It was a love affair with a home that stood out to Maud and Brian Duggan. As owners of Union Place Home Systems + Interior Design, Maud and Brian spend their days transforming homes into beautiful spaces, but this project was special from the start.
“I can’t recall another project like it,” Brian shares.
Originally designed in the 1970s by architect Milo Thompson, the home earned awards for its contemporary mid-century design. Decades later, its owners found themselves facing a decision: move from the home they had loved for more than three decades or find a way to make it work for them for years to come.
“We’ve been in the home since 1992 and absolutely love it. However, as we grow older, it’s getting harder to get up the stairs to the bedroom. We had to make a decision. To move or to remodel and stay. We’ve been here 34 years. The home has treated us well for decades, and we love living here. And knowing Maud and Brian, it was a pretty easy decision to make.”
For the architectural design and build, the couple turned to Randy Moe, a former associate of Milo Thompson at Miller Dunwiddie, and David Ostreim, a former student of Milo’s, at Partners 4 Design. Maud and Brian took the helm on the interior design and home systems, including all of the technology and audiovisual elements.
“One of the most important things for the couple was to preserve and honor the integrity of the home’s original architectural design and style,” says Maud. Working closely with the couple, she brought their vision to life through carefully selected colors, furnishings, fabrics, and layout.
The couple’s love of art also played an important role in the design. They are avid art collectors, and the husband is a painter himself, so Maud wanted each piece to feel intentional and at home within the space. “Artistic quality and bringing in pieces that are not only accessible but also beautiful was essential,” says Maud.
That balance of beauty and function can be seen throughout the home. In the family room, a new recliner sits alongside a powered sectional, giving each of them a comfortable seat while still allowing them to sit together. “Maud and Brian were able to understand exactly what we wanted with the remodel. It was perfect, and Maud has a wonderful eye.”
Another example of blending art with function is the must-have art television in the bedroom. Instead of a blank, black screen, it displays a rotating gallery of artwork, becoming part of the room’s design when it’s not in use.
“It’s a great piece of tech and brings a different dimension to the room. We absolutely love it.”
Brian also installed new integrated lighting, motorized shades, and voice control systems, making everything accessible and easy to operate.
But the biggest transformation was the primary suite. “The new bedroom is honestly now the nicest place in the home,” says Maud. The home now has dual primary suites, with the new suite on the main level, making it easier to navigate and enjoy the entire home. One of its standout features is a wall of large glass windows that open the room to stunning lake views.
“It’s absolutely wonderful to wake up in the morning with the lake view. It’s one of our favorite parts of the remodel.”
While this is not the first project Maud and Brian have worked on with the couple, this one may be the most meaningful. “They’ve done several projects for us over the years, and their interior design and audiovisual skill set is unmatched. We now have access and can enjoy the entire house. They helped us find a way to stay in the home we love.”
Being able to update the space without losing the character and charm they fell in love with all those years ago makes all the difference. The result is a home that still feels like theirs, just a little more functional, comfortable, and enjoyable.
It’s what makes this project so special: it wasn’t about creating a new home. It was about giving a much-loved home a new chapter.