The main challenge, though, was absorbing the second-floor apartment into the house (it’s now the primary suite) and devising a new floor plan with interior stairs (previously, the only set was located outside). Casper and her team, along with the builders at Mardyks & Co., did all of this while still offering a sense of discovery as you walk through the home. Sure, she took down some walls, but she put some up, too. “It was important to make it feel intimate,” says the designer. “It’s not just a super-open floor plan.”
Add Arches Strategically
Like the quirky square window at the front of the house, the rest of the home is full of what Casper calls “hard geometry,” or lots of rectangles and 90-degree angles. The designer used this as an excuse to amp up the curvature in the space. “It helped soften some of those boxy volumes,” she notes. At first, Casper drew up a plan for the interior where every threshold was an archway, but she quickly realized the idea felt “too cute, so we tried to make them special moments,” she continues. Her plan of action for the doors: Keep all the swinging ones squared off and designate the pocket ones as arches.
Smooth Transitions With Curved Millwork
Incorporating curves in areas where one room blurs into another proved to be a handy way to smooth the transition. For instance, the rounded lower cabinet in the kitchen that holds the owner’s espresso machine keeps your eye moving into the adjacent dining area. “The curving was really our way of solving for a run of cabinetry that otherwise would terminate, and you’re looking at the side of it,” notes Casper.
Bathe the Vanities in Sunlight
“We love natural light in a bathroom, particularly at the sink where people are looking at their face in the mirror,” she notes. Introducing a handful of skylights to the bathrooms just made sense, plus they don’t sacrifice anyone’s privacy.
Get Your Windows on the Same Page
Do It All in an ADU
What used to be a two-car garage is now what Casper calls a “Swiss Army knife space.” Originally, the unit was meant to be a place for the homeowner to work remotely, but it snowballed into a space to host family and friends for long stays, an area to work out in, and a room to host poolside gatherings. Casper made the most of the 400-something square feet by utilizing the windowless side of the lofted ADU to create the ultimate built-in. The millwork encompasses a Murphy bed, a secret desk, a wardrobe, and tons of storage for yoga gear and entertaining ware. Popping open a bottle of champagne with a knife is impressive, but we love a party trick that involves flipping a cabinet open to reveal a nightstand.
