"St. Helena Farmhouse," by Backen, Gillam + Kroeger Architects
BACKEN GILLAM & KROEGER ARCHITECTS
ST. HELENA FARMHOUSE BY BACKEN, GILLAM & KROEGER ARCHITECTS | PHOTO: BGARCH.COM
Architect Howard J. Backen, principal of Backen, Gillam & Kroeger Architects of St. Helena, California, redesigned a simple 1890s Napa Valley farmhouse for a couple who had initially intended to construct a brand-new residence. Mr. Backen turned a once-unremarkable structure into a beautifully open, bright and livable home.*
SCREEN PORCH OVERLOOKING SWIMMING POOL AND GARDENS | ST. HELENA FARMHOUSE BY BACKEN, GILLAM & KROEGER ARCHITECTS | PHOTO: ERHARD PFEIFFER, ARCHITECTURALDIGEST.COM
Architectural Digest Magazine featured the house in a wonderful article entitled, "Farmhouse Evolution," in its October 2009 issue.
White-painted ceiling beams and trusses, "wide openings, screen porches and pocket doors," all "Backen trademarks...were critical elements in establishing the sense of space the couple sought within a relatively small building footprint."*
BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN AND DINING AREA | ST. HELENA FARMHOUSE BY BACKEN, GILLAM & KROEGER ARCHITECTS | PHOTO: ERHARD PFEIFFER, ARCHITECTURALDIGEST.COM
The spacious kitchen (above) features simple white-painted cabinetry, reclaimed-fir floors and panel-concealed Sub-Zero refrigeration; it connects to both indoor and outdoor dining areas.*
MASTER BEDROOM | ST. HELENA FARMHOUSE BY BACKEN, GILLAM & KROEGER ARCHITECTS | PHOTO: BGARCH.COM
The new master bedroom wing features a gym, screen porch and "bath garden." Notice the fabulous built-in cabinetry throughout the home.*
MASTER BEDROOM PORCH | ST. HELENA FARMHOUSE BY BACKEN, GILLAM & KROEGER ARCHITECTS | PHOTO: ERHARD PFEIFFER, ARCHITECTURALDIGEST.COM
To add space without changing the scale of the farmhouse, Backen designed a new master suite that connects to the house at the foyer but is separated by a garden path. The bedroom’s screen porch features the same finishes as the farmhouse porch to keep the look unified.*
OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING AREA AND SWIMMING POOL | ST. HELENA FARMHOUSE BY BACKEN, GILLAM & KROEGER ARCHITECTS | PHOTO: ERHARD PFEIFFER, ARCHITECTURALDIGEST.COM
The use of "cedar siding, French windows and brick pavers" across the exterior creates a unity of design among the three buildings which comprise the compound (the main residence, studio/pool house and guest house).*
To learn more about this beautiful project and the talented professionals featured in this entry, please follow the links below:
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