Thoroughly Modern
Natural materials and an indoor/outdoor sensibility soften the edge of a strictly contemporary home
By: Roberta Landman
Photography by: Christiaan Blok
Phoenix Home & Garden
June 2003
Pp: 72-77
Architect James Hann designed the pool to follow the flow of the house. “We had the negative edge coming toward the house,” he notes. “In essence, it has created a waterfall.”
If, as they say, less is more, then a transplanted Michigan couple has taken less to the max in a sleek Southwest Modem home.
Its clean lines and geometric forms flirt with the ruggedness of the surrounding desert. And its interiors, dressed with spare smartness and natural materials, pay homage to the landscape and invite it inside.
A house that melts the line between indoors and out was just what the homeowners desired for their piece of north Scottsdale paradise. Entranced by the desert, they found themselves buying a home site while vacationing out West. The design team that gave substance to their dream was made up of architect James Hann, AIA, James Hann Design; interior designer Janice E. Brewster, allied member ASID, First Impressions Interior Design; and the late Robert L. Byrd, who built the home.
Hann’s design captivates with its elegant symmetry of planes and angles, a look that evolved from the owners’ admiration of Frank Lloyd Wright, he says.
“It has a Wrightian influence as interpreted by James Hann,” the architect quips about the house and then lists similarities. “The roof steps evenly, and there’s the use of stone as a vertical element,” he notes. “Its horizontal planes are lightened with a metal fascia, and it's all fairly regular and modular–a reflection of Frank Lloyd Wright and the owners.”
If Hann is matter-of-fact and modest in his summation of this noteworthy residence and its separate guest house, Brewster is highly complimentary. She says his concept is evidence that there is “luxury in simplicity.” She followed this guideline in the home’s interior, an idea that was right in line with the owners’ desires.
There never was any question that their house would have to be unfussy and highly contemporary, says the wife. To her, especially, modernism equates with a soothing, spiritual ambience. From childhood on, she has lived in houses that reflect this style and its calming aura. Making fashion a metaphor for her decor preference, she says: “If you looked in my closet, you’d see I wear blazers and black pants, and only once in a while do I throw in some colors. In my home, the color is in the art.”
With this in mind, and working closely with the homeowner, Brewster devised Southwest Modern styling based on a monochromatic color scheme of mostly desert browns. She brought desert plants indoors and used stone and metal, rich textures, and accents of color from vibrant artworks in copious amounts.
Custom furnishings evoke the spirit of Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and other modernist masters of early-20th-century International Style, Brewster offers. Among its principles, this movement railed against adornment for adornment’s sake, championed for open interior spaces, and promoted an extensive use of glass.
Reminiscent of the International Style, this striking home is free of excess embellishment and has wide open spaces in which glass figures prominently. Its clean, tailored look is established immediately at the entry, where a large modernistic glass pivot door opens to a grand sweep of great room and dining room. The expanses of glass at both ends of the space flood it in natural light. Adding to the open feel, flooring is of pale-hued Polarmo stone. The travertine runs throughout the residence, flowing to outdoor patios; this contributes to the home’s indooroutdoor quality, Brewster says.
Dry-stacked stone used for exterior elements also continues indoors, as on the great room fireplace wall and on dining room columns. Copper and other metals are found repeatedly throughout the home. A bar is faced with copper; a coffee table in the shape of dual triangles has a copper base and a perforated-steel top. Crafted of shattered glass, a powder room vanity has a floating copper base. The same cherry-stained maple cabinetry with stainless steel pulls appears in the kitchen and in baths. The repetition of materials is done with purpose—“It’s how you pull this look off,” Brewster comments.
A certain hardness often associated with a modern look is avoided with an ample use of wood and a judicious choice of textiles, according to Brewster. As for the latter, a geometrically patterned area rug is soft and plush under the dining table. Chairs here are upholstered in Ultrasuede® and raw silk. A great room sitting area is covered with a version of the once popular shag rug. Sofas are done up in a combination of Ultrasuede® and chenille that begs to be touched.
“Everything in this house is soft,” the satisfied homeowner observes. And, she concludes: “In a sense, the whole house is a piece of art, including the furnishings.”