furniture pieces like the Pattinson Sofa and Florence Floor Lamp further define the room's character and provide both comfort and illumination. The design philosophy behind the Tahoe Pines great room underscores the importance of balancing modern architecture with inviting elements, demonstrating how a vast space can be made to feel both impressive and comfortable through thoughtful design choices and careful consideration of scale, texture, and pattern. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #GreatRoom #TahoePinesProject #ModernArchitecture #CozyInteriors #LimestoneFireplace #WindowSeats #FurnitureSelection #PlaidSofa #WesthighlandWhite #BeckLeatherStools