Originally commissioned by Indiana based, modern architecture patron, J. Irwin Miller and his wife in 1953, and designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen. This classic modernist residence was declared a National Landmark in 2000.

Saarinen ensured the Miller’s home design was based around entertaining their important guests, with the installation of a huge sunken conversation pit in the lavish central living area. Four other private areas spoke from this hospitality hot spot, for adults, children, guests, and house staff plus kitchen and laundry utilities.

As one of the very few family homes that Saarinen designed, it is an excellent example of modernist architectural tradition, seen in the flowing open plan, the floor to ceiling windows in stone walls, and flat roof.

At approximately 6,838 sq ft the entire design and construction process took four years to complete, finishing in 1957, and boasts an impressive portfolio of work by a menagerie of 20th century talent including landscape architect Dan Kiley, interior designer Alexander Girard, and principal design associate at Saarinen office, Kevin Roche.

The barn, now a contemporary home, is located in Surrey, England. Its conversion was a project by Stedman Blower Architects and it such a blast that it even appeared on the famous TV show “Grand Designs”. The new building features a highly modern design and an original layout. A lot of things have been changed. However, the exterior has basically remained the same. Thatâ€s a part of the plan. This way the impact is much stronger when you enter.

The current design is mostly characterized by openness and space. Thereâ€s an open plan living room and a suspended walkway that connects all the other rooms. The main bedroom is situated upstairs and it overlooks the church where the owners got married. Itâ€s a very romantic view and the church is a permanent reminder of what was probably the happiest day of their life.

Upstairs, the main bedroom overlooks a beautiful landscape and the church where the home owners were married. The budget for the building was approximately 390 000 GBP.

Leave it natural and untouched: Out of all of the construction materials to build with, brick is one of the few that can be left untouched and still remain beautiful after generations of wear and tear. Exterior brick walls are loved in neighborhoods where tradition and maturity have been preserved over the years. The natural appeal of brick is timeless, and most home buyers will pay more for a brick home, and see it as an investment.

Brick in different forms: Brick can come in a variety of aesthetic features for different design options in your home. Boulder sized rocks that are handmade or formed by mechanical mean can be referred to as brick. In fireplaces, interior walls, and lanai/porch areas, brick beautifies them effortlessly. For a custom look, visit a local artisan or mason to see how they lay brick in different styles. Brick comes in a variety of rough textures to resemble natural forms, and can be laid in random or patterned formats.

Disguise the color, keep the texture: While natural brick is beautiful on its own, so is the texture. In renovations or interior design makeovers, brick that is damaged or has unsightly stains can be painted to revive the look of the walls.  Paint is inexpensive and it can transform the interior of a space without little effort. Since brick has natural symmetry in its patterns and texture, painting over it can be a viable option for a customized interior to match any color scheme.

Use brick as a back drop: For a clean and sophisticated look, use brick as a backdrop for wall art, paintings, and sculptures. Tie a gypsum board finished wall together with an adjacent brick wall with crown molding to meld the finishes together. Brick can be used as an accent wall or it can be paired with other exposed materials to give a room a rustic yet contemporary feel.  The more brick joints are exposed, the more rustic and loose the aesthetic will feel. Depending on how formal you are, there is a brick layout and texture to suit your style.

Brick interiors can brighten up a room, or even transform the modern into a historically rich space with the use of this versatile material. Brick is also used in flooring, decorative half walls, and entryways to make grand entrances into a home. If you are feeling creative and/or nostalgic, visit a salvage yard where brick from demolished buildings can be sold and repurposed into your home. This is a great way to be eco-friendly and it can bring history into your home that may be hard to achieve with brand new brick. Discover all the ways your home can benefit from the beauty of brick.

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