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Collection by Amy Walters Design

Mid Century

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A slight gap between the existing house and the new addition allows for a skylight and a masonry chimney with a wood-burning fireplace.
A slight gap between the existing house and the new addition allows for a skylight and a masonry chimney with a wood-burning fireplace.
Windows in the roof monitor let in natural light and ventilation.
Windows in the roof monitor let in natural light and ventilation.
An IKEA PS Vågö chair sits on a small treated-pine deck off the master bedroom.
An IKEA PS Vågö chair sits on a small treated-pine deck off the master bedroom.
The living room features a vintage credenza by Jens Risom, a Room & Board loveseat, and a CB2 coat rack. By raising a portion of the ceiling in the center of the room, “the idea was to create a big visual door to the inside,” López says.
The living room features a vintage credenza by Jens Risom, a Room & Board loveseat, and a CB2 coat rack. By raising a portion of the ceiling in the center of the room, “the idea was to create a big visual door to the inside,” López says.
When renovating a house in McAllen, Texas, for his brother-in-law’s family, architect Luis López designed an overhang with concrete beams that protects the front entrance from the area’s frequent rain. A large front window was inserted to provide views through the house to the backyard.
When renovating a house in McAllen, Texas, for his brother-in-law’s family, architect Luis López designed an overhang with concrete beams that protects the front entrance from the area’s frequent rain. A large front window was inserted to provide views through the house to the backyard.
In the open living and dining room of a hillside family home in Japan, Eames shell chairs surround a custom walnut table by Kagura. The upholstered seating is by Arflex. The architect, Masahiro Harada of Mount Fuji Architects Studio, also designed the custom kitchen island and stove vent.
In the open living and dining room of a hillside family home in Japan, Eames shell chairs surround a custom walnut table by Kagura. The upholstered seating is by Arflex. The architect, Masahiro Harada of Mount Fuji Architects Studio, also designed the custom kitchen island and stove vent.
With the Kirio system, Dave can control the lights from anywhere using his mobile phone. “I’m learning to use the app, but normally I just manually override it,” he admits. The priority of the project (and the budget) was performance. Dave saved money with furnishings from major retailers, which he paired with select custom pieces, like a side table by the architecture firm, and souvenirs from his travels.
With the Kirio system, Dave can control the lights from anywhere using his mobile phone. “I’m learning to use the app, but normally I just manually override it,” he admits. The priority of the project (and the budget) was performance. Dave saved money with furnishings from major retailers, which he paired with select custom pieces, like a side table by the architecture firm, and souvenirs from his travels.
Inside, windows are strategically oriented to harness the power of fresh ocean breezes as a cooling device, reducing the need for large HVAC loads and maximizing areas where natural light can be used to illuminate rooms. The chimney centerpiece is clad in Vals Quartzite, a hard stone that provides a moment of cooling visual contrast in the otherwise warm living room.
Inside, windows are strategically oriented to harness the power of fresh ocean breezes as a cooling device, reducing the need for large HVAC loads and maximizing areas where natural light can be used to illuminate rooms. The chimney centerpiece is clad in Vals Quartzite, a hard stone that provides a moment of cooling visual contrast in the otherwise warm living room.
Mahogany paneling, original to the house, was reused as much as possible.
Mahogany paneling, original to the house, was reused as much as possible.
A walnut-topped table and Womb chair, both by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, offer a cozy spot for reading.
A walnut-topped table and Womb chair, both by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, offer a cozy spot for reading.
The dining room table is “a special Breuer design,” the architect’s associate William Landsberg wrote to Robert Snower in August 1954. “It is the table which he is using in his own home and costs about $375 to make.” The walnut piece is wider at one end to make it easier for the host to serve dishes. Breuer suggested using a blue Micarta top, which his clients did not choose, and also specified the metallic legs for the Eames DCM chairs. A bamboo screen, original to the house, separates the room from the front entrance.
The dining room table is “a special Breuer design,” the architect’s associate William Landsberg wrote to Robert Snower in August 1954. “It is the table which he is using in his own home and costs about $375 to make.” The walnut piece is wider at one end to make it easier for the host to serve dishes. Breuer suggested using a blue Micarta top, which his clients did not choose, and also specified the metallic legs for the Eames DCM chairs. A bamboo screen, original to the house, separates the room from the front entrance.
Built-in details include a dresser that pairs with an Eames molded plywood lounge chair in a guest bedroom.
Built-in details include a dresser that pairs with an Eames molded plywood lounge chair in a guest bedroom.
Founding principal Mark D. Stumer describes the work of their firm as “modernism with soul.”
Founding principal Mark D. Stumer describes the work of their firm as “modernism with soul.”
One of the more challenging aspects of the renovation, the staircase features a spine made of a single one-ton piece of powder-coated steel.
One of the more challenging aspects of the renovation, the staircase features a spine made of a single one-ton piece of powder-coated steel.
Three furniture icons, in pairs, surround the dining room table: the Eames Side, Thonet No. 14, and Peter Opsvik Tripp Trapp chairs.
Three furniture icons, in pairs, surround the dining room table: the Eames Side, Thonet No. 14, and Peter Opsvik Tripp Trapp chairs.
For one of two sleeping areas flanking the main living space, Wooten placed tatami from Miya Shoji on the cork floor. “With the radiant heating system, it’s fantastic to be in this glass box looking out at a blizzard, walking barefoot on the warm floor,” he says. “Tatami are not for everyone, but they are really comfy to me. Before we built the house, I stayed at a traditional bed-and-breakfast in Kyoto, Japan, and had one of the best nights of sleep ever, so I decided I wanted to do that style of bed. On top is a 150-year-old Japanese denim patchwork quilt I bought from a friend who took me to Japan. I’ve always admired Japanese design—Noguchi is one of my favorites—so I was inspired to have that spirit in the house.” miyashoji.com
For one of two sleeping areas flanking the main living space, Wooten placed tatami from Miya Shoji on the cork floor. “With the radiant heating system, it’s fantastic to be in this glass box looking out at a blizzard, walking barefoot on the warm floor,” he says. “Tatami are not for everyone, but they are really comfy to me. Before we built the house, I stayed at a traditional bed-and-breakfast in Kyoto, Japan, and had one of the best nights of sleep ever, so I decided I wanted to do that style of bed. On top is a 150-year-old Japanese denim patchwork quilt I bought from a friend who took me to Japan. I’ve always admired Japanese design—Noguchi is one of my favorites—so I was inspired to have that spirit in the house.” miyashoji.com
The sofa is from Cantoni, the rug is from Restoration Hardware, and the Tolomeo floor lamp is by Michele De Lucchi for Artemide. The large windows in the background and throughout the house are from Western Window Systems.
The sofa is from Cantoni, the rug is from Restoration Hardware, and the Tolomeo floor lamp is by Michele De Lucchi for Artemide. The large windows in the background and throughout the house are from Western Window Systems.
The bird makes an appearance in the Eames living room.
The bird makes an appearance in the Eames living room.

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