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Pro Spotlight: How to Turn Your Home Into Your Sanctuary
An Atlanta architect shares his tips for transforming your home into a calm oasis
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Who: Stephen Flanagan of Studio One Architecture
Where: Atlanta
In his own words: “I want to help clients create the spaces they feel most comfortable in and that contribute to their well-being.”
Your home should be a place where you can relax, rejuvenate and feel removed from the outside world. “Life today is somewhat discordant. We almost unconsciously long for a kind of sanctuary,” says Stephen Flanagan, who owns Studio One Architecture in Atlanta. He believes that a home that reflects what matters most to you is fundamentally restorative.
Where: Atlanta
In his own words: “I want to help clients create the spaces they feel most comfortable in and that contribute to their well-being.”
Your home should be a place where you can relax, rejuvenate and feel removed from the outside world. “Life today is somewhat discordant. We almost unconsciously long for a kind of sanctuary,” says Stephen Flanagan, who owns Studio One Architecture in Atlanta. He believes that a home that reflects what matters most to you is fundamentally restorative.
Combining practicality and aesthetics. Flanagan says that even as a child, he always paid attention to the little details that made every home different. “I always cared about the aesthetics of how things felt in a space,” he says. At around 12, he discovered architecture at school after seeing a display of 3D architectural drafting by older students. Already interested in both math and art, Flanagan liked the idea of a career that would combine his interests. “It’s fortunate when you know what you really want to do,” he says.
Connecting with nature. Finding ways to link your indoor space with the natural environment is key to restorative design. “Leverage nature in ways that subtly shift your mind into a more positive state,” Flanagan says. He recommends incorporating natural elements, such as wood and stone, into your home’s interior and optimizing the views of your outdoor space.
Want to make your home a peaceful retreat? Flanagan provides some guidelines below.
Want to make your home a peaceful retreat? Flanagan provides some guidelines below.
1. Make It Personal
Include elements in your design that showcase what’s important to you. “It should be based on who you are and how you want to live,” Flanagan says. Even subtle design elements can have a big impact.
Flanagan designed the roof of a home in Toco Hills, seen here, to seemingly float above the walls thanks to glass panels that encircle the home just below the roofline. The look is a tribute to the homeowners’ Jewish faith, which is very important to them. “It’s meant to look like a yarmulke,” Flanagan says. The homeowners loved the symbolism. “They said it felt like the design was not only interesting, but specifically about them,” he says.
See more of this project
Include elements in your design that showcase what’s important to you. “It should be based on who you are and how you want to live,” Flanagan says. Even subtle design elements can have a big impact.
Flanagan designed the roof of a home in Toco Hills, seen here, to seemingly float above the walls thanks to glass panels that encircle the home just below the roofline. The look is a tribute to the homeowners’ Jewish faith, which is very important to them. “It’s meant to look like a yarmulke,” Flanagan says. The homeowners loved the symbolism. “They said it felt like the design was not only interesting, but specifically about them,” he says.
See more of this project
2. Embrace the Light
Fill your home’s interior with lots of natural light and locate windows away from the public eye whenever possible. “Be selective about where you use glass,” Flanagan says.
The right window placement was crucial for this home on a tight lot in Brookhaven Village. “The owner wanted lots of light without compromising his privacy,” Flanagan says. The main level of the house is set above the street so the front-facing windows aren’t directly in passers-by’s line of sight. More expansive windows face the rear of the lot, which is secluded. A roofline that lifts away from the top of the house provides additional sky views and more light.
See more of this project
Fill your home’s interior with lots of natural light and locate windows away from the public eye whenever possible. “Be selective about where you use glass,” Flanagan says.
The right window placement was crucial for this home on a tight lot in Brookhaven Village. “The owner wanted lots of light without compromising his privacy,” Flanagan says. The main level of the house is set above the street so the front-facing windows aren’t directly in passers-by’s line of sight. More expansive windows face the rear of the lot, which is secluded. A roofline that lifts away from the top of the house provides additional sky views and more light.
See more of this project
3. Encourage People to Linger
Create comfortable, inviting spaces that people will gravitate toward. “Make places where you want to linger,” Flanagan says. This Sandy Springs home features a number of areas designed for relaxing, including a cozy fireplace area and a light-filled hallway with an extra-long window seat.
The outdoor deck overlooking nearby woods, seen here, is a favorite spot for the homeowners’ family and guests. Comfortable chairs surround a built-in fireplace — which is ideal for chillier evenings — and a ceiling fan keeps the air moving during warmer months. “When people come over, they don’t leave,” Flanagan says.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Stephen Flanagan and examples of his work, visit Studio One Architecture’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Create comfortable, inviting spaces that people will gravitate toward. “Make places where you want to linger,” Flanagan says. This Sandy Springs home features a number of areas designed for relaxing, including a cozy fireplace area and a light-filled hallway with an extra-long window seat.
The outdoor deck overlooking nearby woods, seen here, is a favorite spot for the homeowners’ family and guests. Comfortable chairs surround a built-in fireplace — which is ideal for chillier evenings — and a ceiling fan keeps the air moving during warmer months. “When people come over, they don’t leave,” Flanagan says.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Stephen Flanagan and examples of his work, visit Studio One Architecture’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Studio One is a design firm focusing on architecture and interiors. Established in 2004, the firm has developed a... Read More
Review by Dhari Rohrer:
We worked with Stephen on a full remodel of our entire home. It has been several years since the job has been complete and there isn't a day that goes by that we are not completely in awe of the job t...More