Issuu

S E P TE M B E R 2 02 1

I N C LU D I N G J A C K S O N T O W N S H I P & N O R T H C A N T O N

The

Style Issue

S T Y LE + B E AU T Y A PAS SI O N FO R FASH I O N HOME + DESIGN T H E J O SE T T E T O U C H

Consignment

www.anewroom4u.com. 5158

Whipple

Ave.

330.491.8383

Canton

44718

6 4 5 5

B E R T R A M

A V E

GLENMOOR

COUNTRY CLUB

1,250,000

ABOUT THE PROPERTY A spectacular custom built contemporary home depicts consideration to detail and creativity. Amazing home for entertaining as well as everyday living. Built on the 1st Hole at Glenmoor Country Club with privacy and incredible views! Interior design combines eclectic decor with amazing entertaining spaces and everyday comfort. It is masterly arranged with an abundance of extras!

PROPERTY DETAIL

5 BEDROOMS Ruthanne Mancini-Wilkof President's Club Award

6 FULL 1 HALF BATHS

4 CAR GARAGE

330.324.0573 www.rwilkof.dehoff.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

SEPTEMBER 2021 PUBLISHER

Brian Bailey | brian.bailey@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Terry Fravel | terry.fravel@lifestylepubs.com

Canton has Plenty of Style

Julie Mertes | julie.mertes@lifestylepubs.com

THE ANNUAL STYLE ISSUE REMINDS ME THAT I AM NO FASHIONISTA. As I

AD DESIGNER

type this letter, I’m wearing comfort in the form of Ugg slippers, Free Fly shorts and

Chad Jensen

an old water polo tournament t-shirt. To my wife’s dismay, I will most likely run to the

L AYO UT DESIGNER

grocery store in this very outfit. Thankfully, the Canton Lifestyle team knows where to find style! We share our finds of locally owned boutiques in our monthly Local Experiences section. Be sure to check out the social media marketing efforts of these entrepreneurs. Several offer weekly Facebook Live fashion shows to highlight the constant flow of new styles into their stores.

ACCO UNT MANAGER

Randah O’Doherty CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jennifer Draher, Jacquie Mazziotta, Daryl Dirham, Chris Watson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Terry Fravel

We also help you get to know a couple of local style icons. The glamorous and uber-talented Interior Designer Josette Kark shares the story of how she got started in the business. She discovered her talent at an early age and hustled to develop her stellar reputation. And our fashion spread highlights Elizabeth Amireh and her Vita Boutique in Hartville. Elizabeth and her team most definitely have a passion for fashion! I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. As always, thanks for reading, and we’ll see you around town!

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Brian Bailey, Publisher

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

ON THE COVER Diane DeBarr, runway model, fashion coordinator and pageant/ modeling coach. Clothing provided by Vita Boutique in Hartville.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERRY FRAVEL 4

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Canton

Proverbs 3:5-6 Canton Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Canton area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Canton Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Josette Kark Owner

(303) 806-1414 JosetteKarkDesign.com 5158 Whipple Avenue

Store Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

INSIDE THE ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2021

FEATURES 16 The Baby Bow Fashion Show Local designer’s girls’ clothing delivers style and attitude

18 A Passion for Fashion Local clothing boutique offers one-ofa-kind experience

26 The Josette Touch Interior designer brings sophisticated style to Stark County and beyond

26 16

34 Style that Sparkles It’s the perfect season to update your style with Ann-Marie’s Fine Jewelry

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Around Town

Local Experiences

Locally Owned

Trend Setter

26 Artist’s Palette 32 Lifestyle Calendar 34 Local’s Choice

GOOD TIMES 1.

BIA Parade of Homes at Augusta Lakes in Massillon Great crowds enjoyed the 2021 Parade of Homes brought to you by the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Stark & East Central Ohio. Five beautiful homes were featured from July 10 - 18 at Augusta Lakes in Massillon.

1. Dina Oliver (Canton) and Tamie Lindamood (Jackson) | 2. Davene LoVaglio (Jackson), Tim Blythe and Jackie Blythe (Perry) of Blythe Construction | 3. Award-winning home by Blythe Construction | 4. Austin and Mackenzie Bennet, Ron and Lisa Vega (Canton) of Vega Construction | 5. Gabby Arena (Cuyahoga Falls) of Infinity from Marvin | 6. Christine Sees (Macedonia) of Ohio State Water Proofing

BIA Golf Outing After all the hard work at the Parade of Homes, members, guests and sponsors of the Building Industry Association enjoyed beautiful weather at The Sanctuary Golf Club in North Canton. The event was held Friday, July 23.

1. James Nelson, Jason Speight, Sandy Harris, Merle Troyer (First Commonwealth Bank)

| 2. Josh Yoder, Matt Meeks, Fred Tobin, Steve

Smith (Smith Development Corp.) | 3. Arlen Mullet, Phil Minger, Jeff Scridon, Mike Thomas (Holmes Lumber) | 4. Larry Scheetz (Schumacher Homes) and Steve Lapp (Trademark Exteriors) | 5. Ronda Egert (First Commonwealth Mortgage) | 6. A complete sellout! 8

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

AROUND TOWN

INNIS MAGGIORE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS FOUR NEW SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Innis Maggiore, the nation’s leading positioning ad agency, today announced that four students from Kent State University at Stark have been awarded the Innis Maggiore Endowed Scholarship for Communications for 2021. Andrea Dietrick, Jacob Hershberger, Elizabeth Husk and Taq’wa Johnson each received $1,750 to put toward furthering their education in marketing and communications. “As a leader in our community and our industry, it is vital that we help local students get the education they need to hit the ground running after college,” said Dick Maggiore, Innis Maggiore president and CEO. “The objective of the Innis Maggiore Endowed Scholarship for Communications is to position local students for success by helping them defray some of their costs for education and encourage them to live and work in Stark County.” Innis Maggiore originally endowed the scholarship in 2007 and has awarded more than 20 scholarships. To be eligible for the annual scholarship students must attend Kent State University at Stark full time; reside in Stark County; major in communications, marketing, public relations,

Business Banking made easy

journalism or advertising; and demonstrate financial need. Visit kent.edu/stark/scholarships for more information.

GRANT RECIPIENTS SHOWCASED AT THE WOMEN’S FUND ANNUAL GATHERING

We're here to help you grow

- Purchasing or refinancing commercial real estate

- Business acquisition - Equipment loans - Business lines of credit

The Annual Gathering of The Women’s Fund of Stark Community Foundation will take place September 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Shady Hollow Country Club. Lindsay Buckingham of WKYC Channel 3 will be the emcee of an inspiring evening

Pete Dennis

where 2020 grant recipients will be showcased.

Vice President Corporate Banking pdennis@fcbanking.com 330.280.5483 330.268.9886 - Cell

Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, families and businesses in our community, The Women's Fund awarded over $21,000 in grants to Stark County nonprofits to assist local underserved women and children in 2020. Grant recipients include Canton Calvary Mission, CommQuest Services, Domestic Violence Project, Girls on the Run East Central Ohio, Pathway Caring for Children, Stark County Diaper Bank, Stark Library

Member FDIC

fcbanking.com

and Stark County Hunger Task Force. Come see the impact of The Women’s Fund in our community. Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased by September 14 at StarkCF.org/events.

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

Celebrating our 19th year Anniversary Unique selection of Women’s Apparel & Accessories from New York, Los Angeles and Montreal

VEGA CONSTRUCTION WINS MULTIPLE AWARDS AT BIA PARADE OF HOMES Custom home builder Vega Construction was recently awarded People's Choice for Favorite Home, as voted by attendees of the recent Building Industry Association Parade of Homes. This was the company's second straight year winning the prestigious honor. In addition, Vega Construction won six "Best" Awards for Overall Design, Interior

1289 Edison St Hartville OH 44632 Hartville Marketplace 2nd floor (330) 877-9227

Vita Boutique Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9-5

Design, Kitchen Design, Foyer, Master Suite and Landscape Design. Vega

Construction

has

been

building

high-quality homes for more than 25 years throughout Stark County and East Central Ohio. For more information and to see stunning

photos

the

winning

home,

visit

Vega-Construction.com/championship.

AWARD WINNING DESIGNS Kitchens ∞ Bathrooms Additions ∞ Finished Basements

Would you like to get in touch with us? We would love to hear from you! Contact us at CityLifestyle. com/Canton using the Get In Touch link and let us

OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE

234.360.8003 | www.infinityhomesremodeling.com Member

know what you think. CityLifestyle.com/Canton

LOCAL EXPERIENCES

STYLE FALL IS GIVING US ALL THE FEELS FOR FASHION, FAMILY AND A LITTLE RELAXATION. Whether you are looking to refresh your closet with some local boutique finds, gather the family for a unique photo shoot, or unplug for a pamper-friendly experience, we have you covered.

RELAX AND UNWIND + If you, too, believe that chocolate is an essential component of relaxation, try reserving a free guided tour of the iconic Harry London Chocolate Factory. 5353 Lauby Rd, North Canton, OH 44720 + For those who’d like to improve health and wellness while releasing stress and anxiety, try sitting in on Yoga Strong’s “Unwind” fusion class. 5896 Fulton Dr NW, Canton, OH 44718 + For a truly pampered experience, The Spa at Atrium provides everything from massage and facials to body contouring and laser hair removal. 4151 Holiday St NW, Canton, OH 44718 + Petros Lake Park features a one-mile “Mindfulness Walk” that spotlights 10 activity stations promoting mental health. Practice focus, awareness and reflection amid nature’s splendor. 3519 Perry Dr SW, Canton, OH 44706 + Tam O’Shanter Park offers wide open spaces dotted with lofty trees where you can stretch your legs and allow your mind to wander. 5055 Hills and Dales Rd NW, Canton, OH 44708 12

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

scan for more city-wide tips

GREAT FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT LOCATIONS

Terry Fravel

+ The grounds at Gervasi Vineyard offer several picturesque backdrops for wonderful family portraits or senior photos. 1700 55th St NE, Canton, OH 44721 + Downtown Canton’s Centennial Plaza is the perfect setting for capturing life’s important moments. 330 Court Ave NW, Canton, OH 44702 + Gather your family at the gazebo at Price Park and take advantage of the pleasant photo op. 1000 West Maple St, North Canton, OH 44720 + When taking pictures with loved ones, you can’t go wrong with taking them lakeside. Lake Cable offers a pleasant setting and easy access. 5725 Fulton Rd NW, Canton, OH 44718 + Looking for a unique and colorful backdrop for a memorable family

scan for more city-wide tips

photo? Look no further than Umbrella Alley in downtown Louisville. 218 East Main St, Louisville, OH 44641

LOCAL FASHION FINDS + At Laura of Pembroke, you’ll find the latest fashions and accessories from both name brands and unique lines, with price points from low to high. 3119 Whipple Ave NW, Canton, OH 44718 + Edge Boutique has trendsetting fashions, but you won’t find the same outfit everyone else is wearing. The store never purchases more than six of any item. 6105 Whipple Ave NW, North Canton, OH 44720 + Two besties, Jen and Marcie, bring the latest on-trend apparel and accessories to The District Boutique in Green. Check out their fashions on Facebook @lovethedistrict. 3875 Massillon Rd Ste 130, Uniontown, OH 44685 + Don’t let fashion out the window with Zoom calls! Adam’s Men’s Clothier has an extensive collection of casual attire along with styles for business and weddings. 4597 Belden Village St NW Canton, OH 44718

scan for more city-wide tips

+ Oh Style Boutique is one of the few shops specializing in trendsetting fashions from size Small to 3XL. Store hours are limited. 1685 North Main St, North Canton, OH 44720 CityLifestyle.com/Canton

I ER

nc e r f fe

D ur y

Call now to tell us about your furry friend! IL

AL MC

IL Independent

AL Assisted

MC Memory Care

Sanctuary Grande

330.470.4411

North Canton

330.497.8718

Massillon

330.833.7229

850 Applegrove St NE, 44720

181 Applegrove St NE, 44720

2550 University Dr. SE, 44646

EXPERIENCE THE

Danbury Difference!

Cover your investment with a premium quality roof.

Residential and commercial roofing done right and on-time.

Roofing | Siding | Windows & Doors | Decks Call today for a free estimate! (330)641-7198

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

proconexteriors.com

Sold in 4 days for 100% of asking price in Jackson Township!

Sold!

8483 Beechcreek St NW in Massillon

“I absolutely loved working with Nancy and Meredith!”

“Meredith and Nancy were great to work with! They helped manage our remote purchase and oversee the inspections when we could not attend.”

Tasha C

Quinn G

“Nancy and Meredith work as a great team and one of them is always available to show a house, take a call or answer a question.

“Meredith & Nancy gave us great advice that maximized our investment!”

Marshall B

Ray S

New to Jackson Township! Hawks Nest Crossing 2 and 3 unit condominiums. Located at the intersection of Hills and Dales / Brunnerdale.

Now Selling!

Meredith Bailey

Nancy Platek

Realtor

MBailey@CutlerHomes.com

NPlatek@CutlerHomes.com

(330) 495-7430

330-323-6023

HawksNestCrossing.com

LOCALLY OWNED

The Ba by Bow Fashion Show LOCAL DESIGNER’S GIRLS’ CLOTHING DELIVERS STYLE AND ATTITUDE

GIRL GANG SHIRTS

“I like outfits that coordinate with each other without being exact copies,” says Charity. Left: Pink and white Beverly Hills BoWrap and white and pink Girl Gang shirt both by Bows by E. Black and white striped pants by Bailey’s Blossoms. Right: Classy BoWrap, Girl Gang shirt and black velvet highwaisted bell-bottom pants by Bows by E.

Two of Charity’s design obsessions are black and white stripes and small floral patterns. Here, each

ARTICLE DARYL DIRHAM

girl sports one of those. Left: black and white striped

PHOTOGRAPHY TERRY FRAVEL

jumpsuit; Right: floral patterned dress. “Tan and offwhite are in both outfits, so the girls coordinate without precisely matching,” says Charity. “We also feature the BoWrap styled two different ways. The first girl has hers tied into a turban, the other’s is tied into a bow.”

LOCAL

CLOTHING

DESIGNER

CHARITY

VISCOUNTE, OWNER OF BOWS BY E., HAS

STRIPES AND SMALL FLORAL

UNVEILED HER NEW COLLECTION DESIGNED TO TRANSITION FROM LATE SUMMER INTO FALL. “It’s a time of year in Ohio where you never know if the temperature is going to be 40 degrees or 75,” says Charity. “Everything in this collection is breezy and breathable for active kids, but can easily be made warmer with the addition of some leggings and a jacket.” The Bows by E. collection is available exclusively at the Blended store location in Belden Village Mall. Blended brings together fashion, accessories, decor and household items all made by local artisans and small businesses. In addition to owning Bows by E., Charity is also the marketing director for Blended. Learn more about Bows by E. at BowsByE.com and about Blended at BlendedLocal.com. 16

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

DENIM AND FLANNEL

BLACK AND CAMO

“Girls can wear black and camo, too,” says Charity.

Upcycled denim, like the jacket pictured here, and

Pine BoWrap and Bows Over Boys shirt by Bows by E.

flannel are part of Bows by E.’s latest collection. Items

Camouflage leggings by Bailey’s Blossoms.

are given new washes and, in some cases, embellished with new graphics. Rock-and-roll and football-themed denim jackets are coming soon. Pictured here with romper by Bailey’s Blossoms and Lilac BoWrap by Bows by E.

“Here we have a navy jumpsuit accented with bright blue and cream and a yellow floral-patterned dress with similar blues. The outfits are completely different but look super cute together,” says Charity. Outfits by Bailey’s Blossoms, pictured with Pine BoWrap turban-wrapped and Chambre BoWrap as a bow. COORDINATING OUTFITS

BAND T-SHIRTS “There’s nothing like a good band t-shirt,” says

Charity. “This is designed to be worn as a dress by toddlers who’ve started walking … or it can be paired with leggings.” Beatles shirt and Jaguar Midi bow by Bows by E. Leopard leggings by Bailey’s Blossoms. The Midi style bow comes pre-tied and fastened to a nylon band. It can convert to a ponytail tie as kids grow (or if adults want to borrow it). CityLifestyle.com/Canton

TREND SETTER

A PAS S I O N fo r

FA S H I O N ELIZABETH AMIREH CHANNELS A LABOR OF LOVE TO HELP WOMEN FEEL AND LOOK THEIR BEST

ARTICLE JACQUIE MAZZIOTTA PHOTOGRAPHY TERRY FRAVEL

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

+ ANIMAL PONCHO - $268 + PLEATHER BELL-BOTTOM PANT - $114 + BLACK SHEER TURTLENECK - $64 + MULTI-COLORED CHAIN NECKLACE - $99 + SQUARE FASHION RING - $26

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Canton

TREND SETTER (CONTINUED)

HARD WORK, DETERMINATION AND A PAS-

After a decade of owning the business, a series of life

SION FOR EMPOWERING WOMEN HAS HELPED

events brought her back to North Canton. In 2014 her world

ELIZABETH AMIREH SHARE HER LOVE OF FASHION

was upended when her mother passed away. Then, just

WITH WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY. From the ave-

two months later, Elizabeth faced her own health battle.

nues of Dallas, Texas to the village of Hartville, Ohio, she

“My mom had ovarian cancer, and then I was diag-

has found herself and her fashions from Vita Boutique on

nosed with breast cancer,” she explains. “It was a diffi-

runways and in the lives of people around her.

cult time.” Elizabeth gives credit to the amazing people

“We all have gifts we were born with,” says Elizabeth. “After working in fashion for so long, I‘ve come to realize my gift is my eye.”

underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy. Her styles have been featured in many popular fash-

Her eye for the latest trends, along with a commit-

ion shows and private events, but her personal expe-

ment to choose only quality and comfortable fabrics,

rience with cancer led her to the Aultman Women’s

has built Elizabeth quite a following of “Vita Girls.” Just

Board Fashion Show, the one she holds dear.

where did this passionate fashionista get her start?

“I am a cancer survivor, and my doctor, Dr. Shruti

As a teen in the 1980s, Elizabeth’s retail career began

Trehan, saved my life. She is my angel here on earth,”

while a senior at GlenOak High School. She attended

Elizabeth proclaims. She hopes to join the Women’s

school half of the day and worked the other half at

Board one day to give back.

O’Neil’s Department Store in Canton. Her time on the

In the meantime, she will continue to support and

sales floor would become a springboard to future buy-

encourage women. “I’m not a doctor or a nurse, but I am

ing trips to New York City and owning her own business.

helping women – empowering them and giving them con-

Elizabeth graduated with a marketing degree from

fidence. Clothing can be a part of that,” Elizabeth says.

Kent State University in 1984, then moved to Dallas.

She couldn’t predict the events of her life that would

“I grew into my career. I made a lot of mistakes, but I

lead her where she is today, but the entrepreneur is

learned from them,” she recalls.

grateful and feels very blessed.

As a young professional, Elizabeth worked in

“I had a vision and stuck to it. I watched what other

outside sales roles, but the draw of fashion led

successful businesses did, and I learned from them but

her to work for Dallas-based corporate retail store

stayed true to my own individuality,” she says. Elizabeth

locations. It wasn’t long before she determined the

thinks it’s important to be unique and be a leader.

corporate world was only a stop on her path. Elizabeth left the confines of corporate-owned

“I didn’t follow this career path because of the money. I followed it because it’s what I love.”

brick and mortar to become co-owner of a wom-

Vita Boutique is located on the 2nd floor of the

en’s boutique and clothing store which catered to

Hartville Marketplace at 1289 Edison St. NW, Hartville,

“younger customers who appreciated rock-and-roll

OH 44632. For more details, visit VitaBoutique.com.

style apparel and Dr. Martens footwear.”

who work for her for keeping things going while she

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

+ SUEDE JACKET WITH FAUX COLLAR - $292 + GREY “MODEL IN PARIS” SWEATER - $132 + BLACK PANTS WITH PATENT/VELVET SIDE STRIPE - $146 + BLACK/SILVER DANGLE EARRING - $36 + FASHION RING - $32

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Canton

TREND SETTER (CONTINUED)

+ KNEE-LENGTH PRINT SWEATER COAT - $199 + BLACK SLEEVELESS DRESS - $138 + SILVER/BLACK NECKLACE - $109 + MATCHING EARRINGS - $49

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

healing relaxation luxury

Experience and at your neighborhood spa. SEPTEMBER SPECIALS:

Labor Day local specials all month long!

A pressurized nitrogen vapor beam is applied to reduce skin temperature to 40° F, which: Decreases pain, swelling, inflammation | Increases blood flow and circulation Improves post surgery recovery | Accelerates healing for acute and chronic conditions

Single Treatment: $25 10 count and monthly packages available. Pricing is per area treated. Must Clip to Redeem, Expires September 30, 2021.

87 SPRINGSIDE DRIVE, AKRON, OHIO 44333 | (234) 466-0292

CityLifestyle.com/Canton

Roosters

is the place to be for all the big games!

(330) 546-7001 ** 4335 Dressler Rd, Canton, OH 44718 ** roosterswingscanton.com

restoreeco.org 330-915-5920

Back to school, not break the bank.

Save $$$ on new and gently used items for every space, at ReStore in Canton.

Furniture • Appliances • Home Décor • Building Materials 24

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

fb.com/restoreeco

Children | Teens | Adults

Call for your Complimentary Smile Consultation! Jackson (330) 833-3335

Uniontown (330) 699-6369

North Canton (234) 714-8100

www.mellionorthodontics.com

Dr. Nate – Dr. Theresa – Dr. Nick We Offer Clear or Metal Braces & Invisalign®

Blended is a small business that thrives on supporting other small businesses . Inside each location you will find a variety of talented, unique artisans.

HARTVILLE 3 3 0 -5 87- 2122 Open Mon, Thu-Sat 9am-6pm BELDEN VILLAGE 2 3 4 . 75 5 . 105 5 @BLENDEDOHIO

Open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm Sunday 11pm-6pm

w w w. ble n d e d lo c a l . c o m

CityLifestyle.com/Canton

ARTIST’S PALETTE

The Josette To u c h

ARTICLE JENNIFER DRAHER | PHOTOGRAPHY TERRY FRAVEL

FROM HIGH-END DESIGNS TO DESIGNER DOGS, JOSETTE KARK INFUSES SOPHISTICATED STYLE INTO STARK COUNTY AND BEYOND

JOSETTE KARK IS A STYLE INSTITUTION IN STARK

She uses an innate ability to read people, grasp their

COUNTY. The interior designer and owner of JK Design in

ideas and gently take them outside their comfort zone

Canton feels her design expertise is a gift from God. And

(often with her signature black and white design scheme,

after 30 years of business – much from repeat clientele – it’s

metallics and textures) for a timeless and sophisticated

a gift that keeps on giving.

Hollywood glam look.

“God gave me a talent that, thankfully, I was able to real-

From early hairdressing and fashion design sketches, to five dogs

ize and capitalize on,” says Josette. “I wanted to relay this

and fabulous furnishings, we learned all about Josette’s early days –

gift to other people.”

and how she earned a top reputation in the interior design industry.

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

CHILD ENTREPRENEUR Josette grew up in Canton as the daughter of an Italian mother and Croatian father. Mom was a waitress, and quite the cook; Dad worked in a factory. “I learned a lot from my mother,” boasts Josette.

After high school, the time came to choose a career. Josette wasn’t

“I carry on the family traditions and still make a mean wedding soup

interested in standing behind the salon chair full time. She also knew

from scratch at the holidays!”

the chances of “making it” in the fashion world were slim. She elected

As a child, she didn’t want to be outside riding a bike or playing hopscotch. Instead, Josette spent a lot of time inside drawing. “I was drawing fashion sketches and got pretty good at it by age 8 or 9. I

to pursue interior design because she “always wanted more out of life.” “I was a go-getter.” says Josette. “I was gonna make something out of myself.

knew when I got older I would land in the artistic world.” By age 12, Josette had moved on to hairdressing for friends and neighbors who envied the big bouffant tease she created for her mother. “I don’t know how it started, but I had appointments lined up each Saturday and pulled in $60 on one day alone,” says Josette. Not bad for the late 1960s, and not bad for just 12 years old!

LEARNING THE ROPES. CONSTRUCTING HER NICHE. Josette enrolled in the New York School of Interior Design and earned her degree after studying 3 years via the correspondence program. “Even with excellent grades, nobody would hire me because I had zero experience,” recalls Josette. “Ruth Friedman, who owned the Sleep Shop on Rt. 62, gave me a chance. I just needed a chance.”

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Canton

ARTIST’S PALETTE (CONTINUED)

“God gave me a talent that, thankfully, I was able to realize and capitalize on.” Josette went on to work various showroom jobs in Canton,

Unfortunately, right after she opened a store on Hills and Dales,

Cleveland and even Memphis learning the industry of interiors.

business plummeted due to the events of 9/11, and Josette had to

She measured draperies, attended furniture construction semi-

put her dream of entrepreneurship on hold. She took a position

nars and sold high volumes of furniture and décor.

with Schumacher Homes where she was in charge of staging the

She didn’t stop there. When she returned to Stark County in

design center and each of the company’s model homes.

1988, Josette worked with Alex Bourlas to design for the Parade

Years later, and with better timing in the economy, Josette jumped at

of Homes. Now, she was learning about construction, founda-

the opportunity to rent space from Anew Room, a high-end furniture

tion and a slew of building terms.

and décor consignment shop. Owner, and longtime friend-turned-

“Because of that experience with Alex, I can sit with

landlord, Ruthanne Wilkof is also a client of JK Design. “Little did we

any builder and understand the language and how everything

realize how well the two businesses worked together,” says Josette.

works together,” says Josette. “Not all interior designers can

“I can’t tell you how much of my clients’ furniture I’ve put over on the

do that.”

consignment side, and some of it came from my previous designs!” CONTINUED >

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Canton

ARTIST’S PALETTE (CONTINUED) DREAM TEAM Today, Josette’s clients turn to her for single-room redesigns all

“I couldn’t make my designs and my creations come to life with-

the way up to entire-level remodels. As the scale of these projects

out my team,” insists Josette. “They make my job so much easier.”

grew over time, so has Josette’s team. She hired a contractor, electrician, plumber, painter and others to keep up in the field.

DESIGNER DOGS

Inside the Whipple Avenue studio/gallery, the trio of Karen

Josette cherishes her five dogs: Isabella (16), Tango (14), Bella (13),

Christman, Wendy Cardi and Lola McFadden work to confirm and

Coco Chanel (11) and Ava Gardner (1). “Dogs have always been part

track orders, answer client questions and assist shoppers. They

of my life,” says Josette. “Those are my babies.”

rely heavily on many local vendors like Cabinet Specialties, Morris

Her husband, Jim, who passed away in 2019, became very

Flooring, Strata Granite & Marble and painter Paul Purduk. Other

attached to Josette’s dogs, too. “Izzy used to sit on his lap every night

go-to suppliers include Marge Carson, Ambella Home, Bernhardt

and Bella sat right by his chair,” she recalls. The pair was married for

Furniture, John-Richard and more.

15 years, and Jim was incredibly supportive of her work.

With so many moving parts for each project, the team explained

If she weren’t designing home interiors, Josette said she’d run a

how it comes together: they call it “The Josette Touch.” It’s her

“Mom and Me” designer dog shop and experience. She’d offer home-

incredible ability to design and exhilarate clients in a way almost no

made biscuits, and of course, glamorous and personally designed

one else can. They also say she’s one of the hardest working – and

collars, leashes and beds.

most glamorous – women they know.

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

Learn more about JK Design at JosetteKarkDesign.com.

GET INSPIRED EAT + DRINK SHOP LOCAL City Lifestyle

YOUR DIGITAL DESTINATION FOR LOCAL LIVING

CityLifestyle.com/Canton

2-6

SEPTEMBER

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

LABOR DAY WEEKEND FLEA MARKET Hartville Marketplace

There’s typically more than 1,000 outdoor vendors and around 30,000 customers! Mark your calendars so you

won’t miss out on all of the bargains and fun at the Hartville Marketplace!

HIGHWAY 77 MUSIC FESTIVAL Tom Benson HOF Stadium

Featuring live music from top art-

ists DAN + SHAY, Maddie & Tae, Eric Paslay and Tyler Farr! Join us at the stadium for music all day, delicious food and drinks, shop-

ping in the marketplace, and much

more. For more information, visit HOFVillage.com/events.

16 VINTAGE CANTON Downtown Canton

Vintage Canton is a sophisticated downtown gathering, offering distinctive center city charm alongside live music, vibrant art exhibits and, of course, quality local wine and wine from around the world! Purchase tickets at VintageCanton.org.

25 OHIO UNLEASHED—PUB CRAWL IN DOWNTOWN CANTON Centennial Plaza

Pawsitive Ohio is hosting another oneof-a-kind pub crawl in Canton from 5 - 9 p.m. Funds raised will be used to help support low-cost spay/neuter programs to reduce the number of homeless pets here in Northeast Ohio. Register at OhioUnleashed.com. 32

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Canton

LOCAL’S CHOICE ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY TERRY FRAVEL

S T Y L E T H AT S PA R K L E S WHETHER YOU GO WITH TRENDY OR TRADITIONAL, THE RIGHT JEWELRY PUTS THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON ANY FASHION STATEMENT

IT’S THE RIGHT SEASON TO UP YOUR STYLE AND ADD NEW PIECES INTO YOUR JEWELRY BOX. Yellow gold is back and you can’t go wrong with sterling silver, chunky bracelets and of course, lots of bling with gorgeous gemstones. When you’re ready to update your collection, Anne-Marie’s Fine Jewelry has a wide range of styles and prices to match anybody’s taste and budget.

Canton Lifestyle | September 2021

BEING

WELL Our service is focused entirely on you.

Personalized service tailored to your needs goes hand in hand with quality healthcare. AultCare’s Population Health Management service connects you, your physician, and your health plan. We help our members navigate the healthcare system to receive integrated, quality care. Because you matter. 330-363-6360 | 2600 Sixth St. SW, Canton aultcare.com/healthandwellness

7346/21

INTRODUCING THE LAND ROVER DEFENDER

Everything about the Land Rover Defender bears testimony to the vehicle’s undeniable spirit of adventure. Individually customize your off-road system preferences and explore your way with Configurable Terrain Response®.† And whether you’re in the middle of the concrete jungle or the middle of nowhere, use the intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment system‡ to stay connected. So, whether you’re rock crawling in Moab or tearing through snow in Alaska, the Land Rover Defender is ready for just about anything. Land Rover Akron 944 East Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron, Ohio, 44312 234-206-2525 landroverakron.com

Vehicle shown: 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 with optional equipment. †These systems are not a substitute for driving safely with due care and attention and will not function under all circumstances, speeds, weather and road conditions, etc. Driver should not assume that these systems will correct errors of judgment in driving. ‡Do not use Land Rover InControl® or Pivi Pro features under conditions that will affect your safety or the safety of others. Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Land Rover InControl has a number of purchasing options available. As we systematically roll out the Land Rover InControl suite of products, specific features, options and availability remain market dependent. Certain Pivi Pro features use an embedded SIM card, and may require a data plan with separate terms and conditions and an additional subscription after an initial term. Mobile connectivity cannot be guaranteed in all locations. The Land Rover InControl Apps™ and Land Rover Remote™ smartphone apps will work with Android™ devices from version 4.1 and Apple ® devices from iOS 7.0 and must be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Please see your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for more details, visit LANDROVERUSA.COM or call 1-800-FIND-4WD / 1-800-346-3493. © 2020 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC