Photography provided by ©iStockphoto.com/Andrew Rich.
MOMENTS
“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and
E X P L O R E and tell
the world the glories of our journey.” -John Hope Franklin
HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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Contents DECEMBER | JANUARY | 2011
DEPARTMENTS 1
Moments
4
Inspirations: Winter Warmth
FEATURES
5
Letter from the Editor
HOBBY HIDEAWAYS
6
In the Kitchen: Delectable Small Bites Your Holiday Hits List
20 The Ultimate Fashion Accessory 24 All Fun and Games 28 The Well-Read Room
14 Lifestyle: Setting Up a Home Bar 16 Gardening: Dry Stone Walls
34 Special Section: Entertaining at Home with Ease
44 Destination: Las Vegas, Nevada 48 Resources
36 Whole House: Southern Glamour
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Take a tour through interior designer John Bossard’s Charlotte home.
Photography provided by Brie Williams (this page), LA Closet Design (opposite).
30 A Sanctuary of Great Wine
EDITOR Amber Lindros DESIGN Lindsay Fournier CREATIVE TEAM Lori Hartmann, Jason Rebuck,
Courtney Truebenbach CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Robyn Roehm Cannon,
Ashley Gartland, Maresa Giovannini, Jeanine Matlow, Blake Miller, Ronda Swaney COVER PHOTOGRAPH BrieWilliams CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS CityCenter Land, LLC, Mark Hanauer, Doug Hill, Juniper Books,Tomasz Rossa, Peter Rymwid, Max Schulte, EllenWerner, BrieWilliams PUBLISHER By Design Publishing
Adam Japko V.P. OF OPERATIONS Belinda Richardson PROGRAMMING Bill Baker, Dan Fritscher,Todd Neumiller CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER EsteeVedder PRESIDENT
ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE
11626 Tracey Road, Hayden, ID 83835 208-772-8060, FAX 208-772-8061 Advertising Inquiries: adsales@HomeByDesign.com Editorial Inquiries or Feedback: editorial@HomeByDesign.com
Real-estate agents, mortgage lenders, or anyone interested in using Home By Design in marketing plans should contact our sales office at 877-423-4567 or visit our Web site at www.HomeByDesign.com. Home By Design is a complete custom publisher with many options to help you promote your business. If you are interested in more information about your own customized magazine or marketing program, please contact us at our sales office. Copyright 2011 Network Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Recipients of Home By Design magazine receive their subscription as a free gift of a real-estate professional, mortgage lender, or other professional service provider. The Home By Design magazine program is an exclusive marketing program created by By Design Publishing. By Design Publishing has contracted with its professional clients to provide this free subscription to you. By Design Publishing has contracted with these professionals that By Design Publishing will not use the supplied mailing list for any purposes other than to mail copies of Home By Design magazine and other Home By Design communication products.Your name and address information will never be leased, sold, traded, or used for any other purposes.
For more information on our mailing list policy or for more information on By Design Publishing and our Home By Design custom publishing program, please contact us at 208-772-8060. Home By Design magazine is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is not intended to solicit other brokers’ listings. If you are currently working with or in contract with another broker, please disregard this information.
HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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INSPIRATIONS
Winter Warmth
ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR A COZY NIGHT IN
Lend your home an air of rustic grandeur with this spectacular cast iron urn. LARGE RUSTIC CAST IRON URN
www.wisteria.com
Curl up with this cozy throw in a modern herringbone variation. ECO-WISE WOOL WORTHINGTON THROW
www.pendleton-usa.com
Incorporate the classics into your personal library with a custom book collection from Juniper Books. DECORATIVE MIX
www.juniperbooks.com
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A traditional wingback in supple, olive-green leather is a perfect perch for reading your newest page-turner. GEORGE III WING CHAIR
www.hancockandmoore.com
Greetings! LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
E
Ever since I was a child, I’ve longed for a library. I was an incessant reader when I was younger and was always excited to finish one book so I could move on to another. These days, unfortunately, I don’t seem to have much time for reading, but the library is still high on my wish list. For now, my book collection is scattered throughout my home, a few dozen on display in my living room, a couple more dozen tucked neatly between bookends in my bedroom, and so on. What I love about hobby rooms is that many homes don't come equipped with them as standard features. Instead, a hobby room must be dreamed about, planned, and executed in order to exist.They are a unique representation of the passions of the homeowner. And this is evident in the rooms shown on the following pages—it’s apparent that each one has been carefully designed to fit the lifestyle and preferences of its owner. I hope you enjoy this issue and are inspired to keep your own dreams for your home alive. As we close one year and look ahead to the next, we are excited to see what 2011 brings. From all of us at Home By Design, we wish you a joyous and happy holiday season.
Cheers!
Amber Lindros Editor, Home By Design HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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IN THE KITCHEN
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IN THE KITCHEN
E L E G A N T
S I M P L I C I T Y
CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH A MENU COMPOSED OF DELECTABLE SMALL BITES
Written by Ashley Gartland PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLEN WERNER
HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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IN THE KITCHEN
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There is certainly something alluring about an evening party composed of small bites—but this style of party has an underlying practical purpose, too. Far from the fuss of elaborate holiday parties and anxiety-inducing multicourse meals, a party centered on appetizers is designed with stress-free entertaining in mind. And yet for all its simplicity, such a party maintains its allure with slim flutes of champagne cocktails and a spread of small bites that encourage mingling among guests. Our party unfolds over a series of appetizers intended to be eaten with one hand (leaving the other hand free to hold a sparkling sorbet cocktail). Spicy-sweet glazed pecans give guests something to snack on, while goat cheese–stuffed meatballs add a touch of brawn to the spread.And a bright, crunchy endive salad and tomatotopped bruschetta satiate guests with more delicate taste. The sweet finish? Crunchy, caramel-covered popcorn that will take every guest on a trip down memory lane.Think of it as Cracker Jacks all grown up—or the perfect finish to a magical, fuss-free meal.
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IN THE KITCHEN
SPARKLING SORBET COCKTAIL A tiny scoop of sorbet stands in for a sugar cube in this nontraditional champagne cocktail. Any flavor of fruit sorbet would be nice here, but I prefer a raspberry or lively lemon sorbet. Makes 1 cocktail Prep time: 5 minutes 1
scoop fruit sorbet (about 1 tablespoon) chilled sparkling wine
Scoop the sorbet into the champagne flute. Float the sparkling wine over the top and serve immediately. SPICE-GLAZED PECANS Pour guests a glass of bubbly and set bowls of these spicy-sweet nuts out when they arrive. Then, let them snack and sip with gusto while you sneak away to put the finishing touches on the party spread. Makes 4 cups Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes 2 ½ 1 ¾ ¼ 4
egg whites cup packed dark brown sugar teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon salt teaspoon cayenne pepper cups pecan halves
Position the rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne together. Using a rubber spatula, gently mix in the pecans until evenly coated. Spread the pecans on the prepared baking sheet and bake, stirring with a heatproof spatula every 10 minutes, until fragrant and deep brown, about 30 minutes. Remove the pecans from the oven and pry them apart with two forks while they are still warm. Cool the pecans on the baking sheet. Serve HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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IN THE KITCHEN
immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.The pecans will keep for about 1 month. —Adapted from DamGoodSweet: Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, New Orleans Style by David Guas and Raquel Pelzel
¼ ¼ ¼ ⅛ 1 3
3
ENDIVE BOATS WITH SMOKED SALMON AND PARSLEY SALAD
3 1
Endive leaves become edible utensils for a parsley and smoked salmon salad in this refreshing appetizer. Quick pickled raisins add a touch of sweetness and acidity, while toasted walnuts contribute crunch.
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Makes 16 endive boats Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes
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cup water cup white wine vinegar cup golden raisins teaspoon red-pepper flakes cup loosely packed fresh, flat-leaf parsley ounces smoked salmon, skin removed and broken into small pieces tablespoons walnuts, lightly toasted tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil tablespoon fresh lemon juice salt and freshly ground black pepper large endive leaves, rinsed and dried
In a small saucepan, bring the water and vinegar to a boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the raisins and red-pepper flakes. Cover the saucepan and let the raisins plump for 10 minutes. Drain the raisins.
Toss the raisins,parsley,salmon,and walnuts with the olive oil and lemon juice in a small bowl until the parsley is slick with dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the salmon-parsley salad among the endive leaves.Arrange the leaves on a large plate and serve immediately. BRUSCHETTA WITH SLOW-ROASTED TOMATOES A long, slow roast and a scattering of herbs turns everyday Roma tomatoes into a savory bruschetta topping to pair with creamy goat cheese. Makes 10 bruschetta Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 3 hours 2 3
pounds Roma tomatoes tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
IN THE KITCHEN
2 2 2 ¾ ½ ½ 8 10
garlic cloves, peeled and smashed teaspoons fresh, finely chopped rosemary teaspoons fresh thyme leaves teaspoon kosher salt teaspoon granulated sugar teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ounces soft, spreadable cheese, such as fresh goat cheese large toasted bread rounds
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Slice a thin sliver off the top and bottom of a tomato and stand flat on one end. Slicing downward, follow the curve of the tomato, cutting into the flesh but leaving behind the seeds and core. Place the tomato slices in a large bowl and discard the seeds and pulpy insides. Repeat with the remaining tomatoes. Toss the tomatoes with the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, sugar, and pepper until well combined. Spread the tomatoes onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the tomatoes shrink to about half their original size, about 3 hours.
Remove the tomatoes from the oven and cool slightly. Discard the garlic cloves. Spread the cheese evenly over the toasted bread rounds and top each piece with approximately 4 roasted tomatoes. Arrange the bruschetta on a serving platter and serve immediately. STUFFED MEATBALLS These bite-size meatballs have a surprise inside: a filling of tangy goat cheese. Serve the meatballs on their own or with a bowl of warm tomato sauce for dipping. Makes 20 meatballs Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 23 minutes ¼
cup finely ground breadcrumbs (made from hamburger buns) ¼ cup reduced-fat milk ¾ pound ground lamb ¾ pound ground pork ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 1½ teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves, finely chopped 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1½ ounces fresh goat cheese
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350
degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the breadcrumbs and milk together in a small bowl. Set aside to soak for 5 minutes. Mix the breadcrumb-milk mixture, lamb, pork, parsley, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, and salt together in a large bowl until well combined. Shape the meat into 20 golf ball–size meatballs. Poke a small hole in the center of each meatball and push approximately ¼ teaspoon of the cheese into the center of each one. Reshape the meatballs. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake until browned and cooked through, about 23 minutes. Cool the meatballs for 5 minutes. Arrange the meatballs on a platter and serve immediately. CARAMEL CORN Send guests home with a nostalgic party favor: brown bags of crunchy, lightly sweetened caramel corn. Use natural flavored popcorn for this dish, as butter-flavored popcorn will yield less than desirable results.
HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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IN THE KITCHEN
Makes about 10 cups Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 1 hour nonstick cooking spray 3½-ounce package plain microwave popcorn, popped according to package instructions 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 3 tablespoons light corn syrup ¼ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon baking soda 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup pecans, lightly toasted and roughly chopped 1
Position the rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Coat a large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the popcorn into the bowl. Pick out any unpopped kernels and discard. In a medium saucepan, whisk the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, salt, and water together. Bring
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the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Continue to simmer, whisking often, until a candy thermometer inserted into the mixture reads 250 degrees, about 4 minutes. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the cinnamon, baking soda, and vanilla. Quickly pour the hot caramel over the popcorn. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the caramel into the popcorn, distributing it as evenly as possible. Stir in the pecans and transfer the popcorn to the prepared baking pan. Bake for 1 hour, stirring and turning the popcorn with a heatproof spatula every 20 minutes. Remove the popcorn from the oven and let cool for 20 minutes. Gently break up the popcorn and serve or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. —Adapted from DamGoodSweet: Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, New Orleans Style by David Guas and Raquel Pelzel
IN THE KITCHEN
TA S T I N G N OT E S
YOUR HOLIDAY HITS LIST STOCK YOUR CELLAR FOR THE SEASON
Written by Amber Lindros
Photography provided by ©iStockphoto.com/Petar Chernaev.
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‘Tis the season for entertaining, and with it comes many opportunities for popping open a bottle of wine.Take the time to plan ahead now to make sure you have the perfect bottles for all your entertaining needs, and you won’t be left sipping subpar vino. Here, our favorite picks for stocking your cellar. Gathering together with friends and family is often a celebratory occasion, and nothing conveys that more than a bottle of bubbly. Sparkling wine is the perfect way to start an evening; it pairs fantastically with most appetizers, and it can easily be combined with a liqueur such as crème de cassis for an effortlessly elegant cocktail.Yet if you really want to raise the interest level a notch, consider a sparkling rosé. Poised to impress a crowd is the Mirabelle Brut Rosé from Schramsberg Vineyards. The light-pink blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is full of delicate bubbles, with a subtle nose of toasty raspberries and cranberries shadowed by lemon notes. A sip fills the mouth with balanced flavors of honey-kissed strawberries and grapefruit.These zesty elements drew us in, and the everlasting finish had us hanging on for another sip. Elegant yet satisfying, it’s a perfect aperitif. For whites this time of year, we like a classic Chardonnay with citrus and nutmeg notes, and just a soft touch of oak—full enough to pair well with those rich, heavy dishes that taste so wonderful in winter, but not overly buttery like a tub of cinema popcorn. Look to Rombauer Vineyards for a Chardonnay that’s a great mix of all these elements. It displays hints of summer with refreshing honeyed flavors of pineapple and pear, but a lively dusting of spice provides the depth to pair with holiday fare. Even better, it comes in half bottles, so if your gathering is small or you plan on serving pairings with each course, you have the flexibility to do so. And for reds, you can’t go wrong with Townshend Cellar. The Columbia Valley wines are a fan favorite among our tasting panel, with dozens of fantastic vintages and blends that display a strong sense of place. But the real value lies inTownshend’s RedTableWine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. A full nose of fruit is followed by flavors of black cherry and strawberry, with a trace of tobacco pulling through to the smooth finish. It’s a superb, palate-pleasing blend that will be a vinous hit at any gathering you host this season.And, at only $11 a bottle, it’s a wine you can afford to stock up on, giving you yet another reason to celebrate.
LIFESTYLE
Raising the
BAR
BRING THE BEST COCKTAILS FORTH FOR THE HOLIDAY PARTY SEASON
Holiday hosts who overlook the drink element of their parties risk the evening becoming a bore. After all, a party where the host greets you with a hello and a signature cocktail is much more engaging than a party where the host relies on a cooler filled with sodas and
Written by Ashley Gartland 14 HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
bottled water to quench the thirst of guests.
LIFESTYLE
Spirits for a Budget-Friendly Bar
Photography provided by ©iStockphoto.com/Yamac Beyter.
And yet, you may often fall back on a chintzy cooler and ignore the cocktail element of parties entirely because you consider stocking and tending a bar to be daunting, time consuming, and costly. But what bartenders and accomplished home entertainers will tell you is that any upfront efforts to set up a party-worthy home bar pay off when your guests arrive.And once you’re armed with advice from one of Portland, Oregon’s top bartenders, Kelley Swenson of June restaurant, raising the cocktail bar will be that much easier. Your Essential Tool Kit A basic bar setup requires just a few tools—and they don’t need to be fancy to get the job done.They do, however, need to be functional. Arm yourself with the essentials first: a good jigger to help you measure ingredients properly and a sound shaker to mix them together with ease. A traditional jigger or a user-friendly model designed to operate like a measuring cup makes accurate measuring possible.When selecting a shaker, Swenson recommends reaching for the multipurpose Boston shaker he uses at June. Before you start tending bar, you’ll also need to round up a good strainer, a cocktail spoon, a juicer, and a muddler.These tools are available at kitchen stores or through cocktail enthusiast Web sites like www.cocktailkingdom.com, but you can also repurpose kitchen tools you already own to eliminate the need to shop. For example, the handle of a wooden spoon can function as a muddler for home use. Finally, assess your glassware situation and streamline shopping trips by focusing on just two types of glasses. “Find an up-style glass that you like and get enough of them for your particular event,” says Swenson. “Then get a rocks glass. You want to have both styles on hand.”
The Heart of the Bar Stocking a bar with the foundation spirits—vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, and tequila (see sidebar)—allows you to make a range of cocktails without investing in a dozen bottles. Round out your spirit selection with mixers like sweet and dry vermouth, triple sec or Cointreau, quality soda water or tonic, and fresh citrus fruits.Then you can purchase more esoteric spirits and mixers as needed to create signature drinks for different parties. Lastly, don’t forget to stock up on that essential but oft-overlooked cocktail ingredient: ice. Professional bartenders and caterers typically purchase a seven pound bag of ice for each 750 milliliter bottle of liquor they expect to use. “You get about twelve drinks per bottle. So if you are planning a party for twelve and plan to make at least two drinks per person, you’ll need fourteen pounds of ice,” says Swenson. “Then maybe throw another bag of ice on top of that just to make sure [you’re supplied].” Party Time A bar filled with foundation spirits allows home bartenders to make a range of cocktails. But that doesn’t mean offering a full bar is the best route to enjoyable home entertaining. “If you pick three or four specialty drinks per night and you want to keep an open bar going, the chances of your having any fun are pretty slim,” says Swenson. Instead, focus your attention on perfecting a few classics like a Manhattan or a Collins and find one unique recipe that suits the occasion to serve with them. Limiting the cocktail menu to three or four drinks reduces your workload and allows you to prep for the party by pre-batching cocktails and arranging garnishes like cherries and twists in advance.Then when your guests arrive, all you have to do is shake, strain, and serve.
You can stock a solid holiday bar for less than $100, says Swenson, if you detach yourself from so-called premium brands and create a list of spirits based solely on how they taste. “If you taste things yourself and make sure they are up to your own quality standards, then the label shouldn’t really matter,” says Swenson. Here are a few of Swenson’s favorite, lesser-known picks to guide you as you stock your own budget bar. Vodka: Search for a vodka that is clean and free from impurities. One budget bottle Swenson likes is the Polish brand Sobieski Vodka. Gin: One of Swenson’s “secret weapon” labels is Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin. The gin is clean, assertive, and floral, and it mixes well in drinks. Brandy: Cognac from famous French producers can break a budget because the well-established brands can charge large sums for their spirits. Swenson looks to an American brandy like Germain-Robin’s artisanal brandy that will impress guests at a lower cost. Tequila: Swenson recommends purchasing one hundred percent agave tequila like El Jimador Reposado. The affordable label will appeal to the growing market of tequila connoisseurs. Whiskey: Look to Kentucky for a crowd-pleasing brand like Old Weller bourbon. The bourbon is made using the same recipe that the reputable Van Winkle label uses but retails for a fraction of the price.
HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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GARDENING
Behind the
GARDEN
WALL
BRING THE ANCIENT CRAFT OF DRY STONE SETTING INTO YOUR OWN BACKYARD
Written by Robyn Roehm Cannon 16 HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
Think of the most unique gardens you have visited. What makes them special? My favorites share one important feature that provides privacy and an air of mystery and makes these spaces appear as though they’ve been there forever: containment behind a garden wall. Historic European gardens have beautiful walls made of stone, skillfully laid by craftsmen who call themselves dry stone wallers. This ancient technique—literally thousands of years old—relies on principles of gravity and friction to tie the wall together.The absence of mortar to hold the stones in place is what sets dry stone setting apart from masonry, where mortar is always a part of the construction process. Chuck Eblacker artfully designs and executes stone walls, magical stone features like circular “moon gates,” stone pizza ovens, and
GARDENING
Building a Dry Stone Garden Wall: Tips from a Master Stone Setter Construct the wall on a firm, angular, crushed-stone footing.
Photography provided by Max Schulte.
Place the largest and heaviest stone at the base of the wall, creating a strong foundation.
fireplaces in residential garden settings in upstate NewYork. “Stone walling was essentially man’s first craft,” Eblacker comments. “It has a very rich history in the colonial United States and was born out of the need for agriculture. Farmers cleared their fields to plant crops and, in the process, uncovered thousands of fieldstones, which they didn’t move off the property, but used to make walls to establish boundaries and contain their livestock. Amazingly, the majority of these walls are still standing today.A well-constructed wall should last at least a century.” Eblacker admits that stone walling is sadly somewhat of a “dying art,” not taught in landscape architecture schools and often misinterpreted by landscapers, who build walls that may be cosmetically attractive but don’t have enough structural integrity to last even a generation. But he contends that anyone can learn to build walls that are artistic and structurally sound. He’s a member of an elite group of dry stone craftsman called the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain, which has set the international principles and standards for his trade for centuries. Members throughout the world share artistic and structural techniques and continue their tradition by teaching novice stone setters and homeowners how to approach their own projects. “Stone walling is a skill that requires very little in the way of equipment,” he
acknowledges. “Choose a stone that’s as local as possible. Ideally, use stone found on the property—we believe that gives the wall a spiritual tie to the land. Beyond that, you need a hammer, some string, and stakes to set your lines, and you have enough supplies to build a wall.” It would seem that building walls without mortar is not a good idea for those who live in areas prone to earthquakes, but Eblacker disagrees. “A properly constructed wall can rise to forty feet and survive an earthquake. It will have flexibility and actually ‘breathe,’ settling back into its original shape.” Stone walls can take many shapes, from tall and straight to low and curvilinear. Landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy believes that they add whimsy and interest to a garden and frequently ties a wall into her designs. Annually, she and Eblacker bring expert stone setters together on her Saxton River,Vermont, estate to conduct weekendlong stone wall setting workshops and explore various techniques. “Walls define a garden by creating corners, edges, and organizing it into zones: the ‘welcoming zone,’ the‘living zone,’ and transitional spaces,” Moir Messervy says. “The ‘neighboring zone’ sets you apart from other homes. A beautiful stone wall creates a nestling hug of safety and refuge around a property. Once inside, your garden becomes a magical, private sanctuary.”
Imagine “weaving” the stone. Place each stone so it touches six others—two on its top, two on its bottom, and snugly against its neighbor on each side. The next row will cross the joints of the row below it and establish a pattern of one stone on two, two stones on one, and so forth. Use your hammer to make the stones fit tighter and keep the rows flat as you proceed. By using long, narrow stones and placing them lengthwise into the wall, you’ll create a bond of maximum strength. As the wall climbs, step it back two inches for every foot of height. This technique, called “batter,” allows gravity to work and pull the structure tightly together. Don’t pour gravel behind the wall; it will destabilize the construction. Instead, fill voids between stones with “hearting stone” (small fragments of the wall stone) to increase friction and stability. Cap your wall with attractive flat stones that aren't easily dislodged.
HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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H O B B Y
hideaways 4 Spectacular Rooms with a Theme
Closet designer Lisa Adams employed a glamorous, all-white palette for the decor scheme of this boutique-style closet.
T H E U L T I M A T E F A S H I O N A C C E S S O R Y Lisa Adams of LA Closet Design Creates a High-Style Boutique Closet Worth Boasting About
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WRITTEN BY MARESA GIOVANNINI PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOUG HILL
The enticing retail boutiques along Rodeo Drive, Champs-Elysées, and Fifth Avenue may tout varied fashions, but they all have one commonality—high-style presentation. With crisp colors, luxurious materials, well-placed lighting, and forgiving mirrors, designer boutiques are styled to sell their haute merchandise by eliminating distractions and drawing attention to each individual piece. One chic homeowner wanted to highlight her personal clothing collection in a similar fashion and called upon Lisa Adams, owner of LA Closet Design, to bring the boutique feel to her Hancock Park, California, boudoir. “The owner came to me in 2008 with a mission—to renew her life,” says Adams. “As a recent divorcée and fashionista with children moving off to college, she asked me to design the ultimate closet, one she has always dreamed of.” Previously, the homeowner’s valuable designer collection was stored haphazardly in a fifty-square-foot closet where the shoes were piled in towering stacks and the clothes lacked breathing room. “After my first site visit, it was evident that the closet she longed for was not only a dream, it was a necessity,” says Adams.To create the much-needed wardrobe expansion, they eliminated the bedroom and bath adjacent to the master suite, removing the plumbing, drywall, and floors to create the foundation for a 300-square-foot fantasy. “My goal was to design a luxurious closet that mirrored a boutique; a place where this true fashionista could relax and
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‘shop’ every day,” says Adams. A complete escape from the warm Mediterranean decor in the rest of the home, this Hollywood-style dressing space is designed to be timeless and elegant for a woman to enjoy at any stage of life. With a clean palette of muted pink-hued walls; white carpeting and shelving; and silver, mirror, and glass accents, this luxurious walkin sanctuary allowed the homeowner’s clothing and accessories to be the main attraction. As in a fashionable boutique, this shopper’s collection would change with the seasons and expand over time; Adams accounted for this change by establishing a functional design with the homeowner. “Before I design my closets, I take a full inventory of the owner’s clothing to ensure that the new design allows for the current possessions, with room to grow,” explains Adams. “Then we code the drawings, noting where each type of clothing should be housed to help the client conceptualize the closet, as many people have a hard time reading plans.” Like every fashion maven, this homeowner has a favorite accessory—in this case, shoes. “Her growing shoe collection was one of the most important elements of her wardrobe,” says Adams. “Each pair was so unique [it was] deserving of display.” To properly exhibit the homeowner’s impressive 400plus pairs, Adams dedicated an entire wall and space flanking the mirrored door to the master bath for storage. With customized shelves for each style—angled shelves for heels,
Lighting the Way Proper lighting can make a world of difference in how we view and preserve colors, textures, and materials. This is especially true in a dressing-room closet space, where clothing is both displayed and worn. To take full advantage of your material treasures, consider the following tips from Lisa Adams: Whenever it is available, take advantage of natural lighting; it flatters skin tones, creates a warmer feeling in the room, and makes clothing colors more identifiable. To avoid damage to clothing from natural light, install a stylish window treatment, closet doors, or tinted windows to block UV light. If natural lighting is not available, low-voltage directional or strip lighting is the best alternative. If you have only a small space and need to work with one overhead fixture, use directional ceiling light and avoid fluorescent and high-voltage lighting. Lighted hanging rods and shelf-strip lighting make it easier to see items in the back and corners of a dark-wood closet.
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The clever pull-out packing table (top left) provides the homeowner extra space for staging an outfit or preparing items for a trip.
standard shelves for flats and wedges, and bottom-level boot trees that hang from a bar and help maintain shape—her shoes will never be lost in the shuffle again. To accentuate the shoe and clothing “art,”Adams relied on natural and artificial lighting.The rows of shoes were highlighted by low-voltage puck lighting; the couture clothing is illuminated with general lighting and the natural light streaming through three semicircular tinted windows for UV protection. For the final boutique touch, a glass chandelier casts a flattering reflective light. This boutique wardrobe is more than just another storage closet; it is a multifunctional space designed as a closet, lounging area, and laundry station, which aligns with Adams’s philosophy. “Closets should be a living space where people want to socialize, show off their precious possessions, and feel better about getting ready for the day,” says Adams. The silver leather ottoman in the center of the room creates a plush place to relax while observing the expert organization. Two 360-degree rotating corner carousels arrange and maintain the clothing, while also maximizing hanging space in the corners of the room. Pull-out belt trays house belts and scarves, and the pull-out packing table is useful for staging outfits or helping prepare for a vacation.Adams took advantage of the preexisting plumbing in the space by including an integrated laundry center with a Miele stackable washer and dryer and ironing station. With feminine finishing touches such as the glass chandelier centerpiece and limited-edition vintage Barbie print, this palatial closet space is transformed into a fashionable retreat. “In looking back, the greatest challenge of this project was not only to bring the client’s dream to life, but also to create a living space that was both properly designed and balanced functionally and aesthetically,” says Adams. “By getting to know the client over the few months that we worked together, I learned more about her lifestyle, fashion style, and daily routine, which helped me ultimately design the closet of both of our dreams.Wardrobes are the ultimate fashion accessory.” HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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A L L F U N A N D G A M E S A Cozy Yet Sophisticated Bar and Game Room Pays Homage to the Owner’s Irish-American Roots WRITTEN BY RONDA SWANEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER RYMWID
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As a designer, how do you create an Irish pub and game room without turning it into a cliché? In this case, you simply follow the lead of your client and pair it with a smart design sensibility. This bar was made literally from nothing. “In this home, there was a two-and-a-half-story living room that the client never liked. It felt cold, too open, and uninviting.To make this space, we gave the living room nine-foot ceilings and then converted the remaining one and a half stories into a bar,” says Laurie Deliman-Burke,ASID, CID, owner of LD Burke Designs of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey. Jay Brady, the home’s owner, provided Deliman-Burke with the theme and color palette. “I basically told her the theme was a classic Irish bar designed around the Notre Dame football team colors of gold and navy blue,” he says.The two have worked together before, which helped make this design an easy exercise. Says DelimanBurke, “He showed me pictures of bars he liked and provided me with his wish list. Over the years, he’s come to trust my opinion, yet he knows what he likes and what he doesn’t. He trusts my design concepts and lets me do what I feel is going to look good.” The homeowner’s possessions and personal artifacts adorn the space. “I’m proud of my Irish-American heritage instilled in me from my father and uncles,” Brady says. He wanted to pay homage to that lineage with this room. Framed Irish and American flags flank the room.A simplified version of his family’s crest has been etched into the glass of the pub’s doors. Display areas throughout the room allow Brady to show off special items. “One friend donated a flask, another a piece of Irish china that his mother gave him,” he says. “My dad gave me a German beer stein from his time in the army forty years ago.These, to me, are the most important collectibles.”A baseball bat, autographed baseballs, and a vintage train light he found online also decorate the room. HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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Homeowner Jay Brady filled the room with sentimental pieces that reflect his family's Irish-American heritage.
The room’s contents make it a genuine reflection of the owner. But it is, after all, a bar. Taking that into consideration, there is a kegerator, refrigerator, wine cooler, icemaker, sink, and plenty of storage space for glassware. The rich wood tones one expects to find in a bar are echoed in the window and door framing, fireplace surround and cabinets, as well as paneling on the very top of the ceiling.Yet it is the unexpected cool blues that complement the warm wood and golden wall color. While the color scheme reflects the homeowner’s love for the Fighting Irish, it also mimics hues used elsewhere. “The Notre Dame colors were great because there are blues and golden creams used throughout Jay’s home,” says Deliman-Burke. “These colors allowed it to flow with the styling in the rest of the house. Even though it’s a game room, we didn’t want it to seem silly. This palette lends a touch of sophistication.” Bars and game spaces are natural gathering places.Thought went into each piece placed in this room and how it could facilitate fun and relaxation.The blue leather barstools with nailhead trim swivel, as do the club chairs, making it easy for people to converse or watch games. Between the club chairs sits a golden leather ottoman, which can provide additional seating or serve as a footrest or a convenient place to hold a tray of drinks or food.The gas fireplace next to the seating area is framed with chic blue granite. The two TVs, located on opposite sides of the room from each other, make for maximum viewing opportunities no matter where you sit.A comfy window seat next to the pool table allows for easy conversation between spectators and those playing pool.The pool table’s custom cover is another nod to Notre Dame, embellished with the school’s logo.The absence of window coverings on the far wall takes full advantage of the prime waterfront view, while blinds on the wall next to the bar allow for privacy between this house and the neighbor’s. The balcony outside the room provides a welcome addition of outdoor space and offers ample room for friends and family to step outside to enjoy a cigar. While Deliman-Burke and Brady did not want the room to come off as silly, they didn’t want a constrained feel either. “We didn’t want it to feel stuffy, as if you should be sipping cognac and planning to play polo afterward,” Deliman-Burke says.“Jay is not like that, and his family and friends aren’t either.We wanted the room to feel comfortable.” For the homeowner, the room has added the perfect place to relax and entertain. “My favorite thing in the room has to be the overall fun feel of it and its coziness,” Brady says. “The pub is used during parties and family get-togethers, the two biggest being St. Patrick’s Day and the Fourth of July—my favorite holidays.” Stylish, sophisticated, and still cozy, this room raises the bar on what in-home bars should be. 26 HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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T H E W E L L - R E A D
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Create a Lovely Library at Home with Custom Tomes
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WRITTEN BY JEANINE MATLOW PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUNIPER BOOKS
Books add value to our lives as well as our surroundings. Whether you are an avid reader or simply admire the library look,ThatcherWine has got you covered.The owner of Boulder, Colorado-based Juniper Books specializes in anything from building a complete collection of texts to filling shelves for decorative purposes. “I can build a book collection for anyone,” Wine says. “I build book collections for avid readers as well as for those who just enjoy the look of books and those who want to use books as objects.” Some prefer a balance of style and substance, says Wine, whose projects run the gamut from straightforward to more complex. “We can keep our services simple for clients who want a quick and affordable solution, such as putting together ten feet of blue books or ten feet of leather books,” he explains. Whatever the request, the end result is equally rewarding. “Some clients tell me after I build them a collection that they stayed up late finishing a book I found for them, while others are ecstatic that the leather bindings looked so beautiful on their shelves in time for a party.” His company, which handles residential and commercial projects, also offers a cataloging service for insurance and reference purposes. For this all-white library in a Beverly Hills, California, residence, the look is ultra modern and space was not an issue. “We had a lot of room, two hundred linear feet of books, and a large number of shelves.We wanted to fill them in a way that matched the contemporary style of the room,” saysWine, who custom-wrapped close to two thousand books with solid white covers. “Some are vertical while others are horizontal. We were purely going for decoration and the look of books.” A wall of windows allows the books to be seen from both sides, while the sophisticated crispness of the white covers adds a level of richness to the room.
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Juniper Books had less than ten days to complete the Beverly Hills project, which included acquiring, customizing, packing, and shipping. It was quite a feat, but Wine is no stranger to unique requests. Currently, his company is building a library for a client in search of literary classics and important histories in English in white sheepskin leather and light brown calf leather bindings. “They are very discriminating about the colors of the books, right down to their titles and accent colors, as well as the content of the books,” he says. “As it is a large library of approximately 2,000 volumes, the project is taking several months to accumulate the books, but the end result will definitely be unique and luxurious, as well as a serene place to spend some time.” Wine recently built a library of five thousand books for the European home of a famous film director, with many of the titles in French, Italian, German, and Spanish geared toward his European guests. Now Wine is launching a new product line of custom-printed book jackets that can be made in any style or color. “People routinely remodel their furniture and homes and then put the same old books back on the shelves where they might look old and disjointed with the new interior,” he says. “I think of it as a way to ‘remodel’ an existing book collection or build a uniform collection of books.” Wine is constantly rearranging his own library, which consists of literature, history, and reference books. “I have always enjoyed collecting various things, from stamps to coins, books, and antiques,” he says. So it comes as no surprise that what began as a bookselling hobby would become a bona fide business that continues to expand.Wine has clearly found his calling. “I love books, history, art, and design,” he says. “So, every day I have fun sorting books for clients and contributing to their creative projects.”
Curate Your Own Book Collection Thatcher Wine, owner of Juniper Books, shares insightful advice for those of us looking to amass and organize a book collection: It's best to pick a theme for a particular shelf, bookcase, or room and stick with it. That theme can be a color, author, subject, size, etc. Stick with a particular binding style or vintage for how you group the books together. For example, stack a few leather books together. Place the modern books with jackets in a separate stack. Even if you read everything on an e-book reader, it’s nice to own the hardcover version for your home. Pick up a used copy online at a good price a few weeks after the book comes out. The quality of art-book publishing gets better every year. Include oversize books on art, architecture, photography, travel, etc., on shelves, coffee tables, and all around the house. Arrange books naturally. Don't make them look too staged. It's nice to have some vertical, some horizontal, a few leaning, and others with their front covers facing out. Showcase the covers of old vintage books with amusing designs. For vintage or antique books, the distressed look of the page edges might be nicer than the spines. Consider turning the page edges out for a neutral vintage look. Keep the collection fresh over time by rearranging the books into different stacks, adding new acquisitions, and giving some away. Visit your local library sale, which is usually held annually, for great values that support a good cause. Buy books on your travels. Pencil a note inside the books about where you bought them and they will bring back memories.
For this personal library, Juniper Books re-covered the books with simple white covers. The look meshes with the contemporary aesthetic of the room.
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Wine cellar designer Thomas E. Warner designed the framework of the cellar, which holds fifteen thousand bottles from fourteen countries, to feel like the inside of a cathedral.
A S A N C T U A R Y O F G R E A T W I N E
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The Private Cellar of Ann Colgin Brings Knowledge and Enjoyment Together in a Compact Library of Vintages WRITTEN BY ROBYN ROEHM CANNON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK HANAUER
If you think of wine as liquid history, you can understand why Ann Barry Colgin and her husband and business partner, Joe Wender, take the cellaring of their extensive wine collection very seriously. It stands to reason: they have a cellar that houses centuries of wine and a big reputation to uphold. Colgin Cellars, founded in 1992, is the most lauded and powerful of Napa Valley estates, producing ultra-premium handcrafted wines that have a worldwide reputation for excellence and a following that without hyperbole could be described as cult.Waiting lists for vintages only available through the winery—which is not open to the public—go back to patrons who signed up for offerings in 2007. And more than two thousand are still waiting. But as personal wine collections go, this cellar is extraordinary. It houses fifteen thousand bottles from fourteen countries and wine regions as obscure as Israel, in a long narrow space with fourteen-feet-high ceilings and only six hundred square feet of storage. Why so many wines from so many different areas? “Joe and I both believe that in order to make great wine, you have to taste great wine,” commented Colgin when I recently caught up with her at the IX Estate, perched on a hillside overlooking Lake Hennessey in St. Helena.“The variety within our collection is incredibly important for our winemaking team, because we often open bottles for comparative tastings. For instance, we make a Syrah at Colgin, so we like to taste Northern Rhone wines.We analyze the nuances of young and old Bordeaux vintages. There is so much to be learned from our wines.” As a former wine auctioneer at Sotheby’s (something she still does as a volunteer for high-profile charity auctions),
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Colgin has a strong background in wines with fine historical provenance. The contents of the couple’s cellar dates back to the late-nineteenth century, with a prized bottle of 1887 Bouchard Père & Fils, Nuits-Saint-Georges that was purchased at auction. That’s a bottle to be saved and treasured, but on very special occasions, they’ll selectively pull older vintages to contribute to an annual wine dinner where each attendee contributes two bottles or one magnum of a specific vintage to share. Recently, a rare 1945Vieux Chateau Certan was gently transported to the party, where it “showed beautifully in comparison with other wines of the same year,” says Colgin, adding,“It was a perfect opportunity to bring out a very carefully cellared bottle and showcase it for the enjoyment of our friends.” Colgin andWender engaged Sausalito-based wine cellar designer Thomas E.Warner, who has thirty-five years of woodworking experience and designed four cellars of varying size at the winery and in the couple’s homes in Los Angeles, Malibu, and Napa.Warner travels the globe to work with architects and interior designers on residential cellars that are each custom-built to their unique environment. He almost exclusively uses reclaimed timber in his projects. These racks were fabricated from clear heart redwood, a soft wood that darkens and takes on a “beautiful musty aroma” after it is exposed to the cellar environment. The Los Angeles–based interior design firm Hendrix Allardyce specified colors and design details including lighting, but Warner designed the framework. One of his biggest challenges was maximizing the confined space and providing adequate racking that was strong enough to hold literally tons of wine.
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“This cellar is like the skeleton of an airplane,” notes Warner. “The components, a series of redwood one by ones and one by twos, are lightweight and yet are incredibly strong. Every joint was glued and nailed. The racks are fastened to the walls in a way that you could literally climb them like a library ladder.” In fact, says Warner, a “library of wine” is not a bad analogy. “Great wines are like books.They tell you stories about the history of a region, a culture, or a period of time.You could never get through Ann and Joe’s cellar, because ten bottles into a tour, you’d know all about the history of the south of France! “When you enter the cellar,” Warner comments, “I want it to feel like you’re in church. Even the Gothicstyle fixtures, made of iron and amber milk glass, are a petite version of what you might see in a cathedral.The lighting glows and reflects in a very ancient way.” Although the atmosphere may be ancient in tone, modern technology keeps record of the huge collection, so Colgin andWender can easily locate a specific bottle through a proprietary bar coding system hinged to a computerized bit map of the cellar and its inventory. “This is not a browsing cellar,” says Colgin. “The racks were originally organized by region and varietal, but as wine is consumed, there are random spaces to fill. I am a firm believer that wine should be moved as little as possible until it is removed from the rack to open and enjoy.” Each time they enter their cellar through its studded, two-hundred-year-old, four-inch-thick Indonesian door, Colgin and Wender never know what bottle will call to them. But as a couple who relish gathering close friends and colleagues around the table, the joy of their cellar is expressed in the fun of sharing the wine. “A great collection is only great when you open the bottles,” laughs Colgin. With a heart as big as her laugh, Colgin reflects on the pleasure that she and her husband take in donating largeformat bottles to charities across the country, including the NapaValleyWine Auction. Recently a million dollars was raised in bidding on four lots of Colgin Cellars wines. “I never dreamed we could do something like that in a single hour,” she says. “And that’s what our cellar is all about: bringing people together through the enjoyment of wine.” HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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SPECIAL SECTION
Entertaining at Home
with Ease
JUST FOLLOW FRENCH COOKING TRADITION: GET EVERYTHING IN PLACE, AND THE REST WILL BE SIMPLE AND FUN
For Pacific Northwest chefs Lenore Emery and Bob Neroni, every day is a party. At least that’s what it feels like around the counter in the exhibition kitchen at their Cannon Beach, Oregon, cooking school called EVOO—short for
Written by Robyn Roehm Cannon 34 HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
extra-virgin olive oil.
Photography provided by ©iStockphoto.com/Tatiana Goydenko.
SPECIAL SECTION
This talented and energetic husband-andwife duo have spent their professional lives cooking in luxury hotels, planning and executing high-end corporate events, and teaching others in the culinary world. But early in 2000, they traded in their respective careers, moved to Oregon’s most famous beach town, and today they bring residents and tourists together to share techniques for preparing sustainable, seasonal, and local ingredients in a creative dinner-party setting nearly every night of the week. Recently, I was a guest at one of their Farmers Market Dinners, held Tuesday evenings during the Cannon Beach Farmers Market season, from late spring through autumn. An ever-changing menu utilizes the freshest artisan-grown ingredients that Chef Bob brings back from the market that morning. Eighteen guests gathered in the kitchen at 6 PM, and, as soon as everyone had a glass of wine in hand, the lively dinner preparation began. The chefs quickly transformed organic pork into juicy fennel-crusted loin garnished with early spring garlic, fresh fava beans, and wildly colored rainbow chard. Then came a salad composed of English rose petals, tiny grilled cipollini, mildly bitter arugula, and tender baby lettuces—delicious! We learned the secret to perfect, fluffy Dungeness crab fried rice, flavored with sesame oil and bright green English peas that were so sweet they burst in the mouth like candy. Every day, Chef Bob bakes Daily Bread—and a slice of his sesame-crusted hand-formed loaf, liberally spread with house-churned sweet cream chive butter, was worth every calorie. A dessert finale of orange-scented scones topped with tiny local strawberries and crème fraîche and garnished with a drizzle of fresh basil oil was so memorable that I can still taste the unique combination. Each dish was prepared with components
that had been prepped earlier in the day and came together in what seemed like a snap. From my front-and-center seat, the festive presentation of this seasonal feast was seamless. My experience at EVOO caused me to reflect upon my own entertaining efforts.Although I’m an enthusiastic cook and put nice meals on the table, my process can be exhausting. Sometimes, by the time dinner is served, my guests are looking at their watches—and I’m ready for bed! What could I learn from these experienced cooks that would make my parties easier, time efficient, and more fun to execute? Neroni and Emery’s most important step for success is based on a French cooking term that’s common practice for professional chefs: mise en place (pronounced meez ahn plahs.) It literally translates as “everything in place,” and refers to the organization of the kitchen, from equipment to ingredients, including all the steps it takes to complete a dish and put it on the table. “Mise en place provides the way to enjoy being a guest at your own event,” says Neroni. “It really boils down to anticipating the needs of a recipe from beginning to end, and maintaining order in your kitchen by making lists and determining which of those steps can be completed in advance.” Mise en place extends to your home as well. Begin party preparation several days before the event, Emery advises. Make sure your table linens are ironed, the house is cleaned, glassware is sparkling, and serving platters are ready for your table. “You’ll then have time to arrange fresh flowers and fuss over small details that are time-consuming but will make the party a unique expression of your personality,” she says. “A successful party is all about making people feel special,” agrees Neroni. “If you’re relaxed and having fun, I guarantee that your guests will have a great time.They may come in as strangers, but they’ll leave as friends.”
EVOO’s Tips for Planning a Great Party Theme your gathering. Build a party theme that has a specialty cocktail, a decor scheme, and a menu that creatively tie the event together. Magazines and blogs are great sources for party-planning inspiration. No new recipes! Try to choose recipes you’ve made before and are comfortable with, so your final preparation is stress free. Keep the party a manageable size. Big buffet and cocktail parties can be fun, but Emery and Neroni suggest just six people around a dining table—a perfect number for great conversation and easy serving. Simplify the bar by serving all beverages in the same glassware. A stemmed multipurpose glass with a 10- to 12-ounce capacity gives your table a unified look and is good for wine, water, beer, and even a special mixed drink that may tie in with the theme of your party. Have a plan when friends ask, “What can I do to help?” Figure out which tasks you can safely give away and allow your guests to chip in. Buy inexpensive white aprons at a restaurant supply house. Then, add your guest chefs’ names in colorful waterproof markers—they can take their aprons home as keepsakes.
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Southern Charm Interior Designer John Bossard’s Mid-Century Modern Apartment Is a Mix of Old Hollywood Glamour and Southern Sophistication Written by Blake Miller Photography by Brie Williams
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Designer John Bossard knew exactly what he wanted. For years he’d moved around the country, from New York City to Aspen to Atlanta, then to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he ended up renting an apartment in a circa-1920s building, making mental notes along the way of what he would want if he purchased a home. The answer: a home with mid-century modern architecture that exudes Old Hollywood style. So when he first saw the circa-1963 condo complex, which sits in the heart of one of Charlotte’s toniest neighborhoods, Myers Park, he was drawn to it immediately. It wasn’t until six months after he’d moved to the Queen City that the Charlotte-based designer jumped at the opportunity to purchase an apartment in the building. In fall 2005, Bossard—who has clients from Aspen to West Palm Beach—moved in. The 1,700-square-foot apartment, though, needed some serious updating. “Nothing had been renovated at all in fortyfive years,” says Bossard. Instead of jumping feetfirst into renovating the apartment, Bossard lived among boxes for a year. “It took a long time for me to make some decisions on my own about exactly what I wanted,” he says. One of the first areas of the apartment Bossard tackled was the master bedroom, where the addition of charcoal-colored carpeting and a grass-cloth wall covering by Phillip Jeffries laid the groundwork for the rest of the room’s look. Bossard custom-designed the headboard, which is swathed in Brunschwig & Fils fabric and mirrors one he’d seen in the Hotel Costes in Paris, to serve as the centerpiece to the small space. Bossard then layered accent pieces, artwork, and collectibles from his world travels throughout the room, including an oversize wing chair covered in a Greek key velvet pattern by Lee Jofa; artwork by Tim Hailand; a Parsons-style burled wood console; English Regencystyle bedside tables from La Donna’s in Charlotte; turquoise lamps by Borghese; and a Restoration Hardware ottoman recovered in a Brunschwig & Fils fabric. Draperies by Romo and turquoise vases and accents pop against the dark, charcoal backdrop of the bedroom. Next, Bossard addressed the living and dining rooms as well as the sunporch, where he put down wall-to-wall seagrass carpeting with all-white furniture—including a Billy Baldwin–style tuxedo sofa—accented with chrome and glass, “creating a very Hollywood regency, Palm Springs look,” he says. He also painted the exposed brick walls white, hung a gorgeous photo by Slim 38 HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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(Above) Bossard painted the sunporch’s brick walls white to brighten the space. The dining room (right) houses Bossard’s extensive book collection in built-in bookcases.
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Aarons of the Kaufmann House designed by Richard Neutra, and added chrome tables from a flea market in NewYork and lamps and chairs covered in an aqua silk shantung from Rubbish Interiors in Los Angeles. The blue plates on the wall, says Bossard, give the room that quintessential Southern look, while Ankasa throw pillows from Luxe Home Couture in Charlotte add more blue accents. The living and dining rooms, though, are really where Bossard was able to bring his vision to life. First, he says, he “wanted the living room to be a Billy Baldwin–inspired layout,” and to incorporate his book collection into the dining room area.As with the master bedroom, Bossard began with the background, a glazed strie on top of a neutral khaki by Greensboro, North Carolina, artist Leigh Ann Alexander, while the ceilings have a touch of blue to make them appear higher.A Roberts sofa from Hickory Chair covered in a linen velvet and two Billy Baldwin slipper chairs covered in Lee Jofa fabric serve as the seating for the living room, while a lacquered chinoserie serves as the coffee table. The sofa is flanked by two French Louis XVI-style fauteuils covered in velvet and a gilt pyramid, which houses a collection of Bossard’s coveted books and Chinese porcelain. An admirer of contemporary and mid-century modern art, Bossard hung six pieces by Charlotte artist/architect/furniture designer Charles McMurray behind the sofa. The dining room serves not only as an entertaining area, but also a museum of sorts for Bossard’s impressive collection of books. “I have a weakness for books,” he laughs. “There are vintage books there that range from $5 to over $1,000.” He designed the built-in bookshelves and the large antiqued mirror consisting of nine single panels, which hangs above a custom chocolate-colored banquet. When possible, Bossard scours Charlotte stores for pieces for his home, including the oversize pedestal table from Classic Attic and the T-shaped lacquered pedestal console, which is flanked by two chairs by Hickory Chair covered in Thomas O’Brien fabric and a large bronze vase from Luxe Home Couture. Always influenced by French design, Bossard added a watercolor of the French Palais-Royal as well as a painting he bought in Avignon, which lies atop the mirrors. The symmetry of the space, though, is a nod to designer Billy Baldwin. “Symmetry gives me balance,” says Bossard. “I like to create vignettes in my design.” Though much has been completed, Bossard is still not done with his apartment. “The kitchen,” he laughs, “remains a work in progress.” Overall, though, he was able to achieve the chosen aesthetic, resulting in a home that exudes the designer’s charm and personality. “Just about everyone comes in and says, ‘John, your apartment is exactly like you,’” Bossard says. “It’s sophisticated, it’s relaxed, it’s comfortable. There’s always something to look at. Everything has a story.” 42 HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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LE RĂŠVE at the Wynn Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA K E E P
W I N T E R A T B A Y W I T H A T R I P T H I S M U L T I F A C E T E D C I T Y
Written by Blake Miller
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It’s easy to dismiss Las Vegas as simply a city full of gambling and nightlife. But there’s much more to the City of Sin than casinos, nightclubs, and risqué performances. With its mountainous desert landscape, excellent dining, and proximity to some of the most impressive national parks in the country, Las Vegas is not only for high rollers but also for foodies and outdoorsmen alike. From five-star dining and exclusive clubs to the Grand Canyon and exhilarating nearby national parks, Las Vegas is truly an everyman’s city. Stay There are the staples: Bellagio,Wynn Las Vegas,The Venetian, and The Palazzo. But if you want to stay somewhere that offers a bit of respite from the smoky casino floors, book a room at Vdara Hotel & Spa. Flanked by Bellagio and Aria, Vdara opened in December 2009 as the first nongaming, nonsmoking property on the Strip. The 1,495-suite hotel— which was recently awarded a 5 Green Keys rating, the highest honor possible from the Green Key Eco-Rating Program—offers modern suites in the new CityCenter, a 67-acre city within a city developed by MGM Resorts. By Day Reality shows like Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel coupled with an influx of celebrity photo ops at various casino pools
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have painted the picture that Vegas by day means you’re either inside gambling or outside sunning. In lieu of a chaise lounge and sunscreen, book a day trip with Pink Jeep Tours. Operating in and around Las Vegas for almost a decade, Pink Jeep Tours offers full- or half-day trips to fourteen areas around Vegas, including national parks such as the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Death Valley.You and a group of nine other passengers will navigate through the parks in one of PJT’s custom-designed Tour Trekkers or six-passenger SUVs, often going off-road to really see the park up close and personal. If you’re partial to hitting the parks on your own, rent a car and drive the hour-plus to nearby Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Popular with locals, Red Rock boasts beautiful desert wildflowers, ancient Native American pictographs, and diverse vegetation, making it fantastic for rock climbing, trail riding, and hiking.
DESTINATION
Photography provided by CityCenter Land, LLC, Tomasz Rossa, and iStockphoto.com/David Lenhert.
Leaving Las Vegas Centrally located to a half dozen national parks, Las Vegas is the perfect starting point for visiting some of the most impressive parks in the entire country, including Hoover Dam, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Bryce Canyon National Park. To experience one of the country’s most popular gems, head to Zion National Park in nearby Utah. A relatively short three-anda-half-hour drive from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas gets you to Zion, Utah’s first national park. Massive canyon walls ascend toward a brilliant blue sky, while towering sandstone cliffs ranging from cream to pink to red challenge even the most experienced hikers. Located at the bottom of the Grand Staircase, which includes Bryce Canyon National Park (about two hours northeast of Zion) and the Grand Canyon, Zion’s unique landscape boasts the winding Virgin River, which, along with the wind, has literally carved the park’s sandstone transformations. The park is great for both novice and experienced hikers alike with trails that range from easy to strenuous. One such strenuous (and must-hike) trail is Angel’s Landing. The ten-mile round-trip hike is one of Zion’s most difficult and inspiring trails, offering several panoramic views of the Virgin River and sandstone cliffs. Narrow ridges—at some points only three feet wide with 700- to 1,000-foot drop-offs—are somewhat intimidating, but the payoff is worth it as the 1,000-foot summit culminates at a lofty perch with breathtaking 360-degree views of the park.
By Night It’s hard to avoid the craps and blackjack tables, but if you can, consider taking in one of the dozens of impressive shows in Vegas. From risqué burlesque options and comic standups to off-Broadway classics, it’s hard to choose what to see. But if you have only one night to splurge, pick LE RÊVE at the Wynn. Meaning “the dream,” LE RÊVE is set in an intimate aqua theater-in-the-round and features aerial acrobatics, provocative choreography, and artistic athleticism. If you want to tap into a Las Vegas staple—aka Elvis—a must is Viva ELVIS at Aria, in which Cirque du Soleil performers pay tribute to the King’s life and music.
(Above) In the Vdara lobby hangs Peter Wegner's Day for Night, Night for Day. (Opposite) The Vdara Health and Beauty Treatment Lobby. Cedar Wood-Grilled and Smoked Maine Lobster from American Fish.
Eat Las Vegas boasts one of the most impressive culinary scenes in the United States, so you’d be remiss not to experience at least one of the best, albeit more expensive, dining options in the city. Make a reservation at chef Michael Mina’s American Fish. Described as “refined American cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients, fish, and shellfish,” Mina utilizes four signature cooking methods—salt baking, wood grilling, cast-iron griddling, and ocean-water poaching—which result in the most tender and flavorful seafood you’ve ever experienced. Or head to The Venetian, where chef Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s B&B Ristorante offers a take on seasonal pastas (read: delicate halibut with peas and orecchiette with fresh broccoli rabe).
HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
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DECEMBER | JANUARY | 2011
48 HOME BY DESIGN | DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011
Gardening Dry Stone Walls Eblacker & Stone www.eblackerstone.com 585-233-5320
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The Ultimate Fashion Accessory LA Closet Design West Hollywood, California www.laclosetdesign.com 310-289-1311
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All Fun and Games L.D. Burke Designs Monmouth Beach, New Jersey 732-229-8200
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The Well-Read Room Juniper Books Boulder, Colorado www.juniperbooks.com 303-946-1494
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A Sanctuary of Great Wine Ann Colgin St. Helena, California www.colgincellars.com 707-963-0999
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Entertaining at Home with Ease EVOO Cannon Beach, Oregon www.evoo.biz 503-436-8555
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Southern Glamour John Bossard Interior Design Charlotte, North Carolina www.johnbossard.com 704-335-0220
Photography provided by Brie Williams.
Resources
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