My Houzz: Geometric Detail Inspires Artful Home
New Jersey painter and stained-glass artist uses her home as the ultimate canvas
Colleen Brett
November 4, 2011
Dana and Joe Sheppard lived in their tiny home in Ocean City, N.J. for more than 20 years before they decided it was time for a big change. As they outgrew their 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage, they slowly incorporated larger additions, but the time came when adding on to their home yet another time just didn’t make sense. Despite the memories their old house held for them, they decided to tear it down and start from scratch.
The Sheppards collaborated with architect James Chadwick and builders Fuschillo & Hamilton, and the result is the envy of the neighborhood. It is full of clean, geometric details with a color palette inspired by the sea glass Dana collected on local beaches. As a painter and stained-glass artisan, she considered each design decision a reflection of her creativity. The contemporary home, peppered with her artwork, serves as Dana’s personal gallery and her proudest piece of work.
The Sheppards collaborated with architect James Chadwick and builders Fuschillo & Hamilton, and the result is the envy of the neighborhood. It is full of clean, geometric details with a color palette inspired by the sea glass Dana collected on local beaches. As a painter and stained-glass artisan, she considered each design decision a reflection of her creativity. The contemporary home, peppered with her artwork, serves as Dana’s personal gallery and her proudest piece of work.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Dana and Joe Sheppard
Architect: James Chadwick; Builder: Fuschillo & Hamilton
Location: Ocean City, New Jersey
Size: 4,000 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bath
Who lives here: Dana and Joe Sheppard
Architect: James Chadwick; Builder: Fuschillo & Hamilton
Location: Ocean City, New Jersey
Size: 4,000 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bath
Joe and Dana Sheppard tore down the home they lived in for over 20 years to make room for their dream home.
Geometry is king in this house, as you can see the minute you walk in the door. Looking up from the entryway, you’ll see the hexagonal ceiling which frames the simple lighting fixture, and a large stained glass window Dana designed.
Plush curtains hang from the ceiling of the lofted staircase to create a slight division of space in the open floor plan of the first floor. Showcased between the curtains is an elegant wooden table, with a sleek, curved stand. As it turns out, Dana isn’t the only artist in the family. Her son Justin designed and built this table in his high school wood shop class to mimic a $3,000 table from one of his mother’s inspirational magazine clippings.
Spilling out from the entryway is the entire first floor: a large and inviting gathering room which flows seamlessly into the kitchen. The walls are the color of sand, and the furniture, in soft shades of teal and brown, directly relates to the sea glass displayed on countertops and tables.
Couch and chairs: Century Furniture
Couch and chairs: Century Furniture
Sea glass is displayed throughout the house, as it was the inspiration for both the color palette and the abundance of glass details in the home.
Connecting the two rooms is a curved eating nook. Rather than go the conventional route with a high countertop and line of bar stools, Dana wanted to create a place to eat that was part of both rooms. The fan-backed bench hugs the round glass table and provides function as a kitchen table, as well as additional seating near the fireplace.
Straddled between the kitchen and family room is a large air conditioning duct, one of the major design dilemmas in this house. In order to hang a light directly above the kitchen table, it would have had to go directly through the duct. Dana collaborated with the architect to design this custom-built fixture. It features a circular base and thin sheets of textured glass to be built around the duct, preventing any damage to the beam and becoming artwork from a necessary light source.
Glass is also artfully showcased in the kitchen, one of the most beautiful rooms of the home. The mosaic tile backsplash is reminiscent of sea glass in color and texture. The tiles have been tied into the delicately backlit geometric shapes of the stained glass strip above the cabinets, which Dana created.
Even the cabinets are faced with textured glass, which obscures the contents of each one, but keeps the airy, open feel of the downstairs.
Kitchen design team: Holloway Home Improvement
Cabinetry: Heritage Custom Cabinetry
Kitchen design team: Holloway Home Improvement
Cabinetry: Heritage Custom Cabinetry
The kitchen is full of geometric details, from the curved countertop of the island to the stained glass above the cabinets. Even the throw rug and hardware on the cabinets honor geometry in this room.
The fireplace is the focal point of the first floor. Dana chose southwestern stones in keeping with her earthy color palette and love of simple geometric shapes. A large slate hearth provides warm extra seating on harsh winter days.
I had to share a peek into Dana's art studio, hidden off of the open floor plan of the first floor. She loves painting the Ocean City sunsets that her husband, Joe, photographs. She's looking forward to an upcoming juried show at the Ocean City Arts Center.
Leading up to the second floor is a geometric stair rail, with a Mondrian-like grid at each post. There are also beautiful lighting fixtures set against the backdrop of marble-like faux painting.
The master bedroom awaits at the top of the stairs. They sacrificed space here to allow for a private balcony, which feeds in a lot of light, making the dark plum fabrics and mahogany furniture feel elegant without overwhelming the smaller room.
Here you get a closer look at the fabric installation that Dana created behind the headboard. She originally wanted a window to go above the bed, but when structural limitations prevented that, she went right to her sewing machine.
Having built on the same spot as their original home, they knew where the light and views were going to be the best. The balcony off the master bedroom provides a lot of sunlight, as well as a view of the home’s beautiful landscaping, and even a glimpse of the bay.
More:
Houzz Tour: Spacious Cottage on the Jersey Shore
Houzz Tour: Geometry and Art in Chelsea
From Building Blocks to Buildings: Balanced Geometry in Architecture
Modern Icons: X Marks the Spot
More:
Houzz Tour: Spacious Cottage on the Jersey Shore
Houzz Tour: Geometry and Art in Chelsea
From Building Blocks to Buildings: Balanced Geometry in Architecture
Modern Icons: X Marks the Spot
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http://www.streamlinepaintingdenver.com/painters-denver.php
I wish them much happiness in their lovely home.