Double Height Living Room Designs & Ideas
TKS Design Group
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The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”.
This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them.
“The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala.
The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below.
The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.”
The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala.
Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD
Photography by: Carlos Vergara
For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com
alene workman interior design, incA penthouse living room area dramatizes the ocean view with a clean lined, modern take on design.
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Vanguarda ArquitectosPool House (2010)
Project and Works Management
Location Los Castores I, Nordelta, Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Total Area 457 m²
Photo Luis Abregú
Pool House>
Principal> Arq. Alejandro Amoedo
Lead Designer> Arq. Lucas D’Adamo Baumann
Project Manager> Hernan Montes de Oca
Collaborators> Federico Segretin Sueyro, Luciana Flores, Fausto Cristini
The main condition suggested by the owner for the design of this permanent home was to direct the views to the vast lagoon that is on the rear façade of the land.
To this end, we designed an inverted L layout, withdrawing the access to the house towards the center of the lot, allowing for wider perspectives at the rear of the lot and without limits to the environment.
Aligned on the front façade are the garages, study, toilet and service rooms: laundry, pantry, one bedroom, one bathroom and the barbecue area.
This geometry created a long path towards the entrance of the house, which was designed by combining vehicle and pedestrian access.
The social areas are organized from the access hall around an inner yard that integrates natural light to the different environments. The kitchen, the dining room, the gallery and the sitting room are aligned and overlooking the lagoon. The sitting room has a double height, incorporating the stairs over one of the sides of the inner yard and an in-out swimming pool that is joined to the lake visually and serves as separation from the master suite.
The upper floor is organized around the double-height space, also benefiting from the views of the environment, the inner yard and the garden. Its plan is made up of two full guest suites and a large study prepared for the owners’ work, also enjoying the best views of the lagoon, not just from its privileged location in height but also from its sides made of glass towards the exterior and towards the double height of the sitting room.
Renaissance Kitchen and HomeThis beautiful 2 story kitchen remodel was created by removing an unwanted bedroom. The increased ceiling height was conceived by adding some structural columns and a triple barrel arch, creating a usable balcony that connects to the original back stairwell and overlooks the Kitchen as well as the Greatroom. This dramatic renovation took place without disturbing the original 100yr. old stone exterior and maintaining the original french doors above the balcony.
Tim Andersen ArchitectWe restored original dining room buffet, box beams and windows. Owners removed a lower ceiling to find original box beams above still in place. Buffet with beveled mirror survived, but not the leaded glass. New art glass panels were made by craftsman James McKeown. Sill of flanking windows was the right height for a plate rail, so there may have once been one. We added continuous rail with wainscot below. Since trim was already painted we used smooth sheets of MDF, and applied wood battens. Arch in bay window and enlarged opening into kitchen are new. Benjamin Moore (BM) colors are "Confederate Red" and "Atrium White." Light fixtures are antiques, and furniture reproductions. David Whelan photo
EB DesignsWainscott South New Construction. Builder: Michael Frank Building Co. Designer: EB Designs
SOLD $5M
Poised on 1.25 acres from which the ocean a mile away is often heard and its breezes most definitely felt, this nearly completed 8,000 +/- sq ft residence offers masterful construction, consummate detail and impressive symmetry on three levels of living space. The journey begins as a double height paneled entry welcomes you into a sun drenched environment over richly stained oak floors. Spread out before you is the great room with coffered 10 ft ceilings and fireplace. Turn left past powder room, into the handsome formal dining room with coffered ceiling and chunky moldings. The heart and soul of your days will happen in the expansive kitchen, professionally equipped and bolstered by a butlers pantry leading to the dining room. The kitchen flows seamlessly into the family room with wainscotted 20' ceilings, paneling and room for a flatscreen TV over the fireplace. French doors open from here to the screened outdoor living room with fireplace. An expansive master with fireplace, his/her closets, steam shower and jacuzzi completes the first level. Upstairs, a second fireplaced master with private terrace and similar amenities reigns over 3 additional ensuite bedrooms. The finished basement offers recreational and media rooms, full bath and two staff lounges with deep window wells The 1.3acre property includes copious lawn and colorful landscaping that frame the Gunite pool and expansive slate patios. A convenient pool bath with access from both inside and outside the house is adjacent to the two car garage. Walk to the stores in Wainscott, bike to ocean at Beach Lane or shop in the nearby villages. Easily the best priced new construction with the most to offer south of the highway today.
Michael Robert ConstructionThe formal living room is one of the only rooms left from the original structure. Gray Thibaut wallpaper graces the walls. Though it looks like raw silk, it is actually vinyl. Scrubbable, washable, and bleachable, the wallpaper is perfect for a home with young children.
Photo by Mike Mroz of Michael Robert Construction
Lisette Voute DesignsThe living room in shades of pale blue and green. Patterned prints across the furnishings add depth to the space and provide cosy seating areas around the room. The built in bookcases provide useful storage and give a sense of height to the room, framing the fireplace with its textured brick surround. Dark oak wood flooring offers warmth throughout.
Alair Homes PlanoOur clients purchased a 1963 home that had never been updated! They wanted to redesign the central living area, which included the kitchen, formal dining and living room/den. Their original kitchen was small and completely closed off from the rest of the house. They wanted to repurpose the formal living room into the new formal dining room and open up the kitchen to the den and add a large island with seating for casual dining. The original den was now a nice living room, open to the kitchen, but also with a great view to their new pool! They wanted to keep some walls for their fun New Orleans one-of-a-kind artwork. They also did not want to be able to see the kitchen from the entryway. They also wanted a bar area built in somewhere, they just weren’t sure where. Our designers did an amazing job on this project, figuring out where to cut walls, where to keep them, replaced windows with doors, bringing the outdoors in and really brightening up the entire space.
Design/Remodel by Hatfield Builders & Remodelers | Photography by Versatile Imaging
O’Hara InteriorsInterior Design by Martha O'Hara Interiors
Built by Stonewood, LLC
Photography by Troy Thies
Photo Styling by Shannon Gale
Cornerstone ArchitectsConceived as a remodel and addition, the final design iteration for this home is uniquely multifaceted. Structural considerations required a more extensive tear down, however the clients wanted the entire remodel design kept intact, essentially recreating much of the existing home. The overall floor plan design centers on maximizing the views, while extensive glazing is carefully placed to frame and enhance them. The residence opens up to the outdoor living and views from multiple spaces and visually connects interior spaces in the inner court. The client, who also specializes in residential interiors, had a vision of ‘transitional’ style for the home, marrying clean and contemporary elements with touches of antique charm. Energy efficient materials along with reclaimed architectural wood details were seamlessly integrated, adding sustainable design elements to this transitional design. The architect and client collaboration strived to achieve modern, clean spaces playfully interjecting rustic elements throughout the home.
Greenbelt Homes
Glynis Wood Interiors
Photography by Bryant Hill
Double Height Living Room Designs & Ideas
O’Hara InteriorsMartha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | Tait Moring & Associates, Landscape Architect | Piston Design, Photography
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