A house for all ages

A young family bucks tradition to personalize their home with new materials, natural light, and kid-friendly details

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  • Hall

    Like an update of the Yellow Brick Road the gallery's terrazzo floor runs from the front door to the light-filled kitchen at the rear of the house.

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Thomas J. Story

But the hall-like gallery also acts as a superhighway for kids on their way to the lower-level playroom or backyard.

"The terrazzo floor is tough and durable, hides dirt, and stands up to muddy boots," Kuth says.

Instead of keeping areas closed off with walls, "we differentiated spaces with materials and light," the architect explains. "The living room, dining room, and kitchen opening off the gallery have wood floors, indicating more domestic spaces."

The scale of the rooms provides another clue to how the Lerdals live. The living room is only one-third the size of the combined kitchen and dining room, since gathering informally as a family takes priority.

Next: A novel use of materials

 

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