HOME style
winter
MAGAZINE
PUBLISHER Jim Shrader (618)463-2580 Jim_Shrader@thetelegraph.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF Dan Brannan (618)463-2560 Dan_Brannan@thetelegraph.com
EDITOR Cynthia Ellis (618)463-2570 Cynthia_Ellis@thetelegraph.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Georgia Mills (618)463-2554 Georgia_Mills@thetelegraph.com
Editor’s note Winter's comforts
Bird is the word Cover story Ask a Professional Fantastic botanicals Fireplaces
Sue Ellen Boschert (618)463-2532 Sue Ellen_Boschert@thetelegraph.com
CONTRIBUTORS Vicki Bennington Margie M. Barnes (Photography) Steve Whitworth Laura Griffith Sam Bachman Doug Conley
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Winter 2010
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Taking on their own personalities
It’s winter - time to plan 16 Director of The Gardens at SIUE
Dining a deux
17
Bella Milano recipes
A room of his own
18
Exploring John Callander’s personal space
Life’s daily treat
20
Duke Bakery baking doggy donuts
Call of the wilderness Reminiscent of a country estate
THE
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New trends in fireplaces
Joe Wilson (618)463-2599 Joe_Wilson@thetelegraph.com
SALES COORDINATOR
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Eclectic condo captivates couple
Enthusiasm for all things sci-fi
Johnny Aguirre (618)463-2543 Johnny_Aguirre@thetelegraph.com
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Winter is for the birds
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22
Photos by MARGIE M. BARNES
On the cover: An antique French mirror complements the elegant, custom-designed architectural features found throughout Jeff and Linda Hanselman's Edwardsville condo. Styled by designer Michael H. Stevens. Inside cover, A view of Sunset Hills Country Club from the condo.
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Basement remodels a favorite for homeowners Perhaps thanks to the growing popularity of home theaters, basement remodels are becoming more and more popular among the nation's homeowners. With advancements in television and home theater technology. But remodeling a basement involves more than simply throwing out the pingpong or pool table and replacing them with leather sofas and a big screen television. Before doing anything with the basement, it's best to prepare the area to ensure the home theater experience is as enjoyable as possible. ● Check for moisture. Nearly every basement has issues with moisture. Perhaps victims of floods or heavy rains, basements do not typically boast ideal living conditions, requiring work before homeowners and their families and friends can spend time in them knowing they're safe. ● Decide what to do with the ceilings. For those who really want to create a theater experience in their basement, the ceilings will likely need some work. Many basements have ceiling tiles, which create an ambience more suited to a basement than a theater. Homeowners should consider replacing ceiling tiles with drywall.
● Examine the walls. After working on the ceilings, the walls should be next on the list. Home theaters tend to have dark walls like those in movie theaters, so if the walls are white, homeowners might want to paint them with a darker color. Again, this should be done before doing anything with the floor to avoid stains or debris on any new flooring. ● Fix the floors. Oftentimes, basements are not carpeted, typically covered with a throw rug here or there and some linoleum tiles. However, for those hoping to get a genuine theater experience in their basement, it's best to lay down some carpeting. Much like the walls, carpets should be a darker color to create an ambience more like that of a movie theater. If putting a refrigerator or bar area in the basement, avoid laying carpet down in that area as spills might stain the new carpet. ● Before buying any products, determine if they will fit. Chances are large products can fit through the doorways and into the basement. Since many homeowners have pool tables and refrigerators in their basements already, it's highly likely that other big ticket items like large screen televisions and leather sofas will be able to fit through the doorways.
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Winter 2010
editor’s note kathie BASSETT
Winter’s comforts With the shortest days, longest nights of the year, and coldest temperatures, winter beckons one inside to enjoy the pleasures of home. Poet Edith Sitwell wrote, "Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." Home is the place to make hearty meals, entertain friends and family, relax and retreat from the work world. Winter is also a wonderful time to explore hobbies or simply enjoy the warmth of a blazing fire. Jeff and Linda Hanselman's home, on the cover, is a cozy condo adjacent to Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. The couple moved into this two-story unit once their sons had left the family abode. With Linda's eye for decorating and Jeff's expertise in architectural woodwork, the couple designed an enchanting space that perfectly suits their lifestyle and reflects their love of intricate detail - arched Palladian windows, an ornate 19th century French mirror adorned with doves, and luxuriously patterned furnishings that complement Linda's eclectic decor. To warm up to winter comfort food, Bella Milano in Edwardsville grilled Dodo Chile rubbed strip steaks and created a rich chocolate Burgundy sauce to balance the flavors. Dining in the Hanselman's intimate kitchen, Michael Stevens of MS Designs furthers the romantic ambiance with a vibrant bouquet of wildflowers. During these cold winter months, a fireplace can be the focal point for many evenings at home. Vicki Bennington looks at three distinct fireplaces and explores how design represents more than just functional considerations. Sam Bachman of The Fireplace Store & More in Jerseyville discusses the pros and cons of wood burning fireplaces and stoves in Home Style's Ask A Pro column. Making a walk a literal treat for Sophie, their Golden Retriever puppy, Ray and Peggy Stillwell amble past Duke Bakery every morning. Laura Griffith talks with the family as they make their daily stop so that Sophie can visit with owner Sue Doucleff and receive a "donut." Living in the Middletown neighborhood of Alton, John Callander enjoys retreating into his basement "man cave" when it's too cold to be riding his beloved Harley. In his personal sanctuary, John has his bike and car memorabilia along with his quirky collection of antique toasters on display. For gardeners who are already looking forward to spring, Doug Conley, director of the Gardens at SIUE, recommends using the winter months to plan ahead. Container gardeners like Gary Kerr of Alton find refuge in their greenhouse, where he houses his collection of tropicals, succulents, and cacti until warmer temperatures return. For more advice on backyard birding, read Steve Whitworth's "Bird is the Word" column. Make sure your yard is a welcoming retreat for feathered friends! Kathie
Bird is the word By Steve WHITWORTH
Winter is for the birds inter is the best season for feeding birds in your yard. Although some people put out bread crumbs and other processed foods, I prefer to use natural seed. Depending on where you live, feeders might attract some less desirable birds, especially house sparrows (Eurasian weaver finches) and starlings. These are non-native species introduced from Europe during the
W
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19th century that often compete against and dominate more desirable native species, such as bluebirds and wrens. The best way to minimize the domination of your feeders by house sparrows and starlings is to use models designed to thwart these species. A simple house-shaped platform feeder on a post, for example, allows house sparrows and starlings, as well as more aggressive native species, such as common grackles and brown-headed cowbirds, to gain a secure perch. The species you wish to feed, such as Northern cardinals, chickadees and titmice, may find it hard to grab a bite before they are driven away by one of the larger birds. One strategy I use is to try to attract the house sparrows and starlings to my front yard with a platform-type feeder on a post. The cardinals, chickadees and blue jays will venture in occasionally, too, and it seems to keep the house sparrows and starlings away from my backyard feeders. For the back yard, where I have more plantings and shelter for native birds, I use feeders designed to discourage the non-native species. For example, most of my tube feeders for sunflower seeds and similar mixes don't have trays on the bottom, as these make it too easy for the "bad" birds to perch. I pick feeders with short perches that discourage the
starlings, in particular. For feeding American goldfinches, I use tube feeders that have narrow openings, the size and shape of a grain of thistle seed, also known as nyjer. This seed, which resembles small grains of black rice, is preferred by goldfinches, although they also like black oil sunflower seed. I also use at least one or two of the nylon "sock" feeders to provide thistle seed for the goldfinches, which can perch easily on the nylon mesh. In fact, it better replicates the natural plant, allowing them to feed in all positions, including upside-down, as they often do. A bonus to providing thistle feeders is that they sometimes attract less common winter finches, such as pine siskins or the occasional common redpoll, during the depths of winter. As for placement of feeders, I try to avoid hanging them on trees. I like to use poles designed for hanging flower baskets and birdfeeders, such as shepherd's hooks. Feeders hung on trees are bound to attract any squirrels in the neighborhood. In fact, if you offer food for birds long enough, you eventually will attract squirrels, raccoons and other "critters," as well. There are various methods for minimizing their predatory effects, but that would take up a whole column on its own. steve_whitworth@thetelegraph.com
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Eclectic condo
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Photo by KATHIE BASSETT
Arched columns and a coffered ceiling set the Hanselman's dining room apart from the rest of the great room.
8
Winter 2010
By KATHIE BASSETT
W
ith the Hanselmans’ two sons living on their own, Jeff and Linda began exploring the next phase of their life together and questioning whether or not they wished to downsize from their home of 17 years and move into a condo. "Jeff and I are not large space people," Linda said. "We like a cottage feel." Jeff convinced Linda to go with him one afternoon to look at a place near Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. "When Jeff brought me here, I stood in one spot and fumed - he literally had to drag me in," said Linda. "I hate golf, and I didn't want to live on a golf course or near a country club." Married for 34 years, the Hanselmans have adeptly learned how to navigate their differences of opinions. "He knew that if he left me alone, I would calm done," Linda laughed. "It was about 4 p.m. and the sun was setting - I liked how the sun was streaming through the tall Palladian windows on either side of the mantle - so it occurred to me that I could make this place really cute." A partner in the now-shuttered Maison de Chanticleer in Edwardsville, Linda made all the interior design decisions while Jeff, who owns MPM Industries in Glen Carbon, designed the home's architectural woodwork. To unify the space, Jeff repeated the windows' distinctive arch in the opening between the kitchen and dining room as well as in the vaulting that surrounds the dining room. Part of a great room, the dining space is distinguished from the seating area by sophisticated square columns. These refined architectural features form an elegant backdrop for Linda's eclectic décor that can best be described as French country with a touch of Parisian elegance. The rooms flow into one another, graciously mixing comfort with urbane style that reflects Linda's exuberant personality. She
easily mixes bargain pieces with expensive antiques - creating relaxed and inviting living spaces. With the decision made to move into the condo, Linda began looking around for pieces to decorate her soon-to-be new home. While on a hunting trip for the store, Linda fell immediately in love with a mirror she found at a wholesale importer of European antiques, Euro-Trash, in Jacksonville, IL. "I saw the top with the two doves holding a wheat sheath and I went crazy," said Linda, whose mother was French. "I knew I had to have it, and my husband loves it too - if I tell him he will love it, he does - he's learned." To accommodate the mirror, Jeff specifically designed the mantle to complement its intricate floral motifs by incorporating ornate scrollwork into its lintel. Born in Japan, Linda moved quite a bit growing up - even back to her mother's home, Paris, before moving to Southern Illinois. As her family moved about the world, Linda acquired a hard-to-define aesthetic that can best be seen in the family heirlooms she now owns - a Japanese Satsuma lamp that has been repaired many times as it has traversed the globe, a set of hand painted Limoges china that her mother customdesigned at the factory in France, and several Quimper plates, a collection which she has since expanded. Linda's love of mixing patterns and textures can be seen in the playful mixing of luxurious fabrics and sumptuous carpets with dark wood furniture, sparkling crystal, decorative porcelains, and traditional oil paintings, accented by a surprising sense of whimsy. Nothing reflects Linda's bon vivant attitude better than the dancing, winged pig that presides over the kitchen stove. "I love to cook and try new recipes for my friends and family," said Linda. The couple shares their cozy retreat with their beloved dogs, Gus and Buddy.
Photos by MARGIE M. BARNES
Top from left, luxurious fabrics mixed with a sumptuous Oriental carpet complement the couple's fine art work. Above, the French country décor extends into the master bathroom. Middle, A sophisticated interplay of fabric and texture define the master bedroom. Bottom, A close-up of a Limoges plate designed by Linda's mother at the factory in France.
kathie_bassett@thetelegraph.com
Home Style
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Winter 2010
Photos by MARGIE M. BARNES
On top of a small desk, an homage to Linda's French heritage. Middle, a dancing, winged pig presides over the kitchen. Bottom, a collection of French Quimper plates.
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Fantastic botanicals Photos by KATHIE BASSETT
Left, Gary Kerr of Godfrey amid his collection of palms, succulents and cacti. Right, Kerr's attached greenhouse sits at the back of his Richland Woods home.
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Winter 2010
By Kathie Bassett
G
ary Kerr's enthusiasm for all things sci-fi has truly shaped his life. Gary believes his interest in collecting science fiction memorabilia basically started shortly after birth, fueled by his unlimited access to comic books at his family's business, the old Kerr Drug Store on College Avenue. After spending some 20-odd years working for the Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis, Gary's true avocation is creating designs for toys and replicas of sci-fi vehicles from TV and film. He blueprinted a filming miniature of the iconic spaceship, the USS Enterprise, for an episode of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". Currently, he is designing large plastic kits of the two most famous spaceships from 1960s TV: Star Trek's Enterprise and the Jupiter 2 from "Lost in Space." A man of wideranging tastes, Gary is also interested in Civil War naval histoGARY KERR ry, dinosaurs, and gardening. "My interest in the unusual has evolved, ever since a childhood fascination with dinosaurs, with their big teeth and claws," he said. 'When I worked in St. Louis, I went to the Botanical Garden for lunch. It didn't take too long for me to notice that many of their plants looked like something you'd see in scifi films, so I picked up some at the gift shop." With that purchase, another hobby was born. Like Gary's other collections, the number (and size) of plants steadily grew. When he built a home in Richland Woods, in Godfrey three years ago, the house included an attached, 27-by 33-foot greenhouse, plus a two-story, 12-by-20 foot atrium off the great room, to house his plants, but now both those areas are filled to overflowing. "I like exotic plants, particularly succulents
“I like exotic plants, particularly succulents and tropicals the stranger, the better.”
continued on next page
Top, Kerr has collected exotic plants on his travels and orders others from catalogues and the Internet. Bottom, a cactus native to Mexico, Cryptocereus, is in bloom.
and tropicals - the stranger, the better," Gary said, and he joked, "I don't know squat about roses, tulips or common landscape plants." The plants in his greenhouse are packed to the rafters for the winter, with a deck overlooking his collection. He had hoped he would be able to have breakfast in the greenhouse while the snow swirled outside, but this plan has been delayed, while structural issues are being resolved. Gary has numerous flowering exotics such as plumeria, hoyas, adeniums and Glaucous Cassia that add vibrant color to the predominantly green foliage found in the greenhouse. These species give visitors the sense of having "landed" on a utopian planet, while other flora, covered with inch-long spines, appears much more menacing. "I especially like palms, cacti, aloes, baobabs, dragon trees and big, spiky succulents such as pachypodiums," he said. "I've got a banyan tree that started off as a small sprout seven years ago, and I recently had to give it a major haircut, before it started lifting the roof off the greenhouse." Gary said a "great migration" occurs each spring, when the palms and less-deadly plants are moved outside to transform his pool area from barren concrete to tropical oasis.
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Home Style
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FIREPLACES
take on their own personalities By VICKI BENNINGTON
A
warm and cozy fire provides a mood-enhancing backdrop whether it's for a family celebration, a holiday party or a romantic evening. And fireplace designs, mantles and surrounds come in a variety of styles to help set the stage, each reflecting individual taste and interpretation. Illinois State Sen. Bill Haine and his wife, Anna, have lived in their current home on Liberty Street since 1989. The front parlor fireplace has been the centerpiece of many parties with their seven children and 18 grandchildren making popcorn or roasting marshmallows around its hearth. Originally structured to burn coal, the fireplace is somewhat narrower than traditional wood burners. It was first used in the Hewitt family house originally built around 1844, before being torn down when the land was divided into lots to build four houses for the Hewitt children. The Haine home is one of the four, inheriting the coal-burning fireplace with its heavy cast iron cover. Since the Haines’ first Thanksgiving in the house, there have been many fires built with many sing-a-longs sung around them. The family is full of talented musicians, singers and artists, and Anna, who is very musical herself, started an annual family talent show. With a crowd seated in the parlor around the fireplace, everyone gets the chance to perform for the Haine clan in the wide entrance hall. Anna says her husband will often "lay" a fire, so she can simply light it when she's ready, sometimes closing the pocket doors to make the room warm and cozy. Ed and Joanna Abell's mantel and fireplace surround in their 1903 Middletown home began life in another form. The couple was in the process of renovations and wanted to retain the original green marble and brick hearth, but planned to replace the white pine fireplace mantel. Ed spotted an 1890s Eastlake walnut organ top and came up with
Photos by KATHIE BASSETT
Bill and Anna Haine's cat warms herself in front of a blazing fire. The fireplace dates from 1844 and was part of an earlier home that stood on that spot on Liberty Street in Alton.
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Winter 2010
Top, Sandra Allen designed her kitchen fireplace to incorporate a ninefoot juniper log that she transported from Oregon to Edwardsville for her mantle. Bottom, the centerpiece of Ed and Joanna Abell's Middletown home is a fireplace hand constructed by Ed that incorporates the top of an Eastlake organ.
an idea. He brought it home and it fit perfectly around the fireplace. Ed included portions of an antique walnut headboards; adding walnut pieces around the beveled mirrors that he had re-silvered. Carved wooden cattails on the surround are one of Joanna's favorite touches. Amish carpenters from Arcola, IL, turned the ornate wooden posts, adding the finishing touch. The Abells inserted a gas log for convenience and spend many mornings drinking coffee near its warmth. Joanna doesn't add Christmas decorations to the fireplace because, she says, "It speaks for itself." When Sandra Allen of Edwardsville began designing her new house, she wanted it to be what she terms "rusticelegant." That may sound like a contradiction in terms, but her kitchen fireplace is a central element that can be described as well‌ elegantly rustic. Built using Fond du Lac, Wisc., white stone, its beauty and quality could fit as easily in a lodge as her home. As for functionality, the hearth is tall enough to comfortably sit on - about 20 inches off the floor - and flat enough to set trays or drinks on. Next on her list was a built-in wood box with a back opening for feeding logs in from outside. The mantle was made from a nine-foot piece of juniper, designed by artist Judd Holt, of Sisters, Ore., who debarked, sanded and shellacked the solid wood. Sandra picked it up and drove it back in a U-Haul. She spends many hours around her masterpiece design, which is wood burning with an installed blower and cold air returns so it efficiently supplies a lot of heat. "I'm a fire builder, so I use it a lot," Allen said. "I like to feel its warmth." vbennington@sbcglobal.net
Home Style
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16
Winter 2010
DIRECTOR OF THE GARDENS AT SIUE
It's winter time to plan
'(6,*16
MICHAEL STEVENS
CONLEY
(618) 465-8868
The solstice has passed and winter lies straight ahead. The cold winter months are a perfect time to begin planning your garden, be it fruit, vegetable, ornamental or some hybrid. There are a number of gardening catalogs available; gather a few that interest you and begin browsing for plant and design ideas. Beware: it is easy to overwhelm yourself with information. Check out www.gardenlist.com if you need help getting started. Identify a sunny and convenient location for your garden. Ours is near the back door so wilting plants are noticed, weeds are pulled, and herbs and vegetables are easily harvested as desired for meals. Determining the size of garden is tricky and paramount to success. All too often a new gardener will take on a garden too large to manage. What are your goals? Do you want enough tomatoes for canning, making sauces, and salsa or just enough for a few meals? A modest sized garden can generate enough harvest to satisfy most homeowners while not becoming a burden for weeding and watering throughout the summer. Be honest about how much time you will dedicate. Designing your garden should be an enjoyable and need not be complicated. There are many resources available including most catalogs, books, and internet resources. However, one only needs graph paper, pencil, ruler and creativity to layout a functional design. Begin by laying out your perimeter. Determine which plants you want and how big they grow. Catalogs and reference books will provide the mature size of the plants. Layout which plants will go where. Keep in mind that tall plants may shade smaller plants…this is OK if the shaded plant desires cooler soils. Stagger your planting times to extend the harvest season. Keep a journal of weather conditions and your successes and failures as this will help you better plan next year. For a fun read on the topic try, “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver. Good luck and enjoy!
Dining a deux By KATHIE BASSETT
pting for casual intimacy over formal ĂŠlan, Jeff and Linda Hanselman enjoy dining in their kitchen when they are home by themselves.
O
"I love being in my kitchen," said Linda. "It's one of my favorite rooms in the house." Reflecting the Hanselman's appreciation of good wine and food, "Bon AppĂŠtit" is written on a small, centrally placed note card in the kitchen that sets the stage for this intimate meal. Michael Stevens of MS Designs has assembled a bouquet of Provencal wildflowers to add an accent of bold color to the more muted backdrop of the kitchen's honed marble tile and honey-colored granite countertops.
"We strive for every day comfort recipes and plating that is artistic and tasteful. We want people to thoroughly enjoy our food."
reservation, call (618) 659-2100. Stevens can be contacted at (618) 406-3423 or michaelhstevens@yahoo.com.
Dodo Chile Rub: 4 Tbsp. chile powder 4 Tbsp. cocoa powder 1 Tbsp. onion powder 1 Tbsp. garlic powder 1 Tbsp. ground thyme Salt and pepper to taste
Chocolate Burgundy sauce: 1 oz. Burgundy wine 2 oz. beef stock 10 oz. semisweet chocolate Rub New York Strip Steak with the Dodo Chile rub, and then grill. For the Chocolate Burgundy sauce, put wine in pan and reduce by half, add beef stock and chocolate, simmer until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Photo by MARGIE M. BARNES
Dinner is ready: Bella Milano has prepared two Dodo Chile rubbed New York strip steaks with a chocolate Burgundy sauce for the Hanselmans to enjoy. The kitchen island has been styled by Michael H. Stevens of MS Designs.
SAM GUARINO
BELLA MILANO'S CO-OWNER Dismissing conventional rules, the island is set with monogrammed napkins, silver, and crystal to accompany a hearty winter repast, producing an ambiance of easygoing elegance. For this special evening at home, Bella Milano in Edwardsville has created an inventive Dodo Chile rubbed New York Strip Steak with a chocolate Burgundy sauce served with grilled sweet potatoes and flash fried spinach. The chefs at Bella Milano enjoy experimenting with ingredients to make tantalizing specials that complement their more traditional Italian dishes. "We strive for every day comfort recipes and plating that is artistic and tasteful," said Sam Guarino, Bella Milano's co-owner. "We want people to thoroughly enjoy our food." To follow the full-bodied flavors of the entree, Home Style designer Michael Stevens has concocted a light-as-a-feather white chocolate layer cake with raspberry filling for dessert. Echoing Linda's words of wisdom, Bon appĂŠtit! Enjoy! Bella Milano is located at 1063 South State Route 157 in Edwardsville. To make a dining
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Home Style
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A room of his own Photos by KATHIE BASSETT
Top, John Callander at his basement workbench. Left, some of John's prized possessions are on display, including the one-armed clock that his wife Linda gave him.
By Kathie Bassett fter John and Linda Callander purchased a Lucas Pfeiffenberger-designed Victorian home in Downtown Alton, John slowly began to transform the room containing the house's 1909 furnace into a quiet retreat. "I liked the space because it's the warmest place in the house in the wintertime and it's nice and cool in the summertime," said John. "So, I decided
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to take it over." Before he could do so, John and five of his friends needed to remove a 300gallon oil tank and clear out a lot of debris that had accumulated. To make his "man-cave" comfortable, John filled the room with a desk and his computer, his CDs, a TV, and various asundry collections that he has acquired over the years. "Throughout my adult life, I've collected things that I like that are sort of peculiar," he explained. "On top of the
Above, John's antique toaster collection and two Mandarin figurines sit atop the home's 1909 furnace. Right, John enjoys the peace, quiet, and warmth of his "man cave," located in the basement of his Henry Street home. Bottom, nuts, bolts, and screws are neatly sorted into bins that are original to the home's construction.
furnace, I have part of my antique toaster collection and some mandarin figures." Behind the furnace, he has a rack for his motorcycle gear and a shelf for minatures of every car he has owned. Near the desk, he has models of motorcycles and an extensive collection of beer steins, trains, clocks, and peculiar items that piqued his interest. On top of a shelf, there's an unusual, onearmed clock that Linda gave John as a present. "I just thought it was hysterical," he said. "It's a real dandy."
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Home Style
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Ray and Peggy Stillwell walk their Golden Retriever puppy, Sophie, to Duke Bakery each morning.
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Winter 2010
By LAURA GRIFFITH very morning at Duke Bakery in Alton, Susan Doucleff greets Sophia the golden retriever and her family, Ray and Peggy Stillwell, neighbors who've made the shop's doggy donut holes a bit of a tradition. The Stillwells walk "Sophie," as they lovingly call her, every morning between 6:30 and 7 a.m. One day, Sue greeted the puppy with a tasty treat, and it's had her coming back ever since. "This morning I heard her. Her tail was wagging against the door," said Sue. "It's just a tradition." "Sophie will react that way anytime going to Duke's," Peggy said of the 10-month old puppy. The Stillwells got Sophie when she was only about six weeks old, she said, as a replacement for Scarlet, a 12-year-old golden who passed away the week between
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Duke Bakery makes doggie donuts and donut holes for their four-legged customers. Christmas and New Year's. "Over in the Middletown area, it's a big dog walking neighborhood. If you live on Henry Street or some of the other side streets, everyone knew Ray and I and Scarlet," she said. "It was a big loss for us because she was family, so we decided to go ahead and get Sophie. "Since all our kids are gone, it's just Ray and me, and we're trying to get control of this little puppy." Peggy said that for a period of time, their schedules were off a bit and the three kept missing Sue on their morning walks, so she decided to take matters into her own hands by going to Duke's and buying six of the treats to give to Sophie herself. "She recognizes Sue and knows it's time to go get a cookie," Peggy said. "She wouldn't take it from me. She didn't trust me like, 'wait a minute, you don't give me these.' "It's such a great breed, so habit forming." Breed aside, Sophie's personality stands out from Scarlet's. "Scarlet was not a people dog like Sophie is," Peggy said. "She would walk by (Duke's) but would not even drink out of the water (that was left out for the dogs). Sophie thinks it's all there for her." Scarlet wasn't a big fan of strangers either, and would growl and bark at those who didn't belong at the house, she said. Sophie, on the other hand, thinks everyone wants to pet her. "We go out for a walk and she sees someone and she's sure they all think she's beautiful and wonderful. That's what's been so funny about her with Sue. She leans into her like 'I gotta have my morning treat,'" she said. Sue loves having a visitor as special as Sophie. As a former dog owner, she has to get her fill of puppy time in the morning, she said. "I give (the treats) out to other dogs, but no one on a regular basis like this one," she said.
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Home Style
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The call of the wilderness Photos by KATHIE BASSETT
Left, reflecting Sandy Allen's love of wildlife, she has two charming carved bears nestled at the foot of the staircase that leads up to her lookout. Below, the seating area in Sandy's third floor "Log Cabin" room is rustically elegant, with furniture handmade from juniper.
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By KATHIE BASSETT Don't judge a book by its cover, warns the familiar adage. Sandy Allen's home off Route 159 in Edwardsville looks just like a French chateau from the outside, and yes, the ground floor is lavishly decorated in a manner reminiscent of a country estate - there are massive stone fireplaces, overstuffed couches and chairs, and highly polished mahogany furniture. Yet, Sandy cautions that while she loves her home, it is her private retreat on the third floor that comes closest to revealing who she is at heart. Sandy's passion is being in the great outdoors and spending the day either fishing or hunting. cont. on next page
Photos by KATHIE BASSETT
Situated on 600 wooded acres, the home is indeed a haven for this avid sportswoman, who took up hunting some 30 years ago. "I love wildlife, and I love being outdoors," Sandy said. "Wildlife is the theme of this house from the very entrance." Sandy calls the intimate self-contained suite the "Log Cabin" room that includes a bedroom, seating area, card tables, and a small kitchen. At the top of the stairs, Sandy has placed a sign that clearly declares her intent - this is a Hunter's Retreat, replete with lodge furniture, taxidermy, and bird's eye views onto her property. While attending a convention in Sisters, Oregon, Sandy happened to drive by a furniture store called "The Cabin." She immediately fell in love with the unusual rustic pieces handcrafted for the store. She bought what was on hand and ordered a few more pieces to complete her upstairs retreat. The natural form chairs are carved from juniper, the bed is crafted from burl pine, and the tables are made from a combination of cherry, walnut, and juniper, with the golden tones of these woods adding warmth and luster to the space. Complementing the other more polished pieces, the rough-hewn redwood mantle is carved with ornate maple leaves that further extend the wildlife theme to include the animals' forest home. She has wall-mounted various animals turkey, deer, and elk - that either she or her two sons have shot. Organically shaped, free form lamps and chandeliers made from antlers further accent the outdoors theme. While Sandy feels the taxidermy captures the majesty and beauty of animals, a more playful side is displayed in the two large carved bears that greet visitors next to the
stairwell. Scattered around the room are a number of figures that almost look like Santas but are in fact woodsmen that Sandy keeps out year round. These charming statues of fishermen and hunters along with the bed's cabin-style quilt add color to the room's otherwise earthy palette. A self-described "lipstick tomboy," Sandy enjoys having her girlfriends over to play cards in her "Log Cabin" suite - in the company of her beloved wildlife. kathie_bassett@thetelegraph.com
Left, the view from the third floor retreat. Middle, Sandy has positioned a sign at the room's entrance that clearly states her intent that this is a comfortable retreat for the avid hunter. Bottom, the bed is made from knotty burl pine, with a handmade quilt that gives the room a cozy touch.
Home Style
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Winter 2010
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