travel & leisure
I
Spring 2015
nspired by their collections from world travels, this couple’s eclectic tastes have turned into a happy marriage of style, color and taste. “My husband and I compromised on a look that suits us both. We’ve accumulated things that matter to us, and we wanted to incorporate those things into our home,” the homeowner says. The home has had its share of design challenges. “We bought the house in 1976 for the size of the lot, about 2/3 of an acre. My husband is a gardener, and over the years, he’s landscaped the property with flowers and trees, so it’s quite beautiful. It was a spec house and had very rustic burlap on the walls and other things we weren’t real fans of, but with three children, we changed things in fits and starts.” Renovations began in earnest six years ago when the homeowners discovered termites infesting the lower level of their home. Structural repairs were made and the lower level updated, then Steve Johannes, owner of Johannes Architectural Woodworking in North Liberty, expanded the living room by enclosing a porch. The master craftsman built a striking fireplace with thick, round columns, black granite hearth and a broad maple mantel to coordinate with the hardwood floor. “We wanted a place to display our artwork. There had been a small fireplace, and this renovation made it so much more impressive. There’s also a structural beam that Steve incorporated into the redesign
of the room, disguised as an architectural element. I had a California country look in mind, and I think he achieved that,” she says. She also enlisted the expertise of interior designer Rhonda Staley, IIDA, of The Mansion in Iowa City. “Rhonda envisions how to put a room together, and it’s not just about staging. She knows what’s needed and how to put the right pieces together. Decorating your house is like trying to find a really cool outfit for yourself. You want it to be elegant and a little unique, and you’ll know when it feels just right.” Staley’s interiors are informed by “everything from their hair color, color and style of clothing in their closets and individual personalities,” as well as the room’s function and client’s wishes, Staley says. “A home should reflect the people who live there, and this couple is really eclectic,” the interior designer explains. Nothing in the room really keyed in on the fireplace, so she rearranged furniture to make the most of the space and improve traffic flow. Staley wanted the couple to still feel emotionally connected to the space, but their collections needed editing. Prized pieces include artwork from Machu Picchu and a collection of Inuit carvings. “They’ve collected wonderful things on their travels, but there was so much. Editing brought the room into focus, and it’s also easy to change out collections,” she notes. The comfortable Baker sofa shows off its good bones in
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