Blog Posts

The Treehouse Project

10/11/2017

Posted by Karen Thrasher

Source: Michael Minay for Lad Bible

You've likely seen this AMAZING playhouse one Michigan father built for his two little girls. It is well beyond anything I could ever image executing for my own son, though Bart and I have certainly tried. As my sister would say, Bart and I are classic "starters"--Bart more than I, but perhaps I just need a bit more confidence in my unknown construction abilities.

I'm fortunate to have had an amazing dad that built my sisters and I a playhouse when we were little, too. Though not as extravagant, I have countless memories spending our days playing house, school, or just hanging out in and around the playhouse. There were several times the three of us attempted to camp out overnight but we never made it the whole night. Too scary!

Years later, our own kids play together here. How could Bart and I not want to recreate the same experience for Hank?

My childhood playhouse built by my dad.

The 10 Home Styles That Are Most Popular Around America

10/4/2017

Posted by Bart Thrasher

Source: Alexandra Rosario Kelly, The Huffington Post

If you’re in the market to buy a house (or about to begin), you’re likely to be engaging in a crash course in home styles. Do you go Craftsman, which, according to Houseplans.com, continue to be among the most popular style of home sold in the third quarter of 2014? Or go Traditional, which is more popular in the Northeast, Midwest and Mountain region. Meanwhile, the Southwest seems to favor Ranch-styles.
Why, though, are Craftsman homes so popular? “The Craftsman is all about a boxy nature and reviving beautiful decorative art. It’s well-designed, well-crafted,” Marika Snider, of Snider Architecture, and a member of the American Institute of Architects‘ Custom Residential Architects Network, told The Huffington Post.
But let’s back up a second. What do all of these home style terms mean exactly? How do you tell a Modern home from a Southern home, for instance? Or a European from a Mediterranean? Luckily, Snider broke it all down for us so you’ll never have to wonder again.

1 Craftsman style

According to Snider, Craftsman style homes are reminiscent of the early 20th century arts and crafts movement. The arts and crafts movement began as a reaction to the Industrial Revolution; artists and designers sought a return to uniquely-crafted decorative arts in a time when most things were becoming heavily mass-produced. Craftsman homes feature exteriors that are usually a combination of stone and wood. The houses are often bungalows but may be of any shape so long as they emphasize a relationship with nature and the craft of construction.

Our Shipping Container

9/27/2017

Posted by Karen Thraher

Much to my disappointment of faded dreams of a beautifully landscaped backyard, we've had a shipping container in our backyard for well over 2 years. We purchased and had it placed back there when Bart shut down his wood working shop and we had to store all the equipment, wood, and the unbelievable amount of clamps. We knew it was temporary and it has been, to an extent. Over the last few years we've sold things off, set up a much smaller garage work shop, and slowly emptied out the container. When remodeling our kitchen this past spring, it proved to be a huge advantage as we were able to purchase and store our cabinets ahead of time, saving us money.

Now that this ugly monstrosity is reaching the end of its intended use, Bart and I have kicked around a few ideas. One, get rid of the darn thing! Two, move it to another corner of the yard in order to increase the square footage of grass. Three, a backyard lounge?

Here's the current 'pie-in-the-sky-plan'. Split the container up with storage on the end and then convert the back half to a small backyard-bar lounge complete with bar stools, counter, and deck. Kind of fun to imagine all the parties and dinners we could host. We're going to need more friends, and most definitely a more determined approach to back yard maintenance!

What Architectural Style Is Your Home?

9/20/2017

Posted by Bart Thrasher

Source: Jackie Craven for ThoughtCo.com

Image by Pop Chart Lab

The style of the American home has evolved over hundreds of years dating back to the Cape Cod and Colonial styles seen in the 1600's to the new traditional style of the present McMansion. These styles have been impacted through the years by geography, building practices and materials, regional environments, as well as personal and cultural influence.

Below are just a handful of styles often seen in our area of North Texas. What is your favorite?

Thrasher Works' Project Featured in Candy's Dirt

8/16/2017

Check out the fabulous write-up in Candy's Dirt on this beautiful renovation in Vickery Place.

Artisan Crafted Food....Coming Soon!

6/8/2017

Thrasher Works has been pleased to work with Chef James Coulter as he shapes his vision in the Downtown Plano Arts District.

This summer, our hard work will finally come to fruition as he opens Allumette Cafe, an 'urban cafe specializing in artisanal prepared sandwiches, salads, soups, and bistro style meals utilizing organic and local produce'. From the description on the website, 'the concept is quick service for people on the go, but also allows for guests to dine in and relax'.

On the Move

6/2/2017

Well, it's been quite some time since I've written on this blog--a year and a half. What have I been doing? I guess 2016 was a busy time and 2017 hasn't been much different. I've kept my head down and tried to stay active. Thrasher Works has been consulting with other architects while also cultivating new client relationships. There have been some exciting projects which I hope to share in the near future.

In the meantime, Thrasher Works has moved!

We are now located on W. 8th Street in the Bishop Arts Building. Exciting, right?

I think I'm most excited about the fact that I have a window in my office. Seventeen years in this business and I've finally upgraded to natural light. I highly recommend it.

The Small House Collage

11/7/2015

My obsession of the 'small house' continues. I can only hope it's becoming a bit more refined. Taking influence from the neighborhood we live--an historic area full of bungalows and prairie style homes--I'm trying to reimagine the small cottage home with a contemporary flare. And why do subtle when bold, clean lines can create a real dialogue?

These images are one of a few concept sketches Bart and I developed for a client who needed a little 'eye candy' for a planning and zoning presentation.

The idea was to organize the core building utilizing classic facade rules while invoking the bungalow style. Intersecting the building is the modern touch. It intersects the interior circulation to both organize the space and bring in light.

More development is needed, of course. Baby steps. Stay with me. Plans, elevations, sections, and materials to come.

French Mediterranian Courtyard In the Middle of Dallas

8/12/2015

I have been fortunate these past 6+ months to work on a wide variety of project types--both commercial and residential. As I look back on recent blog posts, I realize the only thing I've shared is from the residential project type. Oh Well! Though it's not my professional forte, I've been blessed with working with a great range of folks which have given me great opportunity to design and imagine.

Here is the latest. While still in the very infantile stage of design, I share with you the most recent design of the home renovation/addition which includes a new master suite, total kitchen renovation, formal dining room, and a 2-story office/guest quarters addition. Excuse my SketchUp skills please...I think I at least get the point across, no? Fill this up with luscious landscaping and a proper cocktail? Sign me up, please.

Design Assist

5/29/2015

Thrasher Works recently had the opportunity to put our design chops to the test for a local development: The Villas, a small group of custom built homes located on the hill overlooking the historic Belmont Hotel and skyline of downtown Dallas.

I was brought in to assist in the tweaking of a design which had been presented to the design review board. It is a three story, 2-unit condo set on two lots. Unfortunately, while all the usual components of a contemporary design were present, the facade couldn't mask the fact that it was an awkwardly proportioned box which was out of scale to the neighborhood and severely lacking in a coherent facade organization.

After a few attempts to save the design, we all came to the same conclusion: one must start from scratch. Of course, I won't show you where we started from, but what do you think of how it turned out?

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