On a peaceful stretch of the popular Lamar Park neighborhood, under the cover of sprawling oak trees, families stroll the sidewalks walking dogs while children ride bikes. This classic sense of community and family-oriented activity was just one of many reasons Nick and Sofia Gignac of Gignac Architects fell in love with the 1960s mid-century gem they call home.
Nick, whose love for architecture began in childhood and who has gone on to be a partner at his family’s firm, purchased the home in 2015 with a vision of what it could be. “A lot of people said that it just needed to be knocked down,” he said, “but I’m not a fan of knocking things down.”
The wide, low-pitched structure was in need of a heavy facelift; a challenge Nick was eager to take on. After a quick make-ready, the Gignacs moved into what would become a multi-phased labor of love and reflection of their personal style.
The original layout of the home remains intact, as Nick and Sofia felt removing walls and disrupting the flow would compromise the integrity of its history. Although Nick entertained combining the parallel living rooms, the unique dividing wall of white brick and curved vertical wood slats was an aspect of the home’s era the Gignacs just couldn’t delete.
“We didn’t convert any rooms because everyone agreed that it was just better the way it is,” Sofia stated. “They don’t make houses like this anymore.” Interestingly, a powder bath adjacent to the entry stands distinct as a feature not typically found in early 1960s homes.
Embracing the divided living rooms allows the spaces to embody two separate aesthetics. Scandinavian-style furniture in warm whites and natural woods complements the family’s framed Beatles memorabilia, offering a sound bath of serenity in the formal living area. Sitting in wait, Nick’s guitar is positioned near a seating area of Juhl chairs while a curved boucle sofa invites guests to join in the experience. Studio Cecile, a full-service interior architecture and design agency, curated the living and dining furniture and designed the lighting for both rooms. Against the far wall, the dining table and molded plywood chairs sit beneath low-hung glowing pendants to delineate the space, suggesting intimate intentionality.
In contrast, the family room adjacent to the kitchen features cooler blue/green tones, a colorful art collection and the original built-in shelving, painted and reimagined to display mementos of Sofia’s Romanian heritage.
Adjoining the family room, the kitchen maintains the original footprint. “We kept the shape of the kitchen,” Nick said. “We took some dated upper cabinets out, but everything is in its original place.” Studio Cecile also assisted with the kitchen’s remodel, ensuring the space aligned with the home’s cohesive aesthetic. Sea salt green and brushed nickel hardware embellish simple Shaker cabinets, accentuating a minimalist approach. The oven and microwave are encased in the existing bricked opening.
A glimpse into the primary suite reveals more saturated tones than the remainder of the house. Nick confessed, “I like grayscale tones, but Sofia likes a lot of color, so we found a good common ground.”
In the corner of the room, an authentic Mid-century Modern end table acquired from Nick’s grandmother anchors a reading nook surrounded by symbolic Romanian plates and art from the family’s travels.
Perhaps the most transformative room, the massively remodeled primary bath takes on a modern spa aesthetic. A wet room with a luxurious free-standing tub makes up most of the space.
“The shower used to be a closet, and the former bathtub had bright blue tile … it needed a full overhaul,” the owners said. Natural sunlight flows in through the original clerestory windows above the dual vanities, providing ideal lighting to the space.
“Our favorite part is the backyard; it’s a great place to hang out,” the Gignacs shared. It is here that their entertaining reaches maximum potential. Sun deck platforms, lounge seating and dozens of carefully maintained plants create a resort-style desert oasis beside a long, rectangular pool. Anchoring the ends of the deck, two large planters house massive prickly pear cacti. “We thought the concrete planters were cool — we couldn’t get rid of them,” Nick said.
Remaining true to the architectural integrity, the Gignacs have maintained the minimalist lines and authentic appointments of their beloved mid-century home.
