The Crooks-Jorgensen home in SLO: Prairie School style
Before Janice Crooks and Bob Jorgensen finished the design of their San Luis Obispo home, they took their architect and general contractor Paul Abbott of Vellum Design-Build on a full-day tour of early 20th century Prairie School homes.
They came away with ideas and inspiration — but not the desire to live in a time warp. “We didn’t want a museum piece, which can be tiresome and stale,” said Jorgensen. “We wanted to be judicious and point to some things that are special, but not overdo it.”
The couple likes Prairie School for its “horizontal lines, prominent eaves, earth colors and natural textures that help the house blend in with its surroundings,” said Crooks. Their own interpretation is distinctly modern — clean, uncluttered, and replete with today’s conveniences.
True to Prairie School style, abundant woodwork brings organic warmth to the interior. Floors are deeply hued walnut. Quarter-sawn, custom red oak cabinets in the kitchen are typical of the genre. Moldings are substantial. And built-in furniture offers a more streamlined alternative to a collection of freestanding pieces.
In the dining room, for instance, high wainscoting creates a warm, enveloping atmosphere, and the built-in hutch is a contemporary remake of a period classic. The couple opted against fussy details such as period-authentic plate racks, preferring to keep everything behind closed doors to cut down on visual clutter.
Interior designer Anne Fortini helped them incorporate their updated Prairie Style aesthetic into finish materials. Her ideas often took them in unexpected — but innovative — directions. For instance, when the couple showed her a sample of retro-inspired tile that they were considering for the exterior deck facing, she used it as inspiration for their three-sided fireplace.
The final design incorporates the tiles, a lived-edge slab of redwood as the mantel, and rough-hewn slate set in a linear design that is at once modern, yet true to the principles of Prairie School style. “It was really serendipitous,” said Crooks. “The tiles have a design that reminds us of the eucalyptus trees near our house.”
Prairie School is a philosophy that includes the use of local craftspeople. To this end, the couple worked with several area artisans. Brian Shannon of Custom Wood-N-Cabinets created all cabinetry and built-in furniture. Blazer Burton of Fire & Earth crafted outdoor metal railings. Crooks added her own artistry to the home. She created the stained glass inserts for cabinet doors that add an authentic period feel, as well as a splash of color, to the kitchen.
Crooks and Jorgensen found ways to integrate modern conveniences into their home without altering its aesthetic. The home sound system is built into the walls and ceiling, eliminating the clutter of modern audio equipment. In the kitchen, the hefty Sub Zero refrigerator is concealed behind paneling. The home also has solar panels and takes advantage of passive solar features that keep the home comfortable without great need for artificial heating or cooling.
On display are a few meaningful pieces of art, but the couple shuns the overuse of tchotchkes and collectibles. Instead, there is artistry in the utilitarian. For instance, the couple spent many hours searching for the right lighting. Notable among their choices are two lamps made from recycled Volkswagen parts and refrigerator coils, crafted by local artisan Steve Bewley.
During the year of construction, Crooks and Jorgensen traveled monthly from their home in the Bay Area to brainstorm ideas with Abbott and Fortini, which continued to take shape even as the project neared completion. The finished product is “way above our expectation,” said Crooks. “The home is really pleasant whether you’re entertaining, cooking or just relaxing in the library with a good book. We’re delighted to be here.”
Design tips
PICTURE PERFECT One ingenious feature of many Prairie School homes is the picture rail. Frames are attached by wire or string to hooks that fit over the top of a strip of specialized wood molding. This allows you to swap out photos or art easily, and reposition without creating more nail holes. Best of all, once frames are hung, there’s no need to straighten them.
CORK IT You may not think of cork as a bathroom flooring material, but Bob Jorgensen wanted it because it offers a warmer, softer surface underfoot, compared to tile. Remember that not all cork flooring is the same. Be sure to choose a product that can withstand humidity. Seams will need to be sealed well to make the floor more water resistant. Even so, spills and splashes should be cleaned up promptly.
START ONLINE Crooks and Jorgensen used Houzz.com to communicate with their architect, and to keep their ideas organized. They created a home profile, then added images of interiors, exteriors, lighting, furnishings and other features that appealed to them. Their architect added his own ideas. Then the three used the site during planning meetings to find common themes, narrow down choices and find sources for fixtures and materials.
This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 5:50 AM with the headline "The Crooks-Jorgensen home in SLO: Prairie School style."