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Italian Beauty From Kitchen To Table FOUNDED IN 1995, MATCH WAS FIRST TO INTRODUCE ITALIAN PEWTER TO THE AMERICAN MARKET. MATCH NOW OFFERS THE LARGEST COLLECTION AVAILABLE OF THE FINEST QUALITY ITALIAN PEWTER. AMPERSAND CARRIES THEIR BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION FOR KITCHEN, TABLE, BAR & MORE.
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GALLERIA
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Every home has a story. HOLIDAY 2023
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Local Expertise in Fine Downtown Minneapolis and City Lakes Real Estate 612.327.5905 | betsylucasrealtor.com
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612-338-2020 vujovich.com MN License: BC006077
Transformative Home Remodeling
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Discerning. Dedicated. Determined. Curated condo, loft and home listings Privately available properties Elevated real estate marketing and interior design
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From the Publisher There’s no place in a home like the kitchen. Preparing meals while conversing with friends and family in a newly renovated kitchen warms the heart and fills the senses. And even though we intuitively know that kitchens are utilitarian, we still consider them the stylish cornerstone of our homes. They’re where guests want to gather to nosh, sip libations and swap stories. This affinity for beautiful kitchens and we’re excited to be returning with our popular feature of five kitchen remakes that uniquely capture the owners’ lifestyle and showcase the designers’ skill. As the holiday season kicks off and 2023 draws to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to personally say a heartfelt thank you to the advertisers that make LSM possible, and express my gratitude to the designers, writers, photographers and staff, who come through every issue. There’s so much to love about this issue, starting with a Therese Gibbons bold pink kitchen evoking the aromas and romance of Italy, with a bonus recipe for Olive Oil Citrus Cake. Artist Richard Merchán serves up a poignant history lesson along with a Christmas-time painting that conjures up a snowy December in Excelsior in the tradition of Norman Rockwell and Andrew Wyeth. Check out Ampersand’s Richard Ginori selection of Italian dinnerware that will make your dining table ‘La Dolce Vita’. Not to be undone, Andréa Dixon and Jen Ziemer of Fiddlehead
Design Group curated a tasteful selection of home goods, many destined to find their way into the sophisticated kitchen. Our Design at Home feature spotlights the co-owners at Studio M Interiors, as the three talented designers gather home to talk about their collaboration and what they like most about working together. In Andrew on Design, Andrew Flesher tackles the topic of stress-free entertaining for the holidays, from polishing the silver in advance to accepting offers of help (even when you don’t want to). Columnist Sandy LaMendola gives practical tips on the daunting task of downsizing your home (i.e. don’t’ think of squarefootage, think lifestyle); and longtime-columnist Carter Averbeck reiterates his pitch for sustainable decorating as he pens his last column for us. Thank you, Carter, your wit and expertise will be missed, but we are so appreciative of your support over the past three years. It’s only fitting in a holiday edition to feature a charming cabin in the snow-filled woods, where the décor doubles as outdoor adventure paraphernalia. And what better way to close out the year than with a fun story about, well, the fun of collaboration on a lake home. We hope this issue inspires you to get into the kitchen and bake some holiday cookies or better yet, pick out a new bold new color for your cabinets.
a fresh approach to interior design mint-design.biz | 651.332.9609 20
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ON THE COVER CHISEL ARCHITECTURE CREATES A TRADITIONAL NORWEGIAN CABIN. PUBLISHER KAREN T. STOECKEL GRAPHIC DESIGN SHEBA CONCEPT & DESIGN, INC. ART DIRECTION KAREN T. STOECKEL SOCIAL MEDIA PATTY BURLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS RICHARD MERCHÁN ELLEN OLSON ANDREW FLESHER NANCY MONROE CARTER AVERBECK ANDRÉA DIXON JEN ZIEMER SANDY LAMENDOLA CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS SPACECRAFTING CORRECTION: AUTUMN ISSUE PP-41-51, RETURN TO 510 PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT AMUNDSON 770 Lake St E, Wayzata MN | (952) 746-5826 www.highcrofthome.com 22
Lakesocietymagazine.com Lakesocietymagazine@gmail.com @lsm_magazine lake society magazine
photography by Susan Gilmore Photography
763.760.0761 123 FARRINGTON STREET ST. PAUL, MN 55102 ANDREWFLESHER.COM HOLIDAY 2023
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CONTENTS
20 A LETTER FROM the publisher. 26 LA DOLCE VITA
Italian style from Ampersand Galleria.
28 THAT'S ALOR A
Heeding the call of her soul, Therese Gibbons reimagined her Tangletown kitchen with the warm, earthy colors of Italy.
32 READY. SET. GIFT!
Shop Isles Studio and Highcroft Home.
34 FIVE KITCHENS THAT COOK Five inspired spaces for the holiday season.
46 THE TASTEMAKER DIARIES Andréa Dixon and Jen Ziemer, interior (and kitchen!) designers and co-owners of the award-winning Fiddlehead Design Group share what’s inspiring them and their design work this season.
48 IMAGINATION STYLE 24
Art imitates life in a small wintery lake town.
HOLIDAY 2023
50 CABIN ADVENTURES
Tapping into the homeowners’ design skills, Sara Whicher of Chisel Architecture created a traditional Norwegian cabin primed for outdoor adventures.
58 DESIGN CHRONICLES
Sandy Mendola shares how to downsize in style.
60 ANDREW ON DESIGN
Andrew shares some tips for keeping holiday entertaining stress-free.
62 HOUSE PARTY
Interior designer Megan Jackson Meder infuses a family lake home with boundless fun and energy.
72 SUSTAINABLY CHIC
LSM magazine bids farewell to our uber-talented, unique & daring designer and friend, Carter Averbeck. We wish him continued success in his pursuit of creative success.
74 DESIGN AT HOME
Melissa Musgjerd, Annie Graunke and Kristen McCormick, co-owners of Studio M Interiors, ring in the season at Melissa’s home. lake society magazine
NO SHORTCUTS. EVER.
“No Shortcuts” is more than a slogan. It’s our culture. We listen carefully. We communicate accurately. And we stand by our work—always.
award-winning homes for 60 years Twin Cities | MNBC002904
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651.777.8563 HOLIDAY 2023
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La Dolce Vita 7.
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1. Pink Lyre Motif on Square 8.5" Serve Plate $168 | 2. Green 10.5" Dinner Plate $132 Yellow 8.5" Salad Plate $111 | 3. Turquoise with Gold 10.5" Dinner Plate $174 and Pink Salad Plate with Gold $130 | 4. Turquoise 4" Sugar Bowl $480 and Turquoise 4" Creamer $385 | 5. Yellow Pharmacy 10" Candy Jar $550 | 6. Philosopher of the Kitchen 8.625" Candle $410 | 7. Dark Green Handled 14" Platter $390 | 8. Beverage 10oz. Hand-Blown Italian Glass. Amber, Blue, Dark Blue, Green $30 each 26
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Oriento Italiano was designed by the Italian architect, Geo Ponti, in 1946 inspired by Florentine and far eastern ceramics. Italian Style from Ampersand Galleria.
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9. Oval Turquoise Tureen 9" High x 13" Wide $1,580 | 10. Clam-Motif Cocktail Plates, Set of 4 $310 | 11. King Portrait 10.5" Square Candy Dish $280 | 12. Pink Tea Pot 6" High $590 | 13. Dark Green 16" High Ginger Jar $1000 | 14. Dinner Plate Yellow 10.5" $132 Dark Green Salad or Dessert Plate 8" $111 | 15. Dinner Plate Pink with Gold 10.5" $174 Salad Plate Turquoise with Gold 8.5" $137 | 16. Square Candy Dish Yellow $210 Pink with Gold $250 both 8" ampersandshops.com HOLIDAY 2023
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Alora!
THAT’S
Heeding the call of her soul, Therese Gibbons reimagined her Tangletown kitchen with the warm, earthy colors of Italy. written by melinda nelson photography by spacecrafting
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LIFESTYLE
project credits: · construction/builder: purcell | remodeling & renovation · interior design: martinpatrick3 30
F
For Therese Gibbons, co-founder of Alora Ambiance, pink is more than a color. It’s a memory of ancient terracotta floors and sun-faded velvet curtains in a Venetian palazzo. It’s the taste of sweet raspberries and bitter radicchio from the Bellagio market in Lake Como, and the gentle fragrance of roses, a centuries-old Italian symbol of love. Therese’s love affair with Italy began twenty years ago, when she visited her sister Ann in Lake Como. That first visit turned into a second, which lasted for two glorious years. Therese and Ann lived in a 150-year-old villa in Moltrasio, overlooking the lake. In between learning Italian and teaching English, the sisters traveled throughout Italy, exploring villages, mountains and islands. On one of their many adventures, they discovered an unusual room fragrance, which became the inspiration for their best-selling line of signature home fragrances, candles and other products, which they named after “allora,” the Italian catch-all word that’s used to capture someone’s attention or offer a new idea. When Therese returned home to Minnesota, she brought back a trove of memories, an appetite for adventure and the courage to try new things, which she shares with her children, Marie and Oscar. Fifteen years ago, Therese and her husband Ryan found a jewel box of a home in Tangletown and instantly fell in love with the cozy rooms, original plaster walls and other charming 1930s details. But the previous owners had updated the kitchen with dark cherry cabinets and black countertops, and while it was perfectly functional, it never felt like home. Finally, Therese’s fearless spirit decided it was time for a change. “Allora Teresa,” it began, speaking in the gentle Lombardy dialect she’d learned in Moltrasio. “La cucina vuole essere rosa,” her spirit continued, explaining that the kitchen wants to be pink. Not just any pink, but a dusky, earthy pink that changes with the light and the seasons. Heeding the call of her soul, Therese gathered her friends Kelly Vickers, interior designer and owner of Zimmer Design; Brian Rogers, artisan painter; and Willie Willette, custom furniture maker and owner of Willie Willette Works. Therese painted swatches of pink on the kitchen walls and when she found the perfect hue, she and Ryan moved the fridge and the coffee maker into the laundry room and Brian turned the dining room into a spray booth. While Brian was painting the cabinets, Therese and Kelly chose simple, brushed brass hardware for the doors and drawers. They found a magnificent piece of swirling quartzite for the countertops and backsplash at Twin City Tile and Marble, and Willie crafted a walnut top for the center island and a cover for the range hood. Just as Therese’s spirit predicted, the kitchen has become her favorite room in the house. Whether she’s making toast and cappuccino, baking an Italian olive oil citrus cake or sitting around the island with her family at the end of the day, the pink cabinets cast a warm glow over her beloved rituals. lake society magazine
OLIVE OIL CITRUS CAKE Therese and Ann Gibbons often stayed at the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York when they were doing Alora Ambiance training at Barney’s on Madison Avenue. The sisters loved dining at the hotel’s restaurant, Il Maialino, where no meal was complete without a piece of this delicious cake. INGREDIENTS:
• 2 c. all-purpose flour • 1 3/4 c. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/3 c. extra-virgin olive oil • 1 1/4 c. whole milk • 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tbsp. grated orange zest • 1/4 c. fresh orange juice • 1/4 c. Grand Marnier DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Rub the inside of a 9-inch cake pan with olive oil or butter and line the bottom with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder. In a smaller bowl, whisk the olive oil, milk, eggs, orange zest, juice and Grand Marnier. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 1 hour until the top is golden and a cake tester comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan, invert the cake onto the rack and let cool, or serve warm. Recipe adapted from Food 52
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Gift!
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1. Marseilles Candle From Astier De Villatte. $100 | 2. The Complete Book Of French Cooking. $45 | 3. Alix D Reynis Limoges Porcelain Bowls.made In Limoges France. $45 | 4. Alix D Reynis Limoges Porcelain Oven Baking Dish. Made In Limoges France. $165 | 5. Kuhn Keramik Porcelain Coffee Cup With Gold Handle. Made In Germany. $85 | 6. Avenida Home Tea Towels. 100% Linen. Made In England. $24 | 7. Charvet Editions Bon Appétit Linen Kitchen Towel. 100% Linen. Made In France. $34 | 8. Astier De Villatte. Platinum Tea Pot. Made In Paris. $595 | 9. Astier De Villatte John Derian Horse Platter. Made In Paris. $175 | 10. Astier De Villatte John Derian Gold Cup Plate. Made In Paris. $145 | 11. Bellocq Afghan Chai Tea. $45 | 12. Astier De Villatte Dishwashing Liquid. $32 | 13. Bellocq Silver Tea Strainer. $14.95 islesstudio.com
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1. Coccinella Oleavia Red Hot Pepper Olive Oil. $22 | 2. Compartes Chocolate Creme Brulee Gourmet Chocolate Bar. $13 | 3. L'Avant Collective Natural Wood Dish Scrubber. $10 | 4. Kassatex Beige Marble & Mango Wood Salt Cellar. $50 | 5. Archivist Gallery Ice Skating Long Matchbox. $21 | 6. Coucke Linen Towel Mountain Landscape. $25 | 7. Trudon Cire Candle (Amber Vessel) Classic. $140 | 8. L'Avant Collective High Performing Dish Soap Fresh Linen (16 oz) $26 | 9. Libeco The Belgian Towel Bruges Stripe Fouta (21.5" x 25.5") $59 highcrofthome.com HOLIDAY 2023
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5 KITCHENS THAT COOK! Five inspired spaces for the holiday season.
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Entertain Celebrate Repeat!
vujovich design build | photography: spacecrafting
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VUJOVICH DESIGN BUILD
photography: spacecrafting 36
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Cheers! This sophisticated butler's pantry is elegant and highly functional with a sink, dishwasher, ice maker, and refrigerators to be the life of any party.
Complementing kitchen features, the butler's pantry showcases custom navy cabinetry, brass hardware, detailed mullion designs accented with quartz countertops, soft brass lighting with clear glass and cream pearls, and an antiqued mirror backsplash.
Tapping the artistic and craftsmanship talents of Vujovich Design Build, these homeowners are relishing the opulent revival that makes their home a showpiece for their enthusiastic entertaining events. Staying within the original footprint, the stunning space promotes guest interaction and honors the home's historical elements. HOLIDAY 2023
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PARTNERS 4, DESIGN
project credits: · design: kate roos of kate roos design & nicole sirek of partners 4 design · builder: partners 4 design ·38photography: andrea rugg photography
lake society magazine
The entry to the walk-in-pantry is camouflaged by rift oak cabinetry and matching pocket door.
The raised counter on the end of the island has a partial waterfall countertop to create a unique design detail which is repeated on the other side of the island.
This stunning riverside property needed some design finesse to take full advantage of the beautiful views, and to better fit the tastes and lifestyle of its owners. By overhauling the layout and opening the kitchen to the living space, it now allows for increased connection for gatherings. Two islands provide seating for guests and a dedicated space for prep. Symmetry is created with a commanding range hood, flanked by painted cabinetry. A raised serving counter acts as a buffer to the main work aisle. The contrasting oak cabinetry around the pantry helps to define the symmetry of the range wall. The refreshed palette and updated finishes are decidedly modern, but with a soft, feminine sensibility. HOLIDAY 2023
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CHARLIE & CO
project credits: architectural design: charlie & co design interior design: ellington & co. builder: streeter custom builder photography: spacecrafting 40
lake society magazine
The kitchen and living room share a doublesided fireplace, providing each space with a focal point and warmth while also creating a bit of visual separation. A concealed coffee bar occupies part of the full-height custom cabinet wall.
With windows on three sides, abundant natural light pours in from the adjacent breakfast nook. Pocketing glass doors to the pantry allow for views to the outdoors from any location in the kitchen.
Daylight and views were focal points when laying out this traditional kitchen. A pantry behind the range allows the main kitchen to remain clean and uncluttered. The curved plaster hood and pot rack above the range create a subtle, yet elegant, backdrop for the island. HOLIDAY 2023
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SHANE SPENCER DESIGN ASSOCIATES
photography: scott gilbertson 42
lake society magazine
Designed by Shane Spencer, the Bespoke, climatecontrolled wine cellar serves as a dramatic focal point in the dining area.
The glamorous kitchen features a La Cornue range, custom Shaker cabinets with handcrafted bronze hardware and Cambria surfaces.
How do you create a warm, glamorous kitchen within an industrial loft? Call in the visionaries! Designed by Shane Spencer of Spencer Design Associates with Nicole Sirek of Partners 4 Design, this sophisticated kitchen deftly balances tradition with modernity. The pièce de résistance? A stunning Bespoke wine-cellar wall designed by Shane. Fitted with custom Shaker cabinetry and finished in a palette of deep blue, soft gray and pure white, the kitchen provides an inviting setting for an evening of cooking, dining and wine tasting. HOLIDAY 2023
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TRESTLE HOMES
When is a kitchen more than a kitchen? When it’s the heart of Peter and Jeanne Crain’s award-winning Lake Harriet home. Crafted by Peter, a custom builder and owner of Trestle Homes, and designed with PKA Architecture and InUnison Design, the modern kitchen is a showcase of local talent, including GK Millwork and Cabinetry, Bauer Metal and Stonecreek Masonry. To the Crains’ delight, the kitchen has become a magnet for their three grown sons, who return with friends every Sunday evening for dinner. 44
Designed for entertaining, the prep kitchen/butler pantry makes it easy to host family gatherings and events for local non-profits.
lake society magazine
photography: spacecrafting
Furnished with comfy chairs and an inviting banquette, the nook does double duty as a dining area and a workspace.
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Andréa Dixon and Jen Ziemer, interior (and kitchen!) designers and co-owners of the award-winning Fiddlehead Design Group share what's inspiring them and their design work this season.
TOADSTOOL BOTTLE HOLDER anthropologie.com
DANSK COOKWARE food52.com MALDON SALT Williamssonoma.com
MATOUK TABLE LINENS fschumacher.com SELETTI DINNERWARE mytheresa.com
FLATWARE modaoperandi.com
MARBLE DINING TABLE Cb2.com
EMMA DINING CHAIR tapis-decor.com 46
“
Everything happens in the kitchen. Life happens in the kitchen.”
–Andrew Zimmern
lake society magazine
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MURANO GLASS CHANDELIER firstdibs.com
The fondest of memories are made when gathered around the table.”
COOKBOOK Barnesandnoble.com
–Anonymous
MULTICOLORED GOBLETS store.moma.org
LOEWE KITCHEN SOAP loewe.com
DUSEN APRON shopbop.com
ARMSTRONG PULL-DOWN BRIDGE KITCHEN FAUCET houseofrohl.com
TRUE REFRIGERATOR true-residential.com
ESPRESSO MACHINE lapavoni.com HOLIDAY 2023
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Style
IMAGINATION Art imitates life in a small wintery lake town.
The first Euro-Americans known to have visited Lake Minnetonka were two teenage boys. Will Snelling and Joe Brown canoed up Minnehaha Creek in 1822 from Fort St, Anthony. Years later, Excelsior was founded in 1853. The cooler climate that autumn brings prepares us for the winter season. After growing up and spending my early youth in Venezuela, living in Minnesota has opened my eyes to the beauty of four seasons. As winter blows in, T-shirts, shorts and flip flops get put away, while sweaters, scarfs, hats and boots come out. Everyone here knows that the trajectory of the sun shifts, the snow blower trades places in the garage with the bicycles and happy hour starts earlier. Once winter arrives, depending on weather systems, rain is replaced by radiating dendrites, triangular crystals and even 12-sided snowflakes. I googled that. Pretty snowflakes are the frosting on the perfect Christmas Day, and while a blizzard can snarl traffic and inconvenience shoppers, in Minnesota, it’s business as usual no matter what time of year it is. On Water Street – Excelsior’s small-town main drag – I enjoyed a window seat to the snow falling, trees lined with white sparkly lights and store windows dressed to reflect the holiday spirit. My inspiration was ignited and a new canvas was born. Christmastime nostalgia has been memorialized in paintings by Norman Rockwell, Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper since mid-20th century. I get it now. In my version, I wanted to narrate a moment. A weekday in small-town America where the postal service delivers, rain or shine. December in Excelsior, depicts snow-covered parked cars, brown slushy tire tracks and poor visibility at street level. Right below the reddish brick building awnings, this 30x30-inch canvas communicates that “open-for-business” feeling, despite the weather. While people in Southern states assume we freeze from November to March, we appreciate and embrace this magical season. Or, as they say in Norway, “Vinteren er en magisk årstid.” Richard Merchán is a painter and sculptor creating in Minnesota and California. Learn more @ richardmerchan.com Merchán is represented by Hollie Blanchard hollie@artgirlsmpls.com 612.834.6565 48
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Adventures
CABIN 50
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Tapping into the homeowners’ design skills, Sara Whicher of Chisel Architecture created a traditional Norwegian cabin primed for outdoor adventures. written by nancy monroe, photography by alyssa lee photography
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“The homeowner wanted a simple Norwegian log cabin just for him...
a getaway cabin
from their main cabin.”
–SARA WHICHER, CO-FOUNDER OF CHISEL ARCHITECTURE
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HOME
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“When you walk into the kitchen, you see the mugs and the kettle which reminds you to have a cup of tea and
make yourself at home.”
–SARA WHICHER, CO-FOUNDER OF CHISEL ARCHITECTURE 54
lake society magazine
HOME
project credits: · design: chisel architecture, sara whicher, associate aia & co-founder · builder: scandinavian log and timber works HOLIDAY 2023
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D
Designing the perfect adventurous cabin just a few miles north of the original homestead in Manitowish, Wisconsin — whose main home also happens to be a cabin — requires equal parts ingenuity and utility. “The client wanted a traditional Norwegian cabin” with swoops on the exterior and a hand-carved support beam inside...but simple, says Sara Whicher of Chisel Architecture, who designed the retreat. The simplicity comes into play because what you see is what you can take off the walls and use. For instance, Sara points out, if you feel like an impromptu hike in the new snowfall, just take the snowshoes off the kitchen/mudroom wall and voila, instant transportation. The same holds true of the kitchen layout with open upper and lower shelves so all the necessary accouterments are at the ready. “When you walk into the kitchen, you see the mugs and the kettle which reminds you to have a cup of tea and make yourself at home,” Sara says. It’s a cozy, well-ordered setting that encourages everyone to slow down. The clients were hands-on. The husband designed and built all the cabinetry, including a kitchen table. The wife, a talented fiber artist, created the delightful pops of color, Sara says. The couple also donated decor from their other home, such as an antler chandelier and lantern study light, plus fishing gear and showy snow shoes. The main floor, at an efficient 670 SF, highlights the specific details Sara included in her hand-drawn plans, such as a carved support post holding up the loft. “We used lighter planks for walls in the bathroom; you always want more light in bathrooms,” she adds. And like the kitchen, the shelves aren’t hiding anything, “So you don’t have to go digging” for toiletries or that extra washcloth. In the loft bedroom a queen-size bed is flanked by two “bunk” beds with their own pair of blue-checked curtains to allow for a bit of privacy in a shared space. The “swoops” or curved wood braces on the four corners of the cabin help hold up the 4-foot overhang on the sides and 6-foot in the front. “You want a big roof to protect the logs” and to offer shelter to extend time spent outdoors, she says. The rough logs were stained inside and out for extra protection and a cohesive rich color. Sara and her mentor Dale Mulfinger, FAIA, of SALA Architects, who she refers to as the cabin guru, had worked together on the clients’ original structures, including a barn, previously. When Sara tackles a project, she says she likes to come up with a name for it. This project was labeled the Thumb Shack. While this cabin is no shack,it was built with love, and “thumb” refers to the homeowner hitting his thumb with a saw while working on the cabinets. And you guessed it, his name is Tom. 56
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HOME
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The mission of an interior designer is to create environments that facilitate, celebrate and enrich our clients’ life journeys. To do that, we embark on a voyage of our own – one of discovery, understanding and creation. Design Chronicles invites you along for the ride.
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ANDRE W DE on
Andrew shares some tips for keeping holiday entertaining stress-free. photography by spacecrafting
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A SIGN
As the holidays approach, it’s time to consider entertaining and family gatherings. It’s a little late for a last-minute remodel project, but good planning and forethought can help you make the best use of your space. Making guests feel welcome and special is always my priority, and that is only possible if I’m “stress-free!” Once I decide who to host and plan my menu, I think about my table settings and linens. Pull things out of drawers and make sure table linens are clean, pressed, and free of stains. Waiting until the day before to polish your grandmother’s silver is really not a good idea! For me, this is the fun part. I love to pull out my crystal, china, and silver. Mix and match table settings. Have some fun. There are no rules! Some of my favorite things belonged to my late mother and grandmother. Using them is a fun way to honor their memories. Salt cellars and small votives at each place setting are often part of my tablescapes. Keep floral arrangements low. I also dig out my serving pieces and determine if I need to augment anything with a new purchase or trip to the thrift store. This is the time to decide if you’ll serve food buffet-style, plated, or family-style. I have a vintage bar cart that I place next to the dining table to hold the side dishes after they’ve been passed. That keeps the table neat and open. It’s a wonderful little trick; bar carts can be found everywhere at reasonable prices. The key to all of this, including your food prep, is to do as much as you can ahead of time. Set the table the day before or even sooner. Have your flowers in place, and candles refreshed. Know where people will sit and the event’s general flow and timing. Organize your playlists and clean out your front coat closet to accommodate your guests’ belongings. Being prepared is essential – I always have one guest who arrives a bit early. There’s no need for that to throw you off. Often, the kitchen becomes the gathering place for everyone, even if you have beautiful seating areas throughout your home. For me, keeping my work triangle (stove, sink, and refrigerator) free of people is critical. I like to set up a separate bar and beverage area so people can serve themselves and make themselves at home. Appetizers and snacks invite them to start conversations and let me finish in the kitchen. Over the years, I’ve had to learn to allow people to chip in and help. It’s tough when control is your “thing.” Give up the notion that everything has to be a certain way. Or identify in advance tasks that you’d be happy to assign out. Getting ice. Pouring water. Refreshing guests’ drinks. Guests like to be helpful. Ultimately, the whole point of entertaining is spending precious time with family and friends. Yes, having a wonderful meal is important, but it isn’t what people remember. They will remember how you made them feel: welcome, loved, and appreciated. Andrew Flesher Interiors is an award-winning design firm with offices in Minneapolis and New York. A portfolio of his work is available at andrewflesher.com. HOLIDAY 2023
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HOUSE
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Interior designer Megan Jackson Meder infuses a family lake home with boundless fun and energy. written by melinda nelson, photography by spacecrafting HOLIDAY 2023
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“From the moment we arrive at the lake, we feel like
we’re on vacation somewhere far away. But, because of Megan and the team, it’s a place that’s uniquely ours.” –THE HOMEOWNER
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HOME
project credits: · architect: bryan anderson, aia principal, sala architects · interior design: christine frisk, asid principal and founder, inunison design 70
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When a young couple decided to build a lake home, their architectural designer introduced them to interior designer Megan Jackson Meder of The Sitting Room— and it was fun at first sight. Megan and the homeowners quickly discovered they had much in common, including young children, a snarky sense of humor and a passion for hip-hop, classic rock and 90s dance tunes. The homeowner had worked in the commercial construction industry, so when she learned that construction is one of Megan’s many superpowers, it was an added bonus. In addition to a degree in construction management and interior design, Megan grew up in the construction business. “My dad has every tool ever invented,” she says with a laugh. “My favorite toys were laser levels and anything with an air compressor.” “When we showed Megan photos of our land, which is on a beautiful peninsula surrounded by three lakes, she immediately understood our vision of a vacation home that felt like a cabin,” the homeowner says. “We wanted the interiors to be warm and inviting while bringing the outside in, with wood walls, timber beams and stone, metal and furry accents. We thought making so many interior selections would be daunting, but Megan made it fun and easy. We always enjoyed visiting The Sitting Room for the selections meetings. Megan and her team created look books to bring the vision together and they always presented multiple options within our budget and style for us to choose from.” “Building a new lake home can be overwhelming, especially when it’s up north, but my team and I love creating a smooth, seamless experience for our clients,” Megan says. “We enjoy collaborating with the architectural designer and builder throughout the process, from selecting the materials to participating in the electrical walk-through with our clients, where we refine and finalize important design decisions.” Once the materials palette was finalized, the real fun began. “The homeowner has a great eye and she loves to hunt for antiques and quirky vintage pieces on Etsy and eBay,” Megan says. “When my phone would ping in the evenings, it was often a text from her with an image of a treasure she’d found, like a pair of vintage yellow water skis, an antique fishing basket and an English wooden butler she named Jeeves. We had so much fun incorporating her finds into the design, since they bring charm and personality to the spaces.” When it came time to install the furnishings, including a custom sectional that can easily sleep four people and assorted dogs, plus the homeowners’ collection of mugs with sarcastic sayings, Megan and her colleagues turned up the volume on the fun. With “Wild Thing” and other hits blasting from the speakers, everyone, from the homeowners to the movers, started dancing—and the good vibes have never stopped. “From the moment we arrive at the lake, we feel like we’re on vacation somewhere far away,” the homeowner says. “But, because of Megan and the team, it’s a place that’s uniquely ours.” HOLIDAY 2023
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SUSTAINABLY
Chic
Three years ago, I was given an opportunity to write a continuing article about the efficacy of sustainable design. I jumped at the chance, hoping to show readers the broad, easy paths anyone can take to achieve a beautiful home through truly ethical means. We called it “Sustainably Chic.” I knew the challenges ahead of me. Sustainability is still a confusing subject. There’s a running joke in my profession that states: “Educating adults on the benefits of sustainable design is like trying to teach your kid to love broccoli; they’re not going to do it unless it’s hidden within something more appetizing, like macaroni and cheese or ice cream.” To be fair, we are only thirty years into the concept of sustainability, which believe it or not, is still in its infancy. It will most likely be another decade before it is embraced as a viable solution by society. Rising material costs and scarcity will force us to rethink consumerism. Generation Z is already leading the way as their lives, more than any other generation, depends on the health of the planet. They understand the consequences of keeping our wasteful cyclical economy around and are demonstrating that putting faith in a circular economy is yielding remarkable results. For the rest of the generations not as versed in sustainable practices, hiding the “broccoli” became a goal with each article; showcasing small businesses and artisans on a mission to bring-forth gorgeous, innovative products as well as sharing pain-free ways to accessorize one’s home through thoughtful, eco-friendly design. Tethering inspiration to education takes fortitude and perseverance. I’ve failed, I’ve triumphed, and become clearer in explaining this mission of a beautiful planet through such easy means, and it’s all due to one individual who had faith in me. I have known the publisher of Lake Society Magazine, Karen Stoeckel for many years. She has been an ardent supporter of small business and artisans in our the Twin Cities. Publishers are largely seen as enterprising types who are often bombarded with requests and inclusions. They become judicial with their time, limiting the amount with each person. Karen stands out by carving out ample time to forge professional relationships and build lasting friendships. I have no doubt, under Karen’s refined, scrupulous and visionary eye, Lake Society Magazine will continue to grow as the elegant, top-quality publication it’s projected to be. So, what’s next after Sustainably Chic? It’s pretty simple: I’ll continue on with historical restoration and design projects, reviving old homes with gusto and preaching the gospel that is the beauty of sustainability. I know we can live in a world where there needn’t be another tree cut down to make furniture. Everything we need to create a stunning home 72
is right in front of us. It has been the entire time. Just a slight turn towards a different path can bring about results that can astound each of us. It just takes a dose of courage and maybe a bit of curiosity. But then I’ve always been a dreamer… someone with a drive to make the impossible happen. Explore, dream, create. Thank you LSM for this fantastic opportunity. It’s been a joy to write for the magazine. Thank you to all who bothered to read my ink scratches. True to my Norwegian roots: “Mitt hjerte er fylt av takknemlighet.” lake society magazine
photo credits: kitchen and pantry photos: andrea rugg photography | portrait photo: taylor hall o'brien
Carter Averbeck is an interior designer specializing in stylish, sustainable design. For More Information: Info@omformedesign.com
“Change is
the law of life. And those who only look to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” –JOHN F. KENNEDY
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Home DESIGN at
Melissa Musgjerd, Annie Graunke and Kristen McCormick, co-owners of Studio M Interiors, ring in the season at Melissa’s home. written by melinda nelson
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SPOTLIGHT
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We caught up with this dynamic trio of lady bosses when they were shooting Melissa’s recently renovated home on Lake Minnetonka with top architectural photographer Scott Amundson. In between styling the vignettes, arranging the flowers and thumping the pillows, the designers sat down for a chat about—what else?—design. Q. With an impressive portfolio of new custom homes and renovations and studios in Minneapolis and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, you make running a successful interior design business look easy. What’s your secret?
A. “As our clients, architects and builders quickly discover, Melissa, Kristen and I are best friends,” Annie says. “As studio owners, we work seamlessly together and support each other in every part of the business, no matter what.” Adds Kristen, “As designers, we each have our own aesthetic and approach, so we typically work on projects individually, but we always offer design advice, inspiration and ideas to elevate the project.” Q. As colleagues and BFFs, what do you love about each other?
A. “Annie is an amazing artist, with the ability to effortlessly sketch and make a concept come to life,” Melissa says. “She has a calm demeanor and she loves researching everything there is to know about her project.” Adds Annie, “Kristen is classic and refined and she puts her heart and soul into everything. She has a thoughtful design process and every selection is perfectly tailored to her clients.” “Melissa is fun and spunky, which is reflected in the way she dresses and her clean, modern designs,” Kristen says. “She’s got a keen eye for bold patterns and colors and she can style a room like nobody else.” Q. How does this camaraderie benefit your clients and design partners?
photography by spacecrafting
A. “I think our friendship is the foundation of the Studio M brand, and the reason why our studio has such great energy,” says Melissa. “We have so much respect and appreciation for everyone’s individual talents, including our clients and the architects, builders, photographers and trade partners we work with,” adds Annie. “Everyone on the Studio M team works hard to create positive relationships and an easy, comfortable process, so that designing a home is a fun and rewarding experience for our clients.” HOLIDAY 2023
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