Ever since art deco burst onto the scene a little more than a century ago, first in Europe, then in America, its celebration of streamlined simplicity, symmetry, and repetition of geometric, stylized elements inspired by floral, animal, and sunburst forms has become a recognized and valued commodity in residential and commercial building design. Done well, the aesthetic is elegant, functional, and modern, combining sleek looks with tactile richness.
For The New American Home 2022, architect Ed Binkley, AIA, of BSB Design, builder Envy Homes, and the interior design team at Builders Design leaned into art deco with a fresh, modern twist, especially for the kitchen and bathrooms in the 4,647-square-foot, three-level home in the Lake Nona community in Orlando, Fla.
In addition to a main kitchen on the ground floor, the home includes two outdoor kitchens (one poolside, the other on the third-level roof deck), three en suites and another full bathroom, and a trio of powder rooms, each with an unexpected detail (or two)—layered finishes, striking patterns, and bold lighting—to add interest and richness to the home’s overall style.
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The New American Home 2022: Kitchens That Meet Everyday Needs and Effortless Entertaining
The pantry (below) adjacent to the home's main kitchen (shown in the main image, above) features glass-front cabinets, walnut boxes and shelves, and a modern art deco–style chandelier.
The bar (below) in the living room includes a wine refrigerator and echoes the styling of the pantry, with its walnut finish and glass doors.
The roof deck kitchen’s louvered pergola (below) can be closed to provide protection from wind, sun, and rain, or left open to let in daylight and expose surrounding views. The kitchen’s simple black-and-white palette was purposefully chosen so as not to compete with the dramatic skyline.
The cabana kitchen (below), conveniently tucked off the open-air courtyard, provides a gas grill, bar sink, and flat-screen television for entertaining in the fresh air while being protected from the Florida sun and rain. Motorized sun shades provide even more protection from the elements.
Hygiene Meets High Style: Handsome Bathrooms With Plenty of Practical Details
Patterns and details, from the doors to the floor tile, make even the mudroom bath and secondary laundry room visually interesting. An abundance of shelves and cabinets maximize the practicality of this space, which serves as a family entrance from the garage as well as a bathroom for the courtyard pool.
The home’s abundant bathrooms prioritize hygiene, making it easy for residents and guests to stay germ-free. The garage’s dedicated dog-washing station (below) ensures pets stay clean, too.
The beige, web-patterned floor in this secondary bedroom’s en suite bath (below) adds visual interest to the room’s black-and-white color palette. Each bathroom features a different detail that brings personality to the space.
The three stacked square windows in the first-floor powder room (below) provide visual connection to the outdoors—a recurring theme throughout the house. The sink features a leafy pattern reminiscent of the verdant view.
The dramatic art deco–style en suite bathroom (below) in the third bedroom is a study in black and white, and includes a marble shower and M.C. Escher-style patterned tile flooring that extends into the glass-enclosed shower.
Serene and Stylish: The New American Home's Primary Bathroom
Soothing neutral tones dominate in the primary bathroom, with its wood-look floor tile, light wood vanity, and smooth, creamy white vanity top. A textured wall above the vanity and modern fixtures and wall sconces spice things up.
The freestanding tub in the primary suite bathroom (below) provides an artistic sculptural element that complements other modern art deco features throughout the home.
Michele Lerner is an award-winning real estate journalist in the Washington, D.C., area.
More about The New American Home 2022: For additional coverage of the home, its partners, and products, and to take a virtual tour, visit tnah.com. See Pro Builder’s January 2022 issue cover feature for more insights and images of the house.
