Builder: Aspen Homes
Picasso, Warhol, Dali, Kahlo: the names that revolutionized the modern art world for centuries to come. No museum, cultural institute or dorm room has been left out of their artistic wake. So it’s no surprise a graphic, abstract headshot of Frida Kahlo hangs in a home created by Jessica Frakes, a modern designer trying to put her own mark on the Inland Northwest.
The interior designer at Aspen Homes is moving beyond decorating home walls to create new-age house plans.
“The idea of introducing the contemporary line up of homes was a collaboration between everyone here at Aspen,” Frakes says. “I think we were all ready to test the waters on something completely different… this is only the second home we have completed in that series, but the feedback has already been surprisingly exceptional.”
Located in an open Coeur d’Alene suburb, this 2,187-square-foot house definitely stands out. With its inverted roof and glass garage door, Flakes made sure passersby wouldn’t get too far without stopping. The home’s black windows, metal and Hardieplank siding (lap siding that looks like wood and feels like concrete), and futuristic front door even has minivan moms pulling over.
Encouraged by Aspen’s owners to “just go with your gut,” Frakes’ designed both the interior and exterior to be as experimental as she pleased.
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When the front door opens, the inside is as much a modern treat as the outside. The three-bedroom, 2.5-bath “pop art” home features abstract wallpaper, quartz countertops and gallery windows that wrap around wall corners.
“Oversized windows are key in accomplishing the contemporary look,” Frakes says. “There is no wood sill or wood wrapping around the interior of the windows. We leave the drywall for the contemporariness of it and to keep the windows from looking smaller than they are — it really opens up the rooms.”
Everything in the home this connected. The modern living room fireplace mirrors the outdoor patio fire pit. The dining room features a graphic wall paneling that mimics the backsplash in the kitchen. The navy blue kitchen island is reflected in the navy blue wallpaper of the powder room. (Navy blue is Flakes’ favorite modern pallet because, she says, it is elegant in its modernity.)
Even the home’s walls are untraditional. The completely smooth walls have small marks and imperfections, a trend Frakes calls “holy smooth.” The light dents and dimples add texture while still staying true to the modern look.”
Altering plans mid-project, utilizing the latest trends and creating new ideas fuel Frakes’ modern design. In the suburbs of North Idaho, she has created a home where a Picasso or a Kahlo could thrive. N
By Rosemary Anderson
Photography By Joel Riner