DECOR | GARDEN | TRAVEL

APRIL | MAY | 2004

ROOMS BY DESIGN

THE ULTIMATE HOME PLAY ROOMS

Spring Salads
INSIDE THE
STREET OF DREAMS

An optimist is the human personification of spring.

~ Susan J. Bissonette

MOMENTS

Its you dont know quite what it is you want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so.
~ M a rk Twa i n

spring fever

~ T h o m a s Tu s s e r

H O M E B Y D E S I G N | A P R I L M AY 2 0 0 4

Spring is when lifes alive in everything.

~Christina Rossetti

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet . it in a

garden

~Ruth Stout

Sweet April showers do spring May flowers.

Spring

be November if we had no knowledge of the spring!

How sad would

CONTENTS
APRIL |MAY |2004

FEATURES
ROOMS BY DESIGN

Residential play rooms for the child at heart.

14 TEA ROOM WITH A VIEW 18 WANNA SAUNA? 20 CRAFTY CREATIVITY 22 FAMILY FRIENDLY AND FINE ART 26 VINTAGE HOME AND VINTAGE WINE 30 A ROOM OF ONES OWN 32 A HOME OASIS 33 BRINGING HOME THE BIG SCREEN

page|14

page|34

DEPARTMENTS
6 COOKING

Salad Days Refreshing springtime concoctions.

10 GARDENING

Timeless patterns in your garden.

46 DESTINATION

Hawks Cay Resort The key to tropical family fun.

ON THE COVER

page|6

Adam & Eve and Their Abel circa 1848 by Currens is one of the many focal points in this lavish billiards room in Phoenix, AZ.

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APRIL | MAY | 2004

PUBLISHER TWENTY-TWO FIVE, LLC EDITOR BRANDON LEE CREATIVE DIRECTOR MEGHAN LEE CREATIVE TEAM ABIGAIL CATE, MADDIE O'BRIEN, LAURA SWAYNE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS KIM FUQUA, RONDA SWANEY, REBECCA SWEAT, CHRISTINE VERSTRAETE, JAN WALKER, PHIL WOOD, KIMBERLY WYLIE CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS THOMAS BLISS, MARK BOISCLAIR, BOWA BUILDERS INC., HAWKS CAY RESORT, KATHI INGLESBY, INTERIOR CONCEPTS, PAUL JACOBSON, SPIRIT ELEMENTS, JOHN SUTTON, ROBERT THIENE, PHIL WOOD, LOWENTHAL PARTNERS, TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR SEAN HARTNEE OFFICE MANAGER PAT MONTGOMERY DESIGN NICOLA AUGUSTSON

ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE

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Real Estate Agents, Mortgage lenders or anyone who is interested in using Home By Design in their marketing plans, please contact our sales office at 877-423-4567. Copyright 2004 Twenty-Two Five, LLC All Rights Reserved Recipients of Home By Design magazine receive their subscription as a courtesy of a real estate professional or mortgage lender. The Home By Design magazine program is an exclusive marketing program created by Twenty-Two Five, LLC. Twenty-Two Five, LLC has contracted with all real estate professional and mortgage lender clients that Twenty-Two Five, LLC will not use the supplied mailing list for any other purposes other than to mail copies of Home By Design magazine. Your mailing 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 Twenty-Two Five, LLC and our Home By Design magazine program, please contact our office at 208-676-0569.

H O M E B Y D E S I G N | A P R I L M AY 2 0 0 4

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The evolution of the home over the past century is very exciting. The role of homes in our lives has changed dramatically during this same time period. Nearly 50 years ago, homes were small, compartmentalized and design was focused primarily on the public living spaces. If a homeowner was concerned about dcor it was normally only for 1 room like a dinning room or living room. As we all know, today our homes are our own unique havens.They are bigger, decorated to meet our tastes and needs and getting more and more like our own resorts. We take the best that the world offers for rest, relaxation and entertainment and bring it home. We dedicated this issue to residential Theme Rooms. We have been so thrilled to see what people are doing in their homes. I had the pleasure of spending an evening with Carol and Jayson Jones in their fantastic billiard room in their Phoenix, Arizona home (page 22). This room is simply stunning! From the warm tones, the phenomenal artwork and the amazing bar with flat screen TV, the room is inviting, functional for entertaining and a great place for the family to just hang out and connect. The Theme Rooms that we chose for this issue are as diverse as the homeowners who enjoy them. Some are simple and specific like the Sauna Room (page 18) and other a bit more grandiose like the basement movie theater (page 33). No matter what your taste or your preferred method of relaxing in your home, you are sure to find a room in this issue that catches your attention and stirs your imagination. As usual, please be sure to send a quick thank you to the kind person who sent you this free subscription to Home By Design magazine.

Enjoy!

Simply Stunning! A Phoenix couple shares their fabulous gathering spot with Home By Design

H O M E B Y D E S I G N | A P R I L M AY 2 0 0 4

salad
RECIPES BY LAURA SWAYNE WRITTEN BY KIM A FUQUA PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHI INGLESBY

A cornucopia of refreshing springtime concoctions

days

egetables appeal to the senses in much the same way as those first signs of spring.Vibrant shades of green begin to appear in the trees and on the land, beckoning renewal. Fresh vegetables signal the new season from the produce aisle, and the farmers markets are just around the corner.The salad days have begun. Salads are always favorite dinners at our house, explains Swayne. They are really up to ones imagination. Add mixtures of veggies, different types of lettuces, diverse toppings. Create vinaigrettes with a variety of oils and vinegars.The possibilities are endless! Swayne proves here that a salad need not be boring. Utilizing raw, grilled and sauted vegetables, a variety of tangy cheeses, and more than a few vinaigrette variations, here Swayne shares just a sampling of the countless incarnations of the simple salad. Included in these recipes are meat and seafood suggestions for turning your salad into a heartier meal, and in one case, even a dessert. Of course, you could make any of these salads a light meal by simply adding a loaf of crusty bread, wine and dessert.

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STEVE & LAURA'S SURVIVAL SALAD We eat this or a version of it almost every night! exclaims Swayne. Use regular feta or Gorgonzola crumbles instead of the tomato-basil feta if you like.
(SERVINGS: 3 dinner portions or 6 side salads) Prep time: 10 mins 1 2-3 14

COOKING

Head romaine or leaf lettuce, cut and washed Roma tomatoes, diced Cup tomato-basil feta cheese crumbles Croutons of choice

GRILLED VEGETABLE SALAD WITH SOY-GINGER DRESSING This Asian-inspired warm salad pairs exceptionally well with grilled chicken or pork dishes.
(SERVINGS: 4) Prep time: 1 hr. (15 mins. active) Cook time: 6 mins 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 4

BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE: 12 Cup balsamic vinegar 13 Cup olive oil 2 Teaspoons sugar 12 Teaspoon basil

Shake dressing ingredients together in a small jar. Pour over salad and toss.
Greek Twist: Make it a Greek Salad by adding

Kalamata olives, sliced red onion, and thinly sliced cucumber.

Make it a Meal: Add one, two or all of the following: steamed green beans, steamed new potatoes, grilled chicken.

Japanese eggplant, cut into 14-inch slices Salt Zucchini, cut into 14-inch slices Yellow squash, cut into 18 inch slices Red onion, cut into 18 inch dice Red pepper, quartered, seeded and de-ribbed Large shiitake mushrooms, stemmed Teaspoons canola oil for brushing Handfuls mixed baby greens

GRILLED PEARS WITH FIELD GREENS, BLUE CHEESE & TOASTED WALNUTS Because greens aid digestion, the salad course is commonly served at the end of the meal in France.This salad makes a light, beautiful dessert following a heavy French meal.
(SERVINGS: 4) Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 5 mins 2 1 4 2 12
13

SOY GINGER DRESSING: Cup chopped fresh ginger 1 34 Cup fresh lemon juice 14 Cup soy sauce 12 Teaspoon balsamic vinegar 1 Teaspoon minced garlic 12 Cup canola oil

Firm, ripe pears, cored and sliced Tablespoon vegetable oil for brushing Cups mixed baby greens Tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts Cup blue cheese crumbles Salt and pepper to taste Cup Balsamic Vinaigrette (recipe in previous salad)

Heat grill or preheat a broiler. Brush pears with vegetable oil, and grill or broil until caramelized and slightly softened, about 3-5 minutes. Mix greens, walnuts, blue cheese, vinaigrette, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Divide between 4 plates, arranged in tall piles. Lean the pears around the greens.

Puree all the dressing ingredients except for the oil in a blender or food processor for several seconds. Slowly add the oil to make a dressing. Set aside. Place the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and salt both sides. Top with a second baking sheet and a weight and set aside for 1 hour. In a medium bowl, marinate the zucchini, squash, onion, red pepper and mushrooms in the soy-ginger dressing for 45 minutes, tossing occasionally. Drain the vegetables, reserving the dressing. Preheat the broiler or grill. Pat the eggplant dry with paper towels and lightly brush with oil. Broil the eggplant and marinated veggies, or place in a grill basket or on a grill grid on a hot grill, until crisptender, about 3 minutes per side. In a large bowl, mix greens with some of the reserved dressing. Arrange on four plates and top with the grilled vegetables. Lightly sprinkle salads with some remaining dressing.
Make it a Meal: Instead of serving this salad with a main course,

make it a substantial dinner in itself by adding grilled strips of chicken breast or pork tenderloin.

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WILD MUSHROOM & GOAT CHEESE SALAD WITH RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE The tangy-sweet RaspberryVinaigrette unifies the flavors of earthy sauted mushrooms and pungent goat cheese.
(SERVINGS: 4) Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 5 mins 1 8 4 4

Tablespoon olive oil Ounces chanterelle or other wild mushrooms, cut into 14-inch thick slices Handfuls mixed baby greens or butter lettuce Ounces fresh mild goat cheese, crumbled

RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE: 2 Tablespoons raspberry vinegar 14 Teaspoon minced garlic 1 Teaspoon honey 14 Teaspoon salt 14 Teaspoon pepper 1 Teaspoon oregano 14 Cup olive oil 2 Tablespoons canola oil

SALAD OF SAUTD PEPPERS, ONIONS & SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH SESAME VINAIGRETTE This salad is a wonderful mixture of lightly cooked and raw vegetables with a variety of tastes and textures. It makes a great appetizer before a hearty soup, says Swayne.
(SERVINGS: 6) Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 20 mins 2 2 2 1 1 1 13

Shake dressing ingredients together in a small jar. Set aside. In a medium skillet over medium high heat, heat the olive oil and saut the mushrooms for 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and toss with a little of the dressing. In a large bowl, toss the greens with enough vinaigrette to coat and divide among 4 plates. Top with mushrooms and sprinkle with the goat cheese.
Make it a Meal: Arrange a few slices of just-grilled

Bunches arugula, stemmed and cut Tablespoons olive oil Small red onions, sliced in rounds Red pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips Yellow pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips Pound sugar snap peas, trimmed Cup lightly toasted sesame seeds

SESAME VINAIGRETTE: 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar 12 Cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste Shake dressing ingredients together in a small jar. Set aside. To toast sesame seeds, spread in a small skillet and cook over medium heat, shaking the pan constantly for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant and lightly browned.Transfer to a plate to cool and stop the cooking. To prepare vegetables, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.Add onions and saut about 3 minutes, until just softened.Add peppers and cook 3 more minutes. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook about 10 minutes longer until peppers are soft. Raise heat to medium and add sugar snap peas. Cook 2 minutes, stirring, until peas are just tender. Stir in half the sesame seeds and set aside. In a large bowl, toss the arugula with half the vinaigrette and arrange on six plates. Add the remaining vinaigrette to the vegetables and toss gently. Top the greens with the mixture and sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds.
Wine: Because all of these salads call for vinaigrette dressings, Sauvignon

medium-rare beef tenderloin over the greens before topping with mushrooms and goat cheese.

Blanc is a safe bet.Avoid oaky Chardonnays with any type of vinaigrette dressing. For the grilled and sauted vegetable salads, you might also try a Riesling - a natural complement to vegetables due to its mineral flavors.

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Garden
circular shape is very useful to calm the busyness of a yard boxed in by blocky houses, fences, and property lines that may be at odd angles.The circle can outline either a lawn or a paved terrace. If a space is not wide enough for a full circle try a semicircle. In a narrow yard, place the straight line of a semicircle against the house and the curve will lead the eye in a sweep to visually widen the space. Circles can be used to join paths that come together at differing angles, much in the manner of the British roundabout. Four paths coming together at right angles form a cruciform shape. Adding a circular paved area in the center makes a clas-

CREATE A TIMELESS

WITH TIMELESS PATTERNS

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY

PHIL WOOD

THE CIRCLE IS A TIMELESS SHAPE, ONE THAT OUR ANCESTORS SAW WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THE MOON OR INTO ONE ANOTHERS EYES. CIRCLES APPEAR WHEN RAINDROPS FALL INTO A QUIET POOL AND ARE THE SYMBOLS OF LOVE WE WEAR ON OUR HANDS. CIRCLES ALSO WORK THEIR MAGIC IN THE GARDEN.

sic design, a pattern borrowed from gardens of the Middle East that represented the four rivers of paradise. Make the circle large enough and you can place a round planting bed in the center of the circular path, marked with a birdbath, urn, pool or sculpture. Herbs planted in the center of such a paved circle would benefit from the retained and reflected heat from the sun. Circles are multi-directional and open. I like to stand in curve-edged lawn facing an expansive view and be able to look in many directions without being told by the shape where to look. Even if we dont have such a majestic view we can learn to create points of interest with plants, and a curved bed in an arc can be more interesting than a straight-lined one. From most points of view you can see more of the plants at one

10 H O M E B Y D E S I G N | A P R I L M AY 2 0 0 4

GARDENING

time. If you try a more undulating freeform line, be careful not to make the curves too tight and squiggly. Instead try gentle sweeps. Circular paved areas or terraces can be very appealing, and provide a center to the garden design. I particularly like to place small terraces into a slope, so that a semicircular retaining wall is built into the hill on one side.This creates not only a wall but also a bench. Build the bench out of stone that matches or complements the paving of the terrace. Materials for circular terraces offer many design possibilities. One choice is concrete pavers that look and lay like brick.They can be laid in a radiating pattern that works very well with the shape. Stone is always a good choice, whether random flagstone or square-cut. Square-cut stones will require further cutting where they meet the outside curve of the circle. Flagstone, the common name for randomly shaped paving stones, can be banded with an edge of cobblestones for a crisp effect. Another surface choice is gravel, outlined by a brick or stone border. To assist in envisioning a circle in your garden, stake out the shape using 12-inch wood stakes, available at any lumberyard. Lay them flat on the ground to make dashed lines that you can easily move around to adjust the shape.To make a circle, put a stake in the ground in the center, fix a string to the top with a nail and walk around the circumference at your chosen radius, laying stakes on the ground as you go.You could also use a garden hose to mark the boundaries of the circle. If you are laying out a terrace for dining, move some furniture out on the marked space to see if there is room to move chairs in and out without falling off the terrace. Try out a diameter of between eight feet, the smallest size that works well for a table and four chairs, and twenty feet, a generous size. Pools find classical shape in a circle; think of the famous one in Central Park in New York designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The Olmsted firm designed many park systems and gardens throughout the country and included many circular pools in their designs, so there may be a good example in a city near you. Even a small circular pool in your garden creates a strong impression in its simplicity. I have designed pools as small as a large bucket as the focal point of four paths coming

A circular pond makes a peaceful focal point for any yard.

Use circular seating or lawn areas to create a private retreat within a large space.

H O M E B Y D E S I G N | A P R I L M AY 2 0 0 4

11

circle to the closest walking surface with additional stones. Circles on the ground can be repeated in the vertical dimension with an arch over a gate. Even without a gate, a simple metal or wood arch can provide a dramatic entry to a garden space. Circular pots would also repeat the form. For contrast, when I design circular shapes in a garden, I find it useful to intersperse another CIRCLES ARE MULTI-DIRECTIONAL AND OPEN. I LIKE TO shape such as a square or rectangle. From a STAND IN CURVE-EDGED LAWN FACING AN EXPANSIVE circular lawn you might want to have a path VIEW AND BE ABLE TO LOOK IN MANY DIRECTIONS WITHleading to a rectilinear terrace to complement OUT BEING TOLD BY THE SHAPE WHERE TO LOOK the curves and provide pleasing contrast. Circles are not the answer every time. I den and place stepping stones around it.These can be concrete remember once a pentagon made the perfect shape for a small pavers or natural stone. Spacing them about six inches apart terrace and I have been known to actually use a freeform will allow for placing ground covers in between the stones. shape. Boomerangs anyone? Whatever it takes can be our Thyme is a good choice for a sunny spot and passing feet will motto in design, and many times, the eternal circle brings a release the wonderful fragrance from the foliage. Connect the strong center to the garden. together. For a pool three or four feet in diameter, pre-formed plastic pools would work well. Larger pools are best built with a plastic or rubber liner or out of reinforced concrete. The simplest way to create a circular focal point is to place a sculpture, pot or other object such as a birdbath in the gar-

ThemeRooms
PERHAPS IT IS JUST A DREAM TO HAVE A MOVIE THEATER IN YOUR HOME. OR, MAYBE, YOU WANT A TEAROOM TO SIP AWAY YOUR WORRIES. OR, PERHAPS STILL, YOU ENVISION AN OLD-FASHIONED WINE CELLAR COMPLETE WITH SITTING AREA TO ENJOY YOUR TASTING EXPERIENCE. THE THEME ROOMS WE BRING TO YOU IN THIS ISSUE ARE SURE TO SPARK YOUR DREAMS AND INTENSIFY YOUR IMAGINATION ABOUT YOUR HOME. THE FOLKS WHO OWN THESE HOMES HAD VERY SPECIFIC PLANS ON MAKING THEIR HOME MORE THEIR HOME BY DESIGN.

TEA ROOM WITH A VIEW!

W R I T T E N B Y R E B E C C A S W E AT | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y J O H N S U T T O N

When interior designer Stacey Lapuk looked at the extra bedroom in this traditional English style home located in Marin County, California, she saw opportunity for the perfect womans escape. A lot of women today have high-pressure jobs, in addition to household responsibilities, and they lead really busy lives, Lapuk says. They need their own special room where they can unwind and relax. Men have always had dens or studies. The equivalent for women would be to have a tea or sitting room. Thats exactly what Lapuks client wanted for this room. This would be the place where she could have her female friends over for formal teas, and on a more daily basis, it was the spot where she could go to read a book, write a letter, or sip a glass of wine after a hectic day at the office. What made this particular bedroom ideal for being converted over into a womans retreat was the view from the rooms bay windows. There was a large tree just outside, and beyond that, a flower garden, more trees, and a lush green lawn.Looking out the windows you cant help but feel calm and relaxed. Its such a pretty yard, Lapuk says. I wanted to bring this same garden-like, very light and airy feel into the tea room, while still keeping it formal.

Her first step was to choose a color scheme for the room. She opted for a palette of yellow, green, alabaster and champagne, and silver-whites with accents of blackall colors that would help carry the outdoors in, Lapuk says. For the walls, she used a burnished, hand-troweled, custom pigmented lime finish in a soft yellow-green. This type of finish does something that regular paint does not, in that it reflects light with different intensities and angles, based on the sweep of the trowel in a particular area of the wall, Lapuk explains. The floor was covered with a natural jute carpeting, and then an all wool Asmara area rug was placed on top.The rug is in a floral design, in which yellow-green leaves and flowers in shades of garnet and butter branch toward the center on a pale cream ground. These are all colors and designs found in nature, notes Lapuk, which also gives you an outdoor flavor. Lapuk framed the windows with green and cream taffeta silk drapes, which were hung from green and gold crackled wood poles. Inside the drapes she hung sheer curtains, which were accented with silk flowers, leaves and twigs. Once the floors and walls were finished, it was time to bring in the furniture. Lapuk selected a combination of antiques and reproductionsadding to the formal

feel of the roomas well as contemporary pieces. I like mixing design styles, as long as they work together, Lapuk says. Otherwise you look like youre walking into a museum, and people dont live like that. One of the first pieces of furniture moved in was a large hand-painted Italian neoclassical style cabinet. Inside the cabinets chicken wire doors, Lapuk placed several decorative minerals and crystals, adding depth to the space. Above the cabinet she sat three sandblasted Murano glass vessels in soft gold. For seating in the room, Lapuk chose a Beekman Place sofa, which features a gently curving tight back, with slightly flared and shaped tuxedo arms. The half-skirt exposes green and cream-tinted stained wood legs.The curves of the sofa mimic

the natural shapes seen outside the windows. Theres also an ottoman,which Lapuk had covered in olive green silk velvet and an early 19th century antique bench from France. She also included an oval back armchair in Italian Neoclassical style and an antique, mid-18th century French Gilt footstool. Lapuk selected several tables for the room, including a mid19th century side table from France, which features 22 karat patinated yellow gold leaf that is accented with a black slate inset top. She also added a Pompeian Style Giltwood cocktail table that is finished in an antiqued white-gold leaf finish and has a black slate inset top and a Swedish Biedermeier oval side table. Since it is a tearoom, Lapuk also picked out an antique sterling silver tea set to display on one of the tables.The tray is Old

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Sheffield Plate, made in England in 1830. The silver teapot, sugar bowl and creamer are from Christofle of Paris. In addition, Lapuk brought in a number of very distinctive pieces of artwork and sculpture to display in the room. Two hot-sculpted glass figures by artist Paul DeSomma accent the cocktail table. Hand-colored botanical engravings by Pierre-Joseph Redoute were hung on the walls. A large, hand-forged bronze water sculpture was placed next to the window seat area. The sound of the water coming down is very soothing, Lapuk notes. At night, the low voltage lighting picks out the highs

and lows of the design made by the water. Even with out sound, the fountain brings peacefulness to the room. Really, everything Lapuk put in the tearoom was chosen with the goal of creating a tranquil, serene getaway space. My client wanted somewhere she could go to escape from the day to day pressures of life, Lapuk says. You cant always take a trip to the mountains or go on a walk in the woods. The tea room serves as a place where you can unwind and relax, without having to leave your home. And if youre so inclined, she adds, its also a comfortable setting where you can serve up tea for your friends.

They (women) need their own special room where they can unwind and relax. Men have
always had dens or studies. The equivalent for women would be to have a

tea or sitting room.

WA N N A S A U N A ?
W R I T T E N B Y K I M A . F U Q U A | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y T H O M A S B L I S S

When I asked Arthur Ober what was his purpose for creating the sauna room, he paused, truthfully? Ober, a Beverly Hills resident in the commercial real estate business, found himself with nothing to do one day. Naturally, he went to the upstairs level of his townhouse, took a look at the wall separating the laundry room from the walk-in closet, and proceeded to knock the wall out. OK, theres a little more to the story than that, but only a little. Obers girlfriend had recently moved in with him, and he felt that this newly created 9 X 12 room could be transformed into a private sanctuary just for her. Nice boyfriend, I thought. Unfortunately, Ober had taken out a structural beam in the process, and had to call in a contractor to repair it before moving forward. Because his girlfriend tends to get chilly in the sometimes damp LA air, Ober eventually concluded that a sauna/dressing room would make a fitting choice for her. She can go warm up in there when she needs to, boasts Ober. A sauna is a dry, insulated wooden room heated between 160 to 190 F, operating at less than 25% humidity.A Finnish word, sauna translates as Heat Bath, and has been part of the Finnish way of life for more than two thousand years. The Finns, who use their saunas extensively, have far more supple, elastic skin than their American counterparts. Since time began, people have sought out ways to purify themselves through natural means. Steam, sauna, and aromatherapy can all play an important role in stress and health management. For centuries, people have used sauna bathing to be cleansed and purified. The ancient medical text, the

Ayurveda, written in Sanskrit in 568 BC, prescribed the sweat bath as a health measure. Sauna has been an uninterrupted tradition ever since. People came to the sauna for religious purposes and for purification, but they also wanted to relax from the stress of daily life in a social atmosphere. Because so few people today perform hard, physical labor for a living, most of us do not perspire enough.We clog our pores with the use of cosmetics, antiperspirants, smog, and the like. But repeated sauna use can help.The high temperature and length of time you spend in the sauna causes perspiration.This perspiration cleanses the skin of impurities. Sauna is the only bath in the world where dry heat and humidity are present at the same time, thus promoting a deep cleansing of the pores. The high heat and the low humidity open the pores and promote natural perspiration, flushing out the bodys impurities. The heat from the sauna also relaxes the muscles, relieving muscular aches and pains. It is a refreshing, revitalizing experience that heals both body and mind. Stress melts away, helping many people sleep more soundly. Additional benefits can include relief of mental fatigue and tension, increased metabolic rate and improved circulation, healthy skin and a clear complexion, relief from allergies and sinus congestion, and even assisting weight loss. Obers next mission was to find the perfect sauna, and so he visited every sauna dealer in LA. Unimpressed with the myriad of boxy, cedar styles he was seeing in most showrooms, Ober eventually came across the Allegro MrSauna model.

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This one was different, says Ober, it looks like a custom-made piece of furniture. Sort of an Object dArt. The Allegro line of contemporary saunas is a luxurious addition to almost any room in the home. Their elegance enhances a rooms dcor, redefining ancillary space, such as a workout room or spare bedroom.Their winding curves accentuate sleek shapes, while wide glass walls create a sense of bright spaciousness. Quality construction, high-grade woods and abundant accessories make these saunas exceptional pieces of quality furniture. Ober ordered his chosen model, the Allegro A300-R, online through a distributor. They build it first, then take it apart and ship it to you, says Ober. This ensures perfect construction. It does not however insure perfect installation. When the electrician he hired blew out the saunas heater, the manufacturer, Sussman Lifestyle Group, came out and replaced the heater at no charge. The company is terrific about backing up their product, gushes Ober. They charge top dollar, but theyre worth it. Each Allegro sauna is modular in construction and self-contained, allowing installation in less than one afternoon. In addition, most residential saunas in the United States are heated by electricity, costing just a few cents per use. Dealers can be found throughout the United States and on the Internet. Once the sauna had been properly installed, Ober had a custom dressing table and lighted mirror built of white pine to match the piece, completing the room. With a private bathroom across the hall, Obers girlfriend now enjoys a self-contained dressing area and bathroom in a separate area of the house. Ober chose the right facing model so that the glass door of the sauna faces the window. It allows extra light so that we can read in the sauna if we like, says Ober. And, after we do our workouts at home every morning, we can take a sauna. The features of this luxurious sauna line include high-grade maple and fir woods, wide glass doors and walls, hinged wide entrance, and low-emission curved glass doors. Standard accessories include soft-glow interior lighting, ergonomically designed seating and shelving, external full-length mirrored wall, magnifying mirror, lined bucket and ladle, hour glass, removable upper bench, and adjustable slanted back rest. The state-of-the-art heating unit offers programmable time and temperature controls, and the flexible location design permits

the controls to be easily located on any exterior wall. An adjustable 60-minute timer personalizes the sauna duration, while thermostatic temperature control enables comfort setting. In the end, the sauna/dressing room cost Ober around $15,000 to complete. And $9000 of that was for the sauna, he says. We should all be so lucky to have a boyfriend as thoughtful as Arthur Ober.

Contact Information: 1-800-76-STEAM or www.sussmanlifestylegroup.com

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A ROOM FOR SOME CRAFTY CREATIVITY

W R I T T E N B Y R E B E C C A S W E AT | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y PA U L J A C O B S O N

When these homeowners built their 5,600 square foot home they had definite plans for every room of the houseexcept the 900 square foot bonus room over the garage.The room was too big to be a bedroom, and the couple really felt they had enough space in the rest of the house devoted to entertaining. But then the homeowner got an idea. The bonus room would make an ideal craft room! This would be the place where I could do my scrap booking, and my two children could work on their art projects, which they really love to do, said the homeowner. They designed a craft room that was both functional and aesthetically appealing. Where we lived before, I would end up working on my craft projects in the living room and everything would be spread out all over the floor. But then Id have to pick everything up each day and put it all away, even if I wasnt finished with what I was working on, the homeowner recalls. Their new craft room would have plenty of work areaenough space where they could leave long-term projects sitting out until completed and lots of shelves and bins for storing craft supplies. For the work area, they selected a large U-shaped desk with seating for four people. The desk unit has several over-

sized drawers for storage and a Corian countertop for working which they feel is ideal for a craft room since Corian is a hard material and just about puncture-proof, and its quite resistant to staining. Thats important when you have two children who are sitting there painting and using scissors, she says. We can actually let our children enjoy themselves and have fun and not be worrying like,Oh, be careful of the table! The flooring is kid-friendly too.They chose vinyl floors for the craft roomunlike the rest of the house that has more expensive wood or ceramic floorsbecause vinyl is easy to clean up and can be replaced at a low cost if it becomes damaged. Adjacent to the desk area are storage cabinets where they keep the childrens art supplies such as jars of paint, brushes, packages of clay and paper mache, glue bottles and paste, and pads of construction paper. Theres also another large countertop area next to the desk, a wet bar and a mini refrigerator stocked with soda and snacks, and a sink for cleaning up after finishing art projects. The sink is really deep so when were washing out our paint brushes, we dont splatter paint everywhere, she added. On the back wall, they had about 100 wire shelves installed to give them a place to store their scrap booking supplies. It

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actually looks like a scrapbook supply store back there, she added. Each shelf holds a different color, texture or size of paper. When Im working on a scrapbook, I can just go back there and pick out what I need from the right pile. Its very handy. Art easels were placed at the opposite wall to give their children a place to paint standing up if they want to. And finally, in the corner of the room, a mounted television with a VCR

We wanted a place where we could be creative and artistic and at the same time have fun and build family memories.

and a DVD player were added so they can watch movies or television while theyre working on their craft projects. Its super fun to go up to the craft room with my children, put in a movie, and make some hot chocolate and work on our crafts. Her children are preschoolers, so they get to spend a lot of afternoons doing art projects together. Theres been very few days since our craft room was finished, when at least one of us didnt go up there to work on an art project of some kind.Were usually working in the craft room for at least a couple hours practically everyday.They could be molding clay or making pipe cleaner animals one day, creating tissue paper flowers or plaster of Paris hand prints the next, and ironing colored leaves in waxed paper the day after that.A lot of times they will do the same art project together, or maybe the mom will work on a scrapbook page while the kids finger paint or make paper bag puppets. Either way, they say that what is really important is spending quality time together. We wanted a place where we could be creative and artistic and at the same time have fun and build some wonderful family memories. This craft room is the perfect place for doing just that.

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The color scheme envelopes you in

warmth and richness.

FAMILY FRIENDLY AND FINE ART!

W R I T T E N B Y K I M B E R LY W Y L I E | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y M A R K B O I S C L A I R

There are some rooms that simply just take your breath away; this is one of them! Tucked into bustling central Phoenix, this remodeled 1959 home combines an upscale art gallery with features that make it entertainment and family friendly. The homeowners vision was not only a room where they could display incredible pieces of fine art such as their collection of works by Rembrandt, Albrecht Durer, and a variety of other beautiful watercolors, bronzes and ivory sculptures but also where their three boys, their dogs, and friends and family could come and relax. It needed to be warm and inviting, yet still be elegant enough to house such incredible pieces of art. With the help of interior designer, Patty Naughton, the homeowners traveled to San Francisco and in two days chose all of the furnishings and fabric selections. Each decision was made with care, in order to ensure that the choices would live up to the standard set by the fine art, yet not be in competition with the works. Upon first entering the room, the color scheme envelopes you in warmth and richness. Luxurious red, Venetian plaster, imported from Italy, graces the walls that were hand troweled, and then burnished and buffed with beeswax. The flowing walls were then accented with custom finished, solid ash wainscot. The soaring, vaulted ceiling is gilded with gold flake paint, and

gleams down upon all who enter. Olive and gold tones throughout the fabric selections pull the room together, while elegant and intricate gold gilded frames accentuate the masterpieces surrounding the room, lit with pure halogen lighting for maximum effect. The room features generously appointed pieces of furniture, in a more of an eclectic style, all sitting on top of a magnificent Brazilian Cherry floor. Larger furnishings but less of them, make the room an engaging place to relax. Comfy leather chairs mix with inviting upholstered pieces, perfect for reading a book, chatting with friends, or simply watching the built-in 42 plasma screen television over the bar, framed as another work of art. The bar in and of itself is a work of art! It features a solid 3 bull-nosed granite countertop surrounded by custom crafted ash cabinetry. Six oversized barstools allow family and guests to sit comfortably with all the amenities needed to entertain just behind the counter. A clear view of the plasma television is had by all, as well as a view of the built in 320 gallon saltwater aquarium.This impressive aquarium features a rare Lion Fish and a 3-foot long Snowflake Eel. On the other side of this see-through aquarium is one of the homeowners sons bedrooms, and allows him to enjoy the aquatic show while maintaining his privacy.
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Another features of the room that will impress its visitors is the incredible drapery.The sumptuous material flows elegantly about the windows, adding movement to the room. It helps bring in the warm colors that add a bit of femininity to this masculine space. The lion heads that hold up the mantelpiece are absolutely fascinating. These intricate pieces were hand carved by a Bulgarian wood sculptor.These pieces in and of themselves are a works of art. In the mood for a little friendly competition? Just in front of the bar, is a magnificent handcrafted billiards table, also purchased in San Francisco. Topped in red felt, this incredible table does double duty as an additional serving surface when the homeowners need it.A wooden cover was custom fitted to the table, as a buffet, and a matching fabric cover, ties into the other wonderful fabrics throughout the room. As fantastic as the room is, it opens up to an even more spectacular pool.The swimming pool features an oversized 18 deep, flagstone lounging area, perfect for the familys dogs to splash around in, or to sit and catch some of the gorgeous Arizona sun. The rest of the pool is done in a terrazzo type material, and features natural boulders, a grotto, and a swim up cabana with submerged bar stools, highlighted with a unique fire wall perfect for those chilly desert nights. A 12 person spa sits atop the 10 tall waterfall gracefully cascading into the pool, completing the experience. In the end, the homeowners and designer Patty Naughton have pulled together a truly magnificent room that leaves visitors in awe. This combination art gallery and entertainment room takes classic, upscale elegance and puts a warm and inviting twist to it with an element of whimsy, making it a family friendly space that all can enjoy.

Interior Designer Patty Naughton 602.369.3277

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The homeowners vision was not only a room where they could display incredible pieces of fine art - but also where there three boys, their dogs, and friends and family could come and relax.

VINTAGE HOME STORES VINTAGE WINES

W R I T T E N B Y C H R I S T I N E A . V E R S T R A E T E | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y R O B E R T T H I E N

Describing himself as an old-school kind of guy in a 38-year-olds body, Michael Hirsch knew that he didnt want to have the typical basement or recreation room in his colonial-styled home near Atlanta, Georgia. In the unfinished crawl space/basement, Michael saw the bare bones of a place that would provide long-term storage options for he and wife Janies collection of choice vintage wines. In turn, she envisioned the addition of a cozy, intimate room where both wine and friendships could be savored. Both of their visions unfolded in a spectacular setting that combines old-world styling with a contemporary ambience. The result is a wine cellar and combination tasting room/wine lounge that melds old and new in a beautiful bouquet. My thought was, every wine cellar Ive seen in the US has been the same, says Michael. I wanted something old world. I wanted something like the wine cellars in France. We wanted to be able to have friends over and enjoy the wine, says Janie. Its the whole experience of tasting wine. Using his knowledge and research in wine storage, Janie, who is the lead designer with House and Home Interiors in Alpharetta, Georgia, came up with a design that transformed the bare space into a warm, inviting and comfortable area that met the criteria theyd both set. The downstairs is divided into three sections. Accented with black wainscoting, built-in bookshelves and walls painted in a deep red roasted pepper color, the main room cocoons guests in comfort. On one side of the room, a small table surrounded by cozy club chairs provides an intimate setting for

wine tasting. Across the room, a sofa and side chairs invite visitors to relax, play a board game or enjoy conversation. The wine lounge can comfortably host up to 10 people. The piece de resistance is the wine cellar itself. Open the door and enter this 125-foot-square space, and youll think youve gone back in time. Here, wine is stored the old-fashioned way - reversed and lying down in brick bins. The bottles lay down so the cork stays wet, says Janie. You want to keep the corks moist. If the cork dries out, then the wine will go bad. The wall-to-ceiling brick bins are accented by thick globs of weeping mortar to give the room that olde world look and feel. The brick bins will hold at least 1,400 bottles of wine. Bottles can be stacked one on top of the other in groups according to vintage. Several layers of insulation were used to keep the room airtight and keep moisture out.The whole project took about six months to complete. While the room was designed for its looks, it was built to take advantage of time-tested methods for long-term storage. The room is constructed with a slate floor. Behind the brick, stucco was used over regular sheet rock to keep it from getting moldy because of the moisture in the room. The total project with construction costs was an estimated $100,000. A necessary element was a specialized temperature control unit to keep the cellar at a steady 55 degrees Fahrenheit.That in turn keeps the wines at a perfect 53 degrees. A burgundy you can lay down for 10 to 15 years, explains

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I wanted something old world. I wanted something like the wine cellars in France.We wanted to be able to have friends over and enjoy the wine, says Janie. Its the whole experience of tasting wine.

Janie. For a Bordeaux it can be 20 years. Some of the wines have more tannins so it gets smoother as it ages. If its too warm, the wine will break down. Nearly all red wines you want chilled to 53 degrees. It starts to open up as it warms to room temperature. While Janie enjoys the social aspects of the project, Michaels real pleasure comes from the different components of the project. After the two of them met with winemakers on a recent trip to France and saw firsthand how they operate, Michael decided to adhere to some of those age-old methods in his wine cellar. So, small chalkboards are positioned near bins and marked down with the appropriate variety. He even eschews

turning on a light, instead preferring to peer at his collection from the glow of a candle. A big golf fan, Michael used to play pro and worked at a golf club. Hes now transferred that love of the game to the collecting arena. He even got a new job recently as a wine distributor. For Michael, who began collecting wines 15 years ago and introduced Janie to it, having a private wine cellar is almost as good as getting hold of a top vintage - maybe even better. With the wine cellar we can showcase our love for the wine, not just in the cellar but in the whole room, he says. I guess its a conversation piece. And it's something different that no one else has.

A ROOM OF ONES OWN

W R I T T E N B Y R O N D A S W A N E Y | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y R I C K L O W E N T H A L

Masculine design choices create a gentlemanly retreat from the cares of the world. To expand on the notion of Virginia Woolf, we allmen includedneed a room to call our own. To the great fortune of the gentleman for whom this room was designed, the women in his life realized that. As a gift, his teenaged daughters and wife decided to create a retreat just for him. This space began as a simple spare room. Everyone else had
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their own private spaces, their own places to retreat.The gentleman of the house had nowhere of his own to go at the end of the day. And living in a house with all women, most of the homes dcor tended toward the feminine. The task of creating a manly retreat was placed in the hands of Dianne Lowenthal of Lowenthal Partners Interior Design. She began the process by chatting with the owner to find out what he wanted from this space. With every private retreat,

the top priorities are the creature comforts: a comfy chair, a place to read, and a place to relax. And, as every man knows, the greatest need is a place for the television. The room had to fulfill his desire to work and read in quiet, and provide a place to watch the game when everyone else in the house was watching Will & Grace, says Dianne. The next step of the design process was to evaluate the floor plan in order to maximize the space. Since the location was roomy but not huge, every inch needed to be thoughtfully and wisely used. There is a desk in the room, but it isnt bulky. There is a chair and an ottoman, but no couch since that would take up too much space. Since the room would not be a gathering place, more seating was unnecessary. The rooms closet wouldnt be needed for storage so it was repurposed as a mini wine cellar and bar area. Lighting was also an important consideration. The room received very little natural light. No amount of work I could do would make that room any brighter. Going with the architecture of the room always makes the design turn out better, says Dianne. Also knowing that the room would be used mostly in the evening, Dianne utilized ambient and soft lighting provided mostly by the desk and table lamps. The masculine color palette was chosen from the colors in the area rug. Shades of rich brown, black, and gold are repeated in the all of the dcor. It is found in the hardwood flooring, the upholstery of the chair and ottoman, and the varied colors of the mirror in the wine cellar. The monochromatic color scheme makes the room cozier and provides the tranquil feeling necessary in a room centered on unwinding and relaxation. Even the ceiling receives its own special treatment. In the wine cellar, an animal print lends an unexpected touch of masculinity and

since the space is small the print doesnt overwhelm. In the larger room, the ceiling displays the same color brown as the walls.The subtlety of the darker fern pattern on the walls also lends to the soothing environment. To make a plain room into a retreat also requires filling it with treasures that have personal meaning. The client already had the sculpture placed on the pedestal found in the room. The painting on the far wall was yet another gift from the clients wife and daughters. Says Dianne, This room really turned out to be a little cocoon. I did everything to make it a Zen kind of place. And the client loved it.

Formerly a closet, this space now serves as a wine bar for this gentlemans retreat.

Interior Designer Lowenthal Partners www.lowenthalpartners.com

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I
A HOME OASIS
W R I T T E N B Y J A N W A L K E R | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y I N T E R I O R C O N C E P T S

The quiet calm of a bubbling fountain, the fragrant glow of scented candles, thick cushioned carpeting and the distant sound of soft music. As you settle into the cradling comfort of a luxuriously padded massage table, your mind begins to drift and your senses take over. An upscale resort spa? No. Its a room in your own home. As more and more Americans seek refuge from the demands of daily life, a place to relax and unwind, the trend toward creating that refuge at home has begun to grow. Masseuses are making more house calls then ever before and classes are offered in massage for couples at community colleges, spas and massage schools. Think about it, said Phyllis Ryan, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Interior Concepts, Inc., a design firm based in Annapolis, Maryland. Youve just had a wonderful, relaxing massage. The last thing you want to do is get up off that table and get in the car to drive home. When Interior Concepts Inc. created a spa room for this home; they had the clients comfort in mind. The focal point of the 13x16 room is a natural stone wall. We wanted it to feel natural and to bring a little of the outdoors in, Ryan said. Textural elements are the key to this

room, and the stone is an important factor in taking the client out of the normal living environment. An architectural fountain provides more than just a decorative design element. The sound of the water also takes you out of your internal environment and takes you outside, said Ryan. The carpeted floor features upgraded padding for an opulent feel. We used a plush loop carpet, Ryan said, the kind you can really sink your toes into and wiggle around in. It gives the illusion of sand. A dimmer controls recessed lighting and accent lamps provide the perfect ambience. A warm finish on the wood furniture adds to the intimacy of the room while a small console table holds massage oils, towels, candles and a CD player. Even though this upscale spa room was created for a new home in the $700,000 range; it can be reproduced by budgetminded homeowners who have an existing room they wish to convert. The look of this room is quite attainable and very easy to recreate, Ryan said. Places like The Home Depot have services that offer decorating advice as well as the construction and design elements youll need.

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BRINGING HOME THE BIG SCREEN

W R I T T E N B Y K I M B E R LY W Y L I E | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y B O W A B U I L D E R S

In the past there have been certain movies that just had to be seen in a theater to fully appreciate them. Blockbusters like Star Wars,Terminator and Indiana Jones and others, although spectacular at home, just didnt have the same impact as when they were seen at the theater.The combination of the large screen and impressive sound system has swept moviegoers into other worlds for generations. Now, however, with the advancements in home theater technology, homeowners can experience all of the thrills and chills of their local movie theater right in the convenience of their own home! Our featured Great Falls,Virginia home has taken this concept to the extreme. When deciding to renovate their existing home, there were several things these homeowners wanted to accomplish. One of the musts on these movie buffs list was a home theater. Bowa Builders, Inc. added this exciting new space to a glass-enclosed, three-story curvilinear East meets West, California-style addition to this traditional, colonial home. The home theater itself is in the walkout basement level of the home. One of the most important requirements the homeowners had was that they wanted a place for the adults to be kids, and have done just that in this amazing home theater.

When you walk in the room, immediately you notice the huge movie screen.The 10-foot wide theater screen encompasses most of the front wall of the room. The room is tastefully accented with beautiful cherry paneling, stainless accent strips, and granite countertops. Leather seating in the form of four, comfy loveseats and two oversized red chairs, allows for plenty of room for family and friends. And, seating can be expanded with plenty of floor room for cushy beanbags, which are stored neatly, with extra pillows in custom cabinetry along the back wall. The room had very few design challenges, as it was a new space. One, however, was the designing of the step down area for the seating to ensure that everyone had the best seats in the house; and the other was specifically designing the room so that the electronics behind the magic were stored neatly out of view. To the right of the screen, behind what appears to be simply more elegant paneling, are the components of the movie system. In addition, the screen itself is actually perforated, so that front speakers are behind it, and out of view as well, while side and rear speakers are inconspicuously placed for maximum sound quality. And, the projection unit for the theater is tucked up discreetly in the ceiling. A huge screen, the latest electronics, and impressive sur-

Contact Information Bowa Builders, Inc. www.bowa.com

YOU MUST BE

HOW 21 DESIGNERS WORKED TOGETHER TO CREATE ONE DREAMY PLACE TO LIVE.

Dreaming

W R I T T E N B Y R O N D A S W A N E Y | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y S O L V I S U A L D E V E L O P M E N T

THE DREAM TEAM OF 21 DESIGNERS FROM THE NORTHWEST SOCIETY OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS WORKED TOGETHER ON THE 2003 STREET OF DREAMS PROJECT IN THE PORTLAND AREA. AS AN ORGANIZATION, PART OF THEIR MISSION IS PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN. THIS PROJECT SEEMED AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT. THREE CO-CHAIRS LED THE PROJECT AND MEMBERS CHOSE WHICH ROOM IN THE HOME THEY WANTED TO DESIGN.

T
The architecture of the home lent itself to drama. The hallways and entry created the perfect backdrop for art.

he Dream Team of 21 designers from the Northwest Society of Interior Designers worked together on the 2003 Street of Dreams project in the Portland area. As an organization, part of their mission is promoting excellence in design.This project seemed an ideal opportunity to do just that.Three co-chairs led the project and members chose which room in the home they wanted to design. Suzanne Swarthout Denning, one of the three co-chairs, describes some of the obstacles involved with such a large undertaking, It was intended as a showcase for the designers, but the hardest part was the coordination, having a lot of people that needed to be in on every decision. As a way to focus the designers, the co-chairs created an imaginary family around which to design. Denning explains, The family was an upper income professional couple with two high school-age children, a boy and a girl. With an imaginary family to design for, the next step was figuring out a way to keep the look of the home cohesive.They needed a plan to keep the design from looking as if 21 people, all with opposing ideas, had worked on the home. Evelyn Green, another of the projects co-chairs, says, I had seen other Street of Dreams homes done in other areas and I always thought they were too heavy and overdone. In the conceptual stage, I suggested we do something that was believable, livable, comfortable, and not with a heavy design.To keep everyone reined in, we had a color committee that chose the base colors for the home.Then we asked the designers to do a preliminary presentation of what they wanted to do in their rooms. Michelle Barnes, who, with Susie Buchanan, designed the master bedroom suite, says, Im used to doing a whole house on my own, so it was a different experience. But really, once we got the idea of the house down, it was not that hard to create a concept. Sharon Titus, designer for the great room and breakfast nook area agrees, It was interesting because we have our own personalities.We bonded on the idea. From then on, each room fell together.Titus adds, We all used cutting edge ideas, but it was still stuff that the everyday person could use. The presentations and the meetings between designers were a learning experience for everyone. Says Green, As we did the installation, we critiqued each other and took away or added to what was presented. The team effort helped each of us. We leaned on each other. Laura Donaca, the designer assigned to the wet bar area, agrees, The most fun of the whole process was the show-and-tell meetings. I thought those were so important to the end outcome. People were honest and the sharing sessions were incredible. Each designer knew what the expectations were for the home and for whom they were designing.The professionalism of each designer shined through as she focused on the specific purpose of her room and the role it played in the rest of the house. Denning, in addition to being a co-chair on the project, also designed the deck and exterior. The outside of a home

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should be indicative of whats going on inside, Denning says. The stone and iron provide a hint of the European influences that one finds inside the home, as do the rich and earthy colors. Once inside, youre in Evelyn Greens domain, the entryway and halls. The entry of a home has to be a teaser. The architecture of the house lent itself to doing something spectacular, but the stairway was a challenge because it went down. I wanted to use all those areas as an art gallery. And the colors had to be able to blend into other areas.The floor had to be a nice passageway to every other area. The diamond pattern of the flooring provides a fascinating design that invites you to explore the rest of the house.The artwork on the walls beckons for you to inspect closer, drawing you down the stairs to the lower level of the home. Off the entryway on the main level are the great room, breakfast nook, and kitchen. Titus says of that rooms design, I wanted to make it a Northwest great room. She defines that as a room exuding a love for home with a feeling of Tuscany achieved through color, texture, and key pieces. Some of those key pieces include a wine rack she had made of stone and iron with a twisted rope effect, as well as the coffee table and end tables wrapped in leather and edged with nail heads. Julie DeJardins kitchen design was formed by her 13 years spent practicing the culinary arts. I wanted to design a kitchen for the whole family to cook in. She arranged convenient workspaces that allowed for interaction. Besides being a great place for the family, the space is also well suited for entertaining large numbers. There are two sinks, two dishwashers, plenty of room for storage, says DeJardin. Most of the designers took turns manning the home once it was opened to the public for viewing. A benefit of this was seeing and hearing first-hand how the public responded to their designs. According to Buchanan, one of the two designers who created the master bedroom, The biggest compliment we got was people saying, I could move into a room like this and not change anything. This was a huge room, but it ended up being warm, cozy,

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The red faux leather finish on the walls creates a spicy backdrop to a room designed for one purposefun!

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change anything. This was a huge room, but it ended up being warm, cozy, and inviting. Barnes, the other designer of the room agrees, We wanted to take the bedroom into an Old World romantic look that was soft and elegant. They achieved this with a color palette of coral, celadon, and gold. Wendy Vaughn designed the master bath that naturally played off the romance of the bedroom. I was working with the elegance of natural stone to create a warm environment. There is a fireplace in the master bath and there is a huge closet. There was so much warmth in there, it was wonderful. The stairs off the entryway lead down to the media and party room. Suzanne Gallagher and RayeAnn Bogert worked together to design this space. Gallagher comments, We started the room with the art because that was a high priority. Most designers end with art. We started out looking for art that fit the room. Portland is a port city. The coast, water, and boating are high influences. The art we

The carved-glass door and wine country mural on the back wall turn what could have been a very boring room into a space you feel compelled to enter.

ALSO ON THE LOWER FLOOR IS A WINE CELLAR. LAURIE GILLAM COMMENTS ON HER INTENT FOR THAT SPACE, I WAS AIMING FOR WARMTH AND A SENSE OF BEING DRAWN IN. I WANTED TO RELATE THE DESIGN TO A VINEYARD. I WANTED A VISUAL AND SENSUAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE PARTICIPANT.

selected reflects that. Bogert says of her work on the room, I was tired of other kinds of media rooms. I wanted the whole family involved. I wanted it to be super comfortable and appealing to men as well as women.The rest of house was more feminine. I wanted to make sure gentlemen would come down to this room. Apparently her goal was met. She says, The most flattering comment I heard was,Id like to sit down in this room and never leave.When I heard that, I knew that Id done my job. Also included in this space was the wet bar. Donaca comments on her intent for the wet bar area, I didnt want it to look like a bar, but like a lounge, something inviting. It provides another welcoming place to sit and entertain guests. Its a warm spot that complements the party room and adds to its functionality. Also on the lower floor is a wine cellar. Laurie Gillam comments on her intent for that space, I was aiming for warmth and a sense of being drawn in. I wanted to relate the design to a vineyard. I wanted

The alder cabinets with a nutmeg finish provide depth and richness to the large kitchen. The whimsical accessories along the tops of the cabinets add a sense of fun to the room.

The coral, celadon, and gold used in this room inspired the color palette for the rest of the home.

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a visual and sensual experience for the participant. Even such a small room can be big on creativity. Gillam sketched out the concept for the mural and then hired someone to paint it on the back wall. For the glass door, again Gillam sketched out her idea and then hired someone to carve the twining grapevines into the glass. Our goal was not for each room to be individual, but for it to be a whole. We accomplished what we set out to do. I was impressed with the way it all came together. Everyone wondered with all these personalities and egos, will it work or will it not? But it did, says Gallagher. It dumbfounded the whole design communityno one having any spats, no egos. It was really representative of what good designers can do, said Gillam. Gallagher agrees, It brought us closer together as an organization.We got great recognition.When people came through the home they would ask, Is this the house where all the designers are involved? Bogert adds, The best part was that we all became such great friends. It really went well. Everyone left their attitude at home. DeJardin sums up the project, Everyone was committed and passionate.We were a fabulous group. Green echoes the sentiments of the other designers,All the comments I heard were really positive.This house was definitely one of the best that Ive been involved in, especially given that we had so many people involved. It was a fabulous project and I would definitely do it again.

Contact Information: Suzanne Swarthout Denning Suzanne Maries Interiors 503-364-4237 smint@attbi.com Evelyn Green T. Evelyn Green Designers 503-531-8665 g.gigi@verizon.net Michelle Barnes Timeless Interiors 503-777-0121 timelessint@cs.com Susie Buchanan Finishing Touches 503-203-1273 intdesignerchef@aol.com Laura Donaca Laura Donaca Interiors 503-292-4646 ldonacainteriors@comcast.net Sharon Titus Titus By Design/Martin Scott Ltd. 503-245-1888 503-314-1293 Julie DeJardin DeJardin Kitchen & Bath 503-768-4540 kitchens@teleport.com Wendy Vaughn Taggarts Interiors 503-644-1146 wendy@taggartsinteriors.com RayeAnn Bogert Bizy Girl Interiors 503-880-1125 ebizygirl@msn.com Suzanne Gallagher Designers Art Unlimited 503-579-2787 designersart@earthlink.net Laurie Gillam Designs Provencal 503-675-9179 gill647@aol.com

The curve of the iron railing and the punch of color in the flower arrangement provide enticing hints of what will be found inside the house

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Greenhouse

Effect
W R I T T E N B Y J A N W A L K E R | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y S P I R I T E L E M E N T S

ADD VALUE, VERSATILITY AND A CREATIVE FOCAL POINT TO YOUR BACKYARD WITH A GREENHOUSE.

ne way to make a home more inviting is to create a space that will bring the outdoors in. Another way is to create a space that will bring the indoors out. Extending its boundaries with a screened porch, a beautifully furnished lanai, a garden gazebo or outdoor workshop can add versatility, value and utility to a home. Once the exclusive domain of professional growers or the most avid of gardeners, greenhouses have become a popular addition to backyards nationwide. Today, easy-to-assemble greenhouse kits are available in a variety of styles and sizes to accommodate the needs and skill level of any gardener, from the hobbyist to the expert. Spirit Elements is a catalog and online retailer of high-end home and garden products based in Boulder, Colorado. Founded in 2000 by Stacey Smith Chernoff and her husband Seth, the company offers a variety of indoor and outdoor home accents, including a wide selection of greenhouse kits. The kits are designed to be assembled in a matter of hours. Depending upon the buyers construction expertise, a greenhouse can be put together in as little as four or five hours, or over the course of a day or weekend. Each kit is available in a variety of sizes and each comes with a detailed assembly manual and instruction video, in addition to a number of preassembled components that make the job manageable for virtually anyone with basic construction skills. The company

offers a toll-free number to call for construction and installation advice, and will even provide directions for preparing a foundation for the greenhouse. And, for true gardening neophytes, Spirit Elements offers a starter kit that will grow plants from seeds for eventual replanting in the yard. Spirit Elements best-selling greenhouse, the Sunhouse, is available in three sizes: 8x8, 8x12 or 12x12. Constructed of 100% Western Red Cedar from Canada, it features an interchangeable Dutch door and rear window for maximum air circulation. Its shingled roof with durable Lexan polycarbonate windows allows plenty of light for growing and tending plants

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year-round. A cedar floor and shelving and table options are included with the kit. But this uniquely designed greenhouse can also be used in a variety of creative ways that have nothing to do with gardening. It doubles as a workshop,artists studio,or a private backyard retreat. I enjoy it a lot, said Sunhouse owner Janet Patton of Taylorsville, Indiana. Its great for working with my plants and my fianc likes to use it as a workshop. Rose Marie Jackson of Scottsdale Arizona hired a crew to install her 8x12 Sunhouse on a concrete foundation in her backyard. It took less than a day to put it up. Its really cute, she said, we put a sink in it so we could have running water, and we added electricity.

The Jacksons plan to use their Sunhouse as a gardening shed and a place to pursue another hobby they share furniture refinishing. I think were really going to enjoy it. The Franklin Greenhouse features a traditional design constructed of American Redwood.Available in 6'x4', 6'x8', 6'x12' sizes, it features a fungus- and insect-proof base of recycled plastic that looks like wood. A pre-hung Dutch door adds ventilation and automatic vent openers activated by heat help maintain an optimal inside temperature. Polycarbonate glazing on the Plexiglas window panels helps prevent discoloration and excess condensation. Another popular greenhouse from Spirit Elements is the Bridgeport.With its classic conservatory style frame of weatherresistant, maintenance free resin, this 86x86 greenhouse features durable panels glazed with UV protected, twin-walled polycarbonate.The kit features a double door and two-window roof. The resin construction is a great choice for easy maintenance, Chernoff said. Its stronger than aluminum and you can literally just hose it off. For the plant-loving homeowner, the advantages of a buildit-yourself backyard greenhouse are manifold. Not only do you have something functional, said Chernoff, but you have something nice to look at. It can really add a lot to a home.
Contact info Spirit Elements www.SpiritElements.com

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LET YOUR

MARINATE.
Experience the KitchenAid Outdoor Kitchen.
Step 1: Serve appetizers and ice-cold drinks from the
KitchenAid outdoor refrigerator and bar cart.
TM

IMAGINATION

Step 2: Fire up the powerful outdoor gas grill.

Sear and sizzle entrees to tender perfection.

Step 3: Raise the standard for backyard get-togethers.

Available in built-in or freestanding models. T o learn more about the entire KitchenAid l i n e ,v i s i tK i t c h e n A i d . c o mo rc a l l 1.800.422. 1230.
Registered trademark/ TM trademark of KitchenAid, U.S.A. 2003. All rights reserved.

FOR THE WAY ITS MADE.

DESTINATION

The key to tropical

HAWKS CAY RESORT, FLORIDA

family fun
Duck Key consists of five islands joined by Venetian-style bridges, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Hawks Cay Resort occupies one of the islands as a 60-acre secluded island getaway. The development of this yachting resort and residential area was begun in the 1950s and features West Indies-style buildings. Introduced in 1984, Hawks Cay Resort & Marina is an enclave of tropical dcor, plantation-like grounds and oceanfront luxury - the perfect spot for tropical family fun and a memorable learning vacation. Choose an individually furnished and decorated waterfront villa, modeled after 1950s style Key West conch houses. The villas can sleep up to six, and offer a backyard pier, private pools and water view porches.You will likely be ready to relax at the pool after a day of travel, and Hawks Cay offers several choices. The resort contains five freshwater pools, including three for families, one for adults-only with an expansive sundeck, and a children's pool containing fountains, a water cannon,
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W R I T T E N B Y K I M A F U Q U A | P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y H A W K S C AY R E S O R T

he string of coral islands at the southern tip of Florida has always captured the imagination of Americans with its promise of warm breezes and sparkling blue waters. Mangroves hug the coastlines of the Florida Keys, where tiny islands offer gorgeous scenery, wildlife, and some of Americas best fishing, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving.While fishing and diving are the main attractions in the Middle Keys, lazy days of sunning and swimming are also on the itinerary. Hawks Cay Resort, located on Duck Key in between Islamorada and Marathon in the Middle Keys, can be found 90 miles South of Miami and 60 miles North of Key West. Overseas Highway, also known as U.S. 1, skips from island to island offering views of the open sky and the sea, dotted with green islands, swooping pelicans, and shades of blue hardly imaginable.

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Hawks Cay Resort & Marina is an enclave of tropical dcor, plantation-like grounds and oceanfront luxury - the perfect spot for tropical family fun and a memorable learning vacation.

and a pirate ship with water slides. A calm lagoon provides saltwater swimming, with small kayaks available for kids and thatched canopies on the beach for adults. The resorts dolphin interaction program is especially unique, allowing families to learn about the Florida Keys sensitive ecosystem and marine life in an up-close interaction with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. The dockside dolphins program provides families with a behind-the-scenes look at dolphin training and the opportunity to participate as a dolphin trainers assistant. Designed to inspire awareness and promote conservation, marine biologists at the Dolphin Connection offer a distinctive educational experience. Whether you want to swim with the fishes or reel in the catch of the day, the resort has you covered. Explore North Americas only living coral reef with your choice of excursions. Choose a guided snorkeling trip, or learn to scuba dive with half and full day charters for every experience level. These waters also offer some of the best fishing in the world, where you can opt to learn the art of saltwater fly-fishing on a nearby deserted island. Experienced captains will take the family on an offshore fishing trip where you can troll for Sailfish or Mahi Mahi, or cast for Snapper and Grouper along the coral reef. Bring back your catch and the resort will be glad to prepare it for your familys dinner. Alternatively, take off on a charter for flats and backcountry fishing for Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Redfish and Snook. There is much to do for both kids and adults, whether spending time together as a family or on their own. Guided kayak tours include lessons about the islands history and an opportunity to view native wildlife. Experience the thrill of flying with a parasail over aqua blue waters, or escape on a rented powerboat. Learn to wakeboard, water-ski, or simply explore the five islands of Duck Key on a bicycle over waterways traversed by ornate Venetian bridges. Kids will have a chance to learn the importance of protecting the environment along with a multitude of fun activities, including cardboard boat races, interactive pirate ship, tree house with climbing wall, and 18-hole putting green. Half and full-day activity programs are offered for the kids, while teens can kick back at their very own recreation center with air hockey, Xbox games, karaoke, dancing, music, and games. In the evening kids can participate in Kids Night Out, a theme-

oriented program that includes pizza and a movie. While the kids are enjoying their special night, set out on a picturesque two-hour sunset catamaran cruise and sip a little champagne. There are still more activities in store. Learn to sail with US SAILING certified instructors with half-day and weekend classes available. Resort guests also have playing privileges at the 18-hole Sombrero Country Club championship course, located 11 miles from the resort, while tennis enthusiasts can participate in a variety of scheduled activities with personal instruction. If you are seeking a tranquil refuge, head for the resorts 7,000-square-foot Indies Spa for massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and a relaxing room with herbal teas, fresh fruit, and healthy snacks, as well as eucalyptus steam, sauna and whirlpool. Pamper yourself with a Margarita Salt Loofa or Tropical Breeze Escape massage to relax your mind and body.Top off a day in the sun with a Cooling Green Tea & White Lily AfterSun treatment and a trip to the hair salon. Hawks Cay Resort offers plenty of dining options as well. Take in the daily breakfast buffet at the Palm Terrace with eggs benedict and made-to-order omelets. Enjoy Caribbean fare and tropical drinks poolside at the Cantina while taking in views of the Atlantic Ocean, or grab a casual outdoor lunch with the kids at the Indies Grille. Dine dockside on fresh-off-the-boat seafood at the WatersEdge overlooking the yacht harbor. For a more elegant dinner, head to Porto Cayo for inspired Caribbean and Italian fusion. If you feel like staying in your villa for dinner, call for room service or groceries, delivered to your door by golf cart. Whatever your pleasure, Hawks Cay Resort offers The Key to Tropical Family Fun.
Hawks Cay Resort Duck Key, FL 888-814-9104 www.hawkscay.com

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No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

~ P r ove r b

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.

~Ruth Stout