The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

The Living Room also received new white-oak hardwood flooring. We re-finished the existing built-in cabinets in a darker, richer stain to ground the space. The sofas from Italy are upholstered in leather and a linen-cotton blend, the coffee table from LA is topped with a unique green marble slab, and for the corner table, we designed a custom-made walnut waterfall table with a local craftsman.

シドニーにある低価格の小さなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、無垢フローリング、暖炉なし、テレビなし、茶色い床、白い天井、茶色いソファ) の写真

コンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、濃色無垢フローリング、茶色い床) の写真

ロサンゼルスにあるラグジュアリーな中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな独立型リビング (白い壁、無垢フローリング、暖炉なし、テレビなし) の写真

ワシントンD.C.にあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、無垢フローリング、茶色い床) の写真

パリにある広いトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (標準型暖炉、漆喰の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、羽目板の壁、ライブラリー、白い壁、茶色い床) の写真

Living room with built-in entertainment cabinet, large sliding doors.
サンフランシスコにあるお手頃価格の中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなリビングロフト (白い壁、淡色無垢フローリング、横長型暖炉、ベージュの床、石材の暖炉まわり、埋込式メディアウォール) の写真

spacious living room with large isokern fireplace and beautiful granite monolith,
ラスベガスにあるラグジュアリーな広いコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなLDK (トラバーチンの床、標準型暖炉、タイルの暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、白い壁、ベージュの床) の写真

Shannon McGrath
メルボルンにある高級な中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなLDK (コンクリートの床、白い壁、窓際ベンチ) の写真

Giovanni Photography
マイアミにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、横長型暖炉、タイルの暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ) の写真

David Duncan Livingston
サンフランシスコにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁) の写真

ロンドンにある高級な中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、無垢フローリング、薪ストーブ、茶色い床) の写真

Woodmont Ave. Residence Living Room. Construction by RisherMartin Fine Homes. Photography by Andrea Calo. Landscaping by West Shop Design.
オースティンにある広いカントリー風のおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、標準型暖炉、レンガの暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、窓際ベンチ) の写真

This home, in a Sun City development in Georgetown, Texas is awash with pure, clear tones of aqua, chartreuse, teal and turquoise. Off-white walls serve as the perfect backdrop for custom draperies trimmed with luxurious tasseled fringe and furniture in jewel-toned upholstery.

From the moment you walk off the elevator into their living room, the feeling is bright, inviting & comfortable. How unexpected for an urban retreat, full of life, color and whimsy.

Peter Molick Photography
ヒューストンにあるカントリー風のおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、濃色無垢フローリング、茶色い床、グレーの天井) の写真

オレンジカウンティにある高級な中くらいなビーチスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、淡色無垢フローリング、テレビなし) の写真

Sara Essex photo credits.
ニューオリンズにあるトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれな応接間 (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、タイルの暖炉まわり、グレーとゴールド) の写真