When you think of a Tudor house, what immediately comes to mind is a charming, storybook house with an old-world, romantic appeal. This unique style inspired the family home of designers Jesse & Katie Kath, the couple behind the award-winning remodelling and design firm JKath Design Build + Reinvent.
“The inspiration for the whole home really began with a modern Tudor aesthetic,” shares Katie. The couple focused on timeless and traditional elements while inserting modern and clean lines in the interiors to breathe new life into the Tudor vibe.
See how Jesse and Katie added contemporary elements to this historic style.
Reimagined arched alcoves
Arched openings between rooms are a popular Tudor feature, and the Minnesota-based designers incorporated this detail through reimagined arched alcoves in their lounge. They created open storage by fitting shelves and a complimentary cabinet into the space, creating a focal point for the room. Completing the Tudor look is the cabinet in stained alder with brass accents in the form of Armac Martin’s Cotswold Ball Knob in a polished brass lacquered finish.
Earthy tones and heavy wood timber beams
In Tudor homes, heavy wood timber beams are commonly seen and used as room accents. This is replicated in the two-tone kitchen, where the earthy hues are offset by white for a warm but polished look.
The wooden island serves as the centrepiece for a transeasonal space that works for everyday living and entertaining. Brass fixtures, like the Cotswold Ball Knob and Cotswold Drawer Pull, in a polished brass lacquered finish, add a luxurious touch to the space.
Stone tiles
Continuing the modern Tudor aesthetic in the bathroom, Katie opted for stone tiles for the floor and shower walls. She adds, “These are the details I am most fond of in our entire home.”
She also handpicked the brass finishes for their hand crafted bathroom vanity, made from their cabinet shop in Minneapolis. Armac Martin’s Cotswold Bun Knob in Satin Brass stands out against the wood for that modern yet lived-in look.
In their daughter’s en-suite bathroom, the whimsical underwater wall covering serves as a backdrop for the vintage V-groove vanity. Black accents, including Armac Martin’s Cotswold Ball Knob in an antique brass lacquered finish, offer a classic feel. “I wanted to combine playful and timeless details that don’t feel age specific – it’ll carry us through the next decade,” Katie muses.
Dark wood
Interiors of Tudor style homes are often heavily accented in dark wood–from ceiling beams to intricate wall panelling. Katie utilised this for her locker style storage in the Boot Room, with reeded glass panels and gleaming brass hardware–courtesy of Armac Martin’s Latchford Knob and Pull. It continues the traditional meets contemporary theme found in their home, giving the space a heritage feel.
With its intricate and expensive build, the Tudor aesthetic is certainly not for everyone. But Jesse and Katie found a way to preserve its original appeal while inserting modern elements. The result is a refreshing, elegant home that can withstand trends and time.
Looking for more design inspiration? Check out Bringing the New England Style to Your Home, Restoring a 1930s House with a Nod to Art Deco, and A Look Into the Minimal Aesthetic. Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest from Gregory Croxford Living.