Vermont Trend Watch - 2017 Edition

trend watch VERMONT

BUILD, REMODEL, DECORATE & LANDSCAPE

SPRING 2017 | $4.95

Inspiring and Functional Spaces

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BEST OF CENTRAL VERMONT | Spring 2014

Contents FEATURES

SPRING 2017

14 24

Peregrine Design/Build AN AWARD-WINNING REMODEL OF A “NOT-TOO-BIG” HOUSE.

BY MARY GOW

Mitra Designs

DISCOVERY AND EXPRESSION LEAD TO INSPIRING PLACES AND EXPERIENCES.

BY MARY GOW

34 40

HAVEN design + building llc CREATING A MODERN FARMHOUSE KITCHEN.

BY TOM BRANDES

Redmond Interior Design HELPING A FAMILY FEEL AT HOME FOR THE FUTURE.

BY SARAH TUFF DUNN

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COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF COLDWELL BANKER HICKOK & BOARDMAN REALTY

Contents SPOTLIGHTS

SPRING 2017

21 | CYNTHIA KNAUF LANDSCAPE DESIGN

BY SARAH TUFF DUNN

SECTIONS

32 | BURLINGTON MARBLE & GRANITE 46 | CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP 51 | CLOSE TO HOME

BY MARY GOW

56 | WINDOWS & DOORS BY BROWNELL

BY COREY BURDICK

62 | GORDON’S WINDOW DECOR 64 | VERMONT CUSTOM CLOSETS

BY MICHELLE FISCHER

75 | LANDSHAPES

BY COREY BURDICK

80 | CHURCH HILL LANDSCAPES 85 | MORNING DEW LANDSCAPING 88 | WAGNER HODGSON

13 Publishers’ Note 48 Home Media VERMONT ELECTRONICS

BY MICHELLE FISCHER

50 Interior Design 53 DESIGN MATTERS

BY MARY GOW

58 WALKER CONTEMPORARY 60 INSIDE OUT GALLERY 66 CHRISTINE BURDICK DESIGN 71 VERMONT FURNITURE DESIGNS

72 Real Estate COLDWELL BANKER HICKOK & BOARDMAN REALTY

74 Outdoor Living 78 ANN ROCHE FURNITURE 82 THE CARRIAGE SHED 86 OTTER CREEK AWNINGS

BY MICHELLE FISCHER

91 Advertisers Index 10 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

VERMONT

trend watch BUILD, REMODEL, DECORATE & LANDSCAPE

COFFEE TABLE PUBLISHING P.O. Box 1460, Quechee, VT 05059

(802) 295-5295 PUBLISHERS

Robin Gales John Gales Bob Frisch ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kristy Erickson CONTRIBUTORS

Tom Brandes, Corey Burdick, Sarah Tuff Dunn, Michelle Fischer, and Mary Gow COPY EDITOR

Elaine Ambrose ART DIRECTION/DESIGN

Robbie Alterio

ADVERTISING DESIGN

Hutchens Media, LLC WEB DESIGN

Locable

ADVERTISING

Robin Gales John Gales (802) 295-5295 coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net Keep us posted. Correspondence may be addressed to letters to the editor, P.O. Box 1460, Quechee, VT 05059. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing ctpublishing@comcast. net or coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net.

Coffee Table Publishing, LLC, ©2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

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PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

Make Your House a Home

A

s we were looking over some of the drafts of the layouts in this year’s issue, we realized that this is the third year Vermont Trend Watch has been an individual publication. Wow! It may sound like a cliché, but every year the issue is more stunning—a testament to the fine craftspeople, builders and architects, interior designers, landscapers, and others who have a passion for helping others find their way home.

As we explore what’s new in the building, remodeling, and design industry here in Vermont, this year’s Vermont Trend Watch won’t disappoint. We’ve added a few unique spins on the focus as well. We asked Stephanie Walker of Walker Contemporary in Waitsfield to give us some insight into choosing art for our homes. Whether it’s a buyer’s first piece of art or an addition to a collection, Stephanie’s experience and eye are much in demand, as well as an example of the scope of creativity and celebration of the home that Vermont offers.

And we’re venturing beyond the home this year. Christine Burdick shows us the ins and outs of commercial interior design. Our peek into her world finds us surrounded by fun, functional spaces with colors, carpeting, and furniture that seem to take the stress out of the workplace while providing everything you need.

This issue of Vermont Trend Watch is also filled with landscape designs and projects. With Church Hill Landscapes’ new solar- and electric-powered lawn-care options, keeping the yard looking good is incredibly easy and environmentally friendly, with benefits to carbon reduction.

In addition, we look at the latest in home electronics, and Hickok & Boardman Realty offer readers advice and help finding their “Goldilocks” property. With all that and so much more, we think you’ll enjoy reading this year’s Vermont Trend Watch as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

John and Robin Gales Check us out on www.facebook.com/vermonttrendwatch/ www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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BY MARY GOW PHOTOS BY SUSAN TEARE

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Peregrine DESIGN/BUILD AN AWARD-WINNING REMODEL OF A “NO T T O O BIG” H OU SE

Elegance and comfort come in all sizes—not just in spacious homes. Innovative design combined

with cutting-edge materials and high-quality construction can make an old space new, bringing beauty and fresh energy to a home. When the design aligns perfectly with the aesthetic and lifestyle of the homeowners, a remodeling project is transformative.

So when Christine, a Shelburne homeowner, decided to remodel her cape-style house, she chose Peregrine Design/Build of South Burlington to bring her vision to life. Designer Jillian Bartolo took the lead, developing plans with Christine and managing the project, including finding space for several delightful added features.

Jillian’s design and Peregrine’s execution exceeded Christine’s expectations—and along the way earned a 2016 Best Residential Remodel Award from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern Vermont.

SEAMLESS AND SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS For over 25 years, Peregrine Design/Build has been working with homeowners and commercial clients to deliver high-quality homes, remodeling projects, and business spaces on time and on budget.

The Peregrine team takes pride in their collaborations with clients and the seamless process they bring to projects, from design to completed construction.

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A modern take on a barn-style door allows a visually interesting connection to the private master bath. The frosted glass gives privacy to the bathroom while allowing the natural light to filter into adjoining spaces.

Peregrine works throughout the greater Burlington area as well as the Champlain Islands, Stowe, and Central Vermont.

From remodeling a bathroom to building a custom-designed new home, Peregrine works on projects of all sizes. For Christine, who wanted to remodel the central living space of her “not so big” three-bedroom house, Peregrine was the perfect match.

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“I wanted to transform my little 1980s’ cape to a luxurious little modern cape,” Christine explains about her original goal. “I started with a vision of creating a ‘great room’ concept for the kitchen, dining, and TV room. Through some wonderful design, I ended up with all this— plus a gorgeous master suite, something I did not think was possible in my small home. The construction is first rate—attention to detail and overall quality are just fantastic.”

THOUGHTFUL DESIGN WITH CLIENTS’ NEEDS IN MIND With two school-age children, Christine’s career, the family’s many activities, and frequent entertaining, this is a busy household. The modestly sized home has a lovely private backyard.

Their outdoor spa is a focus of year-round use. Before construction, the home’s main living area had a disjointed layout of disconnected spaces. With small rooms and small areas for cooking, dining, schoolwork, entertaining, and relaxing, the floor plan chopped up the flow of daily life. The kitchen, located in the middle of the house, was isolated from the backyard and outdoor living.

“We wanted better use of the existing space,” says Jillian. “Specific challenges were spatially fitting all the client’s needs into the smaller home. To keep costs down, we didn’t want to expand the footprint. We had to utilize every square foot to gain a powder room and a bigger mudroom

EXISTING

NEW FLOOR PLAN

The existing layout on the left shows that relocating the garage entry door made room for a small powder room and a more spacious mudroom. Relocating the kitchen sink to a view of the backyard opened up a long layout for a great room of combined kitchen, living, and dining spaces.

Stealing some underutilized hallway space allowed for a full master bath.

in the current footprint.”

From the beginning, Christine’s goal was to have a more open home. Jillian’s design accomplished that—and more. Walls came down and uses changed. The kitchen shifted to the back of the house. With a fresh new layout, finishes, and fixtures, it is now the center of family life.

Jillian’s resourceful design provided an updated and more functional mudroom and found space for a small, bright powder room. With the addition of the powder room, the former first-floor bathroom was free to be Christine’s private realm. In the home’s new open floor plan, transitions in spaces are subtly defined with features including millwork beams added to the ceilings, cabinetry, and overhead lighting.

The airy new kitchen connects directly to the yard with a trio of windows and a glass door. The kitchen’s white cabinets are complemented by the cherry-finished island that adds warmth to the room’s welcoming ambience. Oil-rubbed bronze knobs and drawer pulls offer contrasting accents. The oak floor with its wide planks is oiled rather than finished in www.vermonttrendwatch.com | 17

polyurethane for a softer look. Countertops are classic granite—durable and timeless. The generous surface of the island offers ample room for seating. With a 48-inch-wide refrigerator and double oven, the design accommodates casual or extensive culinary preparations.

The kitchen transitions to a living area with a kid-friendly and adultfriendly bar area. An under-counter beverage refrigerator includes a section for wine storage and another for juice, soda, or other drinks.

Glassware and cups are stored in glass-fronted cabinets over the counter, which includes a small bar sink. A wall-mounted television offers viewing from around the open room.

“The large kitchen space has become the hub of the house,” says Christine. “This was especially wonderful during football season—my son and I are huge New York Giants fans—where we could watch football together as a family while cooking Sunday dinner.”

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Kitchen cabinetry extends into the dining and living space, allowing for an entertaining area outside of the main kitchen traffic. With a beverage and wine fridge, small sink, and glass cabinetry to display beautiful glassware, this wall of built-ins maximizes the storage possibilities for this “great room” layout.

A Tip from Jillian Bartolo IF A HOMEOWNER CAN MAKE ONLY ONE IMPROVEMENT THIS YEAR, WHAT SHOULD IT BE? “Paint! It’s one of the least expensive ways to make a big impact on a space. Updating paint every 8 to 10 years gives a space a fresh, clean look and allows you to pick a color ‘in trend.’ If you can swing it, a simple piece of crown molding installed in a room before fresh paint adds so much to a space. Millwork brings so much detail and character to a room and really sets off a beautiful paint color.”

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Superstore Electronics is a sound system with built-in speakers in each room, including outdoor speakers on the deck,” Christine notes.

AN EFFICIENT REDESIGN OVERCOMES CHALLENGES Fitting in an arrival space and a new powder room, the mudroom was among the home’s challenges. Redefining the rooms, Jillian developed the new mudroom with hooks, a coat closet, and bench; she also added a “drop zone.” The family now has this convenient nook to deposit keys, cell phones, notes from school, and more. It’s a place for “all the clutter that you don’t need on your kitchen island but that does need a home. It has extra outlets for charging phones,” Jillian explains. The efficient redesign allowed space for the powder room, accessed by a pocket door. With a small window, the powder room has added “pop” with bright, fireworks-style wallpaper.

The master bathroom was a bonus for Christine. While its floor plan was largely kept the same, by changing the tub to a large walk-in shower, the room was remodeled with a new sophisticated and classic look. A sliding barn-style door provides access, and frosted glass brings in more light. Its stunning quartz countertop is more durable and forgiving than marble. Stain resistant, quartz doesn’t require resealing. The undermounted rectangular sinks have sleek lines, while glass knobs on the cabinets provide a refined, feminine touch.

From the beginning of design work to completion, Christine’s remodeling project took about eight months. Throughout the process, she remained impressed by the approach, solutions, and skills of the team. -

PEREGRINE DESIGN/BUILD 49 Commerce Avenue Unit A1 South Burlington, VT (802) 383-1808 peregrinedesignbuild.com 20 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

CYNTHIA KNAUF LANDSCAPE DESIGN | SPOTLIGHT

BY SARAH TUFF DUNN PHOTOS BY CAROLYN BATES

Beauty, Function & Sustainability KEYS TO CLIENTS’ SATISFACTION

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ow celebrating 25 years of being in business as a landscape architect, Cynthia Knauf provides a full scope of services to residential, commercial, and public clients not only in Vermont and New England but also in Montreal, Long Island, Barbados, and Idaho. Her team’s work in growing all things green from a home base in the Green Mountain State has earned accolades from numerous sources, including Landscape Architecture Magazine and Distinctive Backyards.

It hasn’t always been sunshine and roses, however. Cynthia explains that a dream for an outdoor space can fade when obstacles occur. “Sometimes after developing an initial vision that we’re all passionate about,” she says, “we have to switch gears if we find that the existing site conditions or zoning regulations will not support the concept. It’s important that we design to meet the characteristics of the site—soil, hydrology, sun, and wind—and any regulatory overlays of the property. So it’s best to remain flexible for exploring all the options and persistent for finding the best design solution.”

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“The success of a landscape project depends on the teamwork, when all disciplines are working together from the design and planning phases through construction and are committed to creating a highquality, seamless composition of building and landscape.”

– Cynthia Knauf

An Award-Winning Approach That approach helped Cynthia net an Excellence Award for Large-Scale Residential Design from the Green Works Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association for a collaborative project in downtown Burlington with Maclay Architects, Redmond Interior Design, Church Hill Landscapes, and Sisters of Nature. It involved the renovation of an 1894 home and property in a dense historic neighborhood.

“While the architect and interior designer planned an energy-efficient and fresh transformation for the interior,” says Cynthia, “we were tasked with creating a private and peaceful outdoor sanctuary on the 0.17-acre lot that was steep, overgrown, and dark.”

Working closely with the owner and the design team, the Knauf group developed a master plan that consisted of a cohesive composition of outdoor spaces located on level tiers supported by fieldstone retaining walls. “Bringing in color, light, and yearlong interest was important to the owner, as was combining contemporary and traditional aesthetics expressive of her need for simplicity and reminiscent of her fond childhood memories in her uncle’s gardens,” says Cynthia, who gives a nod to the plant design from Sisters of Nature and stone craftsmanship by Church Hill Landscapes.

The landscape and gardens will be on the 2017 Flynn Garden Tour in July.

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Annual Site Visits Ensure Continued Success Collaboration is just one component of Cynthia’s commitment to customer service. Her team also works with contractors during construction to accurately follow the plans, answer clients’ questions, and provide assurance to them. “It’s important that our landscapes are durable and sustainable, so follow-up continues years after construction,” says Cynthia, who typically does annual site visits to observe how the landscape is functioning.

One of the most exciting projects on Cynthia’s plate is designing a dynamic outdoor space that includes a stainless steel plunge pool, a stainless steel hot spa, a linear fire feature with an Olympic blackgranite tabletop, fire bowls, and tall, slender urns. “Storage for the equipment and furniture needed to be convenient, so we designed an enclosed watertight area beneath the deck using Cembrit fiber cement panels in sage green with stainless steel cables running vertically in front of the panels for flowering vines,” says Cynthia.

“In addition to needed storage, these walls will provide a rich and beautiful backdrop as the clients are relaxing and enjoying the mountain views beyond.

“The success of a landscape project depends on the teamwork,” says Cynthia, “when all disciplines are working together from the design and planning phases through construction and are committed to creating a high-quality, seamless comp‑ osition of building and landscape. The key players are the architect, landscape architect, interior designer, civil engineer, and the craftspeople constructing the project.” -

CYNTHIA KNAUF LANDSCAPE DESIGN 215 College Street, Studio 2C Burlington, VT (802) 655-0552 cynthiaknauf.com www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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BY MARY GOW PHOTOS BY SUSAN TEARE

Mitra's design for this beautiful and modern kitchen is open and informal while ensuring efficiency of function and good traffic flow.

The custom cabinetry provides plenty of work surfaces and storage. The old soapstone countertops were salvaged from the original kitchen.

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MITRA Designs s

DISC O VERY A ND EXP RESSI ON LEA D T O INSP IRING P LAC E S A ND EXP ERIENC ES

“Good design solves both artistic and functional issues,” says designer Mitra Samimi-Urich. “A good designer should be able to take

the client’s story and respond to the client’s needs and desires.”

The design process of discovery and expression, she explains, can lead to inspiring places and experiences.

Mitra, of Mitra Designs in Bristol, has been bringing her creativity, her originality, her dedication to creating inspiring homes for her clients, and her professional home-design services to homeowners for 26 years. Keeping her office small and working closely with clients, Mitra sees her role as that of a design partner, listening to and understanding her clients’ needs and interests and bringing them to fruition in beautiful homes.

AN EYE FOR SEAMLESS TRANSITIONS “I am passionate about working with clients with diverse backgrounds. I am in this field first because I enjoy the art of designing and creating design solutions for challenging spaces,” says Mitra.

“What I love even more about design is how it allows me to meet and work with new people, as with each design project I gain an added respect about the human urge for living in an inspiring and rejuvenating environment, a common thread that unifies us as human beings.” www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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Designed to echo the romance of a farm kitchen, the pantry functions as a secondary kitchen for baking and food prep.

Right: While this open dining, living, and kitchen design is modern, it has influences of a Vermont farmhouse. The careful positioning of the highly energy-efficient windows takes advantage of the breathtaking view.

Opposite page: A concrete wall wraps the massive mechanical box for the fireplace unit. Floating shelves soften the bold lines of steel and concrete.

Salvaged wood adds warmth.

In Mitra’s approach to all her projects, she has an eye for providing creative design concepts and seamless transitions between architecture and interior design and between design and construction. Working closely with builders, structural engineers, energy-efficiency consultants, and other project team members, she ensures that details are not overlooked and that the high quality expected by her clients is achieved.

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services include planning and layout for building design, interior planning and design, color scheme design, lighting design, and project management.

BRINGING STYLES TOGETHER COMPATIBLY A recent renovation showcases the many aspects of Mitra’s talent, skill, and approach.

For a complete rejuvenation of their Vermont vernacular farmhouse, a vacation home set on nearly 180 acres with spectacular Adirondack views, the homeowners called on Mitra. She had worked with them previously, remodeling their guesthouse. Her

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The open and relaxed design of this house is functional for a growing young family. The custom gray finish suggests a modern and industrial effect.

Below: The custom vanity in this powder room has a thick concrete trough on top of two salvaged barn beams rested on iron pipes. Mitra's customdesigned wall sconces and the sugar-maple tap-like faucets further influence the design of this modern Vermont farmhouse.

familiarity with their international lifestyle and interest in industrial modern aesthetic helped inform her approach.

Beyond developing the design for their lifestyle, tastes, and the property, Mitra coordinated all aspects of the project. With the homeowners’ extensive travels and primary home abroad, the renovation needed to be planned and implemented so that each of three phases was fully completed between their visits. Each time they arrived in Vermont, the house needed to be fully ready for their family time and relaxation.

“The overall goal of this project was to create a clean, simple, and functional design that was beautiful but relaxing and comfortable for their young family,” says Mitra. “They had a great desire to create a living space that had some interesting features and was creative, fresh, and personal—something that reflected their diverse travel experiences around the world and their appreciation for good design.”

Along with their fondness for the straightforward lines and ambience of their farmhouse, the owners were drawn to contemporary industrial design and hoped to bring the two styles together compatibly.

To achieve their goals, the project was divided into three phases. The first phase in28 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

volved the children’s space on the second floor—bedrooms, bathroom, and loft—and an ample new mudroom on the ground floor. The master bedroom suite was the focus of the second phase. The main floor with its living and dining areas, kitchen, and pantry was the final and spectacular third phase.

A DESIGN FOR FAMILY LIFE Throughout the home, Mitra used a palette of whites and grays with some soft blue in the kitchen and a few pops of rusty orange and bright red—notably on the outside of the clawfoot

The pebble-like sink sits on a dramatic live-edge cherry top. Mitra strategically positioned three square windows to capture the beautiful gardens. A large tiled shower stall features a cantilevered tiled heated bench.

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To define and visually separate the master bedroom from the open bathroom, Mitra designed a multilayered concrete textured wall that also acts as an artful backdrop for the four-poster bed. On the far end of this room, a wall-to-wall floating set of custom drawers provides additional storage.

Right: The entry of the master bedroom was designed to be a welcoming space before the transition to the bedroom area.

bathtub supported on rough-hewn beams in the children’s bathroom.

For the new master bedroom suite, the homeowners wanted not only more space and a fresh look but also clean lines, an open floor plan, and concrete-like textures in the bathroom. Defining bedroom and bathroom spaces but also furthering the airiness of the rooms, Mitra created a textural wall with floating wall panels sandwiched between a thick concrete-like wall.

Her solution separates the master bed and bath area yet keeps them open and inviting to each other. This wall functions as a backdrop to place the bed and creates an artful 30 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

sculptural architectural space.

In the master bathroom, Mitra used a long natural cherry-wood top with a live edge as the new vanity. A smooth, pebbleshaped sink sits atop it. Storage drawers are

suspended beneath the vanity, offering an overall lighter floating look. Mitra’s lighting choices include glass pendant lights that poetically suggest water drops while providing additional lighting.

Left: For the family room, Mitra designed a space that included a new built-in for audio/visual and an efficient gas fireplace. She introduced a color scheme based on neutral colors of grays and whites.

Below: Every effort was made to preserve the simplicity and charm of the original house. Custom stile and rail wall panels gracefully merge the new additions and renovations with the original structure.

Adjacent to the master suite, a new family sitting room/TV room was part of this phase. For this comfortable informal room, Mitra designed a new modern fireplace and an audiovisual “floating” wall, also treated with a concrete-finish effect. Behind the wall is abundant storage space for games and books.

A FINAL TRANSFORMATION In the final design and construction phase, the main living areas of the home were transformed. In this central area, the homeowners and Mitra carried forward the contemporary industrial vernacular farmhouse connection. Another priority was connecting the indoor space to

the home’s breathtaking surroundings of gardens, grounds, and views. The homeowners were looking for an open and innovative, architecturally artful, warm and informal space.

The living room fireplace is a focus of the living space. Mitra’s ingenious design is artful and functional. Selected for its efficiency, the fireplace is positioned in a bold, cleanlined geometric wall. The fireplace wall and concrete hearth float before a smoky-colored steel backdrop. A pair of wood shelves and firewood cubbies frame the firebox.

Simple, modern, and efficient, the kitchen is designed for the convenience of cooking and for family and entertaining. “All kitchen and pantry cabinetry was custom made by local artisan cabinetmakers with state-of-the-art and high-performance painted finishes for ease of cleaning and longevity,” says Mitra. She also designed a multipurpose moveable table/island. With a thick distressed walnut-wood surface placed on top of a raw steel-base frame, the table has industrial lockable casters so, when needed, it can be rolled closer to the dining area to act as a buffet table.

“It is very rewarding, making this a place for this family to grow with, to rejuvenate with, and to live with comfortably,” says Mitra. “It was very fulfilling to see their smiles when they came back from abroad and had not seen the construction in between and found that it was beyond their expectations.” -

MITRA DESIGNS STUDIO COLLABORATIVE Bristol, VT (802) 453-5438 www.mitradesigns.com

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SPOTLIGHT | BURLINGTON MARBLE & GRANITE PHOTOS BY SUSAN TEARE

The Art of Stonecrafting CREATING QUALITY CUSTOMIZED COUNTERTOPS AND MORE

B

urlington Marble & Granite is celebrating 14 years in the business. Always growing along the way, they have just moved into their 14,000-square-foot facility with a production shop, slab warehouse, and showroom space. The move prompted an upgrade in digital stone-working production, and with that, the company brought in the latest in computer-directed cutting machinery along with digital templating. To watch this machine in action is truly incredible.

With customization come unique situations and challenges. An example of this is the work on UVM’s Alumni House with Peregrine Design/Build. One of the needs was a dry-bar piece built with a beautiful Vermont Danby Imperial marble top. It would be

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put on casters so that it could be moved about the room. Working closely with the Peregrine Design/Build team, Burlington Marble & Granite installed the cabinet piece with heavy steel plates on the inside of the cabinet panels to prevent the cabinet from tipping over when being moved. The end result? A beautiful and functional piece of furniture for the long haul. -

BURLINGTON MARBLE & GRANITE 4740 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT www.burlingtonmarbleandgranite.com

The warm brown tones in the Danby Imperial marble make this a popular choice among designers.

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BY TOM BRANDES PHOTOS BY HAVEN design+building llc

CREATING A MODERN FARMHOUSE KITCHEN

HAVEN design+ building llc

Despite one of the main characters being named Gaston, this story is perhaps more like The Odd Couple than Beauty and the Beast. Ned Gaston has a lifetime of experience in the

construction trades, while Erica Ell was trained in residential design and has worked as a set designer and interiors photo stylist.

In 2000, the two combined their passions and talents to start HAVEN design+building llc in Richmond, Vermont. This company offers comprehensive and personalized residential design and construction services and specializes in kitchens and bathrooms, remodeling, additions, historic restorations, and custom homes.

From the initial concept meetings to the final construction details, Ned, the owner and general contractor, and Erica, designer and project manager, are personally involved every step of the way. In addition to expert construction and complete design and projectmanagement services, the two pride themselves on handling every detail to achieve what is essentially a turnkey final result.

“I enjoy working with clients to help develop their unique style, and we strive to make the design, selection, and/or renovation process easy for them by working with each individual or family to accommodate their unique needs,” says Erica. “Whether it’s sourcing and shopping to find just the right fixtures, floors, and counters or setting up temporary kitchens during the construction phase, we treat every project with personal care and attention.”

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Mixed metals, warm woods, and volcanic limestone counters provide an earthy counterpoint to white Shaker cabinets and subway tile.

The combination of modern, rustic, classic, and industrial elements gives a contemporary feel to the kitchen that is casual and inviting.

Ned adds, “We know the importance of good communication, and we make a point of being available throughout the process. We’ve handselected our crew members for their talent and expertise, and our clients are always impressed by their professionalism and courtesy as well.”

A LIFESTYLE-ENHANCING TRANSFORMATION A recent kitchen and first-floor renovation in Shelburne, Vermont, highlights their attention to detail as they transformed a poorly designed kitchen into a warm, inviting space that’s as functional as it is beautiful. The owners—a young, vibrant family—wanted their home to reflect their style and provide a functional place to raise two schoolaged children.

The existing kitchen was dark, outdated, and cut off from the dining room. It had a small island, scant counter space, poorly arranged work zones, and insufficient storage. It also lacked an exhaust fan.

The first floor also had several different floor coverings, making it feel segmented.

The HAVEN design+building llc team installed a steel beam in order to remove a load-bearing wall and closets that separated the home’s kitchen and dining room. This opened up the space and allowed more natural light to flow into the kitchen, where the only windows faced a covered porch, providing little light.

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The custom steel backsplash above the range has an oiled finish to give it an earthy patina. While providing function to the cooking zone, it lends an industrial edge to the contemporary mix of materials.

“To improve the flow of the kitchen, we relocated the door to the mudroom, so entry from the mudroom is now outside the kitchen work zone,” says Ned. “Now foot traffic moves around the outside of the island instead of through the work area.”

MAXIMIZING FUNCTIONALITY Moving the refrigerator and pantry storage to a previously underutilized desk area enabled the addition of considerable counter space in the key cooking and cleanup zones, as well as uninterrupted views from the kitchen into the dining, breakfast, and living areas. A dualblower vent hood was installed, providing plenty of capacity to serve the new gas range.

“Removing the wall provided space for a large island with an ample work area plus seating,” says Erica. “The custom steel backsplash with a shelf is easy to clean and adds an industrial touch. It also improves convenience and functionality by putting

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cooking oils within reach.”

The expanded counter space allowed adding two appliance garages, one for a coffeemaker and toaster oven and the other for a phone and laptop. A mail-sorting cabinet above one garage improves efficiency and reduces clutter, and a docking drawer for charging devices below the counter makes this an important yet nicely concealed hub within the kitchen.

An under-counter microwave drawer enabled removing the microwave from the countertop, freeing up valuable space. A pushbutton drawer opener and tip-open controls provide easy access without bending over. A large cast-iron farmhouse sink offers a casual look as well as a well-functioning cleanup zone.

European-style cabinets provide maximum storage, and easy-access drawers replace hard-to-reach traditional base cabinets. The

island countertop features rich walnut and has a lustrous, hand-rubbed oil finish.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR AN ECLECTIC STYLE Ned and Erica worked closely with the homeowners to assemble a sensitively chosen palette of materials that create a complementary canvas for their eclectic style of art and furnishings. The carefully curated mix of classic, modern, rustic, and industrial elements makes the space a perfect backdrop for their art and furniture.

The HAVEN team incorporated rich hickory floors, which were key to creating a casual, warm backdrop, and they provide an understated elegance. Extending this flooring throughout the first floor connects the rooms and amplifies the feeling of spaciousness.

“We installed earthy, honed volcanic

limestone counters that have the same durability as granite and feel similar to soapstone, without the maintenance,” adds Ned. “The contemporary, white Shaker cabinets and rustic-style subway tiles provide a simple background for the eclectic mix of materials.”

After more than 15 years of working to build HAVEN design+building llc into a successful business on their shared design and building aesthetic, it’s clear that their diverse backgrounds have been an asset.

Erica and Ned share a deep enthusiasm for creating functional, rejuvenating living spaces for their clients. -

HAVEN design+building llc 374 Snipe Ireland Road Richmond, VT (802) 434-6086 www.havendesignbuildvt.com

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BY SARAH TUFF DUNN PHOTOS BY GREG HUBBARD

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If you’ve ever watched HGTV, chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of Love It or List It, the show that

presents the quandary families face when they struggle between the decision to upgrade their home or to list it and move on.

That’s exactly the scenario that clients of Cecilia Redmond, owner of Redmond Interior Design, faced in 2015 when they approached Haynes & Garthwaite Architects in Norwich, Vermont, about their timber-framed home in Hanover, New Hampshire. In turn, Haynes & Garthwaite brought on board Burlington-based Redmond Design. (The two companies have teamed up successfully on many projects in the past.)

Cecilia explains, “As young medical practitioners at Dartmouth, the homeowners found this perfect house slap bang in the center of Hanover where they could walk everywhere. But as their family grew, the house became too small for them.”

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LOVE THE HOUSE YOU’RE IN The family began the process of house hunting, and “they looked, and they looked, and they looked,” says Cecilia, adding how agonizing it was for them to consider moving away from their ideal location in order to gain more space. She continues, “So they said, ‘Well, we love our house, we love the neighborhood, so why not try to maximize everything we’ve got?’”

Cecilia began the yearlong project by considering the beams, which were pine but had yellowed over the years.

“I stripped them back and stained them a warmer, more chocolate-colored tone,” she says. “The yellow was just too much.” She worked with Haynes & Garthwaite Architects to create a stylish suite for the parents on the first floor, a cool second floor for the children, and a warm playroom and guest space on the lower level.

The updates included stronger trim detailing around the windows and doors and covering the brick chimney and fireplace with V-groove board to soften the impact.

Keeping the bathrooms very classic and very “New England” was a priority, as was “keeping everything light

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The second-floor addition blends seamlessly with the existing post-and-beam structure, while the generous portico ties the old and new parts of the house together, establishing the strong new rooflines and trim detailing.

and warm so that the whole house would be cohesive,� says Cecilia, who also painted the cherry-wood chairs to balance out the color palette. “As much as possible, I like to source local materials,� she says. That meant selecting Vermont Danby marble for the bathroom counters and Vermont slate for the entry hall. A Vermont-based interior designer, Cecilia works in other states too but focuses on finding Green Mountain State selections whenever possible.

For the Hanover remodel, Burlington Marble & Granite provided the South American www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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soapstone (Vermont soapstone is no longer commercially mined and is somewhat soft for counters), while Williston’s North Country Tile and Best Tile supplied the ceramic tile. “It was a great house but just needed freshening up and more space for them,” says Cecilia. “The contrast of how it looked before and after was really quite amazing.”

BALANCING DESIGN, COMFORT, AND FUNCTION The light-filled, casually elegant living spaces are a signature style of Cecilia, who studied interior architecture and design in her native Ireland before opening Redmond Interior Design in 2010. Some 20 years of experience working with clients in Europe and the US have brought her top-notch projects, including highlighting historic quirks in an 1894 Burlington home; working on residences at the University of Vermont, St. Michael’s College, and Dartmouth College; and helping to showcase an important art collection for a home in Charlotte.

As Cecilia explains on her website, Redmond Interior Design collaborates with clients throughout the region “on high-end residential and commercial projects to achieve a balance of design, comfort, and function, producing interiors that are both current and enduring.”

That’s evident in her portfolio, which also includes refurnishing a house to more fully reflect Lake Champlain and sprucing up a tower designed to take advantage of views from a mountain-top retreat in Orford, New Hampshire.

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The existing adobe-style fireplace was clad with V-groove boards and trimmed out to echo the new exterior detailing.

The yellowed pine ceiling boards were painted, and the beams were scraped and refinished to create an airy but warm New England feel.

A country house in Etna, New Hampshire, received Cecilia’s touch to display its gardens, and in Woodstock, she helped turn a former bomb shelter into a relaxed country retreat.

“It was truly our pleasure to work with Cecilia,” reads one client’s testimonial. “She is creative in offering ideas and solutions to design issues, listened to our every wish, and worked within our budget and time frame, and, most importantly, we are thrilled with the outcome! I hope to have the opportunity to work with her again.”

Other clients call Cecilia “amazing” and “extremely knowledgeable,” and she won the Residential Preservation Award in 2013 for Preservation Burlington.

But more important to Cecilia is making her clients happy, as was the case in Hanover. “Love it or list it?”

She can answer that question easily.

“The clients absolutely love their home, and they love the fact that they were able to hold onto the home where they have created so many memories,” she says. “They are thrilled that the space they love has been enhanced to continue creating memories for the next 20 years.” -

REDMOND INTERIOR DESIGN

215 College Street, Studio 2C Burlington, VT (802) 310-4990 www.redmondinteriordesign.com

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SPOTLIGHT | CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP

BY MARY GOW

Durable and Enduring Design CREATING SPACES THAT MEET HUMAN NEEDS

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ommitted to excellence, Cushman Design Group, based in Stowe, has been designing homes and commercial spaces that are nurturing, invigorating, sustainable, and energy efficient for three decades. Providing integrated design services, the CDG team of architects and designers brings together creativity, building technology, superb craftsmanship, and profound attention to clients’ needs and lifestyles in every project.

“Our interest is in promoting what is best for our client,” says Milford Cushman. “We seek to produce designs that are durable and enduring, classic without necessarily being traditional.” Every CDG project centers on the client’s individual needs and personal story. “We are really patient, listen deeply, and ask questions to understand our clients’ desires. We want to be sure our clients are mindful and thoughtful in their decisions.”

“Prospect and Refuge” The CDG team’s goal is “to design handsome and beautiful spaces that live comfortably, provide aspects of prospect and refuge, are intuitive and nurturing to the owners, and are very energy and space efficient,” says Milford.

The words “prospect and refuge” connect to design theory about spaces that meet human needs. Prospect—looking outward—is the quality of extended vision, while refuge—looking inward—is the quality of being secure.

Sustainable design is a hallmark of CDG. “Being energy efficient means not taking any energy for granted. If a building just sips energy, the occupants will be warm,” says Milford. CDG’s expertise in designing homes that take advantage of a building’s site and orientation and incorporating a very high-performing building envelope both go a 46 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

Thoughtfully designed buildings manifest the sacredness of everyday life and help us live healthier and more connected to the natural world, and good design instills beauty into space that is truly enduring.

— Milford Cushman, founder and president of Cushman Design Group long way toward reducing the energy that will be needed for heating and cooling.

Sustainability is also a mind-set of choosing materials that are extremely durable, explains Milford. By maximizing building efficiency, homeowners who wish to also incorporate renewable energy choices such as photovoltaic solar panels have more options, as they don’t need to produce as much energy for heating and cooling.

Cushman Design Group is known for sophisticated modern design that fits the Vermont countryside. “Many of our clients are asking for design that draws on their sense of urban sophistication and explores as well as interprets it through the context of Vermont’s rural setting.

Currently, design trends within this style predominantly feature natural materials, often local and native, and a focus on natural lighting, and emphasize extraordinary local craftsmanship,” says Milford. -

CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP 100 Mountain Road Stowe, VT (802) 253-2169 cushmandesign.com

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HOME MEDIA

BY MICHELLE FISCHER

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS

Vermont Electronics

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our favorite music plays throughout the house. A customized home entertainment room is the setting for the best Super Bowl party ever. Amazing technologies are now accessible to homeowners, and these dream projects and more are among the specialties offered by Vermont Electronics. Whether tech savvy or tech averse, homeowners and businesses alike are discovering the benefits of personalizing their technology.

Vermont Electronics has offered electronic technology services for 20 years, and co-owners Joseph Thibault and Scott Morrell bring a combined 50 years of expertise working with customers in the technical field. The customer is the starting point for all projects. An initial meeting helps gather information, and Vermont Electronics translates this into the technology necessary to achieve the customer’s vision.

Twenty-First Century Solutions Home automation is a popular project, and options range from window shades automated to reposition for energy efficiency to monitoring the temperature of your wine cellar. You might choose to control your lighting, 48 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

cated room offering surround sound and a large projection TV to simulate a theater experience.

Existing space can also be customized to provide the perfect listening and viewing experience while maintaining desirable aesthetics.

Customer Satisfaction Is Key

thermostats, or even appliances. There are also options for security—not only related to intrusion but also for detecting smoke, heat, and water before damage can occur.

And many systems can be controlled from a smartphone.

Customers can also choose whole-house audio, surrounding themselves with music from almost any source, including their own server loaded with thousands of favorite songs and artists. Vermont Electronics’ attention to sound quality as well as aesthetics ensures satisfaction.

Entertainment rooms are popular additions to any home. These might include a dedi-

Vermont Electronics handles projects of all scopes, from simple to technically advanced, and they’re dedicated to every customer’s complete satisfaction. Joe recalls an installation where an important part was delayed and could have affected the project’s completion. “We took apart our own showroom display to ensure we met the customer’s needs,” he says.

Vermont Electronics is experienced at designing electronic technology for brand-new custom homes as well as retrofitting technology in older homes. They work with architects, interior designers, and builders to ensure a smooth, trouble-free experience for the customer. -

VERMONT ELECTRONICS 954 South Main Street Stowe, VT (802) 253-6509 www.vermontelectronics.biz

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INTERIOR

DESIGN

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CLOSE TO HOME | SPOTLIGHT

BY MARY GOW

Beauty Meets Function GIVE YOUR BATHROOM A FACELIFT

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howers, sinks, faucets, fixtures—Close to Home, a decorative plumbing and hardware showroom, has built its reputation on superb products and outstanding customer service. They cater to discerning homeowners, architects, contractors, and designers. Frank DeAngelis, owner of Close to Home, and Business Manager Jill Morse share their insights on what’s new this year.

Finishes, Showers, and Hardware When it comes to trends, you may be surprised to hear what’s old is new again. “Believe it or not, brass is back!” says Jill. “Not all shiny like it was in the ’80s, but satin, antiqued, and unlacquered, meaning it will get a natural patina. Satin Brass and Flat Black are the go-to finishes for door and cabinet hardware and bathroom faucets.”

According to Frank and Jill, today’s showers are all about luxury and conservation. “Your shower can feel like a mini spa visit, complete with chromatherapy, aromatherapy, body sprays, and more. Steam showers have amazing health benefits and are now very affordable. And yes, people still love rain heads!” says Jill.

“Faucet designs are constantly changing and being upgraded,” says Frank. “Consumers and designers are no longer impressed by function alone. Form is forefront. Contemporary faucet lines are softening after being fairly rigid for quite some time. For example, a once-contemporary square faucet now has rounded edges to create a more aesthetic and tactilely friendly experience.”

When choosing new hardware, don’t forget the doors. Frank explains, “In the field of door hardware, we are seeing the desire for decorative slidwww.vermonttrendwatch.com

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Previous page and above: Fixtures by Crosswater London, an exclusive line for Close to Home.

ing doors versus the standard hinged swing door. These are sometimes referred to as sliding barn doors. Sliding door hardware has traditionally been rustic, but we are now seeing a wave of contemporary designs.”

A Fresh Look for Every Budget If homeowners want to make only one change to their home this year, what would Frank and Jill recommend? “In every budget, you can make a big visual impact on your home. Swapping out the cabinet hardware can completely change the look of your kitchen, bathroom vanity, or bureau,” says Frank.

“If you have a little more money to spend, invest it in your master bath. Upgrading your ’90s toilet to a fully skirted toilet helps the environment and makes cleaning around it a breeze! Whatever you do in your bathroom for a remodel project is sure to reward you with a nice return on your investment, for your soul or your resale value.” -

CLOSE TO HOME 10 Farrell Street South Burlington, VT (802) 861-3200 closetohomevt.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN

BY MARY GOW

Design Matters LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE

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ersonal service, talented professional interior designers, and a showroom featuring a superb selection of furnishings and décor—Design Matters in South Burlington is a one-stop shop for interior design. Now in its tenth year, Design Matters has built its impressive reputation by providing exceptional design services and products.

Founded a decade ago by designer/owner Annette Besaw, Design Matters is built on the idea that everyone deserves to have a home that they love, a place that reflects their interests, style, and personality. The company’s design team helps clients create beautiful and fulfilling spaces. With its 8,000-square-foot showroom on Dorset Street and connections with 150 vendors, Design Matters offers customers a vast range of furniture, lighting, area rugs, accessories, fabrics, shades and blinds, and more. Design Matters assists customers with projects of all sizes, from complete home decorating to recommendations for elements that freshen up and enhance an individual room. www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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EXPERT ADVICE

“We focus on relationships. Our talented creative team spends time getting to understand your needs and unique design vision. Together, we create an individualized plan to meet those needs— and we work tirelessly to make it a reality,” interior designer Erin Christie explains about Design Matters’ approach.

“When you hand over the design to us, you’ll take the fast track to exactly what you want. With the benefit of our expertise and our close relationships with industry experts, you’ll avoid the agony of design mistakes and streamline the process toward your dream home. The result is something 54 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

money can’t buy—freedom from stress and wasted time,” Erin notes.

“We don’t skimp on luxury, but we do have a little secret: Our clients never pay full price on anything that we purchase on their behalf,” says Erin. “We buy manufacturer direct, thus saving our clients on retail and discount store markups.”

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Design Matters’ team finds innovative solutions. In a current project, a new home in the Adirondacks, the homeowners wanted a unique rustic powder room, perhaps even incorporating a tree trunk. Achieving the desired connection to the environment and

dealing with plumbing realities, Design Matters proposed a custom solution. The new powder room features a live-edge cherry counter on a navy-blue Shaker base, with a brass basin and single-lever faucet.

Among current trends, the Design Matters team is seeing an increased focus on “livable design,” including designs for baby boomers and older clients, and implementing it. “Last fall the American Society of Interior Designers brought to the table the importance of creating a holistic environment, one that takes into consideration the health and overall well-being of its inhabitants. With a large portion of the population moving toward

retirement, there is a demand for safety and comfort,” says Erin. Implementing these ideals was a no-brainer for Annette when she was putting together the full-scale designs for a local assisted-living facility. “Ultimately, we are a small, locally owned business that has the ability to meet with clients face to face, offering the best possible customer service through our team’s genuine desire to help our customers and clients,” says Erin. -

DESIGN MATTERS 358 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT (802) 865-2581 www.designmattersvt.com

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SPOTLIGHT | WINDOWS & DOORS BY BROWNELL

BY COREY BURDICK

Bring in the Light DELIVERING THE

BEST PRODUCTS WITH THE BEST

CUSTOMER SERVICE

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ou love your home, even with all its quirks and coziness, but here in the Northeast, where the number of dark winter days far exceed sun-filled summer afternoons, the ability to maximize the amount of light coming into your home is key to creating an uplifting and welcoming space.

The types of windows and doors you choose can make all the difference toward realizing this goal.

The options for shopping for windows are numerous, both online and at traditional brick-and-mortar stores. So, why shop Windows & Doors by Brownell?

For starters, the company boasts a long track record of expertise. The business has been family owned since its inception in 1991, and founder Lee Brownell remains an active part of the business today. In addition, many of the sales staff have been on board for over ten years. Windows & Doors

by Brownell also gives weekend warriors the flexibility they need, offering three locations: Williston, Vermont; West Lebanon, New Hampshire; and Plattsburgh, New York.

Understanding Customers’ Needs According to Marketing Coordinator Jackie Turtur, the company is 100 percent committed to Marvin Windows and Doors, “so we know the product inside 56 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

and out. . . . The focus is on the delivery of the best products with the best customer service to builders, architects, and homeowners.”

When the business was founded, the focus was on residential needs, and it largely remains this way with some expansion into commercial markets. This has become a necessary adaptation as people have begun moving away from new construction to renovating and replacing their existing windows and doors.

The company offers a wide array of services including showrooms, CAD window design services (which help customers visualize what their windows and doors will look like in their home), installation by fully insured staff, and a paint shop that’s a partnership with Vermont Paint Craftsmen.

Ultimately, “Our goal is to understand our customers’ specific needs, wants, and desires for their home project,” Jackie says. And the staff provides plenty of guidance along the way to help people filter through the seemingly endless options.

On Top of the Trends Given the ever-evolving design world, staying on top of trends is key to Windows & Doors’ business success. What’s currently trending? According to Jackie, new

Marvin windows and doors offer a variety of options to suit every style. Here, clean lines and exterior aluminum-clad colors of ebony and wineberry are used to make a visually interesting contemporary lakehouse.

construction projects seem to be calling for a lot of glass as well as open floor plans that require scenic, oversized windows. Modern, simple, and clean lines seem to be the design theme of the moment, and Windows & Doors by Brownell is stepping up to meet that demand by offering contemporary studio windows, scenic door options, and new matte black hardware.

Whatever renovation is on your to-do list, Windows & Doors by Brownell can help inspire your journey with their plentiful offerings. -

WINDOWS & DOORS

BY BROWNELL 800 Marshall Avenue Williston, VT (802) 862-4800 www.wdbrownell.com 8 Glen Road West Lebanon, NH (866) 928-5558 795 State Route 3 Plattsburgh, NY (877) 500-3393 www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN HELPING YOU SELECT THE PERFECT PIECE OF ART

Walker Contemporary

Installation of Casey Roberts exhibition.

Right: Owner Stephanie Walker.

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t’s exciting to buy a new or first piece of art. But exactly how it is going to fit in your home can be worrisome. Will it work with your other pieces? Is it too modern or not modern enough? These are all very real and legitimate concerns.

Take heart—if you were drawn to the piece in the first place, chances are there is a thread that will connect it to the other pieces in your home that you were also drawn to. It may not always feel like it fits, but take some time and let the work speak to you; see what kind of dialog it has with your other paintings, sculpture, and textiles. You may be pleasantly surprised.

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Above: Etsuko Ichikawa installation.

Left: Valerie Hammond (print) and Kazuo Kadonaga (sculpture).

Walker Contemporary works with interior designers and private individuals to choose the perfect piece for a single spot or build a collection that will grow and mature with your tastes. Aside from the works on the walls in the gallery, Walker Contemporary owner Stephanie Walker travels regularly on buying trips for her clients. She also collaborates with her artists to develop unique site-specific and site-sensitive work for private and corporate collectors.

Never purchased art before? No problem. Stephanie has been working with first-time buyers for almost two decades. Already have a collection but feel the urge to have it evolve? Stephanie works closely with her clients to develop intimate relationships in order to understand the focus of a collection, sometimes even before the collector. She travels the country to give each client the unique attention he or she needs.

And for inspiration about living with art, visit Walker Contemporary’s website to check out photos of their art outside the gallery and inside the home. -

WALKER CONTEMPORARY 4403 Main Street Waitsfield, VT (617) 842-3332 www.walkercontemporary.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN PHOTOS BY MAY MANTELL

Inside Out Gallery SIMPLE ELEGANCE

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nside Out Gallery takes great pleasure in finding unique Vermont artists and products that show a strong sense of design and function, and enhance current design trends, as these glass, metal, and wood artists do. Simple elegance will never go out of style, and supporting Vermont’s artists is important!

The striking glass bowl and vase pieces from this Southern Vermont artist invite the eye and can easily be used in collections as beautiful art displays or individually as functional pieces.

Good lines, good color, and good function— “What more can one want?” asks owner Brad Highberger. -

This Tsuga Studios glass bowl is made using a technique by which a glassmaker blows at least two separate bubbles of glass on different blowpipes and very carefully joins them together hot to achieve a clean distinct band of different colored or patterned glass.

These colorful, elegant blown vase shapes from Tsuga Studios are timeless yet modern. Add some color therapy to any room.

INSIDE OUT GALLERY 299 Mountain Road Stowe, VT (802) 253-6945 www.insideoutgalleryvt.com

A beautiful Hegland Glass fused glass dish is a combination of strip construction technique using thermally compatible opalescent, transparent, and clear glass.

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These elegantly formed sheet steel pieces are finished outside with a brass, antiqued copper or zinc coating, and the inside has a boldly reflecting gold, copper, or silver leafing that richly enhances the movement of the candle flame.

This propeller wall clock is inspired by the three-blade propellers of the iconic Douglas DC-3. It pays homage to that aircraft’s famous durability with its solid aluminum construction and brass fasteners.

This steel-riveted case with hand-rubbed painted finish and glass lens is typical of heavy-duty electric clocks that were used in service stations, factory offices, and restaurant kitchens from the early 1930s to the This icon from the birth of the Space Age is cast aluminum and brass and houses a retro 1950s dial and hands. www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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SPOTLIGHT | GORDON’S WINDOW DECOR

Enhancing Every Home EFFICIENT AND STYLISH CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

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ordon’s Window Decor has been designing, manufacturing, and installing custom-window treatments for 31 years.

Their mission has always been to make every client a raving fan for life by delivering an exceptional experience. A family-owned company based in Vermont, Gordon’s Window Decor is proud to offer high-quality products including insulating cellular shades, roller shades, wood blinds, draperies, solar shades, and much more.

The GWD’s family grows with each new client. From the first “hello” to that “Wow! My home looks incredible!” moment, the staff at GWD is with clients every step of the way. The business was founded on the principle that, dollar for dollar, window treatments do more to enhance the comfort, appearance, and operating costs of a home than any other element.

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There are so many facets to the selection of window treatments that the process can easily become overwhelming for any homeowner. And that means many homeowners end up “settling” for window shades rather than getting the best and most effective window treatments for their home, lifestyle, and budget. With GWD’s guidance, customers can be sure that their house becomes a home that is more energy efficient, private, and stylish.

Problem Projects Are a Specialty The experienced staff at Gordon’s Window Decor recently completed a project at the UVM School of Music that had a lot of interesting complexities. Always up for a challenge, they had a blast navigating the hurdles. The school was looking for shades that

would help filter light as well as complement the unique shape of the space (from above, the building has the shape of a grand piano).

One of the challenges to overcome was that they were mounting into steel and, because of a very large size of the shades, they were extremely heavy. In addition, they wanted to mirror the curve of the space. By working with a structural engineer at UVM, GWD devised a plan for the safe and secure installment of a span of 15 shades with custom-mitered fascia matching the curves of the room. The result?

A visually seamless line of beautiful EcoSmart Roller Shades that will provide comfort, aesthetics, and peace of mind for years and years to come.

Guidance Based on Experience Plus Expertise With a passion for over-the-top customer satisfaction, the team at GWD aims to guide, inspire, and then design the ideal treatment for each client’s lifestyle. Windows are almost always the focal point of any room, and how they are dressed is incredibly important to the look and feel of every interior space. To choose the perfect window treatment, the place to make the best design decisions is in the home, where the light, color, furniture, and other aspects can all be taken into account, as well as the specific lifestyles and solutions needed for each customer, which is why GWD feels that providing no-obligation in-home/office consultations is a must.

What’s New? Motorized shades have become more affordable for a wide variety of products, and GWD can motorize everything from mini blinds to draperies. The new technology can integrate the window treatments into security systems for added peace of mind, as well as allowing for operation from a smartphone or tablet for intuitive, simple operation. -

GORDON’S WINDOW DECOR 8 Leroy Road Williston, VT (802) 655-7777 gordonswindowdecor.com

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SPOTLIGHT | VERMONT CUSTOM CLOSETS

BY MICHELLE FISCHER

Customized Organization

PERSONALIZE YOUR SPACE

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ith today’s busy lifestyles, we can all benefit from an organized home. Most people enjoy their home environment most when it’s customized to meet their specific needs with inviting spaces and proper storage.

Vermont Custom Closets crafts personalized spaces to meet just about every need, from walk-in master closets and home offices to dream workshops in the garage. Whether a location has a lot of space or a limited amount, there are plenty of opportunities to organize and make any space work more efficiently.

A Plethora of Possibilities The customer is the focus of every step in a Vermont Custom Closets project, from the formation of an idea until the project is completed and in use. As Vermont Custom Closets describes it, “We offer exceptional products and impeccable service in a fun, friendly, professional environment.”

A homeowner might start with a visit to their showroom at 17 Echo Place (off South Brownell Road) in Williston. Vermont’s largest showroom of closet and organizational space features vignettes of entertainment rooms, children’s spaces, pantries, Murphy beds, laundry rooms, and more. Personal tastes are as varied as the project designs, and the showroom also displays choices in wood-grain finishes along with endless hardware and style options. The many possibilities are sure to spark any homeowner’s creativity. In fact, the showroom is currently being remodeled to incorporate even more new finishes and styles. The Vermont Custom Closets website is also a great place to browse the possibilities.

Making Ideas a Reality Every project kicks off with an in-home visit to assess the space, setting, and customer’s lifestyle.

A customer then meets with an experienced designer to translate that space and his or her ideas into reality, with the desired functionality and complementary aesthetics.

Vermont Custom Closets employs its own installers who share their dedication to customer satisfaction. Every project is covered by a limited lifetime warranty. The 99.87 percent satisfaction rating reflects their customer focus and ensures referrals to neighbors and friends. -

VERMONT CUSTOM CLOSETS 17 Echo Place Williston, VT (802) 658-0000 www.vtcustomclosets.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Patagonia Burlington.

Photo by Silas Miller.

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Christine Burdick Design PROVIDING UNIQUE AND THOUGHTFUL SOLUTIONS

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hristine Burdick started her eponymous company from her basement in 2010. With steady growth since then, this interior design studio is now located in the Brick Box building in downtown Burlington. Growth, however, does not equal a lack of hands-on involvement by Christine herself or Kaitlin Mangan, who has been with her since those early basement days. That’s their aim; being available to clients by cell, email, and face to face for each project is essential.

A new approach for the company includes working with local artists. Christine Burdick Design calls on local illustrators and sculptors in an effort to push the limits of design and provide clients with truly unique solutions.

PROJECT: PATAGONIA BURLINGTON, 3,200 SQUARE FEET

Locally owned and operated by Skirack, Patagonia Burlington has settled quite comfortably into the old Free Press building a stone’s throw from Church Street.

Elements included exposed brick, spiral ductwork, and wooden floors.

“We like to allow our clients to focus on their jobs while we develop the design.”

— Christine Burdick www.vermonttrendwatch.com www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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Above: American Meadows’ open office workstations and “garden” conference room.

Right: The American Meadows employee breakroom. Photo by Silas Miller.

Opposite: Housing Vermont’s front porch (soft seating), phone booth (enclosed glass room), and meeting table.

Bottom: The kitchen at Housing Vermont.

Photo by Silas Miller.

Challenges for this project included locating the changing rooms, positioning point-of-sale counters for maximum visibility throughout the store, and the front entrance. Because the space joins two buildings, the floor was built up on one half of the store to minimize ramps and floor transitions. The height of the ceiling also presented challenges, with exposed ductwork and the need to accommodate mechanical, electrical, and sprinkler systems.

PROJECT: AMERICAN MEADOWS, 9,000 SQUARE FEET

With a modest budget and a ton of inspiration, the creative hats went on to choose budget conscious selections that would 68 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

not make it look like corners were cut.

The result was a carpet that resembled a beautiful wildflower garden. Furniture for the lounge and break-room areas came from owner Ethan Platt and his wife

Gretchen, who, while shopping at Ikea, texted ideas to Christine for feedback.

Although it’s an unconventional way to purchase office furniture, as a business owner herself, Christine understands the

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Right: The atrium at the Champlain College Center for Communication and Creative Media.

Bottom: Student dining area.

Photos by Silas Miller.

challenges of maintaining a workable budget.

PROJECT: HOUSING VERMONT, 6,500 SQUARE FEET

Housing Vermont’s office space is inspired by the comforts of home; front porches with casual furniture serve as meeting spaces for each neighborhood. The bright, warm kitchen supports informal gatherings and all-hands meetings. The large conference room features a bold floral wall covering that can be appreciated from various areas of the office through the expansive glass walls. Not too shabby for a company that went from all private offices to open-office workstations.

PROJECT: CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE CENTER FOR COMMUNICATION AND CREATIVE MEDIA, ALUMNI AUDITORIUM, SARAH RAMSEY ’12 INNOVATION LAB, 75,000 SQUARE FEET This expansive project provides space for classrooms, a gallery with exhibits, a dining hall and kitchen, offices, a bookstore, and a mail center. Rotating student works printed on wall coverings energize stairwells and corridors. Bold pops of color, form, and pattern create inspiration for future graphic designers, filmmakers, and artists. -

CHRISTINE BURDICK DESIGN 110 Main Street, Suite 2F Burlington, VT (802) 871-5799 christineburdick.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Vermont Furniture Designs T here are lots of new and exciting things happening at Vermont Furniture Designs. Longtime employees Adam Blaisdell and Rob Bachand purchased the company from its original owner and founder Arthur Weitzenfeld in January.

Both new owners honed their craft through many years of being an integral part of growing Vermont Furniture Designs into what it is today. Adam and Rob plan to continue producing the beautiful and timeless heirloom-quality furniture the company is known for throughout the country.

The duo has also launched Vermont Handcrafted Furniture. This new company under the Vermont Furniture Designs umbrella will push the boundaries of style and design into uncharted territory. Live-edge offerings, built-ins, custom pieces, and collaborations with local stonemasons and metalworkers are all on the table. By diversifying in this way, Vermont Handcrafted Furniture is sure to take Adam, Rob, and their highly skilled crew of craftspeople on many exciting new adventures.

Stop by the showroom in Winooski or give them a call—Adam and Rob would love to hear what’s on your mind and chat about all things furniture. -

BEAUTIFUL AND TIMELESS HEIRLOOM-QUALITY FURNITURE

VERMONT FURNITURE DESIGNS 4 Tigan Street Winooski, VT (802) 655-6568 www.vermontfurnituredesigns.com

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REAL ESTATE

COLDWELL BANKER HICKOK & BOARDMAN REALTY

Is Right-Sizing Right for You? AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR CAN HELP YOU FIND THAT “GOLDILOCKS” PROPERTY A gracious Williston home to entertain family and guests.

MLS#4625940

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ealtor Dana Valentine of Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty has noticed a trend—the requirements of today’s buyers cannot be determined in simple square footage or number of bathrooms. Increasingly, buyers are looking for homes that are “right-sized,” meaning homes that work for their owners’ lifestyles and don’t put too many demands on them.

What Do Buyers Consider Right-Sized?

There is a trend toward efficiency, both in the dwelling itself and in the search for a home. Many buyers want to spend less time commuting, are less interested in maintenance, and do not 72 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

want excess rooms that don’t serve a purpose. They want to find a space that works for their specific situation, and that can vary from person to person.

For Shannon Singleterry and her family, their work situation is what led them to contact Dana in hopes of finding a new home that could meet their needs. Shannon and her husband both work from home full time. With two children, two dogs, and two adults needing a quiet space to work, they needed to find a house with the potential for two separate home offices.

“We want to stay in Vermont and raise our children here;

therefore, both of us working from home has to be an option,” says Shannon. “Selling our own home and buying another is an incredibly complicated process! The market is so fast right now; you can’t put your house on the market until you have your eye on something else. Dana made it possible to find something that would meet our family’s changing needs; she gets her clients where they need to be.”

Right-Sizing to Stay Active Baby boomers are active, and many are not interested in maintaining a big family home anymore. “This generation is downsizing in their 50s and 60s for a variety of reasons. It may be because of high property taxes, or that they want to travel and spend more time away from home, or they might be planning for retirement,” says Jane Kiley, a Realtor based in Burlington, Vermont.

Luxury condominiums, carriage homes, and condos in convenient locations are in high demand for families on the move. Right-sizing may mean being lakeside, slopeside, or just closer to kids and grandkids.

Above: Work from home in this beautifully appointed Williston Contemporary.

MLS#4470415 Below: Enjoy a cup of coffee surrounded by nature in Shelburne.

The Right Realtor Can Help Both Jane and Dana recognize that their rightsizing clients are busy, and they know what they are looking for. Clients are not interested in wasting time looking at a lot of properties that are not exactly what they need.

Skilled Realtors know the inventory available in the neighborhood you want and will be able to show you properties as soon as they come on the market. This kind of Realtor has a finger on the pulse of the market and is ready to help you make your next move quickly.

It’s important to find someone you trust as your Realtor because they handle all the details, seen and unseen, so that you don’t have to think of everything. Resourceful Realtors are educated on the “invisible” aspects of a house and often integrate necessary inspections to ask questions about the roof, heating system, wiring, and more.

Whether you’re looking to buy a carriage

house on the golf course or selling the home you raised your children in, your Realtor will work with you to find the right property to meet your needs, and that will make an enormous difference in making your transition a smooth one. -

COLDWELL BANKER HICKOK & BOARDMAN REALTY 346 Shelburne Road Burlington, VT (802) 863-1500 www.hickokandboardman.com Dana Valentine, Realtor (802) 846-9500 Jane Kiley, Realtor (802) 846-9506 www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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OUTDOOR

LIVING

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LANDSHAPES | SPOTLIGHT

BY COREY BURDICK

Spring into Action!

CREATE THE OUTDOOR SPACE YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED

Landshapes is a distributor of San Juan Pools. There are over 65 styles to choose from, and optional equipment can make them virtually maintenance free, require no chemical applications, and enable them to be controlled by any smartphone or tablet. Automatic pool covers can also be installed to help insulate your pool and keep it free of debris.

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e’ve all been there. Dreamily flipping through the latest design magazine and wondering if that gorgeous waterfall could magically make its way into our own backyard. Or maybe imagining a deck encircling a stone fire pit perfect for those summertime gatherings.

Regardless of the vision you have for your outdoor space, Landshapes has you covered!

Founded in 1992 and located in Richmond since 1999, Landshapes is a design, construction, and maintenance company that serves the greater Burlington area as well as Northern New England. And they can definitely install that fiberglass pool you’ve been thinking about!

Everything You Need for a Great Outdoors General Manager Jason Hutchins founded the business in Charlotte with just a handful of employees and a focus on residential landscaping. Today, Landshapes has become one of www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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Vermont’s largest landscaping firms, with nearly 30 individuals on staff, as well as several seasonal employees, giving them the flexibility to work on everything from small, residential projects to larger-scale commercial ones—all while giving the customer a personal experience.

Over half of the Landshapes staff is OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) certified, so you can feel confident about them crafting your space. In addition, if you visit their headquarters, you’ll find a design studio, a holding yard for trees and soils, a small nursery, and a full-service maintenance shop.

What else can Landshapes offer? Their services include landscape design and architecture, lawn and garden maintenance, hardscaping, stone walls, natural ponds, waterfalls, fiberglass pools, and the installation of numerous other unique features.

With that in mind, let’s say you have an idea for a home project and have sketched it out in your head or on paper. When you contact Landshapes, you’ll receive personal attention right away. You’ll be assigned a designated design/project manager who will oversee the process from the initial meeting through construction; that goes a long way in alleviating the stress that often accompanies any home-improvement endeavor.

The process begins with an initial meeting where needs and wants are discussed. Next, a concept design is created. A second meeting is held to review the concept drawing, and a construction estimate is generated after revisions and refinements are made. From there, a final construction drawing is created and the real fun can get underway: installation!

Experience and Know-How Overcome Challenges Although Landshapes has a solid crew of professionals on hand, occasional problems do arise. Sales Manager Manny Dutra says, “Problems tend to come up when you’re working the land. Through the years, we have seen it all— poor-draining soils, bad weather, and worse.

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Whatever the issue, our professional team has the skills and experience to overcome any hurdles they may encounter.”

Landshapes is also well equipped to adapt to the changing regulations surrounding stabilization projects. “With the new Vermont Shoreland Protection Act, we’ve been getting a lot of calls in regard to lake-shore stabilization projects. Having multiple Vermont Natural Shoreland certified professionals at Landshapes, we can offer unique stabilization alternatives that align with new state regulations,” Manny says.

Are the warming temperatures drawing you outside and inspiring visions of a fabulous space beyond your door? Landshapes’ blog features tips for summer landscaping, and their website offers gorgeous photos of completed projects to inspire your own great ideas.

Spring has sprung! Let Landshapes create the space you’ve always wanted. -

LANDSHAPES

88 Rogers Lane Richmond, VT (802) 434-3500 www.landshapes.net

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OUTDOOR LIVING

CREATE AN OUTSIDE ESCAPE

Ann Roche Furniture

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Opposite: Adirondack-style seating from Seaside Casual invites you to relax.

Right and bottom: Extend the outdoor season with a fire pit and comfortable seating by O.W. Lee. Middle: Handcrafted woven vinyl furniture by Lloyd Flanders welcomes guests with comfort and style.

M

ake your outside living spaces your sanctuary, your escape from everyday life. With our extensive collections available in various sizes, colors, and Sunbrella Fabrics, we will create your perfect space. Our new line of tabletop fire pillars, outdoor heaters, and gas fire pits will entice you to enjoy summer at its best. They are easy to maintain, safe, and the looks and effects are incredible.

Sectional pieces are extremely popular as well as functional, with comfort, comfort, comfort being key. Cantilever umbrellas are widely used. The size and shape of them create the sense of a finished patio, the shade they provide cools with comfort, and the colors are just outstanding. Add the incredible selection of rugs, toss pillows, and accessories to tie everything together. There’s truly nothing better when getting home than kicking your shoes off and relaxing in your own outside escape.

Another trend that continues is bringing media outside—outdoor televisions to watch the game, music to entertain and enjoy. For the grilling enthusiast, the ever-popular Big Green Egg is available in all sizes. You have to try it to believe it. Look for us cooking on the egg this summer, and you will see it is the ultimate cooking experience—and further evidence of the popularity of making your outside a retreat! -

ANN ROCHE FURNITURE 370 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT (802) 985-5300 www.annroche.com

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SPOTLIGHT | CHURCH HILL LANDSCAPES

A Greener Backyard GO FOR SOLAR-POWERED AND ELECTRIC LAWN CARE

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C

hurch Hill Landscapes is an award-winning gardening and landscape construction company based in Charlotte, Vermont. These talented, down-to-earth folks build outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Church Hill Landscapes is excited to announce electric mowing and solar-powered leaf blowing and string trimming—greener lawn care powered by the sun. Church Hill Landscapes now has a fleet of electric mowers that are quiet, eco-friendlier than gas, and lower maintenance. Recharged every night, the electric mowers are reliable for all-day service without recharge. When you replace a gas-powered mower with an electric one, it takes the equivalent of 200 cars off the road.

Solar power used in everyday life is on the verge of a revolution. And Church Hill Landscapes is on the front line with their new solar-powered commercialgrade string trimmers and leaf blowers, recharged with community solar. In one hour, a gas-powered trimmer can produce as many emissions as nearly 40 cars traveling at 60 miles per hour, making solarpowered trimmers the obvious choice.

Go greener in your own backyard by

swapping from gas-powered mowing to solar-powered and electric lawn care from Church Hill Landscapes—quiet, affordable, and now the most eco-friendly service out there. -

CHURCH HILL LANDSCAPES 287 Church Hill Road Charlotte, VT (802) 425-5222 www.churchhilllandscapes.com

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OUTDOOR LIVING

The Carriage Shed PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY SOLUTIONS

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e spoke to Jen Sinclair at The Carriage Shed about her family’s business and current trends they’re noticing.

How can you take a customer’s concept and make it a reality?

For a shed, there are some standard features. When I first started in the business, it was a basic cookie-cutter kind of thing. You want double doors, two windows, and maybe some upgrades. Now, the sky’s the limit. You can do any kind of siding you want, whatever kind of windows, and there’s a ton of different door styles. We still have our 82 | VERMONT TREND WATCH | 2017

Opposite: 36’ x 24’ High Country horse barn with leanto and red cedar board and batten siding. Above: 12’ x 16’ New England cape with SmartSide clapboards and shed dormer package. Left: 10’ x 18’ Quaker shed in Duratemp siding with Heritage doors and windows.

As a traditional building style, do materials ever change or get better while staying true to design and building standards?

Some people want white pine board and batten, cedar shake, and cedar clapboard. We can do that. Then there’s the other side of the coin where they want low maintenance, vinyl, or Duratemp siding, which you rarely if ever have to paint. SmartSide clapboard is a green product.

Every year there’s something new to consider for siding. If a customer wants a certain look, style, or siding, we can get it for them.

standard styles as well, so if you want to go for the more economical, you can do that. Our vendors have been able to step forward, and we’re able to compete with the big-box stores that also sell sheds.

Tell us about the unique qualities of Amish-crafted structures.

The structures feature high craftsmanship and high-grade materials. We deal only with the www.vermonttrendwatch.com

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best vendors in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We’ve had the business 14 years this summer, and we’ve been dealing with those vendors from the beginning. They’re great to work with. My father Robert, who owns the company, was in construction and worked in concrete forever before he bought this business. It’s a great fit for him.

He’s been able to come up with different ideas and styles, helping our vendors go from just simple sheds, which most of our vendors offered in the beginning, to the larger structures that we now carry, such as the homes, barns, and garages.

What is a certified home?

A certified home has to meet the same codes as a site-built home. Each certified home comes with a set of stamped plans. During construction, each home is inspected to make sure it is meeting all of the codes required by your state and town. -

THE CARRIAGE SHED 1195 VA Cutoff Road

White River Junction, VT (800) 441-6057 www.carriageshed.com

12’ x 26’ White River garage with enclosed lean-to.

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MORNING DEW LANDSCAPING & STONEWORK | SPOTLIGHT

Morning Dew Can Tackle Any Project SOLID CUSTOMER SERVICE IS KEY Morning Dew Landscaping & Stonework began in 2005, and Matt Leonetti officially started operating the company in the spring of 2006. Matt’s been involved with horticulture most of his life and holds a BS in Sustainable Landscape Horticulture and Design. A Vermont-certified horticulturist since 2003, he currently serves as Tree Warden for the town of Richmond.

Trained in the construction of green roofs and walls, Matt’s working to launch a green-roof business—a blossoming trend in landscape architecture! To stay current with changing trends and innovative approaches, he tries to take a course every year.

Matt’s combination of being responsive, understanding, and attentive to what clients want nurtures long-term relationships and positive word of mouth. Solid customer service is the foundation not only for earning new clients but also for building long-lasting relationships with previous customers.

Collaboration Creates Satisfaction “Problems on a construction-oriented job site are nothing new in the landscape world, but it’s how they are dealt with that matters,” says Matt. With a group of artisans familiar with the trade and the goals of a particular job, Morning Dew can tackle any project.

When professionals collaborate to solve problems, customer satisfaction results. Matt involves the client in the process; it’s their project and home, so any deviation from the original design must have their stamp of approval, he notes.

Matt’s relationship with a new client starts with an initial meeting

to discuss goals, wants, and overall perspective on the proposed project. “I take the information provided and create a landscape design, a master vision for the property, or more specifically, their defined project,” he explains. The process can be quite collaborative as the design is tweaked and adjusted based on materials, budget, features, and aesthetics.

Once a final plan is reached, construction begins, and open lines of communication are essential for the final project to meet the client’s expectations. Says Matt, “I am never happy until I know that I provided the client what they wanted, on time and on budget, and having constant contact with the client helps achieve this.”

Landscaping Trends The biggest trends, notes Matt, are related to water. “We’re seeing people wanting to harvest their rain or gray water to use in the landscape. Rain gardens and permeable paving are very popular as well. Using local, native, drought-tolerant plants for low-maintenance landscapes is also a big trend. And vegetable gardens are becoming more popular as a functional component of the total landscape.” -

MORNING DEW LANDSCAPING & STONEWORK 290 Westall Drive Richmond, VT (802) 760-7577 www.morningdewlandscape.com

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OUTDOOR LIVING

BY MICHELLE FISCHER

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Otter Creek Awnings THE PERFECT ACCESSORY TO YOUR FAVORITE OUTDOOR SPACE

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brightly colored awning is the perfect finishing touch to an inviting outdoor space. Whether creating a shady backyard oasis or a pleasant outdoor dining space for a restaurant, an awning is a coveted summer accessory in Vermont.

Otter Creek Awnings enhances any outdoor space with beautifully designed and superbly crafted awnings. Otter Creek started as a small company 40 years ago, making canvas bags and small awnings. Todd Warren became president in 1997 and purchased the business in 2008 with his wife Elizabeth. Their joint talents for enhancing any home’s space, inside or outdoors, extend to their other business, Vermont Custom Closets.

With more than a thousand installations at locations across Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York, Otter Creek’s customers are assured of a broad range of experience and professionally installed awnings.

Enhance the Season Consider the added enjoyment and usability an awning provides. When bright sunlight or summer rains threaten the enjoyment of a fabulous view, al fresco dining, or an outdoor gathering, an awning provides protection and allows the activity to go ahead. This greatly extends the usefulness of spaces such as outdoor patios and decks. Otter Creek’s website showcases many such successful installations and provides inspiration for your project.

The customer is the focal point of every one of their projects, from initial evaluation to design and installation.

Customers can be confident that the staff members at Otter Creek Awnings have the experience to guide them to the best choice to fulfill their dreams, such as selecting the optimal size and installation angle to provide the desired screening. For example, perhaps a wind-sensing, automatically retracting awning is indicated for an exposed location.

The Choice Is Yours In addition, their awning fabric selections are plentiful; choose from a rich forest-green to blend with a garden setting, bold stripes for contrast, or anything in between. The vibrant outdoor-specific fabrics resist sun damage and en-

sure that your new awning will look perfect for a long time.

High-quality construction is the hallmark of every Otter Creek awning, making them desirable as a semipermanent addition to a home or business that can also enhance curb appeal. Otter Creek is, in fact, the specified awning provider for several area condominium complexes. Their awnings bedeck outdoor restaurant spaces on Burlington’s Church Street pedestrian walk as well as decks and patios at lakeside homes and single-family dwellings.

Otter Creek Awnings’ attention and commitment to top-notch service extends to installation. They understand their customers’ desires to promptly bring their dreams to fruition in a minimum of time, and they proudly report that “most awnings are completed and installed within three weeks.”

Finally, although they are perhaps best known for their sophisticated awnings, Otter Creek also offers solar shades. -

OTTER CREEK AWNINGS 19 Echo Place Williston, VT (802) 864-3009 www.ottercreekawnings.com

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SPOTLIGHT | WAGNER HODGSON PHOTOS BY JIM WESTPHALEN

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agner Hodgson is an award-winning professional landscape architecture and design studio with offices in Burlington, Vermont, and Hudson, New York. Founded in 1987, Wagner Hodgson approaches their work for clients with the belief that landscapes are a special art form. Their design process seeks to express the inherent beauty of nature through the creation of sculptural landscapes that unite context, program, form, and materials.

The experienced professionals at Wagner Hodgson strive to work with the client, the architect, and the builder as early as possible in the design process in order to ensure the best possible overall outcome, even getting involved in site selection. This allows the interior and exterior areas to flow together.

With the client’s consent and when possible, the team at Wagner Hodgson will incorporate low-impact development techniques and the best management practices wherever they can.

These techniques and practices include permeable pavement, rain gardens, water harvesting, native plant material, and energy-efficient lighting.

With its extensive and deep knowledge of project management, natural systems, construction, and

FOR LANDSCAPES

THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL

AND RESILIENT

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A Shared Commitment to Design Excellence

horticulture for the conscientious execution and delivery of projects, the Wagner Hodgson team’s motto might just be, “Every project has challenges, but we love a puzzle, and sometimes your most creative results come from a challenging site or problem!” -

WAGNER HODGSON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 7 Marble Avenue Burlington, VT (802) 864-0010 www.wagnerhodgson.com 430 Warren Street Hudson, NY (518) 567-1791

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trend watch VERMONT

ADVERTISERS INDEX

For more information about print and online advertising opportunities, contact John or Robin Gales at (802) 295-5295 or email coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net.

Anichini Design Center.................................... Inside Front Cover

Gordon’s Window Decor...............................................................63

Patterson & Smith Construction..................................................55

Ann Roche Casual Furniture........................................................ 84

HAVEN design+building llc........................................................... 11

The Automaster..................................................................................1

Burlington Marble & Granite........................... Inside Back Cover

Inside Out Gallery...........................................................................77

The Carriage Shed...........................................................................57

Christine Burdick Design...............................................................33

Kitchen Renovation..........................................................................12

Church Hill Landscapes................................................................. 81

Landshapes.......................................................................................77

Close to Home................................................................................... 9

Midstate Dodge.................................................................................4

Coldwell Banker/Classic Homes ................................................92

Mitra Designs...................................................................................33

Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty............Back Cover

Morning Dew Landscaping...........................................................55

Culligan Water Services ................................................................. 2

Otter Creek Awnings......................................................................23

Cushman Design Group................................................................23

Peregrine Design/Build...................................................................13

Cynthia Knauf Landscape Design.............................................. 90

Red House........................................................................................ 84

Walker Contemporary...................................................................... 3

Design Matters............................................................................... 90

Redmond Interior Design..............................................................57

Wendell’s Furniture/Vermont Bed Store..................................... 7

Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty........................... 91

Rodd Roofing...................................................................................... 6

Windows & Doors by Brownell....................................................52

TruexCullins..................................................................................... 20 Vermont Custom Closets............................................................. 20 Vermont Electronics........................................................................12 Vermont Furniture Designs ........................................................... 5 Vermont Mortgage Company......................................................63 Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture ............................ 89

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COFFEE TABLE PUBLISHING, LLC P.O. Box 1460 Quechee, VT 05059

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