North Lawrence home reflects designer’s modernist style / LJWorld.com

Archive for Monday, November 9, 2009

November 9, 2009

Free State Studios Photo

The North Lawrence home of Emily and Marcos Markoulatos was designed by local builder and designer Scott Trettel.

The strikingly innovative, modern home near the levee trail in North Lawrence is one of the latest creations by builder and designer Scott Trettel.

Trettel has a method when developing custom plans for his clients, and it involves assigning homework.

“The first thing I ask them to do is collect pictures and images of features and things that they like,” he says. “The second part of the homework is to draw a floor plan of their existing home and list three things they like and three things they dislike about their current space.”

The contemporary, stylish and user-friendly home he created for Emily and Marcos Markoulatos reflects those prerequisites and some additional must-haves, including a wood-burning fireplace that efficiently provides heat, radiant heat flooring and a modern twist on a butler’s pantry.

Functional, multi-purpose spaces abound with no shortage on style. Creative concrete countertops and Emily’s artwork add dramatic punches of color while an abundance of windows flood the minimalist spaces with natural light.

Every square inch of the second floor has a practical purpose punctuated with personality, including a bedroom shared by the Markoulatos’ daughters, a playroom, TV space and artist’s studio.

Marcos’ haven, a 36- by-24-foot garage, complete with a partially finished second level, mimics the contemporary lines of the home and boasts the same, eye-catching salsa-dancing color.

“Home and Away” premieres at 6:30 p.m. Mondays on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 and replays throughout the week.