Jeffrey Dungan: A Look Into His Homes and Design Style
There’s something special about homes that feel both calm and lasting. That’s the kind of work Jeffrey Dungan is known for. Based in Alabama, he designs houses that feel grounded, natural, and built with care.
He blends clean lines with natural materials like wood and stone to shape spaces that feel simple and welcoming.
If you’ve seen his work and want to learn more, you’re not alone. Many people are interested in:
- His design firm
- Some of his most well-known homes
- How to reach out to him
- His website: jeffreydungan.com
In this guide, I’ll walk you through who he is, what his firm does, and how to bring parts of his style into your own home.
Meet Jeffrey Dungan: Key Facts About Him
A brief profile that outlines key facts about his background and design ethos.
Before digging deeper, here is a table summarizing the key facts about Jeffrey Dungan’s approach, background, and recognition.
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Mountain Brook, Alabama |
| Design Style | Natural materials, simple lines, old-meets-new |
| Firm Approach | Small, skilled team; personalized custom home design |
| Philosophy | Homes should feel calm, real, and rooted in nature |
| Notable Materials | Stone, wood, metal |
| Awards | ADAC Architect of the Year (2017) |
| Published In | Architectural Digest, other major design magazines, and blogs |
| Book | The Nature of Home (it discusses design values and personal stories) |
| Public Presence | Active on social media; features in books, blogs, and interviews |
How the Studio Works: Process, Culture, and Craft
Jeffrey Dungan Architects blends creativity and structure through a collaborative, detail-focused process rooted in trust, craftsmanship, and personal connection.
Small but Skilled Team
Each team member brings a deep knowledge of their craft, working closely to integrate layout, finishes, and materials into a unified vision.
The group works closely with clients to meet their site and lifestyle needs. Everyone involved stays fully engaged throughout the design process.
Personalized Design at Every Step
Each project starts with in-depth conversations, often on-site, to learn how the space should feel and function. The firm limits the number of projects it takes on so that attention remains high and no detail is overlooked.
Drawings are created by hand before transitioning into refined plans, allowing for creative freedom before committing to technical precision. Clients are part of every phase, from material samples to walkthroughs.
Studio Culture and Daily Flow
The studio environment is relaxed but deeply focused. Mornings might include sketch reviews or stone sample comparisons, while afternoons shift to design meetings or material sourcing.
Team members work in close proximity, encouraging frequent collaboration and quick problem-solving.
Dungan himself is known to move between desks, offering feedback or sharing inspiration pulled from books, travel, or nature. Creativity is treated as a shared responsibility, not a solo act.
Local Roots, Broader Reach
Although based in Mountain Brook, the firm works with clients across the United States, often designing homes for natural or historic settings. Every project reflects the belief that a well-built home should respond to the land, the light, and the people who will live there.
Remote collaboration tools are also part of their process, sharing models, visuals, and samples to keep clients engaged, wherever they are.
See and Connect with Jeffrey Dungan
You can find Jeffrey Dungan’s work in magazines, blogs, and on Instagram. His website also shares visuals and a contact form for those who enjoy calm, natural design.
Magazine Features
Jeffrey Dungan has been featured in Architectural Digest, Alys Beach Gazette, Mountain Brook Magazine, and several other design publications.
These magazines showcase his signature use of stone, wood, and timeless forms. Each feature helps readers understand how he blends tradition and clarity in his projects.
Instagram Highlights
On Instagram @jeffreydungan, you’ll find warm-toned photos of wide porches, tall windows, wooden beams, and quiet corners. His posts include both completed homes and glimpses into his process.
Captions often reflect on design choices, materials, and the surrounding landscape, giving followers a deeper view into how he works.
Website
His official website, jeffreydungan.com, features a comprehensive project gallery, a contact form, and access to his book, The Nature of Home.
The layout is clean and easy to find, reflecting the calm tone of his design work. It’s the best place to learn about his team, design values, and available services.
Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1906 Cahaba Rd, Mountain Brook, AL |
| Phone | (205) 322-2057 |
| Business Hours | Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. onward |
| Contact Method | Website contact form or phone |
Signature Projects That Showcase His Vision
Jeffrey Dungan’s portfolio features homes that showcase structure, landscape, and quiet strength through the careful use of materials and simple forms.
Bavarian Mountain Retreat
Set on a forested hillside, this home uses stone walls and timber frames to connect with its surroundings. Steeply pitched roofs and deeply set windows frame the mountain views.
The layout combines shared and private areas for flexibility. Natural light filters through open rooms, while quiet corners provide solitude.
Textures and structure balance function with comfort. It’s a house that mirrors the land without excess.
Abbey Road Tower House
This compact, vertical home is designed for narrow urban space. It features stacked living zones with floor-to-ceiling windows and steel detailing.
An open stairwell allows for light flow and air circulation. The interior emphasizes movement, connecting each level visually and functionally.
Strategic material choices offer strength without bulk. Every floor serves a clear purpose, from private corners to upper-level views.
Alys Beach Homes
These homes follow a coastal blueprint of light and clarity. Smooth white facades contrast with shaded courtyards and an arch-lined breezeway.
Layouts emphasize airflow and openness. Interior materials include pale wood and quiet stone. Built-ins and simple transitions maintain visual ease.
Each home is tailored to the local sun and sea climate, featuring thoughtful room arrangements and strong yet relaxed geometry.
What Makes His Design Philosophy Unique
Jeffrey Dungan builds each home with purpose, shaping it around the site, natural light, and daily rhythms. His design process centers on restraint, clarity, and the use of lasting materials.
Grounded in Nature
Dungan’s design process starts by observing the land. He works with the site’s slope, sun path, and vegetation. Stone and wood are chosen for their ability to age gracefully and blend seamlessly into the environment.
His goal is to design homes that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Instead of standing out, they blend in with their surroundings and adapt to seasonal and weather changes.
Calm and Clean Lines
He avoids excess in layout and detail, focusing on order and usability. Spaces are structured with clear lines and minimal ornamentation.
Built-ins reduce clutter, and furniture is scaled for comfort. Every feature is planned to support daily routines without distraction. This simplicity helps the home stay functional and quiet. His work shows that clarity in form creates ease in living.
The Role of Light
Natural light is a key part of every design. Dungan studies how sunlight enters a space from morning to evening. Windows, rooflines, and room placement are shaped to bring in soft, even light.
Shadows are used to add depth and rhythm. He avoids harsh artificial lighting, instead favoring daylight and warm glow. Light is not just decoration; it’s a practical part of how the home functions.
Jeffrey Dungan’s Book – The Nature of Home
Jeffrey Dungan’s book, The Nature of Home, reflects his design philosophy through personal stories, project insights, and classic ideas.
He explains how stone, wood, light, and honest materials shape meaningful spaces. The book is filled with rich visuals and calm reflections that help readers rethink what makes a house feel right.
With a warm, clear tone, Dungan shows how nature and simplicity can guide thoughtful design choices.
This book offers more than inspiration; it invites readers to see home as a space of beauty, comfort, and connection to the world around them.
Applying Dungan’s Style to Your Home
Dungan’s principles can work in any home. His focus on quality, comfort, and natural flow helps create spaces that feel balanced and timeless.
Materials
Dungan chooses materials that are functional and full of character. Reclaimed wood brings age and warmth, while stone adds grounding and structure.
Aged metal gives a subtle contrast. These elements are durable and require minimal treatment. They reflect a home’s story over time.
Prioritizing craftsmanship and authenticity over decoration, these materials help shape spaces that age gracefully and support daily living.
Colors
His palette is based on muted, earth-toned shades that give a room quiet strength.
Soft whites reflect light softly without glare. Warm browns offer natural warmth, while light grays help define shape and surface. These colors don’t overpower. Instead, they support structure and detail.
Dungan uses color to calm the visual field and unify rooms. The result is spaces that feel grounded and restful without feeling cold or plain.
Details to Copy
Dungan often includes architectural elements that connect inside and out. Arches add movement between spaces. Deep overhangs manage light and weather while extending the roofline.
Breezeways allow for air and views. Symmetry gives rooms order without stiffness. These touches offer both beauty and function.
Rather than decorative, each feature plays a role in how a space works and feels. They make their homes memorable and practical at once.
Interior Tips
Focus on open space, gentle textures, and soft lighting. Dungan avoids visual clutter. He prefers built-ins, natural fabrics, and well-chosen vintage pieces.
Light from lamps or windows should set the tone for the room’s mood. Shelves should stay airy and purposeful. Each object should feel like it belongs.
The aim is a home that feels inviting but not crowded. Comfort comes from space and intention, not decoration or trend.
Conclusion
Good design doesn’t need to shout — it just needs to feel right. That’s what I see in Jeffrey Dungan’s work. His homes are shaped with care, light, and a strong connection to nature, offering ideas that work no matter where you live.
If you’ve been hoping to bring more calm into your home, I hope this guide gave you a clear place to start. You now know where to look at his work, how to learn from it, and how to get in touch if needed.
Simple choices and natural touches can make a big difference. If you’re looking for more grounded, easy design tips, I’ve shared more posts that can help you shape a space that feels like home
