Inspired Design for Central Oklahoma
Home on the Range
It’s Personal
Master the art of the monogram
The Miller family’s cozy digs
Sweet Homes
Meet designer Jennifer Welch
Fall 2017
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The Gift Boutique The Gift Boutique at Heenan’s Home Furnishings offers a wide selection of fun, unique and beautiful gifts. Stop in and treat yourself, or someone you love, to something special! Seasonal • Bridal • Baby • Kitchen • Tabletop • Home Fragrance • Hostess • Pet • Desktop • Stationery
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features
56
THE HOUSE BUILT BY A MOUSE
Jarrad Hewett planned subdued, minimalist décor for his Rose Creek home – but a sudden realization led the voice of Disney to revel in color, with stunning results.
64
THE MILLERS’ HILL
Elizabeth and Lance Miller brought their combined design and construction expertise to bear on making their Luther ranch home a masterpiece, even in the wake of a tornado.
16 405 HOME FALL 2017
FALL 2017 405 HOME 17
departments gallery
26 CURRENT MOOD: COZY Assemble and keep track of assorted ideas for inspiration on a colorful mood board. 28 OPULENT ORANGE Embrace the decorative possibilities of a warm, robust hue. 30 ORANGE YOU GLAD IT’S FALL?
Take a cue from nature’s palette and add some visual warmth to your home’s interior.
32 BEAUTIFUL BANQUETTES They’re convenient, versatile and above all comfortable – area restaurants are big on banquettes.
makers
42 DESIGNS ON REALITY Getting to know the keen eye and firm decorative hand of designer and “Sweet Home Oklahoma” star Jennifer Welch. 46 THE BUTCHER, THE BAKER AND THE CANDLESTICK MAKER Steaks or sweets or non-synthetic illumination, these artisans from the 405 excel in their chosen crafts.
living
76 GETTING HYGGE WITH IT
The trendy Danish concept is tricky to translate, but OKC Energy coach Jimmy Nielsen explains hygge is mostly a state of mind.
82 INITIAL INDICATIONS
The possibilities go far beyond handkerchiefs and stationery; monograms are a tasteful, timeless tradition.
alfresco
88 WINTER WARMTH, WHENEVER
92
Don’t forsake the great outdoors because it’s cold outside; a few enhancements can keep your porch cozy all winter.
92 GAME DAY GOURMET
When it’s time to take the party outside, try these suggestions for elevating your tailgating experience.
in every issue
22 FROM THE EDITORS Welcome to autumn! 96 LOOKING AHEAD
A glimpse into the future at a poolside paradise, seasonal planting and more treats in store in the spring 405 Home.
on the cover Rustic touches combine with timeless design in the Millers’ exquisite ranch home. Photo by Don Risi 18 405 HOME FALL 2017
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Editorial Director Heidi Rambo Centrella heidi.centrella@405magazine.com Editor-in-Chief Christine Eddington
christine.eddington@405magazine.com
Editorial
Editor-at-Large | Stylist Sara Gae Waters saragae.waters@405magazine.com Managing Editor Steve Gill steve.gill@405magazine.com Contributing Writers Gina Dabney, Jill Farr, Lauren Hammack, Greg Horton, George Lang
Art
Art Director Brian O’Daniel brian.odaniel@405magazine.com Associate Art Director Scotty O’Daniel scotty.odaniel@405magazine.com Design & Production Coordinator Tiffany McKnight tiffany.mcknight@405magazine.com Contributing Photographers Charlie Neuenschwander, Don Risi, Carli Wentworth
Advertising
Associate Publisher Tom H. Fraley III tom.fraley@405magazine.com Executive Director of Advertising Cynthia Whitaker-hill
cynthia.whitakerhill@405magazine.com
Reader Services Mailing Address 1613 N. Broadway Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Phone 405.842.2266 Fax 405.604.9435 info@405magazine.com, 405magazine.com Advertising Inquiries sales@405magazine.com Job/Internship Inquiries jobs@405magazine.com Letters to the Editor Your views and opinions are welcome. Include your full name, address and daytime phone number and email to editor@405magazine.com. Letters sent to 405 Home become the magazine’s property, and it owns all rights to their use. 405 Magazine reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Subscriptions 405 Home is a special publication of 405 Magazine. It is published twice a year (spring and fall) and accompanies a subscription to 405 Magazine, which is available for $14.95 (12 issues), $24.95 (24 issues) or $34.95 (36 issues). Subscribe at 405magazine.com/subscribe or by mail, send your name, mailing address, phone number and payment to: 405 Magazine P.O. Box 16765 North Hollywood, CA 91615-6765 Questions or Address Change Visit 405magazine.com/subscribe or email subscriptions@405magazine.com. Back Issues Back issues are $9.50 (includes P&H) each. For back issue availability and order information, please contact our office. Bulk Orders For multiple copy order information, please contact our office.
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Raymond Brewer
©2017 405 Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of 405 Home content, in whole or part by any means, without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. 405 Home is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. 405 Home reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed detrimental to the community’s best interest or in questionable taste. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ownership or management.
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Let Jane help you find the right solution for your home loan needs. Jane Christiansen, Mortgage Banker jane.christiansen@commercebank.com | mls# 1509266 | 405.608.2709
from the editors
CURLING UP WITH SOME GOOD IDEAS
22 405 HOME FALL 2017
turns out, many, many more things can be personalized or monogrammed than even we had imagined. Take a whirl through our findings on page 82, and think about making some of your world more recognizably your own. And who can say no to a good old-fashioned tailgate? With football season in full swing, a great tailgate is as much of a tradition as any other ritual in our great state, so we’ve spruced up the back end of a vintage Wagoneer and thrown in some suggestions (page 92) of other things you might want to add to your list when packing up for an afternoon of outdoor festivity. We hope you find a good spot to dive into this issue and enjoy! Perhaps a cozy banquette at your favorite bistro (see page 32 for a few possibilities). Here’s to great design and warm inspiration!
SARA GAE WATERS Editor-at-Large
CHRISTINE EDDINGTON Editor-in-Chief
PHOTO BY CARLI WENTWORTH
AS WE MOVE INTO AUTUMN AND WINTER, the days shorten and our need to cozy up increases. How we do this varies from person to person, but the inclination is universal. Some will find comfort in a wide array of rich or bold colors, while others may like a more subdued, neutral approach. Comfort may come by way of tradition and harken to the history of things, or it may be an almost (but not quite) untranslatable feeling, such as the uniquely Danish concept of Hygge, which we explore on page 76. As you weave your way through this issue, you will also find hints of tradition, the rituals that give us a sense of belonging and security. Great design will always provoke feelings, and as long as its creator is pleased with those feelings, most likely the result is a job well done. Our two featured homes are perfect illustrations of beauty that is bold and unique. Jarrad Hewett’s exuberant home is a playground for the eye, with an exquisite cacophony of color, shape and texture. The Millers’ country estate in Luther is equally thoughtful, beautiful and wonderful, also a study in color and texture, but the similarity stops there. Creating an individual living space is part of the point. And what’s more individualized than a monogram? As it
It’s not a greenhouse filled with flowers, but The Wood Garden is lush nonetheless. Filled with gorgeous furniture, you have to stop yourself, breathe deeply and take it all in – and there is a lot to take in. Considering its mix of traditional, French and transitional furniture and accessories, it’s not a surprise that store owners and mother-daughter team Janice Carty and Amie Cook like to mix things up. Amie says, “I think throwing something in that is unexpected makes the room special. We firmly believe that your house can be both comfortable and beautiful at the same time.” That philosophy has proved true since 2000, when they opened a small space at Wilshire Village that has since grown via three expansions. They specialize in custom designing and “hands-on” decorating that’s inspired by their clients. The Wood Garden is also the region’s largest Bella Notte stocking dealer. When asked how they would describe their beautiful store, the word “comfortable” is at the forefront – no surprise there, since giving their customers that feeling is exactly what they do.
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ime to say out with the old tile and carpet and in with new wood floors. Are you dreaming of new wood floors, but dread the mess associated with tearing out your tile? Are you tired of your ’70s carpet, but the thought of working with unreliable installers stops you in your tracks? Kregger’s Floors and More is here to help. Not only do Paul Kregger and his crew offer outstanding friendly and dependable service, but they have also created a system that eliminates many of the hassles most associated with tile removal. Their new dust collection system minimizes the dust. Although their technique is not dust-free, Kregger says it is “light-years ahead of the rest.” With most companies, replacing tile can take a week or more. Besides eliminating much of the dust, with Kreggers, your floor can be free of tile and prepped for new flooring in no time. “Most people think that the task of replacing tile is more construction than they want to deal with. With our manpower and no ‘middle man,’ your tile can be gone in as little as one day!” said Kregger. The installers are what set Kregger’s apart. This ensures customers are getting someone who knows and shows skills he’s familiar with to install their flooring. “In some stores the installers are folks the store has known maybe a day, maybe a year. It’s hard to say. At Kregger’s all of our installers are long-time employees or family members.”
Edmondite Christy Dowell says, “We have a home full of Kregger’s floors! New wood floors, tile floors, rugs, a shower and soon to be carpet. Paul and Chris and the rest of their crew have been a pleasure to work with; always courteous, respectful and punctual. They are also very trustworthy. We left our home to them for a week and came back to beautiful wood floors. It seems to me that ‘satisfaction’ is their number one goal...and I am completely satisfied! I highly recommend Kregger’s Floors and More.” Kreggers is now offering an unbeatable $5.99 psf on genuine Mohawk hand-scraped wood (minimum
of 300 sq. ft.) floors installed. “What every customer is looking for is great quality at a great price. With our low overhead environment, they always get a great price and workmanship that’s second to none.” For more information call 348-6777 or stop by the store at 2702 S. Broadway in Edmond.
If wood’s not what you’re looking for, come browse through our amazing selection of carpet and tile! Also ask about our complete bathroom remodels.
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GALLERY
IDEAS, OBJECTS AND LIFE HACKS WE FIND FASCINATING, HELPFUL AND BEAUTIFUL
SEATED IN STYLE
Sometimes form and function work very nicely together indeed. If you’re looking for a lovely combination of comfort, versatility and visual appeal in terms of seating arrangements, local restaurants such as The Pritchard Wine Bar have the right idea – and you can take that to the banquette. See page 32.
FALL 2017 405 HOME 25
gallery inspirations
CURRENT MOOD: COZY Suggestions for visualizing ideas BY SARA GAE WATERS | PHOTO BY DON RISI
WHEN YOU ARE EMBARKING on setting the tone for almost anything in your home, whether it be re-envisioning a room, planning a dinner party or creating a well-appointed floral arrangement, your inspiration is fundamental. Warm, cozy and comfortable are the go-to words for our inspiration this fall, and what better way to accomplish that feeling than with jewel tones of ruby, emerald and sapphire? They create a rich atmosphere and the comfortable feel of tradition. Items that have meaning and history evoke the same, and together they create a jumping-off point for inspiration.
Look to tradition
Handed-down heirlooms inspire the comfort of tradition.
26 405 HOME FALL 2017
Texture types
The way something feels is just as important as how it looks. Velvet wins in both departments.
NATE BERKUS
“
“
Your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love.
Nature calls
Don’t ever hesitate to add flowers to the mix; you can’t beat a fresh arrangement for details and inspiration.
Bold choices Richly hued wallpaper or paint is a brilliant starter for a bold look.
Silk velvet fabric from Fabric Factory, 1421 NW 23rd, OKC Tiles from Young Brothers, 100 N Classen, OKC Wallpaper from Kasa, 6454 Avondale, Nichols Hills FALL 2017 405 HOME 27
gallery fall color
Opulent Orange
Embracing a warm, robust hue BY SARA GAE WATERS | PHOTO BY DON RISI
WHILE IT MIGHT NOT BE THE FIRST COLOR you think of in terms of decor, you don’t have to go far to see the majestic quality and boldness of the color orange. Multiple shades can be found right outside your window during these changing months, and paired with the right elements, it can bolster any room, tabletop or wardrobe. Rust, cinnamon, even coral all derive their hue from the same place — and fall vibrance, inside and outside the home, wouldn’t be the same without it.
Paint samples from Farrow and Ball, us.farrow-ball.com Bracelets and belt from Cayman’s, 2001 W Main, Norman Tile from Young Brothers, 100 N Classen, OKC
28 405 HOME FALL 2017
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gallery hues
1. Neo lace scarf, $230 Finding accessories for your wardrobe in various shades of orange is a perfect way to get into the fall mood. From CK & Co., 6429 Avondale, OKC 2. Scents & Feel orange herringbone towel, $19 Even the powder room can use a little fall color fluffing. From Bebe’s, 6480 Avondale, OKC 3. Jill Rosenwald’s Versailles “Coper” bowl, $330 Whimsical and classic at the same time, Jill Rosenwald’s ceramics bring cheer to all, especially in orange. From Bebe’s, 6480 Avondale, OKC 4. Herend dessert plate in rust, $215 Luxurious orange and gold are paired in this beautiful dessert plate, just asking for a piece of pumpkin pie. From Bebe’s, 6480 Avondale, OKC
Orange You Glad It’s Fall? In praise of a seasonal shade BY SARA GAE WATERS | PHOTOS BY DON RISI
AH, AUTUMN. You only have to look out your window for a rich palette of color inspiration; blazing shades of orange are everywhere. Expanding on our color choice Opulent Orange (see page 28), we’ve gone to some local vendors and asked for some pieces that take that color even further. That means that when the last beautiful leaf has fallen, you can still have pops of the color inside your home to remind you of the warmth of the season. 30 405 HOME FALL 2017
5. Linen cocktail napkins, $25 for set of 4 These cocktail napkins are ready to accompany pre-Thanksgiving dinner drinks. From Bebe’s, 6480 Avondale, OKC 6. Shanghai Peacock wallpaper in cinnabar (also in fabric), price upon request As wallpaper, this beautiful pattern could be the perfect way to change the feel of a powder room; the same pattern is also offered in a fabric, for recovering and repurposing a beloved piece of furniture, or perhaps as curtains. From Ketch Design Centre, 4416 N Western, OKC 7. 22” woven square pillow in orange and ivory, $120 A pop of color might just be what your couch or favorite chair needs to warm up your living room. From Designer’s Market, 11900 N Santa Fe, OKC 8. The Adelaide bi-sectional, $3,295 This classic midcentury bi-sectional OR sofa is nothing short of a statement piece, and in “velvet rust” as shown, the color is just as much of a statement. From Urbane, 1015 N Broadway, OKC 9. Wildsam Field Guide: San Francisco, $17.95 Just to pique your interest, this San Fran field guide is not only an involving read on the City by the Bay, but also adds visual zest to the top of any coffee table. From Sara Kate Studios, 1100 N Broadway, OKC 10. John Derian carrot and parsnip dish, $66 Who can resist John Derian? Especially with a little nod to our color in the carrot – how very fall! From Bebe’s, 6480 Avondale, OKC
The Falls Twin Bridges Iron Horse Ranch Centennial at Iron Horse Ranch Carlton Landing on Lake Eufaula
FALL 2017 405 HOME 31
gallery banquettes
Beautiful Banquettes
En Croute
Feasts for the eyes
BY GREG HORTON | PHOTOS BY DON RISI
IN TERMS OF FORM following function, the banquette is the perfect example of what happens when talented designers are turned loose on a feature that works primarily because it makes sense within the layout and purpose of the space. But design does matter. 32 405 HOME FALL 2017
Banquettes first started appearing in American homes in the early 20th century. As family meals moved from the formal dining room to the kitchen, a full-size table with chairs did not make as much spatial sense as it had. Booths, which are technically banquettes, saved space, and depending
on construction, were typically more comfortable than chairs. With the explosive growth of American diners, booths were an obvious way to maximize seating and break up the monotony of a dining room. However, not all dining areas are created alike, and some spaces do better with a linear banquette than a cluster of back-to-back booths. Crosby Dyke, a co-owner at En Croute in Nichols Hills Plaza, utilized a linear banquette because it maximized the available space. “When I saw the room, I realized it’s a shotgun bistro, so the banquette makes better sense given the layout of the room,” she says. “It helps that it’s also eye-catching.” Restaurant owners around the metro were unified in their reasons for incorporating banquettes into their design concepts, and the three most common responses were better use of space, flexibility in seating and comfort – which was often described synonymously as “cozy.” Aimee Ahpeatone is a partner in two popular concepts – Iguana Mexican Grill and The Pritchard – that utilize banquettes. Like many concepts she develops with business partner Steve Mason, both restaurants were revitalizations of existing spaces. “Those kinds of buildings can be very sterile,” Ahpeatone says, “and sound can be a problem in all the brick and stone. A big, cloth banquette acts as a sound barrier or muffler, in addition to all the other good reasons to choose one.” Ahpeatone said that she believes women prefer the cozy bench side of the banquette over the chair side, a generalization that other restaurateurs affirmed. “Absolutely,” agrees Heather Paul, co-owner and co-founder of A Good Egg Dining Group. “It’s a generalization, but I find it to be true. But in the restaurant business, we find that people tend to divide over seating all the time: some love high-top tables, and some hate them; some sit on the bench side, and some love the chairs.” Paul recently finished a small remodel at Kitchen No. 324, the com-
Iguana Mexican Grill FALL 2017 405 HOME 33
gallery banquettes
The Pritchard Wine Bar
pany’s popular downtown breakfast, brunch and lunch concept that is seeing expanding dinner customers. As part of that remodel, the emerald green fabric on the banquette had to be color matched to cover new banquette seating in the front of the restaurant. Paul, like many restaurateurs in Oklahoma, turned to Laura Batchelor at Total Restaurant Interiors to do the color matching. “Working with Heather is always a pleasure, because she has an amazing eye for the details,” Batchelor says. “She knows design, and she’s 34 405 HOME FALL 2017
always aware of what’s happening in the design world. She knows what she wants, and there is nothing half-assed about what she does.” That includes the biscuit tufting on the banquette at 324. Batchelor called it the next big trend, but Paul had adopted it a few years before anyone else in Oklahoma City. Working with clients such as Paul is an exception, and often Batchelor works with designers, as she did at Iguana Mexican Grill. “Sara Kate (Little) of Sara Kate Studios did the interior design at
Iguana,” Ahpeatone says, “and as part of that, she found these beautiful blankets from Bolivia. We wanted to incorporate them into the banquette, and they worked beautifully.” Batchelor said she often gets designs sketched on a cocktail napkin, from which she’s expected to design a whole restaurant’s décor — so working with Sara Kate made the whole project easier. “The blankets were beautiful, but they weren’t uniform like you’d get with mass-produced items,” Batchelor says.
Captivating. Design. Our store is known for gorgeous furniture, accessories, gifts and fabrics for you to choose from. We also offer design services to assist you in customizing your decor. Our decorators will help you make selections to achieve the look and feel you desire for your home. Whether you have one room or an entire home, we would love to work with you in creating the space of your dreams.
Fresh. Sophisticated. Charming. Elegant.
120 NE 150th Street | 405.753.4466 emoryanneinteriors.com
gallery banquettes
Kitchen No. 324
“She brought them by the shop and we laid them out over the banquette frame to see how they would look. Sara Kate decided that if they were too far off in terms of color, she would use the outliers for pillows. It really worked well.” Because they are part of a restaurant operation, form has to follow function, so most of the banquettes are made with vinyl. Crosby Dyke said that makes cleaning so much easier. “I ac36 405 HOME FALL 2017
tually have some vinyl cleaner my mom handed me,” she says. “She just gave it to me and said, ‘Use this.’ Because of the construction of the banquette, we can wipe it down easily.” En Croute added outlets and USB ports to the bottom of their banquette, to make it easier for customers to work or charge their phones. At Iguana, Batchelor used leather for the bottom of the banquette, both to stay con-
sistent with the design theme and to improve durability. “When we look at the same space every day, it’s nice to look at something that is beautiful,” Dyke said, “and from our perspective behind the counter, the banquette is very pleasing to look at.” As part of a thoughtful overall design, they’re very pleasing in quite a few ways.
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PROFILE
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A LOOK INSIDE THE LEGACY OF FIBER-SEAL
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f you’ve ever found yourself asking someone who they recommend to care for your carpet or furniture, chances are the name Fiber-Seal has been mentioned, and for good reason. For the past 30 years, Fiber-Seal has been setting the standard in service, expertise and results in cleaning and caring for fine fabrics and floor coverings. It’s among the most respected names in the business, especially here in central Oklahoma, and much of that legacy is due to its management. Fiber-Seal has been an outstanding success story, one whose newest chapter is underway thanks to the passing of the torch. Michael Geatz and Craig Shaw have been the two names most associated with Fiber-Seal for over 30 years. Michael bought Fiber-Seal in 1992, and soon after was a household name in the Nichols Hills/OKC Area. His focus on delivering the absolute best results and service was quickly recognized by his clients, and his customer service kept them coming back. In 2000 he hired a young man named Craig, who possessed many of his same qualities. Michael shared his knowledge of the industry, and in just a few short years Craig, like Michael, became a household name among Fiber-Seal clients. Beginning in 2014, Michael realized his growing physical limitations and started assisting with the care of his aging parents, who live in another state. He knew he needed to focus on the future of Fiber-Seal, and knew Craig was the guy to carry on the legacy he had created. In October 2014, the transfer of ownership went seamlessly. “Leaving Fiber-Seal was a difficult decision, but I knew in my heart that it was being left in the right hands. Craig and I had been the backbone of Fiber-Seal, working side by side for over 15 years,” Michael says. Even though Michael misses the day-to-day involvement with clients, he still often runs into them around town. Craig says that while he was excited about the prospect of owning his own business, “It was more difficult than I expected, but Michael has been here to coach me along the way.” Now that the clients are slowly learning of Craig’s ownership, they are happy for Michael and excited for the future of the company in Craig’s hands. While being the most trusted name in the industry, Fiber-Seal works with many designers and homeowners. Their knowledge and expertise in working with fine items is essential. Long-time client and designer Bebe MacKellar said, “Michael, Craig and the Fiber-Seal team are experts at protecting furnishings and floor coverings both inside your home and outdoors. My mom, Fanny Bolen, has been recommending Fiber Seal to her clients for years and now I am doing the same. We can always depend on them to keep the projects we design looking great and being there when life’s little messes happen.” The legacy of Fiber-Seal is one of exceptional customer service, and with the passing of the torch to Craig, that’s sure to continue. So if you’re looking for the best source of expertise to maintain your furnishings and floor coverings, call Fiber-Seal … Just ask your neighbors; they’ll tell you the same thing.
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MAKERS
MEET THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE LIFE A LITTLE LOVELIER
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Ashleigh Barnett has rolled her familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditions and shared wisdom into beloved Campus Corner sweets emporium Crimson & Whipped Cream. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her recommendations for home equipment and cookbooks are a treat in and of themselves. See page 46.
FALL 2017 405 HOME 41
makers interior design
DESIGNS ON REALITY Jennifer Welch focuses on interiors, puts everything out in the open BY GEORGE LANG | PHOTOS BY JOSH WELCH
INTERIOR DESIGNER and “Sweet Home Oklahoma” star Jennifer Welch has an “on/off” switch, a kind of fail-safe device in her personality that keeps her from critiquing friends’ style choices when she’s off the clock. It preserves relationships and, Welch said, keeps the professional side professional and the personal side personal. “I have friends who will say, ‘I don’t want you to come to my house — I’m afraid you’re going to judge it,’” Welch says at the beginning of a blazing hot, late summer day in Nichols Hills. “I understand that, but when the work mode switch is turned off, I just want to hang out with my friends — I’m not going to be judgmental of their homes.” 42 405 HOME FALL 2017
But when Welch is in pro mode as principal of Jennifer Welch Designs, she launches herself into her work with uncompromised zeal. Consider her recent job decorating and outfitting the 28th-floor penthouse apartment in City Place, the Walter Ahlschlager-designed 1931 art-deco colossus at 200 Park in downtown Oklahoma City. The client’s taste perfectly dovetailed with Welch’s preferred mode: modernist elegance. But when Welch entered the space, it was hardly a bright, clean canvas ready for the artist’s touch. “When I first walked in, there was nothing but the load-bearing columns,” she says. “The windows were out, and the wind was blowing through the wire coverings. It was literally a shell.”
“People tend to be very emotional about the decisions they make for their homes, and so much of my job is psychology.” JENNIFER W ELCH
Today, those 86-year-old, load-bearing columns provide an earthy, contrasting texture to a bright, open and thoroughly modern home overlooking the burgeoning growth of downtown OKC. Welch filled the space with furniture inspired by mid-century modernism, opulent chandeliers and high-end, low-profile appliances to create a home that will always astound both owners and visitors. Welch considers the penthouse one of her greatest achievements as a designer. “It was so fun to piece that together,” she smiles. “That one, I’ll always have a strong attachment to it.” She splits her time between residential work and commercial spaces, which require different sets of interpersonal skills. When she designs homes in Oklahoma City or in far-flung locations like Palm Springs, Calif., it is with great sensitivity to the homeowners’ needs and, importantly, their emotions.
“Commercial work is easier in the handholding department, because you’re dealing with a business,” Welch says. “They’re not bringing their babies home from the hospital there. They’re not celebrating Christmas morning there. It’s not a place to which you are attaching deathbed memories. People tend to be very emotional about the decisions they make for their homes, and so much of my job is psychology.” That is not to say that Welch sugarcoats bad ideas. She brings the same kind of directness to her job that viewers see on “Sweet Home Oklahoma,” the Bravo reality series in which Welch stars with her ex-husband Josh and friends Lee Murphy and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan. When she was recently commissioned to design a 30,000-square-foot commercial space in downtown OKC with exposed ducts and plumbing, the company’s leadership wanted to paint the ceiling area black. Welch stood firm, saying the dark treatment would undercut the impact of the industrial surfaces. Much back-and-forth ensued, with Welch standing firm on her aesthetic principles. “I said, ‘I will stand in front of the paint machine and take that on me before I allow you to paint that ceiling,’” she recalls. “He was adamant. It took three or four meetings.” And she won. Welch said she always wins these arguments, because she stays true to the design sensibilities that made her a success. Even with the sensitivity she brings to her residential clients, honesty gets the job done. “If their idea is terrible, I have to say, ‘I know you want that, and I know you think that’s right, but I have 20 years of FALL 2017 405 HOME 43
makers interior design
“They’ll ask, ‘Where do I put this?’ and I’ll say, ‘The attic.’” JENNIFER W ELCH
experience and that is a mistake, and I know that with everything in me,’” she says. “I’m very direct about it. I say, ‘You hired me for my opinion, and I’m not going to sugarcoat this: You cannot do this.’” Ugly lamps will not survive in a Welch-designed environment. “They’ll ask, ‘Where do I put this?’ and I’ll say, ‘The attic,’” she says, letting out a big laugh. Big laughs make up a major part of Welch’s life these days, now that “Sweet Home Oklahoma” is holding court on Bravo. The series, which began airing in March, follows the Welches, Murphy and Sullivan through their raucous, upper-class OKC lives. The impetus for “SHO” came via Facebook solicitation from one of Welch’s friends, which led to Skype interviews with producers from Evolution Media, the company 44 405 HOME FALL 2017
that created the “Real Housewives” kingdom of contentious, dish-throwing reality shows. Welch said the meetings were held with almost no expectation on her part – even after Evolution sent a phalanx of camera operators and line producers to OKC to shoot a “sizzle reel,” she thought it would amount to nothing. Then the call came. Bravo picked up the show for 16 episodes, and announced it was moving 35 people into a production facility in OKC to begin shooting large swaths of Welch’s life. As she recalled, Welch wasn’t especially thrilled with the news: facing the prospect of a media intrusion into her life, she gave the producer a verbal side-eye over the announcement. “And he goes, ‘This is why they love you guys: you’re actually kind of irritated that you’ve got a show,’” Welch says.
Hills roses. For one, she divorced Josh in 2015 after he suffered a series of drug relapses that culminated in the surrender of his law license in 2012. Following the divorce, Josh Welch underwent back-to-back rehab stays in California, after which Jennifer said she saw the man she married. She welcomed him back into their home, which they share with sons Dylan and Roman and their beloved French bulldog, Tubbers. While she is fiercely protective of both family and friends, she wanted “Sweet Home Oklahoma” to be an honest depiction of their lives. While she occasionally becomes the target of social media ire for her vocal opposition to Pres. Donald Trump, Welch said she hears more good response than bad these days. Just after Bravo announced the show, she saw multiple heckles on Facebook and Twitter from OKC residents fearful of a negative depiction. Now, she said, she’s far more likely to see positive emojis in response to it. There has yet to be an announcement for a second season, but Welch said she feels positive vibes coming from both the network and the audience. “I know that they like it a lot, because it’s different and it’s fun and it’s relatable to people all across the globe,” she says. “When you get married and you have kids, it’s not Ken and Barbie in the Corvette driving off into the sunset. It’s hard, and the one thing that helps us through it is the human interaction with your friends.”
But Welch was able to make “SHO” an anomaly, a good-natured alternative to the series’ hair-pulling Bravo brethren. She compares it to “Seinfeld” in the way that her family and friends interact and react to one another’s eccentricities, and it stays true to Welch’s actual reality. For Oklahomans worried that the show would treat their home state as hayseed flyover country, “Sweet Home Oklahoma” bucked the kneejerk coastal attitude by portraying Welch’s urbane life and progressive attitudes. Rather than force her to ride mechanical bulls or catch greased pigs, Evolution Media followed Welch, Murphy and Pumps to prime local hangouts such as Powerhouse and The Drake, showing the world that Oklahoma City has it going on. More than that, Welch went all-in with her personal life, which has not always been a bed of well-manicured Nichols
Jennifer Welch
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makers trio of talents
The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick Maker Artisans abound in the 405
BY GREG HORTON | PHOTOS BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER
THE BUTCHER RHETT LAKE REFERS TO HIMSELF as a “steak-cutter” rather than butcher, and it’s a job he has had since 1981. Lake graduated Norman High School in 1977, and he took a waiter job at the old Indian Hills Steakhouse in 1980. One year later, he was promoted to manager, a position he held until 2002. While at Indian Hills, he was responsible for cutting all the steaks, so he tells his customers he “got lots of practice.” “When I hit 40, I got tired of the restaurant business,” Lake says. “Eighty-hour work weeks weren’t as fun as they used to be.” Cusack Meats closed its retail shops in November 2005, and Lake, who had gone to work for Cusack after leaving the restaurant business, took over the North May location, converting it into Rhett’s Meat Market. This is his 12th year in business, and Lake calls it the best decision he ever made. “The only drawback to this business is taking vacations,” he says. “That’s a hazard of running your own business, but the positives totally outweigh that.” 46 405 HOME FALL 2017
When he does have time for vacation or stay-cation, he’s an avid sports fan and lover of “old time rock ‘n’ roll music.” “My wife Sherry and I catch a couple of Thunder games live every season,” he says, “and we watch them faithfully on TV.” Lake’s primary product is steak, and he specializes in three cuts: New York strip, rib eye and filet. He only serves USDA-certified Prime beef, and all steaks are aged 28 days – a process that’s critical for texture, not so much flavor. “The aging process breaks down the enzymes, which is a natural tenderizer,” he explains. “You can have a really good prime piece of beef, but if it’s not aged beef, it will be chewy. Likewise you can have an aged piece of meat, but without the added marbling, it won’t have the flavor.”
“I only deal with the upscale cuts. You get what you pay for, as the old saying goes.” R HETT L A K E For his three most popular cuts, that means the filet is often tender enough to cut with a fork, but the strip and rib eye will have more flavor because of the fat content. As for other cuts … Lake is not a big fan, and he’s very straightforward about it. “There aren’t any good cheaper cuts, in my opinion,” he says. “The sirloin is still a good cut and a little cheaper. It’s what I call your ‘healthy steak.’ It is tender and has flavor, but not as much as the other three. In the past few years, there has been quite a bit of marketing for flat iron and hanger steaks; both of those should be ground into hamburger.” Lake concedes that the two cuts are more tender than what is typically ground for hamburger meat, but they are not the quality he prefers to sell at Rhett’s. “I only deal with the upscale cuts,” he says. “You get what you pay for, as the old saying goes.” What you don’t pay for at Rhett’s are the house seasoning blend that comes on every steak and his housemade mashed potatoes, which he makes one 50-pound pot at a time. In fact, not only does he not sell the potatoes, you have to buy a steak to get them. As for the rub, Lake estimates that 85 percent of his customers ask for it on their steaks. One of those customers is chef and restaurateur Jimmy Mays, owner of Cafe 7. He’s a regular now, but he described his first trip to Rhett’s as one filled with uncertainty. “Rhett offered to season my steak with his house blend seasoning,” Mays remembers. “Being a self-described beef snob, I immediately thought to myself, ‘No way! I want nothing more than salt and pepper!’ I restrain myself and allow him to season my two-inch-thick, beautifully marbled NY strip. Later, as I unwrap the beef from the butcher paper, I can tell some magic happened. Allowing the seasoning to sit on the beef for an extended period of time allowed all the goodness to soak in. Initially, the salt in the seasoning
Rhett Lake
would draw all the moisture out of the beef, but then it sat in all those juices and soaked them back up. The result? An insanely juicy and flavorful piece of meat.” Mays speaks for many of Lake’s customers, and he has plenty these days. Lake said they’re busy year-round, and some years Christmas sees sales triple. In addition to the steaks, some customers know about Rhett’s burgers – and again, we’ll let a chef describe the benefits. Mays says, “The next time I returned, I was after his prime rib burgers (at least I think that’s what they are called). My understanding is that he takes the trim off rib loins, grinds them down and forms them into burger patties. Needless to say, a really freaking good, flavorful burger. We did nothing but add salt and pepper on the grill. Perfection.” FALL 2017 405 HOME 47
makers trio of talents
Ashleigh Barnett and Taylor Gronlund
THE BAKER FOR ASHLEIGH BARNETT, owner of Crimson & Whipped Cream, baking is part of a family tradition that she has rolled into her business. “My mom has always made the best chocolate chip cookies,” Barnett smiles. “We actually sell her recipe at Crimson & Whipped Cream. She comes in to make them most of the time! My maternal grandmother, Nanny, made jam tarts at Christmas, a tradition that my mom and I continue. My paternal grandmother, Granny, made many things that I now make at Crimson: pumpkin bread, applesauce cake. I think my grandmothers cultivated most of my love for food.” Barnett was teaching Pilates in New York City when she decided to give culinary school a try. She enrolled in the Institute of Culinary Education, mainly to become a better cook, but she said that in spite of all she learned, she never thought she could make a career of it. After the first program, though, she took a pastry and baking section, and fell in love with baking. That led her to enroll in a full pastry program with the intention of working in the industry after graduation. 48 405 HOME FALL 2017
Crimson & Whipped Cream opened on Campus Corner in 2010, and it’s a popular coffee bar and bakery for OU students and Norman residents. Cookies are Barnett’s favorite product to make, but the bakery offers a full menu of baked goods, and even some breakfast sandwiches. “I really love to make cookies,” she says. “I don’t know why. Maybe because that’s what I love to eat! I also really love to make pineapple upside-down cake; it’s my mom’s
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makers trio of talents
“I really love to make cookies. I don’t know why. Maybe because that’s what I love to eat!” ASHLEIGH BA R NETT favorite thing that I make. I also love to make pumpkin pie, because it’s my favorite dessert to eat and take to gatherings. Anything can become a celebration if someone shows up with treats.” Barnett said the Oklahoma humidity is often a challenge for bakers, both amateur and professional, because baking is a specific process with little room for error, and humidity negatively impacts the process. In fact, she lists troubleshooting the weather as her biggest challenge as a baker. She offered other suggestions to make life easier for home bakers, too. “Weight measurements, cleaning as you go, quality ingredients and reading through a recipe before starting. Weighing ingredients will give you better consistency in your baking. If a recipe is simple, like a chocolate chip cookie, using the best quality chocolate chips will make the recipe even better. I always read through a new recipe completely before starting to bake.” For essential bake-at-home equipment, she recommends a bench scraper for cutting butter and scraping surfaces, offset metal spatula for spreading batter or icing, a Thermapen for checking temperatures, a scale for weighing ingredients and a bowl scraper for getting every bit of batter from the mixing bowl. Because continuing education is important for home bakers, Barnett has a short list of books she recommends. The long list is her whole collection, which she calls “an embarrassing number of cookbooks.” “My favorite chef books are Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson and Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton. I also love In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan. I love Paul Hollywood’s books, too, and I’m obsessed with expanding my British baking knowledge right now; my maternal grandmother was from England.” Working alongside Barnett is Taylor Gronlund, a Norman native who attended OU for a degree in entrepreneurship, then saved money to attend the International Culinary Center in New York City. “When I was around 12 years old, I started watching cooking and baking shows on the Food Network,” Gronlund says. “After that, I started baking and experimenting in my own kitchen. It’s been my passion ever since.” It took her two years to save the necessary money to move to New York. Once there, she enrolled immediately, and started with cookies. The program starts with very basic principles and then works students through cookies, tarts, pies, bread and cakes, including a little cake decorating. 50 405 HOME FALL 2017
It was the section on dough that she most loved, and now sticky buns, brioche, danishes and croissants are her favorite things to bake. Gronlund is a fan of structure, and she reluctantly conceded – after a couple minutes of questioning – that she was good at math and chemistry, both essentials for professional bakers. “If you want to bake well, you really have to follow the ingredient measurements and procedure exactly,” she says. “If your measurement is a little over or you do not follow the recipe procedures closely, you can end up with a product completely different from what you intended. It’s so precise, and I love that if you do everything the same way every time, you get the same results.” Like Barnett, baking is family tradition for Gronlund. Her paternal grandfather managed a commercial bakery, and his wife was an avid baker who passed her recipes to Gronlund before she died. The degree in entrepreneurship was done with an eye to the future. She hopes to continue the family tradition of baking professionally in her own place one day, but for now, she said she’s “getting her footing” in the industry. Her advice for home bakers begins with using the best ingredients. “It really makes a difference in the final product, and unless otherwise indicated in the recipe, always use room temperature ingredients: milk, butter, etc.” For essential equipment, Gronlund recommends a KitchenAid stand mixer, which she says she uses at home for everything. “I can’t imagine baking without it!” As for the continuing education component, she recommends books, too. “Honestly, I could go on forever about cookbooks that I love. I have quite a collection that covers a wide array of baking techniques. The cookbooks I have found to be the best for novice bakers are the King Arthur Flour cookbooks or anything by Dorie Greenspan. Many of the recipes in these books are simple and easy to achieve at home.”
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makers trio of talents
THE CANDLESTICK MAKER SARA CATLETT IS FROM A TOWN that no longer exists. The candle maker grew up in Holcomb, N.Y., which was apparently so small that it could not sustain itself, and was later absorbed into a larger community. When she was six years old, the family relocated to Bowling Green, Ken., where her family still owns a horse farm. The recent resident of Edmond started making candles after her daughter was diagnosed with “nondescript allergies” at age one. “The pediatrician recommended she take allergy medication every day,” Catlett says. “I didn’t feel comfortable with that prognosis, so I began researching it on my own. I discovered that many of the common household and personal products we used contained chemicals that were harmful and irritating, especially to children.” Catlett said she assessed all the products in their home, and if they weren’t natural products, she replaced them, or she learned to make them herself. According to Catlett, the move solved 90 percent of her daughter’s health issues. However, she likes candles and wasn’t sure how to replace products that are mostly made with paraffin and synthetic (chemical) fragrances. After doing a bit of research, she noticed that the Oklahoma Food Cooperative sold beeswax from Honey Hill Farm in Edmond. Shortly after, Catlett ordered her first block of unfiltered beeswax. “Beeswax burns much longer than paraffin, despite all the chemicals added to paraffin candles to slow the burn down,” Catlett says. “Other benefits include a clean burn with very little soot, and because I only use pure beeswax and cotton wick, I can safely compost any remaining bits of the candle, so it is a zero-waste product.” In addition to those benefits, Catlett learned that beeswax is produced in every state in the U.S., and buying beeswax candles from local producers is the most sustainable way to purchase candles in the entire country. Still, that doesn’t mean the makers are easy to find. In fact, she believes she is the only candle maker in Oklahoma who makes hand-dipped tapers – and even birthday candles – via the same techniques artisans used for centuries before mass production. The process is labor-intensive, starting with the first step: “The most difficult part of making beeswax candles, in the beginning, was filtering the wax,” Catlett recalls. “The farmers filter out the excess honey, but there is still a lot of debris that must be removed. In fact, I learned over the years that even pollen, which is too small to see with the naked eye, can clog the wick and prevent the candle from burning correctly. To make matters worse, there was very little information available when I started, so much of the first year was trial and error.” 52 405 HOME FALL 2017
Sara Catlett
“I love that there are so many variables with candle making that it is never a routine process. The temperature of wax, the temperature of the air and the humidity all play a role in how the candles take shape.” SA R A CATLETT That led to a point of frustration so profound that Catlett actually took her box of tools to Goodwill. She reconsidered, and rededicated herself to learning the craft. She has since become so skilled at the filtering process that her wax meets medical and cosmetic standards. There are still frustrations – it’s a complex process, after all – but she loves the variability and the challenge. “I love that there are so many variables with candle making that it is never a routine process,” she said. “The temperature of wax, the temperature of the air and the humidity all play a role in how the candles take shape. Are they cooling quickly or slowly? Is your wax staying hot, or is it losing heat rapidly? When I make candles, I forget everything else and just focus on the process. Also, there’s an inner resolu-
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makers trio of talents
tion that comes from perfecting a skill, regardless of what it is. It’s a skill that belongs to you, and no one can ever take it away. I find that very gratifying.” Catlett never intended for her candle making to become a business; it was just going to be something she did for herself and her family. But by 2013, it was apparent that there was a demand for what she did, so she launched Pioneer Candles, which can be found on Etsy, and she is very happy to take orders by phone or email. The family has moved to Muskogee, where she spends her free time working on their 1940 Colonial home, foraging, fermenting and her new hobby, winemaking. She gets more orders than you’d expect for beeswax birthday candles, and she can even make scented candles from beeswax. “It doesn’t quite have the same potency as chemically enhanced candles, though,” she explains. “I only use essential oils in my candles. I’ve discovered that you need to add more than you’d expect, because some of the oils burn off. It’s only the oils warmed in the surrounding beeswax that actually produce scent. On the other hand, unscented beeswax candles produce a lovely natural honey scent that is incredibly soothing. Personally, I prefer the unscented.” For anyone interested in trying their hand at the craft, Catlett recommends The Candlemaker’s Companion: A Complete Guide to Rolling, Pouring, Dipping, and Decorating Your Own Candles, by Betty Oppenheimer, and Basic Candle Making: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started, by Eric Ebeling. 54 405 HOME FALL 2017
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THE HOUSE BUILT BY A MOUSE JARRAD HEWETT AND HIS MAGICAL KINGDOM
The most astounding thing Jarrad Hewett has to say about his vibrant, joyful home in Rose Creek is this: “Initially, I’d planned for this home to be minimalist and stark gray.” As he speaks those words, Hewett and the genius interior designer behind much of the visual cacophony, Grant Mathiews, attempt to stifle a laugh.
BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON | PHOTOS BY DON RISI FALL 2017 405 HOME 57
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Friends for 15 years, Hewett and Mathiews have worked on two home projects together, and Mathiews has also worked with Hewett’s mother. “When I moved back from L.A.,” Hewett says, “I wanted a very traditional home, with dark wood and 18th-century European design influences.” The opposite of the prevailing design trade winds in Los Angeles, in other words. He’d spent years in L.A. building his career, which is as colorful as his home. For three years, Hewett has been the
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voice of Disney, meaning that when you hear a voice promoting a show on the Disney Channel, there’s a good chance it’s him. He’s also the voice of the White Castle hamburger chain, and has done or does work for Coca-Cola, Jeep, Walmart, Toys “R” Us, ABC, HGTV, WB Kids, CMT, Fox and the X Games — to name a few. These days, he works from a personal studio tucked away on the second floor of his home in a neighborhood that skirts the border between Oklahoma City and Edmond. His house is
(Left) A massive island takes center stage in Hewettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen, which opens into the great room. Appliances with serious culinary chops bask in the glow of pendant lighting in the shape of oversized jacks. (Above) The dining room chandelier was custom powder coated white before it was suspended over his opulent table with seating for six. Lucite chairs, a pair of wingbacks and a vibrant floral settee share space on an abstract-patterned rug. (Below) Jarrad Hewett at home.
easy to spot (possibly even from the air), because its shutters are painted a brilliant shade of bright marigold yellow, a move he made sure to get approved by his homeowners association. His other two careers are equally demanding. Hewett is a New York Times best-selling author three times over, and hosts syndicated radio shows focused on personal development and energy healing. His number one best-sellers, Love, Life, God: The Journey of Creation and The Gospel of You, were solo projects, and his third, The Big E â&#x20AC;&#x201D; EveryFALL 2017 405 HOME 59
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“I saw all of this color, and I thought, ‘I’m a creative person,’ and that was it. My direction changed.” JA RR A D HEW ETT 60 405 HOME FALL 2017
thing is Energy, was co-authored with Dee Wallace. He’s in the process of writing his fourth book right now. He also connects with clients through “I Am That I Am,” his monthly series of calls and energy work, and through vibrational sound therapy. But back to his home. It seems unfathomable that this buoyant, happy soul would inhabit a modern, gray-on-gray home, yet that was his plan … until, that is, a fateful day in Dallas. “Grant (Mathiews) and I had gone to Dallas to look for accessories, and we went to Jonathan Adler and Nest, and it was like I’d literally turned a corner. I saw all of this color, and I thought, ‘I’m a creative person,’ and that was it. My direction changed,” Hewett says.
(Opposite) Layer upon layer of pattern and color in a guest room. (Above) A dramatic, white mahogany bed with a Cleveland headboard and footboard and four detailed posters, a cozy pouf and plenty of seating in one of Hewett’s guest rooms. (Right) Details here include a sliding barn door, barrel ceiling, relatively neutral palette and organic chandelier. FALL 2017 405 HOME 61
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For Hewett, interior design is a recreational pastime. It’s a de-stressor, and an ongoing source of creative joy. “Things here are always evolving. We’ve done everything right. I don’t cut corners.” By everything, Hewett means many things. Chandeliers aren’t just painted, they’re powder-coated. Tables have had silver leaf painstakingly applied. Faux finishes aren’t finished until they’re just so. Sofas and chairs are covered in a washable synthetic that looks like exotic leather, so that Hewett’s beloved boxer Sadie can lounge at will. “I set my own standard,” Hewett says with a grin. He waves toward a Jonathan Adler sculpture, originally part of a trio and on which he got an incredible deal, and muses, “I could have bought all three of them. I should have bought all three of them.” 62 405 HOME FALL 2017
One thing Hewett had his heart set on was — wait for it — a rocking recliner in the living room. The challenge he and Mathiews faced was finding one that, as Mathiews says, didn’t look like it belonged to Frasier’s dad. The two orange ottomans nearby were actually the first pops of color, followed by a pair of Jonathan Adler throws. Now, the home is a joyful cacophony of color and texture, which defies logic by managing not to feel overdone or crowded. During the holidays, the place goes into high gear, and each room is a meticulously executed expression of celebration. “Jarrad goes 150 percent, not 110 percent,” Mathiews says of his client. “Everything he does is quality. He may look for good deals, but he never compromises quality.”
“Jarrad goes 150 percent, not 110 percent. Everything he does is quality.” GR A NT M ATHIEWS
(Far Left) Hewett’s media room is filled with luxurious reclining seating for six, a plush shag rug and a huge portrait of a budgie. Massive metal sconces add to the room’s theatrical vibe. (Left) Whimsy is everywhere in Hewett’s home. Its bold mix of color, candy, robots and sheer joy makes for a happy atmosphere. (Below) In the game room, a bright green shuffleboard game shares space with a silver tufted sofa, video games and a chandelier composed of antlers.
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THE MILLERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; HILL A TALE OF TULIP WOOD, TIMELE S SNE S S A ND TORNA DOS BY GEORGE LANG | PHOTOS BY DON RISI
Elizabeth and Lance Miller built their dream house on a hill, a stunning reflection of their individual and shared values. Elizabeth painstakingly designed the rustic-modern interior, scouring specialty stores around the country for the lighting, accent wood, cabinetry and furnishings that would surround the Millers and their two daughters for years to come. For Lance, the 5,200-square-foot ranch home on 80 acres near Luther is a model of structural integrity, built to last and stay strong. FALL 2017 405 HOME 65
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A
And yet, sometimes a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, structured with heavy beams, roofed with hail-resistant metal and clad in nearly indestructible tulip poplar bark, can still fall prey to the worst of Oklahoma weather. By the time the Millers were ready to build the house, they’d had three homes in their past, each time rolling the equity into the next – but in 2010, they were done with spec homes and plans bought off the internet. It was time to build their true home. Lance, a co-owner and managing member of the general contracting firm Miller-Tippens, had both the
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skill set and the business connections to make it happen. Working with architect Duane Mass of Mass Architects, the Millers sat down and brainstormed the things they wanted. “We kind of showed him a few pictures, and after that, we only had a few revisions,” Elizabeth Miller says. “Then we had our house.” Having sold their previous home in the Chitwood Farms community near Lake Arcadia, the Millers moved into a single-wide trailer perched on their chosen hill in February 2010, so they could oversee construction on the house. It was
(Left) Rough-hewn ceiling beams inside and rolling hills outside at the Millers’ Luther compound. (Below) Neutral eclecticism fills the corner of the living room, turning an unused alcove into an ad hoc office with an antique French-inspired mirror, glass-topped desk and sassy leopard pillow. (Bottom) The home is enrobed in a sustainable, beautiful and durable tulip wood siding.
a pragmatic, highly practical living situation. “It was hands-on quality control, and it kept the theft down, I’d like to think,” Lance recalls. While the frame went up, Elizabeth went to work on the materials. An expert researcher who recently earned her private investigator license, one of her first style and structure triumphs involved landing on barkclad.com, an Asheville, N.C., company that specializes in tulip poplar bark, a resilient and highly sustainable siding material that gives homes earthy, durable exteriors. FALL 2017 405 HOME 67
feature Miller home
“I wanted something
timeless.” ELIZ A BETH MILLER
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“Everyone was into the rock brick at the time, so we wanted to stay away from that fad,” she says. “I wanted something timeless.” Timelessness was the order of the day, inside and out. She found decades-old flooring salvaged from a demolished Chicago office building at Discovery Architectural Antiques — a renowned reclamation company located in Gonzales, a small town in south central Texas filled with landmark Victorian homes. The Millers drove large trailers down to bring back loads of flooring and shiplap for the new home. Elizabeth outfitted the kitchen with an eight-burner Viking stove and painstakingly searched for the perfect illumination for each room. “I’ll research a lighting fixture for days,” she laughs. Their two daughters, 14-year-old Libby and 11-yearold Sarah Jane, received a custom wing of the house that catered to their artistic impulses – today, the two budding artists’ works adorn each of their bedrooms, as well as the carefully stocked art studio nearby. Upstairs, a guest suite sits adjacent to a gigantic media room, while downstairs, a set of heavy barn doors separates the main living room from the couple’s suite, featuring a beautifully appointed bathroom with a spacious, multi-headed steam shower. All of this was built in eight months, and the Millers moved into their dream home in October 2010, just in time for the holidays. It was their refuge, a place with room for a massive vegetable garden, an archery range for the girls and a pond for kayaking. For Lance, this was going to be the last house his family would build for themselves. “I thought I was done,” he says. “I don’t like residential — I’m a general contractor. I do more professional and commercial work. So when we were done with this house, I said, ‘This is my last house.’ “Then we got hit by the tornado three years later,” he sighs. On May 19, 2013, the Millers’ dream house was hit by one of the 67 tornados that descended on Oklahoma over the course of three days. Lance said his friend David Payne, KWTV’s chief meteorologist, was storm chasing just off the Turner Turnpike and saw the EF-3 funnel cloud graze their home.
(Left) Rustic timelessness in the family dining room. On the wall hang miniatures in porcelain painted by an ancestor, while overhead, bold beams flank a delicate chandelier. (Above) The home is filled with art, with no small measure of whimsy. FALL 2017 405 HOME 69
feature Miller home
“I move the art around sometimes. But not really. We really knew what we wanted.” ELIZ A BETH MILLER
Fortunately, the Millers had outfitted their house with a life-saving custom storm shelter. While it was not a total loss, the tornado ripped off part of their roof over the main living area and sheared away two patio areas. Rain damage to the floors meant two more trips to Gonzales for more reclaimed wood. It took months to bring the home back to its former glory. During the process, Lance said he received confirmation on just how rare and unusual his tulip poplar bark-clad home is 70 405 HOME FALL 2017
— not just in Oklahoma, but in most of the country. “I heard from three different adjusters from three different parts of the country,” he says. “None of them had seen anything like it.” Chances are, most people in OKC have seen Lance Miller’s work. In addition to the scores of retail, business and government offices he has built since forming Miller-Tippens in 2006, he also built the Oklahoma City Zoo’s main entry in 2001.
But then there is the refuge east of the city, where the private work of Elizabeth Miller is what catches the eye and holds it. Yes, it took money to create this breathtaking enclave, but it also took time and care — not just to design it, but to bring it back from natural disaster. In the years since the Millers built their home, some of their design touches have reached the masses, much to Elizabeth’s chagrin. “Nobody had even heard of shiplap when I used it, and now it’s in everything Chip and Joanna Gaines (of HGTV’s ‘Fixer Upper’) do,” she says. “We thought we were really different until the reclaimed wood trend came around.” But now that everything is in place, the Millers do not think of changing it. Their dream is fully realized. “I move the art around sometimes,” she admits. “But not really. We really knew what we wanted.”
(Above) In the master suite, calm neutrals rule the roost, yet in the master bath, a graphic pop of color in the form of custom blinds adds interest. (Opposite) Elizabeth’s exacting eye is evidenced everywhere throughout the home. A mix of rustic, rough-hewn and bold color is applied with a deft touch.
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Phil Epp, Hilltop, Acrylic on canvas board, 60" x 60"
C OW B OY A RT I S T S OF AMERICA
52nd Annual Sale & Exhibition
Exclusive Urban Living in the Heart of Nichols Hills
Santa Susanna Bit by Wilson Capron (detail)
Traditional Cowboy Arts Association
19th Annual Exhibition & Sale
October 5 – 7, 2017
1700 Northeast 63rd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111 (405) 478-2250 nationalcowboymuseum.org Presenting Sponsor Burnett Ranches – Anne & John Marion Museum Partners Devon Energy Corp. • E.L. & Thelma Gaylord Foundation Major Support The Oklahoman Media Company • The True Foundation
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for More Information Call 405.202.8783
PROFILE
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WHERE VINTAGE AND MODERN MEET Live Boho
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rying to find something special for your home? Look in the place “where vintage and modern meet” – the interesting and inviting Live Boho is where to find an eclectic mix of art, furnishings and more. They offer furniture and gift items as well that are out of the ordinary, and specialize in vintage objects, as well as lighting and cowhide rugs. From Bohemian to farmhouse to mid-century modern, they have something for everyone with every sense of style. Owner Maggie McMillan wanted to bring an affordable store with a variety of intriguing items and quality pieces, so anyone could shop without worrying about outrageous prices. She goes to markets in Dallas, High Point and Atlanta to bring the best lines back to OKC, and her husband goes picking on the road and makes frequent trips to Round Top to hunt down the very best vintage items and one-of-a-kind finds for the store. Live Boho also offers home staging services, just check with Maggie for details. Curiosities are waiting to be explored; come visit this home decor gem – and find something unusually wonderful – at the corner of I-35 and Grand Blvd.
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living coziness
GETTING HYGGE WITH IT Cozy up for winter, Danish style BY JILL FARR | PHOTOS BY DON RISI OKC Energy FC coach Jimmy Nielsen; wardrobe courtesy of Steven Giles Clothing 76 405 HOME FALL 2017
A DANISH WORD for which there is no easily translatable counterpart in English, hygge (hue-guh) is a term that has piqued the curiosity of non-Danes worldwide since it began appearing in decorating magazines and books focused on home styling. In fact, the number of books published on hygge in the past two years is enough to be astonishing, and it raises the question: How can something indefinable become a fad in the first place? The answer may be that mystery always heightens popularity, at least initially. It signals elusiveness, which can indicate rarity, and that is often, ironically, a factor that triggers the beginning of a trend. (Remember the period of time when most of us didn’t have the slightest clue what umami actually meant?) Another possibility is that once you hear what hygge means (or rather,
when you hear the attempts that people make to describe the concept), it’s something most of us genuinely want. Jimmy Nielsen, head coach of the OKC Energy Football Club and a Dane, confirms that it is indeed something worth having.
“It’s … a feeling. A walk can be hygge, you can have a hygge time with your friends.” JIMM Y NIELSEN
“Yes, you hear it all the time in Denmark,” Nielsen says, when asked whether hygge is actually an authentic Danish precept, or a marginal cultural quirk that’s been overblown. But he shuts down any notion that it’s something that’s as easily attained as a cashmere throw or woolen potholders.
“It’s not a decorating term,” he says, “It’s … a feeling. A walk can be hygge, you can have a hygge time with your friends. ‘Are you up for some hygge tonight?’ It’s weird. It covers so many things.” When something is exclusive to one region and then becomes wildly popular, it would be understandable if there was at least some proprietary hesitation about the rest of the world trying to get it. (Maybe especially if they can’t even fully grasp what it is.) Although Nielsen doesn’t claim to speak for all Danes, his good-natured response to the idea of hygge becoming a global phenomenon seems typical of Denmark’s national reputation as an easygoing country. “I like it! I like it a lot!” Nielsen says. He also offered a different take on the oft-quoted statistic that names Denmark as the “Happiest Country in the
The OKC Museum of Art invites guests to explore hygge-ness. FALL 2017 405 HOME 77
living coziness
HYGGE HINTS
While it’s not a design style by definition, hygge at its heart is about atmosphere and connection, and those are absolutely attainable through a few home decorating principles. COMFORT FOR YOURSELF Foundational to any home’s happiness factor is its owner’s satisfaction level. Don’t look at hygge-focused magazine layouts and think, “Wow, I guess I need more candles,” if you hate candles. If you love coastal, or contemporary furnishings, use them. Just make sure that comfort is a guiding tenet. This may be difficult for those who are predisposed to opulence in their decorating, but it’s an important concept and should be thought of as a hygge filter. As Coco Chanel said, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”
FIRSTHAND HYGGE AT OKC MUSEUM OF ART For the second year in a row, OKCMOA will present a special Art After 5 event, “A Night of Hygge.” Cozy up with your friends around (battery-operated) candlelight, have a drink and enjoy the galleries. From 6-9 p.m. Jan. 11, 2018, guests will explore this uniquely Danish concept while enjoying spiked hot chocolate (cash bar) and light bites, adult story time in the galleries, subversive cross stitch and non-conformist needlepoint, a digital fireplace, live music and more. Entry fee is $5 per person, museum members are admitted free.
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COMFORT FOR OTHERS Hygge is something that can be felt alone, of course, but the warm fuzzies that Danes often describe are best experienced in the company of others. While it can happen at work, or in a coffee shop or wine bar, you probably want a home where hygge happens regularly. If so, it needs to be a place where guests can truly relax; some consideration about your entertaining setup could make a big difference. Is there enough seating? Surfaces for placing plates and glasses, so that eating and drinking can be relaxed? Even if you can’t remodel, or budget for extra flatware, the one thing that makes all the difference (and is most hygge-friendly) is a welcoming attitude. Telling people you’re happy they’re there may seem trite, but everyone likes knowing that they’re not just a social obligation. Expressing feelings of appreciation complements every decorative scheme. CONDUCIVENESS TO CONNECTION While making your home comfortable for guests as individuals is important, making sure that interaction is easy is also a good way to up your hygge factor. Some examples of quick ways to do this are rearranging seating so that conversation is easily possible, or making sure a food and drink station has good flow. If space precludes a large dining table, consider two or three smaller ones. Breaking up large spaces into smaller zones creates a cozy feel, and has functionality beyond making parties more bearable; families that have segmented areas in common dens or living rooms can experience togetherness while still allowing individuals (read: teens) to have significant space to themselves.
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living coziness
World,” and suggests hygge may actually be the better word for describing what fuels Danish contentment. “We (Danes) have the reputation of being the happiest country in the world, and I don’t know if I buy into that. I’ve been to happier places, but hygge — that’s Danish. That’s something special. You use it all the time, in different situations. You can have a hygge day at the office!” Taking the explanation a little further, Nielsen cited relational — not decorative — attitudes as the reason that true Danish hygge can be found wherever you make it. “In Denmark, you see your friends outside of work a little more than you do here. You’re hanging out and working on relationships more than you do in America.” However, Nielsen did admit that certain seasons may have an edge in 80 405 HOME FALL 2017
helping those who are hunting for the indefinable sensation of hygge. “Denmark is so freezing cold in the winter, you’re inside more — doing more family things, games — than you do in the spring or summer. So you’re sitting together more, and things may be more hygge. You find a lot of hygge in Denmark around Christmas time.” Oklahoma, with its extended warm season and propensity to go from shorts-wearing weather to ice storms in a matter of days, may not seem to be the coziest of areas, but it’s still fertile ground for hygge, Nielsen insisted. “I’ve had Christmas here for three years now, and it’s easy to find hygge here.” Most decorating plans are founded on a principle — minimalist, urban, etc. — and even eclecticism has its definition, because it’s using aspects from several delineated schools of decorat-
ing thought. Individuals usually shape their interiors through the template of one of these standard styles, with their own unique tastes directing their piece-by-piece choices. If you’re seeking hygge, however, you’re simply trying to make your home convey a sense of well-being. That may seem like the most daunting style guide ever, but it could actually be the most simple one; you’re just looking for what feels good. Reiterating his statement about hygge not being a decorating impetus, but a feeling, Jimmy Nielsen offered this plain-spoken advice to those who really want that thing that you can’t even explain: “You can’t force the hygge. It’s coming. It’s coming if you’ll be yourself. Don’t force it — that’s stressful, not hygge. Don’t stress the people you love out; that’s not hygge.” Happy hygge hunting.
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living monograms
Initial Indications Go mad for monograms BY GINA A. DABNEY | PHOTOS BY DON RISI
WHAT’S IN A SUBSTITUTE FOR A NAME? Symbols representing a name or names, consisting typically of a letter or several letters worked together, monograms have been used as means of identification for millennia. In ancient times, monogrammed currency, which had initials showing the reign of a particular Roman or Greek ruler carved on clay coins, was used for barter and trade. Later in history, monograms became synonymous with a royal signature or seal for diplomatic documents — since most kings and emperors were not able to write, their monograms served as their signatures. The monogram, therefore, had to be distinguished easily from other symbols, and to signify power, it was important that the design be not only formal but beautiful. Kings and queens also used monograms to stamp their 82 405 HOME FALL 2017
personal property and household items, including linens, clothing, weaponry, armor, royal banners and coats of arms. Today, monograms aren’t restricted to royalty, and are more associated with personal identity or branding than identifying personal property. Some companies have been successful at incorporating a monogram into their logos — one fashion icon to make this idea work is the Parisian company Louis Vuitton. Its iconic “LV” was made famous by Louis Vuitton’s son, Georges, who developed the logo to deter counterfeiting of the company’s designer luggage.
MONOGRAMS AT HOME
Monograms are readily found on linens and towels. However, some unexpected monogrammable items include uphol-
stered furniture such as headboards and chairs, kitchen stove vent hoods and tiles. Patti Bray of Jones is an artist who works in clay tiles; her painted and glazed tiles range from contemporary three-dimensional wall art to realistic kitchen back splashes. Bray, who has a B.A. in commercial arts from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, worked in advertising, but always had a side business producing custom art for clients and shows. Now, she is a full-time artist. In Bray’s studio is a multitude of work showcasing her breadth of talent in tile artistry. Among the examples of monogrammed tiles are several recently produced for a young couple’s new home; one is a free-standing, 8 x 8-inch white ceramic tile which Bray painted with black and gold acrylic, with the monogram in Victorian script. “I love working with letters,” says Bray. “Lettering is a lost art. Very few fields of study today require handwriting.” Bray suggested a small 4 x 4-inch tile with a single letter monogram would be a nice touch with any decor, especially a child’s room. “There are a lot of options for colors in both paint and glazes for firing,” she says. “Some clients will have their own tile, which will determine the options for paint or glaze.” Visit prbraydesigns.com for examples. Monogrammed carpets and rugs add a distinctive statement to the home — and they’re one of Scott Rogers’ specialties. Rogers, who has been in the carpet business for 30 years, says each customized rug is unique. Generally, a 6 x 6-foot rug with a single-letter monogram costs approximately $300 - $500. Additional features could include border design, shadowing of the monogram and design detailing. “It is custom work,” says Rogers. “It depends on the time spent. Time goes hand-in-hand with the price.” Rogers has been customizing rugs since 2009, and has clients who have used his services over and over again. He has done custom work for interior designers and commercial businesses, including a large “H”-monogrammed rug for the newly remodeled Haley’s Carpet at 3920 NW 39th. See some of his other work at rugsbyscott.com.
From Tulips, 570 Buchanan, Norman Audrey pewter hand towel, cream makeup bag, gray pillow, (Opposite) Sasha Nicolas champagne bucket
From Emory Anne Interiors, Edmond Napkins, black makeup bag, luggage tag
THE HOUSE OF O
The Overholser Mansion in Heritage Hills represents a prominent family that was influential to the establishment of Oklahoma City. Considered “out in the country” at the time it was built in 1903, the home-turned-museum, located at 405 NW 15th, is packed with monograms. “The initial ‘O’ is used throughout the house,” says Lisa Escalon, museum coordinator. In the formal parlor and the music room, stained glass windows display the Overholser family’s coat of arms. This Queen Anne and Chateauesque architectural style home, which sits on 3 lots, has more than 109 stained and leaded
From Herrington Design, herringtondesign.com Quilt and sham
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living monograms FORMATS AND ETIQUETTE
The most widely used format is the three-initial monogram. The last name initial is usually in a larger type and centered within the monogram, flanked by the first and middle initials, which are usually smaller. This is called the Victorian format. For example, Anna Ione Murphy would be AMI. To create a personalized monogram, use the first, middle, last name initial format with the type font style all the same size: AIM. To create a monogram for newlyweds who take the same last name, the couples’ last name initial is in the middle, flanked by the husband’s first name initial on the left and the wife’s first name initial on the right. For example if Anna Murphy married Henry Overholser, their monogram would be HOA. If the bride wants her personal monogram to include her maiden name along with her new last name, it would be AOM. Create your own family crest or coat of arms by choosing a motif as a symbolic monogram, as has been a tradition for centuries. For example, Napoleon selected a bee to represent his empire, and Josephine picked the swan, a symbol of purity, love and fidelity. Be sure to research your motif thoroughly, as a flower such as lily of the valley may look beautiful, but actually represents death in some cultures. From Norman Stamp and Seal, 110 S University, Norman Hammer with engraving, Smith cutting board, flasks, V coasters
From J. Crew Navy pajamas
From Occasions, 2001 W Main, Norman Tote bag, planner with white monogram, paper napkins
glass windows. Monogrammed items that are original to the home include lace curtains, wood floors, luggage and a collection of souvenir spoons. The spoons, which display Mrs. Overholser’s monogram on the back, are from locations she visited: New York City, Chicago and Denver. Also on display are the family’s monogrammed china, crystal, silverware and table linens. The home was a center of social life for decades as the family hosted weddings, dinners and literary events. “She was known for lavishly entertaining,” Escalon says of Mrs. Overholser. Their daughter, Henry Ione, had a silver service with her personal monogram “HIO.” She married David Perry, who became the heir to the mansion in 1959. He was instrumental in securing the home on the National Register of Historic Places. “It is an amazing house,” says Escalon. “It is a time capsule of a family that contributed so much to the community.” 84 405 HOME FALL 2017
From Land’s End W towels
From Bebe’s, 6480 Avondale, OKC Haute Papier monogramed stationery, white and gray cocktail napkin
Anytime. Anywhere. Any day ... Ask Gary Baccus
Gary Baccus, Agent
16145 N. May Avenue Edmond, OK 73013 Bus: 405-844-6300 www.garybaccus.com
Question: How can I lower the cost of my homeowners insurance? Answer: The easiest thing to do is to get a comprehensive review of your policy with your local agent. Here are the top four things I would suggest to help lower the cost of your homeowners insurance:
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PROFILE
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YOUR HOME DECOR SOURCE Chateau Design & Interiors
W
hen it comes to updating a home or even a single room for today’s lifestyle, Chateau Design & Interiors owner Rose Clark says to begin the process by editing. In other words, edit what you don’t need, get rid of things in your way, de-clutter your home and let it breathe. “Today’s new look is light and bright, and the easiest way to transform your home is to brighten it up,” she says. “Paint colors today are light and bright. White is back. Update things like lamps and change out dark drapes and bed coverings for lighter options. Minimalism is in, and subtlety makes all the difference.” Editing isn’t just advice Rose gives her clients, as she opened Chateau Design & Interiors in the fall of 2016 as a revised version of her home décor and gift shop, Red Chateau. Though still located in Casady Square, Rose says the new direction allows her to focus more on what she loves: design. “Most people say that it doesn’t look like how someone would imagine an Oklahoma City store; [that] it has more the feel of a New York boutique,” Rose smiles. And the store itself is only the beginning, as Rose’s vision is available to bring home for any client. “I provide a full design service, whether it comes to just helping with remodeling, updating or a complete new house build.” Exceptional accessories, accents, furnishings and more – distinctive appeal for your entire home – is waiting at Chateau Designs.
Rose Clark, proprietor Chateau Design & Interiors
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ALFRESCO
ENHANCING YOUR CORNER OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS
MOVEABLE FEAST
Autumn is too beautiful — and the sporting life too enticing to witness – to stay cooped up indoors. But your tailgating checklist should have imagination and panache, not just burgers and a six-pack; a few added accouterments can seriously elevate the experience. See page 92.
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alfresco outdoor fireplaces
WINTER WARMTH, WHENEVER
Chase away the chill with an outdoor fireplace BY LAUREN HAMMACK | PHOTOS BY DON RISI
Many remnants of an Oklahoma summer — warm, sunny days with the a/c on high — often linger well into October and November, but in a matter of hours, a balmy fall afternoon can turn as frosty as a jilted lover. However, our relationship with the outdoors doesn’t have to succumb to the whims of Oklahoma’s (predictably) unpredictable weather. As the mercury falls and days grow shorter, a few enhancements to warm up outdoor living spaces can ease the transition from autumn to spring, and help us make the most of the months that lie ahead.
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HOMEOWNERS WHO ENTERTAIN YEAR-ROUND often have a high level of commitment to taking the party outdoors, no matter the weather. If you’re one of them, the first item on your wish list should be an outdoor fireplace. At a holiday party last year, half the guests made a mass exodus from the kitchen when they heard there was a fireplace off the patio. (Nothing whispers “come hither” more compellingly than the snap, crackle, pop of a fire.) When I stepped outside, I saw a slack-jawed crowd gathered around the fireplace, mesmerized by the flames. If the hostess hadn’t let the fire burn down, they’d probably still be there. “Fire and water are magnets for people and animals,” explains Terry Carlson, who, along with her husband and business partner, Anders, own the Oklahoma City-based company Anders & Terry (formerly AC Dwellings). Together, the couple has spent the past two decades creating cover-worthy living spaces that exude an irresistible magnetism on their own. “We started our company during the ‘covered patio era,’” Carlson recalls. “The whole outdoor living concept hadn’t gained the momentum it has today. But Anders and I love to be outside; we’re outdoor people.” Years ago, when Anders and Terry met with a client who was planning an expansion project, the subject of an outdoor fireplace naturally emerged from a conversation about (Above and below) The home of Gary and Myria Pierson how nice it would be to extend the indoor living space to the outside. Predictably, the client was the first of a succession of several dozen homeowners who have turned to the Carlsons to do the same. Figuring out where a fireplace will go is always the first and most important consideration, according to Carlson. Although your existing space may determine its placement — far from the 75-year-old oak and the dryer exhaust, let’s say — a fireplace will create a more functional extension of the indoor living space when it’s enjoyed closer to the house. “Proximity to the home is better than a far-off corner of the yard, when it comes to placement,” Carlson says. “To benefit from the warmth of a fireplace, it has to be situated under cover to retain its heat. Likewise, you’ll want it to be accessible if it’s raining.” In addition to creating a lovely focal point that’s more visible from the indoors, fireplaces often shield an outdoor living space from high winds, something that’s particularly desirable to homeowners whose property doesn’t have an abundance of trees. The good news, Carlson said, is that outdoor fireplaces no longer have to be prohibitively expensive. Quality materials abound for just about any burning preference — wood, gas logs, fire glass shards (check them out; verrrry cool) and geo spheres are just a few fire-starters. The classics never die, of course, so most homeowners FALL 2017 405 HOME 89
alfresco outdoor fireplaces
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still gravitate toward the traditional one-two punch of fire building: a gas starter with real wood. “People love to tend a fire,” Carlson says. “They love to smell it, listen to it, poke at it, add wood to it and keep it going.” Even more homeowners prefer to combine the primal element of fire with the earth’s other primal element, television, for their outdoor relaxation or entertaining. Few things are more enjoyable than watching the big game outside, next to the fire on a chilly autumn day. Only a crockpot of Ro-Tel could make things better. If you already have a fireplace on an exterior wall, you might have visions of knocking out the back of it to create a two-way fireplace. Don’t. “You don’t want to knock out the exterior wall, because the interior of your home would then be exposed to the Home of Robert and Kellie Merrick elements,” Carlson says. If it’s a two-way fireplace you want, perhaps to maintain a view of both the pool and the patio, make it freestanding. Carlson added that, while two-way fireplaces are aesthetically appealing, they’re not noted for their ability to draft well, which could present a challenge in keeping a fire going. For that reason, Terry recommends using (artificial) gas logs — but not the plastic logs that kept Grandma’s fireplace looking so snappy for 50 years. “Artificial gas logs have come a long way,” she says. “They look fantastic and they’re really effective.” If 2017 isn’t the Year of the Fireplace at your house, take comfort in knowing that there are more ways to warm up your outdoor living space as cold weather approaches. Let’s all agree that we live in magical times when the environment we desire can be created with the flip of a switch. About three feet long, electric heaters can be inconspicuously flush-mounted to the ceiling, providing significantly more warmth than a fireplace. Installing heaters along the open perimeter of an outdoor living space, as Anders & Terry frequently does, creates what Carlson calls a “heat wall.” Even with an outdoor fireplace, electric heaters make sense, Carlson said, pointing out that they’re perfect for warming up your surroundings in just a few minutes. Once the fireplace heats up, simply switch off the heaters. Electric heaters can be costly, but like everything else worth having, the good ones are worth the investment, she said. Containing ambient warmth in an outdoor space is likely the greatest challenge to maximizing the time you’ll spend outside in chilly weather. An electric, retractable windscreen may be the most functional line of defense against
the harsh elements that stand between you and your exterior living space. Operated by remote control (that’s really all I need to hear), outdoor screens disappear quietly into a ceiling-mounted housing unit when they’re no longer needed to block heavy winds, diffuse the afternoon sun or re-route flying insects. The most user-friendly method of creating warmth in your outdoor living area, according to Carlson? “I always keep a basket of colorful blankets nearby. What could be easier?” FALL 2017 405 HOME 91
alfresco tailgating
Game Day Gourmet An upscale, modern twist on tailgating tradition BY GINA A. DABNEY | PHOTOS BY CARLI WENTWORTH
EVERY HOME-GAME SATURDAY during football season, Clay and Marnie Taylor can be found hosting a tailgate at Oklahoma State University’s Boone Pickens Stadium. For decades, Marnie, who is CEO for the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, and her husband Clay, who runs a boutique lobbying firm, have entertained a wide spectrum of people. “We have been tailgating in the same spot, in the south parking lot, for 20 years,” says Marnie. “We normally have 300 people.” The Taylors prepare and cook all the food themselves with the help of their grown children and granddaughter. Clayton, their son Clay and his wife Becky are all graduates of OSU. Even though Marnie graduated from Notre 92 405 HOME FALL 2017
Dame and is loyal to that school, she bleeds orange, too. Their keys to a great tailgate are a fun atmosphere, plenty of cold drinks and food. The grill is filled with sausages, sliders, chicken wings and fajitas. The favorite finger food is bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, and gumbo and chili with cornbread are available in the colder months. “The main thing,” Taylor says, “is to all be together before the game.” The Taylors create a festive and inviting atmosphere by having a themed tailgate, using the opposing team’s mascot for inspiration. For instance, if the Cowboys are playing Colorado, they will have so-called Buffalo burgers. “Our favorite tailgate is when OU
THE DAWN OF TAILGATING In 1869, Princeton faced Rutgers in the first intercollegiate football game – and tailgating took place beforehand. At that time, there were no cars or parking lots. Fans gathered for their pregame festivities at the “tail end” of their horses. TAILGATE BASKET Want a quick out-thedoor, tasty and upscale tailgate feast? Maggie Peterson of The Oil Tree recommended the following for any event – and the items are available, minus the alcohol and soda water, at The Oil Tree. POP INTO A BASKET: A fresh loaf of bread Spanish olives Artichoke-parmesan tapenade Creme brulee almonds Pastry cups with lemon curd Charred grapefruit tonic – Add equal parts vodka, gin or soda water
comes to town,” she explains. “We have a Bedlam theme.” The Oil Tree (7602 N May) is a gourmet grocery with a broad mixture of foods, including olive oils, pastas and tapenades that are ideal for tailgating. For a tasty treat, co-owner Maggie Peterson recommends dipping slices from a fresh loaf of bread into a mixture of fresh extra virgin oil and sea salt. “There are two olive oil harvests per year,” explains Peterson. “We are in our Northern Hemisphere harvest now.” The most popular oil and vinegar combination at Peterson’s store is the Tuscan herb olive oil mixed with the traditional style balsamic vinegar. The Oil Tree has a variety of chip flavors and all sorts of salsas, as well as toasts and tapenades. Maggie, who is a native Okie, and her husband Rane, from New Hampshire, opened The Oil Tree five years ago in December. The couple lived for a time in New England, and decided to bring some of its abundant specialty foods to Oklahoma. They team with small-batch producers such as American Spoon and Maine Sea Salt in order to offer top-notch quality products, and the couple is also active in bringing truth to labeling in olive oils. “We try to focus on small-batch producers,” says Peterson. “It is truly about quality. Quality and truth in labeling.” For tailgate grilling, The Oil Tree has marinades and dry glazes, or smoked olive oil can be added to meats and veggies for grilled flavor without the grill. Peterson suggests pairing the olive oil with Neapolitan herb balsamic vinegar. For dessert, customers love the American Spoon party cups, which are filled with lemon curd. Empty party cups can be filled with fruit spreads, which have no seeds or clumps. “They are ready-to-eat,” says Peterson. “It is a quick and easy dessert for tailgating.” The Oil Tree is expanding to Wilshire Village, 7646 N Western, with a target opening date of Nov. 1. The new area will include products and space for classes and cooking demonstrations by experts such as Jonna Nowakowski of Jonna’s Sweet and Savory. Jonna, who demonstrates pies and cakes for Wil-
liams Sonoma, makes all her items, such as pastries and cakes, from scratch. “I use high-quality ingredients,” she promises, “all fresh and organic.” Yet another way to host a tailgate is to have everything, from food to big screens, delivered – set up and ready to entertain. The Tailgate Guys, a Georgia-based company that’s been successful at other colleges, is making its debut at OU this football season. When talking food, the plan should be to have variety. “It’s always good to have options,” says Tailgate Guys VP Will McClain. “We like to keep it local and go with a variety
of barbecue, Mexican, deli sandwiches and chicken.” The company offers premium amenities such as TVs, shade, fans and bellhop service. In Norman, its tailgate location is on the lawn near Heisman Park and in front of the Bud Wilkinson Center, at the corner of Jenkins and Lindsey. McClain asserted that there is plenty of room for throwing a football or playing a game of cornhole. “Our guests enjoy one of the most premier tailgating spots on campus,” he says. “You can throw a rock to the stadium left-handed.” FALL 2017 405 HOME 93
alfresco tailgating
Get Geared Up
Suggestions for taking tailgating up a notch
1. Wicker picnic basket $70, Sara Kate Studios, 1100 N Broadway, OKC | 2. EcoLunchbox stainless trays From $15, ecolunchboxes.com | 3. HotLogic Mini personal portable oven $39.95, hotlogicmini.com | 4. Haute Stainless Steel Bottles $24.99/$35.99, Plenty Mercantile, 807 N Broadway, OKC | 5. The Napkins “Kitchen Line” $14 for 20 napkins, thenapkinsus.com | 6. College Town Pint Glasses $28 for set of two, theuncommongreen.com | 7. Hot Ruby mixer $44 for two bottles, drinkhotruby.com | 8. Pendleton wool blanket $255, Stash Goods, 412 E Main, Norman | 9. Yeti cooler Prices vary, Norman Stamp and Seal, 110 S University, Norman 94 405 HOME FALL 2017
PHOTOS BY DON RISI
PREGAME PICNIC or post-victory celebration, there’s nothing like a tailgate for building a joyful sense of football-based camaraderie – but don’t be the one to bring the party down by showing up empty-handed. Aside from the standard burgers, brats and beverages, here’s some gear you’ll be glad to have handy.
Half-P rice Happy Hour FOR DAVE’S DEEP DISH PIZZA Wednesdays from 4-7
COME FOR BRUNCH
Sunday 10-3 Specials on Mimosa and Bloody Mary drinks
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looking ahead
A THING FOR SPRING BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON | PHOTO BY DON RISI
ALTHOUGH THE FROST is on the pumpkin and the fodder’s in the shock, and we’re busy planning how we’ll hygge our way through winter, here at 405 Home, a tiny green tendril of spring has pushed through the blur of cool weather fun. This beautiful poolside settee is part of the perfect-for-entertaining outdoor oasis at the Nichols Hills home of Karen and Mike Samis, she the owner and proprietress of the venerable design bastion Bebe’s in Nichols Hills Plaza. Summer soirees are the name of the game in the 405, and next issue we’ll take you to a lavish annual fete, A Midsum96 405 HOME FALL 2017
mer Night’s Cocktail Party, at the 115-year-old home of Richard Bruner and Michael Koenig. We’ll also explore the artistry of creating the perfect container plantings to brighten a porch or patio, and Jill Farr will literally “take it to the mattresses” in her exploration of hand-crafted custom beds built right here in the metro. Of course we’ll bring you a bevy of movers and shakers, and doers and makers, which we hope will delight and inspire you. Meantime, tell us what you think. We’d love to hear from you.
FROM PLANTS TO PETALS TO POTS
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