Classic charm gets a stylish remix in this St. George manor, where tradition dances with a modern beat
Photos by Neal Snyder and Emy Shaffer
In a city defined by low-slung architecture, terra-cotta tiles and rugged desert stone, a traditional home of elegant white brick and copper accents feels like an unexpected guest at the party. In a fashion bucking St. George tradition, however, Strata Homes and House West Design crafted a 12,000-square-foot French Country manor that delights with time-honored details at every turn.
This St. George home exudes European elegance with its white brick, copper gutters and symmetrical facade. For the gabled roof, Strata Homes enlisted Coppertop to craft custom overlapping waterproofed copper shingle tiles to efficiently shed water.
Photo by Neal Snyder
Glass-paned doors reveal expertly curated spaces off the entry, where layered lighting weaves a flowing vignette between spaces. A cozy library is tucked beneath the metal-rodded railing of a towering staircase. Hudson Valley pendants dangle on custom 22-foot chains above. In the foyer, a Regina Andrews light fixture illuminates an artisan-trimmed ceiling. Photo by Neal Snyder
Step through the glass-paned double doors, and the scene radiates with classic design: herringbone wood floors, coffered ceilings and statement-making light fixtures. But as the interior unfolds, the surprises begin. Instead of a sweeping staircase commanding the foyer, it tucks gracefully into an adjacent two-story library—an inviting retreat just off the entry. Overhead, a cluster of Hudson Valley pendants cascade from above, suspended on custom 22-foot brass chains that resemble jewelry, bedazzling the space. “I love to layer light,” says Nichole Spiers, co-founder and lead designer at House West Design. “Between these three rooms, 11 light fixtures with dimmers create a customizable mood.”
Across the foyer, those layers of light continue in an inviting lounge, which houses a secret within its wall of custom shelves and cabinets: a hidden door that opens into a color-drenched home office, styled with contemporary character. There, high-lacquer walls in Benjamin Moore’s Narragansett Green reflect soft light throughout the room, illuminating a contemporary workspace fashioned with modern furniture.
Against a shimmering backdrop of high-gloss Benjamin Moore paint, a sleek Arteriors desk pairs with three-legged accent chairs from Four Hands Furniture to create a chic and feminine workspace. The chandelier is by Visual Comfort and the cabinetry is by Aspen Mill.
Photo by Neal Snyder
Cleverly concealed within a wall of artfully crafted cabinets by Aspen Mill, a hidden door leads from the foyer lounge to a luxe home office beyond. Photo by Neal Snyder
Off the entry, a luxe lounge poses an unassuming front to the ultra-contemporary office behind it. Drenched in Farrow and Ball’s Tanners Brown, the moody room boasts a collection of intriguing materials, trinkets and mixed lighting, all crowned by a strikingly modern Arteriors chandelier. Styled by Kenadie Fawson. Photo by Neal Snyder
In the expansive great room composed of an open kitchen, dining and living areas, a blend of curated materials marries timeless polish and craftsmanship with playful, youthful details. Soaring tray ceilings, molding-trimmed cabinets and classic elements like a gold plate rail and leaded transom windows foster the interior’s European estate style. “The challenge in this area was sheer scale,” says Yvonne Christensen, co-founder and lead designer of House West Design. “The mix of materials was crucial to bring a sense of personality to the space.”
Gathered beneath a soaring tray ceiling, the living room’s plush seating delivers softness that counters the glass and porcelain facades of the cabinetry and mantel. The mantle is by Renaissance Fabrication; the styling is by Kenadie Fawson. Photo by Neal Snyder
Porcelain countertops showcase the graceful veining expected in a traditional kitchen, but with a lighter weight ideal for the modern cook. Throughout, hardware with surprising silhouettes infuses artistic flair. In place of the conventional island and barstools, a custom-upholstered banquette offers modern comfort and anchors the room with its eye-catching profile. Casual in form but upscale in composition, the innovative piece facilitates a smooth transition between the kitchen workspace and the living room lounge, where plush furnishings are sharpened by a contemporary edge of glass.
“The wood built-ins with glass doors and custom fluting are the focal point,” says Christensen. “We lowered a soffit over the cabinetry to help the area feel cozy in such a grand space.”
In the open dining area, a large round table is surrounded by shapely caster chairs by Universal Furniture. A Ballard Designs chandelier hangs from a handsome trimmed ceiling above. Photo by Neal Snyder
In a guest bath, white oak cabinetry and exaggerated-height millwork help mimic the artistry present in the home’s kitchen. Aspen Mills built the custom mirror for added cohesion, and the designers chose black and white tile for a pop of flair. Photo by Neal Snyder
A custom-upholstered breakfast banquette anchors the great room’s kitchen area. Elaborate millwork adds visual interest to cabinets surrounding the range, all painted to match the walls and 15-foot cove ceiling for seamless flow. Unlaminated porcelain countertops by Renaissance provide the smooth work surfaces requisite of a kitchen, without the thick weight of a traditional stone slab. Pendants by Visual Comfort. Styled by Alayna Caldwell. Photo By Emy Shaffer
Meanwhile, behind the richly outfitted kitchen, classic design cleverly conceals a hardworking mudroom with modern storage solutions. Elegantly trimmed cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball’s ‘London Clay’ hide kids’ lockers, and a skirted under-sink cabinet conceals cleaning and laundry necessities. Meanwhile, behind the richly outfitted kitchen, classic design cleverly conceals a hardworking mudroom with modern storage
“A powder bath is a great room in which to make your cabinetry look more like a furniture piece,” says Christensen. Here, ultra-thin, unlaminated porcelain countertops look sleek against a mural wallcovering. The sconces are from Anthropologie.
Photo by Neal Snyder
In the primary bedroom, high-contrast trim and floor-to-ceiling draperies accentuate the room’s architecture and high ceilings. The four-poster bed is by Noir and the sofa is by Regina Andrews. Photo by Neal Snyder
An Arteriors chandelier above the sculpted tub casts light across the primary bathroom, echoing diamond motifs in the home’s transom windows. In the airy shower room, marble, porcelain and subway tiles add visual interest to the monochrome space. “Beautiful tile covers every last inch of this bathing space, even the ceiling,” says Tanner Garfield, president of Strata Homes. Photo by Neal Snyder
Bathed in natural light, the adjacent dining room tempers its square footprint with rounded, modern forms. “This is a very square room, so we tried to soften things up with lots of curves,” says Christensen. A traditional shaded chandelier casts a warm glow over a contemporary dining setting, which supplants the traditional rectangular table and stately chairs with a circular table surrounded by rounded chairs in a sleek, modern silhouette.
Fresh interpretations of the home’s traditional elements continue in the primary suite, fostering its retreat-like ambiance. Dark contrasting trim and paneling add architectural detail to the high-ceilinged space. In the adjoining primary bathroom, signature finishes unite in an ideal blend of elegance and modern indulgence. Leaded transom windows, ornately veined stone and a tray ceiling—finished with the same custom-fluted edge seen in the great room and entry lounge—honor the design’s traditional roots while contemporary luxuries like a floor-to-ceiling tiled walk-in shower and a glittering chandelier enrich the experience.
A checkered tile floor leads from the pantry to a high-functioning mudroom, where Farrow & Ball’s ‘London Clay’ paint drenches the space in richness. The tile is from HB Surfaces, the cabinetry is by Aspen Mill. Styling is by Kenadi Fawson. Photo by Neal Snyder
In the laundry and mudroom, function was the key force behind cabinetry design. Glass-front cabinets cleverly conceal cleaning supplies. A roll-out dog bed gives a luxurious lounge spot for the family pet. And amidst it all, quality cabinetry finishes ensure style doesn’t take a backseat. Photo By Emy Shaffer
The designers color drenched the upstairs media and bunk room. Brass hardware delivers warmth and whimsy, including on elegantly-patterned vent covers. “Those little touches are what elevate a great design into a phenomenal design,” says Garfield. Photo By Emy Shaffer
“Those repeated details speak to a high-level application of design,” says Josh Warner, Director of Design at Strata Homes. “Quality, paired with authenticity, is so important to us. Once we hone in on a style, we want to do the best possible version of it we can. In this home, we really spent a lot of time getting those details exactly right.” Here, time-honored design is thoughtfully updated with fresh ideas and modern livability, creating a home that reflects the past while embracing the needs and spirit of today’s lifestyle.
Yvonne Christensen and Nichole Spiers, Co-Founders and Lead Designers at House West Design. Portrait courtesy of House West Design
Read more of our entertainment coverage and get the latest on the design lifestyles encompassing Utah. And while you’re here, subscribe and get four issues of Utah Style and Design, your curated guide to the best decor in Utah.