Best of Guide 2011

CHARLOTTE URBAN

Designs | Lifestyles | Fashions | Improvements HOME

2011Best ofGuide

B o n u s : h o l i d a y e n t e r t a i n i n g

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10 Urban Home CHarlotte best of GUide 2011

features14 Into the Blue24 Industrial Chic44 An Artful Transformation58 Cape Cod Cool74 A Touch of Zen78 Thinking Outside the Box

trends52 Kitchens & Baths Dream Beautifully. Plan Thoroughly. Get Inspired.

64 Holiday Trends Holiday Entertaining Like a Pro

Best of Guide 2011CONTENTS

14 24

44 58

departmentscontributing editors

32 Room Service: Beth Keim Back in Black

38 Building a Better Home: Trent Haston

Tax Credits for Remodeling

64 78

urbanhomemagazine.com

CHARLOTTE’S MAGAZINE FOR HOMEOWNERS

CHARLOTTE URBAN

HOMEDesigns | Lifestyles | Fashions | Improvements

Publishermark Herrmann

Editorial Directortammy Wanchisn

Writersnancy atkinson

mark WardGinger sprinkle

laura Glassdana todd

SalesKathleen Hands

Art DirectionHarriet mcdowall

PageCreations

PhotographyJim schmid Photography

jimschmid.com

Contributing Editorstrent Haston

beth Keim

Production Administratorshelley Kemper

Direct MailQuad Graphics

Phone 704-332-1504

Fax704-973-5685

Email: [email protected] Website: urbanhomemagazine.com

all contents copyright 2011, Casey Communications inc.no part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent from publisher. mention of any product or service does not constitute endorsement from Urban Home magazine. the informa-tion contained in this publication is deemed reliable from third party sources, but not guaranteed. Casey Communications inc. does not act as an agent for any of the advertisers in this publication. it is recommended that you choose a qualified remodeling, home furnishings or home improvement firm based on your own selection criteria. Casey Communications inc., d.b.a. Charlotte Urban Home magazine, will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate which is a violation of the fair Housing act. all real estate advertising in Casey Communications inc., d.b.a. Charlotte Urban Home magazine, is subject to the fair Housing act which states “We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.s. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barri-ers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.” Casey Communications inc., d.b.a. Charlotte Urban Home magazine, does not act as an agent for any of the realtors or builders in this publication. it is recommended that you choose a qualified realtor to assist you in your new home purchase.

best of GUide 2011 Vol 11 no 6

74


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“i just love the relaxed, casual

vibe that beach houses have.

i wanted the decorating in

our home to be just as relaxed.”

Blueinto the

or one Charlotte family, their discovery of a former builder-owned myers Park home, was the perfect mix of a recent remodel

and manageable floor plan. the home simply needed the finishing touches. it is now decorated with a relaxed, ocean-influenced style that perfectly balances traditional tastes with the ease and comfort

often found in a beach home. like many older neighborhoods, the smith family home was built right after the depression, in the early 1920s. a traditional Colonial style home, the home features one character filled room after the other. You can tell the craftsmen that built this home took pride in their work. Plaster and lath walls and hardwood floors are throughout the home, as is most of the original windows, door hardware and millwork. as you enter the home, the formal living room is off to the

left, a split level staircase is in the middle of the home and the dining room is off to the right. a den lies just beyond the two french doors

in the living room and a butler pantry and expanded kitchen area sit in the back right corner. a playroom and several bedrooms are upstairs.

Photography by Jim Schmid

best of GUide 2011 Urban Home CHarlotte 15

but what first impresses you is despite the homes age, the decorating style is chic yet comfortable. “i grew up near elizabeth City, which is a big sailing town, and i suppose the water and the ocean, has been a big influence in my life,” said beth smith, the owner. “our family owns a home near nags Head, and i just love the relaxed, casual vibe that beach houses have. i wanted the decorating in our home to be just as relaxed.” Very subtle nautical influences are spread throughout the home, yet that theme is more of a reminder in the background, and not at all, overly done. “When we bought the home, i loved the fact that the former owner, a builder, had basically just left the walls a shade of antique white. it allowed me to see the home as an open canvas and not have any preconceived notions about the direction i should take the decorating,” said beth. as a result, every room is infused with rich or vibrant color, each room distinct, yet the house flows. it feels relaxed. “i read a lot of magazines like elle décor and House beautiful for ideas,” said beth. “i’m drawn to just about every type of decorating style. any genre can be well done. i just enjoy the spatial relationships of a more eclectic mix. i’m also very fortunate to have a very good interior designer, Holly Phillips from the english room, who is my sounding board of new ideas.” most recently, beth decided to add french doors from the den to a new outdoor living area. she worked with brice thomason, who helped design a relaxed and inviting covered patio with an outdoor fireplace. “We can’t wait to use the space,” said beth.


Living Roomone of the original design elements untouched by the former owner was a beautiful maritime-themed tile that surrounds the fireplace in the formal living room. that blue is picked up and carried into the living space with the upholstered side chairs and accent pillows. the neutral sisal rug and drapes act more like a backdrop to frame the room, and focus the attention on the furniture and contemporary art. french-doors lead to a den. Glances upstairs through the open staircase and you catch a glimpse of color in the children’s playroom and bedrooms. “because we don’t have a foyer, your eye is immediately drawn into the living room,” said beth. “i really wanted this room to make a statement.”

Dining Roomthis room is the quintessential mixture of old and new. a david Hicks rug from stark Carpet exudes style while the traditional influences of an antique dining room table and sideboard from family, provide a touch of tradition. new floor-to-ceiling built-ins provide a safe home for beth’s china, which was handed down by beth’s grandmother. White vinyl chairs from lee are a great conversation starter at dinner parties.

Children’s PlayroomVibrant orange painted walls help set the mood for fun in this space. a durable sofa and colorful rug from ikea are almost indestructible while pops of green are provided from Jonathan adler pillows. “my painters told me they dreamed in orange for weeks after painting this room,” said beth. artwork from all the children is organized on framed cork boards.

Denfrench doors that lead out to a covered patio and fireplace, were inspired by the french doors in the formal living room. antique english reproduction hardware graces the doors. the room is done in red, tan and black and is the gathering spot for family and friends.

KitchenWhite shaker cabinetry anchors the space with marble countertops and an island made from mahogany. a pantry near the stove provides ample storage. a limestone tiled floor connects an eat-in banquet with West elm chairs. the table is reproduction antique from englishman furniture. a bowl filled with crayons and a stack of fresh paper inspires the children to create masterpieces at any moment. beth’s mom framed some of her childhood art, which is featured on the wall.

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F u r n i t u r e L i g h t i n g O b j e c ts P i L LOw s

“baubles, bangles and bright shiny beads”


here is no better description of the home of Paige mcthenia and Jon adams, than “industrial chic.” When you enter the home, you are naturally drawn to the eclectic decorating style

that epitomizes homeowners that take a genuine interest in personalizing their home. their love of art, design, found objects and the outdoors permeate their home. We thought it would be a good idea

to interview this fun and eclectic couple to understand their personal interests and how that influenced the choices for their home.

What are the top influences in your life that impact your style?

a love of rustic nature and modern architecture and a general irreverence about design rules.

Tell us some history of your house. the house was built in 1930 and had had a small back area added onto it at some later date. one neighbor told us it had once been abandoned and condemned. another neighbor told us a previous owner put a coffee can with $100 in it up in the chimney. Jon and i don’t know much else about its history.

What drew you to this particular neighborhood? elizabeth has a wonderful mix of businesses and residences, and despite the fact that it’s a well-established neighborhood, it’s still a bit edgy and artistic and diverse. Jon and i love walking through the neighborhood under the canopy of old trees and seeing the ways in which neighbors have avoided traditionally regimented landscaping and instead created wonderful individualized gardens around their homes.

What did you want to change to the structure and why? We got married in 2007, and, collectively with my daughter and Jon’s step-daughter finley (the now 11 year-old), we wanted to make the house our own together. it was pretty desperately in need of updating. finley’s bedroom was a converted attic space without a door and ours was a back bedroom off the kitchen. the living room was cave-like, and the kitchen, in our view, had been “unfortunately” renovated at some point in the past. We wanted lots of light and open space and room for kids and animals and friends to gather, but also more privacy for ourselves. in addition, we wanted to maintain the integrity of the bungalow so that it remained in keeping with the neighborhood.

How did you go about doing this? Who was the design team? andrew (Woody) Woodruff, architect; Peter Vasseur and Craig Jackson, Vasseur Home design; meghan Hayes and mike Kenerly, the essential Gardener. the result was an amazing team of energetic, creative, hardworking, and inspired individuals that created a home we feel very fortunate to live in. We didn’t go into the renovation process with many firm ideas about how we wanted the house to look. We knew that we wanted to reuse as much of the old house as possible,

chicindustrial



make environmentally sensitive choices, and that we wanted creative input from everyone involved. for example, upon running into a foundational problem, Peter suggested the concrete floor in the family room. We liked it, as did Craig and Woody, and then we all weighed in on the stain (or lack thereof) color. the concrete choice led to a decision to make the back of the house more modern than the front, the result of which was a metal siding that mimics the original wood siding.

Tell us about how the industrial theme of the house came to be. Going into the renovation, we loved the look and feel of a combination of industrial materials with rustic, natural materials. Peter and Craig worked to make this a reality with great suggestions that resulted in an i-beam mantle, steel plates, bolts and wire cables on the stairs, and unfinished steel columns on the back concrete patio. in addition, i found wonderful recycled railroad spike coat hooks on the etsy website. Coupled with this is a juxtaposition of salvaged wood bookshelves, the pebble floor in the master shower, and a split cedar log that serves as a shelf in the master bathroom. for the backyard, we utilized the Galvalume metal siding that is on the back of the house for fencing material, and galvanized horse troughs for planters. i love the way this looks with the native grasses and wildflowers.

What is the significance of the circle in the design? the circles started with the door. the door insert is an artistic lead glass panel made of hand blown rondels surrounded by clear hand-blown seedy glass. it was designed by a very talented glass artist named Guido Goldkühle i found online. the door is one of my favorite parts of the house design project, and the glass rondels set the tone for the circles throughout the house—the edison bulb light fixture above the dining room table, the circle in the kitchen wall (the circumference of which matches that of the light fixture), the art panels along the fence in the back yard. i think that the circles soften the modern industrial aspects of the house.

No grass in the backyard! Why? We wanted an outdoor space that reflected our concern for the environment and our love of nature but that could also hold up to the rough and tumble activities of a 10 year old daughter with lots of friends, all of the neighborhood kids, and a variety of four-legged creatures—be they pets or wildlife. meghan and mike sat down with us to talk about xeriscaping and native plants and river rocks. We told them we liked tall grasses, and we told them we liked rivers. and the result is their own creation—a beautiful, sustainable, inspiring and absolutely livable organic landscape.

What are your favorite places to shop for your home? Habitat restore, a couple of antique malls in Virginia, and online places like etsy, overstock, Viva terra, and Velocity art and design.

Tell us about Finley’s room. there are two parts to the kid area: the first at the top of the stairs is a loft area with games, futon couch (great for sleepovers), a television and


We wanted lots of light and open space and room for kids

and animals and friends to gather, but also more privacy for

ourselves. in addition, we wanted to maintain the integrity of the

bungalow so that it remained in keeping with the neighborhood.

movies, and a wall length chalkboard. Past that is finley’s bathroom, and a small cubbyhole space that was once attic storage. it is now a reading nook, with a cow print bean-bag chair, small table for books, a sola-tube for light during the day and a really cool gourd light that casts a star pattern for nighttime. it is secret and small and cozy and bright. on the other side of the stairs is finley’s room. she desperately wants to go to Kenya on a safari, so the whole room is designed around that idea. there is a lovely stretched canvas photo of a giraffe on a savannah over her desk, vintage photos of african animals printed as pillows on an old brass bed from Jon’s family, grass-like green shag rug, a hammock chair hanging from the ceiling, and these crazy giant flower and monkey wall decals we found together on etsy. Her desk is an old law school desk of my father’s and the chair a knock-off plastic eames chair from overstock.

What’s your decorating secret? read lots of design magazines. find pictures of what you love and what works for your home and family. be iconoclastic. take risks. design around what you love.

How did you go about accessorizing your home? We combined things we both had before we were married and began collecting things together. We love etsy, and we bring some natural object back from every hike we take.

What’s your favorite room in your home? the master bedroom with the windows all open with the view out over the backyard.v

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There is something clean, sharp and fresh about black and white. lately i am in love with the combination. but splash-ing it with a douse of kelly green and you really have a strong and vibrant room. We were recently asked to join a team of talented designers to create a room all our own in the march of dimes designer House in Charlotte’s eastover neighbor-hood. it’s an honor to be asked, and also a chance to do whatever we wanted! We all immediately put our heads together and

black and white became our starting point. i have always wanted to do it and have never had a client willing to try it, so maybe after seeing this, you may change your mind. i love the idea of wall papering a ceiling, especially a sloped one. We chose a black and white graphic and everything fed off that. a

crisp white wall, a strong black trim, reminded me of a loft in new York or a visit to an amazing art gallery. We chose strong furnishings to complement the strong color combination. the amazing custom bookcase inspired by designer Jaren Goh, crafted by our carpenter Craig Waltonowski, and the mix of other vintage and modern pieces was the ticket in bringing the entire look together. if you are lucky enough to have that extra bedroom, why not turn it into a “study lounge.” a place, in this case, your girls can go to hang out, do some homework or watch a movie. We took the closet doors off and turned the nooks into desk areas with wall mounted desks, shelves and pendant lighting. We floated a smaller custom sofa in the room facing an area perfect for a tV, or not. a comfortable swivel reading chair and floor light for kicking back and the dormer window, it was calling for another area to quietly sit and read. i love the space saving “floating” bookcases along the wall, a find at $12.00 each! for a strong color choice, like this one, my advice is to keep the color strong throughout the room. Choose a punch color, and with black

Beth Keim

Back in Blackroom service

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Photography by Ashley Delapp


and white it can be just about anything. that punch of color, mixed with black and white, calls just that much more attention to the strong elements of the room rather than it ap-pearing too tone-on-tone. my special thanks to my whole team for their help in creating this great space, lindsey Peters, ashley delapp and Jena strange. it was a fun project full of collaboration!v

Beth Keim is the owner of Lucy and Company, a full-service interior design firm located at 1009 East Boulevard. They can be reached at 704-342-6655 or at www.lucyandcompany.com.

Tips for shopping and designing unique pieces:

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• Don’t be afraid of the “expense” of a custom piece. Every room needs a show stopper.

• Turn odd dormers or unused clos-ets into work spaces, gift wrapping “landings” or reading nooks.

• Drop those chandeliers down, if they fall over a coffee table, it makes for a more visual entrance into the room.

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If you are renovating an older home built over 30 years ago, you may want to investigate a state tax-credit program — the north Carolina’s state Historic reha-bilitation tax Credit Program. essentially, the state pays you to remodel your home to ensure additions fit within the historical character of your home. many homeowners find the cost savings allow them to upgrade the finishes and scope of the project or at a minimum, as a reward for many years, for simply preserv-

ing the period details of your home. Here’s how it works - the state allows up to 30 percent of the reno-vation cost in state tax credits that are taken as tax deductions on your state income tax, for a five or ten year period. the historic structure’s rehabilitation must exceed $25,000 within a 24-month period (not too hard to do); the project may take longer than 24 months as long as $25,000 is spent within 24 consecutive months. the tax credits must be taken in equal annual installments beginning with the taxable year the project is completed. any unused credits from one year may be carried forward the next five years (for a total of ten years). Valerie Crockett, a dilworth client, has used the program twice – once 12 years ago for a kitchen remodel and again in 2010 for a bath renovation. she says obtaining the credit is seamless and simple. “the folks in raleigh are very helpful so it was an easy process with

hardly any work on my part,” Valerie says. “You just submit plans and interior and exterior photos before and after the renovations.” Keep in mind the credits cannot be claimed against the cost of acquisition, new additions, site work, or personal property. if you’re worried about reaching the $25,000 minimum to qualify, Valerie of-fers some handy tips. for instance, you can bundle together new heat-ing and air with a bathroom facelift to hit the mark. While you must conform to state regulations, you don’t have to do all “old-timey” renovations. You can go for a contemporary flair as long as you keep with the historic elements such as door panels, knobs, and mouldings. there’s really not much that can be regulated on the inside since there are not that many rules that dictate the inte-rior improvements. Particularly in this economy – or really any time – if you are planning on spending more than $25,000, you definitely need to investigate this program for substantial credits. it’s a win-win; you’re proactive in putting money in your own pocket and the government is able to ensure older neighborhoods maintain their charming character. What a wonderful feeling to know you are able to upgrade your home in both property value and to meet your individual style – in-side and outside – while being paid for doing so! v

As vice president for Andrew Roby, Trent Haston helps oversee a variety of custom residential construction projects. To learn more call them at 704-334-5477, or visit them on the Web at www.andrewroby.com to see more ideas and examples of their work. For more information about the tax credits visit www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/tchome.htm.

Tax Credits for RemodelingBuilding a Better Home

Trent Haston

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Photos courtesy of Neffworks Artography


Many homeowners find the cost

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t was a time marked by the end of 8-track tapes, the death of elvis and the introduction of the Walkman. from an interior design perspective, the 70s are remembered by shag rugs, bold colors, lava lamps, bean bag chairs, ikea and acrylic furniture. Here in Charlotte, it was the period of time marked by the opening of south Park mall (february 1970) and the growth of the surrounding neighborhoods. Generally speaking, things settled down a bit from the wild and crazy 60s. settling down a bit is exactly what susan adams

had in mind when she transformed her 1970s south Park home into a posh and chic urban oasis. With the help of interior designer and friend, tom long, she explains the journey and her vision.

Describe the condition of your home when you found it. the living and dining room were very dark because of all the wood and low ceilings from the loft above. the living room was also sunken so it did not have open free flow feel that i knew i wanted. the kitchen was completely separate from the living room and was very small and not as functional as it needed to be with my love of cooking. the ceilings were all the horrible popcorn texture, there was not sufficient lighting and me being an artist myself i need correct lighting to do my painting happily. the fireplace was too rustic for my taste with large river rock and antique wood beam mantel.

What did you want to change to the structure and why? everything! i needed a completely open floor plan and bigger kitchen.

How did you go about doing this? What was the process? this is where i am so happy to have met tom long. from that point we just started with what my ultimate idea was – which

While the 1960s are often remembered as a significant era of

cultural and social change in the united states, the 1970s are

often overlooked with that era’s contributions of style.



was to have a chic uptown loft feel. once we knew what the plan was we had to bring in a structural engineer in to make sure the kitchen wall could be opened and the floating staircase could happen.

How did the modern theme happen? it is the look i have always wanted. i appreciate the clean feel a modern space has and tom was really able to take my idea and make it even better than i could have expected.

Tell us about the materials that were used in the remodel. the maple floors left in the natural finish is really a stunning floor and very different from the dark chocolate chosen for most wood floors. the concrete stair treads on a floating staircase turned out to be a wonderful mix of weight and airy materials. the white walls were chosen to make the space as bright as possible but also to allow my colorful artwork to stand on their own and not have any competition. the custom stainless railing on the staircase and loft really made the industrial loft feel i wanted to be felt.

Describe how the interior design came to be. How long did this take? i knew i wanted the space to be chic, clean, bright, open, and one-of-a-kind. tom started with showing me floor plans, samples, colors, tiles, flooring, lighting fixtures, and the list goes on and on. this is a very intimidating but an exciting time, as it was hard for me to be able to see everything all together. but tom kept reassuring me it was going to be perfect and at that point i had to trust him and told him to go with it.

The light fixture in the dining room—wow! this is the show stopper! this was one of those pieces that it was the first and only option i was shown because it was the most perfect


piece to go over the dining table. i love to sit in the living room with only this fixture on and just admire it. i know people always say that a picture just does not do it justice, but when i saw it for the first time actually installed, i couldn’t believe this piece of art was hanging in my dining room.

Your house is filled with interesting artwork. What are the influences? art is one of my absolute loves. all of my pieces that i have in the house have spoken to me in one way or another. the artist that dominates my collection is a san diego-based artist named Heather roddy and her pieces just inspire me. the amount of color is stunning and she specializes in female forms showing a multitude of emotions

which can be felt when looking at the pieces. she is also my inspiration for my own paintings.

What are your favorite places to shop for things for your home? most of my furniture came from design Within reach. i like to decorate my closet as well and neiman marcus is always my top pick! a closet is never complete without some louis or Chanel!

What kind of furniture appeals to you? i love the clean-lined, modern look but it has to also be comfortable and inviting. i love unique pieces that i have not seen a hundred times

best of GUide 2011 Urban Home CHarlotte 47To see all the pictures from this home, visit www.urbanhomemagazine.com

before and as tom drilled into my head during all this it has to be timeless and with all things chosen and in place i now understand what he meant by that.

How did you go about accessorizing your home? i have learned it is all about simplicity and that makes the pieces you have special and not overwhelming to the senses.

What’s your favorite room in your home? my loft. this is the place i go to get away from everything and just relax. i can watch tV, gaze at the amazing chandelier, look out my windows at the trees, see my new fireplace, and simply enjoy my home.v

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Be creative. Gather ideas and elements that you love. many designers start with a mood board: a collection of colors, textures, clippings and photos that help paint a picture of your new space. include elements from nature or the world around you for inspiration—like classic architecture, seascapes or flower petals. Be daring. a transformation is dramatic by nature. if you truly dream of an open kitchen or a sleek, modern space, don’t limit yourself to simply updating cabinetry or a few appliances. Be thorough. it’s marvelous to choose everything from cabinetry to flooring to drawer handles. but also think about storage and how you want to use pots, pans and small appliances. be sure to plan ample space for dishes, cookware, pantry items, wine and beverages. Jenn-air, the brand that launched the world’s first downdraft cooktop, now offers luxury performance and premium design—including unique finishes and custom overlay—in every kitchen appliance. all feature innovative details that make cooking and entertaining a pleasure. for your complimentary copy of The Kitchen Transformed: A Guide to Inspire, visit jennair.com/inspire.v

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his style of home has design roots dating back to the 17th century. the design has consistently appealed

to generations of americans for its simplicity and charm and is beloved by many americans. typical layouts feature main floor living areas

with a living room, dining room and kitchen. today, this design still has broad appeal and despite its new england heritage, the style can be found throughout many older neighborhoods in

Charlotte. for one Charlotte couple, Heather and Gus obleada, they found the perfect Cape Cod in the historic elizabeth neighborhood and quickly set about to add yet another chapter to this cute home’s history with an updated style

and revised floor plan.

Describe the condition of your home when you found it? livable and dollhouse cute, 1,400-square feet, two bedrooms, one and a half baths, very 1930s tiny.

What did you want to change and why? We loved the character of the house, it had great bones. We wanted to make sure the house still said “elizabeth” but with more elbow room. the necessaries to change were the knob and tube lighting, the original plumbing, and the sinking foundation.

What was the process? the important things were keeping the cottage feel of the house while creating more elbow room, and preserving our two large oak trees in the back yard. Gus and i knew we wanted to use banister Homes. We came up with a rough sketch and presented it to banister. from there, Gus was in charge of making structural decisions and i was in charge of interior materials such as cabinets, countertops, hardware and

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everything else. ellen smith, banister Homes design coordinator, was my true blessing. Without her, i would not have known where to start. We met and i had lots of pictures and ideas, and she made it come to fruition. she would pick me up from work every thursday afternoon and we would shop for granite one week, faucets one week until every fixture was chosen. Without ellen i would probably still be shopping for light fixtures!

There is a lot of color in your home. Why did you decide to paint each room a different color? When we were first married we bought a townhome in third Ward. being very young, with no extra money for decorating, paint was my solution to personalizing our home. i instantly fell in love with the way different colors could really give a heartbeat to the house, and the passion has continued with me all these years later.

What are your favorite places to shop for things for your home? sleepy Poet, City supply, Classic attic, southend exchange, recycle boutique, lamp Place, design Upholstery, Crate and barrel and West elm.

What’s your decorating secret? buy things that make you smile. let your home be a reflection of you. it’s your home, you make the rules.v


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holidayBy Nancy Atkinson


Accent with red Psychologists say the color red generates energy and excitement. maybe that is why todd uses red to draw attention to his tables-capes. “the color red encourages people to eat and drink more and makes them feel like they’re being entertained,” he says. “this classic, traditional color is the perfect accent for holiday tables.”

Use Seasonal greenery todd recommends using a large arrangement of sea-sonal greenery for your table centerpiece. “the holidays are about bringing the outdoors in,” he says. “We do it with the tree, wreaths and greenery for mantles.” He uses pine, juniper, magnolia, boxwood and fresh-cut herbs in large dramatic arrange-ments for his tables.

Candles: The More the Merrier “i like to use as much candle-light energy as possible,” says todd. “Use a variety of candles – votives, floating candles, pillars and tapers – in random combinations to create your own candle garden. think what that reflective energy will bring to the room.”

Take the Food to New Heights if you are having a buffet, todd advises building the display on different levels to add interest and texture. “Put a serving piece on a riser hidden by table linens or use books or a basket turned upside down to create a sense of random height,” he says.

Personalize for a seated dinner, todd recommends making handmade place cards. “recycle last year’s Christmas cards,” he says. “Cut out graphics from the cards, punch holes in the card stock and weave pine needles, natural fibers or ribbons through. this gives the table a personal handmade touch and is a fun keepsake for guests.”

Make it Merry We all know the awkwardness of entering a party and wonder-ing where they’ve hidden the bar. todd makes sure guests enter the party with a drink in hand. “Put the cocktail table on the front porch,” he says,” or greet your guests at the door with a glass of wine or specialty drink poured for them.”

The All-white Bar todd loves red, but one of his favorite holiday ideas is all white. “Create a cocktail bar with an all-white theme,” he says. “White linens, white liquor, white wine, white soft drinks for mixers, sparking water, club soda. serve a specialty drink in a clear, sugar-rimmed glass. Have macadamia nuts and white cheeses at the bar – this becomes its own theme.” it also removes the fear that a guest will spill a glass of cabernet on your white sofa or rug.

your home is organized and decorated, you’re ready to host a holiday party your friends will never forget. Event Producer and Special Events Florist Todd Murphy, owner of Todd Murphy Events gives us ten tips for unforgettable party décor and entertaining, while Bonnie Warford, co-owner of Carpe Diem Restaurant and Caterers shares her menu for a delicious and stress-free cocktail party. Here’s to your best holiday entertaining ever. Cheers!

now that


Service with a Smile if the budget permits, hire one service person to handle the behind-the-scenes table work, freeing you to be the host or hostess with the mostest. “one multi-tasking service per-son can bartend, re-stock the food table, pass hors d’oeuvres, act as pick-up patrol and keep things moving so you can enjoy your party,” says todd.

invite Music to the Party Have either seasonal music or music from your favorite artists playing in the background. “the last thing you want to do is walk into a room that is silent,” says todd. “music adds an audio layer that ties everything together. it is amaz-ing how many people go through all the steps to create am-biance and forget this basic element.”

leave a lasting impression send guests home with a party favor to help them re-member the great time they had. “this can be as simple as a bag of paper white bulbs, some homemade chocolate chip cookies made by the kids, a bottle of wine, or a Cd of seasonal music,” he says. “it doesn’t have to be expensive, it is just the final touch that makes guests feel warm and fuzzy when they leave instead of let down that a great party is over.”

Tree clusters! i like to use three trees together in various sizes each embellished in similar room colors. Thin out the branches to let the light pour through. i add a tree in our playroom loaded with all the kid’s ornaments. Santa likes to visit that room (and i like to convenience of toys closer to their future home!)

if you are not a baker, like me, fill the air with a great product from “Scent air” (www.scentair.com). its motion censor turns on as you walk by filling the air with a custom fragrance… maybe gingerbread!

my favorite centerpiece is simply large, short, glass filled with cranberries and loose cut flow-ers you can change out.

— Beth KeimLucy & company

organizing the way you store your decorations at the end of this season will make decorating easier next year. pack items away carefully and label the storage containers with a list of the contents, where you used the items in your home, and the date you packed them up. if you used an extension cord to light up something pack it in with the item. You won’t have to re-think it all next year.

invest in pre-lit potted trees. They’ll sparkle in the night and can be used for parties all year long. add a bow around the base or place them in a basket according to the season.

— Susan Kooiman The peppermint Forest

every light in the house should be on a dimmer! clean up the kitchen clutter so you feel comfortable saying, ‘come talk to me while i’m cooking...’

i always remember the first tree i did using all white lights, pine cones, live magnolias blos-soms and springs of baby breath. it cost nothing and had a real ralph Lauren look. if you don’t have a magnolia tree, ask a neighbor!

—Rodney Hines The Furniture connector

decide what will be the focal point when deco-rating the room. it’s better to have one “wow” element like the tree or mantle than to have too many decorations spread all over the room.

organize a gift basket of small wrapped presents for each morning your guests will be visiting - candy, tea, lotions, cds all make inexpensive and easily transportable gifts. it’s a great way to start each day away from home!

—Todd Murphy Todd murphy events

Looking for some additional holiday decorating advice?Here are some helpful hints from the pros.


Charlotte restaurateur and caterer Bonnie Warford knows firsthand how busy the holidays can be. That’s why she offers us a menu featuring local artisan foods served cold or at room temperature, with many items that can be made in advance.

ThE MEnu

The Cocktail: Cranberry Caipiroskaingredients2 tb. macerated cranberries in syrupJuice of 1/2 lime1 orange wedge (1/6 orange)1.5 oz. of your favorite vodkaA splash of club soda

(1) Place the limejuice, orange wedge, and cranberries in a martini shaker. Muddle the fruit. Fill a rocks glass with cracked ice and transfer the ice to the shaker. (2) Add the vodka, and shake well. (3) Pour everything, including all the muddled fruit from the shaker, into the rocks glass. Add a splash of club soda if desired

Macerated Cranberries1 cup sugar1 cup water1 bag fresh or frozen cranberries3 oz. Vodka

Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan set over high heat. Add the cranberries and cook over medium heat until the cranberries start to split. remove from the heat, stir in the vodka and cool. This mixture can stay in the fridge for a couple of weeks. when you’re ready to use it, strain the syrup, reserving the cranberries for garnish/muddling.

The MenuCranberry Caipiroska (see recipe)roast pork tenderloin with a chimi-churri rub (see spice link) and NC mountain apple jam

Cheese platters with pecan crusted honey brie, goat cheese marinated in herbs and olive oil. Serve with sliced crusty bread.

Olli Salumeria’s Molisana Salami and Speck. Serve with local pickled veg-etables, olives, and peppers. Puff pastry stuffed with any kind of roasted veg-etables and a little aged gouda.

Barking Dog Chocolates and shot glasses of milk. Serve on a tray with some Dom B & B, Stoli Vanilla, and Kahlua.

CharcuterieBonnie re-invents the cheese plate to include some charcuterie (French for prepared meats including pates, pro-sciutto, salami and confit). “Change the shapes of the cheeses,” she says. “i like to cube brie, dip it into honey, then roll it in spiced pecans or walnuts and serve on a colorful pik.” She then adds artisan pickles, charcuterie from Olli Salumeria, and rustic breads from the Sunflour Baking Company on 7th street. “Have lots of little condiments like varieties of olives, pickles and spiced nuts to give you lots of color and visual appeal.”

Stuffed Puff Pastry“Choose some items like stuffed puff pastries that you can make in Novem-ber and freeze so you are prepared ahead of time,” says Bonnie. “if you don’t have time for this, purchase empty phyllo shells at Harris Teeter and make a filling. Pop these into the oven and serve.”

Tenderloin“Season a pork tenderloin with a spice rub and oven roast, then serve it at room temperature with a savory jam,” says Bonnie.

recipe resourcesFor this menu, she uses Barking Dog Chocolates in Charlotte (woofwoof-woof.org), Olli Salumeria in Virginia for the charcuterie (ollisalumeria.com) and her spices come from world Spice, a Seattle, washington company (world-spice.com/blends). She likes buying from local farmers whenever possible. “Don’t forget your farmers markets. The new Charlotte City Market opens in November and will be a great place to pick up local items like the pickles, jams, and breads.” you could also visit the Elizabeth Farmers Market, Atherton Market, Matthews Farmers Market, Mecklenburg County Market, or the Charlotte regional Farmers Market on yorkmont road.

Create anaRtisan tabLe

Barking Dog Chocolates ...................................704-333-1595 ...................... www.woofwoofwoof.orgCarpe Diem ..........................................................704-377-7976 ............www.carpediemrestaurant.comLucy and Company .............................................704-342-6655 ..................www.lucyandcompany.comSunflower Baking Company ............................704-900-5268 ................. www.sunflourbakingco.com

The Peppermint Forest .....................................704-358-8222 ................. www.peppermintforest.comThe Furniture Connector ..................................704-507-9023 ..........www.thefurnitureconnector.comTodd murphy Events .........................................704-333-3583 ...............www.toddmurphyevents.com

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hile there are traces of modernistic in some local

neighborhoods, generally speaking, the architecture here is traditional. but for many residents, the timeless and sleek lines of modernism and the bauhaus movement are highly desired.

such was the dilemma for one Charlotte couple, but they were fortunate to have worked with tom

long, a local interior designer, who is known for stepping outside the decorating box.

Describe the condition of your home when you found it. the house was built in 1940 and was a two-bedroom, one-bath house. it was slightly dated but in generally good and clean condition. the style was more ‘cottage’ than modern. initially we didn’t know if we would renovate immediately or live in the house for a while. Ultimately we decided to immediately renovate.

Tell us about how the modern theme of the house came to be. our house is small, so to create a feeling of spaciousness, we needed to keep things very simple and streamlined. We were both drawn to this decorating style and wanted to keep things simple. We wanted the space to be inviting and relaxed but chic.

Why did you make the material choices you did in the kitchen? it was tom’s idea to darken the floors and cabinetry to contrast with the marble countertops and backsplash. i had seen a magazine photo using the large slabs of marble as the backsplash and countertop and loved it. it looked very natural to me.

Describe how the interior design came to be. it’s a work in progress! We were able to buy many pieces from an estate sale and use a few family pieces, one being a stand up magnavox stereo that my parents bought new in 1960. it was our family stereo growing up. We had the record player repaired and now play our albums. it has a nice silky-smooth quality to the sound.

the clean and

sleek lines of

modernism and

the Bauhaus

movement and

its influence

over art,

architecture

and design, are

highly desired

decorating styles.



Tom Long – i took a quick walk through the house and knew exactly what i wanted to do. that was first to open the space up to allow a great flow of natural light and a natural movement through the space. the most important feature to the house for the client was a kitchen large enough to fit the 48 inch range. one other feature that is lacking in older homes is the very essential den. this was accomplished in the home by actually closing a doorway and making a very cozy place to watch tV while curled up in a very spacious U-shaped sectional upholstered in a soft yet amazingly durable ultra-suede. in the den the theme was relaxation. the drum pendants were chosen because there was no floor space for floor lamps and the clients love to read on the sofa so adequate lighting was essential. a custom-sized rug was used to fill as much of the room as possible to be soft

underfoot and keep the warm inviting look i desired. the saarinen side table i used in this room is one of my favorite pieces because of its classic and timeless look. the dining room had to function as both a formal dining room but also a place for casual dining. the chairs were an amazing find from a local estate sale, and are such an architectural statement piece. they were designed by frank Gehry for Knoll. the chandelier is beautiful but not overwhelming. the living room was designed as a formal conversation area. the two flanking sofas from my custom furniture line allow ample space for guests and have simple clean lines with a boxy base and large overstuffed throw pillows to soften the look. the fireplace is clad in a beautiful marble that actually has fossils embedded in the stone. i also love the buddha head statue beside the fireplace to give that calming Zen feel.


This house has a wonderful, carefree flow. At the same time, it’s elegant and chic. How did you achieve this balance? Tom Long – i used a very soothing and simple palette of colors with repeating elements throughout and maximized space for a very open feel while still retaining set purposes and boundaries for each room. i

chose calming neutrals because i always feel that colors should never be overwhelming. i am an avid believer in that color should be added with your accessories, such as throw pillows or art on your walls. also using neutrals of the same palette is important to use throughout a house because it allows a cohesive feel as you move from room to room.v

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11 South Urbana Bed by Lexington

Thinkingoutside the box

by Nancy Atkinson


if finding this modern architectural gem in a

charlotte neighborhood right off providence road

surprises you, it might interest you to know that

north carolina has the third most modernist houses

in the nation (bested only by los angeles and chicago).



hankfully, dedicated visionaries like homeowners Chris and lee Gregson are preserving livable sculptures like this one. With the help of two local architects they took this

mid-century modern home from 1,800- to 4,500- square feet, improving the space while maintaining the principles of its original organic architecture. Urban Home magazine talked with the couple about their journey.

How did you find yourselves in this unique post-modern home? We bought the home originally because we needed a yard for our st. bernard. the renovation has been 10 years in the making, with three different phases. lee and i now

have a different dog and two children, ages 8 and 10.

What did it look like when you found it? it was a simple ranch home, built around 1953. no one had lived in it for a year. the woman who owned it before us had lived in new orleans, so there was a lot of wrought iron on the house and fountains in the yard – we counted 10!

You must have liked what you saw. Yes. lee and i both have an appreciation for mid-century modern homes. the house was carpeted throughout when we found it but we were lucky that when we lifted up a corner, we found hardwoods. lee was pregnant when we moved in and began our first phase, which was do-it-yourself.

When did your vision begin to take shape? When we brought our daughter home from the hospital we really started thinking about what we wanted to do with the house. We redid the bathrooms and knocked out a dining room wall. then we hired architect fred Gregory. it was fred’s decision to leave the roofline and explode it out into a series of cubes, with windows that give the house a mediterranean or asian feel. the house looks like a Japanese lantern when it’s lit up at night. Unfortunately fred lost his battle with cancer in 2005 before work was completed on the house.

You had two architects on the house. Did they share the same vision? architect dee blackburn came on after fred. she blended his ideas seamlessly with her own. dee designed the 20-foot board-cast concrete wall that runs from the library up to the second floor. the second-story master suite is a loft that runs the length of the house. the cube-shaped windows upstairs give you the feeling of being in a tree house; every window frames a part of nature.

Ten years is a long time to renovate a home. Was that challenging? at first we had trouble sourcing the contemporary furnishings we liked. We would drive back from atlanta with toilets in the car. but the design industry in Charlotte has evolved in the past 10 years. now when we source something we can go find it here in town.

Were there construction nightmares? the cement wall was our biggest challenge. it took three tries to get it right. it was a mix of luck and exasperation that it worked on the third


attempt. the wall is beautiful when the light changes. it can look cold in the morning but as the day goes on you can see the striations in it and the organic material, the wood.

There are a lot of contemporary homes in the neighborhood, but your home is a standout. Are the neighbors jealous? the neighbors were a little unsettled at first. they thought we were building a gas station. but as it started coming together people became intrigued. our neighborhood is different – a lot of architects and interior decorators live here and they appreciate this style.

The interior is warm and livable. Surprising for such a modern home. lee did 100 percent of the interior herself, so the warmth comes from her. i also think it helps that we have lived in the home for so long now and we know how it works.

The interior is spectacular. It’s hard to believe you are not an interior designer. i don’t have a background in interior design, but i do believe the interior of your home should reflect who you are as a person. i will search for a year or two to find something i love for the house, because finding that perfect thing is the best part for me – it’s what i look forward to the most.

The light fixtures are stunning focal points. We picked the cocoon light in the library light before we did the addition and built around it. i found it at design With reach (dWr). it’s designed by marcel Wanders and made in italy by flos. spray-on resin stretches over the chandelier arms and bulbs. the chandelier in the dining room is called Cellula and is also from dWr. different shapes and sizes of swavorski crystals hang on a wire draped over a metal bar. the coffee

table, designed by eva Zeisel, is another dWr find. the curved, feminine lines complement the cocoon light and soften the architecture in the library.

The architecture is linear, but nothing about your home feels cold or minimalist. the window design is an art element in itself. at first i was unsure about adding too many elements to the room because i didn’t want to take away from that. i collected things i liked throughout the entire renovation. i found the wing back chairs and some of the other items in the library at the flea market. i think that adds to the personal and eclectic feel.

The floor plan is open and yet there are also personal spaces. this home has large communal spaces, yet separate private spaces as well. the house is warm and lived in and having kids has helped with that. the kids run around in this house all day long.

Having such great art in the house must inspire you every day. We have collected separate pieces over the years, mostly from north Carolina artists. the mixed media collages are by local artist Charlotte foust.

What was your secret to pulling this great design together? Years of ripping out pages in magazines like elle décor and metropolitan Home.

Congratulations on creating a beautiful home. Now people will be pulling pictures of your design out of this magazine.v

Interestedå in learning more about North Carolina’s modernist houses? Check out Triangle Modernist Houses at www.trianglemodernisthouses.com, a nonprofit documenting, preserving and promoting residential modernist architecture and Historic Charlotte at www.historiccharlotte.org.

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Business Type Company phone Web Siteappliances Jenn Air 800-536-6247 www.jennair.comart galleries Red Sky Gallery 704-377-6400 www.redskygallery.comBuilding materials Norandex 704-377-5443 www.everlastclading.comcustom Home Builder Benham Builders 704-847-3900 www.benhambuilders.com Schultz Custom Homes 704-281-8496 http://nc-bldr.com/ Zar Custom Homes 704-843-8447 www.zarcustomhomes.comgeneral contractor Advanced Renovations 704-799-3999 www.advancedrenovations.com Andrew Roby Inc 704-334-5477 www.andrewroby.com B & E Construction 704-634-8033 www.mybeconstruction.com DP Contracting 704-970-7268 www.dpcontracting.net Urban Building Group 704-307-4606 www.ubgcharlotte.comHome audio Bang & Olufsen 704-372-7375 www.bang-olufsen.com/southendHome energy products Energy One 704-504-5635 www.energyonecarolinas.comHome Furnishings and accessories BedSide manor 704-442-4006 www.bedsidemanor.com City Supply 704-347-2489 www.citysupplycharlotte.com Classic Attic 704-521-3750 www.classicattic.biz Distinctive Fabrics & Furniture 704-895-6275 www.distinctivefabricsandfurniture.com French Heritage 704-529-1288 www.frenchheritage.com Front Door Fabrics 704-844-6330 www.frontdoorfabrics.com Hearth & patio 704-909-2420 www.thehearthandpatio.com Innbo Furniture 704-995-6120 www.innbofurniture.com Lucy & Company 704-342-6655 www.lucyandcompany.com Metro 704-375-4563 www.metroformodern.com Peppermint Forest 704-358-8222 www.peppermintforest.com Sedona Boutique 704-362-5507 www.sedonaboutique.com Stark Carpet 704-588-8842 www.starkcarpet.com The Furniture Connector 704-507-9023 www.thefurnitureconnector.com Interior motives 704-756-8424 www.interiormotives.ws Sofa Shack 704-525-7792 www.sofa-shack.com High Cotton Home 704-335-1220 www.facebook.com/highCottonhome Stickley Furniture 704-442-7171 www.stickleyaudi.comHome organziation Carolina Custom Spaces 704-812-1209 www.carolinacustomspaces.com Closets by Design 704-588-7272 www.closetsbydesign.comkitchen and Bath Bistany Design 704-375-8322 www.bistanydesign.com Cosentino 704-574-1624 www.cosentinonorthamerica.com Crossville Tile & Stone 704-470-9037 www.crossvilletileandstone.com e3 Cabinets 704-812-1201 www.e3cabinets.com Harkey Tile & Stone 704-334-0512 www.harkeytileandstone.com Hughes Supply 704-892-6466 www.hdshowrooms.com Instyle 704-665-8880 www.instylecharlotte.com NKBA Carolinas Chapter 704-373-0308 http://nkbacarolinas.com/ Stone Systems of NC 704-238-1659 www.stone-systems.com Tile Collection, Inc 704-541-8453 www.tilecollection.comLighting and accessories Unique Lighting Showplace 704-553-1341 www.uniqueshowplace.commortgages Sun Trust Mortgage 704-651-8377 www.suntrustmortgage.com/dwoldmanoutdoor Living Biggers Lawn & Landscape 704-888-4789 www.biggerslandscape.com Carolina pool King 704-450-3191 www.carolinapoolking.com Custom Land Design 704-333-5815 www.customlanddesign.com Falling Water pools 704-723-4774 www.fallingwaterpools.com morgan Landscape Group 704-588-2292 www.morganlandscapegroup.com pool By Design 704-333-7446 www.poolbydesign.com Sunmar Construction, Inc 704-930-1250 www.sunmarconstruction.com The Stone Man 704-616-7948 www.stonemanrocks.comSpeciality entry doors Clark Hall Doors by Design 704-987-0777 www.clarkhalldoors.com The Looking Glass 803-329-2270 www.thelookingglass.wsSpeciality mouldings Driwood Moulding Co 843-669-2478 www.driwood.com

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