Remodeling Guides
Architecture
Designer Sketch: Jane Frederick
Learn about this Southern architect's inspiration, her favorite furniture and the one thing that never fails to make her laugh
Some people have known since childhood what they wanted to do. When Jane Frederick was a little girl, her dolls' houses interested her much more than their outfits or hair. Since then, her love for architecture has only grown. Frederick is now a principal at Frederick + Frederick, a firm she runs with her husband in South Carolina. Their Southern style takes root in a home or site's history, with an emphasis on location and vernacular.
Profile: Frederick + Frederick Architects | Find an architect or designer
Profile: Frederick + Frederick Architects | Find an architect or designer
Which iconic architects would you love a chance to work with?
Glenn Murcutt, because of his sustainable designs that are one with their specific location.
Who’s one of your favorite artists?
I have all local artists in my house, and one of my favorites is Karen Weihs. She is originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and now lives in Ashville, North Carolina. I really like her abstract work.
Favorite classic furniture piece?
Corbusier's chaise longue
Glenn Murcutt, because of his sustainable designs that are one with their specific location.
Who’s one of your favorite artists?
I have all local artists in my house, and one of my favorites is Karen Weihs. She is originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and now lives in Ashville, North Carolina. I really like her abstract work.
Favorite classic furniture piece?
Corbusier's chaise longue
Where's your go-to place for inspiration?
Spending time outdoors, bicycling, hiking or at the beach rejuvenates me. Also, an afternoon wandering through an art gallery or looking at buildings in Italy can't be beat.
Where in the world do you want to go next and why?
I am headed to Newport, Rhode Island, in September for the Custom Residential Architects Network Symposium. I am looking forward to seeing all the great old houses in Newport and exchanging ideas with other residential architects.
Do you still draw, or is everything on the computer now?
Our preliminary designs are hand-drawn and watercolored by Michael. Our construction documents are drawn on Revit.
Spending time outdoors, bicycling, hiking or at the beach rejuvenates me. Also, an afternoon wandering through an art gallery or looking at buildings in Italy can't be beat.
Where in the world do you want to go next and why?
I am headed to Newport, Rhode Island, in September for the Custom Residential Architects Network Symposium. I am looking forward to seeing all the great old houses in Newport and exchanging ideas with other residential architects.
Do you still draw, or is everything on the computer now?
Our preliminary designs are hand-drawn and watercolored by Michael. Our construction documents are drawn on Revit.
What's the most exciting thing you're working on now?
We are working on a new house in Texas for a young couple. Most of our clients are older, and it's energizing to design a house for a family to live in for the next 50 years. The couple's wedding was on the site of the house, so their emotional attachment to the property is significant. It is a beautiful piece of property overlooking a lake. Thanks to Houzz, where our clients found us, we have now expanded to Texas, which is perfect since we specialize in hot, humid climates.
More Designer Sketches:
Noel Cross | Jay Keller | Josh McCullar
We are working on a new house in Texas for a young couple. Most of our clients are older, and it's energizing to design a house for a family to live in for the next 50 years. The couple's wedding was on the site of the house, so their emotional attachment to the property is significant. It is a beautiful piece of property overlooking a lake. Thanks to Houzz, where our clients found us, we have now expanded to Texas, which is perfect since we specialize in hot, humid climates.
More Designer Sketches:
Noel Cross | Jay Keller | Josh McCullar
As a child, whenever I played with Barbie dolls, I wasn't interested in their clothes but in building them elaborate houses from boxes and wood scraps.
When I graduated from college, my first job was with a firm that specialized in residential architecture. Over the years, I did a wide range of building types. In 2001, my business partner and husband, Michael, and I decided that since we both loved designing houses we should specialize in residential architecture, which we have done since then.
The most important thing on your desk is … My Carl Kasell bobble-head figure. It makes me laugh.