Geometric Detail Inspires Artful Home

Dana and Joe Sheppard lived in their tiny home in Ocean City, N.J. for at least 20 years until they decided it was time for a large shift. As they outgrew their 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage, they gradually incorporated bigger improvements, but the time came when adding on to their home yet another time simply didn’t make sense. Regardless of the memories their previous home held for them, they decided to tear it down and start from scratch.

The Sheppards collaborated with architect James Chadwick and contractors Fuschillo & Hamilton, and the end result is the envy of the area. It is filled with fresh, geometric details using a color palette inspired by the sea glass Dana gathered on local shores. As a painter and stained-glass artisan, she believed each design decision a manifestation of her creativity. The contemporary home, peppered with her art, serves as Dana’s personal gallery and her proudest bit of work.

Colleen Brett

at a Glance
Who lives here: Dana and Joe Sheppard
Architect: James Chadwick; Builder: Fuschillo & Hamilton
Location:
Ocean City, New Jersey
Size: 4,000 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bath

Colleen Brett

Joe and Dana Sheppard tore the home they lived in for more than 20 years to make room for their dream home.

Colleen Brett

Geometry is king in this home, as it is possible to see the minute you walk in the doorway. Looking up from the entryway, you are going to see the hexagonal ceiling which frames the very simple light fixture, and a large stained glass window Dana designed.

Colleen Brett

Plush curtains hang from the ceiling of this lofted staircase to make a slight branch of space in the open floor plan of the floor. Showcased involving the curtains is an elegant wooden dining table, with a sleek, curved standalone. As it turns out, Dana is not the only performer in the family. Her son Justin built and designed this table in his high school wood shop class to mimic a 3,000 table from among his mum’s inspirational magazine clippings.

Colleen Brett

Spilling out of the entryway is the entire first floor: a large and inviting gathering room which flows easily into the kitchen. The walls are the colour of sand, and the furniture, in soft shades of teal and brown, right relates to the sea glass exhibited on countertops and tables.

Couch and chairs: Century Furniture

Colleen Brett

Sea glass is exhibited throughout the home, as it had been the inspiration for both the colour palette and the prosperity of glass details in the home.

Colleen Brett

Joining the two rooms is a curved eating nook. As opposed to go the conventional route using a high countertop and line of bar stools, Dana wished to make a place to eat that was part of both rooms. The fan-backed seat occupies the round glass table and supplies function as a kitchen table, as well as additional seating close to the fireplace.

Colleen Brett

Straddled between the kitchen and family room is a large air conditioning duct, among the significant design issues in this home. In order to hang out a light right above the kitchen table, then it would have been required to go directly through the duct. Dana collaborated with the architect to look this custom fixture fixture. It comes with a round base and thin sheets of textured glass to be built round the duct, preventing any damage to the beam and getting art from a essential light source.

Colleen Brett

Glass is also artfully showcased from the kitchen, among the most gorgeous rooms of the home. The mosaic tile backsplash is reminiscent of sea glass in colour and feel. The tiles have been tied into the delicately backlit geometric contours of this stained glass strip above the cabinets, which Dana created.

Colleen Brett

Even the cabinets are facing textured glass, which divides the contents of each one, but keeps the airy, open feel of this downstairs.

Kitchen design group: Holloway Home Improvement
Cabinetry: Heritage Custom Cabinetry

Colleen Brett

The kitchen is filled with geometric details, from the curved counter of this island to the stained glass above the cabinets. Even the throw rug and hardware on the cabinets honor geometry in this room.

Colleen Brett

Colleen Brett

The fireplace is the focus of this first floor. Dana chose southwestern stones in keeping with her earthy colour palette and enjoy of simple geometric shapes. A massive slate hearth provides warm additional seating on harsh winter days.

Colleen Brett

I had to share a glimpse into Dana’s art studio, hidden from this open floor plan of the first floor. She loves painting the Ocean City sunsets that her husband, Joe, photos. She’s looking forward to an upcoming juried show at the Ocean City Arts Center.

Colleen Brett

Leading up to the second floor is a geometric stair railing, using a Mondrian-like grid at each post. There are also beautiful lighting fixtures set against the backdrop of marble-like faux painting.

Colleen Brett

The master bedroom awaits at the peak of the staircase. They sacrificed space here to let for a private balcony, which feeds in a lot of light, which makes the dark plum fabrics and mahogany furniture texture tasteful without overwhelming the smaller room.

Colleen Brett

Here you get a close look at the cloth installment that Dana created behind the headboard. She originally wanted a window to move above the bed, but when structural limits stopped that, she went directly to her sewing machine.

Colleen Brett

Having built on precisely the same place as their original home, they knew where the light and views were going to be the best. The balcony off the master bedroom provides a lot of sunlight, as well as a view of the house’s beautiful landscaping, and even a glimpse of the bay.

More:
Broad Cottage on the Jersey Shore
Geometry and Art in Chelsea
From Building Blocks to Buildings: Balanced Geometry in Architecture
Modern Icons: X Marks the Spot

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