LSM WINTER 2024

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DESTINATION ISSUE WINTER 2024

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763.760.0761 123 FARRINGTON STREET ST. PAUL, MN 55102 ANDREWFLESHER.COM WINTER 2024

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Every home has a story. lake society magazine


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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.

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Transformative Home Remodeling

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healthy smiles for a lifetime

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Exterior furnishings by Abitare Design Studio, Minneapolis

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A RC H I T E C T U R A L D E S I G N | I N T E R I O R D E S I G N | S T Y L I N G | S H O P P E S @bricklinen | 651.342.1326 | hey@bricklinen.com | bricklinen.com WINTER 2024

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It’s Where You Belong.

hello@regardingdesign.com

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Local Expertise in Fine Downtown Minneapolis and City Lakes Real Estate 612.327.5905 | betsylucasrealtor.com

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photography: Taylor Hall O’Brien

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From the Publisher a fresh approach to interior design

Dear Friends, Ah, February! The shortest month, but also the longest. Between the overcast skies and Arctic temps, it’s no wonder we’re all slightly obsessed with escaping to sunny climes. And, with so many wonderful snowbird designers, architects and builders in our Lake Society community, I was inspired to create an annual Destination issue to showcase all the amazing work that’s happening in Palm Springs, Arizona, Florida and Costa Rica.

“I created this magazine because of my passion for design and

I’m so grateful to you for being part of our tight-knit, fast-growing community of design lovers.”

Whether you’re reading this issue of Lake Society Magazine on a plane, under a beach umbrella or at home by the fire, I hope you enjoy these postcard-perfect images and fun stories of waterfront cottages, coastal condos and luxe vacation homes. And, because it’s February, I want to wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day. I created this magazine because of my passion for design, and I’m so grateful to you for being part of our tightknit, fast-growing community of design lovers. –Karen

mint-design.biz | 651.332.9609 22

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ON THE COVER LINDA ENGLER REDESIGNED THE RANCHO MIRAGE HOME OF BOB AND SHELLEY LYNCH. PUBLISHER KAREN T. STOECKEL GRAPHIC DESIGN SHEBA CONCEPT & DESIGN, INC. ART DIRECTION KAREN T. STOECKEL SOCIAL MEDIA PATTY BURLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANDRÉA DIXON ANDREW FLESHER SANDY LAMENDOLA RICHARD MERCHÁN NANCY MONROE MELINDA NELSON JEN ZIEMER

VISIT OUR NEWLY REMODELED STORE Now offering linens, apparel, gifts and fragrance

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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS SPACECRAFTING ALYSSA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY SOPHIA EL’RAE DIGITAL AGENCY Lakesocietymagazine.com Lakesocietymagazine@gmail.com @lsm_magazine lake society magazine


Scandinavian homes crafted for a life well lived. Our full-service process, including real estate, architecture, interior design and construction, creates timeless Scandinavian homes for people who want to retreat to an abode designed to support a mindful lifestyle. That means breaking down the walls between humans and the outdoors, honoring passive home design principles and connecting with the essence of our heritage to live in harmony with nature. scandirevival.com WINTER 2024

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22 A LETTER FROM the publisher.

28 IMAGINATION STYLE

Richard Merchan transports us to Palm Springs with “Some like it Hot”.

30 THE TASTEMAKER DIARIES

Andréa Dixon and Jen Ziemer, interior designers and co-owners of the award-winning Fiddlehead Design Group share what’s inspiring them and their design work this season.

32 SUN AND FUN

Like madcap mixologists, Jen Ziemer and Andréa Dixon infuse a beachfront condo with the spirit of Old Naples and a splash of playful chic.

42 HAPPY HOURS

A best-kept local secret, Naples Land Yacht Harbor is a happy place for interior designer Susie Ries and her husband Tom.

46 DESIGN CHRONICLES

Sandy Mendola shares how to make your getaway.

48 PAR ADISE FOUND

When a pair of snowbirds decamped to Palm Springs, Linda Engler infused their home with her singular aesthetic—and signature sense of fun.

56 REGARDING TR AVEL

Kelly Caruso, interior designer and intrepid travel correspondent, shares her go-to Parisian design resources.

58 DESERT SOUL

Reimagined and redesigned by Brick + Linen founders Joseph and Lisa Robbins, an iconic Tucson home is a perfect expression of their distinctive style.

66 COSTA RICA ESCAPE

Designer Martha Dayton combines the best of artistry and craftsmanship from Costa Rica and Minnesota to create a family’s vacation home.

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CONTENTS Destination Issue WINTER 2024

Painting by Richard Merchán. View from Tortola, a small island in the British Virgin Islands. WINTER 2024

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Style

IMAGINATION SOME LIKE IT HOT.

Hollywood movie studios had a rule requiring actors under contract to be available to the studio within two hours for any last-minute film shoots. Because Palm Springs was just under a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, it naturally evolved into a well-known vacation destination. Palm Springs was also home to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Long ago, they built complex communities in the Palm, Murray, Andreas, Tahquitz and Chino canyons. The Cahuilla Indian name for the Palm Springs area was Sec-he or boiling water; the Spanish who arrived named it Agua Caliente which translates to hot water. The beautiful palms that define the landscape of Palm Springs were imported to California in the late 1700s during the Spanish mission settlement. Soon, these trees were used as ornaments to symbolize the biblical nature of the missions, and in the practice of religious ceremonies. Palm Springs has always been a desirable place for snowbirds to escape cold Winter seasons, but over time it seems that more and more people are making the desert their primary home. I’ve spent a significant part of my life living in California and something that has always impressed me is its extensive variety of micro climates, dramatic vistas and multiple cultures. But regardless of where you are in California – there will always be a mountain range and a palm tree waiting for you. When I prepared to do this painting, using my memory as reference, I could feel the dry air from the Mojave Desert and imagine so many swimming pools paired with mid-century modern residences. This 44x30-inch painting simply titled Palm Springs summarizes my take on this oasis. My intention was to emphasize the contrast between a cool blue sky and a hot mountain range still steaming from an early sunrise. Anyone living in this part of the desert will tell you, “if the heat gets to you, drive West a couple of hours to the Coast.”

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 28

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Andréa Dixon and Jen Ziemer, interior designers and co-owners of the award-winning Fiddlehead Design Group share what's inspiring them and their design work this season.

COFFEE TABLE BOOK Graymalin.com

Life is short. Buy the artwork. Drink the wine. Order the dessert.” –Gray Malin

WOVEN BISTRO DINING CHAIR Serenaandlily.com LOEWE 001 WOMAN EAU DE TOILETTE Perfumesloewe.com

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HERMESISTIBLE INFUSED CARE OIL bergdorfgoodman.com

SHELL COASTER SET Loewe.com

CHAPPY LEG CUSTOM DINING TABLE Dunesandduchess.com 30

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SARAFINA CHANDELIER Coleenandcompany.com TURQUOISE LACE CAFTAN Laviestylehouse.com

JACQUEMUS LE BAMBINO LONG OSIER BAG Shopbop.com SEAWEED WALLCOVERING Katieridder.com

TURQUOISE ETERNITY RING Filigreejewelers.com VICTORIAN TURQUOISE CLUSTER PENDANT Filigreejewelers.com

We believe in living a colorful life.” –Lilly Pulitzer

LE CROC CLUTCH Pamelamunson.com

METALLIC GOLD SLIDES Celine.com

ONE OF A KIND CUSTOM VINTAGE CABANA TOTE AND TERRY DRESS Lilyeve.com WINTER 2024

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Sun Fun AND

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Like madcap mixologists, Jen Ziemer and Andréa Dixon infuse a beachfront condo with the spirit of Old Naples and a splash of playful chic. written by melinda nelson, photography by alyssa lee photography HOLIDAY 2023

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Nestled in the dunes overlooking the ocean and surrounded by swaying palm trees, there’s a low, butteryellow condominium with a white roof that’s withstood hurricanes, commercial development and other tempests. As pretty as a vintage postcard, It’s the quintessence of Old Naples, an enchanting enclave with quiet streets lined with kicky mid-century condos and hundred-year old cottages with lush tropical gardens. The beachfront condo has been in the owner’s family for several decades, so, like a vintage brandy snifter brimming with seashells, it holds many happy memories. For years, the condo has beckoned the owners, an Edina couple, to escape winter and ease into the rhythms of Old Naples’ luxe yet laid-back lifestyle. Mornings begin with a bike ride to Jane’s on Third for breakfast beneath the red umbrellas in the courtyard. The remainder of the day is reserved for reading, walking the beach and spotting sea turtle tracks. As afternoon eases into evening, it’s time for a stroll on Fifth Avenue before dinner at the glamorous Club Room at Campiello, where fellow Minnesotan Benny Weinbeck plays piano, taking requests for classic tunes and old-school movie soundtracks. Nostalgic yet modern, tropical and timeless, stylish but not stuffy, Old Naples has a distinctive design vernacular. So, when the client decided to update the condo, they knew they needed a design team who spoke the lingua franca. The couple admired the work of Sara Whicher, co-owner of Wayzata-based Chisel Architecture, so they invited her to reimagine the dated 1960s layout to create modern flow and functionality. Whicher redesigned every inch of the 1,400 sq. ft. condo, blurring the lines between the lanai and the living room and other graceful design moves. She created a crisp, coastal vibe with pale oak flooring and white shiplap paneling that frames the views of the ocean and the curvaceous swimming pool. Whicher introduced the clients to interior designers Andréa Dixon and Jen Ziemer of Fiddlehead Design and they hit it off. Recalling fun family vacations, the husband created a look book of photos and tearsheets for inspiration. When Dixon and Ziemer saw images of the Beach Boys, Gidget the Malibu surf girl, Flipper the bottlenose dolphin and pictures of sea turtles, they knew exactly how to infuse the interiors with whimsy and sophistication. Hardworking, high energy and always game for a glass of rosé at the end of the day, Ziemer and Dixon turned the project into an adventure. Like madcap mixologists, the designers channeled the spirits of Old Naples and Old Hollywood, added a splash of playful chic, shook it all up and poured it over a fresh palette of cool blue and soft green. On one of many memorable days, the designers and the client discovered an Italian shoe shop in Old Naples, so they each ordered a pair of beautiful custom shoes. The escapade was a perfect reflection of the designers’ “Fiddlesophy”—their signature belief that a home should be elegant yet comfortable, pretty and practical, perfectly fitting and designed to last a lifetime. WINTER 2024

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“Like madcap mixologists, the designers

channeled the spirits of Old Naples and Old Hollywood.”

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project credits: · designer: jen ziemer and andréa dixon of fiddlehead design group · architectural design: sara whicher of chisel architecture WINTER 2024

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HappyHOURS

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A best-kept local secret, Naples Land Yacht Harbor is a happy place for interior designer Susie Ries and her husband Tom. written by melinda nelson, photography byspacecrafting

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Susie Ries creates glamorous Fort Lauderdale beachfront condos, rustic ranches in California wine country and luxe cabins in the Wisconsin Northwoods, but in between design consultations and white-glove installations, Susie’s happy place is a diminutive cottage she recently designed in Naples Land Yacht Harbor, one of Florida’s best-kept real estate secrets. Until two years ago, Susie and her husband Tom had never heard of Naples Land Yacht Harbor. But, their friends Julie and Daniel Desrochers spilled the beans and told them all about the community, a former land yacht— a.k.a. mobile home—park hidden in plain sight near Tin City and tony Fifth Avenue. The Rieses were in town, so they made plans to stop by on their way to the airport. The Desrochers gave them the grand tour and when they saw the canals lined with white cottages and docks, tidy gardens edged with palm trees and the charming clubhouse, they were instantly enchanted by the eclectic, old Florida vibe. On their way to the airport, Susie and Tom kept thinking about the community, so they checked their bags, went through security and started looking at available lots online. By the time the gate agent began the boarding process, the Rieses were the newest residents of Naples Land Yacht Harbor, pending a Zoom interview. As soon as the couple successfully completed the interview, which included the all-important question, “Do you like happy hours?”, Susie swung into action. She met with the builder, the family-owned Leecorp Homes, and looked at several model homes. Working together with the architectural designer, Susie took her favorite aspects from each model and made the 1,300 sq. ft. home live bigger with higher ceilings and gallerylike walls, transom windows and sliding glass doors, a more spacious kitchen with a larger center island, open shelving, and other clever yet cost-effective ideas. Once the house was Susie Ries-approved, she infused the interiors with her signature high-low mix of easy furniture, glamorous metallic pieces, colorful accents and paintings by her sister Joey Lancaster, an artist whose work was recently featured at Art Miami. To complement her collection of Joey’s original paintings, Susie commissioned an exuberant botanical with a profusion of pink flowers and a giant bug, and a huge white peony with a navy background. She had the prints framed at Gregory Frame Shop on 4th Avenue in Naples and found a set of rattan patio furniture at a local consignment shop on Tamiami Trail. Despite Susie’s insistence that a home is never truly finished, the cottage is a picture-perfect backdrop for the Rieses’ delightfully busy life. Tom surprised Susie with a new bike for Christmas, so they love biking to the farmer’s market with a stop at Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii for Kona coffee and Aloha egg sandwiches. After spending the afternoon at Naples Beach, Susie and Tom take a bottle of chilled wine from the fridge and stroll down to the pier to meet their neighbors for happy hour in Naples Land Yacht Harbor style. 44

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“Susie infused the interiors with her

signature high-low mix

of easy furniture, glamorous metallic pieces, colorful accents and paintings.”

project credits: builder: leecorp homes interior design: susie ries interiors WINTER 2024

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MOTORIZED SHADES Let the light in with simple window treatments. Nothing fussy or heavy is needed for this seaside destination.

BUILT-INS Reduce clutter with integrated elements such as a built-in headboard, nightstands and lighting.

FINISH MATERIALS Limit the variables. A tight palette of design elements and architectural finishes will help create a more relaxing environment.

SINGLE DOMINANT DECORATIVE ELEMENT Capture the energy of the destination. Set against a neutral backdrop, the Master bedcoverings’ upbeat colors and patterns vividly evoke a dynamic coastal milieu. lake society magazine


DESIGN C H R O N I C L E S By Sandy LaMendola, ASID

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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We all dream of having a place to escape to. But too often we introduce so many complications into a vacation home that we lose that sense of “leaving it all behind.” Which is why our mantra for this 1500 sq. ft. coastal retreat was “happy and effortless living.” That meant keeping it simple, inviting the seaside location into the space, and giving the residence a real feeling of escape. Some tips to achieve that result:

– Embrace your aesthetics. Seize the opportunity to fully express your spirit. Whether playful, rugged or something else – be all in! – Less is more. Max out on living space vs. storage space. The less you have to keep track of, the more relaxing your life will be.

– Find your rhythm. Keep your getaway stocked with wardrobe, toiletries and staple foods to streamline the transition from one home to another. – Engage your team. They’ll help you maintain discipline with your project goals. To optimize your free time, you may also wish to contract with reliable locals who can ready your space for arrival and restore it upon departure. I often remind clients that a vacation home is different from a principal residence. This is your refuge, so leave the clutter and complexity behind. Focus instead on what gives you joy and truly delivers on the promise of a getaway. Twist Interior Design | Minneapolis | twistinterior.com

Architect: TEA2 Architects. Contractor: QualCraft Construction. Photographer: Mindy Nicole Photography. WINTER 2024

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Found

PARADISE

When a pair of snowbirds decamped to Palm Springs, Linda Engler infused their home with her singular aesthetic—and signature sense of fun. written by melinda nelson, photography by spacecrafting

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“Linda designed the new floorplan and selected paint colors, finishes and materials. While the builder was renovating the space, she infused each room with

Palm Springs panache.”

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For golf connoisseurs, mid-century design devotees and Hollywood film buffs, Palm Springs is paradise. And, for Minnesota snowbirds, it’s heaven on earth. Delta flight #847 leaves MSP at 9 a.m. and when the plane touches down at PSP at 11 a.m., the bonus hours are easily filled with a leisurely brunch in the garden courtyard at Jake’s on North Palm Canyon Drive, where the layer cakes are as luscious as the Lincoln Del. After a spin through Rubine Red, a contemporary art gallery owned by fellow Minnesotan Jason Howard, it’s a smooth ride to Mission Hills Country Club. Just off Dinah Shore Drive and set against the stunning snow-capped San Jacinto Mountains, Mission Hills Country Club is quite possibly the penultimate piece of desert real estate. Which is why, when Bob and Shelley Lynch came to an open house and saw the swimming pool overlooking a pond on the par 3 fourth hole on the Palmer course, they were sold. But, like an aging movie star, the house and casita needed a little work. And, given the property’s incredible pedigree, the Lynches knew they could only trust the aesthetic procedure to an experienced professional with a deep technical understanding of bone structure, an appreciation for spirit of place and a superb sense of fun. Having worked with interior designer Linda Engler on the construction of their Wayzata home and renovation of their North Loop condo, Bob and Shelley knew she’d be perfect. (The fact that Linda and her husband David are keen golfers was a bonus.) Within short order, Linda landed at PSP and after a classic Palm Springs lunch of Arnie Palmers, tuna melts and black-and-white cookies at Sherman’s on Tahquitz Canyon Way, the Lynches squired her to Mission Hills Country Club. Equipped with decades of experience and construction expertise, Linda toured the house and quickly diagnosed a need for better circulation, improved sightlines and more personality. With a kicky new color palette, sleek white cabinetry, modern furnishings, original art and vintage pieces, the house would soon be ready for prime time. Linda designed the new floorplan and selected paint colors, finishes and materials. While the builder was renovating the space, she infused each room with Palm Springs panache. She selected handmade rugs from her go-to rug gurus at Mehraban in West Hollywood and found stunning vintage modern lamps, art and other pieces curated by her favorite dealers Thomas Sharkey and Charles Pearson at Hedge in Cathedral City and Julio Rodrigues at Ventura in Palm Springs. Channeling a playful mid-century vibe, Linda juxtaposed a fabulous Slim Aarons photograph that Shelley found in a local art gallery with a Scandinavian teak dining table and a curvaceous vintage sectional reupholstered in chartreuse Perennials indoor-outdoor velvet from Blended Blue in Minneapolis. Cocooned in layers of faux cheetah, the casita, nicknamed The Elvis Presley Suite by Bob and Shelley, makes a glamorous hideaway, while the luxurious Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra Suites welcome family and friends to the good life in Palm Springs. WINTER 2024

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Regarding Travel

When legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland declared, “The eye must travel,” she could have been chatting with our travel correspondent, interior designer Kelly Caruso. Like Vreeland, Caruso adores traveling for inspiration, education and conversation with antiquarians, textile experts and artists. The former CEO of Shipt and longtime Target merchandising exec, Caruso’s retail talents have taken her around the world from Hong Kong to Birmingham, Alabama. Every January, the designer kicks off the new year with a week in Paris, where she discovers new trends at Déco Off, explores tiny shops and grand magasins, and scours the flea markets for unique pieces to weave into her designs.

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with KELLY CARUSO

Kelly’s Cahier de Design

Favorite shops and go-to design resources for French style

Ailleurs @ailleursparis

A lifestyle shop with furniture, lighting, tableware and more.

Astier de Villatte @astierdevillatte

T he French brand’s flagship store with candles, fragrances and ceramics.

Covet Paris

An amazing design showroom inside the Saint-Ouen flea market

Deyrolle @deyrolle.officiel

A cabinet of natural curiosities founded in 1831

Fleux @fleux.paris

A fave Parisian concept store in the heart of the Marais

Marin Montagut @marinmontagut

Whimsical, beautifully illustrated products with joie de vivre

Merci @merciparis

My perfect combination of fashion and interior design

Bougie & Senteur Paris @bougie.senteur

Fragrance is a vital element of design, so I love these candles WINTER 2024

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Soul

DESERT

Reimagined and redesigned by Brick + Linen founders Joseph and Lisa Robbins, an iconic Tucson home is a perfect expression of their distinctive style. written by melinda nelson, photography by sophia el’rae digital agency

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HOME “We’re very sensitive about preserving old buildings and reusing materials wherever possible, so Casa Adobe became a

true passion project.” –JOSEPH ROBBINS

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project credits: builder/landscape design/interior design: joseph and lisa robbins

Tucson is a world away from Stillwater and Wayzata, where Joseph and Lisa Robbins created their Brick + Linen design studios and retail stores, but it’s always felt like home for the couple. Joseph’s mother lived in Tucson for many years, so it was a favorite destination for getaways and holidays. Joseph also studied fine art and architecture at Arizona State University in Tempe, an experience that gave him a profound appreciation for the desert vernacular and the rugged Sonoran landscape. Four years ago, when Minnesota was on the verge of lockdown, the Robbins were ready for a change of scenery and a new adventure. Tucson’s low-ley lifestyle and comfortable climate felt like the perfect antidote to Minnesota winters, so the couple started browsing the online listings. When they spotted a 1973 fixer-upper in the Catalina Foothills, not far from Canyon Ranch and the Tucson Botanical Gardens, they were immediately intrigued. Crafted of red adobe brick, the one-story home was a Burnt Adobe Territorial, an architectural style that originated in the desert Southwest in the 1930s. The house and the surrounding landscape were in rough shape, but they could easily envision the possibilities, so they bought the property and christened it Casa Adobe. Lisa, an interior designer, and Joseph, an architectural designer and artist, have lent their combined talents to new custom homes and complex renovation projects in the Twin Cities, Bozeman, Montana, St. Petersburg, Florida and New York City, so they were up to the challenge. “Lisa and I thrive on complicated projects,” Joseph says. “We worked for many years in commercial design, so we have a rigorous process that allows us to work both locally and out-of-state. We’re very sensitive about preserving old buildings and reusing materials wherever possible, so Casa Adobe became a true passion project.” Discovery is a big part of our creative process,” Lisa adds. “Joseph and I love going down the rabbit hole and finding the soul of a home. With every project, we enjoy researching the history of the house, sourcing the right materials and finding original art and unique pieces to make a home feel authentic.” Over the next year, Joseph and Lisa worked their magic on Casa Adobe. They reworked the interiors to create better flow and take advantage of the magnificent views. Working together with local artisans and craftspeople, they carefully sandblasted the exteriors to highlight the beauty of the adobe brick and added new modern windows with custom metal Bahamas shutters. They redesigned the landscaping with cacti and other native plants and added a swimming pool and a custom metal fence. To honor the history and character of the home, the couple drove all over Tucson to source Saltillo tile flooring, ceramic tile, mesquite wood and other authentic materials, and scour the antique shops for paintings and vintage treasures. Finished with signature Brick + Linen furnishings, rugs, lighting and accessories, the casually luxurious Casa Adobe looks and feels as though it's always been part of the desert landscape. WINTER 2024

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“Discovery is a big part of our creative process. Joseph and I love going down the rabbit hole and

finding the soul of a home.”

–LISA ROBBINS

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Escape

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Works from Costa Rica and Minnesota artisans come together in a breezy beach retreat. written by nancy monroe, photography by spacecrafting WINTER 2024

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project credits: · designer: martha dayton design · architect: zürcher arquitectos · builder: pacific coast construction

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blues and greens

reflective of the water and the local landscape in general.” –MARTHA DAYTON OF MARTHA DAYTON DESIGN

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Working on homes within close proximity to water—most often a sparkling lake in Minnesota or swimming pool in Southern California—is familiar territory for designer Martha Dayton. So, too, are waterfront projects much farther south, in Mexico and, for the second time now, in Costa Rica. Here, on the Papagayo Peninsula, Dayton designed a beach home for a family from the U.S. “Our goal was to build a home where they’d be excited to bring their family or guests, but that could be rented if they chose to do so,” Dayton says. “It had to feel true to Costa Rica but fit their personal style, too.” To create this dreamy retreat, Martha Dayton Design worked in collaboration with one of Costa Rica’s top architectural firms, Zürcher Arquitectos—the same firm responsible for the design of the Andaz and Four Seasons resorts nearby. She and her team chose all finishes, fixtures, and furnishings for the roughly 16,000-square-foot house with five bedrooms (three owner’s suites, a guest room, and a bunk room), plus a home office, den, and gym/yoga studio. But the heart-of-the-home great room posed the loftiest challenge, given its two-story volume and banks of glass doors, half of which open wide to a Pacific Ocean view. Lighting plays a brilliant role in breaking down the proportions of the space. “We wanted to bring the lighting down to a height that made the space feel residential and comfortable,” Dayton says of the pendants (most from Arteriors) hanging above and loosely defining the living area, dining area, and beverage bar. When specifying them, she ensured they’d have enough weight so that they wouldn’t sway on breezy days or when the ceiling fans were on. Plush seating in the living area includes a Patricia Edwards sofa, Denman chairs, and Palacek stools, the last of which were chosen for their low height. “We needed the extra seating but didn’t want to block the view of the beach,” Dayton says. The rug, from Minneapolis’ Tapis Décor, softens the travertine stone floor. The coffee and dining tables are made of Guanacaste, a hardwood native to Costa Rica. Dayton had the raw wood shipped to Minnesota, where Ian Grant of Bjorling & Grant, one of her favorite local furniture sources, made it into tables. Other Twin Cities artisans with works in the house include Missy Monson, Kimberly Tschida Petters, and Wendy Westlake. But about half of the large artworks are by Costa Rican artists, many introduced to Dayton through the architectural team, which is well-connected to the local arts community. Art takes a particularly fun turn in the pool-level tiki bar. “As a family, they enjoy tiki bars—they loved Psycho Suzi’s in Minnesota, and they’ve been going to a tiki bar in Florida for years,” Dayton says. To round out cups and other souvenirs the family had collected, her team found a host of vintage surf posters, maritime antiques, and other tiki memorabilia. But the room’s most fascinating element may very well be overhead—lighting made by PET Lamp, a company based in Spain. “They have a really cool story,” Dayton says. “Everything is made by women artisans, and, if you look closely, they’re all woven around old plastic soda bottles.” Placing them was a bit of nightmare, she laughs, “But it was worth it.” 72

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so•ci•e•ty: companionship or association with one’s fellows: a group of people involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same geographical or social territory

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