Current issue homes by

OCTOBER|NOVEMBER|2010

4S T Y L I S H Y E T C O M F O R T A B L E

DECOR|GARDEN|TRAVEL

Living RoomsCreate a SpaceThat GraciouslyWelcomes Guests


Living RoomsCreate a SpaceThat GraciouslyWelcomes Guests

Zondra Brandon123 Main StreetAnytown, ID 54321123-456-7890123-456-7890info@bydesignpublishing.comwww.bydesignpublishing.com

DEAR SUBSCRIBER,

Following a summer season that you may have spent traveling,soaking up the sun, or hosting backyard barbecues, autumnbegins its slow arrival with cooler temperatures and a return toregular schedules. Fall staples like football games, trips to theorchard, and the start of another school year provide a changeof pace that fits with the change of seasons. Life seems to slowdown a bit as we get back into the rhythm of everyday living.

In this issue of Home By Design, we focus on living rooms, theareas of our homes where we gather together with family andfriends. Throughout the following pages, we showcase fourliving room designs that strike a perfect balance betweencomfort and style. We also take an armchair tour of Woodinville,Washington, a region located just minutes from downtownSeattle that is flourishing with boutique wineries. You will findinspiration for creating stunning container gardens withsucculents, those jewels of the dry-climate garden. Alsoincluded in this issue is a savory trio of soup and sandwichpairings that are sure to suit your fall mood.

As always, thank you for your business, loyalties, and referrals.If you are ever in need of professional assistance or adviceregarding your home and the current real estate market, pleasedo not hesitate to call. You can be assured that your needs willbe met with the utmost integrity and professionalism.

“ A HAPPY L I F E MUST BE TO A

GREAT EXTENT A quiet L I F E , FORI T I S ONLY IN AN ATMOSPHERE

OF QU I ET THAT TRUE JOY

DARE L I VE .”

-Bertrand Russell

MOMENTSPh

otograph

yprovidedby

©iStockph

oto.c

om/Paw

elGau

l.

-Austin O’Malley

harvest of a Quiet eye.”“Happiness is the

HOME BY DESIGN|OCTOBER|NOVEMBER 2010 1

ContentsOCTOBER|NOVEMBER|2010

DEPARTMENTS1 Moments

4 Inspirations:A Fresh Look for Fall

5 Letter fromthe Editor

6 In the Kitchen:Soup and Sandwich PairingsChappellet Vineyard & Winery

12 Lifestyle:Fighting the Flu

14 Gardening:Succulents

44 Destination:Woodinville, Washington

48 Resources

Photograph

yprovidedby

RonZim

merman

.

FEATURES

LIVING ROOMS

18 Open-Loft Living

24 Current-Day Camelot

30 Curve Appeal

34 A Jewel of a Room

38 Whole House:Early-American Beauty

44Just minutes from downtownSeattle, Woodinville, Washington,is brimming with sights to see.Shown here, the Herbfarm, amuch-lauded restaurant withmulticourse menus that dazzle.

2 HOME BY DESIGN|OCTOBER|NOVEMBER 2010

EDITORAmber Lindros

DESIGN Lindsay Fournier

CREATIVE TEAM Lori K. Gregory, Lori Hartmann,Jason Rebuck, CourtneyTruebenbach

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERSNicole Borgenicht,Robyn Roehm Cannon, KimA. Fuqua,Ashley Gartland,Maresa Giovannini, Jeanine Matlow, Blake Miller

COVER PHOTOGRAPHDavid Blank

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERSDebra Lee Baldwin,David Blank, Benjamin Benschneider, ChappelletVineyard&Winery, Connor Homes/JimWestphalen Photography,Suzanne Farmer, Peter RymwidArchitectural Photography,Scott Moore Photography,William Lesch Photography,BarryWong, Ron Zimmerman

PUBLISHER By Design Publishing

PRESIDENT Adam Japko

V.P. OF OPERATIONS Belinda Richardson

PROGRAMMING Bill Baker, Dan Fritscher,Todd Neumiller

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER EsteeVedder

ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE11626Tracey Road, Hayden, ID 83835208-772-8060, FAX 208-772-8061

Advertising Inquiries: [email protected] Inquiries or Feedback: [email protected]

Real-estate agents, mortgage lenders, or anyone interested in usingHome By Design in marketing plans should contact our sales office at877-423-4567 or visit ourWeb site at www.HomeByDesign.com.Home By Design is a complete custom publisher with many options to helpyou promote your business. If you are interested in more informationabout your own customized magazine or marketing program, pleasecontact us at our sales office.

Copyright 2010Network Communications Inc.All Rights Reserved.

Recipients of Home By Design magazine receive their subscription as a freegift of a real-estate professional, mortgage lender, or other professionalservice provider.The Home By Design magazine program is an exclusivemarketing program created by By Design Publishing. By Design Publishinghas contracted with its professional clients to provide this free subscriptionto you.By Design Publishing has contracted with these professionals that ByDesign Publishing will not use the supplied mailing list for any purposesother than to mail copies of Home By Design magazine and other Home ByDesign communication products.Your name and address information willnever be leased, sold, traded, or used for any other purposes.

For more information on our mailing list policy or for more informationon By Design Publishing and our Home By Design custom publishingprogram, please contact us at 208-772-8060.

Home By Design magazine is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is notintended to solicit other brokers’ listings. If you are currently working with or incontract with another broker, please disregard this information.


Sleek tea-light holders crafted frombamboo cast a warm glow after dark.

BAMBOO DELIGHTSwww.branchhome.com

These minimalist mouth-blowncarafes elevate the sophistication

of even the simplest drink.FIA CARAFE

www.designhousestockholm.com

Get personalized advice for pullingtogether a mishmash room fromCanadian interior designerLaura M. Stein.DESIGN DELIVEREDwww.design-delivered.com

F R E S H L O O K

F O R F A L L

INSPIRATIONS

Light on its feet and ready forcompany, this elegant armchairshowcases graceful Empirecurves perfect for traditional orcontemporary rooms.PIROUETTE CHAIRwww.crateandbarrel.com

Cozy into Autumn with One of These Inspired Finds

Take wall sconces to a whole newlevel with these handcarvedarchitectural artifacts rescued fromthe ruins of old houses in India.VERY OLDSTONE WALL LAMPwww.wisteria.com


II recently moved into a new home. As much asthis brings me excitement, it also overwhelms me. Many ofyou who love a good design challenge can probably empathize.While I love starting fresh in a space and slowly letting the de-sign evolve—mixing old with new, traditional with modern—it’s also hard for me to sit still when work could be done.So I’ve started with redesigning the living room. I have

grand dreams of what this room may one day become: a placefor gathering with family, for entertaining our dearest friends,and for just simply relaxing after a long day. For now, though,it’s barely free of moving boxes. Being surrounded by photosof impeccable homes every day, I find it can be difficult to havepatience with myself as I redesign a room, searching for thatperfect lamp or the coffee table that’s just right for the space.I’ve even resorted to layering rugs in our new home in orderto make a too-small-for-the-space cable rug still play a star-ring role in our new decor. (Try a larger sisal rug underneathif you’re faced with a similar problem—it works wonders.)And as I fill in the layers of curtains, throw pillows, and side ta-bles, I’m reminded that we can’t have it all at once.So this issue, instead of an encouragement to strive for

flawless interiors, I encourage you to have a little patiencewith yourself. Good designs don’t happen overnight. As I’vefound, they are a beautiful and storied process that maytake a bit longer than you’d like, but have the staying powerto last a lifetime.

Enjoy!

Greetings!LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Amber LindrosEditor, Home By Design


INTHE KITCHEN

A SAVORY TRIOOF SOUP ANDSANDWICH PAIRINGS

Written By Kim A. FuquaPHOTOGRAPHY BY SUZANNE FARMERFOOD STYLING BY LORI K. GREGORY

THESE SUBSTANTIAL UNIONS ARE SURE TO SUIT YOUR FALL FOOD MOOD

Cuban Sandwich withBaked Potato Soup

Grilled Chicken and Feta Wrapwith Mushroom Soup

Grilled Portobello and MozzarellaBurger with Hearty Veggie Soup


F

INTHE KITCHEN

For those fall nights when you don’t want to invest alot of time in dinner but still want to serve something substantialand savory, this menu of soup and sandwich pairings is just theticket.With a few time-saving measures, all three of these comboscan be ready in less than an hour. Flavorful Cuban Sandwiches areready to serve in a flash, pairing perfectly with family-friendlyBaked Potato Soup; save an hour by cooking the potatoes in themicrowave, using canned diced potatoes, or baking and coolingthe potatoes in advance.In just 45 minutes you can be enjoying healthy Grilled Chicken

and FetaWraps along with a bowl of the most delectable (and de-cidedly unhealthy) Mushroom Soup you’ve ever tasted.Have 30 minutes? You can have Grilled Portobello and Moz-

zarella Burgers on the table paired with a steaming bowl of HeartyVeggie Soup. Spend 10 minutes prepping the soup in the morningand leave it simmering in the crock pot on low all day; it will beready for dinner when you are.


INTHE KITCHEN

Cuban SandwichIt’s relatively easy to find a greatCuban sandwich in South Florida, whichis where my own addiction to this sandwichwas born. Here’s a simple recipe forduplicating this Latin American staple inyour own kitchen.

Servings: 4Prep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 5 minutes

1 loaf Cuban bread (or French bread)butter, softenedyellow mustarddill pickles, thinly sliced

1 pound roasted pork, sliced1 pound glazed ham, sliced½ pound Swiss cheese, sliced2 tablespoons olive oil

Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwiseand cut into four sections to make foursandwiches. Lightly butter the outsidecrusts. In order, layer each sandwichwith yellow mustard, dill pickles,roasted pork, glazed ham, and Swisscheese.Top with the other half of bread.

Heat olive oil over medium heat in alarge frying pan. Place the sandwiches inthe pan. Place a heavy iron skillet on topof the sandwiches and flatten. Grill thesandwiches for 2 to 3 minutes on eachside, until the cheese is melted and thebread is lightly toasted. Slice eachsandwich in half diagonally and serve.

Baked Potato SoupThis mixture is just like a baked potato with allthe trimmings—butter, bacon, green onions,cheddar cheese, and sour cream—in achunky, savory soup the whole family will love.Save a little cheese and bacon for garnish.


⅔ cup butter⅔ cup flour7 cups whole milk4 large baking potatoes, baked,

cooled, peeled, and cubed,about 4 cups

4 green onions, thinly sliced10 strips bacon, cooked, drained,

and crumbled1¼ cups cheddar cheese, shredded1 cup sour cream

½ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon pepper

Melt the butter in a large soup pot overlow heat.Whisk in flour until smoothand bubbly. Slowly whisk in milk,stirring constantly, until sauce has thick-ened. Add potatoes and green onions.Continue to cook, whisking constantly,until soup begins to bubble. Reduceheat and simmer gently for 10 minutes.Add remaining ingredients and stir untilcheese is melted. Ladle into soup bowlsand garnish each with a little shreddedcheese and bacon crumbles.

In a Hurry? Three ways to cut timefrom cooking the potatoes in thisrecipe: 1. Substitute 3 cans of peeled,diced potatoes for the bakers, or 2.Bake the potatoes in advance to save anhour of prep time, or 3. Cook thepotatoes in the microwave.

Grilled Chicken and Feta WrapLike a Greek gyro sandwich with tomato,cucumber, and onion, this wrap gets a healthytwist with a whole wheat tortilla and grilledchicken instead of lamb. Make good use of aleftover grilled chicken breast for this recipe.

Servings: 4Prep Time: 15 minutes

1 red onion, sliced thin1 large tomato, cut into thin wedges1 cucumber, sliced into thin half-moons1 grilled chicken breast, shredded4 ounces crumbled feta cheese⅓ cup Italian dressing4 whole wheat tortillas

Mix together all ingredients exceptdressing and tortillas.Warm tortillas inthe microwave and divide filling betweenthe four tortillas. Spoon a little dressingover each. Roll up each stuffed tortilla tomake a wrap and slice in half diagonally.

Saucy Twist: UsingTzatziki—a Greekyogurt and cucumber sauce—instead ofItalian dressing is also delicious. Find agood store-bought version at yourgrocer in the dairy section.

Mushroom SoupThis soup recipe is old-school French andthereby pretty high in fat content. If youprefer, cut the fat by using half the butterand substituting milk for the half-and-half.Either way, you may want to double therecipe—it’s that good!


½ stick of butter1 small onion, diced½ pound thinly sliced mushrooms

(button and baby portobello work well)4 tablespoons flour1 cup beef broth

kosher saltfreshly ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg1 bay leaf2 cups half-and-half¼ cup sherry

Melt butter over medium heat in a heavysaucepan.When foam subsides, add onionand sauté until golden.Add mushroomsand sauté until brown. Stir in flour andthen slowly whisk in broth.Add salt, pep-per, nutmeg, and bay leaf. In a separatesaucepan, heat half-and-half to a simmerand then slowly whisk into soup. Simmeron low heat for 10 minutes.Whisk in thesherry, remove the bay leaf, and serve.

Grilled Portobelloand Mozzarella BurgerPour a little steak sauce on top and youwon’t miss the meat in this hearty burger!


Wine PairingA Barbera d’Asti has the lively acidity tobalance the richness of the creamypotato soup and the saltiness of theCuban sandwich.

Wine PairingChoose a Pinot grape here, though thecolor is up to you: Pinot Noir will pairwith the earthy mushroom soup, whilePinot Gris will go well with the gardenvegetables in the chicken pita. Try both!


INTHE KITCHEN

Cuban Sandwich Baked Potato Soup

Grilled Chicken and Feta Wrap Mushroom Soup


INTHE KITCHEN

2 large balls fresh mozzarella2 teaspoons olive oil2 tablespoons dried basil1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar2 portobello mushrooms,

stems removed, caps sliced inhalf horizontally

1 large red bell pepper, sliced into4 long pieces

4 ciabatta rollssteak sauce (optional)

Combine fresh mozzarella, oliveoil, dried basil, chives, and balsamicvinegar in a blender. Blend untilsmooth; set aside.

Grill or broil the mushrooms about 3minutes per side or until tender. Grillor broil peppers until tender and lightlybrowned, about 5 minutes per side.

Lightly toast the rolls on the grill or inthe broiler and spread the mozzarella

mixture evenly on the bottom of eachroll. Cover with a mushroom slice and apiece of red pepper.Top with a littlesteak sauce if you like.Assemble, slicein half, and serve immediately.

Hearty Veggie SoupI’ve been making this soup for years, thoughnever quite the same way each time. Useyour favorite vegetables, legumes, and/orgrains to make it your own.

Servings: 4Prep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 4 hours

4 cups vegetable stock (or chickenstock, if preferred)

½ teaspoon oregano½ teaspoon basil½ teaspoon celery salt

pinch of thymepinch of tarragonpinch of ground mustard

2 bay leavessea saltfreshly ground black pepper, to taste

8 cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce1 16-ounce package frozen

spinach, thawed1 pound green beans, trimmed2 stalks celery, chopped½ yellow onion, sliced1 32-ounce can stewed tomatoes½ head of cabbage, torn into

2-inch pieces1 15.5-ounce can white beans

chili powder, to tasteTabasco sauce, to taste

Bring the stock to a boil in a large souppot.Add all ingredients and simmer forat least 4 hours.

Protein Twist:Add ½ cup dry lentils orbarley for an additional protein boost.

Grilled Portobello and Mozzarella Burger Hearty Veggie Soup


Wine PairingA Sangiovese with plum and spicenotes will complement the earthiness ofboth the portobello mushrooms andthe vegetable soup.

WINTHEKITCHEN

Tasting NotesJoin Us as We Journey through the World of Wine

2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay2007 Mountain Cuvee

2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

While other storied Napa Valley wineries werebeing founded throughout the valley in the late 1960s,Donn and Molly Chappellet chose the road less traveledand planted on the hills—Pritchard Hill specifically.This decision, based on advice from legendarywinemakerAndréTchelistcheff, was further encouragedby the notion that Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, lovedthe hills and that the mountain fruit would make superiorwine. And indeed, since that time, Chappellet Vineyard&Winery has made a name for itself by producing note-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects the distinctivecharacteristics of Pritchard Hill.Today, a dedicated second generation of the Chappel-

let family has joined Donn and Molly in guiding Chap-pellet and,with a commitment to pursuing sustainability,they have incorporated a number of environmentallyminded practices into the winery’s operations. Amongthem, they are striving to protect the natural integrity ofPritchard Hill by cultivating vines on only a small por-tion of their property (16%); they rely solely on capturedrun-off water for irrigation; and they have switched to alighter, domestically produced bottle for housing thePritchard Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.All these ingredients result in beautiful wines that rep-

resent the bold characteristics of hillside-grown NapaVal-ley fruit.While the winery makes many cult CabernetSauvignons that find homes in collectors’ cellars as a fittingaccompaniment to a celebratorymeal,Chappellet also pro-duces other varietals and blends worth noticing.The 2008Napa Valley Chardonnay, produced from fruit grown inKelly Ranch, one of the coolest regions in the valley, is afantastic wine, showing notes of green apple,pineapple, andcitrus in the glass.On the palate, refreshing flavors of lemonand pineapple mingle with a layer of oak and nutmeg thatlingers through the long, round finish.The Mountain Cuvee, a winemaker’s blend in the tra-

ditional Bordeaux style, is a full, rich wine that beautifully

fills the mouth with fruit. Crafted around a core of Caber-net Sauvignon andMerlot (51% and 46%,respec-tively), the blend is rounded out by 1% each ofMalbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot.Aromas of currant and plum,under shadowed bydimension-adding tones of black licorice, fill theglass, with oak showing up as it opens. On thepalate, we tasted strawberries, watermelon, andcurrants, with a perfect pinch of pepper toprovide a backbone through the full finish.But in getting to know Chappellet’s wines,

you’d be remiss not to taste its SignatureCabernet Sauvignon. It’s been the win-ery’s flagship wine for more thanthirty years, and with good reason.This wine is a deep red color, almostresembling black cherry in the centerof the glass, fading slightly to abright-red cranberry color aroundthe edges.We smelled cranberriesand blackberries in the glass, alongwith just a dash of earthy dirt.A sipof the wine brought full red-fruit fla-vors and one of the longest consis-tent finishes we’ve ever tasted; onesip could last for days.This is an in-tense, smooth yet powerful wine(14.9% alcohol) that is bursting withacidity yet subtly laced with tannins.It would make an apt partner for anumber of hearty meals. Demand forthis wine is high—the winery hasalready sold out of the 2007—sobe sure to pick up a bottle of the 2008to secure your own taste of CabernetSauvignon from one of the NapaValley’s finest producers.

CHAPPELLET VINEYARD &WINERYWritten By Amber LindrosPHOTOGRAPHY BY CHAPPELLET VINEYARD & WINERY


F IGHT INGFLU

Written By Ashley GartlandSTAY HEALTHY THROUGH THE FALL WITH THESE TIPS FOR WELLNESS

THE

LIFESTYLE

BBy the time you feel the symptoms—those headachesand muscle aches, that dry cough and sore throat, and that peskyrunny nose—your case of the flu is well underway.There’s lit-tle you can do at that point except rest up and ride the virusout. But once you’re back to good health, there’s plenty youcan do to prevent another bout of the flu. And with any luck,practicing preventive measures early on might keep you fromfalling ill in the first place.Start by getting a flu vaccine.Then, further protect yourself

with tried-and-true tactics like washing your hands frequentlyand getting plenty of rest. By taking a proactive approach tostaying well, you’ll likely be flu-free all winter long. So let thesniffling season begin—armed with these preventive tips, youmight not even need the Kleenex this year.

Get a Flu VaccineMake a habit of getting a yearly flu shot as soon as it’s

available, which is generally in September of each year.Thoughthe shot isn’t a guarantee against getting the flu, the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rank it as the firstand most important step you should take if you hope to avoidthe flu virus. The CDC also recommends that everyone agesix months and older be vaccinated—especially individuals atrisk of developing serious flu complications.Young children,the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with chronic healthconditions such as asthma or heart and lung disease fall intothe at-risk group.

Prevent the Spread of GermsThose lessons you learned about keeping your germs to your-

self in kindergarten will still serve you well in preventing thespread of the flu today.To decrease the spread of germs, alwayscover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough orsneeze (and toss that germ-laden tissue in the trash immediatelyafter you use it). If you do not have a tissue to use, cover yourmouth with your hands and then wash those germs off immedi-ately. Finally, try to keep your hands to yourself whenever possi-ble.According to the CDC,people often spread germswhen theytouch something that is contaminated with germs and then touchtheir eyes, nose, or mouth.

Keep Your Hands CleanDuring flu season,wash your hands often and well with soap

and warm running water.To clean your hands properly, youneed to wash them in a generous lather for about twenty sec-onds (that’s about two rounds of the Happy Birthday song).When soap and water aren’t available, utilize the germ-fight-ing properties of gel sanitizers or wipes to keep your handsclean.And though most adults know when to wash their hands,here’s a refresher: always clean your hands before preparing oreating food; after handling any garbage; after going to the bath-room or helping a child go to the bathroom; after blowing yournose, coughing, or sneezing; and before and after caring forsomeone who is sick.

Avoid ContactThe best route to flu prevention is to avoid close contact

with anyone who has the flu. But among work, home, and thevarious public places you frequent each day, it’s nearly impos-sible to avoid contact with sick people altogether.Your best op-tion is to limit your exposure to sick individuals as much aspossible based on your obligations.When you’re the one who’s fallen ill, be a responsible

family member, friend, and coworker and limit your interac-tion with healthy individuals. If possible, stay home from work,school, and any social obligations when you are sickto keep people around you from catching your virus. In gen-eral, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at leasttwenty-four hours after your fever breaks to help prevent avirus from spreading.

Maintain a Healthy LifestyleMany of the tricks to preventing the flu apply to leading a

healthy life in general.Taking measures like getting plenty ofsleep (at least seven solid hours a night keeps your immune sys-tem strong) and engaging in regular exercise can help keep youwell all winter. Studies have even shown that the more yousleep, the less likely you are to get sick with the flu. It’s also im-portant to manage the stress in your life because stress hor-mones depress immunity. Furthermore, make sure you drinkplenty of fluids to keep your body well-hydrated, and try to in-corporate nutritious, immune-boosting foods like yogurt, sweetpotato, and fish into your meals.

No one trick is foolproof, but together, these preventivemeasures will help your body ward off a bug.

Photograph

yprovidedby

©iStockph

oto.c

om/L

eighSchind

ler.


J EWEL S OF THEDRY-CL IMATE GARDEN

Written By Robyn Roehm CannonPHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA LEE BALDWIN

CREATE STUNNING CONTAINER GARDENS WITH WATER-WISE SUCCULENTS

GARDENING


GARDENING

EEach year at the Northwest Flower & Garden Showheld in Seattle, the nation’s best speakers and authors ongardening topics gather to inspire, educate, entertain,and encourage show-goers to try new things during theupcoming gardening season.So it was with an eye toward learning more about gardening

with hundreds of varieties of succulents that I attended award-winning garden writer Debra Lee Baldwin’s presentation onher new book, Succulent Container Gardens: Design Eye-CatchingDisplays with 350 Easy-Care Plants.Many clients for whom I design residential gardens wish to

lower their care and water requirements or have restrictedspace on small patios or decks. So this seemed like a perfectway to answer their concerns, while bringing lively plant com-binations together with beautiful containers, offering all thepleasures of in-ground gardening at a more relaxed pace.“If you are time stressed, are frequently away from home,

or have limited mobility, succulents enable you to garden onyour own terms,” comments Baldwin. She no longer bothersneighbors to tend her container gardens while she is away be-cause succulents can easily survive several weeks without any at-tention whatsoever! If all this sounds like a gardener’s dream,read on, because there are so many options available with suc-culent varieties. “Overall,” Baldwin says, “I’ve found no otherplants to be as trouble-free.”Not everyone is as fortunate as Baldwin, who gardens

in southern California’s balmy USDA zone 10, which is oneof the reasons she wrote this colorfully photographed bookon container gardens.“Readers of my first book, Designing with Succulents, have

shownme that people everywhere are eager to grow these easy-care plants,” says Baldwin. “But many beautiful succulents—such as kalanchoes fromMadagascar, aeoniums from the CanaryIslands, and Haworthias from SouthAfrica—are frost tender andthrive outdoors year-round only in zones 9 and 10. Containerculture offers an ideal solution: anyone, anywhere, can growsucculents in pots, which can be sheltered indoors.”Also, gar-dening in containers allows you to take your treasured speci-mens with you, should you move to another home one day.Baldwin’s book is neatly divided into four parts to take you

from novice to seasoned enthusiast. In Part One, you’ll learnhow to select containers that will enhance the wide variety ofsculptural, strongly designed leaf shapes offered by this genus.PartTwo presents a specialized palette of more than one hun-dred genera, 275 species, and ninety varieties of succulents thatare perfect for growing in containers. PartThree showcases un-usual ways that designers use succulents, from patio groupings,wreaths, and topiaries to vertical gardens hung on walls like

living art canvases. Part Four is dedicated to the care and feed-ing of succulent gardens, including information on judiciouswatering, overwintering, recognizing pests, and how to takecuttings and start seeds to share the joy of succulents with gar-den-loving friends.Below are some highlights from this inspiring book, a valu-

able addition to any library whose owner has interest in work-ing with unusual plants in creative ways:

•Apply the principles of contrast and repetition for remarkableresults. One agave in a pot is fine, but there’s architecturalstrength and beauty in numbers. Think about building adramatic garden wall with twenty or more of the sameplants in the same type of pot, each held in place withdecorative metal potholders.

• Evaluate a succulent for its defining characteristics—color,form, and leaf texture—and keep them in mind as you shopfor a pot. For example, a blue-green pot for Aloe brevifoliawouldrepeat the aloe coloration,while an orange-red pot would con-trast with it.Anticipate a plant’s flowers, too.The same Aloe bre-vifolia has orange blooms, so that orange pot will repeat thebloom color at certain times of the year.

• Pair tall, columnar succulents with loose, trailing plants. San-sevierias, commonly known as “mother in law’s tongue,” andsprawling Sedum burritomake excellent companions in gracefulvase-shaped urns set atop classical iron stands.

• Strawberry jars make wonderful pots for sedums, Grap-topetalums, sempervivums, and other trailers. Or plant solelywith the compact Echeveria elegans and make the pot the focalpoint of your garden.

• Succulents are slow growing, so don’t make the mistake ofplanting a number of small four-inch pots with too much spaceinto a large decorative container. It will look oddly out of scale.Instead, use a variety of leaf sizes and textures, plant closely,and build a lush tapestry.You can always transplant later if thepot becomes overcrowded.

Upcoming in SeattleThe 22nd-annual Northwest Flower & Garden Show willtake place February 23-27, 2011, at the Washington StateConvention Center. Everything for garden enthusiasts under oneroof: colorful display gardens, garden retail and plant market,and hourly seminars by national authors and garden experts.

www.gardenshow.com



Living RoomsCreate a Space That Graciously Welcomes Guests


Living RoomsCreate a Space That Graciously Welcomes Guests

AOpen-Loft Living

An empty, nondelineated loft is perhaps one of the more challenging projects a designer can take on.Creative loft designs require correlating colors, textures, and precise sizes—and, above all, the ability to make one expansivespace perform many functions, and look good while doing it. In this 765-square-foot loft for a homeowner who regularly en-tertains large parties, designer GregWolfson put these small-space design principles to the test, incorporating clever space in-genuity and accents to tie it all together.“The actual space is always the place to start before deciding what to do with it,”Wolfson says of the design process for this

loft, located in the Old Bank District of LosAngeles. “Here we had a client with gallery artwork, a desire to entertain, and thisfabulous NewYork feel….We wanted to use the drama inherent in the penthouse and make it a story worth remembering.”Wolfson chose to preserve the integrity of the space, leaving the original exposed brick walls and adding new wood floors

to provide another layer of texture. “The color and warmth of the wood helped save this from being too industrial,” he says.“The natural brick and the huge period windows overlooking old downtown Los Angeles…tell a huge story.”Color was used in this loft to define areas for sleeping or eating, and bright tones were placed as an accent to keep the eye

moving while providing an appearance of grand roominess. “I used primary colors on the walls in different rooms to delineatespace,”Wolfson says. “I then mixed up those colors by almost going the opposite direction with the furniture and upholsteryand rugs.These colors give such a contrast to one another that it was exciting to play with the balance.”

WRITTEN BY NICOLE BORGENICHTPHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BLANK

Functional Space Design and Colorful Accents Create a Cohesive Look in This Small Space


The ten-foot-long couch inthe main living space hascurved ends to serve asconversation areas.

Wolfson used color to define the separatespaces within the open loft. Bright toneskeep the eye moving while providing anappearance of grand roominess.


Wolfson chose two Ralph Lauren suede col-ors in tan—one is slightly warmer than the otherto give shadow and depth—to neutralize thespace between the bedroom and sitting room, al-lowing him the opportunity to play with color inthe upholstery and decorative accents.In addition to color,Wolfson put on his think-

ing cap when it came to selecting furniture. Hedesigned a ten-foot-long sectional couch that heplaced against the lengthy walls in the livingspace, and he created curves on the couch sidesto serve as conversation areas. In the smallspace outside the kitchen, he created a formaldining area with a scaled-down booth, a chande-lier, and additional matching chairs cleverlyspaced throughout the loft that can be drawn upfor additional guests.To delineate the sleeping space,Wolfson cre-

ated partitions on wheels that enclose the room;one side is walnut to blend with the loft sur-roundings, while the other is mirror to create theillusion of more space. “The mirrored rollingscreens came from necessity,” he says. “We canscatter them through the loft when not in use in-stead of taking up a whole wall in the bedroom.They fit perfectly in different areas now toenlarge the space.”While he sought warmth in other areas of the

loft,Wolfson allowed the industrial look to shinethrough in the kitchen, starting with the brushedsilver stainless steel countertops.The silver is sub-tly echoed throughout the rest of the home, fromthe mirrors, vases, and polished nickel cocktailtable to the silver faux crocodile leather that hepaired with blue suede in the dining nook. Keep-ing the color story alive from end to end,Wolf-son connected tones and textures to separateareas yet harmonize the complete loft design.While other designers may shy away from

small-space renovations,Wolfson is busy takingon more loft projects in the Old Bank District.Clearly, he’s not intimidated by the challenge—it’s one he’s decidedly mastered.

Whereas Wolfson added warmth to therest of the loft, he allowed the industrial

look to shine through in the kitchen.


To match the scale of the room andthe furnishings, the designers frameda series of twenty-four celestial printsfrom the 1800s.


Current-Day CamelotWRITTEN BY MARESA GIOVANNINIPHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT MOORE

Pineapple House Interior DesignConquers an Oversize Room to Create a Graciously Grand Salon


WWith stately columns, a grand fireplace, second-story windows, and soaring twenty-five-feet-high ceilings,this elegant room is seemingly fit for royalty, hence the home’s aptly regal name, Camelot.Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the newly constructed Camelot summons an old-world charm that is encapsulated in the

visually impressive grand salon. The grand salon is both formal and elegantly comfortable in design; however, the spacewasn’t created for the style preferences of a specific homeowner. Instead, the living room space was designed to be part of ashow house. In 2008, Nikki Bachrach and Stephen Pararo of Atlanta-based Pineapple House Interior Design participated in theAtlanta Symphony Decorator Show House, showcasing the talent of local designers.“In a show house, the committee strives to find a house that is inviting, interesting, has parking, and offers an attraction

for attendees and fundraising events,” says Bachrach. “Show houses are [also] a wonderful opportunity for everyone to beinspired—the participants and the viewers.” Bachrach and Pararo created a European-influenced motif, which includes a musical element as a nod to the symphony

sponsor. Appropriately complementing the existing old-world architectural details of the room, the designers maintained aneutral color palette and focused on eclectic additions. A nineteenth-century Italian bench, eighteenth-century Frencharmoire, 1930s Spanish Cuenca rug, and petrified wood drink tables are a few of the salvaged antiquities that bring stylishhistory to Atlanta’s Camelot.

The grouping near thefireplace includes a varietyof chairs that can be movedaround to suit the activity.


Five Ways to Make a LargeRoom Feel More Intimate

In recent decades, home building trends havedictated high ceilings and spacious commonrooms. The enormous scale can make these spacesdifficult to outfit—unless you are prepared with thevisual tricks of the trade.1. Create a focal point. It’s easy to become over-whelmed in a large space, so draw attentionto a primary wall or a specific item with popsof bright color. 2. Match the decor with the scale of the room byusing oversize furniture and accessories.3. Think in multiples. A single large item can drawattention to the vast area around it; multiples of artand lighting calm the senses and fill the space. 4. Divide the room into separate purposefulareas. Use different rugs under creative seatingarrangements to help guide guests. 5. Use warm or darker paint colors to make thespace appear smaller, and avoid bright whites andmirrors, which produce the opposite effect.

To keep the distinguished space in the twenty-firstcentury, the designers were sure to incorporate modernlines and pieces such as the étagères and transitional sofas.“Many people have treasures that they have either col-lected or inherited from their family that they want totastefully blend with more modern furnishings,” saysBachrach. “This room is a great example of how to blendtime periods and styles.” The Pineapple House designers also balanced the old-

world rarities by using new and renewable materialsthroughout the space; the sofas are upholstered in bam-boo fabric, some of the throw pillows are covered withmohair, and the draperies are fabricated from wool. How the designers arranged the furniture, artwork,

and lighting in the sizable yet narrow grand salon re-mained the most significant design aspect. “The challengewas to make the large room feel cohesive, intimate, andinteresting,” says Bachrach of the space, which measurestwenty-four by fifty-one feet. As a solution, the design-ers created three defined seating areas. “The gatheringarea near the fireplace has seating with various personal-ities. The seating can be adjusted and moved for enjoyingthe fireplace, playing games, etcetera,” explains Bachrach.“The center of the room is the anchor and brings weightto the lofty space. Two large sofas face each other and aresprinkled with drink tables, inviting large gatherings, re-laxing, and conversation. The third is the music area, fea-turing a grand piano, which invites musical opportunitiesand laughter around the instrument.” While the seating areas create defined spaces for inter-

action, oversize pieces were used to create visual balance.For example, the towering fireplace is flanked by ten-feet-tall steel and glass étagères and complemented bylowered metal chandeliers. In front of the fireplace, aconversational table, six feet in diameter, commands at-tention; the tabletop, made of Calcutta marble, is a visualspectacle from the floor or the upper level gallery. The only space constraint was a lack of wall space for

artwork. The design duo chose to echo the oversize fur-niture by grouping twenty-four celestial framed printsfrom the 1800s on the available wall. “It was importantto fill the primary wall with artwork to effectively ac-commodate the scale of the space,” says Bachrach. “Theconfiguration uses identically framed prints to create agrouping that reads like one large piece. It is a strong so-lution to the challenge of scale.” By filling this palatial room with European treasures,

modern lines, and impressively eclectic artwork, thePineapple House interior designers conquered the grandsalon of Camelot.


ICurve Appeal

It’s not every day a designer gets to tackle a living room with a semicircular wall. But this wasn’t a first forLori Carroll. “Most of the architects I work with in Tucson use a lot of curves in their designs to maximize the benefits of thehome’s location, adjacent views, and natural light,” says the interior designer, who is the owner of Lori Carroll & Associates,in Tucson, Arizona. “Since there is no real starting or stopping place when using curves and arcs, I have to be resourceful whenlooking for furnishings that will fit the space.” Taking her design cues from the existing architectural elements in the room wasn’t the only objective. As Carroll explains,

her clients had specific goals in mind as well. “They wanted to introduce interior design elements that would complement theincredible architecture, find materials and finishes that would blend with the surroundings, and create a relaxing place to enjoythe spectacular desert views,” she says. Carroll calls the end result “Southwest contemporary.” The style features contemporary lines mixed with a little bit more

rustic elements, she says. Though everything in the sophisticated space is striking, the designer was careful not to upstage theleading role of the breathtaking views. Because of the unique scale and radius of the room, everything was custom made. The distinctive details include a cus-

tomized American handcrafted wool area rug, an arced iron and wood console table, a sofa built in three curved sections, anda series of oxidized metal cylinders that act as cocktail tables for the space.

WRITTEN BY JEANINE MATLOWPHOTOGRAPHY BY WILLIAM LESCH PHOTOGRAPHY

A Rounded Room Takes a Scenic Setting to a New Dimension


Curve Appeal

Designer Lori Carroll chose a neutralpalette for this room to keep the spacefrom competing with the view.

The color scheme was given careful consideration, too. “With suchamazing views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, I wanted to keep thecolors simple yet appealing,” Carroll says. In keeping with the Southwestcontemporary theme, the designer describes the neutral palette of brown,tan, and gold as “natural desert landscape.” In the process, she proves you don’t need color to make a statement.

“I love how even with the subdued color scheme and minimal furnishingsin the living room, everything came together to convey a beautiful andluxurious feeling,” the designer says. “The fireplace is really a masterpiece.The architect came up with the wedge concept as part of the architecturalplan, and I had a local artisan cover the fascia with metal.” A masterful mix of magnificent materials adds layers of dimension with

limestone floors, textured “falling water” stacked stone walls, and beechcabinetry in the understated space that serves as a refuge for her clients.“Since this is their second home, the main goal was to create a quiet re-treat where they could relax and watch television, read a book, or viewthe vivid Arizona sunsets from the row of windows,” Carroll says. The designer wanted to mirror the curve of the window wall with the

media unit, sectional, and sofa table. “Luckily, I have access to manufacturersand craftsmen who can produce things exactly as I envision them,” she says.“Each of the furniture pieces started as a paper template, then was painstak-ingly designed and drawn into the floor plan to assure complete accuracy.”Carroll managed to turn a potential problem into an award-winning

solution. “The large scale of the sectional with its distinct curvature wasa challenge when looking for a sofa table,” she explains. “I called a localmetal worker and cabinet shop, and together we came up with this uniqueconsole.” The table ended up winning an ASID product design award. The sumptuous space remains soft spoken, revealing its message of ele-

gance without shouting for attention. As Carroll explains, she is definitely nota high-drama designer, especially in this home, where the architecture speaksfor itself. “My job was to bring in unique yet classic elements that would en-hance, not detract, from the structure itself,” she says. It’s refreshing to know that the seasoned designer still finds herself dis-

covering things along the way. “Even after almost thirty years of interiordesign, I learn something on every project,” Carroll says. “This one taughtme that imagination, patience, and a good rapport among architect, client,craftspeople, and me is invaluable.” Carroll was especially pleased with the overall results of this project,

and she says her clients were happy with the casual comfort she was ableto achieve in their living room. “This was a dream project,” she says.“Working with a great architect, skilled contractor, and perceptive clientswho knew exactly what they wanted but were open to ideas showsthroughout every corner of this beautiful custom home.”

The curve of the wall of windows is mirrored by thecustom-designed sofa’s graceful arc. Instead of one largecoffee table, Carroll utilized three oxidized metal cylindersthat act as cocktail tables.


AA Jewel of a Room

A jewel box, even one artfully made, is meant to showcase the jewelsrather than the box itself. This room, located in a show house in Westchester, Connecti-cut, is like that jewel box. The coffered ceiling and wall of windows make bold archi-tectural statements but serve as unassuming backdrops for the brilliant tones of theart, accessories, and accent pieces.For designer Rona Landman of Rona Landman Interior Design, the jumping-off

point for this family room was the fireplace. When she first found it, it was an eyesoreclad with wooden planks. “I thought it ruined the beauty of the room,” she says. Land-man found a coppery wallpaper and covered the fireplace with it. That choice helpedthe design come together. “That started to transform the room with the color and feelthat I wanted,” she says. The fireplace wasn’t the only unusual place to get a wallpaper treatment. Landman

also lined the edges of the ceiling with a metallic graphic print. The wainscoting on theceiling center received its own dose of shine with metallic paint. Reflection is a recur-rent theme in the room. The light from the windows allows the metallic surfaces toshimmer. Reflections are echoed in the mirrored sofa table and the glossy surfaces ofother accent furniture in the room. The neutral walls serve as a calming balance for the room’s glamour. Landman says,

“I kept the off-white paint color. It worked well with everything in there, so I didn’twant to change that. I wanted to show how easy it is to use neutrals as a backdrop andthen enhance it by putting in jewel-like pieces of furniture.” The nesting tables, benches,and bar cart are from Landman’s furniture line, Inspired. “I wanted to highlight thefurniture in the room. The pieces are relatively small scale and I believe each speaks foritself. They make a nice statement and bring in a punch of color.” The brown tones of the chairs, sofa, and ottoman are neutral elements, but neutral

need not be boring. The upholstered pieces have traditional lines, but with an updatedtwist. “Wing chairs are classics, but we overscaled them to make them more modern,”

WRITTEN BY RONDA SWANEYPHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER RYMWID ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY

A Neutral Background Allows Mid-Century Modern Pieces to Shine


A Jewel of a Room


(1) bamboo nesting tables(2) bone bench

(3) zebra bench

(4) bar lupino

(5) three nesting side tables


Rona Landman recently launched a furniture line, Inspired. What’s behind the name? She says, “I took elements from designersI loved and respected.” Landman looked to some of the great furniture masters of the twentieth century: Jean-Michel Frank,Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Karl Springer, Jean Royère, Diego Giacometti, to name a few. She says, “In each piece, there issomething from a designer that inspired me. These are my reinterpretations.”

The bamboo nesting tables were inspired by the organic forms of Elsa Peretti. The nickel legs are reminiscent of bamboo. The topscan be done in custom colors or mirror. Landman says, “They are like lollipops.”

Natural goat ombre covers the bone bench. The lines and texture are inviting. Landman says, “The legs are inspired by Vladimir Kagan.It’s a conversation piece. Everyone wants to sit on it, touch it, feel it.”

Karl Springer’s work informed the curve of the zebra bench. There are options available for the finish, and the piece can be madewider or longer.

The bar lupino has a warm nickel finish and parchment trays. The form suggests a deco style. It, too, can be done with custom tops.

Gold leaf tops the three nesting side tables. Black lacquer covers the deco-inspired curved legs, but the finish is available in differentcolors. Landman likes the convenience of this set. “You can put them in a den, and if company comes over at the last minute, you canpull them out for drinks and hors d’oeuvres.”

Landman’s thoughtful designs keep in mind that many of us live in homes where space is at a premium. “Most of my line has beendesigned with the apartment dweller in mind. I live in New York City. As big as a big apartment is, it’s never big enough. These piecesare just so versatile and you can really move them around. They are light and very functional.”

(1) (2) (3)

(4) (5)

says Landman. Like the upholstery, the Greek key rug is an-other classic ingredient that helps anchor the modern elements. Even more jewel tones are added to the palette via the win-

dow treatments. Landman notes the departure from her usualdesign sensibility. “Most of my work is neutral, but I always tryto punch one color. So the curtains were a lot for me. Theymake a strong statement. I pulled in the red to complementthe red nesting tables. And I love red and turquoise together.”The brown center fabric again provides the neutral ground to

make the other colors pop. The artwork and accessories add inadditional strokes of color. “The room has a modern feel because of the mid-century

modern pieces in it,” says Landman. Yet the balance of theroom’s many elements make it warm and inviting, without theausterity that a modern sensibility sometimes evokes. There isa satisfying blend of classic and modern, neutral and bold, bril-liant and understated. The room offers the perfect jewel box toshowcase so many precious jewels.


Early-American

BeautyA N U P S T A T E N E W Y O R K

C O U P L E ’ S J O U R N E Y

T O B U I L D I N G T H E H O M E

O F T H E I R D R E A M S

WRITTEN BY BLAKE MILLERPHOTOGRAPHY BY CONNOR HOMES/JIM

WESTPHALEN PHOTOGRAPHY


Brian and Barbara Bradystarted approaching retirement, the couple decided they wanted tolook into building a home in upstate New York, where they’d lived foralmost all of their thirty-seven years of marriage. Having always livedin older homes—including a circa-1904 shingle house and a carriagehouse, both in Saratoga Springs—the Bradys were drawn to Colo-nial-style properties. With each house, the couple would renovatethe home, live there for a few years, and then move on to the nextproject. But when they thought about what their retirement homewould be like, they imagined hanging up their renovation hats andinstead building the home of their dreams. “We looked for a long time for properties,” says Barbara of the cou-

ple’s initial search of about sixty homes. But after running into an oldacquaintance who had a friend looking to sell land in the countrysidein nearby Delanson, the Bradys put their search on hold to take a lookat the property. Immediately, they were smitten. The ten acres of ruralfarmland overlooked the countryside’s rolling hills and vibrant land-scape. They found the perfect spot to build their home, too: high on ahillside where it would sit in an open field set back about a hundredyards off a quiet farm road. “We absolutely loved it,” says Barbara. After seeing a Yankeemagazine article featuring Connor Homes—

a construction company that designs homes based on historically ac-curate scale and proportions with authentic period detailing—thecouple became intrigued with early-American reproduction designs.Always fascinated with architecture, Brian initially wanted to designthe home himself, but without formal training he looked to architectSteve Haskell of Connor Homes to help put his dream on paper andmake it come to life. Initially the Bradys envisioned a classic centerhall Colonial design with an attached garage and utility wing. Butafter the schematic design was presented to the couple, they began toask about ways to embellish the detailing of the house. “Brian startedlooking into historical precedents for detail, and we began to developand incorporate the more elaborate trim options,” explains Haskell.The result: a Colonial Revival farmhouse that borrows from bothGeorgian and Federal roots. After about four months of design work,the group broke ground in spring of 2007. Luckily, the group was not plagued by unforeseen obstacles when

it came to constructing the home. Sadly, though, during the buildingof the property, Brian suddenly passed away before he could see his

When


Barbara filled the home with antiques,furniture, and collectibles she and Brian

had collected during their marriage.


What Is Colonial Revival? “The Colonial Revival has many inspirations

for its character, and a defining theme is thatthe elements honor and celebrate past architec-tural styles and a sense of tradition,” says HollyKelton, CFO of Connor Homes. “Its range iswide and varies stylistically and geographicallybased on original historic styles that are usedfor its inspiration.”

Some of the defining characteristics of ColonialRevival homes, says Kelton, are that they tend tobe rectangular, symmetrical (and, if not symmetri-cal, well-balanced proportionately), and typicallytwo to three stories with simple yet classicaldetailing and materials such as brick, wood, orstone as their palette.


wonderful vision brought to life. Committed tothe project her husband was so passionate about,Barbara forged ahead and moved into the home inJune 2008. “While Brian’s passing was very tough, I nowfeel the house represents him and his vision,” saysHaskell, who became close with the couple duringthe home's construction.The 2,300-square foot home, with three bedrooms, liv-

ing and dining rooms, kitchen, library, and exercise room,is home to Barbara and her two loveable Whippets. Thereal showstopper of the home, says Barbara, is thescreened-in porch, which boasts an outdoor fireplace andcomfortable furniture overlooking the pond, which Bar-bara installed a couple of years after moving in. “If the sun’sout in the winter, this is where you want to be,” she says.“It also overlooks beautiful hills and open fields from thefarm next door. I can only see one house from here; therest are open fields and wooded hills. It’s just a lovely spot.” Inside, Barbara filled the home with furniture, col-

lectibles, and antiques that the couple had collected overthe course of their marriage. “Everything in the house hasa history,” says Barbara. “Grandfather clocks that belongedto cousins. A piece from the cellar of a shingle-style homewe bought. We amassed things from family heirlooms orpieces that were left behind. It’s a little personal museum.”The antique interior aesthetic complements the Georgiandetailing, including heavy layered cornice trim, fluted pi-laster corner boards, a Palladian window and fan light win-dows, and a custom entry surround—all of which bring tolife the style of a home in the early Federal period. The exterior is a great example of the Colonial Revival

look, as it boasts a symmetrical facade with a projectingcenter gable framed by fluted pilasters and pediment. Thefront entry, says Holly Kelton, CFO of Connor Homes, iscased with a custom fanlight and ornamental surroundwith fluted pilasters on the corners that support a heavyfrieze, dentils, and decorative cornice at the roof, whichis capped by red cedar shingles. A stone-clad foundationanchors the house naturally to the terrain, adds Kelton,and strengthens the perception of an old home. “In a shiftfrom the home’s Georgian roots, a single chimney waspulled to the exterior of the southern end of the home inorder to support fireplaces in both the living room andthe screen porch,” says Kelton. A wooden shingle roof andhemlock siding complete the look. Now in the home for two years, Barbara loves to host

and entertain family and friends. “I have a big tractor soin the summer I mow my own fields,” she says. “I do a lotof reading and listening to music. My days are more re-laxed but certainly pleasantly filled.”


WO O D I N V I L L EW I N E C O U N T RY

Written By Robyn Roehm CannonPHOTOGRAPHY BY BENJAMIN BENSCHNEIDER, BARRY WONG, AND RON ZIMMERMAN

R A I S E A G L A S S T O W A S H I N G T O N W I N E S A T

M O R E T H A N F I F T Y B O U T I Q U E W I N E R I E S

J U S T M I N U T E S F R O M D O W N T O W N S E A T T L E

DESTINATION

WWashington State is recognized for many things:Mount Rainier, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, andcherries and apples, just to name a few. But this PacificNorthwest state is also the largest producer of premium winesnext to California. In recent years, hundreds of small producers have followed

in the footsteps of well-known Chateau Ste. Michelle. Andtoday, minutes from the historic French-style chateau, fifty-fourof Washington’s 650 wineries are releasing noteworthy estatevintages in a countrified setting known as Woodinville WineCountry, just twenty miles northeast of Seattle.“Estate” generally means grapes are grown on the winery’s

own land, but nearly all Woodinville wineries source fruit fromestablished vineyards in the Columbia Valley, east of the Cas-cade Mountains, where sunny days and cool evenings allow thegrapes to mature slowly and yield beautifully balanced wineswith loads of bright fruit and character.A few days in Woodinville make for a memorable adventure

for the wine aficionado who enjoys swanky lodging andspas, scrumptious farm-to-table cuisine, and gorgeous sceneryfrom the car—or on a bike along the trails that tie many ofthe wineries together.

There are two outstanding lodging choices in the area, bothassociated with award-winning chefs and extensive wine pro-grams emphasizing local producers.Eight miles down the road from Woodinville is the charming

resort-like town of Kirkland on Lake Washington, where you’llfind the boutique Heathman Hotel. Large rooms with chic decorhave deluxe amenities, and natural wellness is the mantra of thehotel’s luxurious Penterra Spa, with the most professional thera-pists you’ll find anywhere. My Swedish massage and 75-minutefacial rank in my top restorative spa experiences ever. Just off the hotel lobby is Trellis, where artisan farmer and

executive chef Brian Scheehser takes fresh seasonal produce,often grown on his own ten-acre Woodinville plot or preservedin the hotel’s root cellar, and artisan ingredients and transformsthem into memorable meals brimming with natural flavors.Special touches like pickled tomatoes are brought to the tableto savor, just a hint of the rustic and inventive style that isuniquely his. You won’t be disappointed.Across the road from Chateau Ste. Michelle is Willows

Lodge, an elegant wine country inn. With quintessential North-west architecture and interiors, spacious rooms overlook lushgrounds that include a formal herb garden and Fireside Cellars


DESTINATION

Executive chef Brian Scheehser of Trellis on his ten-acreWoodinville farm. He incorporates the freshly harvestedingredients into his creative cuisine.

Patio complete with a fire pit—perfect for gathering aroundat Happy Hour after a long soak in an oversized tub fortwo. You may have trouble parting with your fluffy bathrobe inorder to get dressed for dinner at The Barking Frog, but it’sdefinitely worth the effort. Chef Bobby Moore has cooked atthe James Beard House and offers guests a seasonally updatedmenu that pairs marvelously with his eclectic wine list. Startdinner with Moore’s Grand Marnier Prawns—so good theynever go off the menu. Still within the Willows compound is a restaurant perfect

for a special anniversary or birthday. National Geographic namedThe Herbfarm Restaurant “The No. 1 Destination Restaurantin the World,” and it’s always a dining adventure, withchanging themes that may require, for example, that

all courses be made with wild mushrooms, or sourced fromno farther than 150 miles. There’s much to do and see in Woodinville apart from winery

visits. If you love handcrafted beer, a tour and pub lunch at Red-hook Ale Brewery is worth a stop. Just up the street is 15-acreMolbak’s Nursery, the Northwest’s gardening mecca. If you wantto learn more about pairing food with wine, get hands-on expe-rience in a half-day cooking class at Woodhouse Family Cellars.When you’re ready to taste wines, ask your concierge

at either hotel for a map of choices. The selection of wineries isdiverse in Woodinville, but warm hospitality and wonderfulwines await you at all. See the sidebar for some of my favorites,and visit www.woodinvillewinecountry.com to find out moreabout the area.

Great Stops along the Woodinville Wine TrailChateau Ste. Michelle: Definitely reserve a timeat Chateau Ste. Michelle for the informative and funcellar and barrel-aging room tour, finished with atasting. On a beautiful afternoon, there’s no nicer spotto spread a picnic blanket and enjoy a house bottle thanthe chateau grounds.

Novelty Hill-Januik: Grab a bottle of Mike Januik’s 2007Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Vineyard Sangiovese and arustic handmade pizza from the tasting room brick ovenand sit in the Zen-like contemporary garden, admiring thisbeautiful AIA-awarded winery. It’s a very special place.Then take home a bottle of the 2007 Januik Reserve Redfor the cellar.

Efeste: Former Chateau Ste. Michelle winemaker BrennonLeighton consistently earns high Wine Spectator scores forhis gorgeous vintages that blend old-world techniques withnew-world fruit. Try his 2007 Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon.

Stevens: Former commercial artist and English lit majorTim Stevens makes poetic wines. Try his Black TongueSyrah and XY Reserve Cabernet and let the winesspeak for themselves.

Page Cellars: Jim Page kept his day job as a corporate air-line pilot, but he makes wines of exceptional quality. LikeBeaujolais Nouveau? Try his fruity Nouveau Merlot—it’syummy, just like his Lick My Lips Syrah.

Mark Ryan: Mark Ryan has one of the coolest tastingrooms around: in a renovated garage, with vintage Indianmotorcycles on display. The wines are as polished and pow-erful as the bikes—his scores in the 90s on his 2007 vintagesare well earned. Sample the Crazy Mary Mourvedre, WildEyed Syrah, and Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon.

DeLille Cellars: A highly respected old guard winery thatproduces elegant, collectable Bordeaux blends. Visit thewinery’s new Carriage House tasting room and sample theChaleur Estate Rouge, D2, Grand Ciel, and Doyenne vintages.


Photograph

y provided by

Con

nor H

omes/

Jim W

estph

alen

Pho

tograp

hy.

ResourcesOCTOBER|NOVEMBER|2010

11 Tasting NotesChappellet Vineyard & WinerySt. Helena, Californiawww.chappellet.com 707-963-7136

18 Open-Loft LivingGreg WolfsonLos Angeles, Californiawww.gregwolfson.com 213-422-0803

24 Current-Day CamelotPineapple House Interior DesignAtlanta, Georgiawww.pineapplehouse.com404-897-5551

30 Curve AppealLori Carroll & AssociatesTucson, Arizonawww.loricarroll.com520-886-3443

34 A Jewel of a RoomRona LandmanNew York, New Yorkwww.ronalandmaninteriordesign.com 212-996-8171

38 Early-American BeautyConnor HomesMiddlebury, Vermontwww.connorbuilding.com 802-382-9082


ResourcesOCTOBER|NOVEMBER|2010

Current issue homes by

Documents

Transcript of Current issue homes by