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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 03, 2020
When a house has great bones, it makes interior design that much easier. And having innovative designers with an amazing vision doesn’t hurt either. This Raleigh home got a dramatic makeover by The Warehouse’s multifunctional design team of Liles Dunnigan and Zandy Gammons, who played up the home’s many strengths. Longtime residents of Raleigh, the homeowners relocated within their home city, and they knew what they wanted: to brighten up the dark and dated home, creating a look that was fresh and sophisticated. This required gutting the kitchen and master bath, as well as aesthetic updates throughout every other room and along the exterior. Perhaps most importantly, it required playing up the home’s natural light and filling the interior with a wash of lighter colors.
“Because we had worked with the homeowners previously, there was a high level of trust there,” Dunnigan explains. “The home was older and needed extensive updating. But it had great bones and great architectural details.” As the heart of the home, the kitchen is inherently more functional than it was before, with a longer island that faces the proper direction and offers comfortable seating. The original dark wood countertops and heavy light fixture were replaced by glazed white cabinetry and a distinctive metallic fixture overhead. The meticulously placed window captures sunlight, while the Walker Zanger tile backsplash behind the range and under the hood picks up the serene gray-blue wall color, as well as the custom color on the island. Vibrant artwork adds panache to the walls. Though the homeowners considered an all-white kitchen, the designers advised against it. “A lot of times people say they want an all-white kitchen, but it ends up looking stark and cold,” Dunnigan explains.
The adjacent breakfast nook is neither stark nor cold. The homeowners had the mirror in their possession already, and the designers had it lacquered in a soft blue that mimics the tranquility of the walls. The drapery fabric features koi fish, contributing to the Asian-inspired feel running throughout the house. A beautiful pagoda lantern from Visual Comfort completes the look. The nearby study serves as a haven for the family to escape and read. Many of the books in the collection are treasured pieces. And the designers added accessories including pieces with dark metallic shine that contrast the white cabinetry and enhance the overall look of the library. The balance of light and dark is also evident in the spacious living room, with exposed dark wood beams in the ceiling juxtaposed against a large Barbara Barry light fixture that brightens the room in more ways than one. To compensate for the fact that this room was originally even darker than most of the others, the designers repeated the same serene blue from the breakfast nook, covered the ottoman in a bright Robert Allen animal print, and installed beautiful geometric draperies from Dogwood Fabrics consisting of blue and cream hues. Finally, the Stanton wool rug adds additional light and softness. Another Stanton rug graces the steps off the foyer – an entryway that underscores the home’s overall charm. “It’s an ode to a leopard print,” Gammons says of the rug. “The art is from ArtSource, and we added an oversized antique mirrored fixture that we felt would really brighten up the space. The homeowners also had an antique chest and mirror that we repurposed.” Off the foyer, gold-finished oversized light fixtures from Visual Comfort wink down upon the mahogany dining table. “We added chairs from Woodbridge Furniture out of High Point, as we like to use North Carolina furniture companies when we can,” Dunnigan says. A multi-colored geometric Kravet print fabric with tangerines and blues graces the chair seats. The tangerine is repeated in the graceful floral draperies. “That color is found in little pops throughout the house,” Gammons explains. “The room’s rug is indoor-outdoor. [The homeowner] has grandchildren and pets and likes to entertain. So you can spill grease or red wine on it, and it will come out.” Through careful adaptation of the existing space, the designers were able to create an indulgent retreat in the master bedroom. Originally two rooms, the bedroom is now a one-room, spacious getaway with the most natural light in the entire house. An inviting combination of soft white and restful blues defines the luxurious bedding and accessories. The seating area within the master bedroom, complete with a fireplace, encourages restful afternoons spent in absolute contentment. The bedroom’s sitting room has a rival, however. The patio and outdoor living area extend the length of the back of the house. The homeowners spend many a day lounging in this vibrant space, enjoying the outdoor television, the fireplace, and most of all, the time they have with their children and grandchildren. “You can see all the colors from inside the house,” Gammons says, “and we wanted to bring the colors out and have them flow into the exterior space.” Not to be forgotten, Tucker, the dog, finds sanctuary in the mudroom, which features a vintage rug, distinctive Thibaut fabric on the windows, and a dog bed that has been painted to match both. Despite its aesthetic appeal, “That room has many uses,” Gammons explains. “It’s a laundry room, drop zone, work zone, and the dog’s favorite place.”
Speaking of favorites, one of Gammons and Dunnigan’s favorite things is working together on home interiors like this one. “Most creative people enjoy having someone to bounce ideas off of,” Dunnigan says. “And for us, it’s a partnership and collaborative effort.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 02, 2020
A Badin lake beauty proves life is better where the living is easy.
What do we want? That was the question Cam and Jen Dyer mused with designer Anne Buresh on the banks of Badin Lake as they stared out across their new property, a peninsular stretch of waterfront heaven that would be the site of their future lake home. Having worked previously with the Dyers and now with the opportunity to start fresh on a new construction, Buresh drew on her knowledge and relationship with the family to open up a dialogue about their must-haves for the home. “Transparent communication is paramount to the process, from vision boarding and conceptualization to implementation. The key to the perfect design is determining a clear idea of the client’s needs then proceeding through a systematic process that provides both direction and shared expectations,” Buresh says. “That’s exactly what the Dyers and I accomplished.” The Dyers wanted to establish continuity between the home and property, seamlessly bringing the outdoors in to create an organic yet chic design that embodied the tranquility of the natural setting. Buresh’s mission was to create a space that embraced the casual and functional, as well as the contemporary luxe. “The design was all about balance, whether the family was entertaining friends, relaxing with family, or simply having kids in wet bathing suits running in and out,” Buresh says. And balance is the key element of the comprehensive design. While outdoor luxury living was a cornerstone element, a nature-inspired palette of grays, neutrals, greens, and blues were infused throughout the interior, reflecting the beauty of the outdoors inside. Buresh also used layers of textures and colors to soften the space without compromising the airy openness of the home. Likewise, custom-designed furniture allowed Buresh to accommodate Cam Dyer’s six-foot-eight-inch frame, providing ease of accessibility, and highly functional furniture without sacrificing the clean, contemporary aesthetic. Ample outdoor living areas effortlessly extend the home’s livable square footage, all with a picturesque backdrop of the pool and lake. Extra seating offers guests the opportunity to sit back and relax with a glass of wine on a poolside lounger, at the stone fire pit, or in one of the eight Adirondack-style rocking chairs that line the back patio. The clean, straight lines of the pool and furniture perfectly complement the linear detail of the bluestone patio stone pavers that coordinate with the pale blue patio ceiling, a nod to a traditional feature of Southern design. An adjacent screened porch boasts additional dining and sitting areas, complete with versatile swivel chairs that encourage conversation or aid relaxation next to the electric fire table while taking in a game on TV.
Buresh’s use of textures and subtle colors throughout the master suite echoes the cohesive design. Natural woven blinds are layered with soft blue window treatments in the bathroom to offer privacy while also adding a dash of color to accent the gray cabinetry and white marble. The bedroom, the Dyers personal sanctuary, is full of texture – from the upholstered headboard with nail-head trim to the textured silver gray bench to the classic, European damask linen curtains. In the kitchen and dining room, the portion of the home Buresh lovingly dubs “Grand Central,” the design centers not only on the balance between chic and casual but also focuses on accessibility and durability. The upscale farmhouse-inspired kitchen echoes the same subtle palette of the home but also includes a custom-designed Tritter Feefer farm table that comfortably seats a crowd. The table’s protective coating and the chairs’ faux ostrich fabric are both beautiful and easily maintained. Likewise, the custom, extra-long formal dining table seats up to sixteen and the nail-head dining chairs were selected to encourage lingering at the table long after a meal. Both tables were constructed one to two inches taller than average to give Cam Dyer a maximum amount of comfort and mobility. It was this attention to detail that made the unveiling of the finished product a day that neither the Dyers nor Buresh will soon forget. Buresh’s “reveal day” is never complete without a few homey touches like her signature bottle of wine and bowl of nuts on the table, which she says is an invitation to sit down and enjoy some Southern hospitality. “I honestly believe our living environments affect our physical and emotional well-being,” Buresh says. “That’s why my passion is creating a design that embodies the client’s needs—a haven where they can relax, put their feet up, and enjoy life.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 01, 2020
A Charlotte-area couple builds a second home in which they can’t help but relax.
You won’t find a single basket of shells or miniature palm tree at this oceanfront Isle of Palms, S.C. vacation home. Yet, the minute you walk in, you know you’re at the very beachiest of beach houses. And it was designed that way. When a Charlotte-area couple decided to build a seaside escape, they went with their tried-and-true. They hired their long-time designer, David Smith of Custom Interiors, to bring their vision to life. Smith and the couple practically communicate telepathically. “We’ve worked together on many projects,” Smith says. “They trust me.” The trust runs so deep, in fact, that the pair told their architect, Herlong & Associates, to allow Smith leeway to make changes to the blueprints. “I’ve never had that happen,” Smith says. “The architect gave us a beautiful exterior and a basic interior layout based on the needs of the client. It was up to me to design the interiors.” “If the walls needed to be moved to accommodate the furnishings or open a space up or allow for better views, I had that freedom,” he continues. “I was able to design all the interior elements from the walls, handrails, lighting, tile, cabinetry, countertops, decorative beams, and furnishings – all with amazing support from the builder and architect. My clients let me roll with it.” Smith and his clients made the decision to have few walls on the main level. Beyond the extra-large foyer is what Smith describes as “one grand room”. “It stretches the full width of the house,” he says. “It contains the dining room, family room, kitchen, and even the butler’s pantry. Big, sliding doors give an uninterrupted view of the beach.” Also on the main level are two guest suites with private baths as well as a powder room. Lots of natural wood and light, creamy taupes, pale blues, soft browns, and grays – and a complete lack of visual clutter – provide a sedate backdrop for a vacation home meant to induce utter relaxation. Plenty of white space gives the furnishings and art room to breathe. And it reminds homeowners and guests that an oceanfront house is a place to let out a big exhale. As elegant as it is, the couple originally planned on something grander. At first, this house was conceived as the guesthouse. They planned to build it first and then use their land on the adjacent lot to build the main house. But Smith explains that the homeowners fell in love with its comfort, so they no longer needed the second build. “Even though it’s a sizable house, there’s an intimacy to it. It’s relaxing. They decided this was exactly what they wanted.” It’s easy to see why. Their architect designed what Smith calls a “Lowcountry farmhouse with a vintage Southern spin.” “It fits in with its seaside environment, but it doesn’t scream ‘beach house.’” It’s built in the Southern farmhouse vernacular – but with every upgrade imaginable. Yes, the front porch is there. But it’s oversized for outdoor living. A ground-level veranda has a luxurious living area and a dining table that seats eight. The interior, heavy on neutrals and pecky cypress, is designed to soothe – not excite. “One of my client’s only directives was that she wanted to see soft colors,” Smith says. “And that’s the palette I’m most comfortable working in. There’s nothing too bold or loud in this house. There’s nothing wrong with either of those, but this house was designed to be calm and quiet.
The owners have three adult sons and can’t help but dream of the grandkids they hope to welcome to the beach one day. Those future grandchildren were very much taken into consideration in the home’s design. The home’s second story has one guest suite and a showstopping bunk suite with four built-in beds and a boys’ bathroom and a girls’ bathroom. On the upper level there are two master suites with balconies overlooking the pool, landscaped backyard, and ocean beyond. An elevator provides easy transport from one level to the next. Smith managed to pull off the nifty trick of making a house both grand and down-to-earth. As sophisticated as it is, the house is alsowhat he calls “very casual and lived-in.” “This is not a hands-off atmosphere,” he declares. Wicker chairs at the oversized kitchen island, shiplap walls painted a creamy white, and a minimalist aesthetic all combine to make the home feel like a place you want to be barefoot. A beach house doesn’t need to have a beachy theme to remind owners and guests they’re at the shore. In the case of this classic oceanfront home, the wall of windows overlooking the sand and sea do the job quite nicely. The sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore and seagulls chirping overhead is its own kind of symphony.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 31, 2019
A circa-1927 home is transformed into an unexpectedly grand cottage on a hill in the heart of Myers Park.
It was time to go. The couple had been toying with the idea of moving to Myers Park from their Concord-area home to shorten their work commutes, and one particular home kept popping up during their search. “My husband kept showing it to me, and I just kept telling him, ‘No. It’s way too big; it costs too much’,” she says. It wasn’t until a family friend suggested they go look at the home “just to see,” that the couple finally scheduled a showing. “Literally, as soon as we walked in, I knew it was the one,” she says. Within hours, the couple put an offer on the home. After much back and forth, though, the homeowners eventually rejected the couple’s final negotiated offer. “At this point, we’d already sold our house, so we had to move into a hotel,” she explains. “Our heart was set on that home, and we didn’t have a plan B. But as I was packing my things, we got the call from our realtor that they wanted to know if we’d still honor our last offer.” The home, it seems, was meant to be theirs. While they loved the bones of the circa-1927 Colonial-style home, they knew that it would need updating. That renovation, though, would not take place until nine years later when their next door neighbor offered to sell the couple their home. “We were ecstatic,” she says. Tearing down the adjacent home would allow the couple to expand their existing home while also making room for the swimming pool the husband had dreamed of having in the backyard. “It was the perfect situation,” she says. “Tearing down that home would allow us the space we needed to do everything we wanted.” Not long after purchasing the adjacent home, the couple reached out to architect Frank Smith whose vision for the home was to maintain its stunning yet unassuming cottage curb appeal and seamlessly expand the home so that you could never tell where the original structure began and where the addition and renovation started. “We probably went through five or six drawings with Frank before we got to the point where we knew this renovation was exactly what we wanted,” she says.
To expand the kitchen from its original galley style and make room for the swimming pool and outdoor living area—both hers and his top priorities with the renovation, respectively—the footprint of the home needed to be reworked. The couple enlisted the help of designer Laura Archibald, who worked closely with Smith to redesign the existing home’s layout to better fit the homeowners’ needs. What was once the living room became the dining room while the former dining room was transformed into a library with a staircase that leads to the second floor. The original garage transitioned into the new master suite while the existing den remained as is. With the addition came a larger living room, new kitchen, and a threecar garage with a room above.
Though the renovation nearly doubled the square footage of the home, the ultimate goal was to design a home that was aesthetically appropriate for the neighborhood. Being a oneand-a-half-story home, it’s unassuming from the street. “People often don’t realize how large the home really is when you see it from the sidewalk,” the homeowner says. “And being that it’s situated on a hill, we really wanted to make sure we weren’t going vertical with our square footage.” Archibald helped create a comfortable interior with the use of a calm, soothing color palette of greys and neutrals. Though the homeowners ideally wanted to use most of their existing furniture and accessories, Archibald ultimately installed new pieces while seamlessly weaving in some of the older items from the home’s original design. In the dining room, Archibald kept the original dining room table but switched out the traditional chairs for more transitional ones by Charles Stewart in a Duralee fabric while the homeowners’ china cabinet was “the perfect size for that space, so we decided to keep it in the mix,” Archibald says. In the den, the designer reupholstered the existing oversize sofa in a Pindler fabric but then added a pair of new Charles Stewart armchairs. “It was really about elevating the look to a more transitional style with color and textures,” Archibald explains. “It was such a departure from what we were used to,” the homeowner says. “But it was exactly what we wanted, and Laura nailed it.” The one-time small galley kitchen was transformed into a stunning open-air room overlooking the den. Archibald and the homeowners worked closely on the design of the kitchen designing the custom cabinetry by Johnson Custom Cabinetry and choosing the finishes and appliances. Because of its proximity to a living space, Archibald wanted to make sure the kitchen table felt more like an extension of the den, so she added a metal-top table by Bernhardt she found at High Point market coupled with skirted upholstered dining chairs on the side facing the living space. Opposite, a simple custom-designed bench slides under the table leaving more room between the counters and dining area. Backless counter stools by Hickory Chair keep the view from the kitchen to the den open. “Laura was always spot on with her fabric choices and colors,” the homeowner says. “We loved everything she picked for us and how she also kept some of our pieces in the look.” Though the couple wasn’t planning to fall in love with this house when they first saw it in 2003, today—with the renovation and addition—they can’t imagine their home being anywhere else but here. “Frank and Laura and this team brought our dream to fruition,” the homeowner says. “I didn’t know it back then, but this was exactly what we needed and wanted.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 30, 2019
Cosentino’s new line is slim in stature, big on impact.
Countertops. Walls. Floors. Ceilings. Tabletops. The home’s many surfaces are an integral part of architecture and design, not just for their beauty but also for their functionality. With these surfaces facing the everyday wear-andtear of foot traffic, food prep, and hygiene rituals, it’s important that they also are durable and low maintenance. Cosentino specializes in collaborating with customers to create high-value, innovative surfaces that add beauty and brawn for a variety of applications. Their Silestone, Dekton, Sensa, and Natural Stone lines are the perfect solution for homeowners and designers looking to add style and substance with their surfaces. The Dekton line, available in thicknesses from 4 mm to 30 mm, is created through a sophisticated, innovative process that results in zero porosity and ultra-compaction, making it highly resistant to the elements with the size, lightness, and strength for an array of applications. Available in nearly sixty colors from nine collections, homeowners are sure to find the perfect hue for any home project. “Our amazing countertop and wall cladding products go beyond traditional residential use to also include extended applications such as commercial, cabinetry doors, indoor and outdoor furniture tops, and fire surrounds, to name a few,” Rudi Bruno, general manager of the Charlotte Cosentino Center, says. “Our newest addition, the Dekton Slim line, has brought an even greater depth to our offerings with the highest standards of quality and durability in an ultra-thin construction.” The Dekton Slim’s 4-mm thickness makes it extremely adaptable, offering homeowners and designers an unlimited amount of design implementations from a single product. Because it’s offered in a large, cut-to-size format with slabs measuring up to 126 inches by 56 inches, homeowners will find their surfaces more hygienic because of the need for fewer joints. Currently available in a broad palette of colors from Dekton’s natural and solid collections, homeowners can select surfaces that speak to their home’s personality, ones that blend seamlessly with their aesthetic, or bolder options that inspire conversation. The amount of customization offered by Dekton Slim ensures each application will be a uniquely beautiful and durable choice. Because of its moisture- and stainresistant properties, Dekton Slim is the ideal product for use in bathroom and kitchen applications. In bathrooms, where excessive humidity and exposure to household chemicals are certain, Dekton Slim offers the resilience needed to maintain a healthy, clean, and beautiful space—all with no more maintenance than a soft, wet cloth! Likewise, in the kitchen, where cleanliness and durability are an absolute necessity, Dekton Slim features low porosity and liquid absorption rates as well as a resistance to scratches, stains, and heat damage. “High-traffic and day-to-day use are no match for Dekton Slim. Homeowners love the freedom of being able to live in their home without the burden of high maintenance routines and upkeep,” Bruno says. “An additional advantage touted by our customers is the significant cost savings of going with a product line like Dekton Slim, which, because of its ultra-thin construction, generally results in less quantity of product needed in installations.” And for those looking to spice up other areas in their home, Dekton Slim’s ease of fabrication allows for its innovative use in cabinetry and furniture, featuring doors and tabletops that withstand household traffic and abuse without bumps, scratches, and stains. “With Dekton Slim, our customers’ dreams are limitless,” Bruno says.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 29, 2019
Make lighting a priority in your home design.
The cascading fixture in the foyer welcomes guests into your home. That organic chandelier induces lively dinner conversation. Those sleek but subtle spotlights transform your fireplace or artwork into the focal point you imagined. The master bath’s well-placed ceiling lights and wall sconces provide not only a healthy dose of style but also the perfect amount of illumination to help you “face” your day. Of course, we’re talking about lighting, where form and function meet style and sophistication in a single element that can make or break the entire home design. “Unfortunately, lighting is often undervalued by builders and designers, being the last detail considered when, quite frankly, it is the first thing people notice when they walk into your home,” Liza Branch says, owner of Modern Lighting Design Store.
Lighting is a crucial building block in home design, performing a host of important duties such as providing illumination, creating ambiance, personalizing the decor, and accenting other decorative or architectural features. Because lighting does so much heavy lifting, the selection of fixtures shouldn’t be left to last-minute decisions but approached with careful consideration, keeping the functionality and the homeowner’s tastes at the forefront. “Don’t wait until you’ve blown your budget on flooring, bathroom tile, and plumbing fixtures to think about your lights,” Branch says. After eighteen years in the business, Modern Lighting has helped countless homeowners navigate the often overwhelming world of lighting, offering them timeless pieces to fit every budget. “Frequently, we help customers who have realized their mistake in shopping online. These products often turn out to be overpriced knockoffs and sub-par substitutes that don’t offer the beauty, durability, or functionality of a higher-end piece. They simply won’t stand the test of time,” Branch says. “On top of that, it’s virtually impossible to select the correct sizes and types of lighting needed in your particular space from an internet thumbnail.” This is where the expertise and initial one-onone consultations (offered either on-site or in the showroom) with a local retailer like Modern Lighting is key, enabling clients to see fixtures in person and gauge their size and finish. Branch curates her collection to ensure customers always have peace of mind in their purchasing decisions. The Modern Lighting team regularly travels to lighting shows and maintains a close working relationship with the manufacturers, which enables them to provide quick, responsive, and transparent customer service while remaining on the forefront of the latest trends. Modern Lighting provides the most extensive selection of lighting styles in the Carolinas, with exclusive lines otherwise found only in Atlanta or New York. With more than fifty manufacturers carried, Branch thoughtfully chooses which ones she features in her selection and has eliminated all non-valuedriven lines, so customers can rest assured each product provides top-of-the-line quality. “Our physical footprint may be small, but our selection is vast,” Branch says. “We are constantly putting up new items and styles, and our customers are blown away by the opportunities to discover another favorite piece with each visit.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 28, 2019
Home design gets personal with custom cabinetry.
Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most utilized areas of the home. Long considered the “heart of the home,” the kitchen functions for meal prep, cooking, entertaining, family gathering, and completing homework. Today’s bathrooms meet more than just the basic needs; they can also be a sanctuary, where a long tub soak can restore peace and harmony. With the increasing demands on these spaces, the need for functional—as well as beautiful—design is a necessity. Custom cabinetry is the perfect solution, providing the ability to create designs that fit each unique space while maximizing storage capacity with personalized flair. Features such as layout and configuration, door style, color, and finish can be tailored to the homeowner’s specific tastes.
Anna Wilder, owner of DesignLoft, says customizations are only limited by space and budget. The company works with a variety of high-end manufacturers to accommodate every client’s needs at different price points and varying levels of customization. Color and finish are two of the most popular customization options offered to their clients. While each of their cabinet lines features multiple standard colors, custom color matching from any paint sample is available, and finishes come in matte, semigloss, high-gloss, or glazed. One cabinet line even offers a “velvet” finish with a unique texturized feel.
Securing an expert in the industry who can build on your vision with design experience and high-quality product lines is the most important step in making the space your own. “There are constantly new innovations in the kitchen and bath industry that our designers are always up to date on, as well as the latest trends in color and finish. Continuing education through the National Kitchen & Bath Association is just one way our designers stay informed. Although we focus on kitchens and baths, it is important to note that their knowledge also applies to other rooms where custom cabinetry is used, such as a bar area, laundry, mud, and family rooms,” Wilder says. “I equate it to going to a specialist rather than your general practitioner.” When considering custom cabinetry, the word “custom” literally means made-to-order for a particular client. Homeowners should do their homework, familiarizing themselves with product lines and understanding precisely what they’re getting for the money. “DesignLoft specializes in meeting our customers wherever they are in the process, whether they’re just getting started or are working with a set of plans. We strive always to create a space that gives the client everything they are looking for and functions to meet their family dynamics. Our goal is to truly provide a custom experience and product for our clients.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 27, 2019
TWO DESIGNING WOMEN TRANSFORM A SHOWHOUSE INTO A FORT MILL SHOWSTOPPER.
Who doesn’t love when a chance meeting leads to an amazing creative collaboration? In this case, it was a festive street party less than two years ago at the Southern Living Home Summit in New Orleans that brought together Cary, North Carolina–based designer Vicky Serany, founder and principal of Southern Studio Interior Design, and custom home builder Mary Ludemann of New Old. “We immediately connected and spent the evening discussing building and design as we followed a band marching through the French Quarter,” Serany recalls with a smile. Fast forward to the fall of 2018, and the pair were in Fort Mill, South Carolina, along with Ludemann’s husband and business partner, Troy, visiting the site and reviewing plans for what would become The Bramble, Charlotte area’s first Southern Living Inspired Community, and the 4,200-square-foot Burnham show home. “Troy is a developer and had been wanting to do an intimate, high-end development for some time, he had just been waiting for the right location to come along,” Ludemann says. Both firms are known for their casually sophisticated, livable designs. Their goal in this home was to push the limits of design and showcase some new ideas while still creating realistic spaces. “Our buyers want right-sized rooms, not a bunch of cavernous spaces,” Ludemann says. “They want each room to be thoughtfully planned for the type of living that will go on in that space.” One look at the result and it’s clear that this team—with an assist from dozens of participating artisans and vendors—hit the sweet spot of what gracious living and entertaining in the South looks and feels like heading into the next decade: luxe functionality. While the ubiquitous modern farmhouse remains popular, it is quickly evolving and incorporating other architectural styles like craftsman and European. Buyers still request shiplap, but here it’s mixed with bold stone accent walls and modern geometric-print wallcoverings. There’s also less gray and more jewel tones—a trend Serany predicted last year. “We used a warm textural palette with the added drama of the emerald-green color in the main living areas. We saw a lot of emerald green during our visit to the furniture market in High Point and decided it was time to bring this fresh perspective to life,” Serany says. The key starting point was a fabric by Thibaut called Mitford—a lively combination of greens, black, and cream that was used for the window treatments and worked to bring nature indoors. Wallcoverings in smaller spaces like the pantry, laundry, and powder room complement this bold pattern. A pair of swoon-worthy emerald-green velvet sofas by Lee Industries anchor the living room, while a soaring stone wall crafted of thin-cut Tennessee Fieldstone by General Shale serves as the perfect backdrop for a conversation around the fireplace. An open floor plan means all eyes can focus on the dramatic kitchen and its eight-foot-wide custom matte, black metal hood with bronze strapping. Serany’s Southern Studio team designed the range wall, and New Old enlisted Modern Aire Ventilating to fabricate it. “It took eight men to lift and install the hood, and let’s just say it was nail-biting to watch,” Serany admits. The black and antique brass finishes extend to the lighting, fixtures, and hardware. The island, combining custom cabinetry by Walker Woodworking and a waterfall countertop of hand-cut honed Bianco Avion marble, provides plenty of prep space and comfortable seating. Black cowhide counter stools bring in rich texture. Two oversized Hollis Lanterns by Hudson Valley Lighting tie the space together, while a backsplash of white arabesque-patterned tile adds shine and pattern.
Just off the kitchen is every well-appointed home’s best-kept secret: a scullery. A British staple made famous by shows like Downton Abbey, this workhorse is making a twenty-first-century comeback. Large windows and light countertops by Silestone keep it bright, while the cozy feel comes from the stone-toceiling backsplash, graphite-toned cabinetry, and black and white porcelain flooring by Tile Collection. A twenty-four-inch under-counter beverage center by Sub-Zero frees up space in the main kitchen, and a thirty-inch Whitehaven Farmhouse sink by Kohler handles any party cleanup and other behind-the-scenes tasks. Custom shelving in the walk-in pantry, designed by IMPACT Design Resources and stocked by Williams Sonoma, surprises with hanging storage space for kitchen linens, while the laundry room incorporates a built-in dog bed underneath a handy desk that doubles as a folding station. In the master bath, more beautiful details abound, seamlessly blending old and new. A shapely, freestanding soaking tub gets a vintage vibe when paired with a floormount tub filler in champagne bronze. A combination of shiplap and gleaming white tile on the walls and shower extends to the ceiling and provides interest and texture without a lot of color. The charcoal-hued porcelain tile flooring offers a rich contrast. Serany found the wooden chair, which doubles as a towel holder, during a recent shopping trip to the Brimfield, Massachusetts Antique Flea Market. An upstairs guest bath stuns with its sleek pharmacy-style black vanity by Restoration Hardware and a striking abstract wallcovering called Metal Stars by abstract artist Windy O’Connor. Her original pattern continues into the bedroom on textiles for pillows and window treatments. It’s details like these that are meant to inspire, yet still be accessible—things people can take away and incorporate into their own homes. “This home is a style that begs for you to take your shoes off, come in, and enjoy. I think people really like the juxtaposition of the space,” Ludemann says. “Kind of like the oxymoron of New Old—it’s the balance achieved in the differences.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 26, 2019
DESIGNER EMILY BOURGEOIS LOOKED TO THE LOWCOUNTRY LANDSCAPE FOR INSPIRATION BEHIND A SOUTH CAROLINA BEACH HOME.
When Emily Bourgeois was approached by her good friends to design their home in DeBordieu, South Carolina—a sleepy, private community just south of Pawleys Island—she was elated. The soonto-be clients were the architectural designer’s dear friends, and this was their first foray into building a home from the ground up. “I was flattered that they had chosen me to design their new home,” she says. The lot the couple had chosen was breathtaking. So much so that the moment the couple saw the piece of land, they bought it the same day. “We just knew this was where we needed to build our beach home,” the homeowner says. The lot overlooks a golf course with a large pond in the forefront. Towering oak trees strewn with lazy Spanish moss provide shade from the powerful Carolina sun. But it was the view of the grassy fairway coupled with the glassy pond that both the homeowners and Bourgeois knew had to be the focal point of the home. “The water, sun, sky, trees, everything about nature and being down there inspired the design of this home,” the homeowner says. “The inside wasn’t the story. The house had to lend itself to being where you saw the beauty of nature. That’s what guided the design.” With that in mind, Bourgeois set to work designing a home that allowed for views from just about every inch of the home. Though the couple wanted something a touch more modern, Bourgeois looked to traditional Palladian architecture, which features symmetry and graceful, understated decorative details. “They both appreciate the beauty of classicism, while truly loving the clean lines of modern architecture,” she explains. “We wanted the house to reference both. We used four main elements to tie the house to the past: a strong base and water table made of tabby, an exaggerated main floor with oversized windows, a minimized top floor with clipped walls and short windows high on the wall, and a floor plan driven by axis. The house even has a point inside where you can see outside on axis in all four directions.” The homeowners were laissez-faire about the process, letting Bourgeois take the lead on the architecture to design a home that took advantage of every possible view the structure would allow. “Once we had this in place, the owners were free to play with minimalism and modernism in furnishings and palette,” Bourgeois says. “The homeowner is a master at this and has an incredible eye for interiors. She is not afraid to be a little edgy but she always uses shapes familiar throughout history. She is never trendy or gimmicky. With that tether, her rooms are always mysteriously soothing and inviting.” “I really wanted the home to be one where you don’t walk in and say, ‘Oh, I love your sofa!’ but rather, ‘Oh my gosh, your view is amazing,” the homeowner says. “I really let Emily’s architectural details inspire the rest of the interiors. They’re so beautiful that I didn’t want to overpower them.” Swooping lines frame various areas, such as the range in the kitchen, so as to blend seamlessly with the adjacent living room. A hidden scullery hides the everyday appliances so the kitchen feels less utilitarian and more like an extension of the living room. At the top of the stairs, there are views in every direction, including down the hallway to the master bedroom where Bourgeois added a nail-head trim door to draw your eye through to the vista beyond. Letting the views dictate the design, or, at the very least, inspire it, allowed Bourgeois to utilize Palladian architecture’s signature design elements to enhance the experience one has throughout the home. “It was really about letting nature play center stage from the very beginning,” Bourgeois says. The homeowner adds, “The moment you walk in, you’re drawn right to the outside. It’s really breathtaking.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 22, 2019
A 400-year-old mill house has been given a new lease of life, while retaining all of the charm that has made it a favourite family escape for two decades.
A mill house tucked away in a rural valley just three miles west of Dartmouth and a quick walk to the picturesque beach of Blackpool Sands became a bolthole escape from London life for Tanya Bird. It proved to be an idyllic spot for her and her three sons to enjoy holidays away from the city, with all the freedom afforded by the country-meets-seaside location. ‘It was a magical place for the boys to grow up,’ she says ‘Surrounded by the sea, they would spend hours swimming, sailing and making camps. All their childhood summers were enjoyed here, as well as Christmas and Easter breaks. It has always been very much a home from home for us.’ Fast forward 17 years and the boys, now young adults, are at different stages in life and family trips to the mill are saved for a few precious weeks each year. ‘The time felt right to renovate the mill and to rent it out as a holiday let between our visits,’ says Tanya. 'I approached Unique Home Stays and they suggested a couple of designers to help me manage the process.’ After initial meetings, Tanya commissioned Siobhan Hayles and worked closely with her on all elements of the transformation. ‘Siobhan has an incredible eye, both creatively and practically, and really helped to realise my vision. I had strong initial thoughts about what I wanted, but she took my ideas to a level that I would never have achieved on my own,’ says Tanya. With Siobhan’s trusted trades team on board, building work commenced in the spring of 2017 and by the start of August that year, Tanya had her first bookings. Originally a working mill on the River Em, Ellesmera is one of four mills positioned along the stream and consists of two structures, linked together by a vaulted kitchen space at the rear. Initial work on the house involved damp proofing the property and digging new channels around the exterior to improve drainage, while pipework was updated for the water supply. On the ground floor, a former boat and wood store has been converted into an open outdoor/indoor snug that has transformed the house. The space features a woodburner, comfy sofas covered in throws, timeworn kilim cushions and old garden paraphernalia displayed eclectically on the original stone walls. ‘Whatever the weather, you can cosy up and feel close to nature,’ says Tanya. A decked platform replaces a former sloping lawn, while French doors from the adjacent dining room open onto original mill stones that have been inlaid into the deck as a nod to the property’s history. The boys’ former bunkroom has been updated with a stylish monochrome bedroom scheme; and the bathroom has been refreshed with a freestanding bath, rain shower, Tadelakt walls and patterned tiles. Throughout, rustic-finish rooms have been redecorated in shades of off-white, stone and soft mole, while pops of ochre, turquoise, warm reds, earthy oranges, dark blues and black punctuate soft furnishings, rugs, fabrics, and headboards. Original French herbarium specimens and fossils reference Tanya’s academic background in natural sciences and her passion for plants. Much of the conceptual work was completed remotely, followed by visits with Siobhan to Chelsea Harbour and Ardingly Antiques Fair to source fabrics and one-off finds. ‘I originally fell in love with the mill for its sense of calm and relaxed Provençal feel,’ says Tanya. ‘After 15 years of family life, it desperately needed renovating, but I didn’t want to spoil its inherent charm.’ A beam in the living room still bears a Latin imprint, painted by the previous owner: This corner of the earth smiles for me more than any other. ‘These markings are all part of the history of the mill and I wanted to treasure them. Siobhan understood my need to preserve the essence of the space. I wanted our home to feel comfortable and to have a sense of place and authenticity. When I walk through the door now, those sensory benchmarks are as strong as ever – I couldn’t be more delighted.
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WHERE MID-CENTURY MEETS COUNTRY
by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 21, 2019
With a hint of retro and a touch of rustic,this former farmhouse is now a stylish place to live and work for Christen Pears and Chris Blake.
Moving to the UK from Australia, Christen Pears and Chris Blake had a pretty clear idea of what they wanted from their new home. ‘We were specifically looking for a property with holiday cottages,’ says Christen. ‘I travelled ahead of Chris with an agreed list of nine properties to view in Cornwall and Devon. But that search stopped short after the very first viewing. This house ticked so many boxes and felt so right, I just knew it was meant to be.’ Cancelling the other viewings was a bold move, especially for a house that wasn’t the classic Georgian property Christen had thought she wanted. ‘I love that look but this house, although lacking in period features, had the cottages we wanted, space for a Pilates studio and an amazing garden,’ she says. The previous owner had renovated much of the house, but some parts of the property still needed attention. ‘The floors upstairs weren’t great and the old conservatory was held on with duct tape and had greenery growing through it,’ says Christen. ‘It involved a bit more work than we anticipated.’ A new extension resolved the wobbly conservatory and gave the couple space for an extra bathroom, too. ‘We’ve done our best to preserve the few original features that were here, and beyond that, we’ve tried to respect the house in our choices, reusing materials and running with a rustic feel.’ Christen took time to create a palette of soft, warm greys that worked in the predominately open-plan space. And while the couple have filled their home with mid-century classics, they have chosen from the rustic end of the spectrum, selecting chunkier styling and sticking with natural materials, such as leather and wood. The result is homely and inviting. Even the practical spaces have modern-rustic charm. Top of Christen’s wish list was a pantry, but they found space for a much larger scullery. ‘The scullery is great for keeping all the mess out of the open-plan kitchen when we’re entertaining,’ she says. They reused parts of the old kitchen to create the scullery, painting it a fresh shade of green. Repurposing materials not only helped keep costs down, but also created a relaxed and timeless look. A spacious downstairs cupboard was built from old floorboards and, out in the barn, Christen’s ever-growing book collection is housed on shelving made from scaffold boards. Although the barn was one of the selling points for Christen, it wasn’t in good condition. ‘The lower walls are granite and the top part is cob, so that needed completely redoing, using traditional methods and lime plaster. But it gave us a chance to put in a massive fireplace,’ says Christen. The asbestos and polycarbonate roof was also removed and salvaged beams were fitted. Before starting the work on their own house, the couple completely renovated the three cottages, plus the barn and the studio to get their businesses up and running. ’Doing things that way round gave us time to get to know the space and understand what works – you can’t overestimate the importance of that.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 20, 2019
When Katharine and James Howard needed to upsize to accommodate their growing family, the architecture of this house blew them away. ‘It’s early Victorian, with sweeping steps up to the front door, which were a big draw.’ The house had been let to students, so the interior was another story. ‘It had brown, cigarette-burned carpets and scuffed magnolia walls, but my mind began racing with ideas to bring it to life,’ says Katharine. ‘The deep cornicing, the lovely tall windows, the marble fireplaces – it had it all,’ she says. ‘Although the house felt big compared to our flat, we knew there was scope to make it more family friendly.’ The first move was to stretch the footprint of the property by adding an extension that gave them an all-in-one family room and kitchen-diner, plus an office and capacious built-in storage – ‘to swallow up all the boots, sports kit and family clutter,’ says Katharine. On the top floor, the couple had the ‘Hobbit-height’ ceiling raised to create a bright bedroom and a bathroom for their daughters. Throughout the house, its orange pine floorboards were replaced with silver oak planks and the standard panel radiators swapped for Victorian-style designs, which Katharine painted blue to disappear into her blue-based colour schemes. ‘I like the way the blues feel dramatic but calm; and from a practical perspective, it makes the artwork stand out.’ As well as the varying shades of blue, Katharine has indulged her love of decorative detail, with button-back upholstery, swannecked lamps, fringed sofas and oversized patterns. ‘I’m glad that decorative design, richness and layering is making a comeback,’ she says. ‘I wish I could be more restrained, but it’s impossible!
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 19, 2019
Liz and Mark Warom turned a Tudor farmhouse and its outbuildings into a unique oasis in which to live and work.
When Liz and Mark Warom decided to relocate from Suffolk to Sussex, it really was a whole new beginning for them. ‘When we finally secured this place, all we had was a bed and a TV – but with a period house of our dreams, we were more than happy to start again,’ recalls Liz.
The couple found this property, which had everything they were looking for, after a year of fruitless househunting while renting in nearby Hove. ‘We fell in love with the fireplaces – there’s one in almost every room, plus the garden was exquisite,’ says Liz. ‘Half an hour after our viewing, we made an offer, which was accepted, but with the purchase price and a planned extension, we had gone way over our budget, so we had to sit tight and just enjoy the empty space for a while.’ In the fullness of time, the couple decided to make a few adjustments. ‘When we bought the house, it had just two bedrooms, so the biggest project was putting a floor above the barn-style sitting room,’ says Mark. ‘This gave us additional bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs, without sacrificing too much height downstairs – it seemed a big and brave step at the time!’ For decor inspiration, the couple drew on ideas they’d seen in hotels abroad, as well as schemes from interiors publications. ‘Several times a year, we treat ourselves to a pile of magazines and store the cuttings on mood boards in a giant artist’s folder,’ Liz explains. These cuttings were particularly useful when they decided to convert the outbuildings to accommodate their company, Temple Spa, which they co-founded in 2000. Liz and Mark clearly appreciate the history of the farmhouse and its original features, but there’s something else about this home. ‘For us, it’s the beautiful spirit of the place we love most,’ Liz says. ‘We set out to make our home a haven of peace for ourselves and our guests, and we entertain all year round. And at Christmas the house is totally magical – I look forward to it so much every year.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 02, 2019
Patrick Overwijk has bravely juxtaposed the period features of his 18th-century home with bold mid-century design.
Seventies-inspired Versace wallpaper, bold lighting composed of oversized lightbulbs, and a porcelain cactus that borders on kitsch may not be what immediately springs to mind when you imagine the interior of an 18th-century Dutch townhouse. It’s exactly these surprising elements though, that make this family home so exciting. While most people would almost automatically team a breathtaking rococo ceiling (thought to be one of the most detailed in the region) with ornate, heavy antiques of the same period, the owners of this home, Patrick and Inez Overwijk, have adopted a more original approach. Instead, Patrick has fully embraced his love of mid-century design, and statement furniture and lighting come into play in every room. What ties the scheme together is the subtle celebration of the house’s original features. Despite Patrick’s passion for the 1950s, 60s and 70s, since moving here six years ago, he’s been committed to unveiling its floors, ceilings and walls – many of which were hidden under softboard coverings and layer upon layer of paint. ‘The whole house was filled with old elements – from the kitchen tiles to the ceiling of the living room. It has quite the personality,’ he says. It was this rich sense of the past that originally drew Patrick to the house: ‘We always wanted an old house, filled with history. It was our dream.’ Historically, the property has been inhabited by local mayors and doctors, and it is said that one of the former inhabitants would monitor his ships, sailing for business in England, from the balcony at the top of the building. It is these romantic elements that hooked Patrick and Inez. Transforming the house for modern family life was no quick fix, Patrick admits. ‘It took almost four years to get to this point. When we bought it, floors were damaged and original elements had been lost. It was in bad shape.’ The renovation had to follow strict building regulations as the house is included in the register of Dutch protected buildings. Patrick didn’t let this hold him back though. ‘I carried out extensive research regarding which colours to use in the interior – hunting for old photographs of the house and scraping off old layers of paint to reveal the original colours.’ Happily, these shades included a spectrum of greens, which now frame the entrance hall, complement a Morris & Co wallpaper in one of the living rooms, and reflect the rustic feel of the kitchen. Elsewhere, walls are simple and white or – in the kitchen – covered in original Delft tiles. Walking from room to room reveals a potted history of 20th-century design. Key pieces include a desk and coffee table by the Dutch designer Cees Braakman, a leather chair by Norwegian designer Ingmar Relling and one by the British designer Geoffrey Harcourt. The lighting is similarly impressive, with designs by the l i kes of Verner Pa nton, Ach i l le a nd Giacomo Castiglioni and Gino Sarfatti gracing the ceilings. These pieces were created for function as well as form, and so are perfectly placed for robust family life. Despite being a house of historical significance, it’s undoubtedly cool and modern. And that in itself is no small feat.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 01, 2019
Once a chaotic student house, Kibi Wright’s elegant home is now the perfect setting for peaceful celebrations with family and friends.
Best buy ‘The table in the hall, which I made from stone plinths and toughened glass’.
Call me Mother Christmas – it’s what I’m known as around here,’ says Kibi Wright as she welcomes you into her house on one of Bristol’s Georgian terraces. Candy pink and adorned with a silver wreath, the door stands out among its more sober neighbours. Inside, the festive theme continues with candles, garlands, baubles and a vertigo-inducing tree glowing with fairy lights in the elegant first-floor sitting room. When Kibi and her late husband Mark first viewed the house in 2001, they needed all the power of their imaginations to see how it could work as a home for them and their two children, Eliza and Oli. ‘It had been used as student accommodation,’ says Kibi, ‘so there were four kitchens and all the main rooms had been divided.’ NEW CHAPTER Despite wanting to restore the house to its original layout, the couple still had to get permission to turn it back into a single home as it had been listed as flats in the Seventies. The restoration took six months, with a few horrors uncovered along the way. ‘The builders discovered a carjack holding up a beam in the attic. That meant the roof had to be redone, which wasn’t something we had factored in.’ Fortunately, all the original features, including fireplaces, cornicing and shutters, had been preserved, albeit hidden behind stud walls and fire doors. ‘Once they were uncovered and restored,the whole house had a completely different feel,’ remembers Kibi. Having waited patiently for the building work to be completed, Kibi was finally able to turn her attention to the decoration. ‘It seemed like quite a grand house after our old flat, so I wanted an elegant scheme in keeping with its origins,’ she says. ELEGANCE REIGNS Today, classic Farrow & Ball-painted walls sit alongside more extravagant papered walls, while antique pieces seem perfectly at ease next to contemporary designs. ‘I have no problem with mixing things up,’ says Kibi, who draws a lot of inspiration from her travels. ‘I saw the most beautiful etched-glass door at a parfumerie in Paris and wondered how I could recreate it at home.’ She picked up two glazed doors at a local reclamation yard and enlisted an artist to design and etch them in a similar style. ‘I’m so pleased with them as I wanted a thoroughly glamorous and indulgent bathroom where I could disappear occasionally to escape the family hubbub!’ Overthe years, the house has adapted to a growing family, which now includes Hector,14, and Oscar,12. Mark passed away in 2017 and the family are adjusting to life without him. ‘I did wonderif we should move, especially now the oldest two are at university,’says Kibi, ‘but this house has been such a haven for us, as well as holding so many memories, that it wouldn’t be right to leave.’
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by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 30, 2019
Janet and Paul Gleeson have filled their south Dorset village house with an eclectic assortment of antiques, modern art and trophies from their travels.
The first thing I remember about the house was walking into the drawing room and thinking, “This is fabulous”,’ says Janet Gleeson of the moment she and husband Paul first viewed the house that would become their family’s Dorset home. ‘It was a big step because we had always lived in London. We hardly knew anyone in Dorset and until then we’d worried we were doing the wrong thing. But the children had left home and we wanted a complete change and at that moment the realisation that this was the house was instantaneous – like falling in love.’ The three-storeyed red brick house hides behind a high wall in the centre of a picturesque Dorset village, not far from the coast. It was built c1760, to a conventionally symmetrical Georgian plan. A central corridor once led to the staircase, with two rooms on either side on each floor, and a servants’ attic. ‘Then, in the early 19th century, the owners must have wanted to aggrandise the house, so they added a new wing to the south, moving the front door, and installing a new columned porch made from local Purbeck stone. As a result, the layout became quite unusual. The stairs are now slightly oddly placed off centre, but we have a wonderfully spacious drawing room,’ explains Janet. The house was altered again in the early 20th century, when another wing was added to the north for a larger kitchen and more servants’ bedrooms. ‘It was probably around that time the panelling was installed in the drawing room. It gives the room its richness,’ says Janet. This is the backdrop for paintings that the couple have collected over the years. Janet started her working life at Sotheby’s, later worked at Bonhams and as an editor for Miller’s Guides and now works on the Antiques Roadshow. The couple have always loved going to junk shops, auctions and galleries. ‘Our taste has shifted over the years, from 19th-century prints, watercolours and oils, to more modern works and anything with a local connection. One of our recent additions was a pair of oils of the local coastline by Elizabeth Muntz, an artist who lived in the neighbouring village and is buried in the churchyard.’ Janet is also fond of colonial furniture, having been born in Sri Lanka. ‘The Ceylonese-Dutch cabinet in the hall was inherited from my grandmother, but I bought the 19th-century specimen table that was made in Ceylon (as it was then) in a local sale. The table was in pieces and had to be carefully restored,’ she recalls. The couple also like to contrast old and new, so the door to the drawing room is framed by abstract silk screens by John Hoyland and Albert Irvin that hang above a pair of Georgian-style demi-lune walnut tables. Janet’s career changed direction when she left the salesrooms to become a writer. The study is where much of her working day is spent. Her favourite auction purchase is the huge bookcase that fills one wall. ‘I broke all my own rules – I bought it having not viewed the sale, on the telephone. I had measured the wall where it was to go, but I forgot to allow for the fact the skirtings protrude by several inches. I realised this only when the bookcase was delivered and we started to install it. Fortunately we were able to unscrew an electric socket and squeezed it in. It now looks as though it was made for the room!’ The couple are keen travellers and mementoes of various trips are dotted throughout the house. A model sailing ship in the dining room provides a dramatic focal point at one end of the room. ‘It isn’t as old as it looks. We bought it 10 years ago, in Hôi An in Vietnam. We went into a workshop – I thought we were going to buy a small carving, but Paul saw this and had it shipped over, saying he would keep it in his office. It was so big it wouldn’t fit, so here it has been ever since,’ says Janet. Upstairs, the bedrooms are furnished in a traditional style, with heavy linen curtains, antique and vintage furniture, some bought at auction or from dealers and other pieces inherited. ‘Our friends and children, who are all based in London, are always coming to stay. Our daughter was married in the garden, and now there are grandchildren too. The house has been perfect for gatherings and is so much a part of our family life it’s hard to remember a time when we didn’t live here. But recently we’ve had the urge for a new challenge, so we are moving to a derelict medieval barn, which in time we’ll turn into a very different home.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 29, 2019
WHEN ELTE’S KEN AND RENEE METRICK FINALLY DECIDED TO EMBRACE COTTAGE LIVING, THEY BUILT A CONTEMPORARY RETREAT THAT’S AS PERSONAL AND POLISHED AS THEIR ICONIC STORES.
IF IT'S RARE TO FIND a family that can work together, it’s rarer stillto find one that, atthe end of a long workweek, can’t waitto getto the cottage to spend more time together. Ken and Renee Metrick and their sons, Andrew and Jamie, are the third and fourth generation of Metricks overseeing Elte,the wildly successful Toronto-based home decorating juggernautfounded by Ken’s grandfather 100 years ago in 1919.Almost a century later, in 2015, the family expanded its refined sensibility withElte Mkt, a sister brand focused on affordable luxury. The Metricks also own kitchen and bath retailer, Ginger’s. To putit mildly,the Metricks are devout city dwellers. “We’re not cottage people,” says Ken. “Summer for us was tennis and then dinner on the patio at one of our favourite restaurants in Little Italy.” Renee adds, “We used to rationalize it saying, ‘The city’s so great in the summer — there’s no one here!’” Elte was also a large part of what keptthem far from cottage country. Renee, who was Elte’s principal buyer for years, says they’re a family of workaholics with Ken, especially, living and breathing the business. Then there’s the factthat retail — like everything else — has changed over the years. “What used to be working five days a week is now seven days a week,” she says. “We never thought we could own a cottage. We were retailers and that meant always being available. Plus, we travel allthe time for work.” The idea of a family retreat outside the city eventually became more appealing when their two sons grew to take on more responsibility at the company (Andrew is the principal furniture buyer and Jamie handles the buying of rugs and broadloom). “Occasionally, we’d visit our friends at their cottages and see what a wonderful life it was,” says Renee. “And with better technology, we realized we’d still be able to work at a cottage if we needed to.” So she and Ken looked at places in Prince Edward County and Niagara-on-the-Lake, butthey were daunted by the drive. Then they found it: a northwest-facing waterfront property on Muskoka’s Lake Joseph that was less than a two hours’ drive from Toronto. Ken and Renee hired Kelly Buffey of Akb Architects to design the cottage. They appreciated her clean-lined style and meticulous approach. Their idea was a warm contemporary take on cottage living with a spa-like ambience. “We envisioned pods,” says Renee. “One for us and one for our kids off a central hallway.” The cottage would be a one-level structure made up of interconnected wood and glass units, designed to both naturally recede into the landscape and celebrate it by beautifully framing the magnificent views. Fitting like a puzzle piece into the lot, one side ofthe cottage would face the forest,the other, rocky terrain, and yet another would offer unobstructed vistas of Lake Joseph. To begin, Ken and Renee walked the site with Kelly, who examined its angles and where the light fell at different times of the day. “Our priority was to locate the pods to capture the best and longest views from each one through the bay and beyond,” says Kelly. The finished cottage is all about wellconsidered details. The metal-clad roof has a deep overhang that creates shade while enhancing privacy. Inside, walls and ceilings are wrapped in Thermory ash, an ash that’s been baked to give it a deeply ingrained hue. The interior decoration continues the minimalist outlook to a degree that’s surprising for a family in the home decorating business. There’s no artwork on the walls and very little colour. “I wanted itto be spa-like — serene, without a lot of clutter,” says Renee. Every bedroom has the same beds and linens; every bathroom has the same vanities and sinks. “It’s very us. We’re aware ofthe beauty of simplicity. We all dress simply, in neutraltones and primarily in black.” When the family, which now includes Jamie and wife Heather’s nine-month-old daughter, Zena, gathers atthe property, most days are whiled away on the boathouse dock where lounge chairs are lined up to look atthe lake. “As soon as we get up in the morning, we go down there, put on coffee, sit on the dock and enjoy the views,” says Renee. “After building allthis, we spend our entire time in this six- by eightfoot corner,” says Ken with a laugh. But keeping it simple has always been part ofthe strategy. “For us, it’s aboutthe serenity and peace,” says Renee. “By the time we hit Barrie, the sense of calm justtakes over. Within five minutes of being here, we relax.” Renee remembers friends saying, “You don’t want a cottage; it’s so much work,” but these urbanites have absolutely no regrets. “Honestly, it’s the bestthing we’ve ever done.”
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LET’S HAVE COFFEE IN THE GARDEN
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 28, 2019
For 23 years, Dominic Monaco avoided his garden, but who could blame him? “It was a mini forest on a tilted slope,” he says, describing the tangle of overgrown cedars that grew on the incline just behind his home in Westmount, Que. When he did brave his side yard, he had to walk down steep stairs that led to a small, dark terrace with crumbling stone walls. In 2016, Dominic, who runs an auto parts company, finally decided to tackle the mess. “I thought maybe I would fix the wall and do the rest in phases,” he says. That short-term solution was tossed aside, however, after he met with landscape architects Sophie Robitaille and Teressa Peill. Impressed by their ideas, he recruited the duo for a full-scale reimagining of his outdoor space. “His house is modern, minimal and square, so my initial instinct was to respond to that architectural style,” says Sophie, whose first proposal detailed a rectilinear garden design. “Then Dominic said, ‘I’m Italian. I need my dream garden to hearken back to my roots.’” He also wanted the garden to be done in the warm, sunny hues of Tuscany to match his memories of dining alfresco among cypress and citrus trees. The garden took five months to build, with Alfonso Campisi as project manager, landscape architecture by RobitailleCurtis and landscape contracting by L’Artisan. To set the mood, Sophie and Teressa’s plan involved replacing the old concrete stairs with a curved design that gently leads to a terrace below. “The stairs offer a pleasurable experience,” says Sophie, encouraging you to meander, stop and stare at the cityscape beyond or admire the lush trees. Hemlock and river birch, hay-scented ferns, white Brunnera and a Japanese maple now grow along the stairs, bringing texture and vibrancy. In total, the landscape architects planted 52 trees on the property (including at the front of the house), along with shrubs and perennials. “Unlike a wild English garden, the planting was structural,” says Sophie. “Its layers create a sense of depth and privacy.” When you finally arrive at the bottom of the stairs, two distinct zones take shape on the terrace. A dining table, which perfectly fits the space, sits under the dappled light of a dramatic pergola built of Western cedar. Next to it, an outdoor sofa and deep, comfy armchairs invite lounging with digestifs. A low wall built of pale yellow Ducharme stone and topped in Adair limestone coping defines the perimeter and, instead of paving stones, Sophie chose a finely textured ground covering of granite and resin, which has a soft feel underfoot. Since the garden’s redo, Dominic heads to the terrace as often as possible. “Every morning after exercising, I walk the entire garden circumference in peace and quiet, taking it all in with an espresso,” he says. “It’s a perfect way to start the day.”
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by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 27, 2019
A Toronto designer escapes an overheated housing market and creates her own perfect weekend escape on the cooler shores of Lake Huron.
I just knew this was it!” says Toronto designer Tiffany Piotrowski, describing her first visit to the cottage. “It was only the second property I saw, and I put in an offer right away.” Other prospective buyers with less imagination may not have felt the same way. The interior left much to be desired, with dark wood panelling, popcorn ceilings, and orange and brown patterned carpeting. However, the location couldn’t be beat: the 800-square-foot cottage was just two blocks from the beautiful beaches of Lake Huron and a five-minute walk to the main street of Sauble Beach, a small town in southwestern Ontario. In 2018, the principal designer of Tiffany Leigh Design had expanded her Toronto property hunt out to cottage country as she searched for more affordable real estate. She envisioned a place that could be a weekend getaway, as well as a desirable Airbnb property — renting it out could recoup some of her renovation and mortgage expenses. “Looking at other listings in the area, I saw a gap in the market for an updated, aesthetically pleasing cottage rental,” she says.
MAKEOVER
To keep the budget under control, Tiffany and her parents tackled most of the work themselves, going up on weekends to paint, and install tile and new laminate flooring. The deck off the kitchen was expanded to make more room for outdoor grilling, and Tiffany uncovered flagstone on the property, which she used to pave an area for a cosy firepit. Cottage ownership did come with some unforeseen — and expensive — surprises: ripping up the carpeting exposed asbestos tile, which required professional abatement. The property also uses well water, which is high in iron and can stain bathtubs and sinks a rusty red. “We had to install an iron filtration system and a new septic system, which was pricier than we had anticipated,” says Tiffany. Despite these bumps in the road, she kept her vision firmly in mind. “I didn’t want it to look too traditional and cottagey. I wanted it to feel more coastal, like a beach house.” She kept to a soothing palette of whites and soft blues and natural textures of jute, seagrass and rattan. Many of the furnishings are thrift store finds given new life with a coat of paint. “I don’t think furniture at a cottage should be too precious — little nicks and dings are fine and give it a relaxed feel,” says Tiffany. After nearly a year of renovations, the cottage is now open for business and booked solid for the summer. “I might get to use it in September!” she says with a laugh.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 26, 2019
The condo they bought in the heart of Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood overlooks the jutting, crystal-like exterior of the Royal Ontario Museum. “They were excited about being less traditional and more contemporary in an urban environment,” says Colette. With this fresh start, the owners were eager to see the treasures they had accumulated over a lifetime in a completely new light. Colette, who honed her everything-old-is-new-again approach in the U.K. when she was creative director for legendary designer Nicky Haslam, began by visiting her clients’ Montreal house prior to the move. She relished walking through the rooms one by one, reviewing the furnishings and accessories to decide which pieces to bring to Toronto. “I love the challenge of creating a dialogue between then and now, between antique and contemporary things,” she says. “I find it much more interesting than starting from scratch, which can look like a showroom.” Since it’s not always readily apparent what will sing or fall flat in a new environment, Colette encouraged her clients to bring more than they actually had room for, particularly pieces of art and statement mirrors. The designer says one of the biggest dilemmas when downsizing from a grand old home to a modern 2,517-squarefoot condo is how to create architecture in whatis essentially a box. “We agreed to keep the spaces quite clean, which allowed the antiques to really sing,” she says. That meant replacing the orange-tinged jatoba wood floors for more up-todate, rift-cut oak wood flooring and painting the walls white. Beyond freshening up the palette, Colette’s redesign brought new energy to the whole condo. The living room needed a focal point, so she designed a niche on each side of the fireplace inset with verre églomisé mirrors, and replaced the painted neoclassical mantel with a contemporary plaster version. Colette found that, in the dining area, the clients’ existing chandelier, sideboard and dining set needed some shaking up. “Once we whitewashed the mahogany Chippendale chairs and upholstered them in a cut velvet fabric, the room looked like a million bucks,” she says. The family room originally had tall, dark wood builtins and a fireplace, but the owners happily sacrificed them to get an extra two feet of space for lower builtins and an integrated work area. And in the home office, a floating walnut desk lets natural light stream in while floor-to-ceiling storage reveals a Murphy bed that transforms the space into a guest room. The ample cabinets are perfect for stashing essentials. “When you come from a house, you have overflow: clothes, linens, photo albums, filing papers,” says Colette, who ensured everything had a place. But it’s the gutsy additions like the Brutalist coffee table in the living room that build a vibrant tension with the homowners’ antiques. “That was a real wild card,” says Colette. “I knew it would be dynamite. Then I thought, They’re not going to get this.” The designer was thrilled when her client’s eyes lit up when she saw the table. Chalk it up to the rejuvenating power of new ideas.