When an Austin, Texas, family of four decided to transform a duplex into their single-family home, they turned to architect Emily Little for a design that was “lively and warm.” Little, a principal of Clayton Levy Little Architecture, suggested built-ins as a way to express personality while taming two potential high-clutter zones—stairs and the adjoining entry leading to the kitchen.
She located a built-in cabinet just inside the door to keep shoes, cell phones, and mail in order and serve as a colorful screen for the stairs to the bedrooms. The cabinet’s top drawer hides outlets for myriad chargers, while two long shelves make it easy to kick off shoes in a tidy fashion. The family’s schedule can be posted on the magnetic chalk-board as can any artistic impulses. On the back side of the cabinet, four large cubbies give each family member a place at the landing “where they can put things that need to go up,” says Little. There’s also a smaller chalkboard hidden from the public spaces for more personal notes.
