Opposite page: An appealing juxtaposition of styles, the great room’s two antique demilune tables are topped by a Carol Summers woodcut and a work by Robert Cunningham, aptly titled Art. Other notable pieces include the wife's collection of kaleidoscopes and Ellie Fernald 's Clayper Doll Outfit. This page: A fiberglass giraffe by Marcie Ziv peers over the railing of the upper level’s lookout landing.
“and they knew exactly what they wanted. It had to be their ‘forever’ home – functional, minimalist, with the primary living spaces all on one level. Most importantly, it had to be designed around their extraordinary collection of contemporary art.” Equally challenging, all modifications to the property would be subject to Clayton’s rigorous architectural guidelines. The decision was made to gut the structure, leaving only the front and side walls standing. Architect Jeff Day of Jeff Day & Associates, created a clean-lined, classic elevation that integrates beautifully with the surrounding homes. Ceilings were raised, dormers reversed and exterior brick added to compensate for the home’s augmented height.
Inside, Day’s 4,000-square-foot, three-level floor plan addressed the owners’ explicit spatial requirements. “Contemporary design isn’t easy,” Salinas notes. “Simple lines actually make design more complex.” An early hurdle was the couple’s need for a two-car attached garage. The small lot made this problematic, since the city stipulates an acceptable ratio of permeable to impermeable ground surface. The solution was to put the garage underground, beneath the patio and a portion of the backyard and accessible from the home’s lower level, with elevator service to the upper floors. Although somewhat “revolutionary” to city authorities, the concept was ultimately approved, and construction began under the supervision of Brian STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM
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