But could I do any better, I wondered? This became something of an obsession. To start, there had to be some parameters since there was not client program.  The following is what I settled on:  

• Three bedrooms with one being a master suite
• Fit onto a typical 50'x150' lot
• Front porch was a must in order to engage the street
• Open concept living with a kitchen I would want

For this first design, Avenue G Contemporary, I designed a two story home.  I like this solution over a ranch as it provides a smaller footprint. The materials help express the simple massing of the building rather than offering mere decoration. These include a board and batten wood siding, masonry brick and then a zinc metal panel system wrapping the box element at the front.  

As you'll see, I didn't include an attached garage on this particular model.  I played around with providing a single, or a two-car or even a tandem garage but it took over the front elevation.  I felt having a front porch was more important, so I settled on a freestanding, detached garage for this design.

I realize a contemporary home isn't for everyone but I wonder how this measures up. How did I do? Give me some input to help inform the next one!

This post has been a long time coming...drum roll please.  The past year was spent working on a residential renovation + addition project.  The design transformed a 1950's 2 bedroom, one bath home into a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath updated modern marvel.  Check out the transformation...​

These last two photos above show off the master suite addition which really leans into the Mid-century modern style with its large expanse of windows and deep overhangs to protect  from the Texas sun.

I don't have great before/after photos for the interior since we basically took everything down to the studs.  The existing bedrooms and bath were renovated and updated. The  public living space at the center of the home was completely opened up with soaring ceilings and large expanses of glass at the front and year to bring the outside in...no more dark corners!

Finally, the master suite includes a sitting area, a large bedroom, walk-thru closet and a five piece bath.  It's truly a master retreat.

I wanted to share this fun project with you.  This summer I met an incredible entrepreneur who in addition to many other things, he has a storefront at the Southwest Center Mall here in Oak Cliff.
The store's concept was much like how you would compile a mixed tape back in the day. You selected a variety of different songs and artists, and the burned the music to your own CD. With things having moved onto to the digital format, he was changing the store format and offering custom t-shirts.  Just like the music, you get to visit the store, design a composition that works for you, and then have it printed right there in the store.  How fun! I put together several different design options. Below are some shots of the design concepts plus the final photos.  I think it turned out great. Go take a peek next time you are in the OC!   

I was visiting officials at the City of Midlothian this afternoon regarding our ground-up project that will soon be breaking ground in MidTowne. I took the opportunity afterwards to check in on our finish-out project that is still underway at Midlothian Towne Crossing (junction of US287 and 9th Street). It's really moving along!

Now, I realize the pictures below aren't going to blow your hair back. Construction sites don't tend to be all that  'instagramable'. Rest assured there's been real progress in a short time.  We started with an empty shell space originally intended for retail.  They've managed to get in all the major utilities installed and hook-ups ready; they have moved onto the the final finish out stages.

The owners of Bellucci's currently own and operate La Gondola Italian Restaurant in Mansfield.  We are super excited to see them expand to Midlothian & can't wait to get a taste of their new restaurant concept!  Yum!

It was my great pleasure to witness the ribbon cutting this morning of the new charter school in Carrollton, Texas--Bridgeway Preparatory Academy. How grateful we are to have worked with Dr. Davenport and her team bringing this dream to reality. I'm looking forward to watching the school grow and expand!

It's been some time since I shared an update on our residential project we currently have under construction.  I'm afraid photos speak volumes and not everything about a home renovation is actually photogenic!

Lucky for you, the windows arrived today.  I'm loving the photos I have to share because they illustrate the ultimate goal of this renovation:  bring light into this home!  With the bedrooms to one side and the garage to the other, the space was dark and gloomy. The image below is our initial design plan.  We were able to blow out the chopped up living, dining, and kitchen areas into one grand space.    

Just imagine the space with both the front facing yet private courtyard completed along with the back deck. It should really give you a sense of being connected with the exterior while cozily inside. There will certainly be a clear view!

Things are moving along smoothly at our Ranch-to-MidCentury renovation. Pier foundations are in and floor framing is being completed.  The interior is also getting a big shake up.  

On the interior, we've blown everything out!  The formerly chopped up living room, dining room, kitchen and hallway have been demo'd to give us one large open space.  In the photo below, we're looking toward the back of the house into to what will be an open kitchen/dining room area overlooking the new deck. You'll see here we are also reframing the ceiling to really open the space.

More updates to come. We should see some walls going up on the addition soon.  Come back to see how it progresses!

Here at Thrasher Works, the design work typically falls into the range of commercial projects.  I've spent the last 18 years working on educational, health care and office/retail project types.  It's not often that I venture into residential work.  The project would really have to spark the imagination.

This spring I've found myself grabbed by just such a project. A long time client of Bart's approached us about renovating a sleepy ranch in East Dallas. Of course, Bart had actually worked as the client's Realtor and they sought out a house with lots of potential.  The project clicked with me because they convinced me of how fun it would be to turn the unassuming ranch into a striking mid-centrury modern gem. 

So far, so good. We dove into the design work to turn this two bedroom, one bath home into a 3/2.5 with the addition of a master suite and a full renovation of the existing. Below are some of the initial design sketches which we are pretty excited about. Construction is already underway and we can't wait to share the photos as this project unfolds.  Stay tuned for more.

Next time you are visiting the Dallas Galleria, swing on down to the Ice Rink level and check out XD Ride.  Our project is completed and  open for business.  

You may ask, what exactly is XD Ride?  It's basically a virtual reality like video game.  You and the seven other players go on a ride to shoot up zombies, or werewolves, or go on some other crazy adventure. They continually change out the attraction and you can request the one you want.

Upon the final project inspection, the owners let me try it out.  I had a blast & immediately made plans to bring my 9-year-old son.  He hasn't stopped talking about it.  We will be back.