Spring 2021, 330 Homes

SPRING 2021

A DESIGNER'S M ASTERPIECE

ALLISON SMITH'S BATH DREAM HOME photo by Allison Joy Smith

A ZEN JAPANESEINSPIRED RETREAT

CULTIVATING THE JOY OF HYGGE

A HISTORIC LANDMARK SHINES

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contents spring 2021 | volume 3 | issue 1

dream house

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U R BAN ARTI FACT

22

M O D ER N VI NTAG E

32

G EM O N D I S P L AY

space lift 8 CREATIVE MURAL WALL 10 SIMPLY ORGANIZED KITCHEN 40 JAPANESE-INSPIRED RETREAT 48 SERENE OPEN FLOOR PLAN

fresh design 20 FARMHOUSE STYLE AT HOMEGIRL 28 HAPPY NORDIC REMODEL 46 RECLAIMED FURNITURE MAKER

open air 38 WATCH FOR ROOF DAMAGE

SPRING 2021

on the cover 22 | MODERN VINTAGE | photo by Allison Joy Smith

A DESIGNER'S M ASTERPIECE

ALLISON SMITH'S BATH DREAM HOME photo by Allison Joy Smith

A ZEN JAPANESEINSPIRED RETREAT

CULTIVATING THE JOY OF HYGGE

A HISTORIC LANDMARK SHINES

welcome

by COLIN BAKER

MOOD BOOST Spring brings fresh excitement about living in Ohio and being outdoors.

a supplement to Akron Life magazine Publisher COLIN BAKER

cbaker@bakermediagroup.com

I

always look forward to March.

There is something about the weather changing that is exciting.

It’s that stretch of several days that reach the 50s and low 60s that feel like a new day has come.

I go outside without a jacket and open the sunroof in my car. To me — there is nothing better.

It is the season I appreciate the most after being sick of too much cold. I lived in Florida during my 20s, and I really thought I was going to love the weather. The problem was that the weather was always the same — hot or hotter. I walked outside, and the sun was out. It was almost boring, which seems hard to believe as I write this in Akron while it’s 10 degrees and snowing.

No offense to Florida, of course.

I would love to have the heat right now. You can always find the Ohioan in Florida. We are the ones wearing shorts and T-shirts when the temperature is in the 60s and the Floridians have sweaters on.

Growing up in Oregon, it was a whole other weather problem — rain and more rain. If you are from the Northwest, you know exactly what I mean. The winters were never cold in Eugene, but there was a low, wet cloud cover that never went away. There is a funny saying, I look forward to the summers in Oregon. That is when the rain gets warmer. It seemed like the rain would never stop. It would be July before it got sunny and hot outside.

Creative Director WILLIAM L . TECKMYER III

We all need a little hope right now, and that first peek of sunshine does it for me. So do the daffodils I see sprouting up on sunny days and the opportunity to crack the windows open for the first time in months.

Just like many others focusing on improving their homes this spring, I am sure my wife will have a list of projects — mostly in the garden — that she will want me to help with. I am usually used for manual labor. It’s the same thing each year — we add more and more plants. I am not sure I will be alive long enough to see these plants in full maturity, but I would not have it without them.

This year, we’ve added a third issue of 330 Homes. Throughout this spring edition, enjoy tips about cultivating hygge to be happy at home, meet an Akron artisan crafting striking reclaimed wooden furniture and step inside dream houses, including a Bath home with stunning views of a waterfall.

Spring is when I get my golf clubs out and think about how I am going to be a better player than the year before. It will not be hard. I just have to hit the ball straight, and I will greatly improve.

All I need is a few sunny days strung together to lift my spirits, and if I cannot get that, then a weekend trip to Florida will do. You will recognize me.

I will be wearing shorts with all the other Ohioans.

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wteckmyer@bakermediagroup.com Managing Editor K E L LY P E T RY S Z Y N

kpetr yszyn@bakermediagroup.com Assistant Editor ALEX ANDRA SOBCZAK

asobczak@bakermediagroup.com Graphic Designer T Y L A R S U T TO N

tsutton@bakermediagroup.com C o n t r i b u t i n g Wr i t e r VINCE GUERRIERI Photographer T Y L A R S U T TO N Sales B U N N Y L AC E Y STEVE T YSON BEN DICOLA R O B E R TO A L M E N A R

sales@bakermediagroup.com Circulation

circulation@bakermediagroup.com 330-253-0056, ext. 104 Editorial Interns C H R I S TO P H E R R A M O S W YAT T LOY Photography Intern RYA N N E LO C K E R

spring 2021 | volume 3 | issue 1 33O HOMES is published by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2021©

by Baker Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved.

Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permission. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed envelope and sufficient postage. Baker Media Group, LLC and Akron Life accept no responsibility for unsolicited material. Subscription rates: Continental U.S., One year —$19.95, Two years —$34.95. Call for Alaska, Hawaii or international rates. Single issues available by calling the circulation department or visiting akronlife.com/store. $3.95 each plus $3.50 shipping & handling. Editorial, advertising and business offices: (330) 253-0056, fax (330) 253-5868.

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by ALEXANDRA SOBCZAK photos by MOLLOHAN PHOTOGRAPHY

COLOR BURST Brighten your home with an artistic mural.

O

dds are, you’ve seen Art Bomb Brigade’s vibrant murals scattered around Akron.

Marissa McClellan teaches University of Akron students to paint public art as co-director of Art Bomb Brigade and has accent walls in almost every room of her Akron home. Most recently, McClellan created a mural in her kitchen that features colorful abstractleaning shapes inspired by Akron’s hills and a mural in her office that incorporates black and white through simple leaf designs.

“Accent walls are the perfect way to make your home more personalized, one of a kind and funky,” she says.

McClellan shares a few tips on how you can create an accent wall in your home too.

CAST A VISION. Brainstorm

If you’re hesitant about which

colors and designs that speak to

shade, give yourself time. “Put

you by using platforms such as

it up on the wall and live with it

Pinterest and Instagram to create

for a few days,” McClellan says.

a mood board of sorts. And if

It’s also important to look at it in

you’re not used to painting on a

different kinds of light. Once, that

large scale, you can pick an easy

changed her opinion. “I was like, I

design, such as geometric, and

love this color. I painted it, and

practice it on a canvas first. “A

then at nighttime, it looked really

simple resolution for someone

different, and I was like, I hate

who would like to do this could be

this color,” she says. “You can

measuring out their wall. Let’s say

paint over everything.”

it’s 10-foot-tall,” McClellan says.

“They could separate that wall into five 2-foot sections, and just make ombre stripes or something.”

And if you’ve never painted a mural before, McClellan recommends that you draw it on the wall in chalk first. “You can just

Accent walls can look great all

paint inside the lines,” she says.

around your house, but what is

“Once it’s dry, it’s easily wiped

the best location for yours? Mc-

away, instead of trying to erase

Clellan recommends putting it in a

or cover up a pencil line.”

larger space because it can appear overwhelming otherwise.

Put one color on the wall at a time.

“Put all your yellows up, just so you

BRUSH WORK. It may be a good

can step back and see where they

idea to ask a paint company for

all are. Then do your greens and

help choosing colors. It’s up to

then moving on that way,” McClel-

you whether you incorporate more

lan says. “You can see, like maybe

subdued colors like black, white

there’s too much pink in this corner,

and blue, or brighter choices like

so stop taking pink over there.”

yellow. Or you can combine the two, by using Pantone’s colors of the year — Ultimate Gray and Illuminating yellow. Some warmer tones like reds and oranges tend to be more see-through. McClellan says that paint companies — she goes to January Paint & Wallpaper — can help you select the best type of paint, so that you don’t need to keep adding coats.

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Make sure your brushes are dry and wrap a paper towel around the base to prevent paint from dripping. If a color does drip down your design, you can fix it. “The very last step is I have all the colors open so I can do touch-ups,” she says. “If I dripped somewhere, I can clean that mess up or just tighten the line.”

ACCENT IT. The decor and furniture in the room can serve as a pop of color against the mural or as an element that matches a color or vibe in the room or your whole house. McClellan already had the yellow table and chairs in her kitchen, so she matched the mural to it. “I was picking colors that kind of went with that table and chairs,” she says. “There’s a lot of that golden yellow in our house.” In her office, she chose a yellowtoned velvet couch to create contrast with the blue, black and white in the mural.

You can experiment with adding art, shelves and other decor on top of your mural, but step back and to make sure it all works together. “We tried to throw different things up there,” she says about the kitchen mural and adds they landed on a little collection of cheetah prints. “With all the plants, it felt right.”

She likes adventurous decor and layering but says it’s all based on your preferences and the style in your home. “I kind of want to put other things on top of mural accent walls, because I feel like it gives it more depth,” McClellan says. “You can just keep it open. You know, just let the art shine through.”

Rather leave it to the pros? Get a mural in your house by contacting Art Bomb Brigade at artbombbrigade@gmail.com or akronartbomb.com.

33O HOMES spring 2021

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open air

by ALEXANDRA SOBCZAK photos by ANN FABER and SUE MYER

T H E SI M PL E L I F E

An expert advises how to organize your kitchen and keep it that way.

C

lutter in our homes can leave us feeling stressed. During the pandemic, when we’re spending more time at home, it can be even more noticeable — but it can also be remedied.

Ann Faber, founder of Fab Simple Spaces, helps individuals and families get organized.

the

C A B I N E T S : One of the biggest problem spots is the cabinet under the sink. “Typically, everything is mishmashed together, and it’s really hard to find things,” Faber says. Using a cleaning caddy or tiered shelf

“There’s been an uptick with COVID,” Faber says.

“I say, Where’s the one room that bothers you the most? Let’s start there.”

under the sink helps you easily see the cleaning products you have and prevents rebuying.

She recommends keeping

The kitchen is a popular first choice. “That’s the heart of the home,” she says. “That’s the area that gets cluttered quickly.”

She advises examining how you utilize space, not overlooking vertical space and setting a routine to stay organized.

It helps her to think of a kitchen as different zones — food prep, cooking, cleaning and storage.

“It’s really taking a look at what’s missing and kind of filling that void,” Faber says, “and then also coming up with a plan to organize the space.”

Faber offers strategies for organizing your kitchen to nix clutter and stress.

details

everyday items like plates, bowls and cups in a cabinet close to the dishwasher, and coffee and tea products in a cabinet near your coffee maker.

be for bread, snacks, baking

the shelves are doing and

don’t frequently use, such as

supplies, grains or canned goods.

assign spaces,” Faber says.

paper plates and seasonal

Keep the floors clear, and

pieces, on the top shelves. Use

use lower shelves for heavier

PA N T RY: Put things you

the middle shelves for food

items such as beverages, large

you cook often, organized by

appliances and pet food. “You

the type of food or whether

don’t want to put that on a

it’s for breakfast, lunch or

high shelf,” she says. “You

dinner. Faber once had a client

don’t have a hold of it; you’re

whose husband cooked pizza

going to drop it.”

at least once a week, so they labeled seven kinds of flour and

Always put pantry items in a

grouped them with other pizza

consistent, convenient place.

ingredients. Other sections can

“You really want to look at what

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the

details

D R AW E R S : Just say no to junk drawers. Especially if your kitchen doesn’t have much drawer space, it’s important to reserve them for essentials like silverware and kitchen utensils.

Consider getting drawer organizers to prevent clutter.

“If you’re unloading the dishwasher, make sure you’re putting things in the same spot,” Faber says. “Drawer organizers really come in handy because you’re like, Oh, there’s an empty hole. That’s where the pizza cutter goes.”

Make sure you measure the drawer organizers’ lengths, widths and depths to ensure they fit, while also being big enough to house larger items like spatulas.

P O T S & PA N S : Keep pots and pans near the stove.

“Some people have pots and pans drawers,” she says. “If you don’t have it, you can get creative.” Consider installing a pots and pans rack on your wall or ceiling. If you think that’ll look too busy, find a spot in a cabinet where you can nest them together. And if you have a low vertical cabinet, use it for large cutting boards and cookie sheets. “You don’t always have to make sure everything is perfect,” Faber says. “But if you build it into the routine, it’s easier to keep on top of.”

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dream house

by VINCE GUERRIERI photos by ADRIENNE ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY

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dream house

URBAN ARTIFACT A unique new build appears in Highland Square.

I

t’s rare to find space to build a new home in Akron’s Highland Square.

The venerable downtownadjacent neighborhood is almost completely built-up, with homes made for the city’s captains of industry that date back a century or more.

But Don Cea, owner of Highbridge Construction in Akron, and Kara Cea, director of the University of Akron Dance Institute, discovered a unicorn property in summer 2019. Buying it presented the empty nesters who previously lived

in Cuyahoga Falls with the challenge of building a new home with the modern amenities and design they wanted that still fit into one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

“We kind of blended that modern Craftsman style with a Southwestern flair,” Don says. “It’s different than other houses in the neighborhood, but it fits.

It’s got character.”

The home stands out as one of the few dark-colored ones on the street, with dark blue board and batten

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siding and a solid black front door. Like many in the area, this two-story, 2,300-square-foot home has a front porch — only this one is raised up on exposed dark wooden columns with stacked stone bases and is made of composite decking with black metal railings.

The couple still incorporated traditional details, like putting an attached twovehicle garage behind the house, with doors that don’t face the street, an important element in fitting in with the neighborhood, Don says.

dream house

They broke ground in January 2020, with Don serving as the project’s general contractor, and moved in that October.

Devising a floor plan was tough, since the lot was narrow.

“It was difficult to find a house plan that gave us the features we wanted inside, blended into the neighborhood and worked on a 50-foot lot,” Don says.

“It took a lot of thought.”

The solution ended up being an open floor plan with a kitchen, dining room and living room, which can accommodate many guests while also having clear distinctions between the rooms.

Rather than feeling like the rooms are overlapping, Kara likens a gateway into each area to a proscenium, the large arch that formally separates onstage performers from the audience. “There are three walls in the dining room, and three walls in the kitchen,” she says. “You have that openness, but there’s a definitive room.”

Using space efficiently became key. When the Ceas host family gatherings or cocktail parties, the kitchen ultimately becomes the focal point, and Don says they didn’t want it cluttered with a large chimney-style hood over the five-burner stove.

Instead, a hidden range hood pops out from under a cabinet with the press of a button. “We wanted it to be something nobody noticed, and this works perfectly,” he says.

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dream house

CLOSER LOOK A dark Japanese ceramic tile backsplash above the bar top with white leathered granite-topped dark wood cabinets catches the eye.

Homeowners Don and Kara Cea thank their daughter, Vanessa, a 2020 University of Akron interior design graduate working for Floorz in Strongsville, for the interesting choice. She picked out the striking green Wabi tile by Wow Design.

“She was really in love with them and turned us on to them,” Don says.

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dream house

There’s a microwave built into a drawer in the large island at the center of the kitchen — a must-have for the Ceas, who didn’t have an island in their last home. There’s also a small countertop built into a wall for a coffee station, taking the coffee maker and its accessories off the island.

The exterior design of the windows — black frames with contrasting white trim — carries inside the house, which has a color palette of mostly whites and dark accents. The couple fell in love with Sherwin-Williams Silver Strand, which is used in the dining room, upstairs hall and throughout the

house, because it seems to take on a different hue depending on the lighting.

The counters in the kitchen, as well as a bar top in the dining room, are granite but not in the traditional sense. It’s white leathered granite, a textured surface that’s not polished or reflective. “It feels softer, it feels warmer, and we fell in love with it,” Don says.

“Everyone who comes in the house — the first thing they notice is the counter.” In the kitchen, it’s the nexus amid soft white custom-painted cabinets with silver hardware, but it’s more muted as the bar top amid the

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dark wood cabinets with crystal hardware and dark ceramic tile backsplash in the dining room.

That foresight shows the Ceas are planning to stay there for the long term, themselves becoming part of the fabric of the Up an open staircase — neighborhood. In the warm with black powder-coated weather, they are looking railings, a charcoal blue forward to sitting on the accent wall and a modern porch and eventually takmetal-and-glass chandeing part in the neighborlier — are three bedrooms, hood’s annual PorchRokr including the owner’s Music and Art Festival. suite. The size of the “One of the things that home made it impossible was really important to to have a first-floor ownus is our outside space,” er’s suite, but Don says Don says of the home’s “aging in place” changes front and back porches. can easily be made in the “Highland Square is a front future. The first-floor half- porch neighborhood.” bathroom is large enough to accommodate the “We want to be true to the installation of a shower, neighborhood too, and I and a first-floor office can think we achieved that,” become a bedroom.

Kara adds.

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by ALEXANDRA SOBCZAK photos by LOVE WHAT I DO PHOTOGRAPHY and RYANNE LOCKER

W O V E N IN T IME

Homegirl curates vintage and new farmhouse decor.

G

ina Bishop lives in a 187-year-old Hudson home with a barn on the property that she used to sell painted vintage furniture out of, but her exposure to farmhouse style — a comfy, refined country look that blends new and found items — began prior to living there.

the vintage furnishings and collected items in her childhood home, and she asked her mom why she didn’t shop in traditional stores. “She was like … This is who I am. This is who we are,” Bishop says.

and they have a piece that is naturally going to lend itself to telling the story,” she says. “They’ll be like, Oh my God, that’s such a cool table, or lamp or picture. And you go, Wow, that reminds me of my grandma.”

“Growing up, my mom, she did this before it was in vogue,” Bishop says.

“My mom used to say, I was doing what Martha Stewart was doing before there was a Martha Stewart.”

Now, Bishop has a love for the style and owns the Homegirl shop in Hudson that is focused on the farmhouse aesthetic. She enjoys that the objects both in her store’s collection and in her personal home can seem familiar and remind someone of a memory.

Bishop says she used to feel embarrassed about

“I love when you come into someone’s house,

Homegirl, which moved into a 1,700-squarefoot space in the Evaporator Works plaza in November, houses an ever-changing collection of home furnishings such as rugs, lights, chairs and more. Many pieces are upcycled and span from the ‘20s to the ‘70s. Bishop’s business partners, Jean Sukys from Market 29

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33O HOMES spring 2021

and Amy Derethik from Source the Globe, contribute vintage furniture painted to match trends and decor sourced from India, Morocco and more, respectively.

“People want to tell their story,” Bishop says. “I’m just offering the ability to shop from a collection, and I want to encourage you to collect. … Things that are older carry different energy because they’ve lived life.”

She tells us the story behind some items in Homegirl.

fresh design

A N T I Q U E B O TA N I C A L P R I N T S , $40-$80 Artwork at Homegirl ranges from floral prints to old calendars and postcards. If you want to display something like this in your home, Bishop recommends getting a frame that’s customized to your style.

V I N TA G E H U T C H E S , $150-$350 Hutches are common in farmhouse style, especially if they’re repainted in neutrals and refurnished with new knobs with touches of color as Sukys has done to these. “Doesn’t a hutch remind you of your grandma or your mom?” Bishop says.

B AS K E T P E N D A N T L I G H T S , $75-150 These lights are made by flipping vintage metal baskets upside-down. How to use: Get one as a statement piece or hang multiple in a line like Bishop did inside Homegirl.

Q U I LT P I L L O W S , $ 24 $44 When picking out some of these comfy handmade pillows, mixing patterns is welcome. “Part of the farmhouse style or DIY style is … not necessarily following rules in what goes or doesn’t go,” Bishop says. “Do it based on what you like to see or feel.” How to use: Put on a couch or chair that’s a neutral color.

K A N T H A P I L L O W S , $ 24 $72 Sourced from India, these pillows have colorful patchwork stitching and come in myriad designs. How to use: “I love those in a living room, a family room, a bedroom, a dining room bench,” Bishop says, “where you want to add some flair.”

Shop in-person: Evaporator Works, 46 Ravenna Road, Suite D4, Hudson, 330-6502135, homegirlshop.com 33O HOMES spring 2021

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dream house

by KELLY PETRYSZYN photos by ALLISON JOY SMITH

MODERN VINTAGE

An interior designer’s personal home mixes old and new beauty.

G

em and Clay Interiors owner and designer Allison Smith knows good design is about balance. So while her 8,500-square-foot Bath home is a new build constructed by Old World Custom Homes and designed

by Schill Architecture, she incorporated many Old World and vintage elements with fresh modern European ones.

“The challenge was to build something from the ground up in modern day that didn’t look as new,” she says. “I like modern European style.

I carried that throughout using materials like stone and doing the millwork in a

more French-influenced way.”

While a fireplace in the twostory great room is new, the fieldstone she chose has an older feel. “We did an overgrout treatment to kind of make it look more European and Old World,” Smith says.

Bold Sherwin-Williams Homburg Gray on the walls helps emphasize the dynamic design of the great room. “I like high contrast, so I liked the contrast between the light wood on the floor and the dark wall,” she says.

When light shines through the room’s massive six windows, Smith likes how

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the paint’s natural green and blue tones mesh with the stunning views of Yellow Creek, a pond and a waterfall below. Smith pays tribute to the 7.8-acre lot with a useful and exquisite coffee table featuring an epoxy river, a piece that she designed and her friends, metalworker Jon Bobovnik and woodworker Brandon Jones, crafted.

“I incorporated a lot of vintage and midcentury modern furniture in the great room. I wanted a European feel, but I wanted it to be cozy,” she says.

dream house

The sectional is new, the statement chairs near it are Danish midcentury and the brass side table looks antique — yet the elements blend thanks to her carefully curated choices. “I liked the turned wood look on the legs on the sectional. I found this similar brass in the side table,” Smith says.

Stone reappears over the sink in the kitchen, with a slight variation. “This one is Dutch quality Tuscan Ridge in the Winterpoint color. We did the same grout treatment to keep it cohesive, but I wanted something a little bit lighter in the kitchen,” she says.

White perimeter cabinets juxtapose a charcoal island, both custom made by Troyer Cabinetry in Amish Country.

She chose a light quartzite for the countertops for an airy common thread. “It has subtle color. It’s a great alternative to marble because it has kind of similar veining, but it’s so much more durable,” she says.

To offset the contrast, she needed midtones. “I was looking for ways to warm up the kitchen, ‘cause it can easily get a little cold, especially when you are going

with white,” she says. “We decided on a wood ceiling and to stain it a dark walnut to tie in with the doors and dark wood accents on the rest of the main floor.”

Mixed metal accents — such as brass cabinet hardware and a polished nickel faucet — and wooden midcentury Wishbone chairs surrounding the island also help warm up the kitchen. Patterned rugs

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and houseplants heighten coziness. “I like that it is botanical but in a bit more of an abstract way. It makes it look a little more modern,” Smith says of the rug by the black range hood.

Tuscan Ridge stone also frames a dining room wine wall Smith designed, which includes shelves holding vintage wine crates and an inset wallpapered in a vibrant

33O HOMES spring 2021

Lazy Bones covering. It’s a modern take on art by a botanical painter from an old book. “The orange that’s in the wallpaper is going to perfectly match the table,” says Smith. “The table is made out of cherry wood, so it’ll darken over time to match that orange.”

She has embraced the comeback of wallpaper and especially loves the paper with tulips in the powder room that complements the floating vanity custom made

by Troyer and white porcelain tile herringbone floor.

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dream house

“It reminded me of the old beautiful dark, moody paintings from Dutch masters,” she says. “I’m very selective in what wallpaper patterns I choose. I feel like if there’s somewhat of a vintage feel in the wallpaper, then it’s a little bit more timeless.”

CLOSER LOOK Homeowner Allison Smith’s office has a fireplace that looks like one piece, yet the middle is a matching cast-iron fireplace surround and a Victorian-style summer cover she found at an architectural salvage store and combined with a wooden mantel from an antique shop in Dover, Ohio, that she got

A tulip inspired the bed in the owner’s suite that Smith collaborated with Sawhorse Woodworks in Cleveland on. She’s all about usable space, so she added a pocket to the headboard, mimicking the flower. “I love the opportunity to make anything functional and beautiful,” she says.

via Facebook Marketplace. She commissioned Dana's Designs to paint the pieces and had Old World Custom Homes carpenters turn them into one unit. “It’s really hard to find the cast-iron surrounds that have matching summer covers,” says Smith. “So it was like — this is meant to be.”

Jones and Bobovnik crafted a wood slat TV cabinet Smith designed that’s built in over the fireplace as a tasteful disguise. “They’re bifold doors that close over the TV and hide it,” she says.

“It kinda looks like a cool piece of art.”

These bespoke flourishes strike a balance between beauty and usability, with custom spaces for everything her family loves — from an art studio for her photography and watercolor paintings to a half basketball court in the garage and a basement recording studio for her husband, Justin. Every space is utilized because it’s uniquely made.

“It was a dream to build something that was all of the things I was imagining,” Smith says. “We wanna get every ounce of use out of this amazing home. We wanna always feel inspired.”

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s p o n s o r ed c o n t e n t

T E S TA R E A LT Y S AV E S SUMMIT COUNTY RESIDENTS THOUSA NDS We all know of someone financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While so many industry sectors have been hit hard, one of the bright spots has been the residential housing market.

“Summit County has seen a 32 percent increase in home sales in November and December of 2020 over the previous year. During that time, the average days on market fell from 69 to 40,” says Testa Cos. president Joel Testa. “The real estate industry has been one of the few around that has managed to thrive during these very difficult times. Because of this, we feel a moral obligation to our community to give back.”

Testa’s real estate firm has announced a program called “Community Strong,” which went live in 2020. If you have a home to sell in Summit County and are looking to buy another one in that same area, it is willing to list your home and assist you in purchasing your new home for free. That’s right — free. Testa is quick to point out that as much as it sounds too good to be true, there is no catch to the program.

“Our agents earn our fee from the seller of the new home our buyers purchase.

So, there is already no cost to the buyers for our service,” he says. “By committing to let us help you with that transaction, we are willing to list your house for sale at no charge.”

Testa sees this as a way to not only give back to the community but also to invest in future clients.

“We aren’t just offering this to families that need to retain as much of the equity in their house as they can when they sell,” he says. “We are hoping that aff luent sellers see the value and become new clients for life. So far we’ve managed to save some clients tens of thousands of dollars in each deal.”

For more info, contact Cassie Testa, director of residential sales and leasing at Testa Real Estate Group at cassietesta@testacompanies.com or 330-945-HOME. Testa Realty 330-945-HOME testacompanies.com

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by KELLY PETRYSZYN and photos by RYANNE LOCKER

HAPPY PLACE

Consider Scandinavian design for a simple, joyful home.

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e’re all spending more time at home, so make it a space where you are comfy and content. That’s why the Danish hygge lifestyle is recirculating online.

It’s all about softening your space to cultivate joy — surrounding yourself with family photos, snuggly blankets and candles. It may seem fresh, but this type of design from Nordic countries emerged in the U.S. back in the ‘50s. That was around the time Gillian Andrew’s grandparents started Bath interior design firm Garth Andrew Co., so the genre became their focus. The interior designer says it’s likely coming back because people are looking for new ways to simplify their life — and that’s why you might consider adopting the style in your home.

“If you’re tired of the all the fluff and busyness of a different genre, then Scandinavian design/midcentury modern design is a very clean, functional way to go,” Andrew says, adding that Scandinavian and midcentury modern designs overlap but also have differences.

Because of Scandinavian’s simplicity, it can easily be mixed with other interior design styles, she says.

Garth Andrew Co. recently did a redesign of a local home with traditional elements and incorporated Scandinavian design in the kitchen, powder room, playroom, laundry room and upstairs hall. Andrew offers a few tips on working Scandinavian design into your home to make it a cozy, joyful place.

tiles that look like wood,” Andrew says. “You don’t really see a lot of window treatments. You might have a little blind, but you wouldn’t SIMPLIFY: Less is more, so say buh-bye to wall-to-wall carpet and poufy drapes. “One of the aspects of Scandinavian design is bare floors. A lot of people are going with hardwood floors or luxury vinyl plank

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have a lot of fluffiness.” Organization is important for mindfulness too, so cut back on clutter by doing a charity run or nestling things in decorative baskets. [ continued on page 30 ]

sponsor e d conte nt

BE A MIR ACLE M A K ER Shana Kim is passionate about supporting kids in our local community. Join Shana in supporting our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

For every transaction of buying or selling a home, Shana will make a donation that helps support medical research initiatives and provides lifesaving care to local kids.

Put your money where your miracles are! Work with Shana and give kids every chance to get better.

More than 1 million wishes have come true through over $1 million that has been donated through RE/ MAX Crossroads to local children’s hospitals.

Globally make a difference in children’s lives with Shana as your local, national and global real estate agent serving over 85 countries with over 40 languages and 60 currencies. Selling, buying, building and relocating can bring miracles to our community!

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fresh design

[ continued from page 28 ] STREAMLINE: Overstuffed

CULTIVATING HYGGE: The

couches and cold formal pieces

lifestyle is all about blissful

are out, and minimal, clean-lined

comfort, so don’t be shy in add-

functional pieces are in, espe-

ing the decor that uplifts you.

cially wooden ones. “High-tech

While the wicker furniture in

contemporary where everything

this garden room is traditional,

is metal, cement and glass —

bright, tasseled pillows make it

there’s no real warmth to that.

welcoming and playful. “These

Any wood grain is going to warm

throw pillows added a punch of

up a space,” Andrew says. She

color and that punch of design

uses the popular molded ply-

and pattern,” Andrew says.

wood chair by designer Herman

Especially if you go very minimal

Miller as an example. “It doesn’t

with the furniture, adding a

have a cushion, yet the wood

fuzzy area rug, colorful framed

grain makes it really rich,” she

art or houseplants (eco-friend-

says, adding that warmer wood

liness is a part of the lifestyle,

tones like walnut add more rich-

too) helps make it homey. “Col-

ness. Some Scandinavian chairs have some cushioning, just less stuffiness. “Scandinavian design usually has a wooden tapered leg, very simple design, maybe wood arms but maybe there’s still some upholstery,” Andrew says.

TREASURE JOY: “Nordic coun-

makes you happy. Andrew did

tries, it always comes to mind

that in this local home by using

that those are the countries that

vibrant Scandinavian wallcover-

bring out a focus on happiness,

ings that ranged from a dainty

health and well-being,” Andrew

botanical on white to rainbow flo-

says. Hygge is all about enjoying

rals and foxes. “You have this fun,

the simple pleasures of life and

colorful pattern on your walls,”

filling your home with what

she says. “It was very neat.”

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orful accents can come out in lamps, throw pillows and pieces like vases and candlestick holders,” Andrew says.

s p o n s o r ed c o n t e n t

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an Artisan Approach to

REMODELING & DESIGN

2462 PEARL RD. MEDINA, OH I 330.225.6000 I ARCHITECTURALJUSTICE.COM 33O HOMES spring 2021

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by KELLY PETRYSZYN photos by TYLAR SUTTON

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dream house

GEM O N DISPLAY Akron architects restored a crown jewel century-old mansion to its former glory.

I

n 1928, the Byron R. Barder mansion on Market Street was written up in a local publication as “one of Akron’s finest private homes.”

other firm architects, embarked on decades of work to restore the mansion to the crown jewel it was during the Progressive Era.

When architects Chas Schreckenberger and Rob Habel arrived there in 1987 after their employer, Braun & Steidl Architects, bought it, the Georgian Revival’s cream brick exterior was shrouded — almost buried — by overgrown trees and tangled vines.

“You couldn’t see the house from the street,” Habel recalls. “We helped pull the vines off.” The two, along with

The 13,500-square-foot estate, which includes a six-bed, four-bath main house, a carriage house and a garage, was built in 1919 on 1.19 acres for Barder, president and general manager of Biggs Boiler Works Co., and his family. It’s one of a few remaining examples of the prestigious Harpster & Bliss architecture firm's work, in addition to Greystone in downtown Akron.

They got the home listed on the National

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Register of Historic Places in 1987. “In its park-like setting, the Barder house remains an important showplace of its West Market Street neighborhood,” attested late historian James Pahlau on the application.

Charles Seiberling, co-founder of the Goodyear Rubber & Tire Co., lived next door in a mansion known as Tri Acres that’s listed with the Department of the Interior as a historical landmark. “The factories were on the East Side. The West Side generally had more wealth,” says Schreckenberger.

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Barder lived there until he died in 1957, the Burkhalters moved in during 1961 and it fell into disrepair following financial struggles.

After restoring it and converting it to office space for Braun & Steidl, Schreckenberger and Habel bought out the firm in 2002 and became owners of the estate in 2007.

They recently sold the firm, so their offices moved in February 2020. Now, this historic gem is on the market for residential or commercial use, and it's listed

by Keller Williams agent Karen Hillman.

The mansion was a turning point for the two — it was their first of many noteworthy historical restorations.

They began the Barder restoration in 1987 by devising clever ways to use historical quirks to do major updates, such as using original piping from the coal Biggs Boiler to replace the electrical.

saw a Braun & Steidl lawn sign and stopped in, offering to lease them an original dining set and buffet they had kept. The firm gladly took the furniture, which perfectly matches the oak-paneled walls with decorative Grinling Gibbons-esque reliefs.

“Because the guy owned a boiler company, all the wiring was in a black pipe like they used in boilers.

We used that to pull new wire. The whole house was rewired, including the chandeliers,” explains Schreckenberger. “The house had a central vacuum cleaner system. 1919 — that’s pretty advanced.

We used the conduit that was the vacuum system to run data cables.”

“It is a commission designed specifically for this room,” says Schreckenberger. They found five leaves for expanding the table.

Barder and his wife were among the city’s leading citizens, according to Pahlau’s application, and hosted lavish parties.

While they were working, Barder’s grandchildren

Rooms were equipped with a still-working intercom

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system — similar to the one at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. When the Barders wanted to move the party to another room, they could simply step down on a call button hidden in the floor and servants could direct guests.

Numerous staffers lived in the service wing accessed by a back staircase complete with a butler’s pantry, a kitchen containing an original Kelvinator refrigerator that was converted from an icebox, a two-bedroom apartment above the garage where the chauffeur and his wife stayed and a second-floor maid’s apartment. They also worked in the basement laundry room

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that originally had three gigantic claw-foot tubs and a huge industrial dryer, as well as a coal cellar with a still-workable exterioraccess chute. The firm has since converted the boiler to gas and installed air-conditioning.

square columns framing a back latticed entryway.

For seamless service, a door that opens to the butler’s pantry is disguised as a wooden panel in the dining room. Other hidden features include a safe behind a wooden panel in a closet and sliding gun storage in the den.

A portion of the Georgian woodwork in the second-floor hall was missing, so the architects researched and discovered Falls Lumber & Millwork still had a historic knife design and used it to fill in the gaps. “Some are original. Some are modern. But they’re made [of] exactly the same trim pattern,” says Schreckenberger.

The stunning halls feature square columns and paneled Doric and fluted pilasters to reflect pilasters surrounding the exterior, fluted columns supporting a two-story portico and

The six original fireplaces are impressive, including a beige Italian marble one in the walnut living room, one with a Louis XVI-style wooden mantel in the owner’s bedroom

and a black marble fireplace with a Georgian surround painted with flowers in the breakfast room — originally used as a ladies’ sitting room.

There is also a fireplace in the solarium, which formerly had a pedestal fountain. Above the solarium and the breakfast room are two sleeping porches that weren’t initially heated. “In the times of tuberculosis, they believed fresh air would ward off disease — kind of like we are going through now — so they would create these sleeping porches,” Schreckenberger says.

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Most of their entertaining took place in a third-floor ballroom with two walkout porches, and it was likely used even through Prohibition. Local lore is still circulating — a former employee’s fatherin-law told stories of his band playing parties there.

The firm converted the space into cubicles.

Another surprising entertainment spot is a basement billiard room originally used as a men’s lounge.

dream house

“When they would get tired of drinking and smoking cigars, this was a bifold door and shooting range,” explains Habel, opening a cabinet to reveal a shooting galley that extends across an empty basement stretch and has pockmarked walls to prove it.

The firm has since installed a new roof and converted the carriage house into office space, currently

leased by nonprofit Tuesday Musical, which has hosted concerts there.

After working in a historic landmark for 34 years, Habel misses simple moments that reminded him it was special — like the amazed look on newcomers’ faces during firm Christmas parties or how neighborhood kids nicknamed it “Wayne Manor,” summoning to mind Batman’s mansion.

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Schreckenberger recalls bringing his young kids there when he worked on weekends. “They would run through the place.

The office off the back stairway was the coolest thing,” he says.

The two are proud to have restored the landmark

33O HOMES spring 2021

to its previous beauty and hope it will find new owners who appreciate this rare Progressive Era mansion.

“It’s a labor of love,” Schreckenberger says. “I don’t consider us owners. I consider us caretakers.”

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CLOSER LOOK A unique local tile mural is embedded over the mantel of the Tudor arched cast-stone fireplace in the billiard room.

Research led a former Braun & Steidl firm partner to uncover that the art was made in 1919

by Unitile, a Uhrichsville, Ohio, company founded by brothers including William Donahey, who created “The Teenie Weenies,” a Chicago Tribune comic strip about two-inch people living under a rose bush. The mural features characters on a foxhunt. “That makes it sort of rare he would have done that on the mantel of a fireplace,” says house co-owner Chas Schreckenberger.

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by KELLY PETRYSZYN and CHRISTOPHER RAMOS

O V E R HE A D

Address cold-weather damage to your roof before it gets worse.

W

e’ve had quite the winter, with inches of snow, ice and even hail.

When Northeast Ohio cold weather happens, homeowners may not think about how it could damage their roofs.

“The No. 1 thing to look out for is going to be ice damage, especially here in Northeast Ohio, when ice forms along the gutter line and gets underneath the shingles. It can start to cause interior damage,” says Dave Sipes, residential division manager of Akronheadquartered Legacy Roofing Services, one of the country’s largest roofing service providers.

Often, homeowners don’t notice winter roof damage until after temps rise and everything thaws out. But now is the time to inspect your roof for issues and make repairs before we get into what is typically a rainy spring. Sipes shares some pointers on what to watch for and how you can prevent further damage.

LOOK FOR ICE DAMS: From the ground, scan for ice.

have drywall damage, insulation

roofs are warning flags too.

damage behind the walls. I’ve seen

“Another telltale sign would

“See if you have ice forming over

it go all the way down to carpets

be if the gutters are hanging

your gutters. That’s definitely a

and wood floors,” Sipes says.

down, pulling away from the

sign of ice damming,” says Sipes.

KEEP ROOF CLEAR & INSPECT CONDITION:

good indication that you have

Having an ice and water shield on your roof helps to prevent

If it’s safe, get on the roof to

freezing in gutters. It is now in

check for any debris or tree

Ohio building code, but if you have

limbs, as well as drains and

an older roof, it might have been

gutters clogged with dirt and

built without it. Catching ice dams

debris from melted snow.

early is key to avoiding indoor

Enlarged cracks and gaps or

and outdoor repairs that can be

warping in asphalt roofs and

in the thousands. “You’re gonna

missing fasteners in metal

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baseboard. That would be a ice building up into your gutters,” Sipes says. Those with twostory roofs should examine the eaves for water spots or discoloration. “Even the small ones, if you catch it early, it’s gonna save you a lot,” he says.

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SEARCH FOR C O N D E N S AT I O N :

DON’T WAIT: Addressing any issues as winter winds

Signs of condensation in

down is important, because

your attic point to roof

Northeast Ohio’s springs

problems. “If you’re seeing

bring hail that can make

water dripping from the

existing damage worse.

underside or onto your

Preventative checks and

rafters, it’s an indication

regular maintenance are

you have condensation,”

important. So call an

says Sipes, adding that

expert about any leaks, ice

wet insulation is another

dams, water spots, cracks

red flag. He answers many

or condensation. “The

local calls about moisture

sooner you notice that and

and condensation inside

the sooner you try to stop

during the winter and

it, the more money you're

spring, and the solution

going to save,” Sipes says.

is often fixing poor ventilation. “You’re getting condensation in your attic from the hot air and the cold air not getting out,” Sipes says. “We need to ventilate the roof properly.”

“Let “Le “L Letett us hehelp elpp yyouoouu ffinfind ndd yyour yoyouourur home’s hohom ome me’s true t uee ppot tru popotential potential. otten otenti tentia tent ntial ttiaal.l.” tial

bringing great design home

Design Consultations For All Your Custom Needs 207 S. Court St. | Medina, OH | 330.725.7623 | interiordesignstudiooh.com

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by ALEXANDRA SOBCZAK and photos by MICHAEL TIMMER PHOTOGRAPHY

PEACE KEEPER

An Akron home becomes a tranquil retreat after a major remodel.

A

reflecting pond under a red-beamed copper-wrapped pergola, the illumination of copper and glass lanterns, a waterfall, a teahouse and a far-off barn occupied by horses — this Akron home encompasses you in Japanese-inspired Zen.

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Cynthia J. Hoffman Interior Design majorly renovated the home in 2015, adding on an owner’s suite with a bedroom, bathroom, sitting area and loft, relocating the kitchen and more, all with the vision of turning the formerly traditional home into a sanctuary for the couple living there.

“The wife does yoga, and she’s very much into that quiet, meditative sort of feeling,” says designer Cynthia J. Hoffman. “That’s what they wanted — a sanctuary where they can feel protected, safe and meditative.”

That mood is set in exterior details such as copper-outlined windows, smooth black stones below the back door and graduated Shou Sugi Ban siding, which is a technique using wood-burned planes of different widths championed by Japanese architect Terunobu Fujimori.

The great room immediately immerses you in that same tranquil atmosphere.

Throughout, there is a neutral color palette accented with black and red, chosen to complement the natural wood of the hand-planed beams, as well as other natural materials.

“What happens with Japanese hand planes is that … you don’t have to finish it, paint it, stain it,” Hoffman says. “It burnishes the wood and reveals the true nature of the wood, and it’s absolutely beautiful.”

The couch provides a view of the reflecting pond out front, and the TV is mounted on the convex side of a floating concrete wall.

On the concave side is the

foyer, which has a floor with graduated slates matching both the exterior siding and the black slate fireplace in the dining area, which highlights pendant lights.

“That fireplace is such a monumental statement,” Hoffman says. “We wanted something that would be contemporary and fun, and that would really show up against that beautiful wall.”

The old-growth redwood slab dining table is set with high-back patterned host chairs and several smaller chairs in different styles that can be moved into the living area for the couple’s entertaining. The custom buffet nicknamed the “Walnut Wave” has sliding doors, a traditional Japanese style. Above it hangs a

watercolor painting by California artist William E.A. Berger that incorporates the couple and their barn.

Sliding doors take you from the great room into the kitchen and breakfast nook, which used to be the sunroom. The “Sun Kitchen” features natural bamboo cabinets with sliding doors,

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a soapstone counter, a bamboo bookshelf for cookbooks and a black-andgray mosaic backsplash with pops of red. In the breakfast nook, the built-in seating is augmented by repurposed painted piano stools. Together, the areas are “contemporary with a Japanese aesthetic,” linked by a real linoleum floor.

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“We used all-natural fibers wherever possible,” Hoffman says, referencing the wool, linoleum and wood used throughout the house.

Before the renovations, the couple had a very small bedroom, and they wanted their new one to have a view of their backyard.

They now have that view upstairs in the room that employs neutral colors, hand-planed beams and an antique chestnut post from a tobacco barn with a hand-carved stone base to contrast the charcoalcolored earth plaster on the walls, creating a warm feeling throughout.

“All of the structure, the beams, the Port Orfords — those are all of a Japanese design,” Hoffman says.

A stainless-steel water screen separates the bedroom from the bathroom, recirculating fallen water once it hits the smooth black pebbles beneath.

Hand-carved stone steps surrounded by those same black stones lead to a standalone stainless-steel soaking tub with a custom-built wooden water filler and a view of the wooded property. Above the commode is a framed piece of art the couple brought back from a trip to China. “It really adds depth to that space,” Hoffman says.

[ continued on page 44 ]

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[ continued from page 42 ]

Above the owner’s suite, there’s a particularly meditative space. “We created a loft for her so she could do yoga,” Hoffman says.

“We also added clerestory windows … so it feels really light and airy up there.” The cozy spot also has an inset daybed for the wife to read at and a desk with a framed picture of a horse she drew in grade school.

The husband has his own space too, a loft above the garage. “He wanted sort of a man cave, although it’s far from a cave because it’s bright and airy,” Hoffman says. He has a cobalt blue recliner, floor-to-ceiling shelves and a custom, glossy Italian Ebony L-shaped desk under a stainless-steel beam mounted with lights. The office space is near a bathroom with matching glossy cabinets and a blue cobalt ceiling. “This has a totally different feel from the rest of the house, and [it’s] more contemporary,” Hoffman says. “It’s a nice juxtaposition.”

CLOSER LOOK From the soaking tub in the owner’s bathroom, you can see a copper rain chain adorned with bees, hanging

Despite that area featuring brighter colors than other parts of the house, it still has that soothing vibe.

down from the gutter. The

“They each kind of have their look in their space, but they both love the sensibility of the natural fibers and the natural feeling in the public area of the house,” Hoffman says.

“So we wanted to keep it very natural. The Japanese feeling kind of flowed.”

cup, matching the other cop-

feature, both decorative and functional, is traditional on Japanese houses. This one has four bees on each metal per exterior details around the windows and pergola beams.

“You see that gorgeous rain chain,” says Cynthia J. Hoffman, owner of Cynthia J. Hoffman Interior Design.

“Inside in the ground, there is a ceramic pot that the water comes down into and then leeches out into the yard.”

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sponsor e d conte nt

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The magazine of The 330 330 FLAVOR AWARDS

VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 2021

WINNERS WINNER OOF THE 330 FLAV FLAVOR AWARDS AWAR

UT

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CAR

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0 MARCH 2020

HOUSE OF HUNAN TONK ATSU R AMEN AND PAN-FR IED POR K BUNS

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fresh design

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by VINCE GUERRIERI photos by J.T. HICKS and JESSICA SKINNER

T U R N ST Y L E

JBurgess Designs features artistic furniture made from discarded objects.

W

hen Jessica Skinner visited her grandfather in Florida as a child, she was fascinated by the way he’d use pallets from nearby factories, turning them into doghouses, fencing and barns, among other things.

His work inspired her to learn furniture-making.

“I figure if it was in my granddad, it’s got to be in me somewhere,” says the now 34-year-old.

As a newlywed in 2007, Skinner got a lot of hand-me-down furniture.

She redid the furniture, reupholstering it for a more cohesive look, “so my house would look like a home,” she says.

She’s since expanded, with JBurgess Designs — named after her grandfather — which moved into Summit Artspace in Akron in July 2017.

It features reclaimed furniture and the occasional custom piece, as well as decorative items.

She works at the space weekly and plans to offer virtual classes on upholstering, woodworking and the use of power tools.

Here, she tells us the backstory behind some of her pieces.

UPHOLSTERED C H A I R S , $ 39 9 $ 5 9 9 Skinner says she finds chairs that may be in disrepair but have “good bones” and reupholsters them in a variety of fabrics, often emphasizing linear patterns. “It encourages me to be mindful in how I fill my own space— mentally and physically,” she says.

F L O O R P O U F S , $79 Using leftover fabric, she crafts large eclectic pillows. The finished products prompt Skinner to contemplate what constitutes restfulness. How to use: The poufs are popular for meditation, she says.

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33O HOMES spring 2021

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by VINCE GUERRIERI and photos provided by MILLER'S HOME FURNISHINGS

SENSE OF CALM

Soothing neutrals with subtle warm hints make an open floor plan serene.

W

ith six children and four grandchildren, being able to host everyone was a priority when Greg and Shelly Huff were looking for a new home.

They found the ample entertainment space they were seeking in a Jackson Township home — an open floor plan connects the foyer, kitchen, dining area and living area. They couldn’t wait to get started on decorating, so in May 2020, even before moving in, they began working with Miller’s Home Furnishings in North Canton to establish a design that was functional while reflecting their personal flair and calm color palette. Shelly Huff already had a sense of what she wanted — something transitional, which combines some modern elements with traditional ones.

GREETING SPOT: Double front doors make the home’s foyer rather large — 9 by 10 feet. Huff wanted a decora-

“I just love the whole space,” Huff says. “I wanted it to be serene and peaceful. I feel like Miller's helped me coordinate it all so it flows.”

tive table, but the doors open inward. Miller’s chose a narrow one with concave corners, allowing the doors to fully open while fulfilling Huff's

Shelly and Ashley Miller, a Miller’s Home co-owner, chat with us about how they set that tone right from the start.

wish. “The cutouts on the foyer table were the same style for elegance but also serve a functional purpose,” Miller says.

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FAMILY MEAL: Huff envisioned a big dining set. “I wanted everyone to be able to sit around the table at once,” she says. So Miller's found a 10-seater that blends a darker medium-toned wood with cream legs and beige seat cushions to tie in the darkness of the wood floor while contrasting the white trim and woodwork.

[ continued on page 50 ]

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CHOOSE THE BEST BU I L DER FOR YOU R HOM E The task of selecting a homebuilder can be intimidating. You want someone you can trust for the biggest investment of your life. After two generations in this industry, we offer some tips in making your choice.

• Be sure expectations on the project are clear and a partnership between you and the build team is formed from the initial concept. Incorporating your ideas is integral.

• Understand the range of each builder. From modern to rustic style and economy to luxury-grade finishes, every builder has a range they can execute optimally.

• Know the resources, knowledge and portfolio the crew has behind them. The team's experience will affect your project.

We love creating projects with our clients and wish the best for you in your home design journey. Contact us at info@shultzdc.com to discuss a potential project.

Shultz Design & Construction 3465 S. Arlington Road, Suite 116 E, Akron 330-896-8883 shultzdc.com 33O HOMES spring 2021

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[ continued from page 49 ]

COMFORT PLUS: To make the living area welcoming for many, Huff had one demand. “I had my heart set on two sofas,” she says. Miller’s mapped out the room with computer-assisted drawing to ensure two gray couches would fit.

They provide pleasant symmetry and are costeffective, one costing only slightly more than a love seat. Each spouse wanted their own recliner without the typical bulky look. The brown leather chairs with nailhead accents met their needs while being stylish.

ART THAT WORKS: Huff said her favorite color is gray, and while it’s heavily incorporated into the decor, she wanted warmer tones, like “greige,” a combo of gray, beige and taupe. Neutral artwork — some in champagne frames — and warm lighting provides small yet effective bursts of color.

“Accent pieces can make a big difference,” says Miller.

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s p o n s o r ed c o n t e n t

A N A RTISA N A PPROACH TO REMODELING & DESIGN Architectural Justice has been providing homeowners of The 330 with an artisan approach to design and remodeling for 35 years. Its unique design center in Medina offers clients a one-stop-shop for all the materials and products needed to transform a home.

Architectural Justice is also one of the largest stocking stone fabricators in the area, featuring nearly 2,000 slabs of exotic stone on-site. Along with stone fabrication, other on-site services include design, remodeling, custom cabinetry, custom furniture, custom millwork and architectural metal design and fabrication.

Whether it’s a small project or a full remodel, Architectural Justice’s purpose is to give you the most creative and innovative solution for your space.

Architectural Justice Design Center 2462 Pearl Road, Medina 330-225-6000 architecturaljustice.com

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STA RT PL A N N I NG YOU R OU T DOOR SPACE S NOW Is anyone else ready for warmer weather so they can enjoy the outdoors? The sun begins to show in Ohio during early spring, and that means it’s time to start planning your outdoor spaces.

Begin with a layout. Define a space for dining and a comfy, cozy seating area. Anchor the area with an outdoor area rug made of polypropylene, which makes for easy cleaning with a garden hose. Then decide on a color story. Take one color from an inside area such as a four-season room or living room that leads to the outdoors. Carry this base color through the outdoor area rug and outdoor furniture. Layer in another pop of color with throw pillows and accessories. Have a little fun with this. Be bold, mix patterns together (like stripes with f lorals) or use a mirror in an interesting frame to ref lect views of surrounding shrubbery. You can even repurpose a piece of furniture from inside, such as a bistro set. Repaint it for a fresh look on your patio.

Remember to use fabrics specifically for the outdoors, such as Sunbrella. These high-performance fabrics are lightfast and stain resistant, offering long-lasting beauty and durability.

Now get out there, and enjoy a cool spring evening around a cozy outdoor fireplace.

Interior Design Studio 207 S. Court St., Medina 330-725-7623 interiordesignstudiooh.com 33O HOMES spring 2021

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