About Lyle
Expertise
Lyle Boatman, Mid-century Modern Design Guy since 1999
Begin your architecture project with this experience!
With more than thirty-five years in design, Lyle has a broad perspective on interior design and architecture. Having worked on numerous single and multi-family homes across the USA, five-star hotels and condominium residences on the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt, schools, multi-use and commercial buildings in New Cairo and Istanbul, and the penthouse in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Lyle brings a wealth of experience to every project. This background provides you with real-time answers to your questions about architecture and interior design. A fun sense of humor, and a talent for explaining complex ideas in understandable ways, makes for a great project experience for the client and for collaborating professionals.
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Lyle is a CIDQ certified interior designer (NCIDQ #012073), a former Professional Member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and also a former member of AIA (American Institute of Architects). Lyle Boatman, Better Design is a professional design services company, offering residential design and interior design services.
on becoming a midmod design guy
As featured in Metropolitan Home Magazine
A 1953 Mid-Century Modern Cottage re-imagined
Becoming a true MidMod Design Guy happened after falling in love with a 1953 cottage in Grand Rapids, MI. This house was, as the previous owner declared, “a swill pit.” That is, apparently, Midwest slang for what Californians call an “Extreme Fixer!” The carport roof had been modified (remuddled) to fit a tall RV, causing the roof to sag, and leak. A remuddled kitchen, complete with Cathedral style doors (installed with doors upside down; ....I am not making this stuff up!) further disguised the modern gem hidden within. Some careful editing, a huge amount of elbow grease, and a couple years of process made for a stunning reveal, featured in the Metropolitan Home Magazine Winner’s Issue for their famous ‘Home of the Year’ contest.
This photo shows the revised kitchen, almost like it was originally planned. Due to years of roof beams sagging, the long-span beams needed shoring up, so a partition with niche separating the entry from the kitchen was devised. An existing temporary post was incorporated into the new counter-top.
The dining area shows the beautiful original redwood tongue and groove paneling. It had been painted avocado green, with a gold ceiling. Citrus stripper (and lots of elbow grease) worked miracles. Beam and ceiling were painted to look like they had been stained; being too-soft to refinish with decent results.
This is the view from the backyard, at night, showing the addition built in place of the sagging carport. The long floor to ceiling glass wall in the living room was bathed in air from a long vent for the in-floor heating. This made for a most comfortable glazed room with low-cost technology.
Education, Finally
NewSchool of Architecture + Design
Lyle's thesis, ARCHITECTURevolution
A professional degree in architecture
After some thirty-or-so years in the design field, your design guide, Lyle Boatman, now has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree (Magna Cum Laude, 2012) from NewSchool of Architecture + Design, in San Diego, CA. Lyle’s Valedictory Address was at the beautiful, Brutalist, courtyard (above) of the Salk Institute, designed by Louis I. Kahn. Brutalism is an evolution of modernism deploying raw concrete surfaces and simple forms in design. Architectural Brutalism is a variety of Mid-Century Modern architecture, popular from about 1950 through the 70’s.
Lyle’s thesis work, entitled ARCHITECTURevolution, is a referendum comprised of evolutionary recommendations for wide collaboration in the field of Architecture.
R Lyle Boatman, Valedictorian Class of 2012, NewSchool of Architecture + Design, gives a sterling address at the graduation ceremonies, Salk Institute, San Diego, CA, June 23, 2012.