Pushing Boundaries

Meet the innovative designer of Project House Austin.

IN THE LAST ISSUE YOU LEARNED ABOUT PROJECT HOUSE AUSTIN, our year- long journey chronicling the build of a new home inspired by mid century architecture and design. The concept? How to experiment with the benefits of modern living while incorporating what we love about this iconic modernist style. “We’re updating retro MCM design but in a way that respects and honors its contribution and how timeless it really is,” says Christine Turknett, principal at Breathe Design Studio. She plans to infuse different influences into the design of the home, creating a unique style that doesn’t just replicate the past.

How It Began

Breathe Design Studio’s niche is modern, as that’s what they’re passionate about. “We have worked with MCM, but it’s never been one note,” Christine says. “Balance is important, and blending genres and references makes a project dynamic and original.” She believes in incorporating different design styles to give her homes a global feel, stepping away from what is routine and expanding the parameters.

Christine studied fashion alongside design. “They complement one another,” she says. Breathe Design Studio started out as her blog and, after exposure, eventually grew to become her design company in 2017, but she took steps in between.

Her first design project was a custom home she bought for herself. “I called it a high- stakes internship because it was my own money,” she says. She learned a great deal about construction during that year- long process, gaining the ability to empathize with clients going through a similar experience. Working at West Elm taught her about helping clients achieve a vision rather than selling them individual products. The architect of her home eventually connected her with a magazine where she earned her first feature, and her style has been in demand ever since.

Design Freedom

Since the Project House will act as a model home for the builder, Michael Wray, owner and founder of MidCentury Custom Homes, LLC, Christine isn’t basing the design off a homeowner’s list of preferences. Instead, she’s partnering with to marry her own style with that of the brand leader, Jickie Torres, and her team. “I’ve been showing them pieces I’ve wanted to use but haven’t found the right project for, and they’ll tell me if they like it,” says Christine. “I like being collaborative and having feedback.”

“We’re updating retro MCM design but in a way that respects and honors its contribution and how timeless it really is.”

Project House Plans

Rather than simply copy what’s been done in the past, Christine and Michael plan to pave their own way. “We want to inspire people through new ideas,” she says. “We plan to synthesize looks together that complement and add to each other. We ask ourselves how we can make it different and increase the standard.”

To successfully infuse Mid Century Modern style with other inspirations, Christine chose infl uences that complement MCM design. “Well- being is inherently tied into modern not being a stark, cold thing,” she says. “That’s a principle of Scandinavian design— it’s simple, calming and clean.”

ACCENT WALLS ARE CHRISTINE’S SPECIALTY. SHE PLANS TO INCLUDE A LOT OF WALLPAPER IN PROJECT HOUSE AUSTIN FOR ITS VERSATILITY AND COST- EFFECTIVENESS. “ART CAN BE EXPENSIVE,” SAYS CHRISTINE. “WALLPAPER CAN COVER A BLANK WALL, AND IT WILL BE MORE IMPACTFUL AND BRING MORE INTEREST.”

( ABOVE, LEFT) THE PLAN IS TO INFUSE SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN WITH MID CENTURY MODERN STYLE, SO THE HOME WILL HAVE A NEUTRAL PALETTE WITH TOUCHES OF BLUES, GREENS AND CLASSIC MID CENTURY COLORS IN MUTED TONES. THIS BLUE VELVET HEADBOARD IS AN EXAMPLE OF BOLD COLOR CHOICE. ( ABOVE, RIGHT) SHOWCASING THE CLIENT’S PERSONALITY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF CHRISTINE’S JOB. SINCE ATOMIC RANCH IS THE CLIENT FOR THIS PROJECT, SHE IS WORKING WITH EDITOR JICKIE TORRES TO DETERMINE AREAS OF RISK. “IF A MATERIAL IS COST PROHIBITIVE OR BOLD, WE ALLOCATE IT TO THE BAR,” SHE SAYS. “MOTIFS AND COLORS CAN SET THE STAGE FOR WHAT THE AREA DOES, SO YOU CAN GO CRAZY WITH PATTERNS AND COLORS BECAUSE IT’S A FUN SPACE.”

LEARN ABOUT CHRISTINE’S 5 FAVORITE MCM DESIGN ELEMENTS ONLINE AT ATOMIC- RANCH. COM. PROJECT HOUSE AUSTIN WILL FEATURE AN ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL LIGHT, BUT IT WILL ALSO HAVE ITS MOODY MOMENTS. IN THIS PAST PROJECT, CHRISTINE INSTALLED EMERALD GREEN CURTAINS IN THE CORNER OF THE HOME TO PROVIDE PRIVACY AND LET IN NATURAL LIGHT.