Glass House Reverie

A long, hard-to-furnish study was repurposed as a formal foyer and adjacent sitting room. The relocated entry doubles as a mudroom, defined by its full-bodied commitment to the rich teal color of its built-in casework, bench, and wainscoting.

With a client deeply excited about embracing color, pattern, and texture to create spaces that are visually unique and special, we searched far and wide to source materials and fixtures that would delight her.

Wallpaper special-ordered from France nods to Impressionism with its flowing, organic design. The greens, purples, and blues complement the space and offer a lively contrast to the rich drama of a cheetah-print bench cushion.

Above, a custom light fixture from Italy, composed of glass baubles and flowers, provides a sparkle of additional color in the otherwise teal-dominant space.

Vintage pieces, such as the pocket doors that separate the mudroom from an informal sitting room, juxtapose the new, custom casework. Salvaged from Louisiana, these doors originated from a 16th century chateau. Sanded and painted a matching blue teal, they add a character all their own to the small space.

White and black checkered marble tiles add to the space’s opulence in neutrals. The elements combine to imbue a childlike sense of wonder in a quirky-yet-elevated space that is celebrated despite its humble purpose.

In this intricately remodeled home, a sitting room just beyond the mudroom pays homage to the home’s early days as a circus owner’s training grounds. Covering all four walls and the ceiling, the room’s whimsical dirigible wallpaper envelops the space with a playful vibe in moody blues.

The room’s vintage air travel theme was inspired by a quirky light fixture that came with the house: a track with an antique-toy-like parachute, hot air ballon, and triplane. The thematic pairing of fixture and wall covering make both feel as if they were always part of the whimsical space.

Luxurious textiles, like the velveteen sofa and brocade inspired pillows, ground the otherwise lighthearted design: a beautiful juxtaposition of the purity of child-like wonder with “grown-up,” sophisticated finishes.

The sofa and chairs belonging to the homeowner’s great-grandmother and were reupholstered and repurposed for modern use.

This newly capacious kitchen feels rich with materiality, yet grounded. Working with an existing glass solarium, addressing the overall functionality of the space while tailoring it to the homeowner’s lifestyle was paramount. Fittingly, the result included extending the solarium, creating a light-filled kitchen and dining room where custom details abound.

With custom casework throughout, everything can have its place, whether in view, like the paper towel drawer, or out of sight, like hidden apothecary boxes for small storage. A spacious butler’s pantry (once the home’s entry) offers additional storage and prep space.

Inlayed into the floor in front of the kitchen sink are illuminated glass blocks salvaged from the original home. While important to the homeowner to repurpose in the new design, the lights serve the practical purpose of lighting up the kitchen.

Incorporating natural materials was also important to the homeowner, seen in the reclaimed myrtle wood butcher block island and the soapstone countertops and backsplash, which returns to the counter with a gentle arch, mirroring the wood-clad archway to the butler’s pantry.

The footprint of the kitchen extends into the solarium, steeped in views of the refreshed backyard while bringing in extraordinary natural light. A statement double-sided cabinet features glazed doors on both sides inviting additional filtered light into the room.

A deliberate delineation, the double-sided cabinet creates privacy between prep and dining areas, while also allowing additional light to be shared between the two spaces.

Soft white walls, medium wood, and oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware create an antique look that complements the kitchen’s traditional style. The cabinet provides easy access to dishes from either the kitchen or dining room. On the dining room side, a lower, shallow row of glazed cabinets offers a place to display knickknacks and other beloved items.

The primary suite closet was of paramount importance to the homeowner. We went through several iterations before we settled on a layout that provided the right amount and types of storage for her wardrobe. Drawers, shelving, racks, and cabinets mean shoes, clothing, and accessories all have their place. A library ladder makes accessing any area of the closet, especially the upper shelves, a breeze.

Cheery wallpaper teaming with a variety of flowers pops against the creamy white custom casework. The window’s treatments match the wallpaper’s floral design. A bench seat under the closet’s coveted window offers space to comfortably prepare for the day.

This whole-house remodel takes full advantage of the property's generous footprint. Newly updated interior spaces seamlessly connect to carefully designed outdoor rooms. On the north side, a new wall and fence carve out a secluded, level area for a lap pool.

Above, a terrace hosts a wood-burning fire pit nestled against one of the property's mature trees, creating an intimate gathering space with views of the water.

To the south, a steep, forested hillside shelters an outdoor cabana, cooking area, and gas firepit. A newly added door from the kitchen establishes a fluid indoor-outdoor experience.

A flight of natural-stone stairs leads to a transformed shed: now a tranquil retreat tucked into the trees. Its porch offers guests a private vantage point over the garden's layered, verdant plantings.

Thoughtful hardscaping unifies the outdoor rooms and guides the transition from architecture to landscape. Near the house, flagstone is laid with precision and regularity, gradually giving way to organic, freeform pavers.

The planting strategy follows a similar progression: hydrangeas and structured yet relaxed plantings anchor the area near the house, becoming increasingly lush and naturalistic as they ascend the hillside. Pots and planters add finishing touches, introducing texture, seasonal interest, and punctuations of color.

Overall, the space feels sumptuous with the details of an earlier time, yet truly unique with personal touches against the backdrop of the lush landscape through the glass house walls.