Spring 2023

Trust the experts at Wilshire Cabinet + Co to handle your whole home cabinetry project with an unmatched level of knowledge and service.

INSPIRATIONS

12 MOOD BOARD

Curating all the “feels” the spring season brings

14 TULIP TIME

Advice on growing spring’s most glorious blooms

16 GINGER JARS

Favorite local finds to collect, mix and match

ENTHUSIASTS

20 SET TO ENTERTAIN

Libby Howard and Sydney Rainey elevate the table

24 WILD ABOUT CLAY

Matt Seikel forages materials for his earthy ceramics

28 BOUQUETS OF LOVE

Haleigh Kenney flourishes through XO Floral Design

GATHERINGS

60 ALFRESCO TABLE

When a magical team combines creative forces

LIVING

64 AROUND TOWN

Secret gardens open for Nichols Hills Garden Tour

66 HOME AWAY

Iconic designs for the ages at the Parker Palm Springs

70 FAVORITE SPACES

A light-hearted utility room to lighten the workload

IN EVERY ISSUE

08 FROM THE EDITOR

72 LOOKING AHEAD

ON THE COVER

This bright and airy dining room, designed by Sara Kate Little, was photographed by Emily Hart.

PUBLISHER

Kaley Regas

kaley@hilltopmediagroup.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sara Gae Waters

saragae.waters@405magazine.com

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Lisa Munson

Editorial MANAGING EDITOR

Evie Klopp Holzer

COPY EDITOR

Steve Gill

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lillie-Beth Sanger Brinkman, Gretchen Leigh Clark, Greg Horton, Jessica Mayfield, Adi McCasland, Christina Wygant

DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Raylee Lewis

Art

ART DIRECTOR

Cadence Ramos

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Meagan Matthews

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lillian Meador

CLIENT COORDINATOR

Leesa Neidel

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kacey Gilpin, Emily Hart, Shea Hussey, Charlie Neuenschwander, Brandon Smith, Christina Waters

Advertising DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Drew Smith

drew.smith@405magazine.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Kendall Morgan

kendall.morgan@405magazine.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

405HOME is a special publication of 405 Magazine. It is published quarterly (spring, summer, fall and winter) 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 PO Box 16765 North Hollywood, CA 91615-6765

QUESTIONS OR ADDRESS CHANGE

Visit 405magazine.com/subscriptions 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.

Join the Conversation Follow 405 Magazine on Facebook and @405Mag on Instagram and Twitter

STORY IDEAS AND LETTERS

TO THE EDITOR

Your views and opinions are welcome. Include your full name, address, daytime phone number and email to editor@405magazine.com. Letters sent to 405HOME magazine become the magazine’s property, and it owns all rights to their use. 405HOME magazine reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length.

©2023 Hilltop Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of 405Home content, in whole or part by any means, without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. 405Home is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. 405Home 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.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 405 Magazine, P.O. Box 16765, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6765.

Subscription Customer Service: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. CST. 405 Magazine, P.O. Box 16765, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6765, Phone 818.286.3160, Fax 800.869.0040, subscriptions@405magazine.com, 405magazine.com/subscribe

THE DELIGHTFUL DAYS OF SPRING

Irecently restarted reading a book given to me by my oldest daughter called The Book of Delights. I love to revisit books that inspire or intrigue me, and this is defi nitely one of them. While its theme has nothing to do with interior design, it does encourage readers to focus on the small things that delight us. Author Ross Gay writes in the preface, “The more you study delight, the more delight there is to study.”

Spring embodies the word delight. It’s the season to admire bright green blades of grass poking through the earth, the “Wow” of tulips trumpeting warmer days, open-window breezes encouraging curtains to dance, vibrant sunlight casting itself on walls and making the rooms change color, lighter food, crisp wines and seemingly everything in bloom. The list is easy, if you’re making one.

Clearing out spaces to revamp a room can also be delightful, especially if you are motivated and inspired. When it comes to your home, a small alteration—repainting walls or hanging new wallpaper, perhaps—can easily provide a feeling of transformation. A change in the furnishings, refurbishing old or buying new, can also breathe new life into a space. Of course, a complete renovation will always do the trick; however, don’t forget the power of a small tchotchke, something that in and of itself prompts a smile.

In this issue we have two homes that give more than their fair share of inspiration in design. In addition, featured enthusiasts Haleigh Kenney, Libby Howard and Sydney Rainey and Matt Seikel stir our senses with their talents. There is much more to discover throughout this spring issue, and it is a delight to share them with you.

SARA GAE WATERS Editor-in-Chief

POPPING UP FROM THE GROUND, SPRING BLOOMS ABOUND

SENSATIONAL SPRING

Feeling warm, soft and smooth this season

BY SARA GAE WATERS

PHOTO BY BRANDON SMITH

STYLING BY MEG MILLER

SPRING UNFOLDS SLOWLY each year, giving us small glimpses into the color and rhythm of the season. With heightened senses and imaginations this spring, we have collected smooth pottery, marigold orange and apricot, badminton and tulips, lemon and stripes, curls of ribbon and soft rosy hues that touch on all the “feels.”

TULIP TIME

Show-stopping spring flowers are worth the wait

BY GREG HORTON PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA WATERS

Squirrels do not eat tulip bulbs — a surprising bit of rodent trivia, given their skill at digging up bulbs. Kelly Moody has essentially won her war against the neighborhood varmints at her Nichols Hills home, which accounts for the beautiful spray of Gentle Giant tulips that snuggle up to the house.

“We just put chicken wire over the beds after the bulbs go in, and that keeps them away,” she said. “Otherwise, they dig up the bulbs because they’re stashing their food for winter.”

Tulips are a commitment, especially in terms of effort, and the payoff is brief — a few weeks of blooms, and then they’re gone for the rest of the year. Still, their beauty and delicacy make them worth the effort for many homeowners and amateur gardeners. Moody has been planting them every year for approximately 15 years, and she always goes with annuals over perennials.

“The perennials will only come up for three years, and each year the yield is sparser,” she said. “For the best effect, we start with new bulbs each year, and I pick the color based on what I think will look best. Since they’re planted in front of red brick, I never choose red.”

Moody uses an online service called Colorblends, but local garden stores like TLC can provide similar levels of service and information. “I use them because they’re very informative about all the bulbs,” said Moody. “I always choose bulbs that are about the size of the palm of my hand; about 2 inches. They come in multiple sizes, but the bigger the bulb, the bigger the flower.”

The taller the flower, too. Moody likes them in the 22-inch range, and the smaller bulbs usually only produce tulips 12 to 16 inches tall. The idea is to plant them close together — but not in a heap, so to speak, because it’s easy for the flowers to get cramped. Issues like size, yield and density are the issues that places like TLC can help with.

Given all the work involved in growing tulips successfully, it’s best to get good, professional advice so you can do it right the first time.

Moody said the process begins in late October, when she waits for a cold stretch or early frost that will cool the ground but not harden it or kill off the nutrients in the soil. She buries the bulbs at twice the depth of their size, and the good news is that when orienting the bulbs you don’t have to know up from down or sideways because “gravity will take care of that for you. Just plant them,” she said.

“The ground still has to be cold enough for the bulbs to go dormant, though,” Moody said. “If the ground is too warm, the plants will emerge too early, and you’ll lose the whole batch.”

After the brief blooming season, Moody waits for the leaves to turn yellow before she pulls the plants. At that point, she plants seasonally appropriate flowers in the beds … and waits for October to begin again.

For the best effect, we start with new bulbs each year, and I pick the color based on what I think will look best.”

As these tulips attest, Kelly Moody’s fall planting pays off every spring.

COLLECTING GINGER JARS

Make a modern statement with an ancient accessory — or two

BY GRETCHEN LEIGH CLARK

Originally made for storing spices in ancient China, the decorative vessels known today as “ginger jars” first gained popularity (and their moniker) in the Western world in the 19th century when they were exported to Europe. The accessory is traditionally hand-painted with intricate designs, and one of the best things about styling with ginger jars is how you can mix patterns, shapes and styles for an eclectic look. (On page 60, you can see how The Set and XO Design creatively used them in a centerpiece.) Ginger jars are often displayed in groups, so don’t stop with just one. Here is a roundup of local finds to start your own collection. Happy hunting!

Cherry Blossom Ginger Jar Live Boho, shopliveboho.com

Dragon Lotus Temple Jar Henry Home Interiors, henryinteriors.com

Coral Porcelain Double Happiness Ginger Jar Sanctuarie, sanctuarieokc.com

Monogrammed Ginger Jar in French Blue Shop Lo Home, shoplohome.com

Porcelain Floral Temple Jar Mister Robert Fine Furniture, misterrobert.com

Hand-Painted Blue Ceramic Jar The Wood Garden, facebook.com/thewoodgarden

Peony Temple Jar with Lion Accents The Green House, thegreenhousenorman.com

Square Porcelain Tea Jar with Landscape Motif ME Home, mehomecollection.com

PEOPLE WHO MAKE LIFE A LITTLE LOVELIER

MEMORABLE SETTINGS

The Set’s irresistible tabletops invite guests to sit and stay

BY JESSICA MAYFIELD | PHOTOS BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER

Created to set the scene for an event from beginning to end, The Set Events and Design is about luxury tabletop products and beautiful design — and so much more. Libby Howard and Sydney Rainey, friends and founders of The Set, prepare the table for connection with their talent for creating intentional, effervescent atmospheres, and for helping their hosts feel present and at ease. The pair is elevating intimate events into unforgettable experiences.

Their foundation for thoughtful gatherings was handed down by the two generations of women who came before them.

“My Mummer would host bridge, dinner, cooking — anything she could think of to bring people together. It helped create a foundation that there are different ways to celebrate and there are special ways to make space for everyone to feel loved and at home,” said Howard.

Each woman inherited a distinct verve for entertaining from her own mom and grandmother. It’s now something they continue to nurture in

each other. Friends from middle school, Howard and Rainey reconnected in 2020 after the onset of the pandemic, discovering they held a shared vision for connection and celebrations. They were hopeful about how significant these gatherings could be in the aftermath.

“While everything around us was shifting, we were lucky enough to have one another to stabilize us. There’s so much trust and grace between us,” said Rainey.

Therein lies the magic of The Set: Connection begets connection. Such attention to detail makes a Set event both a legacy experience and an act of genuine care.

“People remember how you made them feel,” said Rainey, “so we connect what they’re seeing to a deeper feeling of gathering together. Every detail needs to be thoughtful.”

The entire basis of The Set’s tablescape inventory and services is intentionality. Whether Howard and Rainey are designing an entire event with exquisite pieces from The Set’s collection or incorporating

Sydney Rainey and Libby Howard, founders of The Set Events and Design

their host’s heirloom china, every event is elevated, layered and full of depth, while still being inviting and functional. They delight in alleviating those frazzled feelings hosts may have before guests arrive; the hosts don’t have to lift a finger. The Set graciously supplies ideas on how to use pieces to be functional and to create flow that orients everyone around the table — and back to each other. Whether moving used plates off the table or coordinating place cards, they consider real life around-the-table moments and the grace notes that make experiences lovelier.

They love the slack-jawed moment when eyes are first laid on a fully layered and set table, but the best effect is something more nuanced and intimate.

“Have you ever heard of the Spanish phrase ‘sobremesa?’” Rainey asked. “It describes the time people spend lingering around the table after a meal. It’s the way they stay — it’s about comfort and connection. No one wants to leave.”

Sobremesa is the perfect afterglow to a Set event … one that becomes even better when they handle all the clean-up.

Every event is elevated, layered and full of depth, while still being inviting and functional.

Why

Convenience

We deliver your container to your home or business. You load at your own pace. When you are ready, have us move to your new address, store at our climate-controlled facility, or store at your own site.

Best Containers

Our all-steel containers with barn style doors are designed to keep the weather out and your belongings secure. They look good too.

Best Delivery System

Our state of the art ROBO unit allows us to place your container just about anywhere you desire with no need to bring a truck onto your property.

Best Customer Service

Our customers’ satisfaction is our passion. You will receive the best customer experience anywhere. Period.

Founded in Oklahoma in 1955, Thomson + Thomson is a third generation, award winning design firm specializing in high-end interior and exterior designs.

Thomson + Thomson offers design consultation tailored to a client’s personal style and project scope for both residential and commercial designs.

FROM THE GROUND UP

Matt Seikel forages wild clay for his extra-earthy ceramics

BY EVIE KLOPP HOLZER PHOTOS BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER

Ceramics artist Matt Seikel has a passion for process, and has long been intrigued by Seto Guro. Dating back to the 16th century, the ancient Japanese pottery practice involves crushing, mixing and firing raw elements to achieve a rich black color.

The process and combination of materials is mysterious — not fully outlined in the plethora of artist resources — so it’s no wonder that when Seikel spied a similar-looking black rock on the eight acres where he was living in Tesuque, New Mexico, he had to dig it up. He had to get his hands on it. He had to tinker.

“I smashed it and did some testing. Somehow it started working and I figured out some combos of wild materials, not only for wild clay but also wild glaze,” Seikel said.

The rewarding experience encouraged him to keep pulling what-could-be-clay from northern New Mexico and taking samples back to his studio for experimentation. As he followed his “gut feeling” about anomalies he noticed in the soil patterns to procure more samples, he would drop pins in Google Maps. That way, if he found a winner, he would know where to return for more.

“In New Mexico, you’ve got that kind of exposed [landscape]... You can see striations, you know, where they cut through a road or a river goes through somewhere, and I started taking rocks home.” Seikel said. “I have really enjoyed the experience of adding one more element for immersion into the [art]. It’s kind of like hunting and cooking; it’s a deeper connection.”

Artist Matt Seikel in his Midtown gallery and studio, Seikel Ceramics

The Oklahoma native fi rst studied ceramics at Classen School of Advanced Studies with Paul Sweeney. “Watching him do it on the wheel, I was like, ‘I have to do that,’” Seikel recalled.

After graduation, he studied in Chicago and then criss-crossed the United States, living in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Muscle Shoals, Alabama (for his music), before venturing to New Mexico. He moved back to Oklahoma City in 2021, bringing his ceramics business from Abiquiu, New Mexico, with him.

In addition to working with his wild clay and glazes to create highly textured pottery, Seikel enjoys partnering with interior designers on commissioned pieces, fashioning one-of-a-kind light fi xtures — pendants, sconces and lamps — to suit one-of-a-kind designs.

Seikel continues to travel to and from New Mexico to forage materials regularly, which he says only enhances his appreciation of art processes and his attraction to “the physicality of clay.”

“It’s tactile, very therapeutic and satisfying,” he said, “and then [seeing] the fi nished pieces is defi nitely an attribute.”

GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

Seikel Ceramics, located in Midtown at 813 N. Hudson Ave., is a studio, gallery and workshop open by appointment only. Matt Seikel teaches lessons and hosts small parties, but he doesn’t use wild clay for such events. Seikel says the texture is too rough and difficult to control (both shape and outcomes). While foraged clay presents a welcome challenge for him, it is not ideal for novice potters.

For more details, go to seikelceramics.com. To book a lesson or private event, contact Seikel at (405) 831-1673 or mattseikel@gmail.com.

LITTLE SPARKS OF JOY

How Haleigh Kenney arranged to open XO Floral Design

BY ADI MCCASLAND PHOTOS BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER

Haleigh Kenney, principal designer of XO Floral Design

It’s the emotions evoked that make the long hours, the odd hours, worth it — showing the bride her bouquet, delivering a baby shower vase, offering a celebration of life arrangement.

“Little sparks of joy; they’re a message of love without having to say anything,” explained Haleigh Kenney, principal designer and owner of XO Floral Design in Oklahoma City.

Kenney, a native Oklahoman with a cosmetology license and a degree in public relations, wandered into the floral industry quite literally. She was working part-time at a family friend’s downtown claims office (by way of a previous sales job, which was by way of a previous cosmetology job) where the front was rented out to a florist.

“On my lunch break, I walked through and smelled all of the flowers and felt drawn to the creativity,” said Kenney.

Inarguably, it is scary to leave the security of an 8-to-5 with a steady base income and paid time off for a less guaranteed career, but it turns out Kenney’s transition to botanical artistry wasn’t that intimidating.

“I got my floral experience with them. I was still working my other job, but for two years — on the weekends, whenever they needed help — I’d work the events,” said Kenney, exemplifying how sometimes the best education is hands-on experience.

ADVICE FOR BUDDING DESIGNERS

XO Floral Design owner Haleigh Kenney recommends starting with the basics — learn about the flowers and proper care — and going to work for a florist. “That’s where you’ll really get a taste for it,” she said.

Other flower-arranging snippets:

• Buy flowers in the shortest possible window of time prior to your event, preferably on the day before.

• Roll chicken wire into a ball and place it at the bottom of your vase to keep arranged stems in place.

• Cut your stems at an angle to allow them to absorb the water better, and give them a fresh cut every few days.

• Once in the vase, remove any greenery or anything on the stem that is below your water line. Leaves will steal the nutrients, so removing them will prolong the life of your arrangement.

• Change the water every few days so flowers can continue soaking up the nutrients.

• Keep your flowers away from a vent source, as well as any spaces of extreme cold or heat.

Fueled by inspiration from her grandmother’s lifelong garden and the florists who came before her, Kenney began supplementing her on-the-job training with specialized workshops from leaders in the industry.

“I found this girl who was both a wedding planner and a florist, and I thought, ‘I’m gonna break into that.’ And so I went to [her workshop in] Michigan,” she explained. “It was the very best thing I did for my business.”

One might think that this is simply the business of blooms, but it’s so much more than that. It’s one of reflecting someone’s vision, valuing uniqueness and making people feel special through exquisite arrangements. It’s those little sparks of joy that keep Kenney and XO Floral Design flourishing.

Little sparks of joy; they’re a message of love without having to say anything.”

Daniel Melott, owner of Veteran Built Designs, LLC, prides himself on heading a team of professionals that offer custom builds that meet every individual client’s unique needs. His team works diligently before they break ground, to make sure the design is perfect for the clients. After perfecting the client’s custom design the team hits the ground running and builds using top quality materials and in an extremely efficient way.

They use quality materials, tools, and highly trained professionals to ensure the job is done right the first time. This is all done to stay in alignment with their motto-custom hardscapes at neighbor prices.

Veteran Built Designs is focused on enhancing outdoor living spaces, including post frame buildings, pergolas, pavilions, firepits, fireplaces and more. Melott retired from the Air Force after serving 22 years. He started his company in 2018.

“Whether it be a brand new build or updating an existing build, I enjoy each step of the process,” he said. “I have built simple designs to unique designs with customers. My feeling is I want the homeowners to be happy and be able to enjoy their outdoor space.”

Melott advises clients who are considering hiring a builder to find a company that can manage all aspects of the project, be licensed and insured and provide quality work.

“Communication should always be clear with the company to have a successful project,” he said. “It’s also important to look for local, small businesses in OKC.”

Daniel Melott, owner of Veteran Built Designs, third from the left

ONE FAMILY’S REDESIGN CALLS FOR A CHEERY ‘OH!’

BY LILLIE-BETH SANGER BRINKMAN

PHOTOS BY EMILY HART

When one hopeful homeowner took his children to see a house coming up for bid in a sheriff’s sale, the initial on the gate matched the family’s own last name, making the property feel like home right away.

For his wife, the whole process of buying their English manor in Oklahoma City felt like it was meant to be from the beginning; even before she viewed the listing’s photos, its description had all the characteristics she and her husband were seeking.

“The first time I saw it, … it was snowing, and it was like this fairytale,” she said as she described driving up the long driveway in a wooded area and then finding a house that was exactly what they needed. “It really did look like a house you would see in Narnia. It was very ‘storybook’ when you pulled up. There were ducks everywhere.”

Today, the couple and their young children live on the multi-acre property with chickens, two cows, bunnies, two Great Pyrenees and their little house dog, a miniature Australian Labradoodle. A pet turtle now lives in the pond on the property, after its large tank cracked and “exploded,” as the wife put it, in the boys’ bedroom in the middle of the night.

Working with designer Sara Kate Little, founder of Pastiche Studios, the homeowners leaned into the English style of the residence for its design, with a focus on turning the home into a modern-day haven for their family and friends.

“It’s a beautiful manor-style home. When you pull in through the gate, you’re completely transported to another place,” Little said. “It’s just so idyllic.”

For Little, the project was also meant to be — “a dream job and dream clients” who were very thoughtful about how they wanted to live. Little already had an interest in British design, has traveled to England for home items and inspiration and has taken part in a workshop with prominent London interior designer Rita Konig.

“It was just very kismet,” Little said. “Our goals were very aligned. And I felt really strongly that I had a lot of really interesting sources and ideas to put into the project.”

TOP : The guest room wallpaper and drapery have the same bird and thistle pattern in blue, which is a traditional design choice.

BOTTOM: Lattice-inspired woodwork can be spotted throughout the home, including this bunk room where it is paired with a Robert Kime watercolor fabric..

RIGHT: The library spans two stories and overlooks gardens and ponds, but designer Sara Kate Little says the “real showstoppers” are the antique bus reels from England, hung as art, listing the names of towns and bus stops.

This light-filled kitchen offers glimpses of idyllic life, with fresh eggs and milk produced by the family's own animals, quartzite countertops, unlacquered brass fixtures from the House of Rohl and a custom Lacanche range.

The elegant dining room features mirrored lattice walls and large pendant lights, custom made in a style reminiscent of London street lamps.

Storage, lighting and hardware in the bar were selected to evoke a library and reflect the husband’s interest in experimenting with and developing his own cocktails.

Roman shades and headboard in a matching Brunschwig and Fils Les Touches pattern pair beautifully with burl wood nightstands and velvet furniture.

Two boys share this bunk room, with private nooks shaded in a playful Fermoie Ltd. fabric and painted in a blue from Papers and Paints' "Historical Colours" collection.

In the primary bath, the Cole and Sons hummingbird pattern on the Roman shades coordinates with a bolster in the bedroom and reflects the indoor-outdoor feel of the whole house.

A favorite gathering place, this breakfast nook includes a rattan woven pendant by Soane Britain and turned bobbin chairs painted in a soft green by Farrow & Ball, a traditional English paint company.

The entry welcomes visitors with a collection of framed floral reliefs, an antique English tufted bench, a crystal lamp with Penny Morrison shade and a vintage English table.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

The floral arrangements featured throughout the home were designed to look as if they were plucked from a British garden. Joyful mixed-andmatched stems include daffodils, tulips, roses, anemones, foxgloves and dahlias. A large bunch of feathery dill, sourced from interior designer Sara Kate Little's garden, fills the woven urn and pedestal basket from France.

The project turned into a much bigger one than the homeowners originally intended because some areas in the home needed to be gutted. They contacted the original architect, Brent Gibson, who helped with the redesign and updated a few areas. Matteson Custom Homes handled the renovation.

The outside got the same British design focus thanks to the work of landscape architect Laurie Keffer, who had lived in Europe and, like Little, understood the couple’s English-inspired vision for the whole property. That includes a pool, volleyball court, spaces for their animals, gardens and a charming wellhouse — ready to inspire imagination and play for people of all ages. Nelson Landscaping installed the outdoor landscaping based on Keffer's design. And it’s easy to see the outdoor beauty from any of the home’s many windows that let in so much natural lighting.

Little said the homeowners’ furnishings include a mix of new and antique items, and they are sourced “almost exclusively” from the United Kingdom. The British details are found throughout — whether in the paint colors from the British paint companies Farrows & Ball or Papers and Paints or the antique “bus reels” hanging as art two stories tall. These bus reels, featuring the names of English locations, once were rolled up and placed into signs on the bus, so they could flip to let travelers know the location of their next stop.

Special attention was given to the cocktail bar; designed as if it were a library to reflect the husband’s cocktail creations and the depth of his interest in this hobby. In the separate two-story dining room, the elegant and warm feel comes in part from a mirror behind lattice woodwork.

“From start to finish, the level of detail that's put into the project by everyone who was involved is pretty impressive,” Little said.

The wife said that all along, she wanted the home to have a timeless feel while also being light and bright, with lots of sunshine and color that would make her smile every day. Today, it’s a place where they pray and play and cook and entertain family and friends in all the spaces, indoors and out.

“I just wanted the house to breathe life,” she said. “We feel like we can actually live here. We get to enjoy the beautiful space that is livable. So [Little] was really able to marry the two worlds.”

A collection of neatly stacked books and small Cloisonné box on the coffee table show great attention to detail.

GO FOR THE BOLD

High-contrast designs dominate the Herritt family home

BY EVIE KLOPP HOLZER | PHOTOS BY BRANDON SMITH

The living room provides plenty of eye candy, including antique chairs that Restoration Station refinished and reupholstered in a green Kelly Wearstler fabric, a bright mix of Scalamandre and Schumacher pillows and a generous "Panda Slab" from TNL Custom Tile and Marble.

WHEN IT’S

TIME

FOR

A REDESIGN, defining one’s personal style is essential. Interior designer Hannah Sutter often kicks off projects by sharing a variety of inspirational images to initiate such discussions. Questions get tossed around: What are your favorite colors? Are you drawn to traditional rooms, or do you prefer something more contemporary or modern? What do you envision for your home?

However, for Robert and Brittany Herritt, this step wasn’t necessary. Their style was pretty well set.

“I told Hannah if designers Kelly Wearstler and Caitlin Wilson had a baby, that would be my design style,” Brittany Herritt said. “I love a traditional home with a modern, colorful punch, for sure.”

Referencing the aesthetics often showcased by these two popular interior designers meant Sutter had to balance the bold with the beautiful. Sutter says Wearstler is known for layering natural elements together in a funky and curated way. On the other hand, she says Wilson has a “more tame, sweeter and preppier design style” with lots of color.

In the end, Sutter blended bright hues, natural stones and unexpected design details throughout the Herritt home. The project was a welcome departure from the softer, tamer and more neutral-driven designs most clients request.

“It’s probably been one of my most favorite projects I’ve gotten to work on,” Sutter said. “They were like, ‘The louder the better’ whenever it came to patterns and color, so it was fun.”

The remodel included creating a better layout for the core of the home, specifically reconfiguring the entry and kitchen. The entry was quite large while the kitchen was not — so Sutter shifted square footage from one space to the other. The renovations needed to check a lot of boxes.

“We needed a more livable house for our growing family,” Herritt said. “Working from home, I needed to find somewhere to add a home office. [Also] the kitchen was small, and the bathrooms were original and somewhat falling apart.”

Sutter improved the layout while layering in elements she notes as “extra funky, bright or a bit loud.” Black and white themes flow throughout the home, while wallpapers, pillows and drapery provide color and interest. The Herritts’ unique art collection fits right in.

ABOVE : Interior Designer Hannah Sutter combined a grasscloth-textured Thibaut vinyl wallpaper with a variety of tiles from Classic Tile to make this bathroom shine.

LEFT: Brittany Herritt says working from home comes easily with Schumacher's Birds and Butterflies on the walls and Betwixt on the window.

The kitchen features a custom bench seat by Krysta Henry, Visual Comfort pendants and Villa and House counter stools.

I LOVE A TRADITIONAL HOME WITH A MODERN, COLORFUL PUNCH."

“Hannah did a great job bringing our art collection to life within the house,” Herritt said. She and Robert have enjoyed collecting art throughout the years — when they lived in Fort Worth, during travels and while visiting Arizona, Brittany’s home state.

Bold designs include the entry, which features Schumacher Queen of Spain wallpaper, black trim and white-and-gray marble tile. The hall bathroom is punctuated by an emerald green grasscloth (in a kid-friendly, wipeable vinyl) and natural woods. And the home office — surrounded by stunning butterfly wallpaper — is both beautiful and practical.

“Having my home office off the kitchen makes it so easy to work and cook,” Herritt said. “The fun Schumacher wallpaper and custom drapes make it easy to work in there.”

Sutter and Herritt agree their working relationship has also been easy.

“They're just super sweet, trusting clients that value what we do for a living. They trusted us with our design,” Sutter said.

“Working with Hannah has just been so easy. She took our vision and made it a reality pretty seamlessly,” Herritt said. “We appreciate that she listens to our ideas when we have them — whether good or bad — and throws them

into the designs when it works out.”

Perhaps the best part of the redesign: The “Wearstler-Wilson baby” was delivered just in time for the Herritts to welcome home a newborn baby of their own. Funky, bold and family-friendly … the exact design the Herritts had in mind.

LEFT : The laundry room is equally inviting and intriguing with its starry Clè Tile flooring.

RIGHT: A striking vase from Scissortail Marketplace tops the unique dining room table by Gabby Home.

In this issue, we enlisted a dream team to make all of our al fresco dreams come true. Special thanks to Haleigh Kenney of XO by Haleigh Kenney and Libby Howard and Sydney Rainey of The Set for working with us. (And you can read all about their magical talents in our Enthusiasts section, which begins on page 19.)

Speaking of magic, that is exactly what we sometimes need when it comes to throwing a dinner party or intimate luncheon. Whatever the occasion, delegating can be just the ticket.

THIS MAGIC MOMENT

XO Floral Design and The Set bring their talents to the table

BY SARA GAE WATERS

PHOTOS BY BRANDON SMITH

Like pulling a trick out of your sleeve, you can have a vision, collaborate with the right people and — voila! — fi nd yourself at a table that is not only stress-free but also gorgeous.

The pleasing mix of table linens, plates, fl atware, stemware, ginger jars and vessels for flowers was provided and put in place by The Set. The florals, perfectly arranged by Haleigh Kenney, add the crowning touch. Having a team setting your table means you have more time for food preparation — though there are plenty of talented people who can handle

those details for you, too.

If you are the chef of the party, choose at least one thing to not make. Dessert is one of the easiest courses to outsource, especially with so many local bakeries to choose from. You can easily dress up a cake by putting fresh flowers on top or around the base.

No matter how you choose to host your get-together, give yourself permission to sprinkle in a few professionals. Using a dream team — even in just a small way — always feels magical.

This floral-forward table setting is perfectly suited for an outdoor venue.

Flower groupings in a collection of ginger jars make a delightful centerpiece.

A KEY INTO SECRET GARDENS

Private paradises unlock during the Nichols Hills Garden and Outdoor Living Tour

BY CHRISTINA WYGANT PHOTOS BY SHEA HUSSEY

For the past 33 years, the Nichols Hills Garden and Outdoor Living Tour has showcased many of the city’s most beautiful gardens and carefully cultivated spaces. Typically held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday in June, online promotions say the annual event “promises vibrant colors, earthy drama, rich fragrances and edible garden secrets.” This year’s tour will be on June 3.

Susan Marshall, first chairperson of the garden tour and current president of the Nichols Hills Parks, noted that the featured gardens are selected by “looking at the front yards and taking note of who is working with a particular landscaper or horticulturist, such as John Fluitt & Associates or Linda Horn from Total Environment.” Perhaps the most challenging part of organizing the event, according to Marshall, “is making calls to see if people would be agreeable to be on the tour.” Not everyone is eager to shine so public a light on their horticultural efforts or private spaces, but participation means a chance to showcase some of the truly dazzling displays nature — with a little guidance — can produce.

The direct beneficiary of the tour is the Nichols Hills Parks, a non-profit organization that maintains and beautifies more than 30 green spaces throughout the Nichols Hills area. The tour’s garden enthusiast following has grown significantly in the past 33 years — coming a long way since that first year, when ticket holders met at a local church and rode a tour bus to visit the five homes.

For details about this year’s event, go to nicholshills.net. Tickets can be found at both TLC Garden Center locations in Oklahoma City and in Nichols Hills Plaza closer to the date of the tour.

A MID-CENTURY CALIFORNIA GEM

The Parker Palm Springs continues to inspire and delight

BY SARA GAE WATERS

At first glance, the bright, shiny Parker Palm Springs seems almost too good to be true. The mid-century marvel of a hotel boasts a uniquely storied past: Celebrities have not only enjoyed staying here, but also become more involved, as previous owners Gene Autry and Merv Griffin did. In addition, celebrity designers have put their stamp on the property over the years.

Hubert de Givenchy was at the helm of design back in 1994, with an obvious nod toward French style using Versailles as inspiration. In 2004, when the Parker was purchased again, it was the talented Jonathan Adler who molded this expansive property into something akin to the inside of a jewel box. His penchant for color and distinctive design dazzles guests from every angle, and his ability to add in modern and contemporary touches gives the property an eclectic atmosphere.

The Lemonade Stand is a literal pop of color for sipping cocktails under the palms.

The historical Gene Autry Residence is considered the crown jewel of the many unique options to stay.

The outdoors are just as interesting and serve as extra spaces to luxuriate in the beautiful weather Palm Springs has to offer. The pools, tennis courts, outdoor bar and seating areas are meticulously kept, with beautiful flowers and fruit trees dripping with ripe lemons, grapefruits and limes. The restaurants boast well-tailored menus and exquisite wines. Counter Reformation, a secret bar, offers the most interesting menu and an experience like no other.

The Parker Palm Springs is in every way a vision of beauty and inspiration, drawing visitors to come and delight in it just as much today as in decades past.

LEFT: The Mini Bar is the perfect spot for an intimate drink.

BELOW LEFT: Counter Reformation is the Parker’s version of a speakeasy, also serving small plates.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Crisp linens and iconic interiors by Jonathan Adler grace each guest room.

HAPPY LITTLE ROOMS

Small utility rooms can pack a big punch

BY LILLIE-BETH SANGER BRINKMAN | PHOTO BY EMILY HART

If you’re going to spend a lot of time working in your utility room, make it a happy place. That’s the trend designers are seeing, with more people making their functional rooms as livable and pretty as the rest of their homes. It’s a great space to play with design, organizing details, storage, color and patterns.

“In this day and age, people are realistic about the kind of time they’re spending in these kinds of utilitarian spaces,” said interior designer Bebe MacKellar with Fanny Bolen Interiors and Buzz by Bebe in Oklahoma City. “And you sure want to be happy.”

MacKellar had some fun with the utility room she uses in her pool house, which is where she launders beach towels, blankets and other outdoor items. She also uses it for garden work — flower-arranging, pot-planting and more.

To decorate it, she started by picking out a fun Stroheim & Roman wallpaper by her friend Dana Gibson, a fabric and wallpaper designer. MacKellar also keeps happy things on shelves, like vases from her great-grandmother.

“The nice thing about it is that nobody goes in there but me, so I can keep it exactly how I want,” MacKellar said.

For the separate utility room inside her house, in addition to space for laundry and other work, she included a space where she could work on school projects with her son without the materials spilling out into her kitchen.

A utility room doesn’t have to match the rest of your house, said Claire Miller, showroom manager and interior designer for Ketch Design Centre in Oklahoma City. It can be an extension of your overall design, but it can also be a place where you go bold and fun in design. Include a stunning window treatment, find creative ways to store your belongings or hide practical items like an ironing board.

She encourages people to treat utility rooms as “anything, really, to make laundry less daunting.”

Cheery wallpaper by Stroheim & Roman makes Bebe MacKellar’s workload feel a touch lighter.

MAKE WAY FOR MODERN

New and different plans for summer

BY SARA GAE WATERS AND EVIE KLOPP HOLZER

PHOTO BY KACEY GILPIN

IN THE BLINK of an eye, the season before us will change once again. We are embracing this shift by highlighting new and airy designs—and the people behind them—found throughout the 405. The summer issue of 405HOME promises visions of modern design by way of home interiors, outdoor settings and “les objets,” all curated to enlighten, intrigue and amuse.

With an appreciation of geometric shapes and simple lines, we are also excited to showcase modern-leaning art, furniture and ideas. In particular, we’ve teamed up with Mister Robert Fine Furniture for an

outdoor soiree setting that can’t be beat. We’ve also discovered some show-stopping homes, and we can’t wait to welcome you inside. So stay tuned, because a modern summer love is on the way. See you there!