Prairie Style

The designer’s task was to build a modern, budget-minded home that was livable and respected its rural environment. The Yelm residence is a contemporary take on a country home: using a combination of simple, cost-effective methods to create a warm, comfortable space through clean lines and precise design. A minimal exterior material palette of wood and stucco siding with metal panel accents helps to highlight the beauty of the 10 acres of land on which the house rests. Concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls frame the entry and a flat roof plane hovers overhead to ground the project into the prairie style landscape. The home reflects the clients’ informal lifestyle and relationship to the environment. He is a graphic designer who work... More

When it came to restoring this beautiful craftsman home, its owners wanted to remain architecturally faithful to the home’s original character by designing and building a gorgeous, new covered porch that paid homage to the early 20th century. Working around the original stone porch columns, our design team was challenged with integrating them purposefully into the porch, while also correcting several years of failed attempts at remodeling the home to its classic roots. In addition to the covered porch itself, exquisite design details made this renovation all that more impressive—from the new copper and asphalt roof to the Hardiplank, clapboard, and cedar shake shingles, and the beautiful, panel-style front door.  ... More

With homeowners moving from the overcast Seattle area, welcoming natural light in was a key strategy in the design of this contemporary prairie style home. The generous open floor plan, along with bright and airy guest rooms, makes this home the perfect place for the family to come together.   The living space of the house centers on a linear cupola flooding the space with natural light.  The cupola is intersected by a tall double sided fireplace which separates a lower ceiling area for family gathering and media from a high ceiling more formal living area.   Cooking, eating and gathering are celebrated activities in this family, and in the Millcreek House the kitchen is the terminus of the cupola-lined spine of the house... More

The name of this cottage literally embodies the design concept; a wood and stone chronicle. Located in Virginia, USA, this farm embodies a warm, prairie style architecture complemented by a comfortable rustic interior design. The rising sky-lights, low height exterior and red-brickwork are reminiscent of the colonial era designs that still hold a wealth of historical value all around the world. The homely aura of this barn was crafted to complement the green hills of the farm – a steady stone contrast against the nature that roams unbarred over the area. The interior design encompasses warm wooden accents, lanterns hanging in a neat line and a rich, homely palate that exudes the utmost warmth and coziness. More

In response to a growing staff and following the success of earlier expansion efforts, this internet media company bought a 3 story building that includes a partial basement, extending its existing San Bruno corporate campus. With an opportunity to further cement its identity as a media powerhouse, the new offices create a space that communicates its position within the entertainment industry and reflect the company’s brand - edgy, urban, and youthful. Working closely with key stakeholders, Huntsman’s design team devised a series of vertical vignettes honoring innovators throughout history. The central design concept takes cues from pioneering, pop-culture icons and incorporate them floor by floor. It was also important to significan... More

The Du Tour Residence is a renovation project. This Laval home, designed by an architect in the ‘60s, has belonged to the same family for decades. Its very special character and distinctive details were to be retained. The designers’ challenge was to transform the home’s interior into a contemporary space without losing its soul and the memories associated with it. Volume and perspective In collaboration with the interior design firm FX Studio par Clairoux, the concept was developed by highlighting the horizontality of the building’s "prairie style” architecture and reintroducing the use of natural wood. In addition, the openings on the south side Architecture Open Form enlarged on both levels in order to offer, in the heart of the livi... More

After 15 years in the business – including 9 turning FX Studio Design into a success – Julie Lafontaine and Frédric Clairoux have taken the leap and launched their own brand. In a word, Clairoux. With experience comes maturity, and lots more – a more refined design signature, a more confident contemporary style, and a more rigorous approach to technique and execution. Clairoux is all about optimizing interior space and achieving projects with zero compromise. Thanks to their tried-and-tested working methods and well-connected network of contacts, the duo can create picture-perfect styling and deliver high-touch interior design every time. Du Tour Residence Reimagining a 1950s bungalow Our challenge was to transform a family home... More

This 6,100sf hilltop home commands a spectacular view of the golf course below and city beyond, while nestling gently and unassumingly into the native terrain. With its horizontal lines and deep overhangs, reminiscent of the Prairie Style of architecture, the home’s design and layout focus all attention toward the expansive windows along the west wall, providing an unparalleled panorama of the multi-level terraces surrounding the pool. More

Costea Photography   After a long career in building, the original homeowners of our Prairie Modern in Laguna Hills yearned to put their hands-on skills into a home of their own. Their search for an ocean vista took them to Orange County where they found a sloping property high on a hill featuring a stunning 180-degree view. Costea Photography   The site was perfect except for one catch; a modern design was never going to make it past the Home Owners’ Association. When we delved into their more detailed preferences we found our solution in the Prairie School of Architecture. A modern take on the Prairie style; an exterior of natural materials – brick, wood and plaster – framed by clean lines and long... More