As technology sculpts the shape of our daily lives for better, for worse, I find myself drawn to the organic and the real. To timeless majestic mountains, oceans, lakes, forests, and nature. Perhaps as systems and industries evolve with artificial intelligence, what functions more efficiently and feels “real enough” will satisfy appetites. But will it satisfy mine? Will life for the majority of Earth’s inhabitants improve? Time will bring answers. A previously shared quote springs to mind: “We have no idea what will happen; life is beautiful anyway.” Jeffrey Dungan Architecture reflects the work of an artist who perhaps is not contented by “the real enough.” His beautifully earthy timeless architecture centers us in authenticity and wonder.
Photos: MILIEU, Jeffrey Dungan, AHL
Jeffrey Dungan Architecture: Earthy Timeless Authenticity
Robin Rains Residence
So inspired by this collaboration which appeared in MILIEU (Spring 2021), I recall creating a video as I leafed through the article featuring this unforgettable home. (Search my IG feed for it…and follow if you don’t already–what’s a girl have to do to gain a measly 5k followers on that finnicky channel? And why would FB love me infinitely more?)
A restrained color palette only heightened the delight of the work for me!
Glimpses of Earthy Timeless Architecture
When a reverence for the outdoors is paramount in the architecture, how can a mistake even be made with the decor and interior design?
There’s a hushed elegance that flows from such thoughtful selection of materials.
And while the process for these extraordinary projects must be a winding path of complexity and hidden details, their completion reflects an unmistakably elegant simplicity.
And also a hushed quality. Don’t you love such whispers? While I don’t have a particular New Year’s resolution, I’d like to become a better listener.
Dungan says if you listen closely enough to a site, the house will almost design itself.
And surely this has been true on a much smaller scale in my own renovations.
Listening in a deliberately contemplative manner involves detaching from myself.
Detaching from the weather of emotions storming and shining in my inner landscape.
That’s a high order for this overly sensitive feeler, doncha know. 🙂
But I think it is within this detachment from: ego identity, emotional baggage of the past, and messaging from the present culture that a fresh lifegiving creativity may grow.
What beauty may arise from such deep listening?
What love may blossom?
If these reflections feel disjointed from the lovelieness of the work you are viewing, please forgive.
For me, viewing timeless design as meditative fine art feels natural and good for the senses and soul.
Jeffrey Dungan Architectural Authenticity
What will it take to become a better listener as the noise of modern life interrupts the music?
The only way I know through the noise is with daily practice.
Daily returning to the Real, to the authentic, to the Source.
And no matter how my life twists and turns, I find myself drawing from an infinite source of timelessness and love that ever flows.
Even after all these years, I remain awed by the flow.
Yet even after all these years, I am prone to wander and be forgetful of the flow.
And that’s a wonder too…for it reveals to me that I am not just free to choose Love and Beauty once, but free to choose it every moment.
What love is so fearless and bountiful and generous as that!?!
Kitchen With Earthy Elegance from Jeffrey Dungan Architects
I began this post with a reference to AI, and my guess is that there will be those who will find it difficult to believe these designs are very real and not fantasy images rendered by bots.
Because they do appear sculpted and dreamlike!
We know immediately that the design budget was dreamlike…hahahaha.
There’s a pared down elegance to the aesthetic.
And a playfulness with light, with form.
And scale!
Just the other day, the architect shared these reflections…
“I get really into the details of the homes we do with our creative team and clients and love all the collaborations.”
“Some moments are the big ones we obsess over…
but I also love the little moments…
where it’s more quiet and the light moves in a certain way.”
Architectural Movement & Moments of Quiet Beauty
His work is reflective of what I would describe as a gentle grandeur.
Since I just returned from a trip to the Southwest where I experienced the wonder of deep canyons and breathtaking mountainscapes, I feel especially anchored in a sort of cosmic beauty at the moment.
The grandeur of this planet, galaxy, and universe shimmers with majesty.
And our being here is a sort of miracle.
But it’s a miracle easily forgotten as we busy ourselves with chores and modern striving.
How will you slow down enough to notice what gentle grandeur is scattered around you and yours?
As I consider the portfolio of luxuriously lovely work here, I’m aware that my own surroundings feel far less authentic, earthy, and elegant.
The sizes of my rooms and windows are more humbly-scaled and hum drum in comparison.
But my sunlight surely streams as bright.
The moon and stars in my sky shine just as wondrous.
Personal Reflections from Images of Timeless Simplicity
There is no need to compare or despair about illusions of scarcity.
Because little truly can become much with the right lens…
with the right audio frequency…
and fingers of faith to feel…
what is truly real as opposed to
real enough.
Jeffrey Dungan’s Book The Nature of Home
Not all of Jeffrey Dungan’s projects are grand in scale…remember this tiny glory he designed!?!
Learn more about Jeffrey Dungan’s projects HERE.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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What a lovely, poetic post. I enjoyed the pictures and the beautiful words. Thank you.
Author
Thank you for those kind words! So wonderful to have you here. 🙂