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by Erdem Gorgun on Nov 01, 2019
A design team breaks with tradition to build a lakehouse thatshows cottage style in a whole new light.
NOT LONG AGO, even newly built cottages favoured a more traditional style, with lashings of gingerbread trim and smaller windows. The results were charming and cosy, butthey also tended to be dark and disconnected from the landscape. So when a couple with grown children who had children oftheir own confessed to Margot Bell and Dasha Ricci of Peaks & Rafters thatthey were ready to replace their family cottage with a design that emphasized light as well as the rugged surroundings,the designers, who specialize in cottage properties, immediately understood. “This was a dream projectfor our clients,” says Dasha. “They wanted something more contemporary.” Since they gravitated toward a modern look, Margot suggested Toronto architect Peter Berton of +VG Architects, whose contemporary sensibility matched the dynamic spirit ofthe project. The new onestorey cottage on Muskoka’s Lake Joseph has a low profile thattucks under a canopy oftrees and hugs the rocks. Peter calls itthe “Bridge House,” a reference to the suspended Muskoka room thatlinks the guest wing to the main cottage. To access the lake, one descends a stairway and passes underneath the room — a pathway that encourages a shift in mind-set. “It delineates a line between the urban life they’ve left behind and cottage life,” says Peter. “There’s a looking glass thing that happens, like you’ve crossed a threshold.” Margot points out that the walk is just as moving in reverse. “The cottage is equally beautiful when you walk up from the water,” she says. The interior’s expansive windows, complemented by natural materials and ample glazing, give the impression of being outside when indoors. “Even when it rains here, it’s bright without lights,” says Peter. “You can still see the lake — you can see everything.” A predominantly white palette enhances the effect and creates a loft-like gallery feeling, especially with the clients’ extensive art collection. The kitchen boasts sleek white, wood and steel cabinets from Italy, and contemporary and mid-century modern furnishings accent porcelain tile floors that have the look of polished concrete. “Contemporary style can be a little cool and daunting,” says Margot. “We tried to keep the warmth. Even though there’s steel and concrete, the cottage connects you to the outdoors and feels friendly.” Creating thatfeeling was key for the owners, who often entertain friends and family. “When they have a party, people floatfrom the cottage to the patio to the boathouse,” says Margot. “The property is beautiful for that kind of easy summer entertaining.” Setting the mood is as simple as taking a stroll under the bridge.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 31, 2019
LYNDA REEVES EXPLORES A RECIPE THAT MIXES IT UP.
Kitchen design has a way of bringing out strong opinions in many of us. Everyone has their view on exactly what they don’t like, plus a list of things they’re considering but wonder about. The investment is always big and the results permanent, so deciding what materials to use is especially critical in a kitchen renovation. Inevitably, the kitchens I gravitate to are handsome, with some classic detailing, heavy polished hardware, some feature appliances like a great range, a mix of painted and natural wood cabinets and always counters and backsplashes of natural stone — soapstone, granite, slate or marble — plus oiled or varnished woods. For the longest time, I’ve only ever considered real marble with a honed or half-honed finish for my own kitchen designs. Believing that imperfections and the inevitable scratches and stains would only enhance the patina of honed marble counters, I wouldn’t even consider a man-made alternative. But then, I also thought that jeans had to be 100 per cent cotton denim with no synthetic mix, and only pure linen pants would do, no matter how much better a little bit of Lycra could make them fit. I’ve totally changed my tune, just in time to avoid a dinosaur designation, because not seeing the huge advantages of today’s alternative materials would be crazy. Engineered stone is any man-made materialthat mimics stone. Itincludes brand names such as Caesarstone and Silestone, both manufactured from quartz and resin. The advantage to these surfaces is that they aren’t porous so they don’t absorb liquid, they don’t stain and rarely scratch, and they come in a huge number of great finishes with a wide range of textures and colours, including subtle shades from nature. You can create a larger surface with no seams than you can using natural stone. Even the biggest real marble slabs won’t cover a whole kitchen without multiple seams. The granddaddy of all composite solid surfaces is Corian, DuPont’s brand name for its groundbreaking material that debuted in 1971, which is now offered in more than 100 colours and can be installed to look virtually seamless.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 30, 2019
A relaxed approach to contemporary coastal style brings a sense of ease to this Palm Beach estate.
Cocktail dresses and formally arranged table settings are one way to throw a party, but sometimes entertaining is about inviting your guests to kick their feet up on the ottoman, throwing open the French doors to welcome in the breeze, and sharing wine and conversation while you chop vegetables at the kitchen island.That laidback—yet still elegant—approach to entertaining is exactly what interior designer Jennifer Knowles envisioned when she outfitted the interiors of this waterfront Florida home built by Malasky Homes. “Palm Beach has very classic leanings, and the people here love to entertain,” Knowles says. “We wanted to be in keeping with that classic approach while bridging the gap between casual and formal.” The inviting atmosphere begins at the front entrance, where guests are greeted by a “welcoming arms” staircase, a hallmark of the Bermudan architectural style that defines the home’s exterior. Inside, lengthy rooms, such as the 32-foot-long formal living room, are divided into intimate groupings to facilitate conversation. Generous windows, French doors, and balconies offer remarkable views of the Intracoastal Waterway on three sides and welcome the Florida sunshine into every room. “The entire house truly is awash in light,” Knowles says. “It doesn’t matter what time of day you’re there.” Rich millwork details and intricate ceiling treatments draw the eye upward to visually expand relatively low ceilings, a height requirement set by Palm Beach’s architectural review board. In fact, the first-floor ceilings top off at just a little under 10 feet, but exquisite millwork—such as the Art Deco-inspired pattern on the living room ceiling—stretches the visual height of rooms. Though the details are elaborate, Knowles achieved a crisp, clean look by painting each ceiling white. Walnut herringbone floors and tailored furnishings reinforce the home’s classic sensibility, while dashes of modern flair, supplied by abstract art and polished-nickel accents, prevent the home from feeling too traditional. “Mixing contemporary touches with classic lines keeps it fresh and timeless,” Knowles says. The result is a home that effortlessly toggles between black-tie events and impromptu gatherings with friends. “You’re sitting on the sofa looking out to the pool, then beyond to the water and the beautiful boats,” Knowles says. “You put your feet up on the upholstered ottoman and you just don’t want to leave.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 30, 2019
A relaxed approach to contemporary coastal style brings a sense of ease to this Palm Beach estate.
Cocktail dresses and formally arranged table settings are one way to throw a party, but sometimes entertaining is about inviting your guests to kick their feet up on the ottoman, throwing open the French doors to welcome in the breeze, and sharing wine and conversation while you chop vegetables at the kitchen island.That laidback—yet still elegant—approach to entertaining is exactly what interior designer Jennifer Knowles envisioned when she outfitted the interiors of this waterfront Florida home built by Malasky Homes. “Palm Beach has very classic leanings, and the people here love to entertain,” Knowles says. “We wanted to be in keeping with that classic approach while bridging the gap between casual and formal.” The inviting atmosphere begins at the front entrance, where guests are greeted by a “welcoming arms” staircase, a hallmark of the Bermudan architectural style that defines the home’s exterior. Inside, lengthy rooms, such as the 32-foot-long formal living room, are divided into intimate groupings to facilitate conversation. Generous windows, French doors, and balconies offer remarkable views of the Intracoastal Waterway on three sides and welcome the Florida sunshine into every room. “The entire house truly is awash in light,” Knowles says. “It doesn’t matter what time of day you’re there.” Rich millwork details and intricate ceiling treatments draw the eye upward to visually expand relatively low ceilings, a height requirement set by Palm Beach’s architectural review board. In fact, the first-floor ceilings top off at just a little under 10 feet, but exquisite millwork—such as the Art Deco-inspired pattern on the living room ceiling—stretches the visual height of rooms. Though the details are elaborate, Knowles achieved a crisp, clean look by painting each ceiling white. Walnut herringbone floors and tailored furnishings reinforce the home’s classic sensibility, while dashes of modern flair, supplied by abstract art and polished-nickel accents, prevent the home from feeling too traditional. “Mixing contemporary touches with classic lines keeps it fresh and timeless,” Knowles says. The result is a home that effortlessly toggles between black-tie events and impromptu gatherings with friends. “You’re sitting on the sofa looking out to the pool, then beyond to the water and the beautiful boats,” Knowles says. “You put your feet up on the upholstered ottoman and you just don’t want to leave.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 29, 2019
A thoughtful renovation finds the sweet spot between architectural heritage and modern-day convenience.
Ben and Jenna Sietsema’s newly purchased 1921 Dutch Colonial had a lot going for it— especially if you didn’t venture inside. Located on a channel between two lakes and backing up to 12 acres of wooded park, the house with its barnlike gambrel roof and flared eaves turned heads in an East Grand Rapids, Michigan, neighborhood of traditionalstyle homes. “The lines of the home were just terrific, so the goal was to keep the exterior as close to the original as possible while updating the interiors,” says interior designer Jean Stoffer, who teamed with architect Jeff Visser on the project.The directives: Play up the farmhouse feel in a light-filled, modern way and connect the interiors with their nature-rich surrounds. New shutters, copper gutters, asphalt shingles, and a front porch honor the architecture’s roots, while a fresh coat of black paint on the rebuilt sunroom and window muntins provides a subtle modern twist. Determined to minimize additions, Visser bumped out the garage to add a large mudroom, then reconfigured space (including a large 1990s addition) to improve flow. Updating the back exterior with three sets of French doors, a screen porch, and an outdoor kitchen achieved the couple’s desire to better engage the house with the land. Inside, Stoffer balanced requests for welcoming, kid-friendly spaces with Jenna’s modern preferences and Ben’s rustic bent. Reclaimed beams kick-started the design, bringing a warmth that made Ben and Jenna feel at home. Engineered European white-oak floors, worryfree quartz countertops, and fingerprint-disguising navy kitchen cabinetry bolster a stylish yet carefree mood. Throughout the home, design dances between classic and modern. Inset flat-panel kitchen cabinetry, wall moldings, and a limestone fireplace keep one foot in the past; a stunning waterfall countertop, a mix of dazzling light fixtures, and a palette of charcoals, blues, and greens move to a more contemporary beat. “What we really enjoy about the house is that it’s sophisticated in some ways, yet at the end of the day it is warm and practical—not pretentious,” Ben says.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 28, 2019
Designer Brian Gluckstein outdoes himself with a must-see showhome that holdsthe promise of life well lived.
Like the glamorous lead in a classic Hollywood film,this year’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Home Lottery Showhome makes an alluring firstimpression: it greets you in a dramatic fashion and dazzles you with gorgeous looks, butis careful notto give away too much,too fast. From the extratall foyer justinside the front door, a tiger-print rug worthy of Lana Turner can be glimpsed in the home office across the hallway. “It’s similar to a carpet I had in my New York City apartment years ago,” says designer Brian Gluckstein. The scene beckons visitors forward untilthe 6,700-square-foot home’s elegant main floor is revealed through a procession of grey-trimmed archways. “The house is quite open, but I didn’t want you to see everything as soon as you walk in,” says Brian. In design, as in the movies, a little mystery goes a long way. Set on a corner lotin a leafy neighbourhood of south Oakville, Ont.,the five-bedroom,two-storey house is loosely inspired by French Normandy style. In less than eight months, Brian expertly tempered the interior’s open layout by creating defined living spaces with purpose. He pulled in some walls (to create a centre courtyard) and pushed out others (the great room is generously sized and self-contained), varied ceiling heights and balanced bright, lofty spaces with cosy, moodier rooms. Nearly every surface received its own treatment, from washable murals in the kitchen to a grey wall covering on the dining room ceiling to graphic floor tiles in the foyer. Grey-washed white oak floors with a scraped finish quietly tie together the showstopping elements.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 28, 2019
Designer Brian Gluckstein outdoes himself with a must-see showhome that holdsthe promise of life well lived.
Like the glamorous lead in a classic Hollywood film,this year’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Home Lottery Showhome makes an alluring firstimpression: it greets you in a dramatic fashion and dazzles you with gorgeous looks, butis careful notto give away too much,too fast. From the extratall foyer justinside the front door, a tiger-print rug worthy of Lana Turner can be glimpsed in the home office across the hallway. “It’s similar to a carpet I had in my New York City apartment years ago,” says designer Brian Gluckstein. The scene beckons visitors forward untilthe 6,700-square-foot home’s elegant main floor is revealed through a procession of grey-trimmed archways. “The house is quite open, but I didn’t want you to see everything as soon as you walk in,” says Brian. In design, as in the movies, a little mystery goes a long way. Set on a corner lotin a leafy neighbourhood of south Oakville, Ont.,the five-bedroom,two-storey house is loosely inspired by French Normandy style. In less than eight months, Brian expertly tempered the interior’s open layout by creating defined living spaces with purpose. He pulled in some walls (to create a centre courtyard) and pushed out others (the great room is generously sized and self-contained), varied ceiling heights and balanced bright, lofty spaces with cosy, moodier rooms. Nearly every surface received its own treatment, from washable murals in the kitchen to a grey wall covering on the dining room ceiling to graphic floor tiles in the foyer. Grey-washed white oak floors with a scraped finish quietly tie together the showstopping elements.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 26, 2019
A large single-storey extension and some careful replanning has unlocked the potential of Lizzy and Ricky Stringer’s terrace.
Like many London buyers, Lizzy and Ricky Stringer could only step up the property ladder by taking on a project. Having already moved the bathroom upstairs and created a bigger kitchen in their previous home, they were keen to renovate again on a larger scale when a Victorian villa came up for sale in Dulwich. ‘I looked past the dated decor and noticed the high ceilings, generous room sizes and beautiful wide staircase,’ says Lizzy. ‘I knew we could strip everything back and start again.’ As they wanted to get the work done straight away, the plans were drawn up during the buying process. ‘We submitted them the day after we exchanged contracts,’ says Lizzy, ‘and the builders started upstairs while we waited for planning permission.’ Luckily, the couple were able to rent a friend’s flat nearby for four months, visiting the site three times a week. Work started in summer 2018, with damaged picture and dado rails replaced and reclaimed fireplaces sourced for the bedrooms, while new wood-effect sash windows replicated the originals. ‘Unfortunately, the only thing that is original is the brown stone fire surround in the snug,’ says Lizzy. The rear section of the house has been remodelled by knocking together the kitchen and dining room, demolishing the lean-to and extending into the side return and rear garden to create a 30ft kitchen-diner with a new utility room and downstairs cloakroom. In the master bedroom, the original floorboards were restored and a reclaimed fireplace was installed, along with panelling and bespoke alcove wardrobes. ‘We tried to bring it back to the period,’ says Lizzy. ‘Our builder did a great job with the panelling, which he recreated from Pinterest pictures I showed him.’ Reconfiguring the layout of the bathroom, which had a shower over the bath, proved challenging. ‘We spent a long time in there with the builder and a tape measure but couldn’t work out how to fit in a walk-in shower and a freestanding bath,’ says Lizzy. ‘In the end, we had to move the door.’ When it came to the decor, Lizzy describes her style as classic London chic. ‘I love places like Soho Home, so have bought pieces from its collection, such as its Burleigh pottery,’ she says. ‘The neutral tones at Daylesford’s cottages and spa retreat have also given me ideas for the soft greys and whites in the sitting room. However, I think you can go a bit more dramatic in smaller spaces like I’ve done with the bathroom.’ Although the project was completed on time, there were several issues that pushed the couple over their budget. ‘We had to replace all the rotten joists and flooring in the hallway and sitting room, and it cost extra to reroute the pipework to a new manhole cover in the garden,’ explains Lizzy. ‘We also invested in a new front door as the stained glass fell out of the flimsy original one, and we spent a bit more than initially planned on the kitchen and on good-quality windows.’ Despite the overspend, the couple are pleased with their finished home. ‘I love how quiet and private it is at the back of the house, and the new space is great for New Year’s Eve parties and summer barbecues,’ says Lizzy. ‘We’re lucky enough to have parking, which is unusual for London, so it’s ideal for commuting. The area is lovely with lots going on, so we don’t see ourselves moving anytime soon.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 25, 2019
Sam and Guy Dawson have lived a back and forth life together for the past 14 years. Guy’s work as a non-executive director means being based in London, and Sam had ties to Hove where she lived with her children, Holly and Charlie, now 22 and 20. When the couple bought this Victorian London townhouse four years ago, a Bob Dylan print in an art gallery sparked Sam’s decorating ideas. ‘I instantly loved its blend of dusky pinks, deep purples and blues – and these colours became the inspiration for our whole house,’ she says. ‘I’m amused that the print is called Train Tracks, as it aptly portrays my life travelling to and from London to see Guy.’ For a couple of years, the artwork sat in Sam’s Hove home while she and Guy renovated the London property. Although the house had been extended, it was narrow and they wanted to maximise the space. The lower ground floor was a main focus, with no flow between the kitchen, dining room and family room. Sam got in touch with Woodmans Construction, who had worked on the couple’s previous house projects. ‘The team have always been faultless so there was no doubt we’d use them,’ says Sam. The owner suggested contacting Granit Architecture for expert space-planning, and they advised knocking through walls and rotating the staircase to enlarge the kitchen. ‘It was a fantastic solution,’ says Sam. ‘Now we walk down into the family room and see straight into the garden, with a glass balustrade making the space feel open.’ Granit’s architects and interiors team also advised on the configuration and design of the kitchen, a bespoke build by River Woodwork, and enlarged the master en suite with joinery custom designed and built to fit the space. When it came to planning the decoration, Sam and Guy called on Ingrid Parnis of Equilibrio Interiors, a designer they knew from holidays in Portugal. ‘I’ve always been drawn to colour and patterned fabrics, but with so much choice, I’ve played it safe,’ says Sam. ‘I’d seen Ingrid’s approach in friends’ holiday houses and love the way she uses bright tones to bring a space to life – it makes rooms feel fresh and light.’ Straight away, Sam showed the Bob Dylan print to Ingrid, who suggested a selection of contemporary print upholstery fabrics drawing on the purples and pinks in the picture. ‘One of Ingrid’s choices was the same fabric I had used for curtains before, but in a different colourway,’ explains Sam. ‘I was delighted as it was clear that Ingrid was exactly on my wavelength.’ Design talks continued as the house was stripped back, and a friend suggested Sam contact Farrow & Ball colour consultant Joa Studholme to help choose paintshades. ‘Joa has a brilliant eye for the nuance of colours,’ says Sam. ‘She looked at each room, the light and the fabrics and then put together a colour specification for the whole house.’ When Sam and Guy moved back into their home 18 months later, all the work was complete. ‘Ingrid has a fantastic team who do everything, even hanging the curtains – it’s all very seamless,’ says Sam. ‘The colours and furniture make this house feel so much more contemporary and more “like me” than any other place I’ve lived in,’ she adds. ‘Downstairs seems significantly bigger – some of our friends think we extended – but we’re simply using every inch of space we already had.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 22, 2019
S am and Guy Dawson have lived a back and forth life together for the past 14 years. Guy’s work as a non-executive director means being based in London, and Sam had ties to Hove where she lived with her children, Holly and Charlie, now 22 and 20. When the couple bought this Victorian London townhouse four years ago, a Bob Dylan print in an art gallery sparked Sam’s decorating ideas. ‘I instantly loved its blend of dusky pinks, deep purples and blues – and these colours became the inspiration for our whole house,’ she says. ‘I’m amused that the print is called Train Tracks, as it aptly portrays my life travelling to and from London to see Guy.’ For a couple of years, the artwork sat in Sam’s Hove home while she and Guy renovated the London property. Although the house had been extended, it was narrow and they wanted to maximise the space. The lower ground floor was a main focus, with no flow between the kitchen, dining room and family room. Sam got in touch with Woodmans Construction, who had worked on the couple’s previous house projects. ‘The team have always been faultless so there was no doubt we’d use them,’ says Sam. The owner suggested contacting Granit Architecture for expert space-planning, and they advised knocking through walls and rotating the staircase to enlarge the kitchen. ‘It was a fantastic solution,’ says Sam. ‘Now we walk down into the family room and see straight into the garden, with a glass balustrade making the space feel open.’ Granit’s architects and interiors team also advised on the configuration and
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 21, 2019
Practicality was paramount for Charlotte and Leigh Bowen, but they still managed to combine clean looks with good design
After buying an unremarkable seaside Sixties bungalow on the West Sussex coast that was in need of serious TLC, Charlotte and Leigh Bowen were confident they could turn it into a coastal home packed with style. ‘We wanted a home here as it’s a special place to us,’ says Charlotte, a design consultant who works with husband Leigh, an eco architect, at their practice, 50 Degrees North. The couple may have had a head start in terms of design skills, but they still needed to do plenty of research, and find the right team to create a home for themselves and their children, Phoebe,15, Nesta,12, and Felix,10. ‘We didn’t have a fortune to spend doing it up, but we wanted to do it properly so we didn’t rush anything.’ After buying the property in November 2015, knowing they were going to extend into the roof space to provide two extra bedrooms as well as two more bathrooms, they went through a year of planning and building before moving in almost three years ago. Throughout the house every little detail has been carefully thought out. ‘The eco credentials of a property are very important to us, and we’ve clad the exterior in Siberian larch, which will weather well, and the roof and windows are zinc,’ explains Charlotte. ‘We’ve totally insulated the house, plus put down underfloor heating everywhere so it’s as energy efficient as possible.’ Uncomplicated design is at the core of the couple’s plans.Where possible, they have gone for ultra-simple surfaces. ‘We wanted wooden floors everywhere and
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FOLLOW A PATH UP FROM THE OCEAN
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 19, 2019
Across a sandy beach and rocky lava fields, and you’ll reach it: a vacation home tucked into the coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, where stark simplicity provides a respite from the area’s prevailing tropical colors. “When we took on the project,the clients told us right away thatthey’re minimalists at heart,” says San Francisco– based designerCatherine Kwong. “That’s an easy thing to do in a big city loft, but we had to figure out, how did that translate to a house that’s open to the elements? And how do we make it a kind of place where people wantto unwind?” Kwong and her team worked with the home’s architect, Shay Zak of Zak Architecture, to lay an ideal foundation, using hard-wearing, weather-friendly materials like Alaskan yellow cedar and basalt (a.k.a. lava stone) to create a clean-lined structure where the indoors and outdoors—temperatures hover in the balmy mid-80s yearround—flowed easily into one another. For Kwong, the challenge was to bring in furnishings and decor that would make it feel relaxed, not austere.
Her answer: layer, layer, layer. “It’s a neutral color palette,” she says, referring to everything from the textiles (a mix of grays and ivories) to the artwork (all black and white, and all behind UV-filtering glass), “but it incorporates different types of media. The materials and fabrics all have a tactile hand, which makes it seem cozier.” Even the white paint that was used on all of the interior walls was chosen with warmth in mind. “The lighting on the Big Island is really bright, so we didn’t want a pure white,” Kwong explains. “We spent months testing out colors and ended up with Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee—actually a super-popular color that has a little softness to it.” And while the idea of white anything in a beach house occupied by two adults with two little kids might cause hesitation, Kwong assures that the pieces she chose—from the beige hemp rugs to indoor-outdoor canvas cushions on the dining chairs—are totally family-friendly. “We made sure to balance the client’s minimalist aesthetic with how a beach house is actually used,” says Kwong. “It’s not a place where people are worried about tracking in sand!”
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 19, 2019
AT FIRST, THEY ignored it. “When I bought the house, it was sort of just there,” says textile designer John Robshaw of the old barn a former owner had attached to the side of his 1840s farmhouse in Sharon, Connecticut. “I was using it as a print studio.” He and his wife, Rachel, finished a gut renovation of the main house before realizing their mistake. “I had guests coming over, and I didn’t have a bathroom downstairs— which my mother kept complaining about,” Robshaw recalls. So, with the help of architect Colby Wong and decorator Sara Bengur, Robshaw set about transforming the single-floor barn into what he describes as a “library, loungey, everything living space.” After wiring for electricity and heat, it was filled with pieces from his showrooms (like a pair of bookcases inspired by an Istanbul mosque) and extensive travels (he goes to India at least twice a year), and, of course, plenty of one-of-a-kind textiles. “It’s always fun looking through my warehouse’s excess fabrics—dye lots might be off or we made too much—and seeing what works,” Robshaw says. The added sleeper sofa, powder room, and outdoor shower made it visitor-ready: “My parents can get to this easier than the main house’s upstairs bathrooms—plus, everyone needs an outdoor shower in the country!”
Powder Room Robshaw used his own Diba Sapphire wallpaper in the petite space, along with a custom chik blind backed in a printed fabric
Extra Seating Benches by Robshaw offer hidden storage—and are choice sleeping spots for visiting nieces and nephews.
Entryway In the hallway that connects the barn with the main house, Robshaw placed a Syrian inlaid chair atop Tuareg rugs. He collects Indian ancestor paintings, like the one that hangs here.
Outdoor Shower Because there wasn’t enough room to fit a full bathroom, Robshaw installed a showerhead in a private area outside.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 19, 2019
This airy New York kitchen was born out of the backyard—and acts like a playground. By Hadley Keller
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT– turned-designer Sarah Robertson always approaches her projects with a can-do mindset. Take this 1910 Queen Anne home in New York’s Westchester County. Originally, it held a dark and cramped kitchen. The backyard, on the other hand, was totally dreamy. So the owners reached out to Robertson, whose firm, Studio Dearborn, has specialized in kitchens for more than a decade. Working with Stoll & Stoll Architects, she moved the kitchen to the back of the house, where it looks out onto the greenery. To make the room feel expansive, they bumped up the roofline to create a wood-paneled tray ceiling and added eight windows. Robertson assigned storage to lower cabinets, drawers, and one wall. “We wanted that open connection to the backyard,” she explains, “and I like to maximize storage.” Here, everything has its place, alltucked within the cabinetsRobertson designed with Schrocks of Walnut Creek, the undercabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore’s Rockport Gray. “It’s a historic house, so this color felt more right than white,” says the designer, who opted for modern hardware by Foundryman and DLV Design for “a cleaner, transitional vibe.” With a view this nice, why ever go outside?
Countertop Storage “We wanted to make it feel cohesive,” Robertson says of the full wall of cabinetry. Pull-down panels—complete with brass hardware by Foundryman—hide small appliances.
Built-In Pantry Snacks take up lots of space, so Robertson devised a pantry with tray shelves (which pull out so items in the far back are easily accessible) to stash all manner of dry goods.
Custom Drawers Robertson designs all her cabinets with Schrocks of Walnut Creek, an Amish company in Ohio. This pull-out caddy for cooking utensils is conveniently situated beside the range.
Hidden Brilliance Rather than taking up another drawer, a drying rack and cutting board are stashed between lower cabinets—they slide out easily thanks to sturdy leather pulls.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 19, 2019
This airy New York kitchen was born out of the backyard—and acts like a playground. By Hadley Keller
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT– turned-designer Sarah Robertson always approaches her projects with a can-do mindset. Take this 1910 Queen Anne home in New York’s Westchester County. Originally, it held a dark and cramped kitchen. The backyard, on the other hand, was totally dreamy. So the owners reached out to Robertson, whose firm, Studio Dearborn, has specialized in kitchens for more than a decade. Working with Stoll & Stoll Architects, she moved the kitchen to the back of the house, where it looks out onto the greenery. To make the room feel expansive, they bumped up the roofline to create a wood-paneled tray ceiling and added eight windows. Robertson assigned storage to lower cabinets, drawers, and one wall. “We wanted that open connection to the backyard,” she explains, “and I like to maximize storage.” Here, everything has its place, alltucked within the cabinetsRobertson designed with Schrocks of Walnut Creek, the undercabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore’s Rockport Gray. “It’s a historic house, so this color felt more right than white,” says the designer, who opted for modern hardware by Foundryman and DLV Design for “a cleaner, transitional vibe.” With a view this nice, why ever go outside?
Countertop Storage “We wanted to make it feel cohesive,” Robertson says of the full wall of cabinetry. Pull-down panels—complete with brass hardware by Foundryman—hide small appliances.
Built-In Pantry Snacks take up lots of space, so Robertson devised a pantry with tray shelves (which pull out so items in the far back are easily accessible) to stash all manner of dry goods.
Custom Drawers Robertson designs all her cabinets with Schrocks of Walnut Creek, an Amish company in Ohio. This pull-out caddy for cooking utensils is conveniently situated beside the range.
Hidden Brilliance Rather than taking up another drawer, a drying rack and cutting board are stashed between lower cabinets—they slide out easily thanks to sturdy leather pulls.
News
by Erdem Gorgun on Oct 19, 2019
This airy New York kitchen was born out of the backyard—and acts like a playground. By Hadley Keller
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT– turned-designer Sarah Robertson always approaches her projects with a can-do mindset. Take this 1910 Queen Anne home in New York’s Westchester County. Originally, it held a dark and cramped kitchen. The backyard, on the other hand, was totally dreamy. So the owners reached out to Robertson, whose firm, Studio Dearborn, has specialized in kitchens for more than a decade. Working with Stoll & Stoll Architects, she moved the kitchen to the back of the house, where it looks out onto the greenery. To make the room feel expansive, they bumped up the roofline to create a wood-paneled tray ceiling and added eight windows. Robertson assigned storage to lower cabinets, drawers, and one wall. “We wanted that open connection to the backyard,” she explains, “and I like to maximize storage.” Here, everything has its place, alltucked within the cabinetsRobertson designed with Schrocks of Walnut Creek, the undercabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore’s Rockport Gray. “It’s a historic house, so this color felt more right than white,” says the designer, who opted for modern hardware by Foundryman and DLV Design for “a cleaner, transitional vibe.” With a view this nice, why ever go outside?
Countertop Storage “We wanted to make it feel cohesive,” Robertson says of the full wall of cabinetry. Pull-down panels—complete with brass hardware by Foundryman—hide small appliances.
Built-In Pantry Snacks take up lots of space, so Robertson devised a pantry with tray shelves (which pull out so items in the far back are easily accessible) to stash all manner of dry goods.
Custom Drawers Robertson designs all her cabinets with Schrocks of Walnut Creek, an Amish company in Ohio. This pull-out caddy for cooking utensils is conveniently situated beside the range.
Hidden Brilliance Rather than taking up another drawer, a drying rack and cutting board are stashed between lower cabinets—they slide out easily thanks to sturdy leather pulls.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Aug 05, 2019
Kirkwood residents Chris and genus Melissa Fox had designed their home nearly a decade agone. Even although it was comparatively new they weren’t happy. whereas the vessel sinks provided visual eye candy they weren’t terribly functional; water splashed everywhere the countertops, the area was dark, and the intrinsic corner bathtub tub was cumbersome. “Their dislike for the brown woodwork finally created them conceive to do one thing,” says designer Leah Jerrell, owner of LJ Interior styles. a lover of a lover had referred Randall Jarrell to the couple. She reminisced concerning their 1st meeting. “We paged through some of Chris and Melissa’s inspirations photos. typically folks just like the essence of a photograph however would like somebody to hone in on what they extremely like therefore they don’t go barking up the incorrect tree. we have a tendency to straightaway clicked.” It didn’t take long for them to form an idea.
Her purchasers wished a clean, bright, unaltered look which translated into AN all-white toilet. as luck would have it, the size of the toilet was not a downside. Leah was ready to use an equivalent footprint. each of the recent brown cupboards were swapped out for brand new white vanities with additional easy undermount sinks with Corian Quartz countertops. “Some folks wish additional storage, however genus Melissa likable having an area to take a seat all the way down to place her makeup on or simply take a flash to concentrate on herself. So, we have a tendency to determined to stay an equivalent basic cupboard styles.”Once the bathtub tub was removed, the house was good for AN aesthetically pleasing separate tub by Wildon Homes. Even although Randall Jarrell went with Moen chrome taps she selected a surprising antique brass end lighting fixture to hold over the bathtub. “I love compounding finishes. It simply makes the house such a lot additional attention-grabbing." Leah wished to herald some texture to the all-white area, therefore she instructed victimisation shiplap on the walls painted Sherwin Williams Pure White. She understood her purchasers likable the concept of a hardwood floor however additionally knew it might be a tricky mission to keep up. they need 2 terribly active young daughters. It was straightforward to accomplish the same look with a look-alike wood tile Leah found at The Tile search in Brentwood. Last, however not least, it absolutely was time to tackle the problematic shower. Leah was fast to defend her selection of white subway tile, a ancient favorite. “I wished to keep a classic look however not be boring. therefore I modified it up and used larger 4x12 tiles.” the dimensions of the shower was quite ample, sufficiently big to feature his-and-hers shower heads and individual thermostat controls. Canine lovers can appreciate the hand-held shower focused on the wall. it absolutely was additional for a special member of the family, the loveable pooch, Bodie. All tails were wagging as accent mirrors and soothing design completed this Kirkwood toilet makeover. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and extra photos
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HOUSES KITCHENS & BATHROOMS ISSUE
by Erdem Gorgun on Jun 17, 2019
In the home, no two spaces are as firmly engraved with the examples of day by day life as the kitchen and washroom. These are center points in which customary tasks happen, where we can loosen up and facilitate the day's anxieties, or on account of the kitchen, where we associate with loved ones over a common feast. It bodes well for their plan to mirror the characters of the property holders – with hues, unique alcoves and usefulness made to feed a feeling of self and bolster what it implies for the person to feel "at home." Created by Australia's driving planners and fashioners, the ventures in this issue of Houses: Kitchens and Bathrooms are mixed with the character of the general population who occupy them.It's been a delight assembling this issue and exhibiting the various items and tasks. Here are only two models. Golden Road has redesigned a loft for a customer who is leaving on another section throughout everyday life (page 76). Among the lavishly designed components is the ensuite bowl – its pink terrazzo a gesture to the customer's pink-confined displays. Kennon Studio has adopted an alternate strategy with Spanish Mission House (page 90). The controlled highly contrasting plan is intended to give an exquisite system to the property holder's very own capably hued works of art. Brimming with new thoughts for kitchens and washrooms with character, this issue is certain to rouse the formation of your own spaces for self articulation.
01 Teel bowl blender Phoenix Tapware's Teel gathering, including blender taps, shower blenders and outlets, is an examination of geometry and equality. The thin tapware social affair is open in four fruitions: 'Chrome,' 'Brushed Nickel' (imagined), 'Weapon Metal' and 'Matte Black.'phoenixtapware.com.au 02 Oliver cast-iron paw foot bathThe Oliver cast-iron snare foot shower from Highgrove Bathrooms is as indisputable in looks everything considered in feel; its thick, quality material has favored warmth upkeep over standard acrylic tubs, thinking about longer loosening up. The shower and feet touch base in a variety of striking tints. highgrovebathrooms.com.au 03 XSquare bathroom furnitureDuravit and maker Kurt Merki Jr have made a furniture range organized expressly to enhance the contemporary DuraSquare washbasins. The X Square range incorporates a striking rectilinear chrome diagram, which mirrors the geometry of the basin.duravit.com 04 Fantini Acquadolce shower roseDesigned by Italian organizer Franco Sargiani, the Fantini Acquadolce two-work shower climbed from Rogerseller celebrates "unmistakable delight." The smooth shower rose offers a luxurious precipitation sway from 168 foe of limescale gushes similarly as a central haze function.rogerseller.com.au 05 Pebble gathering Danish maker D Line has collaborated with Bjarke Ingels Group to make a contem-porary course of action of bathroom additional items charac-terized by carefree, bended shapes and material materiality. The Pebble gathering consolidates a restroom brush, shower rack, towel rail and more.dline.com 06 Aio Aurajet twin showerMethven's Aio Aurajet twin shower is directly available in 'Matte Black.' This striking consummation makes for a part point that can change a typical white-washed bathroom into a mind boggling space. Aio's stand-out brilliance formed showerhead makes a rich fan-like spray.methven.com
07 Metropolitan surfaces accumulation Inspired by the harsh, unpolished materials found in mechanical engineering, Caesarstone's Metropolitan gathering incorporates seven solid look completes, perfect for restroom spaces. The 'Vaporous Concrete' complete (imagined) radiates physicality, profundity and movement.caesarstone.com.au 08 Neb shower and bowl Designed by Benedini Associati for Agape, the Neb gathering incorporates a smooth bath and bowl that have amazingly slim profiles, made conceivable gratitude to the bio-based material Cristalplant, an Italian-made material with a smooth surface reminiscent of normal stone.artedomus.com 09 In-Wash Inspira toiletIn-Wash Inspira by Roca is an imaginative can highlighting a coordinated water spout for individual cleanliness. The "brilliant" latrine likewise has flexible water and gaseous tension, a LED night light, an auto cleaning spout, client location innovation and more.roca.com.au 10 Drain completes Stormtech's metal, copper, bronze and matt-dark completions for waste frameworks offer imaginative alternatives to architects, specifiers and customers. Accessible over Stormtech's range, the completions can give a smooth and glowing completion to any contemporary design.stormtech.com.au 11 Purist washroom accessoriesPurist adornments by Kohler are intended to bring a completing bit of style and extravagance to the restroom. Counting a towel bar, towel ring and robe snare, the frill accumulation arrives in a scope of valuable metal completions – rose gold, brushed bronze and brushed nickel.kohler.com.au
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Bends BRING MOVEMENT AND MAKE THINGS MORE DYNAMIC AND LESS RIGID'
by Beau Ueland on May 29, 2019
EN-SUITE BATHROOM Pale Arabescata marble has been used for the elegant bath surround and splashback. The distinctive coral-themed hanging lightis a design by Vaughanhad seen at Charleston, the Bloomsbury Group's Sussex house. They additionally gather works by Duncan Grant – one of its residents.The proprietor had focused on that she didn't need the house to be too 'existing apart from everything else', so it wouldn't feel dated in years to come. Beata concurred and the two of them dismissed a regular cabin kitchen look. 'I needed the kitchen to be new – sort of Fifties in feel, just as the house had advanced after some time,' Beata says. The organizer fronts are plain and she has utilized an unpretentious ribbed wooden completion, painted a solid green, for the focal island, which has a copper work surface. The lights, as well, are copper, while the Swedish cabinet handles, in a few distinct shapes, are metal. 'Individuals become fixated on each metal completion in a kitchen being indistinguishable. It's substantially less inflexible to blend it up a bit.' The detachment of this methodology is adjusted by Beata's fastidious way to deal with plan-ning, which included capturing and estimating the proprietors' preferred belongings before structuring sharp approaches to show them.There are still a lot of chances for no particular reason: in the living room a Matisse-like toss, on the divider over the couch, gives an unex-pected highlight to the room. 'It's crisp and makes the vibe of the room more youthful,' Beata says. A melancholy inglenook chimney inverse was perked up with designed carefully assembled tiles, which reflect light once more into the room. Hand-painted renditions from Balineum include in the pretty cloakroom over the corridor while, in the cozy nearby, hand-painted tiles from Norton Tile Company are utilized to make a level, present day take on a Delft chimneypiece. Here, vintage finds including a couple of shoddy and happy pine dressers and plant prints in lavish Eighties-style casings purchased at closeout make an intriguing space for the proprietors' children to unwind in.Things are more excellent in the twofold stature fundamental room, some portion of the new expansion, with grasscloth backdrop on the dividers and ceil-ing, and a refined Elsie de Wolfe-style headboard in an intense chintz, which makes a brilliant concentration in this quiet room. The restroom adjacent blends provincial and advanced components, its roof of harsh painted boards and pillars furnishing an appear differently in relation to the smooth marble used to make an encompass for the shower and sprinkle backs for the two bowls. His is pared-back on nickel legs, while hers lays on a bended vanity unit, making an edge of Forties chic.Storage with added style is the way to the changing area, with pantries curtained in Beata's orange and inky blue 'Palm Drop' texture, its dark blue theme grabbed in the inherent drawers with their reflected fronts. In here, as somewhere else in the house where a considerable lot of the windows are little and low, Beata has taken the roman blinds up to the roof to cause the space to show up taller.The striking innovation of Beata's plans earned her the title of House and Garden Interior Designer of the Year in 2018. This charac-terful house demonstrates, indeed, what a commendable victor she was
KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM A contemporary ceiling fixture with vintage glass globes and modern style metal pendant lights supplement a bespoke kitchen by Jack Trench, which incorporates tall oak cabinets, an island in Fior di Pesco marble and a patinated smooth-complete solid floor by Mass Concrete. A Joseph Goody painting directs an antique Irish feasting table, Oswald Haerdtl seats upholstered in a Robert Allen cotton velvet and a vintage armchaircovered in Scalamandré's 'Heaven Velvet' from Stark