Crestwood Courtyard House

Prairie farm vernacular from the 1930's meets modern design.

The home is rooted in local environment and history. Its various features were carefully and beautifully expanded to flow in harmony with its origins. Each of them also represents great eye for balanced design. For example, placement of the kitchen in the center of main floor carves out a great space behind the hearth and stairwell. It feels as if it was always like this, as if its efficient storage was just natural.

The two wings of the house are separated by a quiet courtyard with a private deck.
Where the West addition could just have been attached to the original East side, design here wins again by creating the peacefulness and interest of the interior courtyard. It also creates a collection of private functional spaces. From the office in the West wing you see the courtyard and beyond it the inside of East living room. You also see a screened porch where someone can read quietly.

You can entertain on East side while others can lounge in the West side. West side loft is a sanctuary for older children or guests. Cedar cladding detail is carefully balanced here creating a rich space.
The home is set on a 50' by 141' lot with hundred year old trees: spruce, hawthorn, mountain ash, maple, flowering crab. It is an oasis of calm where the owners entertain as many as 20 people for summer dinners.