DESIGN OKLAHOMA IS NOW …
SPRING’S BEST Inspired Styles and Fresh Takes SPRING 2016
PLUS Decorate Like a Designer Quick and Easy Updates Outdoor Escapes
the art of casual comfort.
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FEATURES
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SOUTHERN COMFORT Who says historic homes need to be stuffy and traditional? This 1930s Tudor offers comfortable, stylish surroundings fit for a modern family, in a timeless, clean palette that is as refreshing as it is pleasing to the eye.
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SIMPLY ECLECTIC Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian vision for America, this Norman house incorporates natural materials like wood and stone paired with floor-length windows to bring the outside in.
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CLASSIC & QUIRKY A calming color scheme combines with sophisticated sensibility to imbue this gorgeously renovated home with a sense of restful ease, punctuated with the owners’ delightfully offbeat finds for a pop of personality.
Innovative Interior Design Products and Services Since 1950 Mon - Wed: 9am - 5pm • Thu: 9am - 7pm • Fri: 9am - 5pm • Sat: 10am - 5pm heenanshomefurnishings.com • 3841 NW 63rd St. • Oklahoma City, OK 73116
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DEPARTMENTS
SQUARE ONE
14 FROM THE EDITORS
A note about this issue
16 ONES TO WATCH | Designers Deliver with Talent to Spare When you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life 19 SPLENDID THINGS | Pretty in Pink
The bubblegum hue grows up
20 ESSENTIALS | Melding Modern and Traditional
Designer Katelynn Calonkey shares her decorating philosophy and what’s in her bag
22 INSPIRATION | The Write Stuff
Indoors and out, we’ve got you covered with these new shelter books
24 EDITORS’ PICKS | Favorite Finds
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Our selections from shopping this season
26 BITS AND PIECES | Happenings & Trends
Noteworthy events and items
ACCENTS
60 AT HOME | Paige Smiley’s Sleek Sanctuary
The ’burbs are re-envisioned in a designer’s loft-like personal residence
68 FORM & FUNCTION | Hard-Working and Hassle-Free
This laundry room/pantry combination is a marriage of purpose and panache
70 BEHIND THE FACADE | High Style
Three local homebuilders venture outside the box
72 DESIGN DIY | Wow Factor
A low-cost and low-commitment makeover with high impact
OUTDOORS
76 ENVIRONMENTS | Sustainable Serenity
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The Roses’ outdoor escape is Oklahoma prairie proud
82 GATHERINGS | Al Fresco and Amazing
Setting a table for poolside and picnic
88 FINISHING TOUCH | Waking Up the Gardener
Springtime calls!
ON THE COVER The cheerful, sunny breakfast nook in the Regens’ home is bursting with life. Photographed by David Cobb, styled by Sara Gae Waters and designed by homeowner Katharine Regens and Carter Fellers Design.
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BRINGING LUXURY TO YOUR BACKYARD Transform your space with our in-ground pools, outdoor furniture and kitchens. 405.799.7745 | 3001 N. I-35 Service Road in Moore, Oklahoma | www.countryleisuremfg.com
spring 2016 |
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Publisher Elizabeth Meares, elizabeth.meares@405magazine.com Editor-in-Chief Mia Blake, mia.blake@405magazine.com Editorial
Editor-at-Large | Stylist Sara Gae Waters
saragae.waters@405magazine.com
Managing Editor Steve Gill
steve.gill@405magazine.com
Contributing Writers Mark Beutler, Gina A. Dabney, Jill Hardy, Greg Horton
Art
Art Director Brian O’Daniel
brian.odaniel@405magazine.com
Advertising
Business Development Manager Heidi Turner
heidi.turner@405magazine.com
Executive Director of Advertising Cynthia Whitaker-hill
cynthia.whitakerhill@405magazine.com
Account Executives Debbi Knoll
debbi.knoll@405magazine.com
Ryan Dillard
ryan.dillard@405magazine.com
Associate Art Director Scotty O’Daniel
Account Manager Ronnie Morey
Design & Production Coordinator Tiffany McKnight
Distribution
scotty.odaniel@405magazine.com
tiffany.mcknight@405magazine.com
Interns Sabrin Abu Seir, Daltyn Moeckel
ronnie.morey@405magazine.com
Raymond Brewer
Website and Social Media 405magazine.com
Contributing Photographers David Cobb, Carli Wentworth Reader Services
Mailing Address 729 W. Sheridan, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Phone 405.842.2266 Fax 405.604.9435 info@405magazine.com, 405magazine.com Advertising Inquiries sales@405magazine.com
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.
Job/Internship Inquiries jobs@405magazine.com Letters to the Editor Your views and opinions are welcome. Include your full name, address and phone number and email to mia. blake@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 online 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
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©2016 Open Sky Media, 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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Slice, P.O. Box 16765, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6765. Subscription Customer Service: MondayFriday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. CST. 405 Magazine, P.O. Box 16765, North Hollywood, CA 916156765, Phone 818.286.3160, Fax 800.869.0040, subscriptions@405magazine.com, 405magazine.com/subscribe
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QUARTZ • GRANITE • MARBLE • TILE
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4203 S. Division • Guthrie, OK 73044 Only a 15 minute drive from Edmond
A SHORT DRIVE WELL WORTH YOUR TIME
UMBRELLAS • REPLACEMENT CUSHIONS IN STOCK
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SQUARE ONE | from the editors
The pages of this magazine are usually focused on the efforts of locals to create a haven – to rejuvenate and re-envision the places they hold closest to their hearts: their homes. This issue is no exception, and in addition to their spectacular achievements, we are revealing our own renovation of sorts … Design Oklahoma has now been reimagined as 405 Home magazine. A new look, a new name and an even more robust slate of articles come together to showcase the myriad exciting design possibilities that the metro has to offer. We still feature fabulous interiors, stylish decor and whimsical tablescapes alongside interesting trends and carefully selected accents for the home, and we’ve packed in more ideas to incorporate into your own surroundings. We will to continue to serve as a reflection of the community’s pride of ownership and lofty endeavors to push the design envelope past the mundane when it comes to the places where we live. While the homes featured in this issue have their own unique styles, we can’t help but fall in love with them all and would happily take up residence in each if given the chance. From the color-filled, bright and cheerful rooms of the Regens’ home to the natural, soft color palette of the Bottomleys’ to the elegant yet comfortably cozy environs at the Valentines’, all are exceptionally well done and reflective of their owners’ excellent taste. We even go inside an interior designer’s personal residence and take a look at the magic that happens when Paige Smiley of Bella Vici creates an urban-inspired retreat for her own family in the ’burbs. We also venture outside to revel in a few of the high points of our gorgeous warmweather days in our “Gatherings” piece, explore a sustainable “urban prairie” garden and reflect on the turn of the season in our “Finishing Touch.” Whether you recognize the quote from William Shakespeare or Gertrude Stein … the idea that “A rose is a rose” is certainly apropos for our new spring/summer issue. New name; same commitment to bringing the best to you in each issue.
Photographer Carli Wentworth
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SARA GAE WATERS
MIA BLAKE
Editor-at-Large | Stylist saragae.waters@405magazine.com
Editor-in-Chief mia.blake@405magazine.com
CREATIVE BEAUTY WITH DEEP COMMUNITY ROOTS
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL INTERIORSCAPES, FLORAL AND PATIO POTS 5 3 0 8 N . C L A S S E N B LV D
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SQUARE ONE | ones to watch
Designers Deliver with Talent to Spare
Three local creatives showcase their passion for one-of-a-kind pursuits with results definitely worth waiting for.
TEXTILES WITH A TWIST Gathering inspiration from her travels and her countryside home in Great Britain, Louise Dean creates original products for the home. Utilizing her degree in Textile Design from Loughborough University in the UK, Dean crafts whimsical products from her hand-drawn and -painted artwork and gathers ideas from her homeland, her new home and her travels. “I just got back from Thailand,” says Dean. “I really love hiking and going on nature walks.” Dean combines hand painting, silk screening and the latest in print technology to produce her made-in-the-U.S.A. interior design line. Additional inspiration comes from her father, owner of his own engineering business. “He is really creative,” says Dean. “He taught me to work hard.” Currently, she’s focused on home interior materials for clients. Some of the handmade items include art, pillows and coasters. “It is going really, really well,” shares Dean. “I’m really excited about that. That has been fun. It is my style but fits their home.” In the future, Dean would like to expand her interior design textiles to include bigger pieces such as curtains, bedding and wallpaper designs. Until she opens a full-fledged shop, see her creations on Instagram @louisedeandesign or louisedeandesign.com.
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Writer Gina A. Dabney Photographer Carli Wentworth
A MEANINGFUL MOTIVATION After having three children in three years, Ashlee Newton started making pillows, sewing window treatments and recovering and painting furniture while keeping busy as a stay-at-home mom. In 2013, she opened Restoring Beauty From Ashes and expanded to include interior design consultation, interior design and furniture painting and restoring. Currently she’s working on a project for a Norman dentist that includes reupholstering 12 chairs, designing chandeliers and working with contractors. “It brings me a lot of joy,” says Newton. “It is therapeutic.” At one point, Newton was unsure about moving forward with her passion. A difficult creative period occurred after a quick series of unfortunate events that included the loss of her grandmother. These experiences had a very negative effect on Newton. “It took a toll on my health,” says Newton. “I never thought I’d be creative again.” However, the pairing of hand-me-down furniture and chalk paint provided the spark that ignited her journey back to creating and became the inspiration for her company name. But she emphasized the path back was not quick. “It was a three-year process,” said Newton. “I painted a dresser that was my grandmother’s. It was part of the healing process.” Newton enjoys using the reclaimed wood to build furniture, too. “I have a heart for things that are thrown away,” said Newton. “Giving things new life, new purpose.” Check out Newton’s feed on Instagram @restoringbeautyfromashes or on Facebook at Ashlee Hoilien Newton.
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SQUARE ONE | ones to watch
FRESH LIFE FOR OLD HOUSES Since 2006, Sudderth Design has been remodeling and flipping houses in the Oklahoma City area. Randy Sudderth restored his first house in the Miller neighborhood. Since then, he has renovated homes in many historic areas including Heritage Hills, Mesta Park and Crown Heights. Recently, he and his crew finished a 1938 house in Nichols Hills that sold for $1.1 million. Sudderth Design is focused on details and his homes are in demand. “I do four to six houses a year, and three to four will have sold before I finish them,” explains Sudderth. He stays up to date with the latest trends – interior design elements, from door knobs to light fixtures, are chosen by Sudderth. Some stunning details he utilizes include wall paint colors like black, white and gray and floors that are bleached and stained gray paired with white painted woodwork. Popular touches include unusual light fixtures such as white antler chandeliers and glass-enclosed offices. “We take pride in our work,” says Sudderth. “We put extras in like lighting for artwork. Your lighting is everything.” Sudderth gets inspiration from the houses he remodels and knows the moment he steps in whether he will refurbish it or not. His thoughtful process in remodeling and flipping a home is reflected in his attitude during renovation. He remodels every home as if he’s going to live in it himself. “I love what I do,” said Sudderth. “It is almost like not going to work.”
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splendid things | SQUARE ONE
PRETTY IN PINK
Writer Sara Gae Waters Photographer Carli Wentworth
Everyone has a favorite color, it’s one of those universal kinds of things. I have two, maybe three … actually, it’s hard to think of a color that I don’t love and want to call my favorite. But I have to confess that pink has only been considered a favorite of mine when paired with green – I’m a child of preppy-dom. But recently I have been in love with pink as a punch of color and even when it’s not cuddled up to green. From blush to bright, it’s a pretty hot color for spring. Rose Quartz pink was even chosen by Pantone as one of 2016’s colors of the year. Woven into rugs, painted onto canvases or formed into shapes, everything is pretty in pink.
SOURCES
Bennie kilim rug with Kit Swedish rag runner from Sara Kate Studios | Pink glass vase, pink dot antique pillow and elephant beaded art from 30A Home | Delft lamp, small Abbie bowl (on top of books), coffee table books Print Revolution and Impact from ME Home | Wabi Sabi print by Zoe Bios Creative in fuchsia, Fornasetti Profumi Flora candle and small magenta box from Cayman’s | Pink Point dinner candles in Orrefors Torg candlestick holders and button water glasses from Culinary Kitchen
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SQUARE ONE | essentials
Melding Modern and Traditional
Writer Gina A. Dabney Photographer Carli Wentworth
Interior designer Katelynn Calonkey spends her days tracking trends, so we catch up with her to discuss a few of her favorites and take a peek at the stylish essentials in her bag. iPhone: Instagram is my biggest social media outlet, and I listen to TED Talks or NPR in the a.m.
Gourmet chocolate bar: From Compartés Chocolatier and designer Kelly Wearstler. I take after my mother for loving dark chocolate.
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Polaroid Camera: I love Polaroids. I use it for shots of jobs, and I use it at home too. When people come over, we take a Polaroid and they sign our guest book.
Fortune: I save my favorite fortunes. This one says something like “Your future is sparkly.”
Lipstick: From the Emmys -a family friend went to the event. The name is “Blake’s Red,” and anytime you feel down, just put this on and you will feel better.
Tea: I love my tea. This is black tea so I get my caffeine in that way.
Tape Measure: Being an interior designer, it is crucial to have.
Kathy Frankenfield 405-241-0810
kfrankenfield@kirkpatrickbank.com
MLO #902090
Katelynn Calonkey officially started with Norman’s Mister Robert Fine Furniture and Design in 2011, but she’s actually been a part of the business her entire life. As a third-generation member of the family, understanding traditions and tracking trends is in her blood. Calonkey brings design knowledge while helping her clients maintain their style. “Your home,” she says, “should look like who you are.” When it comes to her personal style, Calonkey uses a juxtaposition of traditional and modern, such as her home’s crystal globe chandelier and leather dining chairs accented with nail heads. The living room sports a velvet camelback sofa, zebra floor mirror and traditional rug. Cherished pieces include oil paintings by each grandmother. “It is very special to have something so personal,” shares Calonkey. “Both were very good artists.” “Anything goes these days,” she says. “You’ll see mixing of a lot of different elements.”
405.842.2444 • 405.840.5323 WWW.NEWLEAFFLORIST.NET • WWW.NEWLEAFOKC.COM • #newleafokc
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SQUARE ONE | inspiration
The Write Stuff
Writer Steve Gill
FROM THE BOOKSHELF Dee Nash wastes no time in getting to the point – in fact, the first five words of her introduction to The 20/30-Something Garden Guide have the ring of a mission statement: “Anyone can be a gardener.” In that inclusive spirit, know that the book isn’t written in a special code only intelligible to that age bracket. It’s intended, rather, to speak to the beginner in general, someone who has only now decided to try their hand at harnessing and guiding the beauty of nature. Nash has toiled in spots of earth from pots in a small apartment to happily planned swaths on an acreage – and her lifetime of working with plants and flowers has given her a passion for guiding others into the same love, especially in the early stages when their thumbs haven’t yet greened up. The book is a trove of well-explained information, illustrations and charts, organized on the concept of starting small with a couple of containers of vegetables and expanding over time. It’s also packed with helpful tips from what to stock in a toolbox to an explanation of why going crazy with high-nitrogen fertilizers is not a good idea. It’s also a plus that Nash herself is an Oklahoma native and thus familiar with our demanding climate. Even if 2016 isn’t your very first arboreal rodeo, you might be a little rusty after the depths of winter, and there’s a wealth of handy information in this book on multiple aspects of the gardening experience. Pick up a copy, replenish your knowledge and let your appreciation for this pleasurable pastime bloom.
The 20/30-Something Garden Guide By Dee Nash St. Lynn’s Press, $17.95
FOR THE COFFEE TABLE
Gracious Rooms By Barbara Westbrook, written with Heather MacIsaac Rizzoli International Publications, $50
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The word “gracious” is such a delightfully connotative descriptor for a space, at once indicating luxury, refinement and welcoming ease. It’s the kind of effect star designer Barbara Westbrook pursues in her projects, and if there’s a hint of Deep South in your conception of the term as well, that’s apt – her firm Westbrook Interiors is based in Atlanta, after all. Still, the basic guiding lights of decorating and design she espouses are universal: make a room interesting, beautiful, personal, welcoming and warm. “Something as simple as the way a room glowed, the sympathetic coming together of color and light, may be what stays with you,” she writes. “It’s that sense of comfort, of being cared for and uplifted, that makes the biggest imprint and endows only certain places with lasting influence and special affection.” Gracious Rooms travels through a set of 10 homes in which Westbrook has personally undertaken visual rejuvenations, from lakeside getaways to contemporary family homes, and uses each to illustrate a particular design principle … as well as showcase the spaces’ luminous appeal. The photos are captivating, but it would be a shame if they were to pull attention completely from the accompanying text; Westbrook offers practical advice about design aspects like the importance of symmetry and knowing when to use a lighter hand in decoration (“An interior should never compete with a spectacular view”), and she has an enjoyably lyrical style that emerges in musings like this one about large spaces: “It’s not just a matter of filling rooms up. The rooms need to invite you in, make you comfortable and provide what you need. Just like a good host.” Say, rather, a gracious one. Whether referring to person or place, it’s a quality worth emulating.
Wood Garden
The
CUSTOM & DESIGN ST U DIO FURNITURE • DRAPERIES • BEDDING • UNIQUE ACCESSORIES W W W.WOODGARDENONLINE.COM • 848.9663 • 7650 N. Western, OKC
ACCENTS | editors’ picks
FAVORITE FINDS Our intrepid editors scour the metro for fun finds to add that special touch to your home.
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1 Turquoise bench from In Your Dreams 2 Sasha Nicholas monogrammed fruit bowl from Tulips 3 Jonathan Adler Pop Turquoise decanter from Culinary Kitchen 4 White ceramic urchin box from Bella Vici 5 Sasha Nicholas monogrammed platter from Tulips 6 White shell from 30A Home 7 AVF Fearless tray from Culinary Kitchen 8 Oklahoma hardwood coasters from Rust and Rot 9 Small barn beam lamp from Rust and Rot 24
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10 Urchin shell baubles from Bella Vici 11 Cheese board with leather strap from Rust and Rot 12 Sasha Nicholas monogrammed dinner plate from Tulips 13 Glass container of shells from 30A Home 14 Blob vase from Culinary Kitchen 15 Santa Rosa candles from In Your Dreams 16 Round post lamp from Rust and Rot 17 Claude tea towels from Culinary Kitchen 18 Sasha Nicholas monogrammed napkin rings from Tulips 19 Regina Andrew Home Philosophy puzzle table from Bella Vici spring 2016 |
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SQUARE ONE | bits and pieces
Happenings & Trends
Writer Jill Hardy
AMAZON ECHO
amazon.com Techno-geeks will need no encouragement to pursue a relationship with the Amazon Echo; its dossier will speak for itself. But for the less savvy individuals in the population – who might be tempted to write it off at first glance as an overpriced speaker – that need coaxing, one thing above all others should serve as the Echo’s introduction … Its simplicity. If you have an Internet connection and Wi-Fi, you can basically plug your Echo into the wall, and begin handing over your life to it. The list of what the Echo is capable of (beyond acting as an incredibly hi-tech speaker with clear, crisp sound) is so incredible that it’s
almost easier to name things it can’t do. As of this writing, the Echo cannot raise your children for you or drive your car. Although new capabilities are still being added – over 95 since the device’s creation – and are updated through the Cloud. So stay tuned. But here’s a partial list … It plays audiobooks from Audible, provides information about local businesses and restaurants via Yelp, allows you to check your schedule through your Google calendar, integrates Smart Home control with WeMo, Philips Hue, SmartThings, Insteon and Wink devices, gives you commute times and the fastest route to your destination, provides sports scores and schedules from the NFL, NBA, NHL and every other major sports association, plays music from Pandora’s library, gives you up-to-the-minute weather and news from both local radio stations and major networks like NPR and ESPN, allows you to search Wikipedia without typing and offers organizational help through voice-controlled alarms, timers, shopping lists and to-do lists. If there’s one gadget to end all gadgets, it’s the Amazon Echo.
design
appétit
DESIGN APPETIT
designappetitokc.com
The Cox Convention Center will host a showcase of unique dining spaces this March 31-April 2, put together by Oklahoma City area teams of architects, interior designers and other professionals as a means of exhibiting the freshest ideas the metro has to offer in dining space design. Open to the public for viewing by day, the areas will host private events by night. Proceeds from the event will benefit Focus on Home, a not-for-profit organization that identifies families in need of home furnishings and help with various areas of home environment improvement, and provides that assistance through community involvement and volunteerism. So come out, take a gander at the gorgeous setups and support a worthwhile community cause!
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LIGHTEN UP
creebulb.com
It’s been two years since the beginning of the phase-out of 40 and 60 watt incandescent bulbs, and still the cries of old-school lighting holdouts reverberate through the United States. Beyond familiarity and nostalgia, the reason for the reluctance to move away from incandescents generally comes back to ambience; the soft glow of these oldtime orbs provide gentle lighting that has been historically hard to replicate with their LED cousins. But the effort to ease the last of the non-believers into the LED camp may have gotten easier with the birth of the new Cree LED bulb. The new Cree bulbs have improved CRI light, and are fully dimmable without the telltale LED “buzz.” Omnidirectional lighting fills the room like an incandescent, but with LED longevity (an astonishing 30,000 hours, or 27 years). While the cost may still raise eyebrows, the fact that it outlives competitors by lasting up to six times longer and is backed by a five-year satisfaction guarantee should soften the blow. Let Cree ease you into a bright – but dimmable – future.
FRONT YARDS FINALLY EARN THEIR KEEP While the back yard enjoys a reputation as a haven and playground, the front yard is often written off as just window dressing, or a grassy segue into the home. The trend of repurposing the area for practical use – often as a vegetable garden – may challenge those images, however. From postage stamp-sized city plots to larger suburban lawns, the front yard is quickly becoming a place to put in edible gardens, either to supplement crops grown in the backyard or as a way to reserve that space for recreation. Consciousness about utilizing resources and downsizing unnecessary belongings may have seeped into ideas about usage of space, as well, fueling the popularity of front yard vegetable gardening, but whatever the motivation, it’s a trend that seems to be gaining traction. Nancy Muenzler, owner of The Greenhouse in Norman, thinks that it’s a great use of yard and an idea that homeowners can ease into, a little at a time. She suggests researching various varieties of plants and utilizing some specific methods, as well. “I recommend reading about raised bed gardening,” Nancy says. “Many people don’t have a lot of space in their front yards.” Suggested Reading: The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden by Ivette Soler
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SOUTHERN COMFORT A GRACIOUS 1930S TUDOR PROVIDES A STYLISH HAVEN FOR A YOUNG FAMILY
The affection Katharine Regens has for the 1930s-era Tudor home she shares with husband Kent and their two-year-old son is more than just architectural appreciation; there’s a hint of personal nostalgia as well. Writer Jill Hardy Photographer David Cobb
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“I grew up in a Tudor-style house, similar to this one,” Katharine says. “I like what older homes offer, but they do present a few challenges.” Both grand and quaint, the house has a comfortable sense of space with plenty of the charming nooks that are a specialty of old homes. Katharine’s sense of style often leads her to change up a piece’s original state, and is reflective of her innate sense of style and vision for the overall personality of her home – a brightly colored table might better suit the space she sees it inhabiting painted white, for instance, or a bland chair or couch might be reborn in a lively print.
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Azure touches against the neutral palette of the floor and walls’ muted taupe give the living room points of color reference while still keeping a sedate atmosphere. This color-infused, fun-tinged sophistication is a theme through the whole house, as is Katharine’s habit of mixing old and new furnishings, and fun finds with fond memories.
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In the kitchen, countertops and floors were replaced with marble and manufactured granite, and new appliances were brought in.
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(top) The white buffet was acquired during a trip to South Carolina; its geometric meander is gently reflected in the creamy rug (from Moorman’s). Hurricane lamps and an antiqued mirror from Bebe’s add interest without overwhelming, and white lamps from Williams-Sonoma Home anchor and illuminate. The Venetian glass chandelier – a find from Katharine’s parents’ storage – gives the room’s clean lines an elegant touch. A neutral background plays host to vibrant touches, with the gray floors and crisp white table and chairs offset by the bright greens and yellows in the seat covers and window treatments. Katharine and her sister Carter Fellers (of Carter Fellers Design) collaborated on the living room and kitchen interiors. Impeccable style obviously runs in the family. A golden table, found in family storage, serves as an out-of-the-box bar; John Derian plates provide offbeat artistic flair for the area, along with a unique branch lamp (both from Bebe’s).
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Neutral walls, furniture and floors pair effortlessly with splashes of color in the master bedroom; cheerful coral, lime and robin’s egg blue accent brightly without making the room overly busy. Pillows and Roman shades are custom; bedding is from Leontine Linens in New Orleans. Lamps, side tables, dressing table and chair are all Bungalow Five, from Bebe’s. Even diehard fans of old homes have to admit that one of the biggest challenges they present are the bathrooms. The Regens’ master bath was no exception. “It had the little, standard 1930s tub,” Katharine explains. “I’m tall, my husband is 6'2" … we needed a shower.” A generous glass shower replaced the tiny tub, and the quaint pedestal sink gave way to an option (from Designer Hardware) with a little storage space, and more modern lines.
“I grew up with this couch in my parents’ home,” Katharine laughs. “It went with me to college; it’s been recovered four or five times. The blue and white chair in the living room came from my parents’ house; it’s been recovered multiple times, too.” Other chairs were sourced from a trip to South Carolina, where her sister lived for several years. Favorite items throughout the house were purchased while traveling (another hallmark of Katharine’s decorating style) and the art above the mantel is from an Arts Festival visit. Illustrating her knack for adapting furnishings to a room’s needs – and her decorative vision – Katharine had a round top made for a table base purchased at Bebe’s, her mother’s Nichols Hills shop. “The shape of the room required it,” Katharine explains. “I wanted the bar positioned in a particular place … it was one of the first pieces I bought … and the round table helps the flow of the room accommodate it.”
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(above) A leftover from the room’s days as a grown up TV-watching retreat, the playroom’s comfy couch gives Mom and Dad an adult-sized place to relax during play time. The fun Jonathan Adler rug under the play table picks up the bright hue of the kitchen set, and the black-and-white striped teepee (LittleMeTeepee) has a fun complement in the pirate hat. The combination of cool neutrals and fun color splashes may have its ultimate purpose in a child’s room; the same tone that graces the walls of all the upstairs rooms – Benjamin Moore’s Wickham Gray – creates a calm, nap-friendly ambiance while still maintaining an atmosphere that lends itself to play. The shade also acts as an almost perfect medium for whatever tonally-related accessories it’s partnered with, picking up a range of colors from blues to taupes with ease. Bed is from Pottery Barn, chair and elephant are Serena and Lily. The blanket was a gift from Katharine’s mother, brought home from a trip to India, and the colorful mobiles were baby gifts, with one traveling all the way from Paris.
While the charming architecture that allows for the breakfast nook’s comfortable banquet seating is an original feature of the house, the rest of the kitchen was the beneficiary of an extensive makeover. Modernity gets a nod in the form of the stainless steel Dacor stove and the Liebherr refrigerator, whose two generous drawer freezers individualize the fridge in more ways than one. “I don’t mind the extra height,” Katharine says, “We like it – I’m tall and I like having the taller refrigerator.” If there’s an overriding décor personality present in the Regens’ home, it would be an easy marriage of form and function, and an acknowledgement that while a home should be a comfortable venue for entertaining guests, its ultimate purpose is to be a haven for its inhabitants, and their preferences should dictate how it’s decorated. At the end of the day, Katharine and her family value comfort, but she also enjoys having something pleasant to look at, too. “I like fun,” Katharine says, “But with a sophisticated look. I managed my mom’s shop for a while, and I do love decorating – maybe it’s genetic! The main thing is, I do want it to feel welcoming. But I also want, when I come home, with my husband and two year old, to be able to just plop down on the couch … and have something pretty to look at.”
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Simply
Eclectic
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UPDATING A HOME TO PERSONALIZE IT FOR ITS NEW INHABITANTS IS NEVER AN EASY UNDERTAKING, AND IS MADE ALL THE MORE CHALLENGING WHEN THE STRUCTURE IN QUESTION IS A UNIQUE ONE. IN THIS NORMAN RESIDENCE, THE BOTTOMLEYS MANAGED TO NOT ONLY ADD THEIR OWN SPIN, BUT ENHANCED THIS STRIKING DWELLING IN THE PROCESS.
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The open shelves in the living room presented a challenge. Rather than opt for clutter or unnecessary show books, Megan created an interesting geometrical piece of art.
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A
Writer Greg Horton Photographer David Cobb Although better known for cost overruns related to his projects, Frank Lloyd Wright did manage to create a style of home for “common people,” designed to keep costs under control. Beginning in the 1930s, Wright built several dozen “Usonian” homes: single-story, single-family homes with carports instead of garages, open living spaces that often incorporated the kitchen and a reliance on wood, brick and other natural materials. The Bottomley’s Usonian-style home in Norman reflects the spirit of Wright’s vision for homes for the middle class across America, or in the case of this conversation, across “Usonia.” The name (the origin of which is debated), was a proposed alternate for “America,” as some wanted to distinguish the U.S.A. from Canada and Mexico, even in the mid-19th century. The Bottomleys bought the home in 2012, and at the time of the purchase, the house had been used as rental property for college students. Built in 1971 by Dr. Mervin Clark and his wife Lenore with plans from architectural firm Phelps, Spitz, Ammerman & Thomas, the house underwent renovations in 1990, but the Usonian style was preserved.
The plates just inside the front door manage to tie together the kitchen and living space, as the kitchen was designed around Megan’s desire to see her grandmother’s dishes.
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“The plans, which we found, were reworked several times,” Megan said. “The house was originally designed with a sloped roof, but that didn’t make the final design.” Her father is a third-generation builder from Kansas City, and when the family was considering purchasing the house, Megan had him evaluate the property. He concluded that the home was structurally in good shape, and with his positive assessment, Megan began the process of planning the interior changes. “I wanted to maintain the style but make it warmer,” she said. “When we bought it, there was a lot of white, and it looked very modern.” Much of the interior palette was changed to brown and black, but the black was used to create depth, not as a featured color. The lighting in the common areas is amber, which contributes to the warmth. Megan selected the light fixtures herself – her experience as the daughter and granddaughter of a builder imparts a confidence atypical for homeowners attempting a redesign.
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The main dining space is consistent with the Usonian style inasmuch as it is part of the larger living space that includes the living room. The chairs were purchased in Kansas City, and the monogramming is a personal touch; Megan digitizes designs as part of her job.
Megan painted many of the cabinets, and the use of black here adds warmth and depth to the room. The bell-shaped lighting fixture is a nice touch of sturdy and rustic. The open cabinets allow for the display of family dishes handed down from a cherished ancestor. The breakfast nook is a perfect example of the unique style in the house. The chairs are intentionally not matched, the bench looks like a midcentury modern touch – it was white when they bought the house – and the lighting is a striking blend of modern and rustic.
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A wire deer head in the office was a spontaneous purchase in Kansas City. “My husband was deployed at the time,” Megan said. “I noticed a shop was going out of business, so I went in to see what I could find.” A play area for the children, built by Jeremy Miller, continues the theme by incorporating trees and natural wood into a fort/treehouse. In the master bedroom, the desk creates a fun juxtaposition with the darker, more serious tone of the sleigh bed. Add the white nightstand to the mix, and you have a very eclectic, personal style for the couple’s space.
“I knew about several resources because of my family’s building background,” she said. Her strategy with the color palette was to bring the outside inside to a degree. Wright was committed to using natural materials from a building’s surroundings to better help it blend in with its environment. Megan followed suit and used rich brown leather, raw wood grain and a smattering of plants so that the inside of the house seems to make a natural transition from the outside. The effect is made more pronounced by the floor-to-ceiling windows in the entry. Jeremy Miller (Miller Carpentry) built the front door, a beautiful touch that stands out more for its use of warm tones and horizontal grain. It contrasts sharply with the rough wood shingles outside, but the effect from inside is startlingly different, as it contributes to the overall comfort and warmth of the home. The open concept cabinetry in the kitchen presented a bit of a problem, as did
the large bookshelf in the living room, but Megan had a very good reason for keeping the cabinets open. “Before she died, my grandmother left me dishes and crystal,” she said. “We were very close, so I wanted to see the things she handed down to me on display.” However, the bookshelves were another matter entirely. “We don’t have a lot of books,” Megan said, “so we had to get creative with the open shelves. I collect different things for the kids’ shelves, and Circa Marketplace in Norman calls me whenever they get something new and interesting.” Each of the Bottomleys’ children has a theme in their bedroom, and the guest bedroom is the only area in the house where bright colors dictate the design. The master bedroom contains two distinct areas, as the couple wanted a place to sit and read. Situated next to another large floor-toceiling window, the space gets plenty of
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“The desk was bright orange when we moved in, and I liked it, so I wanted to keep it,” Megan said. “I found bedding at Anthropologie to go with it and balance it out by combining white and bright accents.”
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The dresser in her son’s room has been with Megan since she was 21. “I bought it when I was single,” she said. “I stripped and resealed it, and every one of the kids has had it in their room at some point.”
The bed in her daughter’s room was Megan’s mother’s when her mother was a small girl. The antique has stayed in the family, and the bright bedding dresses up the dark wood and balances the white of the room.
The brass animals are part of the overall theme in the nursery, and the family is always on the lookout for new ones. natural light, and the theme of bringing the outside in is continued from the common living areas. On the exterior of the house, corner pieces were added in 2014 to update the look. Megan added the large trellis in 2013, and she said placing the two tiny Boston ivy vines on the trellis seemed anticlimactic. Now, though, the vines are nearly two-thirds of the way up the trellis. The effect further submerges the house into a natural setting. As with most homes, the Bottomleys’ design is a mixture of objects with personal, historical value and objects purchased for aesthetic or practical reasons. By allowing personal style to set the tone, she has managed to create a space that dresses up the stoic, modern Usonian style into a comfortable, homey space that really does blur the line between inside and outside.
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When young couples begin looking for their first home together, the process usually includes some decision-making about location, as well as house size and age or condition. That was one aspect that Thad and Tallie Valentine didn’t have to worry about, however, since the neighborhood had already been chosen.
An eclectic example of the Valentines’ propensity to mix fun and form; the smooth lines of the rectangular side table (from Wisteria) and hourglass lamp give balance to the spiky mirror (Horchow) and bronze skulls on the glass vase – a piece Thad loved, from Luxe Objects in Nichols Hills.
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CLASSIC & QUIRKY PAIRING AN OLD HOME’S CHARM WITH UPBEAT UPDATES
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The stately pillared mantel and beamed ceiling provide the space with a sense of old-school grandeur, and the immense artwork (purchased in Santa Fe) adds an avant-garde touch. Round metal and wood table is from 30A Home, couch and lamps are from Restoration Hardware; wool area rug is from Tabriz.
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(above) Family friend and garden stylist Linda Vater (see her work at potagerblog. com) designed the front garden, pairing the perfect plants with containers from Restoration Hardware. The dining area’s attention-arresting Fortuny chandelier was acquired during a trip to Santa Fe. One of the Valentines’ first purchases was the banquette (from 30A Home), to accentuate the room’s bay windows, which Tallie says were a big selling point for the couple. The round glass table (from McGuire) affords extra room and gives the illusion of more space. Gray-green upholstery on the antique French-style chairs provides a subtle sea-like backdrop for the giant shell centerpiece. (Shell is from wisteria.com; its contents were provided and arranged by The Garden Gnome Bonsai).
Writer Jill Hardy Photographer David Cobb
“I
“I already lived in Crown Heights with my sister,” Tallie says, “And I just loved everything about it. I love the area and the homes. I didn’t want to leave, so we began just driving around regularly, and looking for houses going on the market. We saw this one had been listed on a Tuesday, and by Saturday we were inside, looking at it. We went back to my place and called right away with an offer.”
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The neutral tones found throughout the house get a little crisper in the kitchen, with the clean white of the cabinets and sharp black granite countertops. Round tables can help to foster an energetic, convivial atmosphere – principles in keeping with the Valentines’ personality – but they also do great work as spacesavers. This antique table was a gift from Tallie’s mom, and the chairs were a consignment store purchase. The substantial, lantern-style light fixture from Mockingbird Manor is an example of the right way to do large-scale in a small space; glass panels keep it from overpowering the area. (Also from Mockingbird Manor, the wall-mounted pig’s head is literally a conversation piece; Tallie reports that the Valentines’ one-year-old son, Sutton, regularly speaks to it.) The red-framed art is a find from Tallie’s time studying abroad in Spain, carried home with her on the plane, and the quirky three-legged centerpiece pot is from A Date With Iris. “We needed extra storage, with all of the baby stuff kept in the kitchen,” Tallie says, “And so the cabinet (from Restoration Hardware) is a way to both store our everyday dinnerware, and display it.”
(top) The quaint charm of an older kitchen with the convenience of modern appliances; the apron front sink and retro-styled Dualit toaster (a wedding gift) nod to the home’s age, while the DeLonghi coffee system and Bosch dishwasher provide needed contemporary benefits. A dove gray oven hood and smoky tile backsplash do double duty as both functional items and stylish accents for the kitchen’s rock star; a Bertazzoni gas oven.
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The quiet, shady northwest neighborhood is filled with ’30s- and ’40s-era houses that offer tons of charm, but also a few architectural challenges. “Older homes like this can have some unusual space issues,” Tallie admits. The home’s kitchen and den were heavily remodeled by the previous owner, giving the Valentines the benefit of some modern touches that still honor the house’s original design. The theme of melding old and new is one that flows through the décor, embracing both classic elements and modern touches.
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In the master bedroom, a linen-covered headboard has both an aesthetic and practical purpose; hiding a window and giving a soft depth to the Ralph Lauren-clothed bed. Soft neutrals in the bedding and lamps (from Mockingbird Manor) provide a calming atmosphere, but the cowhide lounge chair (a consignment sale find) gives the room the Valentines’ signature pizzazz. Mirrored side tables provide storage and give the illusion of more space. (Art is by Janet O’Neill)
(above) A console table from Mecox in Dallas houses some eclectic accessories, and silver ottomans (from Mockingbird Manor) supply extra seating when needed. Transparent furnishings once again come to the rescue in the constant quest to make the older home’s space appear bigger; this time clear acrylic stands in for glass, in the form of a towel rack next to the tub. White blowfish by Jonathan Adler.
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The large window looking out of one-year-old Sutton’s bedroom provides a Peter Pan-quality to his digs with a view of a much-beloved aspect of the Valentines’ home; the stately and substantial magnolia tree in the backyard. “It’s almost like it’s a treehouse,” Tallie says of the nursery. While the storybook feel of the room supplies a fun environment, the neutral walls, carpet and bedding ensure reusability for future siblings. (Bedding, Neiman Marcus; pouf from T.A. Lorton in Tulsa. Polka dot pillows and stuffed animals from Bebe’s.)
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(clockwise from top) Outdoor beanbag chairs lend comfy charm to the bricked patio, A lollipop-like Eames rack holds a Coral & Tusk banner over a beanbag chair from Bebe’s. Table from Mockingbird Manor; lamp from Luxe Objects. Bookshelf from Restoration Hardware; stuffed animals from jellycat.com. Owls are from Jonathan Adler, silver Noah’s Ark frame is by Michael Aram. “Love You Forever x 2” sign is from Sugarboo, and the beads are a rosary received by Sutton for his baptism. Other toys from Coral & Tusk.
Another consistent motif in the home is a unique combination of tradition and whimsy; bronze skulls share space with Louis XVI-style chairs, and treasured items passed down from family members sit side-by-side with pieces picked up at estate sales and top-of-theline furnishings. This singular approach to decorating is a ref lection of the Valentines’ philosophy about home and life, making their home a comfortable oasis for them and a treat to visit. “We try to find things we both love and want to have forever,” Tallie says. “It’s cozy and calm, but fun. To me, that’s what it’s all about.”
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Check out the hottest event to hit OKC!
design
appétit
a design competition where
architecture+interiors+art+food collide for a unique dining experience
Cox Convention Center, March 31 - April 2 Calendar of Events: Thursday, March 31, 2016 – The highlight of the weekend will be the Divine Dining Gala featuring patron dining in each of the design vignettes, thoughtfully paired with notable area chefs and restaurants to create a memorable dining experience. Friday & Saturday, April 1 and 2, 2016 – Daytime public viewing. Saturday, April 2, 2016 – Cocktails by Design featuring delicious bites, cocktails and unique entertainment.
For tickets and more information visit: DesignAppetitOKC.com
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM: 100 N. CLASSEN, OKC
405.272.0821
www.youngbrosinc.com MARBLE • GRANITE • TILE EST 1969
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ACCENTS
Envisioning incredible interiors for a living definitely gave designer Paige Smiley an advantage over the typical homeowner when it came to creating her family’s unique personal retreat. See how she blends a chic modern aesthetic with suburban comfort and convenience on page 60. Photographer David Cobb
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ACCENTS | at home
Paige Smiley’s Sleek Sanctuary A designer’s chic retreat showcases her family’s fun and fabulous side Writer Mark Beutler Photographer David Cobb
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“I’m not sure if I can put a label on this style,
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but it’s a mix of French and mod …”
Step into the home of interior designer Paige Smiley and at first glance you might just think you’ve entered a high-rise penthouse in New York City, or any other metropolis where “chic” is the word. But the lofty, modern home is right in the middle of the ’burbs - Mustang, U.S.A., to be exact. Paige is co-owner of Oklahoma City’s tony Bella Vici design firm. Located in Deep Deuce, Bella Vici has worked on a number of restaurants, bars and condos in downtown Oklahoma City. Their client roster is a who’s who that includes Kd’s Southern Cuisine, the Dollhouse Burlesque Lounge and The Hill at Bricktown condominiums, as well as a number of prominent celebrities. But when the work day is through, Paige retreats to her hometown. “I would live in a container home or somewhere downtown if I could,” she said. “But having a kid run around downtown streets is terrifying so we opted for the ’burbs. I grew up just a few miles from my home now. I might have the coolest neighborhood in the world; we are great friends with the entire block and can usually be found just hanging in the streets chitchatting it up.” Coming up with just the right house to fit in with the neighborhood proved to be a bit of a challenge, however, and Paige said she had to “give in” a little on the exterior so the developer would allow them to build. “It took me several months and about four totally different house plans until I felt it was right,” she said. “My goal was a modern European
farmhouse on the exterior, incorporating pieces of traditional on the interior in the details, but going for slick finishes and cabinet designs. “I am a complete mess-pot, so I worked the kitchen cabinets to hide the typical kitchen mess,” she added. “The mirrors open up and if anything is on the counter it will crash to the floor. So it forces me to be neat and tidy.” Paige designed the house to be hands-on, and says it is a place for her family to relax and have fun. “We have a lot of fun inside and we’ve been known to roller skate and ride bikes,” she said. “It’s definitely not one of those ‘don’t touch’ kind of houses. Being an interior designer, I love so many different eras, so it’s sometimes hard to just go one direction.” The Smiley home has a definite contemporary flair yet maintains a comfy, welcoming feel and generous splashes of color. “I love white,” Paige said. “White everything! But I know that’s not practical and it might get a little cold feeling. The playful use of colors really reflects my personality and keeps me feeling bright when work gets me stressed out. I’m not sure if I can put a label on this style, but it’s a mix of French and mod … with bits of velvet, tufting, sleek lines and funky vintage finds from thrift and resale shops.” The master bedroom has a shag throw Paige had custom-made for their bed, and says it’s one of her favorite things even though it weighs a
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ACCENTS | at home
“whopping 50 pounds.” She also loves to paint, and most of the art in her home is her own. “I love painting abstract art, and just recently started doing some watercolors,” she said. “My daughter, who just turned seven, is pretty good at it, too, so we created several pieces together.” Paige has a degree in interior design, and says her first project came at a young age when her mother let her design her own bedroom. “I remember it turned out totally boyish with blue walls and a red and blue plaid bedspread,” she says with a laugh. “I know my mom noticed something a little different when I would intentionally do creative projects wrong at school because the way I wanted it would look better than the teacher’s way. When I was about 12, I was drawing plans for funky spaceship-styled homes and I always dreamt of being an architect. I never wanted to be famous; I just wanted to do houses for famous people.” These days, Paige heads for her office and with her co-workers collaborates with each client to make sure the final product meets their tastes, needs and budget. Oklahoma has so much to offer beyond cattle, oil and prairies, and as an interior designer, Paige says she is proud of her home state and the work she does here. “As a design firm, store, and as a city the biggest thing is that we are current and hip,” Paige said. “Oklahoma City is one of the coolest cities I have been to. Small businesses here are so supportive of each other, and often work together on projects and are always there to lift one another up. “The historical district we are in, Deep Deuce, was a thriving jazz district that inspired so many great artists years ago,” she added. “Coming together with the new owners to bring it back has been so amazing; it’s becoming quite the urban area in downtown Oklahoma City. I’m totally in love with how ‘Oklahoma proud’ everyone is becoming!”
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PROFILE
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Artisan Tile Studio
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itchens and bathrooms, entryways and hallways and fireplaces, even exterior improvements like backyard pathways or porches – tile and stone are incredibly versatile for home improvements, and incorporating them into your personal environment is as easy as visiting Artisan Tile Studio. The Nichols Hills business is the result of a family legacy: Owner Sydnye Steen explains, “I started in 1999 working for my dad, who had a natural stone fabrication and tile business, and soon after he retired I opened Artisan.” Her 17 years of experience, combined with one-on-one personal customer service and attention to detail that is second to none, make this upscale boutique tile and natural stone provider an excellent choice. Whatever the project’s scale, from a single backsplash to new construction or a complete renovation, Sydnye and crew are
happy to work with architects, builders, designers and homeowners in their studio or on location, providing luxury tile as well as high-quality natural stone and quartz fabrication and installation for interior and exterior projects. The selection is excellent – “we’re constantly bringing in new and unique lines, things that no one else around has” – and if a customer has something specific in mind they’ll do their best to help find it. Artisan has also gone the extra mile to provide a comfortable and casual atmosphere that’s “like shopping for tile and countertops in your living room.” Sydnye smiles that visitors who drop in will be as comfortable as if they were in their own homes … and may well wind up making their own homes better and more comfortable by finding the perfect selections at Artisan Tile Studio.
Artisan Tile Studio 7108 N. Western Ave., Suite D1, OKC 405.242.2227 | artisantilestudio.com
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PROFILE
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Brown Interiors
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hen you’re looking for help with designing a residential or commercial project – a modern, yet classic interior that will stand the test of time – you want someone who can draw on their expertise and resources, a skilled, seasoned professional – you want Amber Brown Matlack of Brown Interiors. Since 2002, Amber, a University of Oklahoma alumna, has built her career around creating beautifully executed interiors for hotels, restaurants, corporate offices and residential projects from Palm Beach to Vail – and beyond. As Director of Design for a prestigious hotel group on the east coast, she gained vast experience in the hospitality industry and large-scale interior design projects; and now as owner of Brown Interiors, she focuses on providing individual attention and personal dedication to each project they acquire. Brown Interiors is an exclusive, fullservice interior design firm dedicated to delivering excellence in both design and customer satisfaction. Brown Interiors’ attention to detail, impeccable taste, knowledge and experience combine to create spaces that are effortless and memorable. Call Brown Interiors and make your dream project become reality.
864.906.2076 | browninteriors.net
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Old World Iron I
t’s about timelessness. The enduring strength and character of iron, combined with the benefit of modern fabrication techniques, results in craftsmanship that adds lasting value to your home or project. But most of all, according to owner Todd Miller, Old World Iron is about relationships. Customers receive the exceptional benefit of the decades of experience Miller and his team bring to channeling ideas and practical inspiration into expert design work and detailed renderings – at no extra charge. And with the personal rapport that arises from producing custom work to exacting specifications and the company’s focus on impeccable results, Old World Iron is ready and happy to provide prospective clients with hundreds of glowing references from builders, designers, decorators and homeowners. While the name sounds traditional, Old World Iron is also an excellent source for more modern looks like stainless and brushed steel finishes or geometric patterns. Whatever your stylistic tastes, for fabricating staircases and railings, specialty doors, gates, balconies, fixtures and furniture, mailboxes, fireplace doors and screens, corbels and dozens of other custom items, the professionals at Old World Iron will combine expert design with the highest quality materials to create a solid, enduring investment in your home’s aesthetic appeal.
8405 Mantle Ave.,OKC | 405.722.0008 | owiokc.com
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PROFILE
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SWAT Mosquito Mist System
Your Outdoor Solution
Y
our yard is a part of your home, and in good weather it should be part of your life. When you want to enjoy outdoor fun and leisure time in your own yard, you should be able to do so in complete comfort – and not worry about mosquitoes. Not only are they pests, mosquitoes can be dangerous, since they carry infectious diseases like the West Nile virus, Chikungunya and Zika. Let SWAT Mosquito Mist System take the sting out of outdoor living in your backyard with a custom mosquito control system. SWAT’s innovative misting system is custom-configured to the specifications of your property and your needs, giving you control over a network of misting nozzles that are placed almost completely out of sight, but make a clear, remarkable difference in keeping your yard free of airborne pests. The specially formulated mist targets and kills annoying mosquitoes, but your
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yard will be safe for children, pets and food immediately after misting. That way you can enjoy the outdoors in comfort, with a system that’s completely worry-free. SWAT also offers expert service for existing systems, as well as scheduled yard fogging for homes, so even if you don’t have a system installed they can help eliminate mosquitoes before outdoor parties and protect your gathering from uninvited guests. An Oklahoma-based company with 10 years in business and an A+ rating with the Central Oklahoma Better Busi-
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN OUTDOORS!
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Swat@Swatokc.com | 405.610.7928 SWATokc.com ness Bureau, and exceptional customer reviews, SWAT believes that “You have the right to remain outdoors.” Have SWAT Mosquito Mist Systems secure your summer fun!
PROFILE
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Urban Farmhouse Designs S
earching for unique, aesthetically pleasing furniture that is handcrafted and built locally can be a tall order. When you add in the idea of using reclaimed materials, and top it off with the practice of hiring members of the community who might not have a chance for employment elsewhere, it seems impossible that one place could espouse all of these characteristics. Enter Urban Farmhouse Designs. What started as a garage-based home business has grown into one of Oklahoma City’s premier sources for artisan furniture. Jason and Cherami Thomas provide metro home and business owners with singular pieces built from materials procured from a wide variety of sources. Old flour mills, retired boxcars, warehouses … the textures and images from a chapter of American history are all present in the pieces crafted by Urban Farmhouse Designs’ team of artisans. The well-stocked showroom is a testament to the design and construction skill at work in their production, but your own vision is welcome, as well; custom orders are also possible at Urban Farmhouse Designs. “Reclaimed Furniture Made By Reclaimed People” is a motto that applies not only to the Thomases’ reinvention of themselves as furniture manufacturers after the real estate bust, but also to the fact that they make a point of hiring and training people who really need jobs. This means that in addition to lessening the negative impact on the broader environment, when you purchase furniture made with re-purposed materials, you’re heightening the positive impact on the local community, when that furniture is made at Urban Farmhouse Designs. The best of several worlds.
400 S. Western Ave., OKC | 405.812.8374 urbanfarmhousedesigns.com
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ACCENTS | form & function
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Hard-Working and Hassle-Free
Writer Jill Hardy Photographer Carli Wentworth
The diminutive closet pantry in the Dinwiddie home was destined for a makeover from the moment they moved in; the results present a fantastically organized utility room to cater to the large family.
Emily Dinwiddie thought the laundry room adjacent to the kitchen would be a much better location for a pantry, and so she set about remodeling it into the workhorse it is today. The walkout door was relocated to another area of the house, and a wall pushed out five feet to create a bigger space. A farmhouse sink and window replaced the door, and an antique tole chandelier gives a French touch to the décor. Corbels and bead board backsplash add a modern farmhouse feel. With a troop of boys constantly raiding the pantry (her four sons and their friends), Emily relies on organization and simplicity to keep order. Labeled wicker baskets corral smaller items, and wire baskets store canned goods while allowing Emily to easily see the contents. “I’m organized out of necessity, not nature,” Emily says, reaffirming that anyone can enjoy a modicum of magazine-level order and design with a little thought and work. “Everything must have a place and be within easy reach, or it’s total chaos, all the time.” Emily’s gift for innovation in the home is showcased on her blog and instagram account at 11gables.blogspot.com and at Instagram.com/elevengables, and she loves to share ideas about implementing great design techniques in a functional way. “My design ethic is about creating an inviting, personalized space for family and friends,” Emily says. “I hope my love for my family translates into the way I decorate and keep my home.”
Editors’ note: We profiled the Dinwiddie’s gorgeous kitchen, another showstopper, in our last issue. Revisit it online at 405magazine.com/kitchenstocovet
(clockwise from top left) Gift wrapping is streamlined with a station that houses paper, ribbons, twine and craft supplies; hardware is from Anthropologie. | Organization needn’t be a sterile affair. Wicker and chalkboard labels warm up the orderly shelves. | Elements like brass grill door inserts were added to personalize the room.
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ACCENTS | behind the façade
High Style
Three local homebuilders venture beyond cookie-cutter designs with an appreciation for architectural diversity, elevating the landscape of the metro into something pretty special.
Writer Jill Hardy
CRAFTING AN EXAMPLE Kenyon and Brandi Woods, owners of Authentic Custom Homes, have been building in the Oklahoma City metro area (and environs such as Piedmont and Yukon) for a decade, and have made a name for themselves as builders who can both specialize in a niche – such as the Craftsman-influenced style they’ve helped to revive – yet still adapt to a customer’s vision. “We do quite a bit of Craftsman, but we have a wide range of styles we work with,” says Kenyon.
“It’s important for people to understand that not all builders have that,” Brandi says. “It’s not a requirement in the state of Oklahoma – but it’s something to look for when hiring a builder.”
CONTEMPORARY CREATIONS
With stone and wood exteriors, clean lines, big columns and spacious front porches, the Craftsman style provides an alternative to the typical brick homes favored in Oklahoma, while still employing a traditional feel. In other words, it’s a good way to stand out while blending into a more traditionally styled neighborhood. In addition to providing custom design to Oklahoma home-seekers, the Woods also hope to promote high standards for builders in the state. As the recently named president of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association, Kenyon is committed to leading by example in this area. “I hope that our legacy will be that we were approachable,” Kenyon says. “That we did things the right way, and people trusted what we did.” He’s a certified professional builder – a certification obtained through the state and professional associations – and Brandi emphasizes that those looking to build a home need to consider their builder’s credentials.
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JONATHAN MEISNER
Kenyon and Brandi Woods
Award-winning certified professional builder and past president of both COHBA and the State Professional Home Builders Association, Jeff Click has become one of the leading creators of contemporary and modern homes in Oklahoma since beginning his career in 1998. Jeff Click Homes’ mission statement includes the goal of embodying style and exemplifying innovation – while creating a valuable experience for the homeowner – and the testimonials from satisfied customers and the multiple awards his designs have won are evidence that his mission is being accomplished. He admits that his own personal taste leans towards the contemporary, and that influence has shaped his company’s bent, but he also points to a dearth of good modern design in Oklahoma as a reason to focus on this style. “I grew up in Oklahoma City,” Jeff says. “And this wasn’t a common taste – contemporary and modern.” A fondness for forward thinking – technological progress, specifically – is partially responsible for his preference, and his client base. “I come from a software development background,” Jeff says, “So my marketing approach was very much Internet-based, even before that became a big thing – I was actually the first builder in Oklahoma to have
Jeff Click
a website. So, I think that may have led to my clientele being younger, or at least tech savvy. Generally, they had a thirst for something a little different than the traditional style.”
OLD WORLD WONDER For 16 years, Anders and Terry Carlson have been providing Oklahoma with a unique home design opportunity through their company, AC Dwellings … a touch of Old World style. Originally hailing from Sweden, Anders specializes in meshing European timelessness with American lifestyles in his artfully created homes, and he is also certified with COHBA as a professional home builder. His reputation is one of a hands-on flexibility, and while his roots are a great source of inspiration for any Okie who wants a touch of something different, Terry is quick to point out that their talents are always at the service of the client. “Swedish style is a light palette and we have done a few Swedish Gustavian interiors,” Terry says, “But we actually do any style our clients want;
Traditional, Transitional/Modern, French, English and everything between.” “We have lived in Europe and also travel there frequently, so we are very familiar with the authenticity that you find abroad. Many of our clients love the details found in architecture found in England and France, for instance.” From cottages to manor-style houses, they bring a variety to their craft that has few rivals, and Terry insists that this artistic adaptability is one of the biggest assets they have to offer to potential clients. “We truly try to find classic and timeless designs that our clients will love,” Terry says, “And we execute that style down to every last detail.”
Terry and Anders Carlson
What is a Certified Professional Builder?
Oklahoma home builders are not required to be licensed by the state, but in the early 2000s, a voluntary program was instituted that provides a regulatory set of practices that builders can follow in order to ensure a method of providing high quality homebuilding. Through the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association, builders commit to providing workers’ compensation and general liability insurance, adhere to code standards and also attend ongoing education classes. Seeking out a Certified Professional Builder when you begin the process of building a home can be one way of knowing that certain standards will be followed in the process.
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ACCENTS | design DIY
Wow Factor
I have long wanted to stencil the back wall of my built-in china cabinet to add some pizzazz to its plain Jane, traditional styling. However, an energetic, newly mobile infant has pushed aside all my best-laid plans, leaving no time for updating my bland 1970s hutch. Enter a DIYer’s best friend: the Internet. Sometime, somewhere (perhaps during a middle-of-the-night feeding?) I scrolled past a blog demonstrating the use of fabric or wallpaper to punch up the back of a cheap bookcase. Filing that tidbit away allowed me to dredge up the idea when I had a few hours free to finally tackle this project. Best of all, with the method described here, there is absolutely no damage to your cabinet, making this the perfect update for a renter or commitment-phobe such as myself. In a nutshell – it’s as simple as taping fabric around foam core pieces and wedging them into place. For an investment of less than $50 and a few hours of time, this project is a really easy way to make a big impact.
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Writer Mia Blake Photographer Carli Wentworth
Contemporary Furniture Large selection of styles & sizes at budget prices
MATERIALS
Fabric of choice Foam core craft board X-Acto knife Scissors Measuring tape Packing tape
1. Measure the area to cover with fabric. I will admit this project would have been much simpler if my shelves were removable, but alas, these were built for the ages, and I had to use three unique sets of measurements. I added a generous 3” allowance on each side for the fabric to wrap around my secret weapon: white foam core of the type sold at craft stores. 2. Measure and calculate how much foam core is needed. If you are working with long shelves (as I was; half of the china cabinet is not pictured – there are actually four glass doors), you may need to use two (or more) pieces of foam core and tape them together once they have been put into place. This seam will be covered by fabric.
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3. Purchase supplies. Remember to measure twice, cut once. My cabinet was 60” long, and a bolt of 54” fabric could not cover it without an unsightly seam. I chose a fabric without an obvious topto-bottom orientation so I could use the bolt length instead. 4. Cut strips of fabric and foam core. Cut foam core to exact measurements with an X-Acto knife. Then cut the fabric, remembering to allow extra width and length to wrap around the foam core. I used a spare piece of foam core, marked my measurement, then placed its straight edge against the fabric’s selvage to mark a dotted line on the fabric, and then cut with scissors.
The Clementine Hunter Collection
5. Wrap and tape fabric tightly to the foam core. It doesn’t have to be pretty on the back side, just use liberal amounts of packing tape and line your pattern up straight. At the corners, I folded the fabric like I was wrapping a present to tuck in the excess. If you have enough, try to match the repeat from shelf to shelf so that the overall effect is one solid piece of fabric across the whole back wall ... mine is close but not exact (reference my note about aforementioned infant – c’est la vie). 6. Push fabric-wrapped board into place against the back wall. If you have measured carefully and cut your foam core to fairly exact measurements, the added bulk of the fabric gives it just enough extra girth to wedge in tightly to the back wall where gravity will keep it in place. It’s that easy, and can easily be removed and updated with new fabric as your whims dictate. Editors’ note: Special thanks to Lindsay Gibson of Gibson Events for the loan of her milk glass collection.
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OUTDOORS
An eco-friendly, sustainably stylish, urban prairie garden is the foundation of the Roses’ serene backyard retreat. See how this bland suburban lawn was transformed on page 76. Photographer Carli Wentworth
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OUTDOORS | environments
The terraced deck, cut down to a more integrated size, provides excellent bench seating in the backyard. Sara Jane said the family uses it regularly for time with friends and each other. The old-growth tree provides shade all summer thanks to the decision to save the trees.
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Sustainable Serenity
W
Working from home is tricky even when all things are in your favor. If the environment is just as you prefer it, you will still find yourself fighting off urges to fall in love with doing a load of laundry or spontaneously cleaning the stove. For Sara Jane Rose, the environment included large bay windows that offered a view into her backyard. “When Sara Jane stood in her backyard, I think she just seemed sad,” Jamie Csizmadia said. Csizmadia is the owner and founder of Olthia Urban Prairie Gardens, and she met Sara Jane and Jay Rose at a home and garden show in spring 2014. At the time, the Roses’ yard was a pretty standard backyard – one long planting bed, some hedges and a lawn. A large deck dominated the backyard and patio. “It was pretty uninspiring,” Csizmadia said. “And because the yard was such a big part of the inside of the house where she worked – the view from the bay windows brings the yard inside – she wanted to see something beautiful, and something beautiful year round.” Working together, Sara Jane and Csizmadia developed a backyard garden, lawn and two areas for relaxation that incorporate plants and grasses that are native to Oklahoma, meaning they require less care than non-native species. “We had a drought-tolerant garden made up of native plants when we lived in California,” Sara Jane said. “When we saw Jamie’s display at the home and garden show, we fell in love with it immediately. She used native grasses and plants, and so we bonded right away.” The first constraint was the family’s squirrel-hunting dog pack. “We have four dogs, and they love to chase squirrels in the backyard,” Sara Jane said. Since most chases end up in a tree or along a fence, Csizmadia recommended a gravel path between the fence and the lawn. Typically, lawns have long planting beds adjacent to the fence, but the installation of the gravel path
meant that the Roses could save wear and tear on their lawn. Most importantly, the dogs took to it easily. The next large obstacle – literally – was the deck. The terraced deck led up to a hot tub. After removing the hot tub, the family was stuck with a terraced deck that rose to no-
Writer Greg Horton Photographer Carli Wentworth
from the sunroom and when we sat back here,” she said. “I get great peace from it.” While working on the design plan, the family fell in love with the idea of Corten steel planters. Corten is a weathering steel, which means that it will develop a patina when left uncoated but won’t rust all the way through.
Sara Jane wanted another, sunnier seating area, so the chairs and torches occupy a brighter corner of the yard. The chairs – from Minick Materials – are heavy-duty reclaimed, recycled plastic. where. Since they wanted to keep the deck, the simplest solution was to remove two feet off the top, leaving a large seating area that integrated more easily into the overall plan. Finally, the existing lawn, plants and trees had to be dealt with. “We kept the deck and three old-growth trees,” Sara Jane said. “Everything else was cleared out.” Her goal was a backyard that was part garden, part lawn and part comfortable gathering place for family and friends. “I told Jamie I wanted to feel serene when I looked out on it
Unfortunately, custom fabricated Corten steel planters were incredibly expensive. “I love it when clients come up with creative solutions to problems like this,” Csizmadia said. “Jay’s father worked with oilfield pipe, and he suggested we look at them. I didn’t think we would find any large enough, but we did, and they worked beautifully.” Not only did the pipe solve the planter problem, they also injected some family history into the backyard, a realization that made all parties happy. Rose did not want retaining
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OUTDOORS | environments
Oilfield pipes were cut to form custom planters. The variety of heights made it easier to create a deeper garden effect without plants “hiding� behind neighbors.
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walls, raised areas or sharp edges, and the pipe answered all those concerns, as well, even allowing for a variety of heights based on the cut. Jay offered another creative solution for the furniture on the deck. “We had some old tiles left over from our fireplace in California, and he recommended we use them on the coffee table,” Sara Jane said. The tiles are very durable, and they were a simple way of adding splashes of bright color to the deck. Most of the color comes from the collection of flowers scattered in planters throughout the yard. Csizmadia incorporated daisies, day lilies, brown-eyed susans and marigolds to create areas of bright color. A beautyberry shrub colors part of the yard in red, purple and magenta as the berries ripen, and the berries bring a variety of birds to the yard. When describing the overall plan, Csizmadia uses paint metaphors like palette and watercolor brush to explain the strategy. The organization is not so much random blotches of color, but a “canvas or carpet” upon which the landscape architect creates a picture. Everything is in its proper place,
and each component contributes to the lifecycle of the organism. Csizmadia said the garden is in bloom from late February or early March when the daffodils emerge. The hardiest plants will survive into late November, which means there is a three-month period when nothing is blooming. That is the cycle of an Oklahoma garden, though, and Sara Jane is content with the reality of winter.
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OUTDOORS | environments
The arbor was Sara Jane’s inspiration. “Sometimes clients get so excited about their new garden or yard that they rush out to find things they like to put in it,” Csizmadia said. “Sara Jane added the arbor and it’s a perfect example of the eclectic design taste she embraces.”
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The weather vane adds another unique note – and even more range of color – to the yard. Sara Jane found it at an arts festival in California. A weathered-wood coffee table can be a dreary piece of furniture without the color provided by the clever use of ceramic tiles and polished stones.
Even though she was able to keep three old-growth trees, one had to go to make room for the overall design. The stump remains, and ceramic frogs from Folk.Life on North Western dress it up with a bit of color.
“Jamie gave us a stewardship plan for everything,” Sara Jane said. “We have no annuals and no poison. The plan covers mulch, preemergents, all that stuff, but because it’s a native garden, there is very little upkeep required. It’s a water-efficient garden, too.” Sustainability is a very un-sexy word, evoking images of composters, recycling efforts and building codes, but native gardens are sustainable and beautiful. They are waterefficient, soil-flexible and tuned to the cycle of the place where they grow. Csizmadia said the garden needed one year of establishment, and after that, it is designed to thrive in the Oklahoma climate, because that is its actual home.
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OUTDOORS | gatherings
Al Fresco and Amazing
{Picnic}
Once the green grass starts to peek out and the sun seems to shine just a little bit brighter, outdoor dining is finally an option again. What better way to celebrate spring than a little brunch picnic? Using a palette of blue and white, sprawling under a willow tree, the environment is at once relaxed and elegant. White plates with a ruffled blue edge, lightly tinted blue champagne flutes, small carafes of orange juice, warm coffee and pastries are just a few things you will need. Pack up a picnic basket, grab a few flowers and don’t forget to pull the cold Prosecco from the fridge. Bring a book, kick off those shoes and toast to the change of seasons.
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Writer Sara Gae Waters Photographer Carli Wentworth
SOURCES:
Picnic basket, throws and glass jars from West Elm | Plates, coffee cups, bowls, champagne flutes, kitchen towels and marble plate with glass dome from Anthropologie | Glass carafes in wicker carrier from Wright’s Flower Market
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OUTDOORS | gatherings
{Poolside}
It’s impossible for me to write about setting the table without first addressing the moment of inspiration. As I’ve written before, this is always the starting point for me. Here I drew on a recent trip to California and a beautiful brunch at The Ivy coupled with the island life vibe of India Hicks. I topped it off with my love of my mom’s personal collections. The sum of these separate elements provides a feast for the eyes through a plethora of color and interest. Turquoise Foo Dogs (procured by my mom years ago from a neighbor) are paired with porcelain roof tiles in the form of horses (found at an antique shop located at the base of The Great Wall of China and brought back by my parents from a trip to Beijing). Mixed in are Majolica-esque plates, a large light green chinoiserie vase along with blue and white pieces and vintage glass … it’s an eclectic table to say the least.
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OUTDOORS | gatherings
With all that going on, a simple place setting is the way to go. White plates, tall clear wine glasses and simple blue and white striped linens don’t compete with the bright bowls of citrus, bouquets of roses in orange, pink and yellow and purple azaleas. Poolside drinks of sangria are the perfect addition. The key here? Don’t be afraid to mix it up, pull out some unusual pieces for your table and kick back and enjoy!
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OUTDOORS | finishing touch
Waking Up the Gardener Writer Mia Blake Photographer Carli Wentworth Spring brings with it a huge breath of fresh air as we shed the hibernation of winter and venture forth with renewed vigor, reveling in the possibilities of the new season. Winter is made for browsing seed catalogs, pinning inspirational photos and daydreaming of warmer weather. Those days are finally on the horizon, and with each uptick of the mercury, the itch to dig fingers deep into the earth, bring order to disorder and nurture the garden back to fruitful, verdant life becomes more irresistible. Hours logged in the springtime garden pay themselves back two and threefold during summer’s scorching days, and the promise of a bountiful harvest, both physical and visual, is enough to prompt one to stretch out the last bit of daylight to accomplish outdoor tasks. Enjoy this season of renewal and reawakening!
“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina 88
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