Design Confidently, Live Comfortably
 Will is from the Arizona desert, and Julia grew up in a Virginia farmhouse, so Winslow might have been expected to run into trouble as she was helpin them settle on architectural preferences. Once Winslow broached the subject, however, Will and Julia were
astonished to find how easily they agreed on arches, stucco, tiles, and low-pitched roofs as the best parts of California architecture. They asked Winslow to create something with an older Mediterranean look that incorporated these features.
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Blending of Styles
Floor tiles, arched passageways, and exposed rafters in the front entry hall set the stage for the eclectic details in the house. The stairs lead to an office over the garage. |
Good designers understand that views from an elevated or protected vantage point are psychologically comforting, and Winslow put this principle to work for the Mieses and their steep site. Decks that overlook the back yard and provide good views to the west are one example. Even better is what the Mieses call their terrace room, a space just off the stairs half way between the bedrooms and the backyard. It is surrounded by walls on the east but open and covered by a pergola to the west. The same principle is at work in the upstairs entry area. Guests arrive at an elevated level that looks down into the living room and then out to a stunning view.
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A Cozy Place to Sit by the Fire
The beauty of the inglenook -- a intimate alcove next to a fireplace -- is that it allows Julia Mies a well-lit spot for reading, away from the melee of the rest of her house, but still connected to its goings-on.
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A slightly different but related design principle is found in the inglenook by the fireplace. Though they had used it only infrequently, the Mieses missed the fireplace in their old Tudor. In recreating it, Winslow added a sitting area off to the side. This cozy little bench allows Julia to curl up with a book, away from most household commotion but aware of general activity.
NEXT: Warm and Welcoming Eclectic Decor
BACK: From the Street, a One-Floor House
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