Made For Family
Photos by Darshan Phillips
When the owners of a traditional midtown Tulsa home were ready for a change but didn’t want to leave the area, they worked with Patrick N. Fox, AIA, founding principal of Fox Architects, to create a spacious, open new home.
After the architectural design was complete, the homeowners turned to SR Hughes and the firm’s registered interior designer, Sarah McPhail, for all the furnishings, artwork and accessories.
“Because the family includes a child, we wanted the furniture to be livable but also reflect the architecture of the house,” says McPhail. “And because the home is so open, we approached the entire interior space as one project.”
Sleek and timeless but durable fabrics were selected. The single paint color throughout the home keeps the rooms flowing from one to the other, as does the oak flooring, installed in a herringbone pattern.
The formal living room includes built-in cabinets from Pohlenz Cucine Moderne on one side and expansive windows looking over the lush backyard on the other.
“I looked for furnishings that did not intrude into the space, often low to the ground or open at the base or back,” McPhail adds.
Pieces selected maximize the number of guests who can be entertained.
The viscose area rug was chosen as a way to add texture and pattern to the space. The pig from Moooi was both whimsical and functional. McPhail worked with a private art dealer, who searched numerous national galleries to find the piece that hangs over the fireplace.
On the other end of the built-ins is the formal dining room. Again, looking for a piece that blends into the space, McPhail chose a new design from Cassina.
“I liked the strength of the marble base, plus the angular detail works with the architecture,” she adds.
The glass top reflects light and keeps the area open. The sideboard is matte lacquer, and the artwork is from Aberson Exhibits.
This wing of the house also includes the master bedroom suite, which provides private access to the outdoor spaces. Additionally, two offices, one for each of the homeowners, is included.
The kitchen and casual living area comprise the other wing. All the appliances are fully integrated into the Italian-made DeMode kitchen cabinets from Pohlenz. McPhail selected bar stools, a breakfast table and chairs that are fabricated from high-tech plastic, laminate and steel for durability.
The casual living area was designed for comfort. The sofa facing the television has a flexible back and seat depths. The natural wool area rug with a broken geometric pattern was selected because it would wear well.
“The leather and wood chairs are comfortable but also have an interesting sculptural element,” she says.
The nearby staircase leads to the second floor that has two bedrooms. A guest bedroom is on the third floor.
