I am building a new home in St. George. I love the area and the opportunity to build and create something new. St. George really is the perfect spot for a second home. If you or someone you know is interested I have listed my home here. When designing this home I wanted the architecture and exterior materials to blend in with the natural surroundings. St. George has such stunning red rocks and you just can’t beat the surrounding landscapes.
Cougar Rock Home Exterior
April 9th, 2018Cougar Rock Interior
March 28th, 2018I’m excited to share that I am selling my St. George home/studio. It has been such a wonderful retreat and place of inspiration for the last several years. I know many of you travel to St. George to enjoy its warmth and beauty and wanted to share the property in case you were interested. You can click here for more details. I designed the home to function as a second home that I could meet with clients as well as entertain and have guests stay for the weekend. I love the area and will be building a new home near this one… details to come. Here is a look inside!
I designed the casita to be just off the main entrance to allow guests to be able to be welcomed into the main home but have their own separate living space and privacy.
Design Influences
March 8th, 2018Excavation has started on my new build and I can’t wait to see the building begin. As I’ve been reflecting on the loss of my mother this past week, her influence in my work has been on my mind. Both of my parents were such wonderful influences and role models in my life. My mom among many of her talents had a gift for sewing and wallpapering. I attribute much of my skills in putting colors and textures together to her. And if you’ve been through my homes you’ll know I’ve always loved and used wallpaper (even through the years when it wasn’t as popular). These images are from my personal home I just sold. I even had wallpaper on the back of my closets and on my kitchen ceiling.
My dad was an electronic engineer and as such influenced the detail and structural qualities in my designs early on. I started designing homes at the age of fifteen and my parents would drive me around to see all the local home shows. My dad loved landscaping and working with and observing him I picked up the important qualities of scale and proportion. What qualities do you attribute to your parents? I’m grateful for the positive influences my parents left with me both professionally and personally.
Fairview Cottage Fireplace and Kitchen
February 13th, 2018I’m settling into my remodel house while I build my future home Val-ore House. The last few details have been added including the fireplace surround. I had concrete fabricated to look to like soapstone.
Here is a look at the fireplace before and during the remodel. What do you think?
I named the home Fairview cottage and wanted it to have a quaint feeling. The cabinets in the kitchen were too current for a cottage feel, so I added color to create charm and add dimension to the space.
In the dining nook I painted the walls High Reflective White by Sherwin Williams. I added some interior details below the windows and had a custom phrase hand painted above the windows.
Fairview Cottage Interior
January 25th, 2018Welcome inside Fairview Cottage. Keeping with small affordable changes, in the remodel I started by painting everything High Reflective White by Sherwin Williams. I added the beams to relate to the mantel and stained them to match the kitchen cabinets. I toned down the fireplace because I had wood furniture and didn’t want it to look too heavy. I am replacing the tile with a black concrete material. So keep following and I’ll reveal the final result.
When arranging a room I look at it architecturally. To balance the large window behind the couch I used a big piece of art on the opposite wall.
The whole composition on this wall was designed to relate to the fireplace wall opposite of it. The elements in these spaces could be smaller so I selected the piece with the multi colored drawers instead of a solid chest which would feel heavier in the space and wouldn’t be as effective in the grouping and scale of it all.
Want help adding small affordable architectural details to your home? Give me a call to see how I can help 801-292-1512!
Fairview Cottage Master Bedroom
January 24th, 2018Welcome to the master bedroom at Fairview Cottage. I was working with an intentionally small bedroom, which is one of the characteristics I love about older homes. The before and after images show how placement of furniture and art can make any size room feel well balanced.
I used the bedframe to create the feeling of a room within a room. The widow wasn’t centered on the wall so I added artwork to create balance with the window.
Placing the armoire at an angle adds dimension to the room, and the plants bring life. I try to keep the blinds at the same height in any room and then add varying height through other elements like the wreath and stacked blankets.
Whatever the size of your bedroom you can use the same techniques of balance, symmetry, spacing and dimension to create a feeing of welcome and calm rather than disproportion and disorder.
If you are interested in giving your home a refresh for the new year and want help with these small affordable changes (that can make a big impact) give us a call 801-292-1512. (We don’t always offer these services so call while we are still offering. You won’t want to miss out!) See the exterior of this home here.
Fairview Cottage
January 19th, 2018I am in the process of building my next home and decided in the interim to buy a little house in downtown Bountiful. I wanted to take on one of the challenges that I hear from so many of you: how can I make a big impact with small affordable changes. I selected a well built home with simple clean straight lines. Welcome to my new home Fairview Cottage!
Here is the before:
I started by painting the exterior of the home, the carport, and the garage SherwinWilliams Shell White. I added shutters the length of the door and painted all exterior doors and trim SherwinWilliams Peppercorn. I found the planters while I was in California at one of my favorite garden stores.
If you’ve followed my work you’ll know that a cupola and a weathervane a top each of my homes is one of my signature details.
One of the features I quite liked about the home was the carport that could be utilized as a porte-cochere. I love the idea that you can be dropped off and unload your belonging and then head into the garage. I added detail to the ceiling of the porte-cochere to help customize the exterior of the home.
Here is a peak at the backyard. There is a covered patio off the garage and I’ll share more of this space once spring rolls around and I can start using it. Behind the back fence I created a large fenced area where my dog Bernard can run and play.
Val-ore House
January 10th, 20182018 is going to be great! I have finished the plans for my next home Val-ore House and it should be completed this year. The lot I purchased is just two houses up from a home I remodeled years ago, La Camille. So I’m looking forward to being back in such a great neighborhood. I’ve built several homes in Bountiful and love the challenge of building on difficult lots that most pass up.
This new build will be filled with my personal aesthetic. I have always loved European style and wanted to add a a modern vibe and twist to it. I will be creating a whole new look and feel incorporating the European style with modern twists while maintaining a country feel. The exterior will be stone or brick to look old and I’ll be incorporating limestone, board, and stucco. I’ll make sure I share all the details along the process but for now here is a look at the plans I’ve drawn up:
This Family’s Home
Designing with Robert McArthur