The Glass House
This stunning ‘Glass House’ sits on the Narragansett bay in Bristol, RI and is only one of the four properties included in the compound. All four of the properties portray similarities amongst them yet have very distinct elements while all still managing to compliment the site’s surroundings. It’s no easy task to design a set of homes that are meant to be part of a unit but still exemplify a unique style when standing alone…which is why it was quite difficult choosing which one of the four we wanted to highlight for this week’s post. Ultimately, ‘The Glass House’ was one that provided some intriguing design topics that haven’t been discussed yet and would love to share with you all! We do, however, recommend you check out the realtor’s link at the bottom of the page to see what else completes this jaw-dropping compound.
Not your typical glass house
When one hears the term ‘glass house’, and in thinking of the history of architecture, what comes to mind is most likely Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House or The Glass House by Philip Johnson, which was actually inspired by Mies himself. Both of these iconic designs were an exact representation of what the term ‘glass house’ essentially means. There was no play on the words, it’s exactly what you hear: a glass box completely exposed to the outdoors with panoramic views from every inch of the home (minus the bathroom, of course). Now while these designs were brilliant and were subsequently the start of a modern era, this home on the other hand has an interesting take on the term ‘glass house’. The use of the glass element is applied to certain areas of the home that guide a particular view or lighting experience. It’s interesting to see the designer’s specificity on where to provide privacy versus creating a seemingly uninterrupted transition between the interior and exterior landscape.
A blend of styles
Another refreshing quality of this ‘Glass House’ design is the variety of interior styles used throughout the home. There’s the kitchen with a more sleek, modern approach in the simplicity of color palette, clean and crisp lines and the minimal use of materials. Then, in the bedrooms you see a Scandinavian style in the overall use of a white palette with pops of color incorporated through select artwork and furniture pieces. Lastly, in the common spaces, we have a flip flop between either contemporary or traditional approaches. As you enter the home, you are first introduced to the contemporary style living area where there is still a sense of minimalism, as in the kitchen, but with more use of curvature in the lines and accessories throughout the space. This living area provides a clean, uncluttered look due to the spaciousness of the room and simple color palette; whereas, in the office space/additional living area (seen in bottom-right photo above) there is a more traditional vibe given, with the abundance of colors, textures, and patterns being used as well as a strong presence of wooden elements.
A Spa-like Heaven
Let’s add one more design style to the list with this gorgeous bathroom that is giving me some serious Turkish hammam vibes. It’s almost as though you walked straight into a spa retreat within your own home. The use of natural materials in the space provide such a zen environment, with even the tile work on the floor portraying a connection to earthy elements giving the illusion of sand. If it weren’t for the stunning views outside, I would never want to leave this space!
Serenity Outside Your Window
Not much needs to be said about the landscape that comes with this home. The breathtaking views of the bay and greenery surrounding the home speak for itself. The sense of serenity and endlessness when seeing these shots just make me wish I could call a place like this home and envy anyone that gets to do so!
If you'd like to learn more about this home, please contact Lisbeth Cotter Herbst at Residential Properties.
For any interior design and renovation services, please contact Ally Maloney.
Images credited to Residential Properties. Additional editing done by Maloney Interiors.