In suburban St. Louis, on the two broad terraces that double the size of this small house, summer is a season that lasts eight months. The house, which belongs to Mr. William A. Bernoudy, shows how nature can be prodded to bestow southern California favors on the mid-west. It also shows how a compact plan and easy-upkeep materials (cork and tile floors, for example) make for carefree living. The combination leaves the owner with no doubts about where he wants to spend the summer: at home.
Since Mr. Bernoudy planned the house just for himself and his mother, it is smaller than many a vacation house, with only a living-dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms and two baths, plus the brick-paved terraces. These terraces follow the sun and the seasons. The south terrace is always sunny, always protected from the north winds, and can be used even in early spring and late fall. (It seems a part of the living room, is divided from it only by floor-to-ceiling glass doors which catch the prevailing summer breezes.) The west terrace is shielded from sun and showers by a 12-foot cantilevered roof, and is a pleasant spot for buffet lunches during the hot summer months. Besides the terraces for outdoor living and entertaining, there is an extra delight and final reason for spending summer at home: a small decorative pool for frequent dips.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
source: House and Garden Magazine | June 1954
0 Comments