Richard Robertson Design | Photo Gallery | Better Homes and Gardens

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In classic example of accentuating the positive, architect Mark English and designer Richard Robertson chose to emphasize the lofty ceilings in this San Francisco home - and to downplay the design limitations imposed by the home's narrow lot. They cleverly dispensed with the fireplace mantel, which would have broken the eye's upward movement. Instead they designed a towering surround that takes full advantage of the volume created by the high ceilings. At each side, simple graphic built-ins and unadorned light-filtering glass block add still more vertical lines to the mix.

To underscore the height of the ceilings in this contemporary home, the architect designer specified a tall fireplace surround. In place of a mantel, a wide pedestal base and flanking storage modules provide display surfaces while maintaining the requisite symmetry. The modules' doors and handles neatly echo the soaring columns of glass block.

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