LHQ16-SUMMER

$12.99summer 2012No. 16

Illustrious Additions to Walt Disney World Resort

raising the stakes gertler & wente architecture llp / regional focus: majestic homes of aspen, co

Golden Legacy

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We are a full service high-end general construction company.

Custom Millwork • HVAC • Electrical • Plumbing • AV • Stonework • Stairs • Wood Flooring

SURPASSING EXCELLENCE

Zen Restoration Inc. • 273 Russell Street • Brooklyn, NY 11222 • T: 718-387-6700 • F: [email protected] • www.zengeneral.com

Contents

The Andaz 5th Avenue BY TONYCHI & ASSOCIATES

ON THE COVERThe exterior shot of this Golden Oak home--the luxury development lo-cated at Walt Disney World Resort--showcases the work of CAHILL builders, one of the ten companies who worked on the resort commu-nity. Keeping in line with the style Golden Oak focuses on, including Tuscan, French and Mediterranean elements, CAHILL--along with the help of interior design firm Design Specifications--built a warm home complete with a crystal-blue pool that is surrounded by polished tiles, and a rectangular fire pit. Views into the interior can also be seen via the ample seating around the pool. page 74 cover Photo: greY craWforD

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Architects

Builders

44 BERNBAUM MAGADINI ARCHITECTS

48 LS3P NEAL PRINCE

52 THIELSEN ARCHITECTS

56 CAL PETRESCU

58 BORIS BARANOVICH ARCHITECTS

102 RENDER CONSTRUCTION

104 COMITO BUILDING & DESIGN

107 THE COTTAGE COMPANy OF HARBOR SPRINGS

109 EVERGREEN HOMES By GIO

111 FALCON CUSTOM HOMES

74 CAHILL

77 DERRICK BUILDERS

81 GOEHRING & MORGAN

84 DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

86 RAy COUDRIET BUILDER

129 TONyCHI & ASSOCIATES

132 3 FOLD DESIGN

135 APRIL SHELDON

137 jOy MOyLER

140 WICK DESIGN GROUP

144 LEE DOUGLAS INTERIORS

28 ROBERT GURNEy ARCHITECTS

32 PHx ARCHITECTURE

36 ROBERT M. BERGER ARCHITECTS

42 STEAMBOAT ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATES

90 FOSTER DESIGN BUILD

94 DETAR CONSTRUCTION

96 MARK TANNER CONSTRUCTION

98 jABLONSKI ASSOCIATES

64 SOCO INTERIORS

66 j. RICHARD WATSON CONSTRUCTION

68 jONES-CLAyTON CONSTRUCTION

69 TONI SIMS

72 ISSA HOMES

114 jUAN MONTOyA

118 WORTH INTERIORS

122 HARRy HEISSMANN, INC.

124 MARK WEAVER & ASSOCIATES INC.

127 KRISTINA WOLF DESIGN

176 GERTLER & WENTE

180 DAVE TUGGEy CONSTRUCTION

184 GRADE ARCHITECTURE + INTERIOR DESIGN

192 TRISHA WILSON

Golden oak at Walt Disney World Resort

Designers

Projects

At Home With

160 AUGUST RENO ARCHITECTS

162 WHIPPLE & BREWSTER

164 KORU LTD.

165 RICHARD WAx & ASSOCIATES

166 BREWSTER MCLEOD

168 ROBERT G. SINCLAIR

170 HAyES CONSTRUCTION

148 BRIKOR ASSOCIATES

150 ROWLAND + BROUGHTON

153 jANCKILA CONSTRUCTION

156 CHARLES CUNNIFFE ARCHITECTS

158 z GROUP ARCHITECTS

160 WEISS & WIRTH

160 KAREN WHITE INTERIOR DESIGN

Regional Focus: Aspen

editor’s note page 6

Calendar Trade shows and special

events in the coming months page 10

Product spotlight Highlighting

innovation in the field of design page 11

Materials Trends in the medium

of creation page 18

Behind the Lines featuring atelier gary lee page 20

online now A sampling of

content found at LuxuryHomeQuarterly.com page 22

Books Industry expertise and

inspiration page 23

Acclaim Custom-home

projects of note page 24

Directory page 190

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L uxury Home Quarterly prepares for the summer heat with a look at cool and re-freshing interior design elements, as well

as ambitious homes from builders and architects who were inspired by the natural landscape. From the mountain tops of Aspen to the sunny coasts of Florida, we focus on some of the most luxurious and relaxing homes perfect for an ideal getaway.

Walt Disney World Resort has found a way to bring your dream vacation to your back door. The highly acclaimed Golden Oak community (p.62) is just a short distance from the theme park and features unique custom-designed homes with first-class luxury amenities. This private community reserved for residential and commercial use--expanding over 900 acres-- includes seven of central Florida’s top custom home builders. The homes range in style from classic Mediterranean and Dutch to Tuscan and Venetian influences, and are perfect for families looking for the perfect blend of sophistication and functionality.

For the regional focus we recognize three of Aspen’s most well-known firms: Brikor and Associates (p.148) Charles Cunniffe Architects (p.156) and Robert G. Sinclair Architecture (p.168). From newly constructed stately homes that are influenced by Aspen’s serene mountains and valleys, to the large scale renovations and additions of Aspen’s historic architecture, there

is a finely-tuned balance between the design of the homes and their environment.

We hope that you enjoy reading through this issue of Luxury Home Quarterly for inspiring destinations and vacation homes. As always, our hope is to acknowledge and educate profes-sionals everywhere for their commitments to innovative projects, where informed decision-making and resourcefulness are paramount.

DEIDRé DAVIS, Managing Editor

p.156the asPen Manor bY charles cunniffe architects

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NEWS FLASH

ProDucts tress is a mixture of filled and empty space accomplished through a unique weaving tech-nique. each lamp comes in a variety of sizes and shapes and are made of composite material on a lacquered fibreglass base and come in black, red and white.

Contact Information

(p) 773.897.0300 (f) 773.868.0560 1448 W Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

Art & Editorial managing editor Deidre [email protected]

senior editor Samantha [email protected]

art director Mike [email protected]

correspondentsIsabel Eva BohrerChristine Cox Tricia DespresJamie Farshchi Melissa FearsAmy Howell HirtDavid HudnallRodric J. Hurdle-BradfordTara ImperatoreJessica KirbyAmy LemenLauryn Allison LewisBrian LibbyElisa RevelloAndrew Santa LuciaChris Terry

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director of salesDan Zierk [email protected]

sales associatesDesmond Chester [email protected]

Gavin CollColleen Wall

advertising manager Jacqueline M. Lowisz [email protected]

Cory Bowen, Editor-in-Chief

www.bowen-enterprises.com

tress bYfoscarini

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calendar

JUNE 10-13AAMA NATIONAL SUMMER CONFERENCEoak brook, ilThe national conference for the American Archi-tectural Manufacturers Association is hosted three times a year and include over 100 councils, commit-tees and task groups. Professionals will discuss new industry standards and codes. aamanet.org

JUNE 20-232012 ACSA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCEbarcelona, spainACSA Internationl Conference will host their first conference since 2005. The focal point of this con-ference will explore CHANGE in relation to Civic Engagement, Academia, Practices, Technology and Sustainability. acsa-arch.org

JUNE 11-1344TH ANNUAL NEOCONchicago, il usaThe National Exposition of Contract Furnishings is North America’s largest exhibition for contract fur-nishings. The event will feature over 700 of the latest design trends, products and concepts for hospitality, residential, commercial spaces and more.

interiordesign.net/event

JUNE 24-262012 BOMA CONVENTION: BUILDING CONFERENCE & ExPOseattle, WaA three day conference for premier real estate profes-sionals that offers endless networking opportunities. Discussions will cover new strategies, best practices and innovative solutions to increase operational per-formance and costs. bomaconvention.org

JUNE 19-20DMI DESIGN/MANAGMENT THINKING 24Portland, orThe DMI conference will host some of today’s most forward-thinking and dynamic design leaders in the industry. Discussions will challenge the diversity of tools, techniques and concepts and encourage pro-fessionals to embrace alternative designs. dmi.org

JULY 17-19THE 2012 ICFA PREVIEW SHOWchicago, ilDiscover the newest, most innovative product designs, furniture design and trends in color and fabrics from leading manufacturers from around the world in the four-day International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market trade show.

casualmarket.com

traDe shoWs anD sPecial events in the coMing Months

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

For the summer issue, our products come to life with vibrant colors, playful swirls and movement that correspond to ocean waves and delicate streams. Unlikely materials fuse together to form beautiful, yet functional pieces for any space.

in duplo BY erik Jørgensen / p. 17


ARCHITECTs

12 lHQ summer 2012

ARCHITECTS

12 luxury home CANADA spriNg 2012 lhcanada.com

moooi gothic chair Made of polyethylene, this chair can be used inside and outside, and comes in a variety of vibrant colour combinations. moooi.com

six iNCh the Bench Reminiscent of bricks found in the castles and dungeons of classic video games, The Bench is made of high-density foam that is covered in polyurethane. Available in any Pantone colour. sixinch.be

NormANN Bau Lamp Made of wooden, interlocking geometric circles of black, blue, red, white and yellow, this sus-pension lamp recontextualizes Bauhaus design. Designed by Vibeke F. Scmidt for Normann of Copenhagen. normann-copenhagen.com

VerNer pANToN / fLowerpot This lacquered steel lamp comes in a variety of colors including cream, mint, orange, red, black, white and purple. vernerpanton.com

NiNe sTories eLsie seriesAs a limited edition line of furniture and decor, the Elsie Series is made from reclaimed automo-tive sheet metal harvested from salvage yards. ninestoriesfurniture.com

groupA / BookLamp Made of a painted iron rod, this minimal-ist book-holder was part of the company’s “Piece Per Week” project. groupastudio.com

summer 2012

esTABlisheD & soNs auDreY Light / cape sofa The British company known for innovative and contempo-rary design has produced a wide range of products of furni-ture, lighting and decor. The Audrey Light (right), inspired by Audrey Hepburn, is made of hand-blown Venini opaline glass in a modern and exquisite shape and comes in red or sapphire. Cape (below), an upholstered sofa with a flowing cover was made to look casual but also luxurious. There are numerous colors and fabric options, allowing for updates to any space. establishedandsons.com

kArTell foLiage sofa Italian designer Patrica Urquiola takes pride in creating artful furniture pieces. The Foliage Sofa designed for Kartell was inspired by the rela-tionship between the natural environment and artificial foliage. The leaves forge a soft crown resting on a framework of white branches which virtually form a seat. With top-stitched embroi-dery running through the entire surface and four round legs, this sofa offers a soft and relaxing seating experience for two that can be placed anywhere in the room. kartell.it

pRImARy ATTRACTIon


sHApE sHIfTER

kokeTintuition Dining taBLe Designed with women in mind, this dining table combines art-istry and smooth curves. The swirled base is made of two-toned metal in either black matte, gold, pewter or copper. The top is available in black metal, bronze metal, clear glass or smoky glass. bykoket.com

FosCAriNi tressTress is a mixture of filled and empty space accomplished through a unique weaving technique. Each lamp comes in a variety of sizes and shapes and are made of composite material on a lacquered fibreglass base and come in black, red and white. foscarini.com

DimA curL mY LightMade of interwoven steel rings, this table light creates alluring shadows when illuminated. Available in white or black. dimaloginoff.com

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ARCHITECTsARCHITECTS

FosCAriNi Le soLeiL Italian company Foscarini prides itself on offering products and services with an international flair. Le Soleil was inspired by the Guggenheim Museum in New York, comprised of asymmetric bands that diffuse illumination. The light comes in three colors: aquamarine, red and white and is made of poly-carbonate and chrome-plated steel. foscarini.com

gAlloTTi & rADiCe LaYer taBLes As the first Italian company to experiment with the use of an extraordi-nary furniture materials, crystal, Gallotti & Radice is an avant-garde design company that focuses on elegant shapes to create pieces for both domestic and international markets. The Layer Dining table has a transparent glass top with a wooden base swirled in superimposed conical rings.gallottiradice.it

Nemo carmenciataThis mini table lamp is made of opal white blown glass with a shade that comes in painted alu-minum, reconditioned leather, translucid polycarbonate or wood. nemo.cassina.it

sHApE sHIfTER



urBAN proDuCTDune tiLe Based in Toronto, Urban Product is a furniture and product design company that emphasizes the use of eco-friendly and locally-sourced materials. Dune Wall Tile, one of the company’s featured products, puts a modern spin on classic wall tiles. Each tile is priced individually, and comes in gypsum, winterstone, concrete and walnut materials. urbanproduct.ca

liThos Le pietre inciseThe Le Pietre Incise collection, designed by Raffaello Galiotto, was designed to create movement and depth to walls. The wide curves and illuminated stone slabs turn an ordinary light fixture into a piece of art. The collection is comprised of 14 different models, with a wide range of stone materials. lithosdesign.com

WoViN® woVin waLLThree-dimensional, modular and lightweight describe this ceiling tile system, which was originally created to absorb interior acoustics, but also succeeds in being visually appealing. wovinwall.com

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sABA iTAliA primo QuartoCurved, dramatic lines turn the practical and functional aspects of a bookshelf into an artistic piece that also doubles as wall decor. Eye-catching yet subtle, Primo Quarto--an italian phrase meaning “First Quarter,’ which refers to the phase of the moon where only half of it is visible and waxing--takes on the curvilinear shape of the moon. The shelves, while slanted, still effectively operate as storage for books, music and magazines. Each shelf is available in two sizes, and in black or white lacquered wood.sabaitalia.it

erik JØrgeNseNwaVes / in DupLoDanish designer Erik Jørgensen has been designing unique furniture for a myriad of spaces, from the Museum of Modern Art to private residencies. Waves (above) is an upholstered two-person bench that has been sculpted to replicate the movement of the ocean. The bench is made of pantera foam, with a black lacquered fibre. In Duplo (below), is a sofa series that consists of two distinct sofas, Duplo High and Duplo Low, that can work separately, but can also function together seamlessly. Each sofa is made of a loose seat and lumbar cushions, and the legs are made of powder-coated aluminum. erik-joergensen.com

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WAVE RIDER


sikA DesigNmonet / DaLi Sika Design, makers of handmade furniture based in Denmark, specializes in a variety of materials that create comfortable, yet eye-catching seating. The “Monet” chair (above) is a high-back chair that comes in three colors: antique brown, natural or taupe rattan. The chair also comes with a footstool that recalls one of the company’s original creations from the 50’s and 60’s. The “Dali” chair (below), made of handcrafted rattan, comes with a neck and back cushion that is available in more than 25 colors. sika-design.com

ViroFiBer V20 V20 is a collection of fifty different styles of all-weather wicker, which will soon expand to 150 styles. virofiber.com

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mATERIAls

muNNAcutie Upholstered in fur with gold leaf feet, the “Cutie” armchair is a mix of vintage charm and playfulness. munnadesign.com

miNoTTi cow carpet Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni, the Cow Carpet, made of long-haired cowhides, is reminiscent of the country with an elegant flair. minotti.com

kyle BuNTiNg Jet stream rugKnown for its line of luxurious carpets and wall coverings, Kyle Bunting has completed thousands of projects for design professionals and private clients across the globe. The Jet Stream Rug is a cowhide rug available in more than 50 colors of natural and dyed hair on leather. All rugs are custom sized and have a non-slip backing. kylebunting.com

Atelier GAry lee:A classically eclectic collection

Can you tell me about the inception of the show-room–what was your strategy?

I thought it would be really fabulous to invite other collaborators that make or design prod-ucts that are not necessarily similar to mine, but reflects the way we design. Our design signature is classically eclectic–any one designer or manu-facturer can’t possess all that encompasses so I thought it would be amazing if we were able to represent and curate some of the best people and create more of a gallery collection as op-posed to a more singular vision.

What is your selection process?

The magic pill question. I don’t know because there isn’t a Gary Lee rulebook. I have always loved assembling things and making composi-tions. Designers intuitively know how to put things together and that if you take the same five things and put them in order, you could have different end result. I truly love meeting new partners and bringing them to market. We are collaborating with 20 partners, who do abso-lutely beautiful work.

You are intertwining various collections. How do they function as a whole?

We do not present pieces by manufacturers. We mix everybody so there is a composition that looks interesting and the concept is rearranged so that the designers and clients feel like something new is going on each time they visit. It is synonymous to an art gallery feature show where you highlight a par-ticular work. We have iconic pieces from everyone we represent.

Can you elaborate on your core values in the curating process?

The design industry is just like most industries in that it has gotten beaten up badly. I wanted to re-connect people with their passions and help them to think creatively. I wanted to come to market with new sources and new ways of making things. Quality and innovation are important threads in everything we represent––and of course, it has to be fabulous. What inspires me is how you can make a client or another designer use their imagination and realize their dream. My goal was to curate a collection that inspires people.

bY aMY hoWell hirt

BeHind tHe lines

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CUSTOM COLLECTIONS FOR LUxURy HOMES—AND THE DESIGNERS BEHIND THEM

20 summer 2012lHQ

How do you employ both form and function in your collection?

Innovation takes many forms, in the most tech-nologically advanced pieces, that is market driven and where form follows function. Another form of innovation is preserving a craft such as taking an old technique, updating it and making it something you wouldn’t expect. I have a group in the Berkshires who employ old world techniques: eggshell lacquer, bubble embossed leather, and any level of wood finishing from the deco period. They can make museum-quality reproductions of what the old deco master’s did.

What does the future hold for Atelier Gary Lee?

I hope to keep evolving Atelier Gary Lee to suit my vernacular and philosophy. It is a dynamic process now as we are bringing in three to four new col-laborators per month. I want to be a resource for the community and share the inspiration. I want designers to remember that they have a talent and have something to say. The beauty of what we can do today is that we can collaborate with other people that are equally good in their disciplines as we are in ours, [and] we end up with more fabulous projects.

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01 saloMe, tonDelli arreDaMenti:bronze finished occasional table.

02 Mobile chanDelier 1, Michael ann-astassiaDes: the simplicity of this design is misleading, the technology and innova-tion to create this fixture is astounding and the result is simply beautiful.

03 rounD siDe table in sPalteD MaPle, trace: the concept at trace is to tell the story of nature (found wood ) cast into fur-niture ; each piece has a story book about its origin.

04 kailash bronZe table, chista:there is something magical in casting a natural piece of wood into a bronze object.

05 sling chair With 3 legs, gratZ archive collection: this is the real mid century ( in this case designed by William katalvos ) classic design produced with machine precision.

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vieW the entire collection at ateliergarYlee.coM


ARCHITECTsonline now

Jspr- plAsTiC FANTAsTiC JSPR, a Dutch furniture and interior design firm, was founded in 2005 by Jasper van Grootel. The company aims to deliver prod-ucts with unexpected touches, while still being simplistic. The Plastic Fantastic line of durable and flexible furniture is the com-pany’s best-known creation. Made entirely out of rubber, the chairs, benches and otto-mans can be placed indoor or outdoors, and are available in more than a dozen vibrant colors. jspr.eu

To view more innovative products, visit our website: luxuryhomequarterly.com

a saMPling of content founD at luxurYhoMeQuarterlY.coM

22 summer 2012lHQ

books

7 Climb

SHA_book_01_VERBS_pxii_101_ToP.indd 6-7 7/26/10 3:27:17 PM

TRuE lIfE: STEvEn hARRIS ARChITECTSauthor: steven harris

Showcasing a trajectory of Ste-ven Harris’ residential work from the past 25 years, True Life succeeds in effortless and accessible spaces that cater to the individuals that inhabit them. Using a collaborative approach, the projects reflect the client’s needs, making each innovative and unique. Princeton Architectural Press; papress.com

ExpRESSIvE modERn:ThE InTERIoRS of AmY lAuauthor: aMY lau

A love for 20th-century furniture mixed with the use of luscious colours results in a distinct aesthetic that only Interior Designer Amy Lau could create. Every home she works with is influenced by nature, and she integrates abstract art on the walls as well as in textiles, transforming an ordinary room into a three-dimension-al work of art. The Monacelli Press; randomhouse.com/monacelli

ThE modERn CAlIfoRnIA BEACh houSEauthor: Patrick killen

Founder of studio 9 one 2, architect Patrick Killen incorporates technology into his imaginative and innova-tive design aesthetic. Not only are the clients’ desires met, but Killen’s attention to basic human needs, such as comfort and safety, are apparent throughout his work. Images Publishing Dist Ac; imagespublishinggroup.com


acclaim

The Montecito Residence by Caputo Construction is a spacious, industrial structure poised on the hillside outside of Los Angeles, CA. The all-encompassing glass doors of the home roll up and vanish completely, fusing the indoor living areas with the outdoors—reaching out from the manicured garden into the vivid landscape. The loft-like design creates an unencumbered space that is carefully accented with modernist furniture and lighting. Neutral hues and minimalist designs are complemented by splashes of lustrous color and fine art. The master bath opens up into surrounding nature neatly concealed by sheer drapery. Flaw-less masonry flows from the outside in, further facilitating the seamless connec-tion of the exterior and interior.

montecito resiDenceelisa revello

Creditsarchitectbarton Myers associates

interiors & lanDscaPe architectrios clementi hale studios

exteriorPhotograPherciro coelho Photography

interior PhotograPhersDel Zoppo / simmons

custoM-hoMe Projects of note

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water- cooLeD house

The tranquil and environmentally-chic Water-Cooled House by Wallflower Archi-tecture + Design is nestled among bountiful tropical trees in Bukit Timah, Singapore. A contemporary home designed with ample water that surrounds the property promotes natural cooling by employing the ample cross breeze and thermal insulation. On the second story, the main living areas have min-imal enclosures and supporting structures to maximize the connection to the natural surroundings that magnify the tree-lined expanse. A spiral staircase descends to the first story where continuous light lengthens into an infinite koi pond. An oculus acts as spotlight to the main entrance and is vivified by the oscillating waves.

ACClAIm

elisa revello

Creditsarchitect: Wallflower architecture + Design

Design teaM: cecil chee + robin tan + sean Zheng

PhotograPher: albert lim


26 lHQ summer 2012

get connected to the custom home industry through luxury home Quarterly’s insider coverage. Discover a showcase of the industry’s most stunning projects. cutting-edge products, and real stories of trials and success from professionals like yourself.

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trÈs chic Brian McCarthy’s 18th century French revival / hoMetoWn hero Wolford Built Homes enlivens locale

$12.99spring 2012

Pacifi c PalaceKari Whitman rolls out the red carpet for this regal L.A. pad

No. 15

The Spring Issue


NO. 15

spring 2012

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A group of skilled and passionate innovators who plan, develop and re-envision buildings and homes for clientele across the globe

ARCHITECTS

Sedona Residence BY PHX ARCHITECTURE / PHOTO Pam Singleton | Image Photography


A NATURE-BASED PALETTE RESULTS IN SIMPLE DESIGN DONE BEAUTIFULLy

Robert Gurney Architects

by Melissa Fears

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Robert Gurney, who founded his practice in 1990, has risen to prominence by producing dynamic modern structures in urban and rural settings alike.

Gurney and his team are versatile designers.“It all starts with the site or in urban areas it starts with the materials,” Gurney says. “We try to do projects that are clean-lined, simple and void of trim.”

Especially significant to the firm is site-specific appropriateness, with the decoration of a space intended to complement the building around it as well as the landscape beyond.

Whether working on a complex historical project or a vacant site for new construction, the process always involves an understanding of the site, its history and its surroundings.

“What’s interesting about the projects we work on is that the apartments and the row houses, where you don’t have a great view or something to focus on, tend to be more inward-focused, more reliant on materials and have really strong detail,” says Gurney. “Once you sort of establish that sort of mindset you don’t lose it on the bigger projects.”

Wissioming 2 a rare enclave of modern houses in glen echo, MD, located just outside of Washington D.c., lies this

contemporary masterpiece complete with a wooded lot and distant views of the Potomac river.

Positioned to preserve a majority of the mature trees, the house is oriented toward the river views

and south-facing slope. organized into two volumes, this house is connected with glass bridges that

span a reflecting pool, which separate the volumes. secondary volumes converge and overlap the

larger structures delivering a dynamic composition. large spans of glass open to a terrace and are

arranged around a luxurious swimming pool with two “infinity” edges reinforcing the connection to

the forested exterior. narrow steel window frames constructed in Mondrian-inspired patterns are

combined with translucent panels and wenge and white oak millwork. Pompeii scarpaletto stone

defines the light-filled, minimally decorated interior, while white terrazzo flooring complements and

unifies the volumes on the main floor.


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ARCHITECTs

Residential | Commercial | NSF Certifi ed Equipment | Free Quotes

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He also says that bigger and new projects are not necessarily better.

“The reality is it’s harder to find a starting point when you are starting with a new house. My favor-ite building type is sort of that row house trans-formation type projects,” says Gurney. “Especially in Washington D.C. when you are working on historical properties in Georgetown and Capitol Hill you can’t really change the front of the build-ing. Then you open the door, and it’s this great surprise when you come inside and it’s filled with modern materials.”

Gurney relies on muted backgrounds, a restrained palette of rich colors and materials, and spare, almost sculptural compositions to achieve the distinctive modernism he desires.

“We want it to be aesthetically rich, but not austere or sterile,” says Gurney. “It’s basically this really nice combination of simple clean lines, but doing it with rich materials.”

Using creative ways to rehab old materials is a specialty Gurney’s team is proud of. Typically a material used for conveyer belts, they use the woven wire and stainless steel wire cloth to make screens that allow light to shine through. It is this type of edgy modernism and creativity that plays a crucial part in the glamour of designing.

“One of my favorite stones to use is recycled slate and use it in a dry stack manner of laying the stone,” says Gurney. “It has super thin lines. It’s beautiful to use something that has already been used once before.” Whether it’s reusing old stone or creating a solar panel lighting system, the company attempts to be green while still creating a visually appealing space. “I think the one lesson to be learned about being green is that it doesn’t have to be a compro-mise, it actually opens up a lot of new doors,” Gur-ney says. “It’s really refreshing in a lot of ways.”

a Message froM blooM builDers

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teaM Design breaks the MolD betWeen What is trenDing, Durable anD lasting

by Melissa Fears

PHX Architecture

Since opening in 2002, PHX Architecture has com-pleted over six hundred projects, including custom homes, retail and commercial spaces. The firm joins a passion for detail along with innovative design.

“Our business model has changed over the years from being all about one person’s design and more about a team approach,” says Erik Peterson AIA, one of the four principals of PHX Architecture.

A studio environment lends itself to a close-knit staff that pride themselves in both contemporary and classic design where each person brings some-thing unique to the drawing board.

“We don’t have a specific style that we try to force upon the project; our design style is more diverse,” says Peterson.

This experienced team continues to grow interna-tionally with projects scattered as far as Mexico and Nicaragua.

The urge for international design came early to Nikal Conti, a principal who studied design abroad in China, Australia, Germany and Italy during her summer breaks.

With icons such as Carlo Scarpa, Julia Morgan and Antoine Predock as inspiration, it is difficult not to be challenged.

“It challenges me to judge what we are doing, es-pecially modern design, in terms of what is lasting verses what is trending,” says Conti. “It also reinforc-es the ‘rules’; if we reinterpret a Mediterranean-style house we are grounded in what is authentic, so we can then break or update a design that still will retain a lasting quality.”

The sense of a place can only be gained first hand, she says.

“As amazing as technology is, it cannot compare to standing next to a wall that is hundreds of years old,” says Conti. “You engage all the senses beyond just sight by adding touch, smell, feel, sound and gaining an appreciation of the ‘fabric’ of the culture or community.”

For the Sedona Residence, one of the firm’s recent contemporary projects, it was important to really design with the light and views in mind.

“The living room has the canyon face views with sloping ceilings to capture the tops of the cliffs, and material that leads from the inside seamlessly to the outside,” says Peterson.

Peterson explains that creating spaces that can be long lasting and engaging throughout generations is a challenge, yet equally rewarding.

“We are really proud of our staff, and are consistently blown away with the quality of the work that comes off the drawing board,” says Conti.

While technology can not recreate touch and feel, architecture has provided the opportunities to be on location without having to travel or need offices abroad.

“With technology now we connect with those loca-tions using things such as Go To Meeting or Skype where we can have face to face meeting with clients and team,” says Peterson. “Most sites are available through Google Earth where we can see the real-istic views of the site and the TOPO which we can merge with our CAD or 3D CAD technology.”

Sedona Residencebreathtaking views and vortex energy fields

(visitsedona.com) captivate as east coast

formal living is left behind for pure natural

beauty. “In this specific house there are 360

views that are unbelievable,” Peterson says

of framing the views. this contemporary

rendition of desert style is located at seven

canyons of sedona, arizona surrounded

by coconino national forest (fs.usda.gov/

coconino). the estate elicits freedom, the

enduring symbol of american life and

contentment. “one of the key elements was

always getting to experience nature,” says

Peterson. the team utilized regional compo-

nents incorporating sedona’s rich red stones

on the exterior and using copper on the roof

and fascia. “the cliff faces reflect the setting

sun and in the evening the intensity of the

color is intense. it is pretty clear that nature

is the best architect!” conti says.

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01the sedona residence’s impressive

exterior is made complete with

views to the interior

02

the walls connected to the stairwell

are lined with a row of identical, rect-

angular windows

03the bedroom looks out onto se-

dona’s breathtaking views

04

the living room blurs the boundary

between inside and outside through

its combination of locally quarried

stone walls, aged copper metal clad-

ding and dark wood floors


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“The living room has the canyon face views with sloping ceilings to capture the tops of the cliffs, and material that leads from the inside seamlessly to the outside.” Nikal CoNti, priNCipal

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home automation | audio/video | security

lighting | integration | networking

16559 N. 92nd St. | STE. 115 | Scottsdale, Arizona 85260480.483.6900 | CYBERSOUND.TV

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Overcoming site-specific challenges can be dif-ficult, such as intense sun and lack of water in the southwest.

With the Sedona Residence, completed in 2010, they focused on specific rooms based on their ori-entation to light, view and lifestyle.

“The view east out the main sitting room to the cliff faces of the Sedona canyon walls is spectacu-lar,” says Conti.

The views are for more than just gazing; for this homeowner it was about pure inspiration. As an artist, the wife needed a space to display her art-work and sculptures. Complete with a second-floor studio above the entry rotunda, the house provides a creative outlet.

“The home was also designed to almost be a mu-seum for her artwork with the views as a backdrop,” says Peterson.

The glass 24-foot walls in the N. Scottsdale Estate project can be considered art in their own right. The UV-resistant Low-E glass panels do not just block heat, but soften the interior light balanc-ing out hard materials, such as exposed concrete block and slate floors.

Taking the time to discover each project’s unique attributes, PHX Architecture makes every project a piece of lasting art.

05the scottsdale estate boasts a bright,

welcoming living room with punches

of orange and blue against a neutral

backdrop

06the exterior seating area is guarded by

an open stone wall

07the natural stone gas fireplace brings

warmth to the living room against the

harsh exposed concrete block and

custom steel book shelving


01the exterior landscape is se-

rene with a stone-inlaid pool

02a vast master suite area

looks out onto the surround-

ing woods

03

beige and neutral tones ac-

cent the home’s living room

04an avant-garde chandelier

pulls together the simplisti-

cally-designed dining room

05

a grand piano is set against

a natural backdrop in the

living room

Robert Berger enjoys learning new things, even if the information doesn’t directly apply to a project or his profession.

Berger, a residential architect and owner of RMB Designs in Westport, CN, doesn’t hesitate to ask subcontractors about audio/visual technology, how to support a floating staircase or the different techniques for applying Venetian plaster. He paints and sculpts – although not for projects, dabbles in woodworking and hangs out enough at the stone yard that the staff jokes that he needs an office.

“I’m not afraid to ask questions and learn from anybody,” says Berger, who works primarily in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. With a lifetime of curiosity and several decades of home design and construction under his belt, Berger has amassed a wealth of knowledge that often challenges the duties traditionally ascribed to an architect or builder.

Based off his lineage – an artist mother and psychol-ogist father, Berger guesses he was destined to be-come an architect who sees home construction as a work of art, subject to analysis and scrutiny. Rather than beginning a design with mathematical coordi-nates plugged into computer software, Berger the artist begins on paper sketching what his mind sees down to the texture of the furniture.

“My hand just draws it, and it doesn’t matter if the room is 17 feet long or 20. It saves time and we get everyone on the same page right from the start,” Berger says.

For Berger, the work of art includes utilitarian fea-tures like the framing and plumbing that often will be concealed in the finished home.

curiositY creates fresh Designs

by Amy Howell Hirt

RMB Designs Inc.

“I truly design everything inside and outside of the house,” he says.

Like any artist in a paying field, Berger is adept at skirting the line between the conventional and unorthodox, and building a touch of tension that creates drama. In a home that someday may be viewed as the origin of a french colonial modern style, a knock-down plaster finish wraps the walls and ceilings in an old world technique and a milky, modern silver glaze, providing a unifying background for the unusual theme. In the master suite, an asymmetrical – and unexpected – oval vestibule introduces a futuristic feel and offsets traditional features like the fieldstone fireplace. In the french-country-meets-modern kitchen, Berger played with the contrast of reflective crystals, seen in the Labradorite Big Blue island countertop, and the somber matte finish of a brushed Black Abso-lute granite on the surrounding countertop.

“It’s traditional but clean and modern and not cold. It’s a very inviting place,” Berger says.

For Berger’s clients, this artistic, all-inclusive ap-proach produces one-of-a-kind results but also a better bottom line. He now serves as decorator for most projects - allowing him to directly translate the furniture, colors, stains, light fixtures, surfaces and even area rugs depicted in his drawings. If a subcontractor says something can’t be done – such as creating the luxe look of a seven-inch-thick coun-tertop by engineering a six-inch drawer that can support a one-inch stone slab – he simply will do it himself. And if a component of the design is outside of the client’s budget, he finds affordable options that won’t compromise the look.

“If you’re picking out exterior stone, an architect might know enough to specify a Laredo Blend, but P

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there are standard and extra-large sizes, costing three dollars a foot and six dollars a foot. Because I’m also the builder, I can parlay that and suggest the homeowner do a combination so that you get the sense of the stones being large without the cost,” Berger says.

While clients sometimes aren’t aware of the work that goes into the creation of a home, that’s OK with Berger. Artists often aren’t in it for the recognition.

“No one knows the effort behind it, and oddly enough, that’s one of my goals,” he says.

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French Colonial Residencejust as robert berger’s unorthodox ap-

proach to home construction is rewriting

what it means to be an architect or builder,

it’s also creating new architectural styles.

While he admits he was at a momentary

loss when a client requested “an old world

french and modern home,” the result has

the makings of a style all its own. “the proj-

ect basically developed a style that people call

and ask if i can build,” berger says. While the

exterior is purely french colonial, the interior

is, in a word, unprecedented. by applying a

modern tone to traditional features, berger

created a look that manages to be elegant

yet edgy. although the home boasts classic

french doors and arches, it is a “trimless

house.” a multi-step stain brings fresh depth

to the reclaimed chestnut flooring, which

traditionally isn’t stained, and in the kitchen,

zebrawood brings bold detail to a classically

shaped island. clean-lined furniture and

lighting – from the likes of holly hunt and

Donghia and local resources including artifact

Design group - is warmed by natural and old

world materials such as antique hewn ceiling

beams and fieldstone finishes.


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Congratulations toRobert M. Berger:

A Fine Architect &a Pleasure to work with

Grasso Glass & Stone

2520 Copper Ridge Rd, #C4Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

P. 970.870.2827 | F. 970.871.1528www.warehomestudios.com

Steamboat Architectural Associates architect Merges natural Materials anD soPhisticateD textures into coloraDo haven

by Melissa Fears

Architect Bill Rangitsch may use his home as a tes-ter for new ideas, but that does not mean he would not live in any of the spaces he has created over the past 28 years. Each space he creates is as unique as the client he is designing for.

“I always tell clients I have very thick skin,” Rangitsch, lead principal and owner of Steamboat Architec-tural Associates, says. “You can tell me anything you want about the design and the ways things are going; I won’t be offended. At the end of the day it’s your house and we want to make it right for you.”

Not regretting a decision in the long-term is very important to SAA, and they always stand behind their work.

“I’m more than happy to speak up to clients if they have an idea or want something I think won’t work,” says Rangitsch. “Most clients can appreciate that.”

Honing in on that attention to detail made this Colorado-based architect and designer first come to prominence in the 1980’s. Since the firm was established in 1983, they have been striving not only to create immaculate views, but also to offer extremely livable and sustainable spaces. “Cookie cutter” homes are a thing of the past. Looking at each space individually, SAA offers the idea that a house is very unique to each client.

“Something at the end of the day that works specifi-cally for them,” says Rangitsch. “Whether it be they have extended family over a lot and need extra bedroom space or they have a collection of art that needs to be kept safe and visible to everybody; we offer it.”

Style is more than just having good looks; it is about having sustainability and purpose. Using natural and borrowed lighting is crucial.

“Sometimes you have a view that is not so good, but that’s where all the good light comes from,” says

Rangitsch. “We find ways to get it into homes with-out having to look at the neighbor’s garage.”

Using energy saving ideas is nothing new to this company, as it has been working with passive solar design and green construction since the mid-eighties.

“We don’t actively do sustainable architecture,” he says. “We just incorporate it into everything we do.” Working with natural materials, such as stone and reclaimed wood, SAA offers long-lasting durable materials that look good, and are appropriate for the environments they work in. Environments near the oceanfront or mountain ranges have issues like humidity, salty air and UV rays. Materials such as reclaimed and recycled materials can withstand a lot, as they don’t need to be refinished year after year like stained wood.

The Scully residence, a SAA design, was completed in 2009 and is a prime example of using innovative techniques and materials. This project was a challenge as it was one of the first homes built in the area.

“You have to design with that in mind,” says Ran-gitsch. “We had discussions about, so you have this great beautiful view now, but what about when the neighbor blocks that?”

With beautiful views of Fish Creek Canyon and a mountain valley, they kept an open floor plan with plenty of indoor/outdoor space. Bringing elements from the exterior of the house, interior designer Leslie Haradin from Silver Creek Design worked with a lot of gray and metal tones.

A unique wood finishing technique called sabe adds character to the home. Adding steel wool to white vinegar, it reacts with the natural acids in the wood to create a living finish. Wood may add a look of warmth, but in reality it gets 40 below in the winter months so the home relies on a supplemental heat-ing system.

Scully Residencethe homeowners imagined an informal,

light-filled dwelling in which they could

simply relax. “they wanted something very

livable,” says rangitsch. “they had a number

of friends who have contemporary homes

where everything has to be staged or placed.

it’s hard to keep looking good.” behind

the home’s weathered wood and stone

façade (need link) lies a series of informal

rooms enlivened by diverse textures. it is

not so much a single home as it is several

structures of varied personalities unified by

their high-ceiling hallways and open spaces.

a game of constant and subtle inflection is

being played—weathered-wood paneling,

warm stone and an exposed metal staircase.

any color present comes from the art, natu-

ral wood hues and from the luscious front

garden’s shades of green. the restrained

palette accommodates the home’s relaxed

feel without imposing the formality of a con-

temporary residence. “We tried to work with

warm colors because six or seven months

of the year it’s white outside,” he says. “We

used spectrally correct fluorescent lights to

be not only energy efficient, but to give the

home warmth.”

“Using radiant heat, in which lightweight concrete distributes heat within the floor, can keep your house cooler, but still keeps you warm and have no drafty spots,” says Rangitsch. Large overhangs resist solar gain; while in the sum-mer months lower windows can be opened to vent out the home at night so the house stays cool all day. Using innovative sustainable products give this resi-dence and this firm the upper hand.

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architecture for the MoDern WorlD

by Amy Lemen

BernbaumMagadini Architects

Known for its clean style and modern edge, Dal-las company Bernbaum Magadini Architects is setting the stage for design with its team-based approach and consummate focus on integrity in both design and business.

The firm’s founders, Bruce Bernbaum and Patri-cia “Tricy” Magadini, first met in college at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Bernbaum was a sole practitioner for several years before Magadi-ni made the move out on her own. When she did, Bernbaum said there was office space available near his own office. She moved in with her own practice, and that’s where the synergy started.

“After working next door to each other and helping each other on projects, we realized that our work got better as a team,” says Magadini. Bernbaum had worked for several firms in Dallas before he went out on his own, while Magadini had worked in Tucson and Dallas for both large and small firms, as well as for a nonprofit organi-zation doing low income housing. And each felt they had something more to offer the market.

“We both wanted to go out on our own because we wanted the freedom to work on projects we could be really invested in,” says Magadini. “We offer very personalized services no matter what the project is, and we value good design and good documentation for our designs so that our proj-ects are successful both visually and technically.” That shared interest in a common goal combined with successful project work led to a partnership, and Bernbaum -Magadini launched in 1998 as a full-service architectural firm, serving residential, commercial, and municipal clients.

Today, most of the firm’s work is the result of referrals – a true testament to any firm’s suc-cess – and Bernbaum-Magadini is no excep-tion, whether the project is a large commercial

The Beavers Clark ResidenceA 4,400-square-foot-space was built for a professional couple whose two daughters recently moved

away. they wanted a home big enough for two bedrooms, as well as a small sitting area, for when their

daughters visit. the husband is an amateur photographer, so bernbaum Magadini made sure to provide

ample wall space to display his ever-changing photographs. the couple also loves to read, so in lieu of a

larger master bedroom the home has a small library/sitting area right outside of the room. the kitchen

opens up to the large family room, making the area perfect for cooking and entertaining. the exterior of

the home houses a long lap pool that is partially under a large covered terrace. the pool also provides

views to the interior, including the entry, family room and kitchen.

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01exterior views of the home show an

expansive wooden door and lush

greenery

02a stone wall houses a long pool of

water in the home's backyard

03a simplistic block walkway leads to

the entryway for this modern home

04simple clean lines inspire a modern

aesthetic while offering a warm and

livable space

05the modern kitchen features an

island, complete with a sink and

sleek cabinetry

venture or something as simple as a design for a front door.

“We are very attentive to our clients needs, and I think they appreciate that,” says Magadini. “We are also a small firm so our clients always have the attention of one or both of the partners, as well as our staff. The design and attention to details is the same.”

With an architectural philosophy that successful buildings come from the integration of both indi-vidual needs and ultimate form, it’s the firm’s soft, yet contemporary style that sets it apart. Magadini says that the firm’s evolution throughout the years is the result of several benchmark projects that have helped it develop its unique style.

“Our buildings have very clean contemporary lines and details, but are also warm and livable – they’re user-friendly,” says Magadini. “Our choice of materials also varies with the project, based on style or client preferences.”

Since its inception, the firm has had the opportu-nity to work on a variety of projects – from huge

residential endeavors to fire stations for cities and other municipalities to small commercial projects. The firm is designing its first freestand-ing commercial building – a project that the en-tire team is looking forward to doing.

“We are proud that we have maintained our level of service to our clients even as the firm has grown,” says Magadini. “Our goal is to always make our architectural designs timeless so our clients are happy with their home or business for years to come, and I think we have accom-plished that because we value integrity in busi-ness and design.”

As for the future, the firm is always on the look-out for new opportunities – both in the Lone Star State and beyond, even setting its sights to international projects and considering adding an interior designer to its staff at some point.

“We would also like to do more small commer-cial buildings, and we love unique residential projects,” says Magadini. “We have had some great clients and want to continue that into the future.”

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Design firM greets Design challenges With unsurPasseD creativitY

by Tricia Despres

Chances are you can’t easily identify a LS3P Neal Prince design…simply by its look on the outside. And that’s exactly how they want to keep it.

“There are many designers and architects out there that once people see their work, they always recog-nize it as such,” says Matt Tindall, a member of LS3P Neal Prince. “We approach projects differently here because we focus on designing for each specific client, with no overwhelming, specific style or tai-lored features.”

Indeed, the firm stands out from the rest, and rightfully so. Encompassing six offices with over 200 employees, LS3P Neal Prince provides high quality, custom services in architecture and inte-rior design that seems to thrive when presented with challenges.

“I have walked many sites with clients, and inevitably, a constraint can develop into an opportunity,” says

Frank Bain, Associate Principal at LS3P Neal Prince. “There are always going to be things about a piece of property that you can’t change, but coming up with solutions to deal with them is what it’s all about.”

“I definitely think we are unique in the way we ap-proach different challenges,” says Tindall. The firm was forever changed when Greenville, SC-based Neal Prince Architects and LS3P Associates LTD. merged in late 2010. Since then, their target audience has changed dramatically, now encompass-ing the commercial and residential market equally and essentially broadening their design approach, whether on the peaks of the mountains or the lakes and coasts of the Carolinas.

“The merger offered us an expanded network of experience and strengths that would help lead us into a number of exciting new markets,” says Tindall, who has worked for the firm for the past six years.

“Specifically, the addition of custom residential expe-

LS3P Neal Prince

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01the glassy Mountain residence chal-

lenges the relationship between struc-

ture and the surrounding landscape

02 ls3P's top ridge Drive residence

highlights the stacked stone and wood

accents while incorporating unique

window designs that offer 180-degree

views of lake keowee

03the star of this room is the ceiling, with

cherry-wood beams and matching wood

trim for the windows

04the breezeway offers views for the front

and backyard. skylights shine down

on the main entryway that features a

floor-to-ceiling window with views of

the interior

05for the Wood sage residence ls3P

designed a multi-functional fireplace

that serves as storage and media center

for the sitting area

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“There are always going to be things about a piece of property that you can’t change, but coming up with solutions to deal with them is what it’s all about.”

FraNk BaiN, assoCiate priNCipal

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rience has been a huge advantage for us. Ultimately, we feel like the merger also broadened up our reach in both of the Carolinas.”

Expanding on their expertise certainly means being exposed to not only different markets, but also a wide range of clients with specific needs. Marry-ing architects with clients is an act that when done precisely can ultimately lead to successful outcomes.

“We have several talented residential architects,” says Bain. “It's important to find out what the client is looking for and then align them with an architect or team that will be able to work with them in a rather seamless manner. The chemistry has to be right.”

Sometimes, connecting the right client with the right architect can take time. “I remember meeting

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with the client for two hours one afternoon, and then not hearing back from them for about two years,” says Bain of a three story, 5,100-square-foot mountain home located in Landrum, SC. “I was pleased to know that in that span of time, they actu-ally interviewed with a number of different design-ers, but continued to come back to Neal Prince.”

In response to a still somewhat shaky economy, the firm has had to evolve constantly in terms of coming up with more creative solutions to the money spent on the project. The firm’s Top Ridge Drive project at the Reserve at Lake Keowee is one of those examples of amazing architecture performing efficiently. Encompass-ing over 8,900 square feet of living space, the palatial surroundings was something that the homeowner wanted to keep as understated as

possible. “The lot is set on a peninsula, and the homeowner has nine grandchildren who would be there often to play on the lake,” says Tindall.

“They didn’t want it to look like just another mas-sive home.”

And if the property doesn’t offer its ample share of inspiration, LS3P executives say they will con-tinue to seek it out.

“We often travel to other areas such as Texas, Colorado and California to check out dramati-cally different building styles,” says Bain. “We also spend a tremendous amount of time researching information in books and periodicals that illus-trate unique design styles and turn of the century architects. They all offer us ideas that we can draw from for inspiration.” P

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Lakeview CottageWith its location on Lake Washington, Thielsen Architects’ Lakeview Cottage overcame numerous zoning challenges that were turned into unique design as-pects of this modern split-level home. The external brick façade gives a classy touch to a split entrance to the master bedroom, two additional bedrooms and a laundry room in the upper level. The central core area is highlighted by a built-in desk and a piano. “Circulation space is often overlooked, but the walk through areas at Lakeview increases floor area,” says Thielsen. The eastern half of the property is located on a steep slope, and when the original house on the property did not conform to zoning, the grade difference between water and street and a raised roadway all had to be addressed. “The area has the most restrictive develop-ment requirements in the state of Wash-ington,” says Thielsen. “But Lakeview does not feel like your parent’s split-level home.”com). All of these ingredients come together to make the Cypress Ridge the

ideal family space.

SERVICE AND SPACE EQUALS SUCCESS FOR FIRM

Thielsen Architects

by Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford

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Before ‘green design’ was a hip trend in the archi-tecture industry, and before the term existed, Dave Thielsen established Thielsen Architects to cre-ate building forms and interior spaces that are responsive to the site, local climate and seasonal changes in natural light.

“We design architecture that is not only functional and beautiful today, but will remain so over time,” says Thielsen, who is based in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, WA and has practiced architecture in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 30 years. “Archi-tecture firms need to respond to local settings and environments and thankfully in the last ten years we have seen a shift back to regional design. That building that works in the south probably won’t work in the northwest.”

What works is the detailed services Thielsen Archi-tects provides for their clients. An initial feasibility study determines if the property is a viable building site, and their intense site analysis includes investi-gation of zoning restrictions, geotechnical issues and environmentally sensitive areas.

“During our programming phase we meet with our client, set out sketch paper and everyone gets pencils and we all sketch together,” says Thielsen.

ARCHITECTs

“We encourage them to sketch their ideas during the preliminary design process. We want our cli-ents to address their relationship with space and functionality issues.”

This close working relationship with the client minimizes unexpected changes during the pre-liminary design and design development process. Thielsen stands out from its competitors during the advanced visualization process, which has been recognized regionally and nationally for the quality of their computer-generated images and animations.

“Our clients do not completely understand our process until after they have moved in and lived in the house,” says Thielsen. “When they do, and see how all of their individual needs are met, they know it is a success.”

A lot of that success is the result of Thielsen’s spatial organization and environmental concepts in design.

“It is important to me to create space with natural light and balancing it from more than one source,” says Thielsen. “We want to create spaces that are light-filled and exciting to be in. We like the fact that our clients do not have to turn on lights until after the sun goes down.”

01Perched on the upper level, the master

bedroom enjoys an unrestricted view

of lake Washington and the seattle

city skyline from the floor to ceiling

windows. natural daylight and air flow

is balanced by operable windows on

three walls of the bedroom

02 the lake side of the home features three

levels, each with its own exterior space.

the covered patio on the lower level

connects the recreation room to the

lawn and lake. the large concrete deck

on the main level offers both covered

and open areas while the private deck

on the upper level provides command-

ing views and a direct connection from

the master suite. the stepped design of

the upper floor allows lake views from

each of the children’s bedrooms

03simple shed forms are juxtaposed,

creating the winged roof line of the

joyous house. these forms create vol-

ume within the great room and master

suite while introducing natural light

deep into the home and facilitating

natural ventilation

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Thielsen Architects strives to maximize natural light in the interior while using building forms to minimize summer solar heat gain. These activities include sizing and locating roof overhangs, canopies, trellises and other building elements. The goal is to provide excellent natural ventilation for houses to remain comfortable in the summer without the use of air conditioning. This is done by taking advantage of the site microclimate, a thoughtful arrangement of interior spaces and carefully locating and sizing operable windows.

“These are the goals we are trying to achieve with every client and we are happy that we are among the founders of the green design movement in this region,” says Thielsen.

As the region recovers from the design era based on Spanish-style homes requested by over a decade of new residents from California, Thielsen is glad to see architecture firms return to their roots, which include modern split-level homes like his critically-acclaimed Lakeview Cottage residence.

ARCHITECTs

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“That whole era in design did not make any sense to me,” he says. “I purposely limit my practice to parts of the country where I am familiar with their environment. I have turned down work because I felt I was not qualified to do a project well enough to maintain my cred-ibility and reputation.”

The credibility and reputation of Thielsen Ar-chitects is solidified by their satisfied clients. So much in fact that Thielsen allows prospective clients to tour the homes of former clients so they can receive the first-hand client experi-ence and examine the end results of the process.

“We enjoy allowing a past client to host a pro-spective client so they can talk privately about the experience,” says Thielsen. “I tell all my clients that I can put a pretty face with any building; but a building is like dating in a per-sonal relationship--you may be infatuated with what is outside, but it is what is inside that re-ally matters.”

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Joyous Renovation The 2,060-square-foot residence is the

result of renovations done to a 1960's

home located in kirkland, Wa. the house

is divided into two spaces; one for the

three bedrooms and the other for the rest

of the rooms, including two bathrooms

and a reading loft. the home also features

a covered porch, which allows the home-

owners to mingle with neighbors. but the

walk through areas at lakeview increases

floor area,” says thielsen.

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architect returns to Design after DeveloPing retail Destinations

by Amy Howell Hirt

Cal Petrescu Architecture & Design

Architect Cal Petrescu is behind the brick-and-mortar image of several well-known consumer brands. In the early 1990’s, he was busy building Tiffany’s worldwide presence after designing classic looks for Brooks Brothers stores. He later helped develop the fresh, funky look that’s be-come synonymous with Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters locations, and was responsible for the planning and construction of stores for names like Levi’s and the Discovery Channel.

But in 1999, the Scarsdale, NY-based architect left the corporate world behind and established his own brand, Cal Petrescu Architecture and Design, where he uses his creativity and retail experience to bring clients’ visions to life.

For Petrescu, designing one to three-million dollar homes rather than one to three-million dollar stores brings him back to where he loves to be, fully im-mersed in the details of a project.

“Architects have various talents. I always had a pas-sion for design, and now I made the time,” he says.

Just as in the retail world, he relies on his ability to read clients’ lifestyles in order to balance aesthetics and cost, and excels at finding the relevant ground between dissimilar interests and styles.

A young family in Scarsdale presented one such challenge: They asked Petrescu to bring an urban touch to their 4,200-square-foot colonial home to help differentiate the outside from their cookie-cutter neighbors, without disturbing the neighbor-hood’s traditional feel.

Petrescu navigated the request by “putting a little twist on the outside,” he says. While features like gables and well-proportioned, “beefy” columns at the entrance solidify the classic look, a second-ary, lower roof line, oversized bay windows and an eyebrow window bring a contemporary feel to

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the old standard and introduce the mix of styles inside the home. The open staircase, a true expres-sion of interpretive modernism, with minimalistic treads, angular oak posts and sleek stainless-steel balustrades greets guests with a smart, urban style. The family-friendly kitchen balances cool modern features, like the absolute black granite countertops, with the warmth of natural oak cabinetry.

On some projects, the challenge facing Petrescu is how to answer the homeowner’s needs, yet leave the exterior untouched. In another Scarsdale home, Petrescu explains, a “tall” couple was looking to add onto their home and longing for 20-foot ceilings and transitional interiors, but lived in a “Hansel-and-Gretel gingerbread-style” cottage.

To vertically expand the interior space without sacrificing the architectural integrity of the 1920’s structure, Petrescu simply “scooped out” parts of the second floor without altering the deeply

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pitched roofline. This created soaring ceilings in the two-story entry hall and exposed second-story dormers that draw the eye upward and drench the space in natural light, setting the stage for the grand, sun-lit family room and kitchen.

Creative lighting is an integral part of Petrescu’s work–whether to direct sales in a store or to high-light a home’s features. Task cable lighting floats over the kitchen island and is discreetly supplemented by indirect lighting of the high ceilings.

Perhaps through his exposure to advertising and public relations campaigns in the corporate world, Petrescu has a heightened awareness of perspective and how it can be manipulated. On the additions built to the left and right of the original house, he repeated the home’s tudor façade but angled the ad-ditions and added various projections and dormers to “visually subdivide” the bulk and create wings that disguise the 100-foot-length and help retain a cozy character.

“Lower rooflines give it a more ‘human’ scale, not like a ‘McMansion,’” Petrescu says. “It reads as a col-lection of authentic, small cottages.”

While there’s no comparison between the scope of a typical home and a commercial development, Pe-trescu says, “Today’s residential design demands the same or more knowledge of current trends,” and a much larger scope of options.

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architect firM bolDlY reinterPrets english countrY classicisM anD blenDs it With aMerican traDitions

by Melissa Fears

Boris Baranovich Architects, P.C.

Architect Boris Baranovich has been delivering extraordinary, and livable spaces for more than 25 years. The creations by this New York-based archi-tectural firm and his eight associates are broad in scope—from classic English to traditional and con-temporary—always remaining solid in execution. From start to finish Baronovich is at the construc-tion site ensuring every meticulous detail, from the drawings and sketches, is carried out.The business philosophy of this fast-growing company is classi-cally unique, always taking an original approach.

“Just like anything else every design evolves over time, there’s a newer fresher look at something,” Baranovich says. A project not only needs to be fresh and evolved, but it’s especially important to the firm for the project to be accessible. Each decoration complements the room.

“Whether its a contemporary thing or classical thing or traditional, it still has to function as a modern house; that’s our guiding principal,” says Baranov-ich. Each client’s taste is vastly different so it’s important to stay flexible.

“Sometimes a client starts very traditional then over time they start to shed their possessions wanting to start having simpler cleaner lines so it becomes more contemporary,” he says. Clean lines are nothing new to this veteran designer. At an early age, Baranovich was inspired by the work of David Easton, a celebrated self-proclaimed neoclassicist whom he worked under early in his career. This relationship and his keen eye for detail have led Baranovich to acclaimed design success.

“There’s so much information surrounding you, that even if you aren’t aware… by instinct it attracts your eye,” says Baranovich. Greatly influenced by his travels abroad, his rooms are often distin-guished by a seductive combination of spirited color schemes and lavish fabrics. “What I find most important is that you have to have a sense of place,” he says. “You don’t want to do something just to be done. You want to have a place.”

New York City is the place to be for any aspiring designer because of its multi-cultural influences

ARCHITECTs

that allows for creative freedom. As a native New Yorker, Baranovich has thrived not only as an architect, but as an interior designer. “When I worked with David Easton, one lesson that I learned is that architecture is not independent of what goes in the room,” says Baranovich. “You learn that lighting, what goes in the room, the furniture and everything else contributes to the atmosphere as a whole.”

“Working in interior design and architecture is wonderful because you’re having full control of

a space rather than just part of it,” he says of his recent work adding interior design to his resume five years ago. Learning interior design wasn’t the only challenge Baranovich has had to learn. He says that being realistic in your market is extreme-ly important.

“There are only three people in the room, the ar-chitect, the owner and the budget,” says Baranov-ich. “No matter who it is you never have an open checkbook… It actually makes all the creative juices flow better because you work harder to cre- P

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Greystone Residencethis elaborate fieldstone home in conyers farm, ct is anything but modest. “When you look at english homes, everything is bold and nothing is subtle,” baranovich says of the vibrant color choices. “they used different rooms for each part of the day, so the rooms reflect that and the mood.” choosing rich reds and wood tones for the library and living room, the client, who acted as the decorator, incorporated english classicism to its finest with embellished interiors and lustrous walls. “the homeowner wanted the family room to be cozier and more english; there’s almost a gothic-like ceiling motif,” he says. the estate, with its sweeping white and mahogany staircase and white roman columns, has a truly classical center with the kitchen, family room, garage on one side and the living room, library and upstairs master suite on the other. the homeowners are left complete with a breathtaking panoramic view of the rolling hills and lawn from the main house.

a Message froM significant hoMes, llc from grand estate, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a significant homes custom home is immediately appar-ent. Every Significant Home represents 40 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most importantly, thoroughly satisfied homeowners. We have been honored to work with boris baranovich and his talented staff over the last 15 years.

a Message froM Zen restoration, inc. Zen restoration inc. is a general construc-tion company that brings its high-end and complete collection of services. We take great pride not only in the high quality of our products, but also in the relationship we establish with our client. in both residential interiors and ground-up new residences, we insist on top level execution. We provide complete, professional design and construc-tion services that are specifically tailored to your individual needs. We provide finest craftsmanship, superb architectural details, beautiful cabinetry, stone work, electrical, plumbing, audio-visual, hvac and many others. With over 20 years in the industry, we bring experience, professionalism, individual approach to each project, adaptability, and problem solving.

ate something sometimes for less.” Every success-ful project begins with the dreams and collabora-tions of the client and architect.

“It’s like a painter starting with a new painting; the hardest thing is to face an empty canvas,” says Baranovich. Always up for a challenge and never liking to start with a preconceived idea, the blank canvas of the Greystone Residence was perfect for Baranovich and his team. This massive estate in Greenwich, CT has created elaborate details replete with alluring delights.

Completed in 2004, Baranovich’s design is a six-bedroom 10,000-square-foot home, which has a paneled library, gourmet kitchen, master suite and formal dining area with an exquisite French mu-ral. This North County Greenwich classic home, complete with acres of rolling landscape, tennis court, barn and guest cottage, is perfected with a grey stone exterior. Bringing glamour and warmth, Baranovich does what he does best and summons distinguished English design using classically in-spired pieces interpreted for the modern age.

“You take their dream and put it into realistic con-struction terms,” says Baranovich.

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golden oak at walt disney world resort

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Featuring:soco interiorsJ. richarD watson constructionJones-cLaYton constructiontoni simsissa homescahiLLDerrick BuiLDers goehring & morgan constructionDesign specificationsraY couDriet BuiLDer

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oOoF or generations, children across the world have traveled to Disney resorts in Florida and California in search of their own happily ever after. Under warm skies, children and

their families commune with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck as a kind of renewal. But often those happy trips are over in just a few nights. What if you could actually build a home inside the park?

In the last half-century, the Disney company has continuously expanded its brand from animation, movies and theme parks to include a variety of lifestyle and travel opportunities from cruise ships to resort hotels. Perhaps the one offering missing was a luxury homes community. Enter Golden Oak, comprised of 81 intended lots with the first eight homes--built in a traditional Flo-ridian blend of Caribbean and Mediterranean influences--recently completed, in addition to a private residents’ clubhouse with a restaurant, fitness center and pool. “We think we do a very good job meeting their needs and creating magical memories, but this is the first time a fan could own a home at Disney World,” says Paige Pierce, the development’s Vice President. “We’re finding that this appeals to a lifelong Disney fan.” Another part of the Golden Oak development is a new Four Seasons Hotel.

Although Disney is new to the home-building market, the com-pany is already experienced at providing matchless service and amenities. “We have unique services and access that is just exclu-sive for Golden Oak residents,” Pierce says. “You have access to the hotel and its restaurants, spa and golf course.” Pierce also says that Golden Oak offers private clubhouses and transportation access to the theme park, making the community not only livable, but also enjoyable. “We’re finding though that there are families who would like to call Golden Oak their first home,” Pierce says. “They say,

‘This is where we’d love to live and raise our children. We’re also finding a good percentage of our customers are looking for us to furnish the homes as well,” Pierce says. “We think it’s the ultimate resort community.” oOo

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jill cotton anD natalie kibler Work to Make each village hoMe uniQue

by Christine Cox

Soco Interiors

J ill Cotton, principal at Soco Interiors in Win-ter Park, FL, has enjoyed a long relationship

with Issa Homes, the builder her firm worked with on the Golden Oak team.

“When they came to us to join this project, we were thrilled,” says Cotton. “From the beginning we were excited about the unique opportunity to be included on a Disney property project.”

Natalie Kibler, a senior interior designer at Soco Interiors, worked as the lead designer on the 4,272-square-foot Issa model home, which was completed in August 2011. “Most of the Village homes are built as vacation homes, so they need to be easily maintained for the owners since they aren’t there year round,” says Kibler. “So we kept that in mind when we were designing the interiors.” Since all of the homes have the same amenities, it was easier to be consistent in design materials, while still customizing per each owner’s requests.

When designing the model home, as Soco often does for builders, Kibler says that she tried to introduce a contemporary twist in the overall theme. “Generally, if the wood flooring is dark, we keep the wall colors light and creamy.” Disney places strong emphasis on landscape architecture, so the interior palettes are made to match the natural exterior colors. “Full height windows of-fer a view of everything beyond your lot,” Kibler says. “The floor plans are open, so the outside of the house is an extension of the interior.”

From the upstairs of the Issa/Soco model, there’s a view of the fantastic fireworks display that Dis-ney hosts at the Magic Kingdom every night. “It’s very festive and potential buyers get a kick out of this feature.”

Kibler says that the style of the home feels elegant but casual. “We use furnishings that are very col-lected and transitional; we try to stay away from

‘heavy themes,’” says Kibler. They designed all the bedrooms in a non-gender specific way, and chose to decorate with a ‘classic’ look.

“When we work on a model home, we want it look as if people already live there,” says Cotton.

“We use original art in the house, place live plants and trees throughout.” Soco introduced products like Caesarstone in the kitchen and paired it with a hand-painted tile. “We kept the finishes some-what light, and the baths have contemporary

tiles with modern Tuscan details.” The plumbing fixtures in both the baths and kitchen feature an Italian flare.

“Soco Interiors is excited to continue working in the Golden Oak community. We love what we do and are fortunate to work with Issa Homes on such a wonderful and unique project” says Cotton. Soco is currently working on projects throughout Florida and various states such as North Carolina and Ohio. oOo

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exPerienceD construction coMPanY builDs strong relationshiPs

by Brian Libby

J. Richard WatsonConstruction

T wenty-five years ago, Rick Watson of J. Rich-ard Watson Construction relocated from his

native Tennessee, to Orlando, FL. The result, a quarter century later, is a vast portfolio of luxury homes and an extensive list of satisfied homeowners.

Their dedication to quality, integrity and client satisfaction has resulted in J. Richard Watson Con-struction becoming one of the premier custom home builders in the Orlando area. “Home build-ing is something I've always had a passion for,” says Watson, President of J. Richard Watson Construc-tion. Their creativity and unique design fit well with the vision for Disney’s Golden Oak commu-nity. “When you have [as much] hands-on experi-ence in home building as I have, you earn respect of your team because you’re not asking them to do anything that you haven’t done,” says Watson. “It’s a team we’ve had for many years. We expect them to build a house like they would want to live in.”

J. Richard Watson Construction earned the privi-lege of building the Estate and Grand Estate homes in the Carolwood and Silverbrook neighborhoods of Disney’s Golden Oak development.

Watson credits much of his success to the rela-tionships that he has developed with the area’s most talented craftsmen and design profession-als. “Mutual loyalty between a builder and his subcontractors is crucial to the quality of con-struction in a well built home,” Watson says. He also cares about the J. Richard Watson staff, loyal enough that no one has ever left the company.

“My employees understand the importance of making sure our home owners have a great build-ing experience. You’re only as good as your last house,” says Watson. Watson and his team take pride in creating and maintaining strong relation-ships with their home owners. “You can’t spend enough money in advertising to get the kind of referrals that your past clients give you for free,” says Watson. Their loyalty to their clientele can be seen through many of the homes they have built throughout the community. oOo

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“It’s a team we’ve had for many years. We expect them to build a house like they would want to live in.”J. riCHarD WatsoN, priNCipal

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aWarD-Winning builDer staYs true With authentic Details

by Christine Cox

Jones-Clayton Construction

R ial Jones, President of the award-winning construction company, Jones-Clayton Con-

struction in Orlando, FL, has enjoyed a long, 25-year track record in Central Florida as a pre-mier luxury home builder. As one of the original Celebration builders (the town Disney founded near Orlando in 1994) it comes as no surprise that his team was selected to work on the 980-acre Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort, which was unveiled in 2010.

“Disney has a reputation for insisting on high standards in everything they are involved in,” says Jones. “So when we accepted this project, with great pride, we knew we’d be building architectur-ally correct, authentic replicas of European homes; from Tuscan to Italianate to Dutch Colonial, and that the details would be of utmost importance and significance.”

Jones Clayton began building in Silverbrook, featuring estate homes on half-acre lots, and the Carolwood Grand Estate neighborhood, with three-quarter acre lots. Homes are constructed us-ing architectural plans based on a specific pattern book and developer guidelines created by Walt Disney Imagineering. The multi-million dollar homes (priced starting at $1.5 million and going as high as $8 million) are architecturally authentic from roof to foundation, and must be constructed correctly to those classic design standards.

“It takes more planning and research to make sure all proportions and details are correct,” says Jones.

“But at the end of the day, every house is a truly beautiful, authentically correct home. The specifi-cations are carried through to the landscaping, the roof tiles, the colors.”

For example, the roof tiles on these spectacular homes are created from authentic clay. Usually, contractors build ‘clay-tiled’ roofs by using clay col-ored, painted concrete tiles. But Golden Oak uses true clay tiles with a bit of irregularity that allows for more texture, more vivid colors, and makes the look of the house appear as if it’s been standing for 200 years.

“Golden Oak is one of the few neighborhoods enjoy-ing a good amount of new construction activity in Central Florida right now,” says Jones.

Jones says his team is thrilled to be a part of this excep-tional project. “It’s our life’s work to provide our clients with the most sophisticated and innovative design for their home, to ensure that it fulfills their highest expec-tations,” says Jones.We are creating a place that a family will cherish for years, even generations to come.” oOo

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W hen Orlando interior designer Toni Sims was a teen, she remembers thinking she

wanted to pursue a career in accounting. As the daughter and granddaughter of entrepreneurial artists, Sims grew up in a highly creative envi-ronment and developed an eye for balance and scale. She ultimately followed her creative heri-tage and developed a career in design. Today she heads Toni Sims Design Studio, and is the lead designer for Derrick Builders, one of a select few home builders Disney handpicked to build at Golden Oak--its luxury resort com-munity inside Walt Disney World. “Orlando has been a great place to raise our family and grow our business, people here are friendly and wel-coming,” Sims says. Sims possesses an acute vision for color and the ability to blend modern and traditional touches effortlessly, which create a sophisticated yet inviting home environment. “It's vital to com-municate with my clients to draw out of them the type of living space they want to create,” Sims says. “My job is to help my clients translate their own personality and lifestyle into wonder-ful living spaces within their homes.” A San Francisco Bay Area native, Sims and her family took quickly to the Florida way of life.

“Florida has a peaceful resort-like feel to it,” Sims says. “The joy for me comes in balancing the elegant with the casual. And of course being from California I bring a fresh perspective to each of my projects. I do love the Santa Barbara look and feel. It's natural and organic and uses many interesting finishes and textures that keep your interest over the years.”

interior firM anD Derrick builDers custoMiZe client DreaMs

by Brian Libby

Toni Sims


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Sims and her colleagues at Derrick sought that same relaxed natural sophisticated balance in designing the estate model home for Golden Oak. “We knew we wanted to showcase a blend of authentic textures and patinas while incor-porating some clean updated lines purposefully placed within the overall design. There were times in the process that we really meticulously considered each selection in order to not tip the scale of the style too far one way or the other, we wanted to keep it interesting but never imposing.” oOo

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“My job is to help my clients translate their own personality and lifestyle into wonderful living spaces within their homes.”toNi sims, oWNer

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1200 Georgia Ave. | St. Cloud, FLPh. (407) 891-2002

W hen Disney began selecting builders for its resort community, Golden Oak at Walt

Disney World Resort, experience and quality were paramount. It was no surprise, therefore, when Issa Homes was one of the companies chosen. Issa has enjoyed four decades of experience build-ing luxury homes in Florida, dating back to its founding by Francis Issa in 1972, and particularly flourishing when the company joined forces with Arvida, a large Florida developer. Issa has built in communities such as Arvida’s Weston, Baldwin Park, and Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, including homes for local celebrities and former professional athletes like Cortez Kennedy and Bernie Kosar.

Issa also spent ten years working in the Disney-developed town of Celebration, which sits sev-eral miles outside Disney World. Golden Oak represents the culmination of Issa’s experience in the luxury market and working with Disney. The company even relocated from its South Florida headquarters to Orlando to take advan-tage of the opportunity.

“It’s almost like we’ve gone full circle,” says Don Hempel, partner at Issa. “At Disney, they’re huge on customer care. That’s obvious to anyone who has visited their theme parks or stayed in a Disney Resort. We gave them an unabridged list of 400 homeowners and they called every single one of them they could reach.” Obviously,the testimoni-als were decidedly in Issa’s favor.

Issa Homes is one of the builders in Kimball Trace, the Tuscan Village neighborhood within Golden Oak that also is home to Summerhouse, the com-munity clubhouse. “These are some of the smaller homes and tighter lots, but plenty luxurious,” he says. “Disney was looking for true Tuscan archi-tecture, and developed guidelines that builders followed to ensure the massing and detailing of the homes were architecturally correct. The level of architectural detail is extremely important in Golden Oak. We are utilizing all natural materials, such as natural stone and true clay tile roofs. You are not in Tuscany living here, but that sense of ro-manticism is as present as the Florida sunshine.” oOo

celebritY hoMe builDer transforMs celebration, fl

by Brian Libby

Issa Homes

“You’re not in Tuscany living here, but that sense of romanticism is as present as the Florida sunshine.” DoN Hempel, partNer

GolDEn oAk oOo

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DeBary: (386) 668-4468 Orlando: (407)647-7771

327 E. Highbanks Rd. DeBary, FL 32713

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floriDa-baseD coMPanY builDs on faMilY-frienDlY environMent

by Brian Libby

CAHILL

F or more than three decades, dating back to its founding by Steve Cahill in 1977, CAHILL

has been one of Central Florida’s most successful home builders. “Customer service has always been a priority for CAHILL, like it is with Disney” says the company’s vice president, Chad Cahill, Steve’s son. “We have a long a history with Disney. There’s a trust that was built between us.”

Building luxury homes like those in Golden Oak at Walt Disney world is “what we do, but it’s a community like no other,” Cahill says. “The op-portunity to live just steps away from one of the most if not the most popular tourist destinations in the world is really unique. It’s continuing to do what we have always done but we’re able to design the homes to what we believe the lifestyle to be of a Golden Oak buyer.

Along with customer service, a key for CAHILL is to design a home that fits within its surroundings. Architecturally speaking, if it’s in a neighborhood with homes of Tuscan, French or Mediterranean style, they will design their homes so it works with the existing streetscape. “Designing the inside flow is a priority for us”, says Cahill. “We are always aware of how the house will actually be used, and how people will move around in the space. Being able to truly use the entire home is very important. You can have really cool features but if it doesn’t function it won’t always make a lot of sense.”

Whether it’s used as a second home or a primary residence, “Our houses are designed around the family spending time together. We have large open kitchens and family gathering areas to watch TV and relax in.” Cahill says. “We try hard on all of our de-signs to allow the main living areas to open up onto outdoor living space. By opening your living room doors you can take the inside to the outside and further extend your living space. In Florida outdoor space can be used virtually year-round.”

Cahill also places a priority on building with green products. “By using green products we are not only helping the environment, but we are allowing the home to run more efficiently. We are always look-ing for new products that will help the home to be more efficient in its use of energy, as well as be aesthetically pleasing to the eye.” oOo

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Central Florida’s Premier Custom Electronics Integrator

Ph. 407.403.66951222 Winter Garden Vineland Rd

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Derrick Builders

D errick Koger has owned Derrick Builders in Orlando, FL, since 1989. As a residential

home builder, he’s witnessed the ups and downs in the housing market on the Southeastern coast, but it hasn’t dampened his love for the business. “Both of my kids work for me,” Koger says. “The three of us make a great team.”

As a lead builder on the Celebration, FL community creation, completed in 2008, Koger has enjoyed a long relationship with the Walt Disney World empire, and naturally was approached to join the carefully selected team of builders for Golden Oak.

“It was a highly competitive process; being picked among the seven builders chosen to execute this development was a huge honor,” he says. Koger started in 2010 with the first Golden Oak model home in the Estate division. “It sold shortly after the building process began” he says, “and we’ve already sold five more.”

Estate homes range in sizes from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet of living space, totaling be-tween 8,000 to 13,000 square feet, and Koger confirms that the elevations and the materials all follow very strict standards that set Golden Oak

faMilY-oWneD builDer creates charMing, luxurious sPaces

by Christine Cox

apart. “The interiors are appointed by the build-ers, so each builder does things a little differ-ently,” he says. “But buyers expect 5-star finishes, and we make sure to deliver.”

According to Koger, buyers purchase the lot they like and then interview the builders and make the selection as to which builder they want to use. “It’s highly competitive, and we love it. We are pleased with our sales to date,” Koger says,

Koger also talks about the authenticity of the architectural finishes and materials. “We use

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a Message froM the flooring centerthe flooring center has been and will continue to be a leader in the central florida market, catering to the premier custom builder and quality oriented consumer. We are proud to have been chosen by cahill custom homes, goehring & Morgan construc-tion, jones clayton construction, Derrick builders, and j. richard Watson construction company as their ex-cusive supplier of hardwood and carpet for the golden oak community. We would welcome the opportunity to have you visit our award winning showroom and look forward to working with you on your next project.

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copper for the gutters, high-end wood casement windows, super-lush landscaping packages.” He foresees the street scape to be spectacular in 10 years or so, rife with character because of the raw, earthy materials used to create the vision.

Koger explains that the Estate homes have lots of courtyard space meandering and mitigating to continue the house while making it the size you want. “These homes are very graceful, charming, and quiet, regardless of their size. It’s what I call

‘calmed-down architecture.’ One gets a very ‘gar-den’ feeling.” Koger also believes the Golden Oak development is one with great vision. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a develop-ment patiently and to do it right.” oOo

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ARCHITECTs


705 E. Oak Street Suite D | Kissimmee, FL 34744 | P: 407.935.1886 | F: 407.935.1813

www.DerrickBuilders.com

At Derrick Builders, we strive to create a home that refl ects quality and warmth inside and out. With an attention to detail accompanied with an honest desire to satisfy, we set about the task of creating truly one of a kind residences that are not only beautiful, but also built to stand the test of time.

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ARCHITECTs

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construction coMPanY focuses on local craftsManshiP

by Christine Cox

Goerhing & Morgan

F rom a handful of carefully-selected builders, native Floridians Kim Goehring and Chris

Morgan of Goehring and Morgan Construction, Inc. were honored to be chosen to work on homes within Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort. Also having been a part of building the Celebration, FL, community, the 28 year old firm, known for its fine craftsmanship, developed a showcase home for the Kimball Trace neighborhood of the gated development, drawing inspiration from old-world Mediterranean and Caribbean architecture.

“Sales started over a year ago for these luxury homes, but the concept began several years ago” says Goehring. “We are looking at a 10- to 12- year-long build-out.”

But what makes this project unique to all other projects the team has executed over the years can be described in three words: extremely high standards. “Golden Oak is just exciting. Disney standards are different from anywhere else in the world,” says Morgan. “Their market is world-wide; this opportunity has given us a worldwide showcase, an opportunity to reach out to the entire world.”

Goehring points out that the architectural details are ‘almost unheard of in this business.’ “Even when a house is finished, there is a review board that comes through to inspect every detail. The pattern book we follow is very lengthy; from the front doors to the dormers to the porches and window sizes; we have to stick with what is his-torically accurate at all times.” Being true to the architectural style of each country/region repre-

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sented is key to this project. The only time there is any leeway is if the builder can prove historical context or precedent.

“Disney is all about ‘making dreams come true’,” Goehring reminds us. “When you build houses like these, you’re making homeowners’ dreams come true for the owners and their children and their grandchil-dren. It’s an exciting, spectacular way to build!”

While most of the materials used to build these homes are made in the USA, there are times when things have to be imported. “For instance,” Goehring says, “the clay tiles for roofing were

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shipped in from France.” But, he says, all of the sub-contractors are from Florida, helping to keep the state working.

These homes are green certified by the USGBC. “The expectation for every Disney client is perfec-tion. We want to follow that pattern in every way possible,” says Morgan. Goehring & Morgan has partnered with some of the finest architectural and interior design firms in the coastal South to create specially unique living spaces. They work alongside and closely with homeowners to en-sure an exceptional experience during the build-ing process. oOo

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116 East Concord StreetOrlando, FL 32801tel. (407) 650-2022fax. (407) 650-0398

www.goehringandmorgan.com

Providing Central Florida with quality, luxury custom homes since 1984.

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this Design teaM Works together to Make each village hoMe uniQue

by Christine Cox

Design Specifications

W endy Kensler of Design Specifications in Maitland, FL likes the fact that her team has

previously worked alongside Cahill Homes and Goehring & Morgan, and was happy to be chosen to partner with them for the homes in Kimball Trace, the Tuscan village neighborhood of the Golden Oak project. Kimball Trace includes home sites up to one-quarter acre as well as Summer-house conservation area.

“When a buyer selects one of the villa homes, they then meet with us to go over their interior specifi-cations,” Kensler says. “We discuss everything from tile to cabinet hardware. Design Specs created three style packages for owners to choose from so that buyers can decide between a Tuscan, Santa Barbara or transitional look. “In one meeting an owner can choose everything they need,” says Kensler, whose firm has specialized in new home design in Central Florida for over 25 years.

“Since the villas are generally considered second homes, we pre-selected a fantastic package of choices within our budgeted allowances from the builders,” says Kensler. “And it’s exciting to work on those! When our first homeowner moved in, everything was completely ready. Not only was her home fully furnished, but art was hung and beds were made. We even stocked the baths and kitchen, right down to the Tupperware so she could arrive with just her clothes and her tooth-brush.” Kensler’s voice delights with the memory of the homeowner’s first look at her new, fully furnished home. “We just love this project! These are really great houses to work on. The buyers are always in a good mood! After all, they’re go-ing to live at Disney World, where dreams come true,” Kensler says. “People see these as family homes that they’ll pass down from generation to generation, so they’re excited to make them special. They’re making memories and it’s fun to watch.” oOo

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summer 2012

Ray Coudriet Builder

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bringing uniQue touches to orlanDo

by Brian Libby

W hen Ray Coudriet Builder of Orlando was named America’s top custom homebuilder in

1998, it was the culmination of a long career. Cou-driet himself had built his first home at the age of 20, borrowing money from an auto executive-client of his builder father when the banks found him too young. But since then, success has only contin-ued with clients from basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal to Disney.

Coudriet believes his company’s success starts with his team members. “We’re fortunate to have the pick of the litter,” he explains. “You put a good team together and it clicks very well.” The company first worked with Disney in the town of Celebration, but eventually came to focus instead on Central Florida’s luxury market, building homes in well-known com-munities like Isleworth, Cypress Point, Isle of Osprey, Lake Butler Sound and Windsong, which have attract-ed numerous celebrities and professional athletes.

Hence the relationship with Shaq. “We became friends when he first came to Orlando to play for the Magic,” Coudriet says. “Soon I was doing all of his construction work, and over the years he would constantly be adding on: an indoor gym, or another garage. The last one we did had five more bedrooms and a pool he calls ‘Shaq-apulco’ where you can dive off the rocks into the water. He’s very charitable and a good person. He’s a big jokester, a big kidder.” Cou-driet and O’Neal even formed a spec-home building business together called Coudriet Custom Shaqs.

When applying to build in Disney’s Golden Oak de-velopment, Coudriet had a helpful bit of experience. The company previously built a home for the presi-dent of Walt Disney World Resort. “On that house we did a bunch of hidden Mickeys,” Coudriet says of the project’s wrought iron staircase and other architectural elements containing the three-circle outline of Mickey Mouse’s head and ears. Beyond the recommendation of any one client, though, the company prides itself on craftsmanship.

“I like to far exceed the code and pair up with people known for doing it right,” he says. “It was such a natural blend. Once I looked at the project and the locations, I knew it was a home run. It’s such a unique offering, and it’s exactly what Orlando needed and didn’t have for all these years. To have these kinds of homes being built and sold in today’s market tells you they’re doing it the right way.” oOo

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Foster Design Build

Builders face many challenges and obstacles during the design process, but Foster Design Build faced a unique challenge for its remodel project in Chicago – the Secret Service.

“The house is 108 years old and is next door to President Obama’s Hyde Park residence,” says Robert Berg, president of Foster Design Build.

“We shared a driveway with the President and had Secret Service vehicles and bomb-sniffing dogs on our property. Overall, they were fan-tastic to us—it wasn’t an easy process but they made it easy as possible; it was a once in a life-time project.”

The project, located at 5040 South Greenwood, was showing every year of its century-old age. Cracked windows, a falling ceiling and a com-pletely dilapidated exterior were the starting points for Foster Design Build. Foster Design Build also dealt with the City of Chicago’s Department of Landmarks to ensure the brick

exterior façade met requirements of matching the original design.

Inside, the contemporary design tastes of the client perfectly complemented the historic resi-dence. 5040 South Greenwood can be controlled completely by iPad, iPhone, Mac or personal computer. A 14-foot island is featured in the kitchen that also has a modern, sleek fireplace.

“I brought my commercial construction man-agement experience and philosophy into the residential projects,” says Berg, who began his career leading commercial construction projects in high-rise buildings, factories and schools. His clients included the U.S. Navy, Northwestern University, American Airlines at O’ Hare Airport and the Hospital for Great Lakes.

“When I began I was surprised how unsophisticat-ed and unorganized the residential process was, and often it showed in the quality of the home,”

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residence looks out onto a terrace

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the historical development design

restrictions for the rear of the 5040

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insulated panel, stainless steel

slate grey railings and custom

windows by Pella give the property

a distinct look

03the sitting room is colorfully

decorated with a bold red table and

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04a rolling ladder was a key part of

the client request for the mudroom,

as the lockers are home to the

children's electronics, backpacks

and school supplies

05the spare bedroom features a

palette of bright colors and a cus-

tom light fixture as a centerpiece.

the home also features three

children's bedrooms uniquely de-

signed for each child's preference

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PH. 773.491.1873 / F. 630.968.1470 [email protected]

Artcraft Construction

elegant tile services for clients across the Chicagoland area

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he says. “It was very frustrating to me, and I knew we could do so much better if we worked like professionals and returned every call.”

The professional environment at Foster Design Build is fostered with an efficient small staff, and Berg is accompanied by a Chief Financial Officer, an office manager/interior designer, an additional interior designer, two full-time project managers and two construction management student interns. The physical environment is also important to Foster Design Build, as the team is committed to using healthy and environmentally-friendly build-ing practices. With a motto of ‘treading lightly on the earth,’ they implement sustainable solutions to achieve the desired outcome for their clients.

Client service and intensive construction manage-ment are the foundation of Foster Design Build, as all projects are designed to exceed client expectations.

“We began Foster Design Build in January 2010—right in the middle of the recession,” says Berg. “We knew client satisfaction and proj-ect management would establish us—we have no competition.”

Foster Design Build has established themselves so quickly by implementing a strict, innovative proj-

buIlDERs

a Message froM artcraft construction Providing elegant tile services for clients across the chicagoland area, artcraft con-struction has earned a reputation of quality and integrity by general contractors and homeowners alike. Meticulously placing each tile, artcraft employees strive for perfection while aiming to exceed customer expectations. ranging from simple backsplashes to sophisti-cated murals, artcraft has been creating works of art for over eight years.

a Message froM brian allenDorfer co., inc.contractors since 1885…a family tradition for 5 generations. brian allendorfer company was chosen to install the energy-star performance rated roofing system, custom-fabricated deco-rative copper cornice and stainless steel fascia and gutter system. their expertise, which has been handed down for five generations was a perfect fit for this project that involved both historic renovation and modern design.

ect management schedule. Clients can view all projects via streaming video to ensure the highest level of client engagement for trans-parency. Property managers are assigned to one house each, instead of attempting to over-see multiple projects.

“Our projects managers are on site 12 hours a day until the job is complete,” says Berg. “That is rare in the residential construction industry.”

Foster Design Build’s success is rare in the new economic status, but so is their attention to detail.

“When you orchestrate a job we believe you have to have the highest level of attention to detail – 100% of the time,” says Berg.

The 5040 South Greenwood project is a testa-ment to their philosophy, as shown by renovat-ing the original 6,000-square-foot home in an 11,000-square-foot manor.

“Our clients were very patient and that helped immensely,” says Berg. “The home has amazing attributes and the historical district location al-lowed us to show the high quality of our project management process. We truly do it right and have the results to prove it.” P

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On Joel DeTar’s website, there are plenty of com-ments that attest to his skills as a custom builder. Satisfied customers applaud his attention to detail, professionalism and craftsmanship.

But just as many offer unexpected words of gratitude, thanking him for his “warm personal friendship.”

In the small towns of Sedona and neighboring Cottonwood, AZ, DeTar has had a hand in many of the custom homes constructed, but also in making sure a local food bank has enough resources for holiday meals and that a youth soccer team has a shot at the championship.

Since moving to the area from Detroit in 1973, De-Tar has become embedded in the community - vol-unteering with local foundations and building true friendships that support his 31-year-old business.

DeTar has never needed to build outside the local area--which is home to about 25,000--or to invest in advertising. New business comes strictly through referrals, and most of his new friendships evolve from satisfied clients, DeTar says.

“That’s my favorite part of the job,” he says. “The vast majority of my friends are people I’ve built for in the past.”

Although DeTar builds homes that span from tra-ditional Craftsman styles to curving contemporary creations, he works with the same architectural firm – Design Group Architects – on many of them, and often uses the same contractors. The goal is to pump dollars back into the local community, but DeTar has found that this sense of hometown responsibility also means the work will be on time and high quality.

a custoM coMPanY built on sMall-toWn frienDshiPs

by Amy Howell Hirt

De Tar Construction

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As in any tight knit community, there’s not much room for misunderstandings or unsatisfied custom-ers, and DeTar goes to great lengths to deliver a fair price and peace of mind, practicing an “open book” policy with clients.

“I have a fiduciary responsibility [to them],” he says. “They know exactly what the costs are and what I’m making.”

Although all the homes DeTar builds are local, their inspirations often are far flung, and DeTar is happy to go the distance to understand what a client wants

– like traveling to Pasadena, CA, to see the Gamble House. The client, a California native, wanted his home modeled off this landmark of American Arts and Crafts-style architecture.

For another client--a retired mathematics professor with an interest in the never ending nature of the Fibonacci principle--DeTar and Design Group Ar-chitects created a curving, 4,500-square-foot home that’s designed around 13 different radius points.

Despite the diversity of local home designs, De-Tar says nearly all clients want to take full advan-tage of their home sites, located in the heart of Red Rock Country.

“It’s a gorgeous place to live, and everyone wants to maintain their vistas,” DeTar says.

Liberal amounts of casing free windows and bump outs surround homeowners with views of sun-kissed peaks, and the homes themselves seem to grow from the grounds.

A ground hugging Santa Fe-style home in Seven Canyons incorporates “Anasazi-style” rock walls near the perimeter of the property that bring an archaeological feel to the site.

Another home, the Gelb residence, is situated at the head of a tight canyon and embraces the surround-ings that envelope it. The curving walls are freeform and unsymmetrical and the four to five ton boul-ders surrounding it were reclaimed from the site and situated to give the illusion that the home is literally emerging from the earth.

“It was interesting having a crane out there swinging these big rocks over the house,” DeTar says.

DeTar says here, on-site and in the trenches, is where he’s always been the most comfortable – whether coaching a soccer team, helping local non-profits or running his business.

“I conduct the orchestra and they produce the work,” he says. “Then we let our work speak for itself.”

The Gelb ResidenceThe 3,100-square-foot home by Design Group

architects (www.designgrouparchitects.net) is built

on a steep, restrictive site at the top of a red rock

canyon. custom work by local artisans, including a

curving leather couch by Design group architects,

a walnut coffee table in the living room by Mike

bartell (www.mikebartell.com), a copper back-

splash and range hood by metalworker David Platt

(www.3dogstudio.com) and heating-return grills by

les Palmer with stone ascension mimic the rugged

shapes, terracotta-colored soil, rust-hued buttes

and riparian vegetation of the setting. beyond the

stone and stucco exterior, natural materials continue

throughout the house, from flagstone floors and cus-

tom milled maple ceilings to marble countertops. but

the star of the home is a reinforced glass floor in the

dining room, which extends three-to 12-feet above

the natural ravine. this unexpected drama below is

accentuated by the organic energy of a blown glass

chandelier by newt grover (www.newtglass.com).

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01the living area offers shades

of orange and brown, which

provide a relaxing quality and

pull inspiration from the sur-

rounding landscape and beautiful

mountain vistas

02the modern kitchen with marble,

wood and stone finishes offers

ample space for cooking while

entertaining

03glass is the focal point for this

dining area, which offers views of

the mountain tops ahead and the

tree tops below

03


01large glass doors separate

the bedroom and outdoor ter-

race open to the city below

02this brightly lit cozy kitchen

embraces functionality and

stainless steel

03the bedroom's character

is complete with multi-

textured wood and views of

the city ahead

04Distressed hardwood floors

run throughout the kitchen

and living area, adding a rustic

feel to the adjoining rooms

offering QualitY at various scales

by Andrew Santa Lucia

Mark Tanner Construction Inc.

Since 1994, Mark Tanner Construction has been in the building and custom home industry in Truckee, CA and Lake Tahoe area, completing a myriad of projects, from built-in cabinets, expert-ly finished homes and infill urbanisms, showing versatility in scale. They have received C.A.T.T.’s Builder of the Year 2007 award in Truckee. Ac-colades accrued over time can help enable a paper trail of strengths, but when you describe your firm not as a “typical paper general contractor,” the process and progress your work imbues becomes the distinguishing factor between what you’ve done and how you’ve done it. Mark Tanner Con-struction addresses vision and completion; two elements that can singularly define the fruits of your labor, as mutually entwined in the built prod-uct they deliver. Of course, when one focuses too much on either, work can stay as a visual idea or become completely forgettable. It is not a stretch to call Mark Tanner Construction’s work as envi-sioned completely and easily identifiable.

Described as a “design-build” firm, Mark Tanner Construction approaches each project as a case-by-case scenario. They offer services and a vision of completion through employing design consultants in their office closely working side-by-side to real-ize ideas. “Because we are so involved with the de-sign and construction of our homes, specifically in their interior/exterior finishes, I have chosen, as a company, to use in-house particular subcontractor trades,” Tanner says. “We have a full cabinet shop and millwork shop.” With that, they “are able to give a client the vision of what they are looking at. We really play a critical role in developing those finish selections, in terms of driving the project towards a completion.”

Tanner’s approach focuses on nuance and finish, craft and quality, and a list of other bifurcations that define his firm.

The Donner Pass Road mixed-use prototype in the Truckee Rail Yard Project is not different in quality, but definitely in scope. Envisioned by Holliday Development in 2004, Tanner partnered with Holliday to bring the first phase of their plan into reality. The entirety of the Railyard Project calls for phases of redevelopment of this industrial sector, looking to create in-fill urban corridors with living and working incorporated into its architecture.

A relationship between, “indoor and outdoor living, is very important in the mountains to develop.” The aforementioned conceptual arma-ture allowed the Donner Pass Road project to achieve similar effects both in its architectural and urban intentions.

One sentiment that Tanner stressed is how engaged they have become with the Truckee Railyard Project. Through a continued inter-est in the local culture and economy they are,

“taking a critical role into the future of Truckee, says Tanner.

“Tanner was able to be flexible and creative through every step of the process,” says Kevin Brown of Holliday Development, “because this building was a prototype, the design was continually evolving as work continued. Engaging with Tanner on the concept, and having all of those skills and talent in-house were critical to creating a home that could speak volumes about the potential of downtown Truckee living.” This is of course indicative that they are not only invested in what they develop – buildings, interiors, and built-in furniture – but why they develop – culture, locality, and lifestyle

– in a way stretching past the conventional descrip-tion of what builders do and more concretely say-ing that they realize environments, both physical and immersive.

Donner Pass ResidenceDonner Pass road borders a historic building on one side and an underuti-lized piece of land on the other. tanner says he constructed, “a new building and extended a new streetscape to create a more pedestrian welcom-ing area making it more of interest for shopping and visiting.” Mixing 800 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and 1,300 square feet of loft living on the top two floors, Donner Pass road creates identity in its architectural expression, as well as a palpable urban character that will begin to pop up around downtown truckee. this project has the interior quality characteristic of tanner’s work, and has become a new character in the urban landscape that is happen-ing in truckee. blending the use of historic and local material with a modern sensibility of construction fin-ishes becomes very appealing to old locals and new residents. familiarity through clean, yet rustic materiality is coupled with contemporary produc-tion to create a new look for truckee without mimicking its past.

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“We work together as a team. We are one segment of that team to bring implementation of that design." mark taNNer, oWNer

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530.587.4000MarkTannerConstruction.com

Custom Homes | RemodelsCabinetry | Woodwork

Design Center

Lic.#: 827269

building more than just beautiful spaces,

building relationships.

euroPean heritage blenDs effortlesslY With neW WorlD aMerican Design


Jablonski Associates

Jablonski Associates, founded by Jeremi Jablon-ski, is a stellar builder of custom homes in New Canaan and throughout Fairfield County, CT. They have won numerous awards, including the AIA’s People Choice and Electronic House of the Year award, and have travelled as far as Boca Raton to build for their clients.

Firm profiles can help paint a general picture of the personal relationships and philosophies that define a firm, but it is not every day that a business has a leader like Jablonski at the helm. He regularly pulls in his Polish heritage and skill with language to create the warm atmosphere he brings to any meeting. “I came from Europe in 1985 and from the very begin-ning I was fortunate to work for amazing cli-entele; I met the right people at the right time,” Jablonski says. “I continue to carry some of my old-fashioned European background with the corporate American discipline I use to drive my business.” That is a fairly standard answer for a European transplant, but when asked about the quality of the product Jablonski Associates delivers, he says that, “more exciting to me than the exquisite details and moldings we create for each one of our projects is the technology that is available today to incorporate into the home.” This shows quickly that despite commitment to quality, as well as relevancy, periodicity and confidence, Jablonski Associates is interested in the contemporary, regardless of how traditional or modern their work is.

Characterizing Jablonski Associates goes beyond aggrandized descriptions of their craft and quality, instead focusing on the more intangible elements such as identity that sets construction management firms apart. His company’s iden-tity derives majorly from the people he works with. Jablonski has succeeded in “assembling the best team for the project, since each one is dif-ferent and we can use different players…after all these years, I have the expertise to propose the best players for each situation,” he says. “A

lot of people make a great team, but you need a quarterback; and an architect is like a coach.”

Jablonski’s impressive team took their talents to Connecticut when designing for client Philip Johnson and his glass house. When asked the project, Jablonski says, “it is huge! I think that modern architecture is finally coming back (in vogue) and it’s pretty awesome to do this in New Canaan.”

Jablonski’s team, who have an affinity for detail-ing and foresight in contemporary building, have tackled adverse ecological effects of buildings through sustainable building strategies. Jablonski

Modern Pool HouseModernizing the pool house means crafting an impeccably detailed minimalist project. located in new ca-naan, near Philip johnson’s modern masterpiece glass house, jablonski associates Pool house reacts not only to the history and location it is situ-ated in, but also to the contemporary necessity of being energy efficient. opulent, yet subtle, the pool house provides its users with a transparent enclosure that allows for an air-conditioned interior break from fun in the summer sun or a much-needed fireplace heated getaway from the frigid connecticut winters. the brick, wood and glass work together in a performance of material that cannot be more than a 1/16” off. near perfec-tion in construction gives a modern charm to a contemporary building.

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has publicly stated his appreciation of creating envi-ronmentally-friendly homes through making them energy efficient using Energy Star’s Rating System. The glaring thing missing from his already vast rep-ertoire of approaches is the absence of chic LEED. monikers. “The problem is widely publicized…builder and architects are not really participating in this (LEED) because of the bureaucracy and because is not as practical, as well as it being a very complicated process of certification,” says Jablonski.

“That is why we are more interested in the energy efficiency (ratings), since we can measure the final results…when you do the pressure test on the house; it just shows everything.”

Jablonski also believes that the most important part of his practice is “project psychology.” Aside from his project team quarterbacking and his commit-ment to detail in New Canaan, as well as his under-standing of true energy efficiency, Jablonski under-stands that projects get sidelined all the time, so to realize these visions there is a necessity for “disci-pline and speed after initial excitement of the proj-ect.” This is done to “try and avoid the low point of the job and keep us grounded.” Grounded would be insufficient to describe Jablonski Associates, but their strong personality has grounded them more than the quality of their building foundations have kept their projects standing. That is certain.

01brick, stone and impressive

lighting bring out the features

of the Modern Pool house

02a seating area, complete with

a fireplace bring a cozy atmo-

sphere to the pool house

03the jablonski associates “a

cellar to envy,” holds more

than 4,000 bottles of wine

and has ample space for

private dining

04the award-winning “art

Deco Theater,”has a 1930’s

aesthetic complete with

an leD lighting system by

colorkinetics

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AT RENDER CONSTRUCTION,we believe that truly superior homes are built by people of high character, whose values are marked by honesty, accountability, and a dedication to doing things right the first time. Based on these timeless principles, our goal is to create long-term business relationships; to treat every project as if it were our own; and to stand behind everything we say and do.

This is our passion, our mission, and our commitment to our clients.

ph. 989.786.4801 | ph. 231.499.7754 | renderconstruction.com

“Custom Homes and Remodeling. Proudly Serving all of Northern Michigan.”

Since its establishment in 1999, Render Con-struction has been charting its own course with elegant design, master craftsmanship and a lead-ing-edge approach to construction that strives for customer satisfaction and efficiency. Behind this full-service firm, which offers general construc-tion, project management and design consulta-tion, is Eric Render.

Render prides himself on a creative and flexible approach to each project.

“The team is able to be the most effective when we have a full understanding of the clients needs; we don’t have a set process, we have a fluid model and we make adjustments in line with what is best suited for the client.” The company’s central location, in Lewiston, MI, allows Render to cover a large service area, work-ing across Northern Michigan to build predomi-nantly high-end homes and cottages.

“We focus not on the number of homes we build but the quality,” Render says. “The projects we work on are highly customized and quite personal so we want all of our clients to get the benefit of our full attention.”

The Render Construction team works closely with clients even in the initial design phase of the project.

“From a feasibility and cost control standpoint, we’ve found we can be a valuable part of the de-sign team,” Render says.

With its team of master craftsmen, Render Construction can also execute highly-custom-ized designs.

“Our ability to customize offers an immense amount of flexibility to discerning clients,” Render says. “It’s that level of customer service and over-all value that has been a key factor in our business thriving during one of the most dismal economic periods in our nation’s history.”

uniQue, highlY custoMiZeD hoMes are this Michigan-baseD builDers sPecialtY

by Jamie Farshchi

Render Construction

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Because the company works with clients from all over the United States, they utilize a web-based project management platform that allows clients to login with a secure password to view photos and updates on the progress of their project.

“It has definitely added value to our company,” Render says. “The platform centralizes every-thing so that clients who may live out of the area can still feel that they are a part of the day-to-day action on their project, even from half the world away. It has shortened our build times and made communication with the client and subcontrac-tors more efficient.”

Render Construction is a member of the invita-tion only “Hammers Club,” a network of award-winning builders from across the United States who meet to compare business practices, with the overall purpose of improving the business of each member. The club is linked to the National Association of Home Builders and consists of 20 builders at any one time working in non-compet-ing markets.

“Essentially, it’s about making the commitment to constantly improve and to stay on the cutting

edge of our industry,” Render says. “We have the opportunity to network with the nations top custom home builders from across the country. It gives us a broader perspective and is a great way to improve the business overall. I come back from our bi-annual meetings with a lot of new ideas to bring to our clients.”

Render says it is establishing quality relationships with clients in order to build their home that is the most rewarding part of his job.

“I enjoy working with people,” he says. “Building a retirement or vacation home is often the culmina-tion of a life’s achievement. It is very important to our clients, so we take our role very seriously.”

Render says it is working in the picturesque surrounds of Northern Michigan that motivates his work.

“I like to build homes that complement and en-hance their surroundings. It is very gratifying to build a home that adds to the serenity of its natu-ral environment. To look back at projects and see what we’ve been able to achieve is a really satisfy-ing part of the job.”

The Belanger ResidenceThe “Belanger Residence,” a 4,500-square-

foot vacation home located on the famed

chain o’ lakes of Michigan’s grand

traverse region, is constructed from locally

harvested white and red pine logs, large

natural stone and extensive outdoor liv-

ing areas finished with canadian granite

flagstone. the stonework throughout the

project is the work of sean Dupuie of

Dupuie’s Masonry. a large, handcarved

entry door by Whitehead carvings, featuring

three bear cubs - representing the client’s

three children - is one of the home’s many

custom features and was sourced by the

homeowner prior to the build. the living

area's unique fireplace is constructed from

locally-sourced stone and features a large

pink stone that was excavated onsite when

the home’s foundation was being dug. the

color is complemented by an oversized

antler chandelier by arte de Mexico. the

communal areas of the home feature

heated idaho silver flagstone flooring, while

wide plank black walnut adds warmth to

the kitchen, loft and bedrooms.

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Comito Building & Design

Look out one window and catch a glimpse of the Front Range Mountains; glance out another and see the twinkling city lights. Residents in Cedar Heights are doing just that with the recent help of Comito Building and Design. The company has just completed a 7,231-square-foot home in the exclu-sive gated Colorado Springs community. Custom built from the ground up, the expansive property was finished with only the most innovative features, including various eco-friendly components that include closed cell foam insulation. “There aren’t a lot of people who walk in the door and say they want to build a ‘green’ house but they understand their utility bills,” Claude Comito, owner of Comito Building and Design says.

Along with the more common use of low E glass, low flow toilets and showerheads, Comito has paved the way toward the use of a new environmentally-conscious basic home necessity. “We were the ones to pioneer the use of foam insulation in the Pikes Peak region,” Comito says. “In my mind it’s

a revolutionary thing.” The product works to even out temperature fluctuations in the house, and though slightly more expensive, is a smart invest-ment. “There are not many things you can invest in in terms of energy efficiency and get the pay back,” Comito says.

Comito Building and Design is a third genera-tion custom home building firm with over 28 years of experience. Comito was inspired by his father’s trade as a contractor in New York, and after working with him as a young man, decided to study business and real estate to cultivate his craft. Soon after marrying his wife Debbie, the two moved to Colorado Springs in 1983 and started building luxurious custom homes in the area. Their daughter Lauren recently joined the family business as the operations and marketing manager. Together, they have consistently pro-duced award-winning homes with their “design-build concept” that combines the collaborative ideas and goals of both the expert architects

eco-frienDlY innovations offer QualitY anD longevitY to custoM hoMes in ceDar heights

by Tara Imperatore

The Cedar Heights Residencethe newly completed cedar heights

property from comito building

and Design showcases advanced

technological features and energy

efficient construction, all enveloped

in breathtaking mountain and city

views. With the outdoors being their

clients’ passion, the four bedroom,

seven-bathroom home contains open

air cooking and entertaining spaces,

while the interiors reflect its natural

surroundings through rich wood, stone

and granite throughout. the home’s

outback locale is just 15 minutes from

the bustling city but offers serene

vistas of Pikes Peak and the front

range Mountains. “it’s a real blend of

suburbia and mountain and park-like

environment,” comito says.

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and designers with the owner or buyer into one cohesive result.

Constructing these beautiful homes in the region’s rugged terrain definitely comes with some obstacles. Varying elevations and multiple soil types require extra attention when excavating and building the foundations. “In the Outback at Cedar Heights it’s mostly rock and organic and clay soil,” Comito says. “Along the Front Range there are fairly chal-lenging soil conditions like clay, rock, sandstone and claystone. One of the things in Colorado we want to be aware of is keeping water away from the foun-dation.” Knowing that these soils have a tendency to move around, individual tests are taken of each,

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a Message froM braDforD hoMes, a Division of braD's construction

brad's construction inc., has had the pleasure of work-ing with Claude Comito for the past 25 years. We have always had innovative designs, superior subcontrac-tors and highly qualified supervisors to work with. Your attention to the details of each project makes it very successful. as a team we build the projects as if they were our own. thank you for the opportunity and loy-alty you have shown to our company. brad & chris Pfeif

along with a geological survey of the area to ensure the conditions are adequate to begin creating their clients’ dream homes.

Comito is looking to take his company into the future with a mission to design and build custom homes that are made with the highest quality in mind. “We deal with mostly people who are build-ing their second or third homes and know what they want and are determined to really do it right this time. But people are very concerned about main-tenance and want to keep utility bills low,” Comito says. In compliance with that, Comito Building and Design will continue conceiving and executing custom homes that are going to outlast their clients.

“Their home is going to be there for a long period of time and be relevant in the long run. People are really starting to think long term and are going to spend a little more and do a little better job,” Co-mito says. “Quality never goes out of style.”


painting • staininginteriors • exteriors

power washing • wallpapering

offi ce: 231-439-5127cell: 231-838-2680fax: 231-439-9154

Bradford Homes Inc.a dIvIsIon of Brad’s constructIon Inc.

Custom Framing at it’s Finest

custom Homes • remodelIng

Basement completIons

addItIons • decks • Barns

resIdentIal • commercIal

QualIty Work • skIlled crafstmen

colorado sprIngs, copH. 719.593.8542

Bradford Homes

Bradford pfeIf, presIdent

a local, famIly oWned BusIness sInce 1979 231.439.0100signaturekitchensonline.com Northview Centre, Petoskey, Michigan

Liz Firebaugh, Certified Kitchen Designer

Rooms to Use,

Rooms toLive In.

At the end

of the day,

it’s all about

style and

function.

Winner of the NKBA Pinnacle of Design

award, Liz Firebaugh, CKD, creates kitchens,

baths and unique living spaces for

professionals and homeowners alike.

The Cottage Company of Harbor Springs

Rob and Vee Mossburg are in the midst of achiev-ing a lifelong dream. After visiting the lakeside re-sort community of Harbor Springs for many years, the husband-wife team established The Cottage Company of Harbor Springs, a premier building and interior design firm located in scenic northern Michigan. Often compared to Martha’s Vineyard and sometimes referred to as the Aspen of the Midwest, this tiny resort community is an inspiring venue for the creation of their trademark coastal, cottage interiors.

Based in a mixed-use building, the firm overlooks Lake Michigan’s picturesque Little Traverse Bay. The Cottage Company’s footprint can be seen across the country and include a horse ranch in Santa Barbara, a contemporary golf course in Naples, FL, an au-thentic log cabin and a grand shingle-style cottage on the shores of their beloved town.

While Vee and Rob are considered rising stars in the design industry with Cottage Company Interiors, a sister company, they are well known for their meticulous construction of custom homes and development projects. The Cottage Company has been named one of Michigan’s fin-est builders and has attracted national attention for environmentally-sensitive and new-urban-ism inspired development projects. Bay Street Cottages, a sustainable, walkable community of 18 single-family cottages built on a redevelop-ment site, is a model that exemplifies the use of sensible scale, reusing and recycling, and conservation. The company donated a portion of the project’s profits to a local land conser-vancy to protect a nearby centennial farm from suburban sprawl.

Aside from a conscientious approach to design and construction, Rob and Vee feel that their approach to service separates the Cottage Com-pany Interiors from others in the industry.

“We don’t define ourselves as being in the interior design business,” Vee says. “Rather, we understand that we are really in the service business.

Partners furnishing extraorDinarY service

by Elisa Revello

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Exceptionally functional, fresh designs are essential but only half of the deliverables. When the entire client experience–from initial consultation to in-stall–in and of itself is enjoyable, that’s when we’ve delivered real, memorable value.”

To do so, Vee spends an inordinate amount of time getting to know clients, often traveling to their other homes, engaging in social activities and meet-ing with their children. Vee says she is proud that she cannot recall a client collaboration that has not turned into a friendship.

“How can I possibly help my clients–check that, my friends–execute their vision if I don’t understand how they live, how they spend their recreational time, how their physical and emotional worlds in-terrelate?” Vee says.

For the Cottage Company Interiors and their clients, having a designer who also has a building back-ground is a unique capability.

“With our building background, we understand the scheduling and budgetary implications of design decisions which makes us exceptional fiduciaries of

our clients’ resources,” says Rob. “We also consider ourselves a true interior design firm with a strength in developing interior architecture– including trims, moldings, built-ins and other millwork that enhance the furniture and fabrics so important to the overall design aesthetic.”

When designing living spaces Vee frequently finds herself surrounded by beautiful natural scenery so she ensures that the interiors are a window to the captivating exterior landscapes and that these spaces “flow” from one to another–considering everything from daily travel patterns to and from the beach to the logistics of cocktail parties. To make the space an extension of the client, Vee often incorporates sentimental family pieces and sources one-of-a-kind products.

“I’ve been fortunate to have lived in and traveled to many parts of the country, and the world, and have developed a wonderful collection of vendors that can efficiently deliver unique products for our clients,” Vee says.

Despite the firms accelerated growth, Rob and Vee have vowed to stay closely connected their clients,

creating storybook interiors and lasting friendships along the way. Shortly, they will be breaking ground on their most significant collaboration to date: a new luxury hotel in downtown Harbor Springs whose interiors they enthusiastically describe as

“barefoot elegance.”

a Message froM lakesiDe Painting

a company whose foundation is built on honesty, integrity

and customer satisfaction. We partner with the area's

finest craftsmen to provide professional home finishes;

with unmatched customer service. We would be happy to

assist you in turning your decorating ideas into reality.

a Message froM signature kitchens

liz firebaugh, ckD, of signature kitchens, has put her

imprint on over 1,000 kitchens. Her designs have been

featured in countless magazines and have garnered

numerous national awards, including the national kitchen

& bath association “Pinnacle of Design,” the nation’s

top kitchen design award. firebaugh’s most memorable

designs are collected in her book Design with taste.

signaturekitchensonline.com | 231.439.0100

The Cedar Heights ResidenceCompleted in 2011, the project is a redesign

of a 20-year old cottage on Walloon Lake, the

childhood vacation area of ernest hemingway.

When vee Mossburg first visited the cottage

she felt that it had lacked personal touches,

and she focused on making the home a true

reflection of her client. she used shades of

yellow throughout the home; the client’s

favorite color. a staple of her design aes-

thetic, vee incorporated oak tables and family

accessories passed down from previous

generations. "one of the wonderful opportuni-

ties afforded in remodels is the chance to

use the best of a client's existing furniture

and sentimental pieces," vee says. the family

room, centered on a fieldstone fireplace with

original artwork above exudes what vee says

is a "sophisticated take on cottage vernacu-

lar." When asked what vee liked best about

the project, she says, "the client! We thank

our lucky stars everyday for the extraordinary

engagements we undertake and the amazing

people who ask us to do so."

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Evergreen Homes by Gio

The English Tudor style has long been a pervasive influence on the projects of northern Ohio builder Brian Giovinazzi, principal of Evergreen Homes by Gio. Timelessness is echoed in the palette of the firm’s warm, traditional rooms, many of which are conceived while the residences are still in the planning stage.

Though the home’s structure is time-honored—Giovinazzi is a great admirer of quintessential Eng-lish and French country style—the atmosphere he creates is always fresh and relaxing, a contempo-rary take on the tried and true.

Giovinazzi is no newbie on the building scene. Prior to building million-dollar homes, he was a framer for several years. He started his own company in 2005, and has gone on to complete 10-plus homes.

A small tight-knit company, consisting of his broth-er, himself, architect Steve Schill and interior de-

signer Jennifer Monachino, of Monarch Interiors Inc. strive to maintain the client-builder relation-ship even after the project is completed.

“I’ve become really close friends with a lot of my clients afterwards, Giovinazzi says. “Whether it’s an invitation over for parties or in the sense that we stay connected that in a few years they have an issue, I take care of it.”

These dream homes are pulled from deep-rooted influences of French-Country and Tudor styles as Giovinazzi loves to pull inspiration from long drives alongside upscale neighborhoods.

“There’s just something about old houses with a lot of intricate millwork and beautiful natural stone,” he says.

Sophisticated details are nothing new to Giovin-azzi’s team. They pulled together to create a tradi-tional European-style home for a sports lover and

Personal touches to euroPean-stYle hoMes

by Melissa Fears

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The Strongville Residencethe five-bedroom, six-and-a-half bathroom

home has a surprising intimacy about it

showcased by its intricate craftsmanship

details. high ceilings and exquisite millwork

highlight the impeccable detail throughout

the house. a perfect combination of white

and deep-stained custom cabinetry accent

the richness of the home’s warm tones. the

serene setting and design of this exclusive

property features its very own 3,500-square-

foot basketball court, 2,100-square-foot

garage, spa and pool with sweeping views of

the estate from every window. the elegant

home boasts a one-of-a-kind audiovisual

system by Dream space company, solely

reliant on apple products. “it’s an iP delivered

audio video distribution system,” says giovin-

azzi. “basically it has a separate mechanical

room solely to house these components. all

the rooms that have any audio component

like a tv, all feeds back to this one room. so

instead of having a remote control for your

tv, you can use iPod touch, iPad, iPhone. the

possibilities are endless,” he says.

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EAST SHOWROOM27750 Chagrin Blvd. | Cleveland, OH

P: 216.831.9116

WEST SHOWROOM975 Crocker Rd.| Westlake, OH

P: 440.892.9400

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Featuring:

a Message froM DreaMsPace

Dreamspace is a unique, multi-faceted company special-

izing in audio/video design and installation, custom

cabinets, and complete home renovation. We worked

closely with brian giovinazzi at evergreen homes on his

latest project, providing his client with a state-of-the-art

Audio/Video distribution system. It featured full 1080P

video distribution from a variety of sources to each room

of this expansive home. the entire system is controlled

via iPad and iPhone custom applications. We are proud to

be associated with a custom builder such as evergreen

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unmatched attention to detail and customer satisfaction.

his family after some miscommunications with a previous architect.

“He paid good money to have someone design him a house, but he was so unhappy with the way the process was going,” he says. “He told the guy ‘I like this and this’ and when the draft came back the things he wanted weren’t on it. That’s when Steve Schill got involved.”

The over 13,000-square-foot home in suburban Cleveland took nearly two years to complete, but the homeowner was beyond relieved and happy. With a full-sized basketball court, locker room and soon to be completed pool and spa, it isn’t hard to understand why.

“He didn’t want it (the court) to look like a big commercial structure attached to his house,” says Giovinazzi. “Steve had to find a way to really blend it into the rest of the house, but also into the landscape.”

With the house spanning nearly 190 feet wide, the four-car garage in front masks the main structure of the court.

With a discreet hidden staircase leading from the garage to the court, the rest of the family is left undisturbed when guests come over to play.

Entertaining is equally important to this busy fam-ily, so with a 500-square-foot communal entertain-ment area in the kitchen, wet bar and hearth room, guests can relax and enjoy themselves comfortably. The kitchen also overlooks the great room, which adds an additional 500 square feet of living space.

Lost Creek Stone quarried the natural stone “Wild Horse” and its array of colors blend with the over-sized white brick. Asphalt shingles mimic the look of slate tiles and add an affluent touch to the large roof area.

Similarly thoughtful details are evident all over the house. A wood and tile inlay floor adds drama to the main entertaining area of the home and by using the same natural stone from the exterior on the fireplace the home feels connected to the outside. Mosaic glass tiles in the range backsplash and adjacent hearth room bring the two spaces together.

With a reputation for precisely elegant homes with attention to detail, Evergreen Homes by Gio has, in the short time of their firm’s exis-tence, garnered a stellar list of luxury homes to add to their portfolio.

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Every Monday evening Nathan Abbott and Dustin Carpenter have a standing invitation for dinner at one of their client’s homes.

Their Grand Rapids, MI-based construction com-pany, Falcon Custom Homes, completed a project for a client in 2010, and there have been numerous invitations since, most taking place in the home their team built.

“Many of our homeowners have become good friends,” Abbott says. “We have great relationships that often move beyond the project. We look at it as not just a home, but a relationship we’re building that we hope will be long lived.”

The two met after graduating from Michigan State University, in 1997 and 1998 respectively. Both studied construction management and went on to work for the same Michigan-based Construction Company before establishing Falcon in 2003.

Abbott says it is a relationship that was born from a shared vision and the on the job experience of working with a large residential builder.

“We knew that the luxury market is where we want-ed to be,” he says, “because that world would give

Falcon Custom Homesa builDing teaM With a shareD vision for high-caliber Projects

by Jamie Farshchi

us the opportunity to work on the unique details and features that we really enjoy. We also knew what kind of volume of work we wanted to take on and we knew we had to show the market what we could do so we built spec homes and with those projects we proved the caliber of our projects.”

A full-service builder, Falcon Custom Homes works with the client to select an architect and designer with whom they work closely to develop plans, select interior design features and build their cli-ent’s dream home.

The company specializes in luxury primary, second-ary and vacation homes.

“All our work is within a four-hour radius of Grand Rapids, which encompasses the entire lower part of Michigan,” Abbott says. “The area has a number of high caliber designers and architects. As a builder, we diversify, we’re not pigeon-holed to one style and that’s a testament to the designers we work with who enable us, along with our trade base, to build in a variety of styles.”

One of Falcon’s recent projects, a 7,300-square-foot primary residence located in Grand Rapids, was a build that, initially, was scheduled with another build- Showroom Locations:

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er. It was only after the homeowner saw Falcon’s work in the area that they opted to have Abbott and Carpenter build their home.

“We helped him finalize the plans and we did what we call “Falconize” them,” Abbott says. “We added the details we thought were needed and built upon what was already in the process of being designed.”

It was through that design and build process that the Falcon team established the close working relation-ship with the client that enabled him to be involved in Falcon’s progress day-to-day.

“Our relationship with the client was very tight, he wasn’t demanding but he wanted to be quite involved and was very excited to see what we were doing,” Ab-bott says. “The largest investment most people have in their lifetime is their home, especially at the calibre we build, they work hard for that home so they have to be satisfied with the end result.”

It is the trust of the client and the collaborative effort between builder, architect and designer that Abbott says Falcon strives to achieve.

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“I wake up every day and think ‘I love my job’, he says. “It’s the entire process, I love working with the client, I love considering the plan. We have the best interests of the client in mind and when everything comes to-gether and you see a well designed, well built home on a property where there was nothing built before, that’s very satisfying.”

Grand Rapids ResidenceThis charming, three level, 7,300-square-foot-home located in Grand Rapids, MI houses some unexpected features,

such as a split-level basement that functions as both an entertainment area, a full-sized basketball court and a large

living space featuring a bar. the exterior is a natural stone veneer with brick details and cedar pattern board at the en-

tranceway, designed to mirror the property's natural environment. the main floor features a built-onsite circular stair

which runes from the foyer to the family room, which utilizes a stone fireplace to separate the space from the dining

room. the master bathroom includes a clear-glass enclosed shower supplied by local company, absolutely glass, with

showerheads built into the ceiling. the bathroom also features an elevated tub, which overlooks the bathroom below.

summer 2012

Creative and enthusiastic minds with a flair for enhancing spaces that reflect a mix of their imagination alongside a client’s personality, needs and desires


DESIGNERS

the Barnhart ranch BY wortH interiors / pHoto Benjamin Benschneider


Since starting his own firm in 1978, Juan Mon-toya’s design sensibility has continued to develop.

“As time goes by, things are becoming more complex in terms of detailing,” says Montoya, designer and owner of Juan Montoya Design.

“You have to really research techniques that will be unique ways to meet the client’s demands.”

In the 1980’s, Montoya was a forerunner in the trend of using industrial design techniques in the home. Aluminum stretched across ceilings that hung over rubber floors, while industrial grating was used to separate spaces in roomy lofts. Mon-toya continued to evolve while pioneering this one technique.

“At the same time, I was using a lot of fashion fabrics, integrating them into chairs, says Montoya. “The ideas evolved and industrial design became obsolete because people wanted something more luxurious.”As the economy has taken a downward turn, indus-trial styles for the home have come back in vogue. Now, industrial elements meld with more fashion-able aesthetics in Montoya projects such as the Gill Residence, where doors feature sterling silver lined, diamond-shaped cutouts and metal studs inspired by a 17th-century metal trunk.

“We as designers and architects look at things from the past and are recreating them as a translation,” says Montoya. “We are constantly researching, looking at things that were done before, with a new eye, a new concept of how we can use that today.”

Space was at a premium in the New York residence. To raise the height of the rooms, Montoya em-ployed verticality. The tall art pedestals, slim lamps

translating the Past for MoDern luxurY

by Chris Terry

Juan Montoya Design

and statuettes all seem to be in motion, reaching skyward. The end result is sleek and modern, while maintaining a high level of comfort and accessibility.

“When I do a project, I always want to make sure that every time the owner comes back from wher-ever they were, they feel that they have entered a warm, welcoming environment,” he says. “I want it to feel like a good dish that is given to you in a fantastic restaurant, that you smell and taste and want to repeat.”

To Montoya, homes are not static. The right design has subtleties that only rise to the surface over time. He says, “I want the client to say, ‘Every time I walk in, I discover something.’”

While considering each home, Montoya asks himself, What is the client thinking? What is the client feeling? But, Montoya’s design work is not limited to apartments. He has done projects across the United States, and even internationally in France, Russia, Kuwait, Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina and Colombia. When asked how region affects a proj-ect, Montoya says, “It varies because of climate. Because of what is available in the country that you are in. You look at the light, terrain and hu-midity… all the things that are part of the place that you are working [on]. One thing I always say is that you should keep the integration of the country as a turning point; don’t import or bring everything. See if you can actually come up with ideas that will be part of the national character of the country. First I analyze what they have to offer.”

Take, for example, the Peisach Residence in Florida, which radiates a sunny, bohemian feel.

The Gill ResidenceThe Gill residence is a 3,200-square-

foot Park avenue pied-a-terre, which

was designed for a new York business-

man. the resident wanted a peaceful,

quiet retreat where he could enjoy a

respite from his busy travel schedule,

as well as an opportunity to display his

art collection.

every room in the home is complete

with impressive elements. the den

features oak cabinetry and leather

cabinetry pulls from turnstyle designs.

the entrance hallway, which is made

of anigre wood, displays work by

antonio tapies and a sculpture by

xavier Mascaro. in the living room,

bold and colorful numbers by robert

indiana are showcased. the modern

table lamp was designed by roman

thomas, and the sofa is by DDc. one of

the bathrooms, located in the library, is

adorned with teakwood marble walls

and a custom eucalyptus vanity, and

the kitchen was custom built with

Douglas fir cabinetry. there is also an

elevator in the home, surrounded by

black stone detailing on the floor. a

regal sculpture by laura de santillana,

can be found alongside a Michael east-

man photograph, in the hallway leading

to the main bedroom.

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The decorations are ornate, giving the home a Picasso-esque style that flows from room to room, floor to floor.

“They have four children, and wanted something elegant but easy to maintain,” says Montoya. “I like a feeling of continuity. No room has an iden-tity that is so different that it doesn’t fit with the rest of the project.”

Montoya views each project as an opportunity. While each home has a program, with its own ad-vantages, needs and even limitations, it’s impos-sible to predict the specifics of the finished space. Not only is Montoya’s style constantly evolving, this development takes place within each project. Montoya says, “An interesting thing about design is the discovery aspect, not the beginning or the end. The process is just as interesting as the end result. It’s fascinating.”

“An interesting thing about design is the discovery aspect, not the beginning or the end. The process is just as interesting as the end result.” JuaN moNtoya, oWNer

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PEISACH RESIDENCE

116 summer 2012lHQ

P. 305.582.4011 584 NE 199 Terrace | Miami, FL

Elaina Barbosa | Faux Finishes

TEAM WORK AND PERSEVERANCE TRANSFORM A BIG SKy, MT MANSION

Worth Interiors

by Tara Imperatore

the Barnhart ranchOne space in this Montana mansion that relies

more on modern influences is the kitchen, with

its sleek custom cabinetry and large-scale

island. “The kitchen was really all about the

views,” Kanning says. “There was that big

window that has you looking out on the moun-

tain range. It was really more about function

and not detracting from what you’re seeing

outside.” The same beautiful views can be seen

from the casual dining area that the Barnhart’s

specifically requested be more comfortable

than formal. “When we started we were on site

in the summer and the color palate reflects

what you’re seeing outside the windows,” says

Kanning. “In the winter it just brings that same

warmth to the house when you have all of the

snow outside. It doesn’t really read rustic and

it doesn’t really read modern; it’s transitional

in that it encompasses a little bit of everything,

but it’s not in your face in any one way.”

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After the framing is complete and the walls are up, when the plumbing is done and electrical wiring in place, it comes time to transform the cold skeleton of a house into a warm place to call home. When trying to add style to a space, we look toward interior designers and their expertise to give personality to what could oth-erwise be a boring or disjointed room. Worth Interiors is doing just that with over a decade of experience, a unique point of view and nu-merous accolades to back up their designs that grace homes, restaurants and hotels all over the country. “I have clients who continually want to renew and refresh,” says Lisa Kanning, one of the principals at Worth Interiors. “So it’s not unusual to have 15 things going on at one time but all at different levels.”

Kanning studied at Colorado’s Institute of Art, but originally had a background in psychology

“which actually comes in handy in residential in-terior design,” she says. On a whim she changed courses and started working in the design field, at which time Kanning met Eddy Doumas. After developing a great professional relationship, they decided to combine their mutual passions and open a firm of their own. Thirteen years later, the two have created a thriving company with offices in both Denver and Vail and a portfolio that includes many new and repeat clients in locations ranging from Palm Beach to San Diego to Chicago.

Richard and Barbara Barnhart are among the hap-py homeowners who enlisted the help of Worth Interiors to make their 10,000-square-foot Big, Sky, MT residence into the mountain retreat of their dreams. Kanning and her team first got to work on the separate carriage house, testing their vision of mixing modern and mountain aesthetics while the main house was being framed. A few snags in the plan halted the project, but not the creative minds at Worth. “While it was paused, ideas were still being thrown around,” Kanning says. “So while construction had stopped, the creative process hadn’t.”

DEsIGnERs

01Dining sofa from k and f

european upholstery shows off

leather from Moore and giles,

inc. and fabric from Donghia,

inc. the live edge dining table

comes from robin Dorn and

associates.

02Master suite has a clever combi-

nation of elegance and rusticity.

the stack stone and reclaimed

wood is off set by the jean de

Merry “lumiere” light fixture.

03rustic timbers mix with tailored

furnishing. the swivel club chairs

are upholstered with a sheepskin

seat and trimmed the custom sofa

from john brooks inc. Masculine

lamps are from visual comfort

in Dallas.

02

03


On the search for new contractors, the Barn-hart’s came across Highline Partners, “who are two young guys with brilliant vision that got the whole thing and were just able to run with it,” Kanning says. From that point on the homeown-ers, Worth Interiors and Highline Partners’ Rob McRae and Todd Thesing, worked together on everything from the custom light fixtures to the reclaimed wood wall art and the very real buffalo head that guards the front entrance.

The same concept of blending the mountainous surroundings with contemporary decor was the focus for the main house as well. “The homeown-ers’ one request was that even though we were cleaning up the furnishings and going more clean line and modern, they still wanted it to feel like a rustic mountain house, so in each room there’s an element that lets you know where you’re located,” Kanning says. Such elements include the

third guest room’s twisted wood bed frame, wide plank flooring throughout, rough cut stone in the entryway and master bathroom, and custom hide wall coverings. “We try to stay out there and bring different stuff to the table so we’re not doing what everyone else is…Highline had all of these fantastic local craftspeople who could really do absolutely anything and do it brilliantly,” Kanning says.

At the end of this whirlwind six-month-long cre-ative and collaborative design experience, Kanning can truly say that they are pleased with the product, and more importantly, the Barnhart’s love their new Big Sky abode. “It was just such a great project because of the team who was put together and all of the craftspeople that were brought on board as well,” Kanning says. “It was a lot of fun and every-one worked really well together and you can see it in the end result. The clients are extremely happy, which is what you always want.”

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04front entry of home features

a custom hide wall installation,

large two-sided fireplace, inlaid

tile detailing and large buffalo

head. current view illustrates

the entry in relation to the front

stair case with a faux finished

decorative ceiling detail

05custom cabinetry and large scale

island bring added function to

the walkthrough pantry in the

residence’s kitchen. views of the

mountains can be seen outside of

the large kitchen windows.

06large scale custom bed sets the

tone for the organic 3rd guest

bedroom. a lofted sleeping area

provides additional beds for

overnight guests.

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WHEN PASSION IS PRINCIPLE, THE ONLY RESULT CAN BE

PERFECTION

58 PEREGRINE WAY

BOZEMAN, MT 59718P 406.587.6114 | F 406.556.8419

[email protected]

MONTANATILE.COM

NyC-BASED DESIGNER CREATES MODERN FLAIR WITH AN EDGE

Harry Heissmann, Inc.by melissa Fears

kips Bay Decorator show House 2011Heissmann chose pieces that visually

made a big statement. Bold lamps, such

as the vintage Elton John cobra lamp

add unexpected twists to the dark

canvas. Using a mix of textures and

fabric make the room come alive. Along

with the shag carpet as the comforter,

Heissmann chose to use colorful haute

couture rhinestone fabric (savelinc.com)

for the bed pillows. His playful attitude

on color is what led him to one of the

room’s most important pieces; the

winged club chair. The custom designed

small scale chair is upholstered in a

vintage Lilly Pulitzer beach dress and a

fuchsia-colored silk velvet. (scalaman-

dre.com) A rare yellow E.T. pillow adds

spunk to the chair.

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In a world full of beige and neutrals, decorator Harry Heissmann, pushes the boundaries of the unexpected where color and design are expressed with a superior mix of variety.

Having a design itch since he was a child, he sold his collection of nearly 300 antique cast iron German Christmas tree stands to finance his move to New York in 1995.

“I literally got here very cliché, with two plastic bags, six thousand dollars and two friends,” says Heissmann. “You come to New York and fall in love with it.”

The German-born designer landed his first job with Juan Pablo Molyneux before he began his nine-year collaboration with design great Albert Hadley.

“It was just one of those things where everything came together at the same time,” Heissmann says of launching his own firm nearly three years ago.

While he pulls inspiration from his mentor Hadley, Heissmann creates his designs by combining style, sophistication and whimsical fun.

Being in New York enables Heissmann to dream big and never say never.

“If you have the idea that you want to put a full size plaster horse in a clients living room, you know that you can find it,” says Heissmann. “The city has a never ending supply of what you need to make every possible design dream come true. Dreaming is essential to designing,” Heissmann says. Drawing inspiration from childhood, his designs often reflect imagination and bold colors.

“You can’t learn that,” he says. “It just happens. I often get asked how do I do this. I am sitting there and can’t really explain it. At the end of the day it’s all a big dream.”

Gaining these intuitive skills was something Heiss-mann learned early on. Relishing in the closeness of the tight-knit design community, he has nurtured his skills over the years.

These close relationships, “a circle of friends,” have developed into numerous collaborations, he says.

“I could not live without the circle of friends in my job, it is my everything and I'm so fortunate to know all the amazing talent surrounding me,” says Heissmann. “All this wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the amazing craftsmen and artisans. That’s what we strive for…to see ideas come true.”

One of his dreams that came to fruition was to be a decorator for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House. After designing alongside Kips Bay veteran Hadley in 2011, he was ready to break out on his own.

With a time crunch and a small dark one window room to work with, Heissmann immediately began work on playing with the light aspect.

He chose to add bronze mirrors and Chanel-style quilted chocolate brown wallpaper, which laid down the canvas for the room’s whimsical color palette.

“If there was one thing this room didn’t feel, it was claustrophobic or small,” says Heissmann.

The bed is where the room started. The floating clear Lucite bed had become an obsession. Knowing he had to use it, he set off the unique bed with a Moroccan Tulu carpet, which was Heissmann’s own.

“I didn’t have to worry what was going to be the bed, the comforter, the pillow, so I just put this on and was just done with it,” he says.

Inspiring vintage pieces such as the rock crystal fixture on the ceiling, the striped custom bedside lamps or the vintage Yves Saint Laurent 'Love Print' from 1972 add character to the room. Finding inspiration in little things is key, says Heissmann.

“I find inspiration in most everything I see, even in the iridescent colors of a gasoline puddle.”

Heissmann wanted a mascot for the room, and he found it with the attention-getting FAO Schwarz giraffe. Adding scale, he put it in the corner of the room like his mentor Hadley did with carousel animals.

“I think most people really liked the surprising aspect of the room and were amused by what they saw, which is what you want from a show house,” says Heissmann.

“I find inspiration in most everything I see, even in the iridescent colors of a gasoline puddle.” Harry HeissmaNN, oWNer

DEsIGnERs

a Message froM christoPher sPitZMiller, inc.

What i both love and admire about harry is

his daring, original spirit. harry worked with

Albert Hadley for 10 years, his rooms are com-

pletely different and entirely his own. he builds

a level of trust with his client’s and they let him

go, and the magic he works is a visual feast!


When Mark Weaver began his career approxi-mately 40 years ago in Los Angeles, “Interior de-sign as a career was in its infancy,” he says. “Today it’s an enormous business, even entertainment on television. It’s interesting how it’s evolved.”

But Weaver has evolved as well. His designs are not just about creating a feeling of comfort or being aesthetically pleasing, although they pos-sess both qualities. Part artist, part scientist, he fills architectural spaces with a museum curator’s devotion to historic periods and craftsmanship, arranging furniture and objects according to time-tested principles of color, light and balance. Yet, he’s less of a historian or designer to his clients, and more of a friend to them.

“Eighty percent of the work we do is repeat busi-ness,” says Weaver, a native of Palm Springs, CA.

“If you have a body of clients who have been loyal to you over several years, they’re like family members. It’s very satisfying to be able to cre-ate for someone you have a deep affection for: to change their lifestyle, to enrich their life and make them comfortable, and to show them the beauty around them and make their life function better. I get to go out and find the greatest things I can find for them. Then we go back and look at the cost, the history of the pieces and decide what they are passionate about. There’s the ele-ment of trust. They have faith in you because they know you.”

Although his portfolio includes clients in LA’s Brentwood and Malibu areas, as well as Santa Barbara, New York, Hawaii and Europe, Weaver’s best calling card may be his weekend home in Montecito, CA. Designed in collaboration with the late architect O. Douglas Phillips, the Mediterranean-style architecture and olive trees outside his home set the stage for the stunning artwork on the walls and furniture. A lover of Italian design (his mother was born in Italy), Weaver had numerous pieces custom built to replicate antiques found in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum near his home.

los angeles interior Designer cherishes tiMe-testeD classics

by Brian Libby

Mark Weaver & Associates Inc.

DEsIGnERs

01Muted yellow tones and

crushed corduroy seating

complete the santa barbara

home’s living room

02the family room is sur-

rounded by large windows

that overlook the wooded

landscape

03

the designer’s home

includes an ecclectic mix of

wares including furniture

designed by Weaver himself

04the living room is comple-

mented by a sofa that was

inspired by a day bed Weaver

saw at the getty Museum

01

02

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Yet, neither Weaver’s home, nor his clients’, looks like museums. For every antique there is a modern piece nearby, such as a sleek glass cof-fee table, which Weaver says is a reflection of the biggest change in interior design over the past 40 years. “I think the days of static interiors are behind us,” he says. “Today people want to have things around them they’ve collected on their travels or belonged to family members. It might not be the exactly perfect piece to them, but it’s important to them.”

Weaver also places great importance on art in his work. A recent project in Santa Barbara, for example, makes colorful, compelling works by legendary abstract expressionist painters such as Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler a focal point of the rooms in which they hang. In his own home, an early 19th-century Venetian painting hangs above the sofa, taken from the wall panel of an Italian palazzo. “If you have a great piece of art in a room, obviously it’s going to take prominent position,” Weaver says. “But several elements are important in creating a successful space. There’s scale and proportion, balance, light, comfort. And you’re creating something within a certain budget. We have proj-ects that we’ve designed with the greatest things we can find, and others with constraints. You take the constraints and work it until you get all the right elements. But in creating a room, you want the right balance of furniture and objects. You want comfortable furniture placed in a way that can be conversational. And there are things to tantalize the eye, to tease the eye.”

The Weaver Residencethe historically inspired custom

furniture is the centerpiece of Mark

Weaver’s home in Montecito, ca.

“the sofa’s one of my most favorite

pieces i’ve ever created,” he says. “it

was taken from an ionian day bed at

the getty Museum and was copied

from that piece and scaled exactly as

the original was. the original daybed

was in bronze and i executed this in

wood and added the arms back to

it. i was so taken by it that the getty

helped me do a drawing of the piece,

and i worked for over a year with my

cabinetmakers to perfect it.”

DEsIGnERs

03

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ARCHITECTs

TAYLOR SCOTTCOLLECTION

FURNITURE BUILT THE

“OLD FASHIONED WAY”

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PROUDLY IN THE USA

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PlatyPus Painting inc.

Craftsmanship, Commitment, & Care

1129 32nd st. | Oakland, CA 94608(510) 508-0736 | (415) 633-6564

[email protected]

BALCORPConstruction & Development

General ContractorsBuilders of Quality homes

2852 Colorado Ave.Santa Monica, CA 90404

Ph. 310. 453.0204 • F. 310.453.0209

[email protected] 509082

BALCORPConstruction & Development

General ContractorsBuilders of Quality Homes

2852 Colorado Ave.Santa Monica, CA 90404

Ph. 310.453.0204 • F. 310.453.0209

[email protected] 509082

Kristina Wolf, now a leading interior designer in the San Francisco Bay Area, spent 27 years work-ing as a police commander. Upon retirement from public service, she decided to dedicate herself to her passion, interior design. That was four years ago. Now, her firm Kristina Wolf Design is a million-dollar company, specializing in residential interior design, decoration, project management, renova-tion and remodeling, as well as custom furniture design. Primarily based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California, Kristina Wolf Design has recently branched out to the East Coast, to Washington D.C.

Throughout the design process, Wolf draws on what she learned as a police commander. “I know how to work with budgets, timelines and accountability. We offer excellent customer service,” she explains.

“That’s from the business side.” From a design per-spective, Wolf says that she “also use[s] what [she] learned as a police commander to actually listen to what my clients have to say.” This way, “everyone feels like his or her voice is being heard,” she says.

Working with Wolf is often a discovery process for her clients. Wolf begins each and every consultation with “interactive homework,” requiring clients to browse through Dream Homes, 100 Inspirational Interiors by Andreas von Einsiedel and Johanna Thornycroft. “The book has every design style, from traditional to modern, to exotic,” Wolf says. She requires that her clients look through every page, putting sticky notes on pages they like. If the clients are husband and wife, for example, each person will have different colored sticky notes. At the next meeting, Wolf discusses the preferences with the clients. Wolf underlines the importance of this interactive homework: “I won’t work with a client unless we do this.” Wolf says, “My design style is to take from my clients what their desires are and integrate their choices into the final design. It’s an eclectic style, based on taking my clients a touch out of their comfort zone.”

Wolf’s own personal preference? “The edgier, the better.” She particularly enjoyed redesigning an old firehouse in San Francisco. “It’s a five-story house, where we mixed traditional metal fire

froM Police coMManDer to interior Designer

by Isabel Eva Bohrer

KristinaWolf Design

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hoses with concrete. We needed to add in an ele-ment of warmth to create a good balance, so there is not such a cold industrial feel,” she says.

Right now, she is working on another favorite project: the home of the inventor of Siri, the interactive talking feature of the new iPhone 4S.

“What I love about this project is that the client wants it to be over the top,” she says. “It’s very much like the W Hotel, but with a cozy ‘home’ feel as well.”

Two additional projects Wolf wanted to highlight are the Babb and Bolen residences in Moraga and Oakland, CA, respectively. With the Babb project, the clients themselves have traveled extensively, collecting souvenirs, sculptures and artwork from all over the world. They “wanted their home to reflect the world traveler, the exotic feel,” Wolf says.

Ms. Bolen, in contrast, “just moved from the wine country to a city and loft living space in the Jack London Square area of Oakland,” says Wolf. “She has several pieces of art and wanted [her home] to reflect an edgy, loft feeling and at the same time be luxurious and comfortable.”

What unifies the two residences is the white Ana-conda fabric by Clarke & Clarke. “What I wanted to show is how something can be so versatile,” Wolf says. “This fabric that you see in an exotic, more

formal room [at the Babb residence] is the same fab-ric that is used in the living room at the Bolen loft.”

Wolf highlights that her clients are always involved at all stages of the design process. “The only thing I ask from my clients is that they trust me,” she says. And again, the important thing for Wolf is that her clients transcend their comfort zone.

What makes her company unique and successful? “We all love what we do, we have fun,” Wolf replies. “It’s a happy company.” And that feeling translates to her clients and permeates her projects.

Locals OnlyWolf enjoys working with local manufactur-

ers, many of which produce furniture and

finishings custom-made exclusively for her

projects. “every time i can get a california

piece, i will,” Wolf says. at the babb resi-

dence, we see the custom white sofa from

the taylor scott collection (taylorscottcol-

lection.com), with black fur pillows, which

are by 18 karat, the same company that

provided the ceramic pieces (eighteenkarat.

com). the glass tables, in turn, are from

Worlds away (worlds-away.com). at the

bolen residence, the white lamp with shells

is from currey & company (curreycodealers.

com), while the custom metallic chandelier

lamp is by trend tlighting.com). a silver Z

gallerie bowl adorns the living room table

(zgallerie.com). You can admire yourself, as

well as the beautiful interior design, in the

mirror by arteriors (arteriorshome.com). in

the dining room, the clients eat, drink and

sit at Domitalia tables and chairs (domitalia.

it). Wolf explains, “the only thing that [Ms.

bolen] had was the artwork.” Wolf took care

of the rest.

DEsIGnERs

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tonychi and associates

Reverence, balance and harmony: these are just a few of the philosophical and aesthetic tenets that Tony Chi, Principal of tonychi and associates, ap-plies to every project his firm undertakes. The me-ticulously crafted spaces function as an extension of the designer himself; the vision culled through intimate collaboration, and a deep and abiding trust he extends to the other members of his team.

“My total staff consists of nearly 40 designers who come from over 10 different nationalities,” says Chi. “This diversity in our backgrounds allows for a fascinating results when we come together to collaborate.” The self-proclaimed perfectionist goes on to explain that, “By working holistically, every aspect of the space is integrated into one functional component: interiors, lighting, tabletop accessories...branding and graphic. We collaborate intensely with architects at the pre-concept phase so that the interior space is integrated with the exterior structure. It is applying the art of perfec-

tion and finesse down to every minute detail. No detail can be too minimal.”

Communication and collaboration are central to what defines tonychi and associates, and sets it apart from other design studios. “I do not use the word client as it is a word that, to me, implies a stark distance and a certain limitation with whom I col-laborate,” says Chi. “A client pays and the designer does the service. This is not the relationship that my studio wants or expects in a design project. A de-sign project is about a shared conceived vision and it is a voyage of collaboration. A designer with such a powerful collaboration could result in a project of limitless and rewarding perfection in a design proj-ect and that is the relationship I strive for with those with whom I collaborate.”

Within the studio’s expansive portfolio, there is no evidence of projects hastily completed. Phrases

neW York citY-baseD Design stuDio gives PrioritY to collaboration, artistic exPression, anD luxurY

by Lauryn Allison Lewis

The Andaz 5th Avenuethe energy of new York city’s inhabit-

ants, as well as the new York city

Public library situated across the

street, inspired design of the andaz

5th avenue hotel (newyork.5thavenue.

andaz.hyatt.com). the color palette

references industrial energy, new

York city in the rain and the silence

of Midtown before dawn. black and

whitewashed poplar, white lacquer,

gray basalt and mineralized oak

were used cohesively throughout the

space. David singer of arclight Design

(arclightdesigngroup.com) created the

unique and functional lighting fixtures.

the stairway boasts a wall sculpture

by edward lam, inspired by sheaves of

paper and the turning pages of a book.

elegant walnut-framed, hand-crafted

chairs were designed by Deirdre

jordan of troscan Design + furnish-

ings (troscandesign.com), and leather

cab chairs by cassina (cassina.com)

provide places for guests to relax at

the end of an exciting day.

DEsIGnERs


such as “rush job” and “quick turn around” do not exist within the tonychi and associates lexicon, and the celebrated designer would not have it any other way. “Each project that our studio commits [to] consumes three to five years of my life,” he says. “I go to extreme lengths to be personally familiar with the owner of the space or property; this is a process that takes extensive time and a meeting of shared minds. There has to be a particular connection and chemistry. A design project is quite an intimate experience.”

Drawing on metaphor to illustrate further, Chi says, “If I were a painter, I would be an expression-ist as opposed to an impressionist. I like to be very minimal in the materials I use. I follow function first and then form. As designers, we are forming the soul from within the skeleton which is the external structure. The use and application of geometry in design guides to establish order from the chaos within finding a purpose whether it is the light from outside, people from the inside or movement within that particular space.”

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The newest addition to the tonychi repertoire, the Andaz 5th Avenue project in New York City’s Mid-town exemplifies the studio’s vision. A high-end off-shoot of the Hyatt Corporation, Andaz 5th Avenue takes a whole new approach to luxury and strives to accommodate guests in unique and surprising ways. Though modesty is the designer’s strong suit, he can’t help but express some delight with the outcome. “I am fascinated by how Andaz 5th Avenue embraces its surroundings and integrates elements of its locale and how it supports a unique and mod-ern vision of hotel operation,” he says.

When all aspects of a design project come together, the effect is homogenous, seamless and the satisfac-tion one feels when inhabiting the space is nearly inexpressible, due in part to the lengths the tonychi team goes to ensuring that all of one’s senses are engaged within it. “Design must reflect the natural beauty and energy all around us,” says Chi. “It is de-signing the intangibles that surround us, those quali-ties that we do not see but feel, touch and taste.”

“By working holistically, every aspect of the space is integrated into one functional component interiors, lighting, tabletop accessories...branding and graphic.” toNy CHi, priNCipal

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3 Fold Design Studio

Page Gandy’s passion for design is something she believes is an intrinsic part of her. As a child she spent countless hours rearranging the furniture in her room and experimenting with style, but it was a high school trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s house in Oak Park that convinced her that the truth in design was in the details.

“I saw how much effort he placed into every single thing from the china and sometimes even the clothes, and into learning how a family functions,” says Gandy. “I started thinking then about how this could be a profession and a career.”

She studied psychology and political science at Rice University in Houston, but soon the call of her childhood passion took over and she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Atlanta. Gandy worked for several

high-profile design firms in Atlanta and Austin before opening Austin-based 3 Fold Design Studio with partner Tracy Curtis in 2007.

The studio is founded on a vision to bring sustain-able, modern and universal design to residential clients in innovative ways. 3 Fold leans toward a modern direction, relying on rich neutral palettes into which fresh, innovative pieces and technologies bring interest and color. “You never know what the avocado green of this decade is going to be,” says Gandy. “I try to stay neutral and make it interesting with textures, pillows and rugs that liven the space.”

The natural Texan landscape—rustic cacti, deep sunsets—inspires many of Gandy’s designs.

“There are times when it is a single paint color that brings to mind an entire room,” she says. “I also get inspiration from nature and then decide

01the dining room peers into

the living room through a

wooden and brick breezeway

02high, wooden ceilings and

tall, immense windows

surround the living room

03

a mix of brick and wood

complement the natural

wood table in the dining room

04

the muted color palette of the

home’s living room is bright-

ened by large windows that

overlook the wooded exterior

creating sustainable, MoDern anD universal Design

by Jessica Kirby

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sustaining styleGandy first felt inspired by green design

in college when she embarked on a

project to research sustainable materials

and implement them into an interior

design. “It first struck me then that an

industry where everyone is always tear-

ing out and redoing things puts a lot of

pressure on our natural resources,” says

Gandy. “I try to educate clients about

the materials out there and what is pos-

sible.” New materials are always coming

to market,” she says. Cork floors and

paper-based counters ground a space

with warmth and rich tones and recycled

glass tiles can add a shimmer or sparkle

of elegance in any space. Shading, solar

screens, and layered lighting systems

can also reduce energy use and create

a multi-faceted ambiance that invites

interaction and creates depth in a room.

“We try to make these solutions functional

and natural, so you don’t even realize

they are there,” says Gandy.

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ARCHITECTs

704 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

Phone: 512.462.1551 | Fax: 512.462.2671

Flooring & Carpet Specialists of Austin

Schroeder Carpet is a unique flooring boutique serving Austin, Texas for the past 30 years. Family-owned and oper-

ated, Schroeder has earned a reputation for offering a wide and fashionable selec-tion of floor products, the best customer

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We serve Interior Designers, Home Builders, Remodelers and individual

homeowners. As an excellent resource for designers and builders, we offer a

wide range of quality products as well as the expertise to guide homeowners

through the selection process; balancing functionality, budget requirements

and style.

For more information, please visit our website at www.schroedercarpet.com

how to tie it all together and bring it into some-one’s home.”

Although her designs tend toward high-end, sophis-ticated styling, a key element of Gandy’s work is creating spaces that are easy to be in. “I want rooms that make you happy,” she says. “I want a space to be beautiful, but one that isn’t too precious—one where you aren’t worried about spills and where sofas are for napping.”

The Hancock Residence is built on this principle, seamlessly blending clean, elegant lines with the in-timacy that inspired the design concept. The kitchen was an empty space when the project began, and a desire for entertainment-friendly functionality was only half the equation.

“The homeowners love to be together,” says Gandy. “We wanted to incorporate that into the design, so it isn’t just a kitchen but a place they can feel good spending time together.”

A second, but equally important objective was opening the space to the incredible view of a natu-ral creek to the back of the house. “We wanted to open it up and let the view flow around the kitchen,” says Gandy.

The kitchen is divided into three zones by an island—in one area a generous counter invites tandem meal preparation--while a bar on the din-

ing room side welcomes guests. A built-in table and seating bench create aesthetic harmony while curving gracefully around a structural post for a comfortable oasis.

A key aesthetic inspiration for the space was a silver and blue veined piece of travertine on the counter, from which the sleek but subtle theme of the entire room was born. The lines were kept fresh and open with a gray glass backsplash and by eliminating up-per cabinets altogether.

“The room has this fantastic, clean simplicity that we achieved while still creating enough storage space below,” says Gandy. “We were able to think outside the traditional.”

The bathroom was also remodeled to bring the couple together in comfort. The double shower is enclosed in frameless glass while two coun-tertop-mounted sinks slope inwards adding a splash of creativity to the space. Pulling the room together is natural stone plank flooring arranged in varying widths to create interest beyond the typical 12 x 12 inch tile.

Natural materials like honed marble on the counter-tops and a generous picture window create an un-mistakable connection to the outdoors. “The push behind all of the designs was ensuring the colors remained neutral so that nothing overpowered the view,” says Gandy.

“I want a space to be beautiful, but one that isn’t too precious one where you aren’t worried about spills and where sofas are for napping.” page gaNDy, partNer

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“The style question is always hard for me to answer,” says April Sheldon. She has been involved in the design industry since 1987, and in 1992, established her own boutique firm, April Sheldon Design. “Be-cause I’m such a boutique designer, I don’t have to have, and don’t want to have, a branded style,” she says. “The great pleasure of my work is that I get the opportunity to work in many styles.”

Though based in San Francisco, April Sheldon De-sign operates on a national base. “Right now, I am working on a very large penthouse in San Francisco, a remodel of a post and beam beach house in Car-mel, CA, and a loft in NYC that is in an old bank building across from the New York Stock Exchange,” says Sheldon. To Sheldon, each project is entirely unique, as is the architecture and the client.

“However, what is inherent in everything I do is a clean rational approach to planning,” Sheldon says.

“The function and fit of the rooms has to feel right, and un-fussed.” Specifically, she says she “love[s] to layer beautiful materials and combine colors and textures that are rich and dramatic.”

An example of such a rich and dramatic project is the Shepard residence. “[The Shepard’s] are a dy-namic couple,” says Sheldon. “Brad is a very success-ful dentist and Joni is a Realtor specializing in Marin County. They are very athletic, both bike, do Triath-lons and ocean swimming. They are well traveled, lived in Europe a number of years ago and spent a year in Africa when their son Jacob was young just for the experience,” she says.

Sheldon’s goal was to make the Shepard’s home vibrant and modern. “The area in which they live was built as a development in the 50's,” she says.

“The house is very typical of California residential building of that era.” That is, the rooms are of a significant size, with great light and a style that Shel-don refers to as a “classic ranch style.” “But it had become dated over the years,” she says.

Sheldon took charge of the modernization. “I opened the rooms to one another as much as pos-

boutiQue firM blenDs uniQue Design With inDiviDualiZeD Details

by Isabel Eva Bohrer

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ARCHITECTs

San Rafael, CA | Ph. [email protected] | FontanaCo.com

sible by removing headers between rooms, getting rid of soffits and doorway returns, and in general making the space clean and modern and open,” she explains. “I wanted a clean, crisp background on which we could layer rich and vibrant colors to add some punch to the simple architecture.”

Sheldon is especially proud of the bathroom. “The original bathroom gave you the feeling that you had just fallen into a rabbit warren that had been lined with aqua blue tile and fitted with gold fixtures in shell shapes!” she recalls. “It was dark and closed in with only one small high window.”

The renovation, in turn, included a new room with a “raised ceiling, large windows and gener-ous use of the beautiful shimmering mosaics that feels relaxing and clean,” Sheldon says. “It was a true transformation.”

“The other thing I am most proud of is how much the client's love to entertain now,” she says. “Joni is an amazing chef, and they now entertain con-stantly because they love sharing their new envi-ronment with their friends.”

It is such transformations that Sheldon tends to achieve for her clients through her design work.

When asked what makes her company unique and successful, Sheldon says, “I think it’s that I am like a fine tailor. I can come up with solutions for indi-viduals’ unique fits and types while maintaining a real aesthetic integrity.”

As for the future, Sheldon says she has been “toying with the idea of going back to some commercial work just to mix it up a bit.” She says that her start in the business was at Skidmore Owings and Mer-ill. “I sometimes miss those big collaborative ef-forts,” she says. “But then again, I love what I do. I love giving my client's a great place to come home to. I believe it makes a difference in quality of life to be surrounded by comfort and beauty.”

a Message froM fontana construction

founded in 1986, we serve san francisco, Marin, sonoma,

and napa counties. the driving force behind fontana

construction inc. has always been to provide a customer

service focus. fontana is committed to professionalism,

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new homes, complete interior and exterior renovations,

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Shepard Residencesheldon tailors each of her projects specifically to the clients in question. this is evident

in the shepard residence, a home replete with unique products, all of which contribute

to achieve the "modern and vibrant" feel that the interior designer sought to create. the

living and family feature products from ted boerner, boyd lighting, holly hunt, Donghia

furniture, geoffrey De sousa and Michael berman. in sheldon's own words, choosing

this design was "add(ing) some punch to the simple architecture."

Joy Moyler Interiors

They say inspiration can come from the most unexpected places; for Joy Moyler, that place was Spain. At fourteen years old, she found herself enveloped in the country’s rich history and captivated by the sites surrounding her. “The trip to Spain was a poignant element in my life at that time,” Moyler says. Gazing upon the work of greats like Antoni Gaudi, she became enam-ored with its complexity. “I was captured by the amount of technique that went into the buildings that he [Gaudi] designed. I just fell in love with the cultural details of the architecture.”

Moyler decided to explore her interest further with a degree in architecture. After graduating, she worked for highly esteemed architecture and design firms including Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, John Saladino and Ralph Lauren. “The wonderful thing about the Ralph influence is that it continues to this day. It’s a culture that you become

incredibly immersed in because it’s so diverse,” she says. “You’ll find very Fifth Avenue design elements, which are very bespoke and you’ll find country elements as well.” Having such a range has been ex-tremely beneficial for Moyler, as her own business, Joy Moyler Interiors, just landed a new project for a celebrity client in Montana. “He knew my reputa-tion for doing sleek work, but also knew that I was at Ralph and could do western,” she says. “That’s going to be very different from a lot of the modern projects that I’ve been working on so we’re both incredibly excited.”

Directing much of its attention toward residential interior design, Joy Moyler Interiors recently com-pleted a 4,000-square-foot loft for a young celebrity violinist in Manhattan. She had worked with the client on a previous residence that was much darker and edgier with lots of grays and black throughout, but he was looking for a different vibe this time

joY MoYler brings eclectic influences to the hoMes of celebrities anD high-enD clientele

by Tara Imperatore

01clean, white walls pour into

the cream flooring, where

comfortable seating com-

pletes the room

02a contemporary, minimalist

fireplace stands out with

modern, pop art, which

Moyler has an affinity for

03

the homeowner lined the

walls of his home office with

numerous musical awards

and certificates

04asian influences accent the

owner’s bedroom

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around. “By contrast he wanted a very crisp envi-ronment,” Moyler says. “He wanted to feel as if he was walking amongst the clouds.” After a long six-month search for the perfect space, they happened upon the Chelsea property. “He made a request that he initially wanted everything in the apartment to be white,” Moyler says. She and her team went to work filling it with modern, white furniture and sandblasting the floors to expose the original gran-ite. The end result saw the contemporary, ‘dream-like’ domain that the client envisioned.

"With the influence of my style icons Fred Astaire and costume designer, Edith Head, I always aim to design environments clients would be comfortable

Moyler moves into the future with the same enthusiasm as the day she discovered her love for architecture as a kid. “I’m definitely going to continue doing other residential work, and probably a few commercial projects,” she says.

“I’m at the point where I never want to say no to anything especially if it’s a good project. If someone comes to me with something that’s incredibly wonderful I don’t want anyone else to get it. I’m kind of selfish in that way.” Her strong work ethic and exuberance for life keep her, and her many clients, happy and coming back for more. “I do have a motto, though,” she says, “which is ‘the client isn’t always right, that’s why they hire professionals.’”

"With the influence of my style icons Fred Astaire and costume designer, Edith Head, I always aim to design environments clients would be comfortable in; where I imagine them having a drink, listening to Frank Sinatra or some 'Mood Indigo' and staying awhile." Joy moyler, oWNer

in; where I imagine them having a drink, listening to Frank Sinatra or some 'Mood Indigo' and staying awhile,” Moyler says. Bringing in the unfamiliar is also fun for the experienced designer, as she likes to introduce her clients to unique, new elements.

“One of the things you’ll always find in my projects is a cultural reference,” says Moyler. “Even if a cli-ent isn’t particularly interested initially in using cultural items in their home, on collecting pieces, presenting them, and explaining their history, they always respond to say ‘I have to have these!’ because they’ve been educated along the way.”

With impressive work experience, a successful interior design business, and a long list of clients, P

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lHQ

Renovations & Restorationsof Fine Luxury Residences

Since 1977

718.832.9400www.disalvocontracting.com

Hampshire Housejoy Moyler interiors took to the 35th floor of

the elegant hampshire house for a recent

design project. the client first purchased

a 980-square-foot unit and was able to

eventually buy the adjacent apartment.

“they are separated by a five-foot movable

wall that creates two apartments, allowing

the owner to occupy one space and have

guests reside in another, or open them both

up,” joy says. the owner infrequently stays

in the city, so he wanted it to be a clean,

low-maintenance space. the interiors

were kept modern and minimal with asian

touches throughout including 16th-century

chinese panels and an 18th-century thai

bell hanging in the entry foyer. the sleek

interiors are accentuated by the twinkling

lights of the city and the expansive views

of the park that surround the unit. “What’s

really beautiful is that the small apartment

centering the park is the perfect opportu-

nity to take in sunsets for cocktails.”

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CALIFORNIA-BASED COMPANy FINDS ITS CALLING IN CONTEMPORARy AND PLAyFUL RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

Wick Design Group

by Brian Libby

01

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Whether it’s an idyllic California winery or any number of residences, interior designer Will Wick and his San Francisco firm, Wick Design Group, have, in just a few years assembled a portfolio that is fun yet restrained and contemporary with an eye for texture and art. But Wick was not one of those creatives already sure of his calling by kindergarten. In college, he’d studied environmental policy, then interned at a financial-management firm. After dabbling in graphic design, Wick still was unsatis-fied, and it was only after working for two interior designers that Wick was at home.

“There was a lot I didn’t know, and maybe I jumped a little prematurely. I always wanted to be my own boss,” says Wick, who founded Wick Design Group in 2008. “But without trying to toot my own horn, I knew I had a knack for design and sculpture. You can’t learn a knack. You either have it or you don’t.”

Wick Design Group partnered with architect Luke Wade and landscape architect Nelson Berg Wolff to renovate a century-old general store and bar into a tasting room at Medlock Ames Winery in Sonoma County, retaining its historic East of Eden-like feel but through a modern lens. Black plumbing pipe was used for foot rails on the bar and handrails in the bathrooms for an industrial, utilitarian feel, and

DEsIGnERs

San Francisco 2010 Showcase HouseWick has numerous times participated in

the san francisco Decorator showcase,

the region’s largest interior design

exhibit, most recently in 2010 creating a

bedroom in the event’s showcase house

meant to subvert notions that his design

was masculine. this was my version of

feminine, if you will,” Wick says. “i did a

four-poster bed with white linen. i don’t

think i even put a duvet on the bed, just

a white sheet. there were billowy white

draperies and coverings. i think restraint

for me has been my greatest gift and

my biggest challenge. i brought all the

furniture in and before the end i think

i’d removed five of nine pieces. i edited

it down to one nightstand with one lamp,

a dresser hanging on a wall, a hanging

chair and a desk for writing and a mas-

sive richard Misrach photo of the ocean.”

zinc counters at the bar. When the design team considered weathered steel, a popular material today, Wick suggested galvanized metal instead, “for a more dusty-gray feel,” he says. But there are also tobacco brown wide plank floors and oxidized cedar-planked walls, and a huge old farm table from the south of France, balancing modern with rustic. An additional speakeasy-themed bar became a mix of Gold Rush-era California and French bistro, with a tin ceiling, chocolaty-brown barstools and a paint-ing of a Native American chief donated by local artist Wade Heofer.

The Wick Design Group portfolio also includes residential projects like the Woodside residence, with a more stately traditional feel contrasted with eclectic bits of folk art and Americana. The living room fireplace is bracketed by two old New York subway signs on each side, and a vintage American flag hanging freely and unframed above the mantel

“It certainly had that East Coast, Hamptons feel, but with a lot of unexpected turns,” Wick says. For the San Francisco residence, which Wick describes as a “summery, coastal feel,” delicate white-patterned curtains and soft textures are paired with creamy tones accented by the occasional autumnal orange wall or animal-print throw rug, mixed with uncon-ventional touches such as leather folding chairs. The

02


DEsIGnERs

Pacific Heights residence was for a bachelor “not afraid to use pink,” Wick says. “He was from south-ern California and he loved the beach. So I went with the more natural bleached woods, and organic elements like a petrified tree stump.”

Recently, Wick has been at work on a house in Big Sky, MT. “You’ve got your mountain modern aesthetic with steel and glass and wood, and your home with the massive chandelier and the Black Forest furniture,” he says. “Then you have your kind of barn aesthetic. We didn’t want any of those. This has a European architectural aesthetic, and we kept the interior very simple: white stucco interior walls with cracked hewn giant beams and post, and beau-tiful wide oak plank flooring, with a massive sort of central fireplace that goes up the three stories of the house. My mind created a story as if the client were from Brussels or London who liked the modern aesthetic. But they also maybe were maybe born in South Africa and had a lot of antique objects and curiosities sprinkled about the house. I obviously follow the rule of what the client wants, but you’re trying to have some fun with it, to challenge your-self and subvert some of the rules: to create your own point of view.”

01the century-old bar and

store, located in sonoma

county, was transformed

into a tasting room at Med-

lock ames Winery

03the four-poster bed is part

of the San Francisco 2010

showcase house

03 the living room has subtle,

patriotic hues of red, white

and blue that complement

the american flag that hangs

over a traditional fireplace

04rustic wooden floors lend to

the cottage-like feel of the

home’s kitchen

“I obviously follow the rule of what the client wants, but you’re trying to have some fun with it, to challenge yourself and subvert some of the rules: to create your own point of view.” Will WiCk, oWNer

03

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Lee Douglas Interiors

There’s nothing quite like being in demand – and Lorele Lesoing and Doug Dittoe of Lee Douglas Interiors know that feeling well these days.

The husband-and-wife team founded the Lincoln, NE-based firm in 1989 – the company’s name combines their own names – after Lesoing had enjoyed success as an independent designer. But her path to design was a circuitous one – an often all-too-common journey for those with a passion for the creative.

Lesoing earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from the University of Nebraska, and then worked in the insurance industry for Mutual of Omaha for 15 years. It was a successful career for Lesoing – she achieved district manager status

– but she always knew she wanted to explore her creative side.

“I knew I needed to make a career change that was a better fit for my degree and talent,” she says. “We

started small, but the residential referrals started coming at a pace where we needed more help.”

In 2002, the company purchased a building in Lincoln, taking their passion for design to the retail market, offering furniture, accessories and artwork, and also hired three additional design-ers to support its growing clientele base. Today, Lee Douglas Interiors is a full service commer-cial and residential design firm that caters to private clients, builders and outside designers

– adapting its style to client needs.

“We’re not defined by a specific style,” says Lesoing. “I’m most proud of our team’s ability to do any style well and finish it with the detail clients wants.”

The success of the Lincoln location had auspi-cious beginnings – eventually leading to the ex-pansion of the company to Sioux Falls, South Da-kota in 2010. Lesoing had hired Megan Peterson as her intern and assistant while Peterson was a

01brick accents and granite

countertops give the kitchen

an earthy feel

02the home’s sitting area is

complete with a grand piano

and towering windows

03the dimly-lit dining room has

a regal, yet intimate feel

self-MaDe business finDs success in exPansion

by Amy Lemen

DEsIGnERs

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student at the University of Nebraska, working with her for three years on multiple design proj-ects. Peterson was originally from Sioux Falls and, upon graduation, she moved back to Sioux Falls with her husband.

“Megan was working independently as an interior designer, using retailers and vendors from the Sioux Falls area, but she thought she would be much more effective as a part of Lee Douglas Interiors,” says Lesoing.

Peterson pitched the idea to Lesoing, and after researching the market, demographics and com-petition, she agreed. The team decided to open an office in Sioux Falls in 2010 – hiring Peterson as lead designer to operate the new location.

It was a decision Lesoing was glad to make, be-cause it meant expansion into a market that was not on the company’s radar, and it gave an oppor-tunity to a trusted former assistant.

“I am most proud of the niche we have developed in both markets,” says Lesoing. “The staff in both markets has really completed our firm.”

The success of Lee Douglas’ staff is apparent in the accolades the company has earned through various projects. They have been named lead designer at Governor Mike Johannes’ inaugural ball; they have been selected to host a fundraiser featuring HGTV’s Frank Fontana and they par-ticipated in an Extreme Makeover home addition that specialized in faux finish.Lesoing is proud of the firms’ ability to adapt to any situation with a staff that is both flexible and talented.

As for the future, Lesoing’s plans include an online store and an addition to the company’s Lincoln, NE location that would house more inventory. Other plans include developing the company’s own line of furniture.

“It’s our priority to work with clients to incorpo-rate their unique style into the project, while also making recommendations that complement per-sonal taste, needs and budget,” says Lesoing. “I’m proud to have developed a staff that provides the level of design Lee Douglas Interiors has become known for.”

DEsIGnERs

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the red mountain residence BY august reno / pHoto: michael Brands

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REGIonAl foCus / AspEn

aspen, nestled deep in Pitkin county of colorado, has been

one of the nations best-known ski resorts and tourist cen-

ters for more than 50 years. The city, named after the

abundance of trees scattered throughout, also showcases

impressive and breathtaking views of the colorado Moun-

tains. historically, aspen began as a mining area, known

in the late 1890’s as the most productive silver mining

district in the united states.

Now, the area has more than 6,500 inhabitants, and an

endless amount of unique spectacles such as snow-

capped peaks. Perfect for weekend getaways, much of

aspen’s allure comes from its endless blankets of white.

visitors will find, along with the many snow-centric sights

that can be enjoyed year round, numerous other thrilling

activities, such as horseback riding, hot air balloon rides,

rafting and family-themed events. for those looking to

stay a while longer, the city offers many hotels, lodges

and home rentals.

the companies featured here play a pivotal role not only

in shaping the aspen community, but they also bring their

own beauty to an already flawless landscape. each has a

vision that captures the resort-feel of the city, as well as

providing a welcoming place to live.

aspenREGIONAL FOCUS



Splitting the Difference for a Dynamic Aspen Home

Brikor AssociAtes

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P roperties all across Aspen boast some of the most unique features that you can find in the U.S.--ski-in, ski-out homes, extensive

interior designs, but the Silverking Residence’s split home feature, and how it was built, makes it a definite standout from others.

Developer Briston Peterson and realtor Craig Morris were longtime friends when they acquired the property; an old chalet.

“Under the circumstances we felt like we got a great value on a tremendous property,” says Morris.

The duo joined forces and spent 18 months design-ing and developing the Silverking Residence, which features a mirror image exterior and equally split residences of about 5,800 square feet.

Silverking boasts stunning views–even by Aspen’s lofty standards–highlighted by the Maroon Bells; one of the top five mountain views in the coun-try, says Peterson. On Peterson’s side, 12-foot glass walls presented a stunning view from the kitchen sink.

“Our friendship made it easy to communicate dur-ing the process,” says Morris. “We did not build it as fast as we could have, but in the end it worked out fine.”

The split-levels of the Silverking residence adds to the property’s distinct feel. An elevator on each side is key for moving around between levels. Peterson’s entry level led to the garage, while the main level featured the master bedroom, fireplace and living room.

The pair enjoyed their time living in the Silverking Residence as their primary residence, eventually selling their individual sides of the residence. The views, unique design and maximization of the property’s square footage did not make it hard to find a buyer. More importantly, both Peterson and Morris enjoyed the experience and remain close friends to this day.

01the entryway framed with

stacked stone and wood

accents complements the

surrounding landscape

02glass walls run throughout

the sun-drenched split-level

home and present unique

views of the Maroon bells


“UndEr thE circUMstancEs wE fElt

likE wE got a grEat valUE on a

trEMEndoUs propErty.”

Craig morris, realtor

03rich tones for the wood

floors and ceiling create a

contrast to the white walls

and natural stone fireplace


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“It’s so gratifying to take something that looks dated and recreate it with a fresh design,” Sarah Broughton says.

Broughton is one half of the design team that makes up the multi-disciplinary architecture firm, Rowland + Broughton. Broughton and her partner, John Rowland established the firm in 2003 and work from two studio office spaces: Aspen and Denver, CO.

Broughton says it is the firm’s affinity for reuse and sustainable design that sets them apart.

“A large percentage of our work is remodel but we love doing ground-up, it’s definitely one of our strengths,” she says.

The firm’s “Slope Style Condo,” situated direct-ly beneath the Silver Queen Gondola on Aspen Mountain is one such remodel. Completed in 2010, the design took queues from original elements in the home such as the entranceway’s Mid-Century stained glass window.

Rowland says it’s the firm’s commitment to their clients and a collaborative approach to design that drives their work.

“Just as much as we’re committed to the Aspen com-munity we’re committed to our clients,” Rowland says. “Designing a home or a commercial space is so personal and such a responsibility we make sure every person is involved in the conceptual side. I think it’s a richer experience for all.” The firm’s “Caribou 6” home, an interior design proj-ect for a Canadian client, utilized a combination of custom and off-the-shelf pieces to achieve a modern aesthetic on a limited budget.

The design incorporated what Rowland + Brough-ton call a “wood box” theme throughout. Using a wire-brushed hemlock fir, the firm created multi-use spaces that considered the particular needs of the client, such as a creative station in the living room, which allows the family to be together while doing different activities, and a lower-level office space that can be partitioned off with a sliding barn door.

Both Rowland and Broughton pride themselves on being involved in each of the firm’s projects and each says the collaboration makes for a positive atmo-sphere that is unique in the design world.

“Because John and I are family by extension we’ve created a family here, we like having that relationship and it sets a different tone,” Broughton says.

rowlAnd + Broughtonthis Multi-DisciPlinarY firM takes a collaborative aPProach to Design

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“JUst as MUch as wE’rE coMMittEd

to thE aspEn coMMUnity wE’rE

coMMittEd to oUr cliEnts.”

JoHN roWlaND, partNer

01

the entranceway’s features are prime

examples of the Mid-century elements

that can be found throughout the slope

style condo

02two custom sectional sofas upholstered

in holland and sherry wools anchor the

living room. a george kovacs arc floor

lamp and a room and board hair-on-

hide ottoman bring texture and vibrancy

to the space

03

the kitchen walls were removed to

provide a seamless transition between

spaces, creating an inviting atmosphere

03

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ARCHITECTsP

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JAnckilA constructionPrinciples Over Ego Powers Aspen Developer




D esign and development trends may change over the years in residential real estate, but a firm commitment to principles is the foundation built by Janckila Construction that has led to their long-term success

in the Aspen market.

“We have always felt that what separates us from most builders is that we are very ethical and place our principle and purpose above our ego and econom-ics,” says Ken Janckila, owner-principal. “No matter if the project is 2,000 or 20,000 square feet, we take pride in our principles of our planning and the purpose of our work.”

These principles and purpose are on full-display at Janckila’s 511 Edgewood project, a 5,000-square-foot residence with five bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms and vaulted ceilings throughout the home.

“We worked extensively with the architect to maximize spaces for living and entertainment because this is a vacation home,” says Janckila. “Vacation homes often have more specific purposes than a primary residence and you have to build with that in mind.”

511 Edgewood is a vacation home that features a ski-in, ski-out entry. The property lot is tight and steep, which made for unique design challenges. De-spite these challenges, the client was so pleased with 511 Edgewood that he has since hired Janckila for another project.

“We take the responsibility of working with the owner, architect and interior design team to ensure a smooth process and a make it a fun and enjoyable ex-perience for our client,” says Janckila. “We respect our clients and fulfill their needs, while they respect our principles, purpose and expertise. Regardless of the project, that will not change.”

“wE havE always fElt that what

sEparatEs Us froM Most bUildErs

is that wE arE vEry Ethical and

placE oUr principlE and pUrposE

abovE oUr Ego and EconoMics.” keN JaNCkila, priNCipal 01

the cozy living room, complete with

fireplace, is the perfect respite from the

aspen chill

02a large, glass shower has its own win-

dow that captures the aspen views

03one of the bedroom's in the home has

a fireplace and plush couch

04a porch overlooking aspen trees is

attached to another one of the home's

bedrooms

05the kitchen and dining area is sur-

rounded by polished wood

06unique lighting fixtures bring a fresh

look to the vacation home

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03 04 05


A Collaborative Approach To Progressive Design

chArles cunniffe Architects

by Jamie Farshchi

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“T here’s something really special about Aspen,” says Charles Cunniffe, prin-cipal at Charles Cunniffe Architects.

“There’s a magic to the town, the scale of the mountains, the valleys, the quality of the light, you can’t help but have that influence your work.”

After moving to the mountain town in the late 70’s to work on the renovation and addition of the historic Hotel Jerome, Cunniffe established his namesake architecture firm out of a desire to work on progressive design in a collaborative environment.

“It’s still at the heart of what we do,” he says. “We want our work to be of today with a respect for the past. We want our work to be influenced by the buildings and the surrounding landscape.”

One of the firm’s local projects, “Aspen Manor,” a bold, 25,000-square-foot-residence with views of the Roaring Fork Valley, was built as a second-ary residence with the intention of eventually becoming the client’s home.

Cunniffe says the way the manor is scaled is an important element of its design.

“It’s a large home but we didn’t want it to appear large,” he says. “We broke it into segments, each the scale of an average house. That means from most view points the home isn’t overwhelming and it relates better to its neighbours.”

This consideration of scale is also at work in the firm’s Little Nell residence, a vacation home perched directly beneath the Gondola on Aspen Mountain.

The three-story residence is designed to function in a number of different ways. The living area, kitchen, dining and master suite are positioned on the main floor, with lower levels dedicated to larger family living spaces and guest suites.

The firm strives to find a balance between the de-sign and its environment in each of their projects.

“The site should speak to the architecture and the architecture should speak to the site,” Cunniffe says. It’s a design philosophy that Cunniffe says benefits from the efforts of many.

“I am fortunate to work with a wonderful team of professionals,” Cunniffe says. “Our team’s approach is an in-depth collaboration between ourselves, our clients and all members of the building process.”


01large gilded doors open to the

foyer featuring floor-to-ceiling

windows that offer views of

aspen's glorious mountains

and valleys

02Warm lighting and neutral

colors create a classic and

relaxing space for the master

bathroom

03black and cream tones play a

central theme in the bedroom

04The sleek 12-seat dining table

faces floor-to-ceiling windows

with views of the trees below

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we cover a lot of ground

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Known as an architecture firm that has pro-duced some of the most contemporary resi-dences in Aspen, Z Group Architects is firmly rooted in history.

Formed in 2004 as an offshoot of Caudill Gustafson & Associates Architects, the oldest continual architectural firm in Aspen, Z Group Architects has become a proficient full service firm in its own right. With principals Seth Hmielowski and Jim Gustafson at the helm, the firm has steered away from the public projects that served as Caudill Gustafson’s bread and butter for over 50 years, into the high-end resi-dential market.

Whether iconic public buildings or private resi-dences, Z Group Architects strives to design projects that are appropriate to the surrounding environment.

“One of the things about working in a sparsely popu-lated part of the country is that any single public building often has a significant impact within its community,” Gustafson says. “We pride ourselves on being contextual architects. We design build-ings that are avant-garde but still fit within the context of the community.”

Z group Architects

The firm’s “Northstar Residence” is proof posi-tive. The 10,750-square- foot mountain contem-porary residence is at once distinctive yet fitting into the mountain locale.

“The clients came to us with a vision of a contem-porary home that incorporates the character of the Rocky Mountains,” Seth Hmielowski says, “They wanted it to be light-filled, modern but appropri-ate to the mountain setting. So the same materials were utilized both inside and out to give it a sense of cohesiveness.”

The residence is set on a long, narrow building enveloped between a steep slope and a major Aspen road. The challenge was to achieve the square foot-age the program required on such a narrow site.

“The overall concept was formed naturally by the site,” Hmielowski says, “to fit the program to the site became a challenge, the constraints of the site forced the floor plan to go very linear.”

“The more significant the challenge the more interesting the solution becomes,” Gustafson adds, “the solution that evolved in this instance was quite unique and that was in response to a unique challenge.”

coloraDo firM transforMs iconic Public builDings into MoDern resiDential hoMes

by Jamie Farshchi

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summer 2012

01the kitchen is nestled within the

long row of natural stone walls

02the exterior of the home is

modern with touches of natu-

ral elements

03the residence mirrors the dis-

tinctive features of the rocky

Mountains where it resides

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“Design is like braiding a horse’s tail,” Joyce Wirth says, “all that loose hair is wild in the wind. Then you braid the tail. Braid over braid over braid, you tie up all that loose hair and come to a finished, polished look.”

The effervescent Wirth established her Aspen, CO-based design firm in August 2001. With a back-ground in fashion, as a buyer for Ralph Lauren and formal training in art history and graphic design, some might say the transition to interiors was al-most preordained. Wirth herself says it was through a lot of hard work and dedication that she came to operate a successful design firm.

“I really believe that I’m only as good our team,” she says. “We have an amazing team of people here and it’s the team that ultimately makes these projects what they are - the amazing clients we have and the terrific architects, builders, and subcontractors - we’re working together to do something unusual, to create something special.”

One such project is the firm’s Maroon Creek Cabana, a 1,100-square-foot-poolside cabin just meters from the client’s main house, featuring a spectacular infinity-edge swimming pool, outdoor living and dining area and “his and hers” steam room and shower.

The clients have an affinity with the water and love to boat around Nantucket Island. Wirth translated this affinity by incorporating Nantucket green – which resembles faded sea foam - into the cream, black and ivory color palette. It’s this gentle, guiding-hand approach to de-sign that Wirth says is central to the way her firm operates.

“We really pride ourselves in designing for the cli-ent, for their wishes and wants,” she says. “We re-ally want the client very involved. By taking them through the design process the way we do, it’s easy for them to say, ‘I picked it!’ ”

regional focus / asPen

Work hard and Work smart is central to this aspen team

Weiss & Wirth

by Jamie Farshchi

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01the custom designed infinity-edge swimming

pool sits just feet away from the outdoor living

area and his and hers steam showers

02natural stone and a warm color palette create a

cool and relaxing space in the cabana bathroom

03the outdoor living area offers comfortable

lounge seating with views of the mountain tops

Creditsarchitect: brewster mcleod architects

builder: brikor associates

Karen White has established herself in the Aspen market with a mountain contemporary style influenced by the needs of her clients. Her company, Karen White Interior Design, was hired by builder Mike Tanguay of Aspen Con-structors, Inc.to design the Aspen Speculative Residence Project.

“We used rich walnut wood finishes, floors and doors,” she says. “We used a lot of blue stone, contrasts and rich finishes. The high-end smooth color walls and white finishes made the blue and walnuts pop. We kept the main pieces neu-tral in the living room, utilizing off-white, tan and beige.”

August reno Architects

kAren white interior design

August Reno Architects has built a stellar reputation in the Aspen market for the past 25 years, focusing on high-end residential and commercial work. Al-though veterans of the industry, they were quick to implement sustainable building practices, and this aspect has become a focus of their firm.

“A key element of our mission statement is creat-ing architecture with lasting value,” says Principal August Reno.

Their Red Mountain Residence boasts that type of lasting value, as it was a comprehensive remodel and

addition project. A new master suite, three-car ga-rage, elevator, golf room, recreation area and decks were designed as additions to the existing structure.

“We had to deal with the strict county development codes and restrictions during this process,” says Reno. “It was an interesting challenge because we had to deal with the wildlife, too. That made for an even more intense site analysis that had to mesh with the zoning restrictions and the client’s needs.”

The 7,500-square-foot home underwent extensive remodeling, allowing natural light to work with the



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architectural lighting that is the primary lighting source throughout the rooms. These custom light-ing layers were built at the owner’s request.

The interior design is highlighted by smoked oak wood floors and custom African wenge woodwork that complements the concrete structure. The mod-ernization of the Red Mountain Residence interior was equally as important as the exterior additions to transform the estate into a modern, Aspen resi-dence. Despite the dramatic changes, Reno stayed true to his firm’s sustainability principles and satis-fied all his client’s needs for the project.

“We were practicing sustainability here long be-fore green building was in style,” Reno says. “And for this project we satisfied the three clients--the real client, the government zoning client and the neighborhood.”

White’s attention to detail for lighting is what differentiates her from many of her peers. The Aspen Speculative Residence Project is a testi-mony to that detail.

The entire residence maximizes light sources throughout, most notably in the kitchen and living room area. White performed an in-depth analysis of light sources for the property before implementing her design. “We have intense light in Colorado and it is always changing from winter to summer,” says White. “It is always better to have too many light sources than not enough. That is a significant part of my mountain contemporary style design and it helps us stay in demand.”

reliabilitY of long-tiMe rePutation MatcheD bY focus on sustainabilitY

selecting the right interior Design for the MoDern Mountain stYle hoMe


A property that served as a hangar during World War II does not seem like the foundation of a modern day residential development in Aspen, but Snowdance Ranch is just that, though it is less surprising once you know the family his-tory of its developer.

Steve Whipple, Principal of Whipple & Brews-ter, has developing in his blood. Brewster is his mother’s surname and they established their name in the transportation industry early in the 20th century building carriages for a legendary client list including, Rolls Royce, Tiffany and the Rockefeller and Astor families.

“Knowing my family’s history has been an obvi-ous influence in my career,” says Whipple. “I have always wanted to make my developments big-ger and better with elegance throughout. The owner of Snowdance Ranch wanted a property with a history to it and we accomplished just that with the development.”

To create the desired end product at Snowdance Ranch, a perfect alignment of trees were cre-ated to surround the property to create its own atmosphere. Irrigation lines were placed on the property as well as a manmade lake Whipple jokingly refers to as a “half-million gallon


WWii hangar DeveloPeD into stunning asPen ProPertY

whipple & Brewsterby Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford

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aquarium,” filled with carp and several other types of fish. The Snowdance Ranch property also is home to an entire animal ecosystem. “We created a true, one-of-a-kind sanctuary,” says Whipple.

Stunning views are always important in Aspen residential real estate development, and Snow-dance Ranch boasts the largest windows the mar-ket would produce. Although materials, design and development are key elements to the success of Whipple & Brewster, Whipple believes in an old-fashioned business tradition for his success, placing himself in his client’s position.

“You have to personalize each development and imagine your own family living there,” says Whipple.

“Sometimes you can do too much market research and forget how family life works. That is important in our design philosophy--we ask the right questions so we can produce the right results.”

"wE ask thE right qUEstions so wE can prodUcE thE right rEsUlts.”

steVe WHipple, priNCipal

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luxuryhomequarterly.com 163 lHQ

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AWARd-WINNING HISTORICAL ASPEN AMBIANCE

History tends to repeat itself, but for the Riverside Residence in Aspen, everything that is old is new again as the development was recently awarded the Historical Preservation Award in 2011 from the Aspen Historical Society.

“It was a tight lot, so we were very happy to see how it all came out and the recognition it has received,” says Antony Cullwick, principal of Koru LTD. “The tight space was an enjoyable and fun issue that allowed us to create a unique finished product that is different from what you see in east Aspen.”

The Riverside Residence is three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, and was designed by Studio B, a local Aspen architecture firm. A unique railing structure with holes supports the

structure’s offset exterior design. Glass panels separate the floors and light is transmitted up and down the staircase.

“Riverside was built for a young local Aspen couple who wanted a house to live in, but still have fun, relax and showcase their fine art,” says Cullwick.

“There are a number of customized built-in fea-tures in the house to maximize the use of space. We like to create the perfect environment for all of our clients and take on ownership across an entire project.”

The custom-built cabinetry is another highlight of Riverside, described by Cullwick as “fun, practical, modern and warm.” The upper cabinets feature a high-gloss white laminate and the base cabinets feature zebrawood.

“Susan Okie with Studio B did the interior package and came up with several creative solutions and features that is a big part in the recognition it has received,” says Cullwick.

The custom cabinets are a great fit for the hand-textured oak wood floors from Arrigoni Woods, a Vail, CO-based company. LED lighting is also another customized feature that utilizes green design.

“We are not a typical construction company--we are en-thusiastic and committed to delivering on our promise,” says Cullwick. “Our experience within all phases of the construction process and our practical knowledge and appreciation for a wide variety of design styles enables us to deliver remarkable results. Riverside is a beauti-fully-designed contemporary home and it is worthy of all the accolades it is receiving.”

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In nearly a half-century as one of Aspen’s top residential real estate developers, Richard Wax & Associates have earned a stellar reputation for luxury in one of the country’s most prestigious markets. A recent highlight in their portfolio is 386 Pfister Drive, a five bedroom, seven-bath-room residence priced at $12 million.

“It is a marvelous, refreshing floor plan that is not stuffy and implements an innovative design with contemporary features with a true meaning and purpose using the Aspen environment,” says Jeff Davis, Vice President at Richard Wax & Associ-ates. “It is a ski-in, ski-out home that features timber tresses, timber beams and a wood ceiling. We were looking for the timber, cabin, chalet lodge traditional Aspen feel, but in a current 21st century fashion.”

386 Pfister Drive is nestled in the Aspen Forest on Tiehack Mountain at the renowned Maroon Creek Golf Club. It boasts stunning views of the Aspen Highlands, Red Mountain, Hunter Creek and Tiehack Mountain.

The master bedroom suite is 1,500 square feet with ski-in, ski-out access. Not to be outdone, the kitchen was designed by Sub-Zero & Wolf Appliances and won an Aspen award for kitchen of the year in 2008. An indoor theater and rec-reation room features a beautiful waterfall and ski-in, ski-out access.

Despite the vastness of its estate, Richard Wax & Associates paid close attention to detail through-out the residence. The state-of-the-art technol-ogy is combined with a craftsmanship, spirit and ambiance of the luxury experience, providing the client with the long-term satisfaction they origi-nally requested.

“The residence is traditional Aspen, but almost urban in its refinement,” says Davis. “That is the most fulfilling part of the project, when the client gets to move into their dream home and enjoy the finished product. This is an estate that exceeds expectations and provides the client with a brilliant living experience that can last a lifetime.”

richArd wAx & AssociAtestraDitional asPen hoMe shoWs luxurY living at its finest


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The competitive, fast-paced nature of Aspen’s residential development market is to be expected, and even enjoyed by some architects. But for Brewster McLeod Architects, a hands-on approach with their clients leads to precision projects in the high-end luxury home market.

1560 Tiehack Road is one of these precision projects. Completed in the summer of 2010, this single-family home is 14,000 square feet with four-bedrooms and six-bathrooms. The residence features an interior lap pool, full theater and ex-ercise area.

“It is a steep, unique lot because it goes down to the river and we needed to screen it from the development across the river for privacy purposes,” says Owner and Principal Jamie L. Brewster McLeod. “It is really a four-level house with a sub grade, basement, office and main level. All the main services are on the main level because they wanted the residence to live like a small house.”

A unique touch to 1560 Tiehack is the executive suite on the upper level, an isolated level where

Brewster Mcleod Architects

Limiting Projects Maximizes Attention to Clients for Architecture Firm

work can be done without the interruption of guests on the other levels. It also has its own bath-room, deck and patio. A recreation room with a pool table, bar and wine room on the same level adds a distinct feel, along with separate living quarters for staff that features a kitchen, bathroom and living area.

Brewster McLeod did just that with The Hill resi-dence project, which has a unique Cabana with a spa, putting green and infinity pool that connects to the home. The Cabana also has a large, prep kitchen, inside and outside living space and doors that open to the fireplace.

Heated patios and heated walking paths make the cabana area enjoyable during the winter or sum-mer and breathtaking views of two ski mountains are available from the pool.

“Even though every project is special, we still want to make sure it has that Aspen flair,” says McLeod.

“I push luxury living, enjoying a residence that lives well and is designed for you, not just something that looks good on paper.”

01creative lighting in the

home's infinity pool blurs the

line of perception mimicking

the seamless transition from

interior to exterior space

02the dining room has cozy

seating options and views to

the surrounding aspen woods

from full-scale windows

03the home rests peacefully

on aspen's green landscape


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166 summer 2012lHQ

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suPerb Design is in the Details for asPen baseD firM

A ski vacation brought Robert Sinclair to Aspen in 1991. Twenty years later he’s still there, having worked for a number of local firms before opening Robert G. Sinclair Architecture in 2002.

“Aspen is an amazing place to live,” he says, “with access to world class skiing and amazing cultural and community opportunities. It’s a great place to raise a family.”

Sinclair studied architecture at University of Southern California and Syracuse University in Italy before settling in Aspen. The firm designs residential projects countrywide and has offices in both Aspen, CO and Milwaukee, WI.

Sinclair says it’s the varied client base that takes the firm all over the country. “Aspen is the kind of place where your client might be from Australia or Europe or New York,” he says. “They have or want to build homes across the country so that affords you opportunities when you do great work for them here.”

The firm designed their West Buttermilk Estate for a repeat client who had owned property in Aspen and opted to move their family there full time. “It was nice to build for a specific family, we knew them before but definitely got to develop a better understanding of how they live through the design process,” he says.

The stately 15,000-square-foot residence is situated on 44 acres near the base of the West Buttermilk chairlift. The property also features a 6,000-square-foot stable along with a two-bedroom caretaker apartment.

The house features reclaimed wood and slate; a consideration Sinclair says was integral to the design. “Even in such a large house we still design them to be as efficient as possible,” he says, “with this kind of scale, selecting reclaimed materials is a challenge; you have to ensure that the reclaimed material is in plentiful supply.”

It is details like these that are central to the firms design ethos, offering unique solutions for each project.

roBert g. sinclAir Architecture

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01the formal dining room

imparts an air of elegance

with traditional and vibrant

interiors

02a vintage aesthetic fills the

bathroom with aged wood

floors and cabinets

03the lavish living area fea-

tures high wood-beamed

ceilings with natural stone

and reclaimed wood floors

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by Jamie Farshchi

168 summer 2012lHQ

ARCHITECTs

“it Was nice to builD for a sPecific faMilY, We kneW

theM before but DefinitelY got to DeveloP a

better unDerstanDing of hoW theY live through

the Design Process.” roBert g. siNClair, priNCipal

03



After 10 years in Aspen, CO, Hayes Construction has built an impressive portfolio of mountain homes. From remodels of historic buildings to ground-up builds of modern retreats, Hayes spe-cializes in unique projects built in the stunning but often harsh climate of Aspen and its surrounds.

With a background in fine woodworking, found-er of Hayes Construction, Doug Hayes, says it’s his attention to the specifics of the project that allows him to meet client expectations.

“Fine woodworking is a great discipline to come from, I’ve always enjoyed doing the fine details and it informs a lot of my work.”

Hayes’ Maroon Creek Residence is a case in point. The company built the home from the ground up in 2007 and was brought back to do a remodel for new owners after the house was sold.

“The new owners brought in fantastic designers from Florida, we redid the interior in a style

they call Mountain contemporary around here – modern fixtures with a warmer feel,” he says.

It’s this attention to detail and commitment to cli-ent relationships that Hayes says is at the core of the business’ success.

“It’s valuable to me to maintain that relationship with the client, so we stay in contact with them and make sure they’re happy,” he says.

Hayes’ “Starwood Residence” is a project the company has worked on over a number of years, building a strong relationship with the client. The company was hired to create some stunning ad-ditions to the home, such as the large copper in-ground pool and spa.

“The clients we work with in Aspen have a very re-fined taste, but it’s one of the few places where you can really enjoy the process,” Hayes says. “It’s re-warding when you finish and think, ‘that’s really, re-ally cool.’ It’s not always fun, like in any job there’s a lot of work involved, but it is very rewarding."

hAyes constructionasPen builDer has high exPectations anD an affinitY for fine Details

01the copper swimming pool by

Diamond spa inc. is a natural

blend with the home's exterior

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02views of the skyline from the

terrace and swimming pool of-

fer a calm and tranquil retreat

03the Maroon creek residence cap-

tures mountain contemporary at

its finest with a mixture of clean

lines and traditional materials

by Jamie Farshchi

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the tribeca loft BY grade arcHitecture + design / pHoto Francis dzikowski


ENVIRONMENTAL GESTURES IN FORM AND PRACTICE

Gertler &Wente Architects LLP


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At best, architecture is situated in a two-fold way: as an environment and in an environ-ment. Gertler & Wente Architects LLP do

not shy away from either consideration, instead using a relative approach to craft and construc-tion, which achieves their responsibility to both. Couple this with a strong commitment to social sustainability and you have the foundation for a truly engaged contemporary architecture practice.

Gertler & Wente Architects from New York, NY, “started in 1985 and from the very beginning we made a decision to be as diverse as we possibly could be…to keep the projects more engag-ing, more interesting, by making them more varied. We do everything from retail work to institutional (university buildings), not-for-profit, residential and healthcare,” says Larry Wente, one of the founding principals of Gertler and Wente Architects. This approach has not only yielded a lucrative and versatile business model, but also an extremely creative and optimally varied oeuvre for 26 years.

When Wente was asked about the formal differ-ences in his firm’s buildings, he says, “The retail and residential work is extremely related.”

At the center of this relative approach is detail. Aside from their responsibilities to their clients, as well as society and ecology, Gertler & Wente’s process begins in the disciplinary realm of draw-ing. “They (drawings) form to a very high level of detail,” says Wente. “Every inch is poured over and thought through. Our expectations from

02

the contractor’s side are that the retail work is as finely executed as the residential work, there-fore we are extremely demanding on-site.” This demand and control effectively guides the work from a highly articulate idea to an expertly de-tailed reality.

This is exemplified clearly in their Louis Vuitton Flagship Store at City Center in Las Vegas, NV completed in 2009. Inserting themselves into the global discussion of corporate branding and immersive architectural environments, alongside the likes of practices such as O.M.A. with Prada, as well as Zaha Hadid with Chanel Mobile, it was

business as usual for Gertler & Wente. “Before we did the center project we have worked with Louis Vuitton-Moët Hennessy (L.V.M.H.) for 12-13 years at that point, starting with Christian Dior stores…and moving into working with Luis Vuitton stores about 8 years ago,” says Wente.

This megalithic structure is also a L.E.E.D. Gold project, meaning it had to mitigate its environ-mental impact, as much as it had to create a re-flective global brand and icon in Las Vegas.

Oddly enough, Wente says that, “the smallest portion of our work is commercial work,” while,


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Millerton Residence the Millerton house is one of the most

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te, employing everything from gray water

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in terms of orientation and site design the

house is in line with wind control in mind.

building materials used throughout the

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and all the wood was registered and

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keeping up with their social sustainability

they hired local craftsmen and builders

to execute the construction. it’s become

commonplace for their residential work.

gertler & Wente also identify building

waste as another key issue and based

the Millerton house on a four-foot grid,

“because a lot of material comes in four-

foot increments - to mitigate building and

construction waste.”

“retail is about a one third of our work all around the country…we have managed to remain en-gaged with all those (aforementioned) sectors.” In regards to which sector they feel most engaged with, they stressed a strong local community relationship in New York City. “We have a strong commitment to the not-for-profit world, specifi-cally community health centers around the poorest parts of New York and other not-for-profit institu-tional clients.”

Gertler & Wente bring out expertly-crafted pri-vate residences through versatility in the drawing of an idea, detailed craft and a commitment to a home’s surrounding environment. This kind of dedication is why Gertler & Wente continue to aim for, and succeed in, quality residences.

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CALIFORNIA BUILDER TURNS A 1960'S HOME INTO TROPICAL OASIS

Dave TuggeyConstruction

by Brian Libby

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D ave Tuggey, of Dave Tuggey Construction, grew up in Los Angeles amongst furni-ture built by his carpenter-grandfather.

As a teen, he built a kayak for a school project and fell in love with making and designing things. Col-lege classes in architecture followed, but when a construction-technology professor invited Tuggey to work on his crew, he could not pass on the opportunity, and accepted. “I had a knack and just stayed with it,” he says. “We were working on hous-es for movie stars and having fun.” This continued until 1984, when Tuggey started his own company and he has worked on various projects since.

One of Tuggey’s recent projects, the Martin Lane residence, is the renovation of a 1962 house, which faintly resembles the famed Case Study houses of that period; glassy boxes by architects such as Richard Neutra. But the design-construc-tion team—including architect Kalani Jensen and interior designer Kym Rodger, both longtime friends of Tuggey—shared a desire to add warmth, water and greenery. “I’d worked on modern houses with a lot of Terrazzo floors and stone, but I’d always felt them a little cold,” Tuggey says. “The owner of Martin Lane had seen those houses and asked me if we’d like to do something similar for a

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house he just bought, but to add some more tex-tures that weren’t so sharp–to just soften it up and make it more of a home.”

The team dedicated a wall in Tuggey’s office to pin-ning photos and magazine clippings for inspiration, which helped lead toward a tropical feel. “I started pinning up inspiration from all over the world: Balinese, Japanese, Chinese. It was a really organic project,” says Kym Rodger. The house’s new entry

creates a transformation for people coming inside, a glassy pavilion with a living wall and water flow-ing down on either side. “One of the key words we used was ‘floating,’” says Rodger. “I knew the house needed something at the opening to make you say, ‘Wow.’”

The floor plan of the original house was expanded with new bedrooms and bathrooms and a recon-figured master suite, the latter of which includes

Martin Lane Residence if shared living and dining spaces in

the Martin lane residence flow into

one another, the master suite is a

more secluded oasis. “to me when the

house seemed old hollywood where

you’d have guests over for the weekend

lounging around the pool with cocktails.

i wanted to continue that but also cre-

ate more of an escape in the master,”

interior designer kym rodger says.

floor-to-ceiling glass offers panoramic

views of Pacific ocean. the pool and hot

tub just beyond the glass walls act as a

natural buffer from the rest of the out-

door deck. “You feel like you’re looking

out at a lagoon,” builder Dave tuggey

says. twin bathrooms, one masculine

with balinese pebbled walls and the

other in calcutta white marble and teak,

also include a glass-enclosed steam

shower and soaking tub, respectively.

they lead outside to a shared shower.

“there’s nothing better than a shower

outside,” rodger says. “very liberating.”

182 summer 2012lHQ

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his and hers bathrooms. Besides the main rooms, there are small adjacent spaces such as a wine room and a bar area with cozy seating. More than just space inside, though, the team sought to bring the outdoors in. “Wherever you are in the house, you’re getting to feel the landscaping,” Rodger says.

“We really stood back at every angle and said, what are you going to look at here? What’s beautiful?” Most of the house, including the living area and master bedroom, open onto the pool.

For added warmth in texture, the team chose European white oak flooring with teak doorframes.

“A walnut might have been a little too dark, and to continue the teak everywhere might have been overbearing,” Tuggey says. “This light wood was just perfect.” This contrasts with the sleekness of the kitchen, with its black limestone floors and stainless steel mono-block countertop, giving way

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to a more casual attached family room and views of downtown Los Angeles. “When we first put the kitchen in, I worried it might be a little too clean,” Tuggey says. “But as people moved in and began to use it, the warmness of it all came out. The way it all flows is perfect. It’s just a little bit of heaven in that house. “It’s been my greatest joy to see all of it come together.”

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GRADE Architecture & Interior DesignEDWARD yEDID AND THOMAS HICKEy ExCEL AT DESIGNING A

“CAPTIVATING SPACE FOR ENTERTAINING”

pRoJECTs

by Isabel Eva Bohrerphotos Francis Dzikowski + Michael Weber

184 summer 2012lHQ

pRoJECTs

The Tribeca Loft The New york City loft, which used to be

an artist’s studio, is three floors consisting

of a media room, salon, as well as living

room, dining room and master bathroom.

The living room and dining room area

exemplify a superb confluence of light and

texture within a black and white palette.

Light from pre-existing skylights strikes

against ebonized wood floors and ma-

hogany door frames painted black. Break-

ing from the apartment’s stark black and

white motif, the kitchen’s design exudes a

sense of softness and warmth, flow-

ing overinto the adjacent dining area. A

combination of Makassar ebony andwhite

glass cabinets and white Caesar stone

countertops lend this room a delicate,

almost ethereal quality. Wood beams and

exposed brick were left in their original

condition to juxtapose otherwise tailored

elements like ebonized oak floors and

the GRADE custom designed and stained

cerused white oak media unit.


W hen interior designer Edward Yedid’s close college friend Marc Ravner asked him for help with renovating

his family’s Tribeca loft, he immediately said yes. This original favor among friends turned into a full-on involvement of GRADE, the architecture and interior design firm led by Yedid and his busi-ness partner, Thomas Hickey. Hickey, Yedid’s for-mer studio professor at Parsons School of Design, founded GRADE in 2001. After graduating in 2003, Yedid seized the opportunity to join the firm in 2004 and quickly became a partner.

Collaborating on every aspect as they do with all their projects, Yedid and Hickey began by renovating the top two floors of the Tribeca Loft.

“The clients asked us to design a place where they could hang out after a night out – after the club, after hours,” Yedid says. “They wanted a captivat-ing space for entertaining.” The overall design of the loft was to be “cool and sexy,” he says. Incor-porating the clients’ love of black and white was also key.

This year, after the Ravner’s had their second child, a third floor was added, making the over-all residence span over 7,000 square feet. “The challenge was to take a loft that was originally designed for entertaining and transform it into a home for family living,” says Yedid.

The initial emphasis on entertainment is not new to the building. The Tribeca Loft is part of a con-dominium that used to house Tribeca’s famous underground nightclub, The Mudd Club. In fact, Ravner is a principal at Magnum Real Estate Group, and it was his choice to turn the location of this subversive club into a condominium that includes his family’s multi-floor home.

Occupying the top three floors, the Tribeca Loft used to be an artist’s studio. In its newly reno-vated state, it still retains traces of this former locale. The living room, for example, includes a painting by the artist who used to work within precisely these creative walls.

“The challenge was to take a loft that was originally designed for entertaining and transform it into a home for family living.” eDWarD yeDiD, priNCipal

pRoJECTs

186 summer 2012lHQ

The first room when you enter the loft serves multiple purposes. For one, it is a circulation room for visitors to transition to the larger salon. More than that, it is also a Media Room. Hickey and Yedid designed a custom stained media unit, including a hidden pocket for a screen. This way, the room can tastefully serve as both family room and home theater (when the screen is down).

In addition to the media unit, Hickey and Yedid are particularly proud of the dining table and the glass coffee table, both of which they also custom designed. The composition in the master bathroom, including a floating bathtub, is another favorite of theirs. Here, in the master bathroom, they resorted to grigio carnico, an Italian marble that fits in perfectly with the black and white theme that characterizes the loft throughout.

Overall, the Tribeca Loft is more than represen-tative of Hickey and Yedid’s working style. “The approach we have to design is a rather traditional process of research and analysis of precedence,” says Hickey. “Through this process, we translate

our research in to a modern vision resulting in a design solution that is grounded and personal to each client.” As such, the final product also cor-responds to the lifestyles of their clients. “Sexy, fresh and clean,” is the running leitmotif of their designs, says to Hickey.

As for the future of GRADE, Yedid hints that their next project might be a hotel. “Between doing high-end residential homes, luxury retail, restaurants and different public spaces, we would like to bring that all together in a hotel,” he says. A hotel, he feels “will exhibit all of our strengths in one space.”

But Yedid and Hickey will not yet reveal where that space will be. Though GRADE is based in Manhattan, the firm has clients all over the world. “I think our global exposure is starting to connect in a lot of different markets,” says Hickey. “We have projects in South America, India, U.A.E., Turkey, East Asia. We haven’t had Japan yet, but we’ve been told that’s where we need to go next.”

pRoJECTs


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Architecture

August Reno, Renosmith.Com, 146, 161

Bernbaum Magadini Architects, Bmarchitects.Com, 44-46

Boris Baranovich, Bbanyc.Com, 58-59

Brewester Mcleod Architects, Brewstermcleod.Com, 166-167

Cal Petrescu Architecture & design, Calpetrescuarchitect.Com, 56-57

Caputo Construction, Caputoconstruction.Com, 24

Charles Cunniffe Architects, Cunniffe.Com, 156-157

Gertler & Wente Architects Llp., Gwkarch.Com, 176-178

Grade Architecture & design, Gradenyc.Com, 175, 184-187

Ls3p, Ls3p.Com, 48-50

Phx Architecture, Phxarch.Caom, P.27, 32-39

Rmb designs Inc., Rmbdesignsinc.Com, 36-39

Robert G. Sinclair Architecture, Rgsarchitecture.Com, 168-169

Robert Gurney Architects, Robertgurneyarchitect.Com, 28-31

Rowland + Broughton, Rowlandandbroughton.Com, 150-151

Thielsen Architects, Thielsen.Com, 52-54

Steamboat Architectural Associates, Steamboatarchitectural.Com, 42-43

Wallflower Architecture, Wallflower.Com, 25

Z Group Architects, Zgrouparchitects.Com, 158-159

Accessories & Decor

Battersea, Batterseasf.Com, 143

Christopher Spitzmiller, Inc., Christopherspitzmiller.Com, 121

Books

Expressive Modern: The Interiors Of Amy Lau, Randomhouse.Com, 23

The Modern California Beach House: Patrick Killen, Imagepublishingroup.Com, 23

True Life: Steven Harris Architects, Papress.Com, 23

cArpets & rugs

Kyle Bunting, Kylebunting.Com, 19

Minotti, Minotti.Com, 19

Schroeder Carpet, Schroedercarpet.Com, 134

closets

The Royal Closet, Royalcloset.Com, 40

construction & Design

Artcraft Construction, 773-491-1873, 91-92

Balcorp Construction & development, Balcorpconstruction.Com, 126

Bloom Builders & Consultants, Bloombuildersllc.Com, 3, 29

Bradford Homes Inc., 719-593-8542, 106

Brianallendorfer Company, Inc., Ballendorfer.Com, 93

Brikor Associates, Brikor.Com, 148-149

Cahill, Cahill.Com, 74-75

Comito Building & design, Comitobuildinganddesign.Com, 104-105

dave Tuggey Construction, Davetuggey.Com, 7, 180-183

derrick Builders, Derrickbuilders.Com, 77-79

detar Construction, Detarconstruction.Com, 94-95

disalvo Contracting, Disalvocontracting.Com, 139

Evergreen Homes By Gio, Evergreenhomesbygio.Com, 109-110

Falcon Custom Homes, Homesbyfalcon.Com, 111-112

Fontana Construction Incorporated, Fontanaco.Com, 136

Foster design Build, Fosterdesignbuild.Com, 90-92

Goehring & Morgan, Goehringandmorgan.Com, 81-82, 86

Hayes Construction, Hayesconstruction.Com, 170-172

Heitmann Builders Inc., Heitmannbuildersinc.Com, 174, 178

Issa Homes, Issahomes.Com, 72-73

J. Richard Watson, Jrichardwatson.Com, 66-67

Jablonski Associates, Jablonskiassociates.Com, 98-100

Janckila Construction, Janckilaconstruction.Com, 153-155

Jones Clayton Construction, Jones-Claytonconstruction.Com, 68

Koru Ltd., Koru.Com, 164

Mark Tanner Construction Inc., Marktannerconstruction.Com, 89, 96-98

Mj Brown, Mjbrown.Net, 47

Ray Coudriet, Raycoudriet.Com, 86

Render Construction, Renderconstruction.Com, 101- 103

Richard Wax & Associates, Waxassociates.Com, 165

Rmb designs Inc., Rmb-Designs.Com, 35

Sexton Griffith Custom Builders, Sextongriffith.Com, 51

Significant Homes Llc., Significanthomesllc.Com, 59

The Cottage Company Of Harbor Springs, Cottage-Company.Com, 107-108

Whipple & Brewster, Whippleandbrewster.Com, 162

Zen Restoration Inc., Zengenera.Com, 2, 59, 189

electricAl

R&A Enterprises Electrical Contracting, Raelectric.Com, 150

Pine Mountain Electric, Inc., Pinemountainelectric.Com, 171-172

engineering

Structural designs, Structural-Designs.Biz, 55

Flooring

Creative Flooring designs, Inc., Sedonasdesign.Com, 93

The Flooring Center, Flooringcenterorlando.Com, 60

Furniture/ proDucts

dima, Dimaloginoff.Com, 14

Established & Sons, Establishedandsons.Com, 13

Erik Jorgensen, Erik-Jorgensen.Com, 11, 17

Foscarini, Foscarini.Com, 8, 14-15

Gallotti & Radice, Gallottiandradice.It, 15

Groupa, Groupastudio.Com, 12

Kartell, Kartell.It, 13

Koket, Bykoket.Com, 14

Moooi, Moooi.Com, 12

Munna, Munnadesign.Com, 19

Nemo Carmenciata, Nemo.Cassina.It, 15

Nine Stories, Ninestoriesfurniture.Com, 12

Normann Of Copenhagen, Normann-Copenhagen.Com, 12

Saba Italia, Sabaitalia.It, 17

Sika design, Sika-Design.Com, 18

Six Inch, Sixinch.Be, 11

Taylor Scott Collection, Taylorsscotcollection.Com, 126, 128

Verner Panton, Verner-Panton.Com, 11

Virofiber V20, Virofiber.Com, 18

interior Design

3 Fold design, 3Folddesignstudio.Com, 132-134

Apchin design Corp., Apchin.Com,

April Sheldon design, Aprilsheldondesign.Com, 135-136

Atelier Gary Lee, Ateliergarylee.Com, 20-21

design Specifications, Designspecifications.Com, 84-85

Harry Heissmann, Inc., Harryheissmanninc.Com, 122-123

Ingenium design Group, Ingeniumdesign.Ca,

Jones-Clayton Construction, Jones-Clayton.Com, 58

Joy Moyler Interiors, Joymoylerinteriors.Com, 137-139

Juan Montoya design, Juanmontoyadesign.Com, 114-116

Karen White Interior design, Karenwhiteid.Com, 161

Kristina Wolf design, Kristinawolfdesign.Com, 127-128

190 summer 2012lHQ

Lee douglas Interiors, Leedouglas.Com, 144-145

Mark Weaver Associates, Markweaver.Com, 124-125

Salzburg designs, 406-587-4497, 121

Soco Interiors, Socointeriors.Com, 64-55

Tonichi And Associates, Tonychi.Com, 129-131

Toni Sims, Tonisimsdesign.Com, 69-70

Weiss & Wirth, Weissandwirth.Com, 160

Wick design Group, Wickdesigngroup.Com, 140-142

Wilson & Associates, Wilsonandassociates.Com, 192-193

Worth Interiors, Worthhome.Net, 113, 118-120

kitchen & BAth

Cabinetry dynamics, Cabinetrydynamics.Com, 76

Ferguson, Ferguson.Com, 61, 143

Klaff’s, Klaffs.Com, 38

Pro Source, Prosourcesupply.Com, 51

Signature Kitchens, Signaturekitchensonline.Com, 106, 108

MAsonry

Hertiage Masonry, Heritagemasonryllc.Com, 163

MetAl

Custom Metals Of Virginia, Inc., Custommetalsofvirginia.Com, 29

Millwork & luMBer

84 Lumber, 84Lumber.Com, 80

Creekside Millwork, LLC, Creekside-Millwork.Com, 178-179

Herrington’s, Herringtons.Com, 174

Residential Building Supply, Residentialbuildingsupply.Com, 73

Top drawer Custom Cabinetry, Topdrawercc.Com, 57

other

HP Geo Tech, Hpgeotech.Com, 158-159

photogrAphy

@ Vance Fox, @Vancefox.Com, 89, 96-97

Albert Lim, 25

Amphotographystudio.Com, 102-103

Art Grice, Artsstudiogallery.Com, 52-54

Beightol Photo Media, 719-593-7006, 104-105

Ben Moss Photography, 150-151

Benjamin Benschneider, Benschneiderphoto.Com, 113,118-120

Beth Singer, Bethsingerphotographer.Com, 107-108

Brent Bingham, rentbinghamphotograpy.Com, 170-171

Bruce Katz, Brucekatzphoto.Com, 56

Casey dunn, Caseydunn.Net, 132-134

Charles davis Smith, Csphoto.Net, 44-46

Chipper Hatter, Chipperhatter.Com, 127-128

Chong B. Tan, 58-59

Ciro Coelho Photography, Cirocoelho.Com, 24

Cottage Compay Interiors, 107-108

david O. Marlow, Davidmarlow.Com, 6, 168-169

deborah Cota, Studio Cota, Deborahcotaphotography.Com, 160

del Zoppo/ Simmons, Culvercity.Patch.Com, 24

doug Scaletta, Dougscaletta.Com 64-65

Francis dzikowski, Fdphoto.Biz, 175, 184-187

Helene Cornell, Helenecornell.Com, 182

Gene Sasse, Genesasse.Com, 94-95

Jason dewey, Jasondeweyphoto.Com, 158-159,164

Jeremy Flowers Photography, Jeremyflowersphotography.Com, 74-75

Jeremy Swanson, Jeremyswansphoto.Com, 161

John Casado, Johncasado.Com, 135-136

Johne Robledo Photo, 43

Jon Robershaw, Jonrobershaw.Photo.Smugmug.Com, 180-182

Jonathan Padilla, Jonathanpphoto.Smugmug.Com, 183

Katrina Wittkamp, Katrinawittkamp.Com, 90-92

Ken Hayden Photography, Kenhayden.Com, 116

Lawrence Taylor, 66-67

Linda Mauck Smith, 109-110

Maxwell Mackenzie Architectural Photographer, Maxwellmackenzie.Com, 28-30

Melani Lust, Melanilustphotography.Com, 36-38

Michael Brands, Aspenphotos.Com, 146-147, 161-162, 165, 167

Michael Lowry Photography, Michaellowryphotography.Com, 77-79, 81-82, 84

Michael Weber, Michaelweberphoto.Com, 184-187

Mountain Home Photo, Mountainhomephoto.Com, 148-149, 153-155

Nick Carter Photography, 137-138

Pan Singleton, 27, 32-34

Peter Rymwid Photography, Peterrymwid.Com, 122-123

Phillip Ennis, Phillipennis.Com, 98-100

Rixon Photography, Rixonphotography.Com, 75

Skip Stowers, Photographybyskipstowers.Com, 73

Steve Mundinger, 157

Taylor Architectural Photography, Taylorarchitecturalphotography.Com, 48-50

Tim Street-Porter, Timstreetphotography.Com, 114-115

William Zbaren, Zbaren.Com, 20-21

pluMBing & Fixtures

Genzink Plumbing Inc., Genzinkplumbinginc.Com, 112

Holloway Plumbing, Hollowayplumbing.Com, 82-83

pools & spAs

diamond Spa Inc., Diamondspas.Com, 171, 173

Nassau Pools Construction Inc., Nassaupools.Com, 188

stone, tile & concrete

Architectural Concrete Finishes, Inc., Acfincofcolorado.Com, 152,154

Belden, Beldenbrickandsupply.Com, 111-112

Executive Stone, Executivestone.Com, 183

Grasso Glass & Stone, Warehomestudios.Com, 41

Montana Tile & Stone, Montanatile.Com, 121

The Thomas Brick Company, Thomasbrick.Com, 110

Trinity Tile, Trinitytile.Com, 88

technology

Cyber Sound, Cybersound.Tv, 34

dreamspace Audio & Video, Thedreamspace.Com, 9, 110

Millennium Systems design, Msdhometheater.Com, 82-83

Mountain Wire Mangement, Mountainwiremanagement.Com, 165-166

Wired Technologies Group, Wiredtechgroup.Com, 76

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Lithos, Lithosdesign.Com, 16

Urban Product, Urbanproduct.Ca, 16

Wovin, Wovinwall.Com, 16

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Faux Finishes, 305-582-4044, 117

Innovative Painting Systems, Inc., Innovativepaintingco.Com, 152,154

Lakeside Painting, 231-439-5127, 106, 108

Platypus Painting Inc., Platypuspainting.Com, 126, 128

winDow & Doors

Eagle Windows & doors, Washingtonwindowanddoor.Com, 55

Ed’s Garage doors, Edsgaragedoors.Com, 41

Garner Window & door, Garnerwindow.Com, 71

Norwood Windows, Norwoodwindows.Com, 178-179

Red River Window & door, 970-245-1160, 166-167

Window Classics, Windowclassics.Com, 87

winDow treAtMents & glAss

Custom Elegance, 407-891-2002, 71

Manhattan Shade & Glass Co., Manhattanshade.Com, 117

wooDwork

Jay Brennan Fine Woodworking, Jaybrennan.Com, 179

Lanoves Woodworking, 718-384-1880, 188

Peach Valley Woodworks, Peachvalleywoodworks.Com, 151-152


At Home With: Trisha WilsonWilD beautY: trisha Wilson creates south african haven

LHQ: How did you capture the spirit and culture of South Africa?

TW: South Africa speaks to my soul, thus the vision for my game lodge was a celebration of the African bush. I sought to capture the beauty of the natural surroundings. The buildings all blend seamlessly into the topography through the incorporation of a thatched roof, sand colored hand-plastered walls, natural gum poles and native stone retaining walls. The use of local arti-sans was also important. On the side of the road in Africa, you will see sculptors that use wood, soapstone or granite in their creations: they are so talented! I incorporated carved Leadwood trees into the entry porch and the veranda. The detailed carvings reveal numerous animals and were completed with a chainsaw and a few hand tools. All of the doors are carved and the main door handle is actually a hippo tooth, which no-body can believe–it’s about 18 inches long.

LHQ: How did you use the indoor & outdoor space?

TW: I wanted the main lodge to open up to re-veal the breathtaking view of the undulating hills in the horizon. The doors are 12 feet tall and the expanse is over 30 feet wide so we needed a structural steel beam to hold up the roof. In the entryway, your view goes on forever because it’s 30 feet of open space. The doors are cleverly hidden in pockets and are top hung so there is no track in the floor. I also have polished concrete floors through the main room and onto the ter-race so it becomes one seamless space.

LHQ: How did you use texture?

TW: I used contrasting texture in the design. In the bar, there are handcrafted wire baskets that are made locally from woven telephone wire, in different colors. The bar front also has burnt leather panels, and chairs with crocodile em-bossed camel leather. In my bedroom I used tex-tures and handcrafts rather than color to create a comfortable, yet authentic space.

LHQ: Is there a particular room that you love?

TW: I love the whole main lodge, bar, and my villa bedroom. When you walk in the lodge en-tryway and see the terrace and the view beyond that, it is absolutely spectacular! No electrical

AT HomE WITH

by Elisa Revello

192 summer 2012lHQ

wires, no light poles: just pure wilderness. The bedroom has a carved four-posted bed with eagles on top, a big stone fireplace, and a Ralph Lauren zebra stripe bench.

LHQ: What is one of your favorite pieces of artwork?

TW: The two to three inch multicolored passport masks in the main lodge. In old Africa when Westerners visited, or in this case the Dutch, they all had passports. The natives saw that they had little pictures on their passports so they carved their own little, square likenesses. I have always been intrigued by the idea of passport masks. They are decorative, but they also have an interesting story.

LHQ: What have you learned living in the bush?

TW: The very best thing is to know the bush sounds. Just by listening, I can almost tell a story of what is going on. It’s a blessing and such a privilege to be in the animals’ space. We are in

their world. To observe them in their world is amazing.

LHQ: What do you enjoy most about living there?

TW: I enjoy giving back to people in the commu-nity. In 1997, I created The Wilson Foundation to serve the children of Limpopo Province. We help fund the Waterberg Welfare Society, a private clinic that provides healthcare services to those living with HIV/AIDS. We have assisted thou-sands of patients with HIV, including over 400 vulnerable children with deceased parents. My work has taken me around the globe and I truly believe travel can impact social change.

** Footnote: Safari with a purpose: Inzingwe recently opened to the public and a portion of proceeds is donated the Wilson Foundation’s programs.

look for a full feature on Wilson Associates in the upcoming fall issue of luxury home Quarterly.

“My work has taken me around the globe and I truly believe travel can impact social change.” trisHa WilsoN, presiDeNt & Ceo


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