Modern Twist on Classical Designs -- Part III

A talent I've recently found that is taking modern twists on classical designs to a new level is Ken Pursley out of Charlotte, North Carolina.  His work is outstanding.  Doing both renovations and new construction, his take on design is fresh and current while maintaining a classical approach to architecture.


One of my favorite things about his work is the mixture of classical exteriors with extremely crisp interiors.  Few have the ability to mix the two.  Ken has done an excellent job of it.  I will be following his work for a long time.  What is so great about this approach is that any of these homes will fit in with the old neighborhoods across the country.


Here is his take on a Scottish Revival:

Look at the detail on the french doors below.

Here are a few images of a Colonial Revival he did.  All fresh, clean and beautiful.

Here is an English Kitchen and Garden Folly (as he calls it).  I love this kitchen.

Notice the ceiling below and the view of the "Garden Folly"

And another renovation he did:

I love the way he designed this alcove for the master bed.

Ken, like others I've covered, used to work for Bobby McAlpine.  Another great example of beautiful architecture in the south mixing classical designs with modern interiors.  Hope you enjoyed. You can find more of his work at www.pursleyarchitecture.com.  Don't miss the images of his studio.

French Village: An Inspiration for Development

In the 1920's a developer by the name George Woodward was a busy man building and developing in the area of Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia.  Woodward began developing very modest homes years earlier, but after travels to England and France (and working with the famed architect Wilson Eyre) he developed Cotswold Village.  The houses were created from Woodward's love of the Cotswold country side.  They were all built around 1915-18 and were built with chiseled local cut stone and steep roofs.  

In the 1920's, Woodward decided to create a development that mimicked his love of the old stone farmhouses he had seen while traveling in the Normandy region of France.  These houses are beautiful examples of French Normandy architecture in the United States.  It is examples like this that inspired me to do what I do.  If it could have been built in the 1920's, it can certainly be done today in my city of Fort Worth or anywhere.  Woodward obviously had a very keen eye for details and a true understanding of scale.  The houses posted here are located on Gate Lane and the pictures come from the George Woodward Co. which is still in existence today as a real estate company in Philadelphia.  I will cover more of the Philadelphia area in other posts as there are great examples of period revival architecture from architects like Mellor, Meigs and Howe.  I hope you enjoy these photographs.

Door Hardware for a Period Revival House

Finding the correct door hardware for your house is a very difficult thing.  Most people go to their local hardware distributor to pick out their door knobs or levers and select from the few selections that the largetst companies offer or the ones that are samples at the showroom.  This usually consists of selections that don't coincide with the style of their house.

Historically, door hardware was made to precisely fit the design of the house.  However, there are many hardware designs that are suitable for multiple house designs.  For example, as in lighting, you will find that some English styles would be appropriate with Spanish and Italian houses.

The door hardware examples above consist of English and French styles but several can be used in a Mediterranean style house as well.

While this is just a small sample of beautiful door knobs and levers, it will give you a feel for what is correct to use in your English, French or Mediterranean style house.  In future posts I will give more examples or if you would like to contact me for recommendations, how to purchase these (and more) or just general guidance please do so.