Earth, wind and fire = architectural harmony
Cindy Boykin

Nature is timeless, contemporary is timely. Yet the two are not incompatible. Blending elements of nature with contemporary architecture makes beautiful creations organically, like sand becomes glass. Architecturally speaking, this striking home in Shoal Creek is a great example.

A couple of years ago, a young couple discovered this soaring, angular house situated on a wooded creek lot in west Plano. Unfortunately the house had been sitting vacant for quite awhile in legal transition, so it was in disrepair. But Jason and Lisa Georgoulis were able to look past those superficial issues to visualize their dream home.

With both having ties to California (Jason spent his early childhood there and Lisa’s parents own property on the coast), they share an appreciation for sun-drenched rooms, soft color palettes, and modern design surrounded by beautiful nature. They felt extremely fortunate to find a house possessing all these attributes.

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“I don’t think we could have built a house that was more our style than this,” Jason shares, as Lisa nods in agreement. “We were drawn to the house, number one, because it is contemporary. We like how the windows allow the outside light to come in, and all the materials inside mimic what you would see outdoors.”

To his point, kitchen granite countertops are mossy green with swirls of deeper hues, much like smooth rocks that settle in shallow riverbeds. Travertine table tops and floors are elegantly substantial. An accent table has wood bark inlays, and a niche displays a large vase holding several tree branches that were gathered from their property.

Jason reflects, “To me, the branches just seem to go with the theme of bringing the outside in—that’s constantly what we’re about. It’s that Frank Lloyd Wright approach of blending in with nature, incorporating elements that are around already into the design of a house.

“A few years ago, a big storm came through here and took out a lot of trees in our neighborhood. We had a birch tree that had to be cut down, but that wood is just so beautiful…the way the bark kind of ruffles away from the trunk. So I saved four really great pieces that I’m trying to figure out how to use, maybe make a chandelier or something. Obviously I don’t want to do too much of that, I don’t want it to look like Robinson Crusoe lives here. I mean, at what point do you start growing your own food?” he laughs.

Jason and Lisa are clearly nature enthusiasts, judging by the dramatic photography on the walls, two large saltwater aquariums, and bird sculptures perched on the mantel.

Works by photographers Robert Knight and Helmut Horn celebrate the earth’s majesty. A signed copy of Knight’s photo taken at South Georgia Island in Antarctica titled Stormy Ice Sculpture hangs above the fireplace. The arctic blues and whites of the photo are quite a contrast to the orange-red flames dancing on glass crystals in the fireplace below.

Those elements, plus the smooth travertine stone flooring throughout the lower floor, prompt Jason to quip, “Yeah, we’ve got an Earth, Wind and Fire kind of thing going on here.”

Don’t forget water! Two large saltwater aquariums in the main living areas are home to puffers, tangs, eels, and triggerfish—including a Humuhumunukunukuapua, the national fish of Hawaii. Wall art above the aquarium extends the ocean life theme. Fish and sea turtles, most of them from California and Hawaii, are fun to see.

Cascading contours
Outside, their property gradually slopes down to a curvy creek. Masterfully, the interior of the house mimics this topography. The entry, and most of the first floor, is one level. Then the house has a wonderful sunken living room flanked by wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows. The patio just outside the living area stair steps down to the pool, the yard, and finally the creek.

Jason explains, “The builders were obviously working with the slope, because this lot—starting at the sidewalk—works its way down to the creek.”

Trees were another consideration in the home’s blueprint. He says, “Trees are a big thing in Shoal Creek, and there were certain trees that were tagged and couldn’t be cut down when the houses were being built. So you’ll notice this house is kind of a “V”…see how it goes around a courtyard? The house actually wraps around some of those trees.”

A shaded courtyard, inviting patio, an open floor plan—this must be the perfect home for having guests. Lisa confirms that assumption: “You’re right, it’s great for entertaining. We hosted a holiday party for the homeowners’ association, I think there were about 85 to 90 people in here, but you wouldn’t believe it. This house has great flow.”

If there is an overflow crowd, large propane patio heaters make outdoor entertaining comfortable on cool evenings. A chiminea with smoldering piñon adds a bit of campfire romance.

But if it’s company one seeks, gentle-natured Great Danes Ruby and Brinkley are eager to make friends. Having large dogs frequently in the house impacted a few interior design elements, most notably windowsills. Mosaic travertine tiles line the bottom of several windows, protecting them from heavy footprints. The tile treatment is also used on an interior wall with square cutouts. Jason refers to it as “our Great Dane protection strategy. They like to stick their heads through there to see what’s going on.”

So, what’s going on? Most likely a whole lot of cooking. Based on the dark burners of their commercial-style Thermador stove, Jason and Lisa make good use of this massive cooktop. It’s not just a requisite prop for a high-end kitchen. They tend to cook coastal cuisine with Asian notes, “bringing in a little Thai and Moroccan.”

 The couple bought the house, which is now about 10 years old, in 2008. However, they knew about Shoal Creek long before it was an established development. Lisa’s parents bought one of the earliest properties, and Jason and Lisa watched the houses being built. They appreciated the care builders used to maintain the natural integrity of the area. With a trail, creek, park, and Arbor Hills Preserve nearby, this was a dream location.

As Jason explains, “Knowing the area already, and with this house being contemporary, buying it was a no-brainer for us. We jumped on the opportunity. And we feel like we’ve been able to make it our own, without going through the building process. It very quickly became personal.

“The whole thing—family, friends, entertaining, cooking, art collections, bringing the outdoors in—all of that has really made this a special place for us.”