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MOMENTS<br />
Photography provided by ©iStockphoto.com/ooyoo.<br />
“We would like to live as we once lived, but<br />
history<br />
will not permit it.”<br />
—John F. Kennedy<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 1
Contents<br />
april|may| 2014<br />
DEPARTMENTS<br />
1 Moments<br />
4 Inspirations:<br />
It’s the Little Things…<br />
6 In the Kitchen:<br />
Digging into Food Trends<br />
14 Lifestyle:<br />
Focusing on the Foyer<br />
16 Gardening:<br />
History at Home<br />
44 Destination:<br />
Montepulciano, Italy<br />
FEATURES<br />
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS<br />
20 From Dark to Dazzling<br />
26 Modern Muskoka<br />
34 Modern Day Meets Yesterday<br />
38 Crystal Vision<br />
A nineteenth-century<br />
Tribeca, Manhattan<br />
building merges history<br />
34with updated style.<br />
Photography by (this page) Sean Karns, (opposite page) Adrian Shellard (shellardphotography.com).<br />
2 home by design|april|may|2014
PUBLISHER By Design Publishing<br />
PRESIDENT Adam Japko<br />
V.P. OF OPERATIONS Belinda Richardson<br />
PROGRAMMING Bill Baker, Dan Fritscher, Todd Neumiller<br />
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER Estee Malensky<br />
EDITOR Maresa Giovannini<br />
DESIGN Lindsay Fournier<br />
CREATIVE TEAM Lori Hartmann, Jason Rebuck,<br />
Courtney Cohoon<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ruth Wertzberger Carlson,<br />
Brenda Crow, Ashley Gartland, Jeanine Matlow, Blake Miller,<br />
Carolyn M. Runyon, Ronda Swaney<br />
COVER PHOTOGRAPH Mike Chajecki<br />
(Still Moments Photography, stillmoments.ca)<br />
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS<br />
Mike Chajecki (Still Moments Photography, stillmoments.ca),<br />
Brenda Crow, Susan Gilmore, Sean Karns, Adrian Shellard<br />
(shellardphotography.com)<br />
ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE<br />
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home by design|april|may|2014 3
INSPIRATIONS<br />
It’s the Little Things…<br />
You may not have the memory<br />
of an elephant, but you can<br />
let one keep your jewelry safe. This<br />
baby elephant trinket box is full of<br />
exquisite detail and sparking jewels.<br />
BABY ELEPHANT<br />
TRINKET BOX<br />
www.zgallerie.com<br />
When lit, the decorated glass base on the<br />
Ateriors poppy glass lamp creates a unique<br />
gleam and glow of light. And a tall white shade<br />
appears like a top hat, giving the overall look<br />
one of distinction and friendly humor.<br />
POPPY TABLE LAMP<br />
www.lumens.com<br />
Add color and texture to your home with the Jaipur<br />
pillow collection. Bejeweled, natural linen pillows are hand<br />
embroidered using the labor intensive aari technique, where each rhinestone and<br />
bead is perfectly placed to create a glimmering surface. Experience the colors<br />
and handicraft of India with this mod interpretation.<br />
JAIPUR STUDDED BEADED LINED THROW PILLOW<br />
www.jonathanadler.com<br />
Luddites appreciated a simpler way of living,<br />
and this collection is inspired by that. The set<br />
of six side plates depicts an understated sketch<br />
that still dresses up tableware.<br />
THOMAS LUDDITE SIDE PLATE<br />
www.libastyle.com<br />
4 home by design|april|may|2014
INSPIRATIONS<br />
Charm your tabletop with whimsical unicorn salt and pepper shakers.<br />
But don’t worry, the stoneware shakers aren’t as elusive as the<br />
mythical creatures. You’ll be able to find them with ease.<br />
UNICORN SALT & PEPPER SHAKERS<br />
www.jonathanadler.com<br />
Give your cheese presentation an update. Perfect for everyday<br />
entertaining or elegant affairs, these food safe, kraft paper sheets can<br />
be paired with your cheese board or used to serve alone.<br />
CHEESE SERVING PAPER<br />
www.libastyle.com<br />
The Diamantini & Domeniconi Cucu Cuckoo Clock, a<br />
signature piece by the Italian company, pays homage<br />
to the traditional version in its smooth, laser cut silhouette<br />
and charming cuckoo bird. Chirping on the hour, Cucu<br />
respects evening sleep times by automatically<br />
silencing its call by a light sensor.<br />
CUCU CUCKOO CLOCK<br />
www.lumens.com<br />
This tufted ottoman, upholstered in silver gauze linen, is the<br />
perfect blend of graceful and refined. The metallic accents<br />
complement the classic style that’s finished with button<br />
detailing for a petite place to rest your feet.<br />
SMALL TUFTED OTTOMAN<br />
www.zgallerie.com<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 5
IN THE KITCHEN<br />
Digging into<br />
Food Trends<br />
Fresh and Delicious Fads to Discover Now<br />
6 home by design|april|may|2014
IN THE KITCHEN<br />
It seems a short while ago that we were<br />
talking about cupcakes, carbonated cocktails, and<br />
comfort food. In the world of gastronomy, trends<br />
take hold only to be replaced by the next best thing.<br />
But even once faded, most trends leave an indelible<br />
mark on the culture of our cuisine—be it an<br />
indefinite place on the menu or a good laugh to look<br />
back at. Regardless, they get us into the kitchen and<br />
eating out. They keep things exciting. This year,<br />
we’ve got our eye on some fresh new food fads that<br />
will do just that. From goat meat to ginger beer,<br />
here are some new discoveries to explore in food.<br />
Written and P hotographed by<br />
Brenda Crow<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 7
IN THE KITCHEN<br />
PICKLED/CURED TREND:<br />
JAPANESE PICKLED<br />
CUCUMBER<br />
Pickling has certainly seen its day in the sun<br />
these last few years. While it was once<br />
galvanized by hard times and a cruel<br />
economy, it’s currently being fueled by the<br />
DIY movement and ever-burgeoning farmers’<br />
markets. This particular recipe is well<br />
suited for the uninitiated and the impatient.<br />
A quick pickle can be made overnight,<br />
without employing a water bath canning<br />
method. The Japanese-inspired brine is super<br />
simple and adaptable to myriad vegetables<br />
(carrots, daikon, and asparagus). If you can<br />
find Persian or Kirby cucumbers, they would<br />
be a good first choice. Otherwise, English<br />
cucumbers are well suited.<br />
Makes 1, 32-ounce jar<br />
2 English cucumbers (about 13–16<br />
ounces total), sliced ½-inch thick<br />
2 1-inch squares of kombu, cut (with<br />
scissors) into thin strips<br />
2 dried chile de árbol, stemmed,<br />
seeded, and cut into strips<br />
1 cup water<br />
6 tablespoons sugar<br />
2 teaspoons kosher salt<br />
½ cup rice wine vinegar<br />
Place sliced cucumbers, kombu, and<br />
chile strips in jar.<br />
In a small saucepan, heat water,<br />
then add sugar and salt. Stir until<br />
dissolved, then remove from heat<br />
and allow to cool. Add rice wine<br />
vinegar, then pour mixture into the<br />
jar to cover the cucumbers. Close the<br />
lid, and refrigerate for at least 12<br />
hours. They will keep refrigerated for<br />
up to two weeks.<br />
GLUTEN-FREE TREND:<br />
OVEN ROASTED<br />
WHOLE CAULIFLOWER<br />
Gluten-free cooking doesn’t have to be a<br />
woeful, wheatless reproduction of the foods<br />
we once loved. Indeed, there are so many<br />
options for gluten-free eaters, given the<br />
abundance in the produce, meat, and fish<br />
aisles. I recently discovered this method for<br />
roasting cauliflower and have been refining<br />
and riffing on it since. While we don’t often<br />
think of roasting a whole cauliflower<br />
in the way we’d roast a whole chicken, the<br />
adaptation is befitting. This is my go-to for<br />
an inclusive dinner party with gluten-free<br />
(and gluten-ful) friends. Carve it at the<br />
table for a dramatic presentation and<br />
serve it alongside rice specked with fresh<br />
herbs and seasonal fish.<br />
Serves 4 to 6<br />
8 cups water<br />
2 cups dry white wine<br />
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil<br />
3 tablespoons unsalted butter<br />
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes<br />
2 tablespoons lemon juice<br />
3 tablespoons kosher salt<br />
1 tablespoon sugar<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
1 head cauliflower, trimmed of leaves<br />
½ cup yogurt<br />
1 tablespoon tahini<br />
1 tablespoon lemon zest<br />
2 cloves garlic, mashed to a paste<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
½ teaspoon ground black pepper<br />
extra-virgin olive oil, to drizzle on top<br />
To a large pot (large enough to hold a<br />
whole head of cauliflower), add the<br />
water, wine, olive oil, butter, pepper<br />
flakes, lemon juice, kosher salt, sugar,<br />
and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then<br />
turn heat down to a simmer and<br />
carefully lower in the whole head of<br />
cauliflower. Cook at a low simmer,<br />
turning cauliflower occasionally, until<br />
tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.<br />
Remove cauliflower from broth, pat<br />
dry, and set aside in a large bowl.<br />
Heat oven to 475 degrees F.<br />
In another small bowl, add yogurt,<br />
tahini, lemon zest, garlic paste, salt, and<br />
pepper and mix to combine.<br />
Spread the yogurt mix all over the<br />
cauliflower (it’s easiest to do this with<br />
your hands), then position the head of<br />
cauliflower onto a lined baking dish.<br />
Bake until golden brown, rotating dish<br />
halfway through, about 30 to 40<br />
minutes. Serve whole on a platter,<br />
drizzled with olive oil.<br />
MIDDLE EASTERN<br />
MEAT TREND:<br />
SINDHI BIRYANI (PAKISTANI<br />
GOAT CURRY WITH RICE)<br />
Goat meat has been playing a bigger role on<br />
restaurant menus of late—an eventual<br />
trickle-down effect from our growing affinity<br />
for goat-milk cheeses. But goat meat in the<br />
kitchen is nothing new. It’s a trend that’s<br />
endured through the ages, across the globe,<br />
even if it’s a newly discovered ingredient in<br />
8 home by design|april|may|2014
IN THE KITCHEN<br />
Japanese Pickled<br />
Cucumber<br />
Oven Roasted<br />
Whole Cauliflower<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 9
IN THE KITCHEN<br />
North America. Similar in flavor to lamb, yet<br />
leaner, goat meat has a wonderfully rich<br />
quality that lends well to long cooking. This<br />
recipe is inspired by a traditional Pakistani<br />
dish, boasting goat meat bathed in an<br />
aromatic curry. Try sourcing your goat meat<br />
at a Halal or Latino butcher. And don’t be<br />
intimidated by the long list of ingredients.<br />
Once sourced, the dish is a snap to prepare.<br />
Serves 6 to 8<br />
For the goat curry:<br />
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil<br />
2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced<br />
2 pounds boneless goat stew meat,<br />
cut into medium sized cubes<br />
6 cloves garlic, peeled and<br />
mashed into a paste<br />
1 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled<br />
and grated<br />
1 cayenne or Thai chile, stemmed,<br />
seeded, and roughly chopped<br />
1½ cups yogurt<br />
2 teaspoons turmeric<br />
2 teaspoons chile powder<br />
2 teaspoons paprika<br />
2 teaspoons ground cumin<br />
1 teaspoon ground coriander<br />
2 cinnamon sticks<br />
6 green cardamom pods<br />
2 black cardamom pods<br />
8 whole cloves<br />
5 whole black peppercorns, cracked<br />
4 bay leaves<br />
2 whole cayenne or Thai chilies<br />
2–3 teaspoons salt<br />
½ cup pear juice<br />
½ cup water<br />
1½ large tomatoes, roughly cut up<br />
juice of 1 lemon<br />
¼ cup chopped cilantro,<br />
roughly chopped<br />
¼ cup chopped fresh mint,<br />
roughly chopped<br />
¼ cup slivered almonds<br />
¼ cup golden raisins<br />
For the rice:<br />
2 teaspoons saffron<br />
⅛ cup warm milk<br />
2 cups basmati rice, soaked and rinsed<br />
6 green cardamom pods<br />
2⅔ cups water<br />
For the goat curry:<br />
In a large pan or Dutch oven set to<br />
medium-high heat, add ¼ cup oil. Add<br />
onion and sauté, sweating and lightly<br />
browning, about 15 minutes. Push<br />
onions to the side of pan, add remaining<br />
10 home by design|april|may|2014
IN THE KITCHEN<br />
2 tablespoons oil and then goat meat.<br />
Season with a few good pinches of salt<br />
and pepper, then continue to sauté,<br />
lightly browning meat, about 10<br />
minutes. Once browned, add garlic<br />
paste and ginger, along with the<br />
chopped cayenne pepper, and cook an<br />
additional 5 minutes.<br />
Adjust heat to medium and add the<br />
yogurt, turmeric, chile powder, paprika,<br />
cumin, coriander, cinnamon sticks, green<br />
and black cardamom, cloves, black<br />
peppercorns, bay leaves, whole cayenne<br />
or Thai chilies, salt, pear juice, and water,<br />
then stir to combine everything well.<br />
Sindhi Biryani (Pakistani<br />
Goat Curry with Rice)<br />
Cover the pan, bring to a simmer and<br />
then reduce the heat to medium-low to<br />
maintain a slow simmer. Cook the curry<br />
about 1½ hours or until tender.<br />
Once tender, add the tomato and lemon<br />
juice and continue to cook an additional<br />
10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste,<br />
then leave the curry at the lowest heat<br />
while you prepare the rice.<br />
For the rice:<br />
Soak saffron in ⅛ cup of warm milk.<br />
In a medium pot with a tight fitting lid,<br />
add the rice, cardamom, and 2⅔ cups of<br />
cold water. Bring to a boil, then<br />
reduce heat to maintain a simmer.<br />
Cover and cook 20 to 25 minutes, until<br />
done. Once cooked, fluff with fork then<br />
spoon half of rice into a bowl and set<br />
aside. Add the soaked saffron and fluff to<br />
combine, evenly distributing the saffron<br />
so that the rice is brightly colored.<br />
To serve:<br />
Onto a serving platter, spoon half of the<br />
white rice. Top the rice with half of the<br />
goat curry, then top that with half of the<br />
saffron rice. Sprinkle with half of the<br />
cilantro, mint, almonds and raisins.<br />
Repeat the layers so that your platter is<br />
piled high with a colorful mix of rice,<br />
curry, and garnishes. Serve.<br />
SPICY-SWEET<br />
COMBINATIONS TREND:<br />
MANGO CHILE<br />
LIME ICE CREAM<br />
It’s no surprise to see certain ingredients<br />
repeatedly joining forces in recipes and<br />
menus across time, cultures, and cuisines.<br />
Even though the particular trend for pairing<br />
spicy with sweet is all the rage, this flavor<br />
combination is age-old. Spicy mango pickles<br />
are a favorite in India, and chile-spiked<br />
dried mango is widely available in Mexico.<br />
For a new twist, I’ve blended juicy sweet<br />
mango, tart fresh lime juice, and the soft<br />
heat of the chile powder into a luscious ice<br />
cream. Although wonderful with nothing<br />
more than your favorite spoon, this frozen<br />
treat is especially tasty with a topping of<br />
crumbled peanut brittle.<br />
Makes about 6 cups<br />
2 mangoes, ripe<br />
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice<br />
2 teaspoons chile powder<br />
1 tablespoon light corn syrup<br />
¼ teaspoon salt<br />
¾ cup sugar<br />
3 large egg yolks<br />
¾ cup whole milk<br />
1 cup heavy cream<br />
Remove the peel from the mangoes and<br />
slice off as much flesh as possible. Add<br />
the mango meat, along with the lime<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 11
IN THE KITCHEN<br />
Mango Chile Lime<br />
Ice Cream<br />
12 home by design|april|may|2014
IN THE KITCHEN<br />
GINGER BEER TREND:<br />
MOSCOW MULE<br />
Making ginger beer at home is surprisingly<br />
easy—and a good baby step into at-home<br />
fermentation. But considering the amount of<br />
well-crafted artisan ginger beers cropping up<br />
in stores recently, I hardly find an excuse to<br />
make my own. What I can find an excuse for<br />
Homemade Moscow Mules. It is one of the<br />
easiest and most delicious three-ingredient<br />
drinks to master. I love to serve mine in the<br />
traditional copper cup, but a Collins glass<br />
will also fit the bill.<br />
Makes 1 cocktail<br />
½ lime<br />
1½ ounces vodka<br />
4–6 ounces ginger beer<br />
Into a copper Moscow Mule cup or<br />
Collins glass, squeeze the lime and then<br />
add the rind. Add a few large ice cubes,<br />
the vodka, then top with the ginger<br />
beer. Stir and serve.<br />
juice, chile powder, corn syrup, and salt<br />
into the cup of a blender. Puree until<br />
smooth, then strain the pulp to remove<br />
any fibrous pieces of mango.<br />
In a medium bowl, whisk together the<br />
sugar and egg yolks. Set aside.<br />
In a medium-large saucepan over<br />
medium-high heat, add the milk and<br />
cream. Bring this to a simmer, watching<br />
that it does not boil over. Add a ladleful of<br />
the hot milk to the yolk mixture,<br />
whisking to combine. Add another<br />
ladleful, whisk again, then pour this into<br />
the pot of milk and cream and bring it<br />
down to low heat. Continue whisking the<br />
custard on low to medium-low heat, so<br />
that it thickens, about 10 minutes. It has<br />
thickened enough once it coats the back<br />
of a spoon.<br />
Once thickened, strain the custard into<br />
a medium-large bowl, allow to chill<br />
slightly then add the mango puree.<br />
Cover and refrigerate this ice cream<br />
mix overnight or until completely<br />
chilled through.<br />
Add the ice cream mix to the bowl<br />
of an ice cream maker and freeze<br />
according to the manufacturer’s<br />
instructions. Once the custard reaches<br />
the soft-serve stage, stop churning and<br />
transfer it to the freezer. It is ready<br />
once it’s frozen through.<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 13
Focusing<br />
LIFESTYLE<br />
on the<br />
Foyer<br />
Dress Your Entryway to Impress<br />
Guests and Welcome Friends<br />
Written by Ashley Gartland
LIFESTYLE<br />
Photography provided by (clockwise from top right) ©iStockphoto.com/ SteveStone, ©iStockphoto.com/ dogayusufdokdok, ©iStockphoto.com/Escaflowne.<br />
yYou might think of the foyer as a fairly insignificant space in your<br />
home. After all, you don’t likely do much living in your entryway<br />
or use it for any primary functions like you do the kitchen or<br />
bedroom. And yet, the foyer plays an important role that belies<br />
its small size.<br />
Though you might not spend long stretches<br />
of time in your foyer, you do interact with it<br />
every time you enter your home. And because<br />
it’s the first room guests will see when they<br />
visit, it also provides you with the opportunity<br />
to make a good impression when someone<br />
walks in your front door.<br />
Ready to create a foyer that sets the tone for<br />
your home, and provides household members<br />
and guests with a welcoming transition from the<br />
outside in Read on for tips on how to create an<br />
inviting, organized, and fabulous foyer today.<br />
START WITH THE FRONT DOOR.<br />
Every foyer has a front door, which means<br />
every homeowner can make a statement with<br />
a stylish door that turns heads. Whether you<br />
swap your front door for one with more interesting<br />
architectural details or just update your<br />
old one with a coat of bright paint, you’ll find<br />
it gives your home character and instantly<br />
increases its curb appeal as well.<br />
MAKE SPACE. Does your front door swing<br />
open Easily If not, you likely need to address<br />
the clutter filling your foyer. Get organized by<br />
creating dedicated storage spaces for everything<br />
from shoes to umbrellas. (See sidebar for<br />
specific organizing ideas.) Additionally, you<br />
should rid your foyer of any large pieces of<br />
furniture to cultivate an open atmosphere. In<br />
other words, a small slender console table has<br />
its place in your entryway, but in most cases, a<br />
large armchair does not.<br />
ENGAGE VISITORS IMMEDIATELY.<br />
Don’t miss out on the chance to catch your<br />
guests’ eyes the moment they walk in your<br />
front door. Consider hanging an interesting<br />
piece of art, an antique mirror, or a collection<br />
of framed letters, cards, or family photos on<br />
your entryway wall to give the room some<br />
much-needed personality and spark conversations<br />
with guests. Not into wall art You can<br />
also add interest to your foyer with small structural<br />
elements such as a great lamp or decorative<br />
bird cage, or an unexpected storage piece<br />
like a vintage locker or an antique bench.<br />
ACCESSORIZE. A clean entryway table is<br />
a thing of beauty, but so too is one on which<br />
the homeowner displays a collection of pretty,<br />
well-thought-out objects. You might position a<br />
few stacked books or collectibles atop your<br />
console, or bring the outside in with potted<br />
greenery, a small terrarium, or a vase filled<br />
with fresh flowers. Or you can use accessories<br />
to introduce color and pattern to the foyer in<br />
small doses. Consider placing a decorative<br />
vase on top of the table or updating a plain<br />
lamp with a patterned lampshade to set<br />
your entryway apart.<br />
PLAY TO THE STRENGTHS OF YOUR<br />
SPACE. Whether your home has a grand entrance<br />
or a basic one, you should celebrate its<br />
unique architectural details. If your foyer has<br />
great elements such as a winding staircase,<br />
soaring ceilings, or a striking chandelier, let<br />
those elements shine by keeping the room’s<br />
color scheme neutral and minimizing furniture<br />
and accessories. Alternatively, if your foyer<br />
lacks such elements, you can make it stand out<br />
by adding interesting furniture pieces, painting<br />
it a rich color, or using wallpaper or wainscoting<br />
to give it some character.<br />
Five Easy<br />
Entryway<br />
Organizing<br />
Ideas<br />
Keeping your entryway<br />
looking sharp has<br />
everything to do with<br />
keeping it organized.<br />
Here are five simple<br />
organizing solutions for<br />
the oft-cluttered space.<br />
1Pick up an attractive<br />
boot tray to contain<br />
shoes and keep<br />
dirt at bay.<br />
2Purchase metal<br />
storage bins or<br />
baskets for each<br />
member of your<br />
household, and use<br />
them to store everything<br />
from school bags to<br />
sporting equipment.<br />
Arrange the bins under a<br />
bench or simply line them<br />
up in an orderly fashion<br />
along a wall.<br />
3Mount hooks or<br />
knobs on a wall<br />
or inside a nearby<br />
closet to contain<br />
bags and jackets and<br />
keep bulky items<br />
off the floor.<br />
4Set a small<br />
bowl, basket, or<br />
decorative tray<br />
on a narrow table to<br />
house everyday clutter<br />
such as sunglasses,<br />
keys, and mail.<br />
5Install a rod<br />
extender in<br />
your entryway<br />
closet to double your<br />
hanging space.<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 15
GARDENING<br />
History at Home<br />
wTips and Tricks for Creating Your Own Period Garden<br />
Whether it’s a Greek Rival, French provincial, Dutch Colonial, Craftsman, or Georgian<br />
structure, there is a complementary garden and landscape design for the home. But<br />
unlike varying architectural styles of homes, museums, universities, and the like,<br />
knowing just what landscape architecture fits with a specific style of dwelling is often<br />
left the professionals. Enter horticulture experts Denise Wiles Adams and Laura L. S.<br />
Burchfield, coauthors of American Home Landscapes: A Design Guide to Creating<br />
Period Garden Styles (2013, Timber Press). For years, Adams and Burchfield have been<br />
installing period gardens for clients and even themselves. Here, they dish on which<br />
period gardens are most popular, what to consider before attempting one yourself,<br />
and more manicured details.<br />
Written by Blake Miller<br />
16 home by design|april|may|2014
GARDENING<br />
Photography provided by ©iStockphoto.com/ ivannna. Cover provided by Timber Press.<br />
WHAT INSPIRED THIS BOOK<br />
Laura L. S. Burchfield: My dear friend Denise, asked me if I would be<br />
interested in collaborating with her. After her first book, Restoring America's<br />
Gardens: An Encyclopedia of Heirloom Ornamental Plants, 1640-1940, which<br />
was primarily about the history of garden plants in the United States, she<br />
realized there was an interest in historical design information, as well.<br />
She thought with our combined talents—hers as a garden historian, researcher,<br />
and horticulturist, and mine as a landscape designer and horticulturist<br />
with the love of historic preservation—that we would be<br />
able to create a book that would fulfill that need.<br />
WHAT ARE PERIOD GARDENS<br />
WHAT DEFINES THEM<br />
LB: A period garden is a garden where the style and materials<br />
coordinate with those of the period of the house or other<br />
significant historical period. The range of what constitutes a<br />
period garden can be as broad or narrowly interpreted as one likes.<br />
It might be a historically accurate restoration of a designed garden for a museum. Or<br />
it could be a homeowner creating a garden with the historical touches that match the era of their<br />
home while still allowing for modern use.<br />
WHICH REGIONS FEATURE WHICH STYLES<br />
LB: The style of a region would follow the architectural style that was predominating during a<br />
period of time when the community was being developed. For example, in Louisville, Kentucky<br />
there are a large number of Victorian homes. A city might have individual neighborhoods representing<br />
Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and Modern; however, it’s unlikely that you would find an<br />
Adobe ranch house anywhere but in the West.<br />
IS CREATING A PERIOD GARDEN A TASK FOR THE NOVICE GARDENER<br />
LB: Anyone can create a period garden. The main thing is to do the background research for the<br />
period you’re interested in, and implement the features and plants from that period which work<br />
for the particular climate and landscape that you like.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PERIOD GARDEN STYLE<br />
LB: I really cannot say I have a single favorite garden period style. I might say it would be<br />
whatever I’m working on currently. Right now I’m working on a small garden in Charleston,<br />
South Carolina for a circa-1850 single house. I’ve been poring over the work of Loutrel Briggs,<br />
a mid-twentieth century Charleston landscape architect, for ideas.<br />
Denise Wiles Adams: I am very attracted to the Arts and Crafts style. During that period the<br />
landscape was connected to the residence with plantings in a simple and harmonious way. Native<br />
plants and local materials were recommended whenever practical. It was not unusual to find a<br />
vegetable garden in the front yard or a luxurious herbaceous border along a fence. Many of the<br />
garden trends of today originate in that period.<br />
DO YOU NEED TO HIRE A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT TO INSTALL<br />
A PERIOD GARDEN<br />
LB: No. It is more important for a landscape design professional to be knowledgeable about historical<br />
landscape design and familiar with the plants and materials that will work in your landscape. Most<br />
of all, you should look for someone who understands what you want to accomplish.<br />
Determining<br />
Your Garden’s<br />
Style<br />
Adams and Burchfield<br />
recommend using the<br />
following resources to<br />
determine the period<br />
garden style that’s<br />
appropriate for your home.<br />
Wills, Probate Materials,<br />
Letters, and Personal<br />
Papers. Dig into wills and<br />
probate records of early<br />
property owners, which<br />
can clue current<br />
homeowners in on what<br />
the landscape formerly<br />
looked like. Other<br />
revealing paperwork<br />
might be found in<br />
closets or the attic of a<br />
historical home.<br />
Travelers’ Accounts.<br />
Luckily, avid travelers often<br />
keep detailed accounts<br />
of the landscape and<br />
gardens of a region.<br />
Review regional<br />
travel journals for<br />
vivid descriptions.<br />
Maps. Review<br />
neighborhood maps at<br />
the local library or check<br />
out the National Archives<br />
in Washington, DC, which<br />
boasts a collection of<br />
more than 15 million<br />
items including maps,<br />
charts, aerial photos, and<br />
architectural drawings.<br />
Newspapers. Flip<br />
through historical<br />
newspapers for<br />
period information on<br />
gardening; the Boston<br />
Gazette featured seeds in<br />
the first known published<br />
advertisement in 1719.<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 17
Every home has a story to tell. The following homes communicate<br />
their stories through an impressive combination of modern<br />
and historical architectural elements.
Designer Elizabeth Metcalfe’s Toronto-based<br />
clients enlisted her to “liven up” their living spaces.<br />
By complementing a bold color palette with neutral<br />
tones, she kept the rooms elegant and sophisticated.<br />
FROM DARK<br />
TO DAZZLING<br />
A Canadian Designer Breathes New<br />
Life into Her Clients’ Dated Home<br />
WRITTEN BY BLAKE MILLER<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE CHAJECKI<br />
(STILL MOMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY, STILLMOMENTS.CA)<br />
When homeowners in Kingsway, just west of Toronto,<br />
Ontario, tired of the current look of their home’s main living<br />
areas, they desperately wanted a makeover without the hefty<br />
price tag of a renovation. Dark, wood paneling coupled with<br />
furniture and accents with heavy finishes, were no longer a reflection<br />
of the homeowners’ extroverted personalities and entertaining<br />
styles. So they enlisted Mississauga, Ontario-based<br />
interior designer Elizabeth Metcalfe to maintain the integrity<br />
of the building, and modernize the interiors on a budget.<br />
To achieve this transformation from heavy and dark to bright<br />
and elegant, Metcalfe looked to a color palette of bold<br />
colors—deep teals and rich corals—with an ivory backdrop<br />
complemented by a handful of neutral accent pieces to keep the<br />
look balanced and refreshing.<br />
Metcalfe started with the dining room, which had been<br />
unofficially designated the “forgotten room.” Although the<br />
homeowners are avid entertainers, the decor didn’t quite fit<br />
with their personalities, and they eventually lost interest in the<br />
space. “The dining room felt disconnected from the rest of the<br />
home,” says Metcalfe. “We wanted to take the warm coral color<br />
from the living room and use it in a much bolder way to really<br />
make it something special.”<br />
To breathe new life into the space, Metcalfe opted to forgo<br />
the traditional dark walnut finish on the table, for example, and<br />
instead applied an ivory lacquered finish, which immediately<br />
brightened the space. To keep the room light and airy, Metcalfe<br />
also added an antique mirrored buffet, which adds sparkle and,<br />
she says, a beautiful lift to the once dark room. Complementing<br />
the rich coral wall color are velvet diamond-tufted chairs in<br />
the same color palette, which look dramatic against the ivory<br />
trim and molding.<br />
To create interest, the designer added a large-scale,<br />
neutral-tone wall covering with crystal detailing. Similarly,<br />
stunning custom-made dining room chairs by Metcalfe’s company,<br />
Elizabeth Metcalfe Interiors & Design, in a striking coral<br />
and two chairs featuring a large-scale cut velvet motif on the<br />
backs and a pale-taupe tufted front, bring in a subtle warmth<br />
to the vibrant room. The vintage chandelier—the homeowners’<br />
20 home by design|april|may|2014
THIS PAGE: The once dark dining room was transformed into a bright and airy entertaining space with the addition of a rich, coral wall<br />
color, ivory trim and molding, and a table that was refinished in an ivory lacquer. OPPOSITE FROM TOP: An oversize, turquoise feather<br />
headdress serves as a dramatic focal point in the living room. Throw pillows in various fabrics, textures, and colors flood the traditional<br />
sectional and provide pops of color to the otherwise neutral room.<br />
sentimental keepsake—and the transitional crystal cube sconces<br />
shed a soft glow against the coral walls, making the room ideal<br />
for entertaining day or night.<br />
Now complete, the dining room seamlessly transitions into<br />
the living room, yet another space that needed updating. “There<br />
wasn’t an exact inspiration for this room,” explains Metcalfe.<br />
“It was more about giving the home a complete transformation.<br />
. . . We had to find the perfect marriage between the strong<br />
accent colors and our design aesthetic of refined elegance.” Metcalfe<br />
struck this delicate balance by incorporating neutral tones<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 23
Metcalfe incorporated a custom patterned<br />
rug in the living room, which stands up to<br />
the bold accent colors. The custom sofa is by<br />
Elizabeth Metcalfe Design.<br />
and fabrics throughout both the living<br />
and dining rooms. “When you use a lot<br />
of strong bold colors it is just as important<br />
to use neutrals to balance the visual<br />
weight and impact.”<br />
To achieve this seamless balance, each<br />
piece was strategically placed throughout<br />
the rooms to form a cohesive, well<br />
thought-out plan; a necessity when planning<br />
an interior, as every piece contributes<br />
to the design. “Beauty results<br />
when balance, form, shape, color, texture,<br />
contrast, scale, and proportion<br />
come together in a state of harmony,” says<br />
Metcalfe. “Every piece has a role to play.”<br />
The feather headdress above the fireplace<br />
that was sourced from Snob in Toronto,<br />
does just that as the round shape plays off<br />
the linear molding details and the feathery<br />
texture against the wool, silk, and<br />
velvet textures in the room. The custom<br />
area rug is yet another accessory carefully<br />
selected as a soft contrast to the bold<br />
colors. It works well because it has “a<br />
pattern strong enough to balance the<br />
weight of the room,” says Metcalfe.<br />
In the end, the designer proved that<br />
the homeowners never needed to renovate<br />
their home after all. Some tweaking<br />
and an overhaul of the aesthetic invigorated<br />
the two entertaining spaces with<br />
new life sans knocking down walls and<br />
building up new ones. “The homeowners<br />
were very open to change,” says<br />
Metcalfe. And change—at its best—is<br />
exactly what they got.<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 25
Mirrors are the perfect way to add sparkle and light,<br />
particularly for an interior space like this dining room.<br />
They echo existing light sources in the room and can<br />
reflect architectural details for interest.<br />
MODERN<br />
MUSKOKA<br />
A Little Country in the City<br />
WRITTEN BY CAROLYN M. RUNYON<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADRIAN SHELLARD<br />
(SHELLARDPHOTOGRAPHY.COM)<br />
Interior designers shape environments for a variety of<br />
situations. They design apartments, townhomes, mid-size<br />
homes, and mansions for singles, couples, and families. But what<br />
happens when there is an unoccupied house with no client to<br />
represent How can a designer develop a home with personality<br />
and style identity with no one to interview LeAnne Bunnell of<br />
elle design in Calgary, Alberta, came up with a clever solution<br />
to this challenge.<br />
When elle design was asked to style the interior of a local<br />
builder’s showcase home, Bunnell simply invented her client.<br />
“We felt that the home and neighborhood were appropriate for<br />
a family, so we created a couple with a child,” says Bunnell. “We<br />
actually assigned names to them.” Her staff chose occupations,<br />
hobbies, likes, and dislikes, and used these details to create a<br />
showcase home with individual character.<br />
This 2,075-square-foot house with three bedrooms and twoand-one-half<br />
baths, is located in Calgary but the “owners” love the<br />
outdoors and wanted their home to resemble the so-called cabin<br />
cottages in the scenic countryside of Muskoka, Ontario. The imaginary<br />
homeowners tended toward a softened contemporary style<br />
with traditional aspects combined with an essence of nature.<br />
The original house had smart use of available space, according<br />
to Bunnell. “It was not ‘over grand,’ but rather well laid out<br />
and reasonable in size. We kept a neutral canvas of black and<br />
white, and then added touches of nature, history, and a little<br />
whimsy,” she says. “This new construction had a modern flair,<br />
using contemporary and family-friendly elements and modern<br />
finishes for a more carefree home. We needed to humanize it<br />
and add some depth and personality.”<br />
The kitchen, although interior, is kept bright and airy by light<br />
cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a crackled glass-tile<br />
backsplash. “Our ‘owner’ is an avid baker, so we added a dark<br />
wood bake center,” says Bunnell. “It grounds the room with a<br />
traditional feel, yet, because of the open shelf, it doesn’t block<br />
the flow of the area visually.” The kitchen opens to a dining area<br />
and living room where mirrors reflect the light of the large living<br />
room windows. A light, birch-pattern wallpaper introduces<br />
a touch of nature to the dining space. And a natural wood bench,<br />
26 home by design|april|may|2014
Patterns don’t have to be loud or bold to make a statement. Bunnell used subtle stripes in basic black and white to stimulate the eye in this<br />
space. She combines pattern with texture to create an understated appeal. Vintage touches like the aged paperbacks in a basket and the<br />
snowshoes hanging on the stairway wall, give the house a lived-in feel and add character.<br />
delicately scaled modern seating, and a simple serving piece<br />
keep the airy, light feel.<br />
In the living room, the fireplace surround is a neutral<br />
stone. “We used texture and pattern to add interest and a<br />
sense of structure and order,” says Bunnell. “Stripes are very architectural.<br />
We introduced them in the rustic flat-weave wool<br />
rug and decorative pillows.” The classic Hudson Bay blanket<br />
adds a touch of history and an outdoorsy Canadian feel to the<br />
space. A brightly colored cork lampshade and vibrant pillows<br />
add a soft splash of color against the neutral chairs.<br />
The media room also has a neutral foundation. “We found<br />
chairs upholstered in a fabric with Old World Latin sayings to<br />
add a subtle pattern to the room without overpowering it,” explains<br />
Bunnell. “Heirloom film reels lend an interesting and appropriate<br />
history to the space; vintage items always add<br />
character to a home.” Bunnell’s vintage touches can be seen<br />
throughout and make a new construction house look more lived<br />
in. Accessories such as old snowshoes on the wall of the stairway<br />
and a basket of classic paperbacks in the living room, give the<br />
home a feeling of humanity and add a comfortable warmth.<br />
28 home by design|april|may|2014
Bunnell mellows the contemporary attitude of this new construction home with a mix of classic and modern touches. A traditional wood bake<br />
center in the kitchen blends nicely with the more modern cabinets and stainless appliances. The clean, contemporary lines of the living room<br />
furniture are softened by decorative pillows, and a beautiful Hudson Bay blanket casually resting on the back of a sofa.
Natural elements play heavily in Bunnell’s design. Some are real—like the framed butterfly collection—and some are whimsical—like the<br />
bright yellow papier-mâché deer head in the master bedroom. Max’s room offers youthful sheets with a leaf and tree graphic accented by a<br />
fanciful owl pillow. The fishing pole adds a boyish touch and another element that connects with the outdoors.<br />
Pieces of nature appear all over the<br />
house. Gatherings of stones, framed collections<br />
of butterflies, vases with bunches<br />
of leaves or flowers, small statues of animals<br />
traditionally found in the Canadian<br />
wild, driftwood, charger plates that are<br />
actually slices of real logs, and, of course,<br />
the delicately patterned birch wallpaper,<br />
are there to remind the “owners” of the<br />
countrified land they love. The master<br />
bedroom repeats the soft neutral tones.<br />
Striped plush bedsheets are subtle against<br />
an upholstered box and cream coverlet.<br />
A multistripe Hudson Bay blanket adds a<br />
punch of color as does the whimsical<br />
bright yellow papier-mâché deer head<br />
that hangs above the headboard.<br />
The “son,” Max’s room features more<br />
punches of color with blues and yellows.<br />
The basic room is neutral to blend with<br />
the rest of the house, but Max’s name in<br />
cutout blue letters on top of the rustic<br />
cabinet and the blue headboard keep the<br />
room youthful, yet not overdone. The<br />
walls are adorned with a playful puzzle<br />
moose head and animal artwork by a<br />
Vancouver, BC artist.<br />
Bunnell looked to the “owners” as if<br />
they were real clients. “We established<br />
what they would like and what furniture<br />
and decor would actually work for their<br />
family,” she explains. Real owners might<br />
consider following the same steps when<br />
redesigning their own homes. Analyze<br />
your family, lifestyle, work, hobbies,<br />
likes, and dislikes, and use this information<br />
to create an environment that fits<br />
exactly who you are, and a place you can<br />
grow into for the future.<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 33
The Caboche Chandelier by Foscarini is the stunning<br />
centerpiece to the open two-story stairwell of this<br />
penthouse. The view looks up to the outdoor terrace<br />
and down into the kitchen and living room.<br />
MODERN DAY<br />
MEETS YESTERDAY<br />
This Nineteenth-Century Tribeca<br />
Structure Merges History with Updated Style<br />
WRITTEN BY RONDA SWANEY<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEAN KARNS<br />
Construction on this modern New York City<br />
apartment began by completely gutting a circa-1870, five-story<br />
building. Where do you start a design when all you have is an empty<br />
shell Asifa Tirmizi, cofounder and principal of Tirmizi Campbell—a<br />
New York City-based architecture and design firm—was<br />
hired by the developers of the property to answer that question.<br />
“The clients wanted the best value for the property,” says Tirmizi.<br />
“In this location, larger units are more desirable. We knew<br />
full-floor residences would be the best option.” Typical for the<br />
neighborhood, the first floor remained commercial space, but<br />
the other four floors, plus the rooftop addition, would each become<br />
residential units. “We came up with the idea of doing a<br />
penthouse duplex,” says Tirmizi. “The fifth floor and new sixth<br />
floor combine to create larger units.”<br />
Before the project could begin in earnest, a few things required<br />
fixing. There was a lot of water in the soil underneath the building<br />
and it was compromising the structure. “The building leaned about<br />
eighteen inches and was sinking into the ground, which was one<br />
of the main reasons why we had to gut the structure.”<br />
In New York City, the Landmarks Preservation Commission<br />
identifies city landmarks and regulates changes to designated<br />
buildings. Tirmizi Campbell worked with the commission on<br />
restoring the brownstone façade and determining what color it<br />
should be. The cast iron roofline was also kept. The front windows<br />
retained wooden frames, and the back, steel windows were<br />
refurbished and reinstalled. Other challenges included an elevator<br />
shaft that took up one row of the front windows. The shaft was<br />
moved toward the center of the building to free up the<br />
window and allow more light into the units. A new core stairwell<br />
was added, but because most people use the elevator, the stairwell<br />
was narrowed to conserve space. A mesh stainless-steel screen<br />
decorates the lobby stairwell and points the way to the new elevator.<br />
And porcelain floor tile shines with a metallic texture that<br />
mimics the look of the screen.<br />
During the gut, all timber inside was removed and replaced<br />
with a steel structure. But the wood did not go to waste. Instead,<br />
the team shipped the beams to a Wisconsin mill where<br />
the timber was machined into planks that were then used as<br />
flooring in each of the residences. They were careful to maintain<br />
many of the original materials in one way or another, including<br />
brick. Tirmizi speculates that the building next door was likely<br />
an original sister building to the structure. “I think the two were<br />
34 home by design|april|may|2014
OPPOSITE: The floor of the master bath is covered by slabs of bianco dolomiti marble tile, and the mosaic version of the tile lines the walls.<br />
The curved Americh tub softens the room’s hard surfaces. CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The brownstone exterior façade was restored, and<br />
the cast iron roofline was also saved. The penthouse master bedroom maximizes natural light. Steel windows provide a view to the city<br />
skyline and open-air terrace.<br />
connected inside when they were built,” she says. “There is an<br />
original archway on the party wall between the two buildings.<br />
As part of our design, we kept the brick in the units because<br />
you could see that hint of an outline.”<br />
The fifth floor plus the new rooftop floor combine to make<br />
penthouse suites. Because the added story is set back, the design<br />
was able to incorporate outdoor terraces. New steel windows<br />
that match the existing windows elsewhere in the building were<br />
added to bring the outdoors in. The second level of the penthouse<br />
contains the master bedroom, bath, and bonus room, and<br />
an open stairwell comprised of steel and glass connects the two<br />
floors. “We added skylights to draw in natural light. The stair<br />
treads also use the machined original timber,” explains Tirmizi.<br />
The main floor of the penthouse includes a living room and<br />
kitchen. The chef-quality kitchen features marble counters atop<br />
the walnut island. White cabinets pair with steel appliances,<br />
hardware, and countertop edge. The dark floor grounds<br />
the otherwise airy space, and the arch of the front<br />
windows adds delicate curves to balance the sleek, modern<br />
finishes. Similar finishes are found in the full-floor residences<br />
on the second, third, and fourth floors. Glass tiles add a sparkle<br />
to the kitchen backsplash, and every inch of space is used<br />
to its maximum potential.<br />
Deep hued tiles warm the powder room. Wall-mounted<br />
fixtures create a sense of openness. There are more floating<br />
fixtures, from the toilet to the vanity, in the master bath.<br />
The same warm tile from the powder room is carried over to<br />
the open master shower.<br />
Tirmizi has a professional background in architecture, but<br />
she stresses that architecture and interior design go hand in<br />
hand. “Architecture and interior design are one and the same,”<br />
she says. “With architecture, you often focus on the exterior,<br />
base building, and structural details. But I think a good interior<br />
designer has to understand the architectural elements of<br />
the entire building to solve interior problems. I think they<br />
help each other.” And in the end, Tirmizi’s architectural<br />
sensibility helped extract the true historical beauty of this<br />
once-deteriorating building.
The living room of this carriage house home is<br />
furnished with newer pieces that have a sense of the<br />
past. Color is a major player throughout the interiors.<br />
CRYSTAL<br />
VISION<br />
An 1890s Carriage House in St. Paul,<br />
Minnesota Gets a Lively Update<br />
WRITTEN BY JEANINE MATLOW<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUSAN GILMORE<br />
Preserving historical architecture may be the right way<br />
to go, but that doesn’t mean you can’t breathe new life into an<br />
old soul. That was the approach taken by Jen Ziemer, interior<br />
designer and co-owner with Andrea Dixon of Minneapolis,<br />
Minnesota-based Fiddlehead Design Group, when it came time to<br />
design her one-time home.<br />
Ziemer’s St. Paul, Minnesota residence, a carriage house that dates<br />
to 1893, has such a unique history that it originally served as a stable<br />
livery. Though the structure had been restored before she and her<br />
husband bought it, that didn’t stop the designer from adding her<br />
distinctive personal stamp.<br />
Many of the original features stayed intact, including the wood<br />
floors on the main level and the wood ceilings and beams that were<br />
painted black by the previous owners. A barn door speaks to the site’s<br />
origins while quirky details like a pulley, though not original, lend<br />
charm to the striking interiors.<br />
“Nothing is level, which adds to the authenticity. It’s just such a<br />
cool place,” says Ziemer, who describes the architecture as farmhouse<br />
style. The 3,500-square-foot home boasts four bedrooms, four bathrooms,<br />
a living room, family room, and loft space. It also includes a<br />
laundry room, an attached garage, and features central air.<br />
38 home by design|april|may|2014
Wood ceilings painted black by the previous<br />
owners, ground the master bedroom where<br />
classic wallpaper sports a bold color palette.<br />
Another carriage house is visible through<br />
the window.<br />
Though Ziemer purchased new<br />
furnishings for the home, she made<br />
sure that they could easily pass<br />
for older pieces; the designer didn’t<br />
hesitate to lift the interiors to new<br />
heights. “They’re very layered and eclectic.<br />
It’s still a modern farmhouse in<br />
that regard,” says Ziemer, who introduced<br />
an equestrian theme along with<br />
some nods to nature.<br />
She approached the aesthetic in a<br />
respectful yet playful way that shows a<br />
historical structure can serve as a<br />
modern-day dwelling while honoring its<br />
roots. Birds, owls, bunnies, and more,<br />
appear in fabrics and artwork. “We have<br />
young kids, so I wanted it to be fun and<br />
whimsical,” says Ziemer. “It felt like you<br />
were in a tree house when you were on<br />
the second floor.”<br />
Tall window treatments and<br />
wall-mounted lanterns fill the negative<br />
space left by the high ceilings in the<br />
family room. “I love color and strong<br />
contrast,” says the designer, who<br />
introduced a splendid mix of patterns<br />
throughout, that pop against the<br />
preexisting black wood details.<br />
Cheerful wallpaper in the master<br />
bedroom blends a traditional floral motif<br />
with a fresh palette, once again mixing<br />
old and new in a refreshing way.<br />
The black wood ceiling creates a stark<br />
contrast, while the gray flannel<br />
upholstered bed lends a cozy vibe.<br />
The view outside the window shows<br />
another carriage house. “The whole<br />
area is just surrounded by amazing<br />
architecture,” says Ziemer.<br />
Houndstooth grasscloth covers the<br />
walls in the loft space, offering another<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 41
Breathing<br />
New Life<br />
If you’re redesigning your own historical<br />
home, consider Ziemer’s advice for<br />
breathing new life into old structures.<br />
1Respect for architecture is<br />
important, but you don’t have to<br />
be a slave to it.<br />
2When designing, focus on the<br />
family who lives there and their<br />
lifestyle instead of purely<br />
preserving traditional layouts.<br />
3Don’t take design too seriously.<br />
Adding a touch of whimsy and<br />
layering makes a room more<br />
comfortable and more authentic.<br />
modern interpretation of a classic material. Modern art punctuates<br />
the look while a traditional chair fabric and a white ceiling take it<br />
down a notch. “You need a place for the eye to rest,” says Ziemer.<br />
Small-scale subway tiles run vertically in the powder room<br />
for a change of pace. Woodsy wallpaper creates the perfect<br />
backdrop for a bunny watercolor done by a friend, and the old<br />
trolley cart and sink were installed by the previous owner.<br />
The living room is visually quieter than the rest of the home.<br />
Neutral grasscloth walls set a subtle stage for the space that was<br />
primarily used for entertaining. “It was a little more traditional<br />
and subdued; a more formal space,” explains Ziemer, who<br />
couldn’t resist adding an unexpected green rug.<br />
Though Ziemer has since moved out of the house to gain<br />
more indoor and mostly outdoor space for her family, she won’t<br />
soon forget living there. The carriage house may no longer be<br />
the place they call home, but it has a permanent place in their<br />
hearts. “I am hoping we can buy it back again someday after the<br />
kids go to college,” she says.<br />
42 home by design|april|may|2014
OPPOSITE FROM TOP: The living room was intentionally kept more neutral than the rest of the livery turned residence. A sliver of Ziemer’s<br />
son’s room shows wallpaper with a dog motif that can be seen from the loft space; a striking vision in black and white. THIS PAGE: Wood<br />
stairs painted black and accented by a striped runner lead to the first-floor entry, where shapely stools sit beneath an antique console.
Montepulciano,
Enjoy<br />
La Dolce Vita<br />
in This Tuscan Town<br />
Written by Ruth Wertzberger Carlson
DESTINATION<br />
w“Wine should never be influenced by trends because<br />
wine is a long process . . . like life,” a Montepulciano, Italy vintner<br />
told me, explaining why he refuses to irrigate his vines even<br />
during a drought. Traditions are important in this Tuscan hill<br />
town that’s built on a limestone ridge. Located a couple of hours<br />
southeast of Siena, there is evidence Montepulciano was known<br />
for its wine dating back to the 700s, when it was dubbed Vino<br />
Nobile or wine for nobles.<br />
Wine is such an intrinsic part of life here that the Renaissance-era<br />
buildings in the Piazza Grande (the town square) represent<br />
what could be deemed the city’s holy trinity:<br />
government, the Catholic Church, and wine! Known as the Pearl<br />
of the Sixteenth Century, Montepulciano earned this nickname<br />
largely because its piazza looks the same as it did during the<br />
Medici dynasty. And it has a remarkable number of other architectural<br />
riches. The piazza is banked by several major treasures:<br />
the Nobili-Tarugi Palace, designed by the renowned Italian architect<br />
Sangallo the Elder; The Cathedral of Santa Maria<br />
Assunta, or the Duomo of Montepulciano; and the Palazzo<br />
Comunale (the town hall), where you can climb to the<br />
top for a panoramic view of red-tile roofs leading to rolling<br />
hills of vineyards.<br />
If the photos look familiar to you, they probably are. The area<br />
has been immortalized in films such as The English Patient, Under<br />
the Tuscan Sun, and most recently, The Twilight Saga: New Moon.<br />
Directors like the fact that this walled city remains virtually unchanged<br />
since medieval times.<br />
Most people enter the piazza by walking up the winding main<br />
corso (street), because cars are not allowed in the historic city<br />
center. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to stop and rest<br />
along the way, including the Maledetti Toscani leather shop,<br />
which is touted as the oldest shop in Montepulciano. Wandering<br />
along the cobblestone street is like visiting a living museum.<br />
You can see a mother and son hand weaving scarves, a jeweler<br />
welding a fleur-de-lis (the Florentine symbol), and venture<br />
through centuries-old underground wine cellars that once<br />
connected to the main palace.<br />
To protect and promote the city’s wine culture, local<br />
46 home by design|april|may|2014
DESTINATION<br />
Photography provided by (previous page) ©iStockphoto.com/ ROMAOSLO, (these pages, clockwise, left to right) ©iStockphoto.com/ LuisPortugal, ©iStockphoto.com/ Shaiith, ©iStockphoto.com/Pasticcio, ©iStockphoto.com/ Perseomed.<br />
winemakers formed a consortium, Consorzio del Vino Nobile<br />
di Montepulciano (consorziovinonobile.it), and opened a tasting<br />
room in the piazza. The consortium has also been a sponsor for<br />
the annual Bravio celebration of—what else —wine. The<br />
Bravio is a competition and a showcase for the eight Contradae<br />
(districts or neighborhoods). Every August, the event culminates<br />
with the barrel race where young men, each sporting<br />
jogging shorts in the colors of their district, roll heavy wooden<br />
wine barrels up steep cobblestone streets, past cheering fans.<br />
Montepulciano has only about 14,000 residents, but surprisingly<br />
there is enough to see and do for several days. Stay<br />
a few days in town at a hotel and then escape from the crowds<br />
to a villa. Don’t worry about being in the countryside—most<br />
everyone speaks English. Staying in a villa provides a great opportunity<br />
to make friends with locals, who often have vineyards<br />
on their properties. If you ask, they’ll be happy to teach you<br />
how to make pici. Similar to thick spaghetti, pici is made with<br />
just flour and water (and occasionally an egg depending on the<br />
family recipe), rolled with the palm of your hand on a wooden<br />
table, and served with a spicy tomato garlic sauce. They<br />
will be sure to have olives plucked off the trees in their<br />
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A Tuscan valley hidden by the morning<br />
fog. Montepulciano vinters use supplies like these (and other more<br />
modern conveniences) to create their renowned wines. The “Street<br />
of Love” in nearby Pienza is a romantic attraction.<br />
backyard. And if you’re lucky, they may be serving salami or<br />
pastrami made from the Cinta senese, a local wild boar that is<br />
considered a delicacy.<br />
You can visit Napa, France, Spain, South Africa, and other notable<br />
wine regions around the globe and you will taste some great<br />
wine. But if you want to experience the rich history of people<br />
who have lived with their terroir, you must visit Montepulciano.<br />
“Wine is like life,” one vintner told me. “You make a bad decision<br />
and you have to live with it for years to come.” Instead, make a<br />
good decision and visit Montepulciano, Italy.<br />
Montepulciano is a great place for your home base<br />
during a trip to Tuscany, as it’s perfectly situated in<br />
the region. Although it’s within driving distance to<br />
Siena, Florence, and Rome, consider exploring<br />
some of the small neighboring villages with—wait<br />
for it—great wineries! Valiano is home to the<br />
Avignonesi Winery, where perfectly sculptured<br />
cypress trees bordering the rows of vines, earned<br />
the slogan “Healthier wines for healthier people,<br />
but also a healthier environment to pass on to<br />
future generations.” There are still tourists here, but<br />
there are also many locals prowling the boutiques<br />
and wine cellars downtown. In these small villages<br />
you can still find handmade items such as hats,<br />
peddled by the artisans. Other nearby villages include<br />
Montefollonico, Pienza, and Sarteano. You<br />
never know what you’ll find in their boutiques but<br />
you are always guaranteed to find great wine!<br />
home by design|april|may|2014 47
Resources<br />
april|may| 2014<br />
20 From Dark to Dazzling<br />
Elizabeth Metcalfe Interiors & Design Inc.<br />
Mississauga, Ontario<br />
905-820-3443<br />
www.emdesign.ca<br />
26 Modern Muskoka<br />
LeAnne Bunnell, elle design<br />
Calgary, Alberta<br />
403-451-1677<br />
www.elledesign.ca<br />
34 Modern Day Meets Yesterday<br />
Tirmizi Campbell<br />
New York, New York<br />
212-255-2926<br />
www.tirmizicampbell.com<br />
38 Crystal Vision<br />
Fiddlehead Design Group<br />
Minneapolis, Minnesota<br />
612-747-6431<br />
www.fiddleheaddesigngroup.com<br />
Photography by Adrian Shellard (shellardphotography.com).<br />
48 home by design|april|may|2014