English Traditionalist Project Reveal Part III

We are thrilled to unveil the third and final part of this English Traditionalist home reveal. Great design happens at the intersection of purpose and beauty—where every detail has a reason for being. This concluding chapter explores the expansive outdoor retreat and the thoughtfully reimagined garage apartment, spaces where intentionality meets living.

Architect: Newberry Architecture | Builder: CAM Construction | Photographer: Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer | Styling: Jessica Brinkert Holtam

Main House: Back Yard + Patio

To maximize the potential of this double-lot property, we preserved the original home's footprint to create a lush, private backyard sanctuary perfect for frequent entertaining. A tall brick perimeter wall provides a sense of quiet seclusion that makes you forget you are in the heart of the city, allowing guests to gather in a spacious dining area and covered patio. We selected a stunning limestone from MATERIAL Bespoke Stone + Tile for the flooring, featuring a two-tone octagon-and-dot pattern that adds sophisticated texture. To ensure the space is functional, the furniture is upholstered in bleach-cleanable Perennials performance fabrics and accented with soulful Morris & Co. floral pillows. Every architectural detail was considered, from the character-rich copper gutters to the coordinating gas lanterns, creating a refined outdoor living experience built to last.

Water Feature

Along the brick walkway connecting the main house to the garage apartment, we installed a tranquil water fountain that serves as a soulful focal point. We commissioned custom water spouts to complement the incredible 16th-century stone sourced from Chateau Domingue, lending the yard a sense of timeless history. For the surrounding seating, we once again paired high-performance Perennials upholstery with charming floral pillows from Morris & Co. to maintain a cohesive design language. We also integrated the client’s own green ceramic side table, proving that elevated design is most successful when thoughtfully paired with the pieces you already love.

Garage Apartment: Exterior + Downstairs

The exterior of the garage apartment was thoughtfully designed to mimic the architecture of the main house, creating a sense of visual cohesiveness across the property. By adding a second story to the existing structure, we were able to provide the clients with a dedicated guest house that offers stunning views of the backyard. On the ground level, the space is divided between parking and a versatile recreational retreat. This downstairs area is masterfully outfitted with a custom pool table, a sleek built-in workstation, and a comfortable living area for casual relaxation. Large windows and French doors flood the interior with natural light, ensuring the functional areas feel connected to the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The result is a multi-functional room that expands the home's livable footprint.

Upstairs

The upstairs guest suite features a stunning Murphy bed built-in designed by Newberry Architecture, finished in a serene Farrow & Ball paint color that coincidentally matched a hue from the clients' previous home in the UK. This clever integration allows the room to be open for daily use while providing a full sleeping space for guests, complete with a discreet pull-out shelf that serves as a nightstand. We curated the art for this multi-functional piece with precision; a large sketch is secured to the face of the bed, while a smaller, hidden piece is revealed on the interior wall once the bed is lowered. To provide a glow throughout the space, we selected elegant Visual Comfort lighting to highlight the custom cabinetry and book-lined shelves. This intentional design ensures that the transition from a daytime lounge to a nighttime haven is captivating and effortless.

Work Space

Maximizing natural light was a primary goal for this home office, so we prioritized large windows that offer a clear, inspiring view of the backyard and main house. To ground the room in personal history, we incorporated the client’s existing antique desk, which we had refinished and updated with unlacquered brass knobs to coordinate with the home's new hardware. We paired this heirloom piece with a more modern chair and lamp to create a sophisticated tension between old and new. Because the upstairs area has a smaller footprint, we opted for a singular, cohesive fabric for all window treatments to keep the visual flow seamless. Custom drapery panels frame the primary view, while matching Roman shades provide a tailored finish throughout the rest of the apartment. The result is a workspace that feels both quietly productive and connected to the rest of the property.

Kitchen + Bathroom

The garage apartment is complete with a fully equipped small kitchen that includes a range, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave—everything a guest needs for a self-contained stay. We leaned into an aesthetic slightly more masculine than the main house, selecting a rich, medium-toned brown for the cabinetry. To create a sense of continuity throughout the property, we topped the counters with a soapstone slab, a material that also graces the fireplace surrounds in the primary home. This moody palette carries into the small bathroom, which features crisp tiled walls that make the compact footprint feel intentional. We finished the space with unlacquered brass details and hardware that ensures the utilitarian fixtures coordinate with the refined metal tones found throughout the rest of the apartment.

This project is a refined reflection of who we are as a studio. We invite you to explore our portfolio and see additional ways of the New Language of Living we create.