Home renovation plans are often slippery slopes. What starts as a simple “aesthetic update” can turn into much more. Such was the case for Ian Sundby and the team at Lloyd Construction in their collaboration to modernize a somewhat dated space. Beyond the décor and design, the owners wanted to maximize their space based on their family’s intended use. They hoped to revamp the primary suite and better utilize spaces that could be multi-functional, such as the den also serving as a guest room and opening up the family room, dining room and kitchen to become a much more family friendly great room plan.
Due to existing space and infrastructure, the scope of the project grew, and communication between owners, builders and design team became paramount. The construction team took opportunities to improve building assemblies’ best practices with materials and methods that would stand the test of time and meet the design considerations of the team, including rainscreen wall construction, thermally modified exterior cladding, fire/rot resistant materials and low maintenance options.
Elizabeth Ellis from Ellis Interior Design and her team dubbed the aesthetic of this project “Southwest Japandi” combining Southwest warmth and texture with the restrained, minimal qualities of Japanese and Scandinavian design. This was perfect for the homeowners from Albuquerque, New Mexico, who wanted their Ketchum home to reflect some of the warmth, organic materials, and simplicity they love about the Southwest. The material palette included plaster walls, natural stone tile and countertops, and white oak flooring and cabinetry. The furniture and lighting choices were kept equally minimal and organic. Ellis continued the clean quiet aesthetic with integrated finger pulls instead of classic cabinet hardware and creative functionality, including a Murphy bed in the flex room with pull out nightstand shelves. The laundry appliances are elevated, and the laundry room includes integrated pull-out hampers and hamper platforms designed to make loading easier.