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STEP INSIDE THE NEW AMERICAN HOME

SP R I N G 201 5

FURNITURE FASHION’S

HIGH POINT

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Easy, elegant ideas for every room DIY DIVA

Ana White’s toolbox tips

Renovate, innovate this spring tech, tile & textures

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SPRING 2015

SUSAN TEARE/SALVAGE SECRETS DESIGN & DECOR

Looking to upgrade? Invest in everyone’s favorite room: the kitchen. Our experts walk you through the projects that promise the most resale bang for your buck.

Get the story behind great design in Joanne Palmisano’s Salvage Secrets Design & Decor: Transform Your Home With Reclaimed Materials and five other must-read home books. PAGE 96

ROOM BY ROOM [ PAGES 66-94 ]

18 @USATODAYMAGS

ON THE COVER: High Point

furniture market sets the tone for décor, PAGE 36. PHOTO BY: Scott Crowder

All product prices and availability are subject to change.

HOME | SPRING 2015

impression with these clutter-free tips.

WORKSPACE 70 Try these clever ideas ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀

FEATURES [ PAGES 22-63 ] 22

MODERN MUSE

HIGH POINT MARKET

The 2015 New American Home showcases the latest in high-tech options.

We give you a front-row seat at the furniture world’s red-carpet event.

CONSIGNMENT HEAVEN

ANA WHITE

WORTHY UPGRADE

Secondhand shopping gets an upscale update.

The DIY blogger helps others pick up power tools.

These changes get you the most bang for your buck.

UP FRONT [ PAGES 8-20 ]

GARDEN

LIGHTS

WINDOWS

PAINT

to make your home office work.

KITCHEN 74 Who says you can’t

make big recipes in small kitchens?

BATHROOM 80 Turn that blah

bathroom into the spa you’ve dreamed about.

BEDROOM 85 Wake up your bedroom by re-imagining the master suite.

OUTDOORS 90 Transform your outdoor-

living spaces with these design ideas.

FROM UPPER LEFT: VINTAGEREVIVALS.COM; NUDCOLLECTION.COM; SHOP.WALKERART.ORG

ENTRYWAY 66 Make a great first

FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS PREMIUM PUBLICATION EDITORIAL

DIRECTOR Jeanette Barrett-Stokes jbstokes@usatoday.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jerald Council jcouncil@usatoday.com CUSTOM CONTENT MANAGER Christine Neff cneff@usatoday.com

▶ NICOLE CREWS

▶ STACEY FREED

Her mother was an interior designer, so it’s a natural fit for Nicole Crews to write about the furniture design capital in High Point, N.C., PAGE 36. She loves the industry’s rich history and the intimate relationship between furniture and fashion. “Trends in design have a direct relationship to who we are,” she says, finding it fascinating how it all translates to the scale, materials and silhouette of, say, a chair. Nicole is a former editor of Casual Living magazine and has written for Furnish magazine, InStyle, Country Inns magazine, Western Design and others.

Stacey Freed has been writing about business, design and the remodeling industry for more than a decade. She takes a sharp look at what upgrades you really want to do around your home and where to get the most resale value, PAGE 60. In her off hours she loves to bake, run, ski, hike and spend time in the nearby Finger Lakes — where there’s also opportunities to enjoy great wine. Her work has appeared in Better Homes and Gardens’ Elegant Homes and Kitchen and Bath Ideas, Remodeling, Rochester Magazine and The Washington Post.

EDITORS Chris Garsson Elizabeth Neus Lori Santos Amanda Shifflett DESIGNERS Erin Aulov Marlece Lusk Gina Toole Saunders Lisa M. Zilka INTERNS Alexa Rogers Hannah Van Sickle CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Diane Bair, Rachel Barron, Nicole Crews, Hollie Deese, Maisy Fernandez, Stacey Freed, Lambeth Hochwald, Jennifer E. Mabry, Janene Mascarella, Nigel F. Maynard, Diana Lambdin Meyer, Peggy J. Noonan, Sharon O’Malley, Debi Pittman Wilkey, Pamela Wright CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Renée Comet, Scott Crowder

ADVERTISING

VP, ADVERTISING Patrick Burke (703) 854-5914 pburke@usatoday.com ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Justine Goodwin (703) 854-5444 jgoodwin@usatoday.com

FINANCE

COURTESY OF THE CONTRIBUTORS

BILLING COORDINATOR Lynnae Brown

▶ DIANA LAMBDIN MEYER

▶ DEBI PITTMAN WILKEY

When not on the road and living out of a suitcase as a passionate travel writer, Diana Lambdin Meyer can be found with a hammer or a paint brush in her hands or wandering the aisles of a local home improvement store looking for inspiration on her next household project. She profiles blogger Ana White, a growing sensation among DIYers, PAGE 54. Follow Diana’s journeys at home and on the road @mojotraveler.

Debi Pittman Wilkey is a contributor to USA TODAY’s premium magazines, including Modern Woman, Pet Guide and Hunt & Fish. She has been a television producer in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and St. Louis, and edited community newspapers and magazines at North Jersey Media Group in the greater NYC area. Now working from South Florida, Debi showcases the New American Home 2015, PAGE 22.

This is a product of

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved herein, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or reproduced in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written consent of USA TODAY. The editors and publisher are not responsible for any unsolicited materials.

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HOME

Up Front { GARDEN 8

LIGHTS 10

Welcome home. Spring is here, and there’s no better place to start sprucing up your home than at the curb. Here are three quick tips to greet the season and help your home make a good first impression.

WINDOWS 14

PAINT 18

Refinish or install a new front door. You could do it yourself, but it would be a whole lot easier — and probably less expensive — to have a professional refinish your wooden front door. If it’s too far gone, buy a new one. And don’t skimp on the hardware! Install new outdoor lighting. Install LED fixtures on the front of your house and in the yard. They will cast a warm glow and make your house look more inviting. LEDs cost more, but will pay for themselves in energy saved.

THINKSTOCK

Renew your front yard. Make sure your yard is weedfree, and water and fertilize more regularly to keep it green. Make sure no trees are obstructing the view of the house. — Rosie Romero, an Arizona homebuilding and remodeling industry expert for 25 years. For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse. com.

UP FRONT | GARDEN

GO-TO TOOLS

Invest in green-thumb success

2 5

A 1

Protect your skin with a hat and a pair of gloves. A hat creates an extra barrier for harmful rays, and gloves will shield you from bites, poison ivy and so much more. Evergreen Garden Molly Green leaves hat, $24.99, rakuten. com, and Womanswork garden gloves with arm savers, $29, womans work.com

HOME | SPRING 2015

From digging holes to piling soil onto garden beds, a durable, sturdy shovel is essential, says Blackwell, The Home Depot’s merchandise manager. When picking the perfect one, keep height in mind; you want one you can handle comfortably. Radius Garden 252 PROLite shovel, $34.68, atgstores.com

Gardening inevitably involves lugging leaves, debris and weeds out of plant beds. To make this task easier, invest in a sturdy lawn bag. Freestanding plastic bags will not fall over or spill, leaving your hands free to work. Tip bags, $24.95 for medium and $29.95 for large, gardeners. com

Pruning shears are a lot like your trusty pair of scissors — except they’re for gardening. They’re made for trimming back shrubs and trees and are also great for cutting twine, harvesting vegetables and pruning dead vegetation. Fiskars PowerGear titanium pruner, $19.97, The Home Depot

Feaster’s top pick is a hand trowel, which can be used for planting seeds, transplanting shrubbery, removing weeds, mixing fertilizer, breaking up soil and so much more. Since this will be your go-to tool, be sure to choose one with a comfortable handle. Corona stainless steel hand trowel, $8.98, Lowe’s

COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES

BY RACHEL BARRON pril showers can bring May flowers, but only if you plant properly. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or planting your first bulbs, there are certain tools you need. HGTVGardens.com editorin-chief Felicia Feaster and The Home Depot’s Scott Blackwell offer advice on the five tools everyone should own.

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UP FRONT | LIGHTS

LIGHT THE WAY

onsumers are more demanding and more design-conscious today — thank you, HGTV and Target — so when you decide to shine new light on your foyer, lighting makers now offer a wider range of stylish products at prices that fit any budget. But where to begin with such a small space? When choosing a fixture for your entryway, think about the style of your décor. If your interior design is formal, go for a formal design. But if your home has a relaxed, open-concept floor plan, you may consider products with bold colors, odd shapes and whimsical designs.

HOME | SPRING 2015

Even on a small budget, you can find light fixtures that add sparkle to your entrance BY NIGEL F. MAYNARD

Your ceiling height and the size of the foyer are also important things to keep in mind. “The main thing we often consider with small spaces like that is to create up-lighting,” says architect Janet Bloomberg, founder of KUBE Architecture in Washington, D.C. “If you reflect light off the ceiling, you create even, ambient lighting for the whole space.”

On the other hand, says Bloomberg, if your ceilings are higher, hang “a tall decorative pendant to emphasize the height of the space.” Glass is no longer your only option. Consider lights made from materials such as wood, polycarbonate plastic, fabric, straw, concrete and even paper. Even big-box stores now sell sophisticated products that cost less than $100. Go for transitional-style products that blend contemporary and classic design and that feature chrome, stainless steel or brushed nickel accents. E-tailers from near and far also offer a large selection of outstanding American and European brands at affordable prices — often with free shipping.

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Stylish lights don’t have to break the bank. These one-light aged bronze cage pendants give off a vintage, industrial vibe. $69.97 each, homedepot.com

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UP FRONT | LIGHTS

The Grid II wall light diffuses light with an inner shade made of chrome mesh and a clear glass outer shade. $100, ylighting.com

HOME | SPRING 2015

This Chloe drum pendant is part of a modular platform that lets buyers choose their shade size and a one- or three-light configuration. $27.54 for 10-inch shade, wayfair. com

If you’re looking for whimsical lighting with style, NUD is a good option. Designed to be used without a shade, the fixtures consist of vibrant-colored cords and sockets. Choose from a wide selection of designs, including a limited-edition African Line, and decorative attachments. Request prices at nudcollection.com

The George Kovacs P422 pendant has a cappuccino glass shade with clear accents that diffuse warm light. It measures 9 inches in diameter. $70, lumens. com

If you want to add an old-timey feel to your interior, the Thurman ceiling fixture fits the bill. The unit is available in nine finishes. $125, rejuvenation.com

COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES

From the Finnish word for “moon,” the Kuu lamp is made from polyester fabric that filters light for a ethereal appearance. The small version measures 11.8 inches in diameter and comes in black or white. $149, hem.com

Ikea’s reputation for low-cost, highdesign products is evident in this Fillsta pendant. Measuring 14 inches in diameter, it features a polypropylene shade and a polycarbonate lamp cap. Light bulbs sold separately. $29.99, ikea.com

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UP FRONT | WINDOWS

This room features coverings that change the shape and style of the windows. The Duette Architella honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas have PowerRise motorization, which can be operated with a mobile app.

CURTAIN CALL

BY HOLLIE DEESE

onna Moss has tackled many windows in the past 30 years she’s been in the interior design business, some of them while competing in the first season of HGTV’s Design Star, and others during the two seasons of her own HGTV show, Donna Decorates Dallas. Getting a window right is key to getting the whole room right, she says. A window “is a piece of art. It is as much a piece of furniture as your bed, and it adds so much drama, whether you do something simple or something really ornate. Dressing your windows is really important,” Moss says. Here are some tips that help her set the right tone, time and time again.

HOME | SPRING 2015

Dallas interior designer Donna Moss says her favorite design motifs include elegant Old World themes and lush Hollywood-inspired rooms.

HUNTER DOUGLAS; LORRAINE HAAN-STEWART

Treat your windows to drama and charm

UP FRONT | WINDOWS

You can create a decorative top edge with some wood and creativity; some can serve as hideaways for blinds and shades when not in use. “You can either paint the wood or apply fabric to it or even wallpaper,” Moss says. “And because it is wood, you can hammer into it and dress them up. A lot of times we will do a simple cornice and add some crystals to it to transform something simple into something really elegant and gorgeous.”

CONSIDER PRIVACY Moss says that if you don’t have to worry too much about privacy, simply cover the window with spray paint that creates a frosted appearance, like the semi-transparent product from Krylon. “It allows the light to filter through, and you can see shadows, but you can’t see the person,” Moss adds.

CHOOSE LUXE FOR LESS Even if you have champagne tastes, your budget doesn’t have to match, thanks to materials that can lower the cost of favorites, including classic wood plantation shutters made cheaper in resin. “We do a lot of simple treatments that aren’t

HOME | SPRING 2015

real expensive,” she says. “You don’t have to spend a fortune on big heavy, heavy draperies.”

ADD BATTERIES Super-tall windows not only pose a problem when deciding how to cover them, you can have trouble every time you want to adjust the light. Now, just about every option is available with a remote control, and the technology is improving every year. “You can wire them into your light switches, or now with all these smart systems, you can raise and lower your blinds from Europe,” Moss says.

COVER IT COMPLETELY Sometimes an odd-shaped window or series of multiples can’t be saved by anything other than a total cover-up. That’s OK, too. “Sometimes you just want to make them disappear, and you can do that with the right fabric and the right treatment,” Moss says. For one client, Moss put several mirrors underneath a series of three half-circle windows, then added drapes to make the shape look more intentional. “Sometimes you have to be real creative and build the draperies into the window or around the window to disguise them,” she says.

FROM BOTTOM LEFT: FORT WORTH TEXAS MAGAZINE (2); CHAD WINDHAM; HUNTER DOUGLAS; FORT WORTH TEXAS MAGAZINE; HUNTER DOUGLAS (2)

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A dining room decorated in colors from Sherwin-Williams’ “Unrestrained” palette has Frank Blue walls. Tanager can be seen in the living room.

BROAD STROKES

ive your home a sparkling new look this year with the latest in colors and wall

treatments. Start by choosing a color palette that takes the entire visible space into consideration, even if you’re planning to re-do only one room. With a planned palette, each room can be different, but the transition will seem minimal. “That’s what adds cohesion,” says Wanda Colón, a lead designer for the blog Style My Space (stylemyspace. com) and host of design

HOME | SPRING 2015

shows on HGTV and TLC.

GET INSPIRED Have trouble picking colors? Look to the latest trends for inspiration. Coral Reef, for example, is Sherwin-Williams’s 2015 Color of the Year. It’s a youthful, vibrant color that makes people happy, says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for SherwinWilliams. “It can go in lots of different design directions by using a palette of colors that work together (to) carry the theme through to give your home that interesting but still

BY PEGGY J. NOONAN

cohesive look,” she adds. Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year is Marsala, an elegant, naturally robust and earthy wine red with burnished undertones, says the company. It is compatible with amber, umber, golden yellows, turquoise and teal greens and vibrant blues, and it combines well with neutrals such as warmer taupes and grays. Marsala is a “deep rustic color ... very rich,” that’s already popular on the fashion runway, says Robin Baron, president of Robin Baron Design Inc. in New York City.

THINKSTOCK; SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

Explore new trends in paint and wall treatments for 2015

PA I N T | U P F R O N T

GO DEEP

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

For 2015, Colón loves bold blues such as indigo, dark blue and especially aubergine (eggplant), which look great with crisp-white contrast moldings. “Darker, muted colors always feel more sophisticated,” adds Los Angelesbased home staging expert Kim Kapellusch, owner and founder of the Style My Space blog. If you’re considering the color slate, which is popular for accent walls, choose a color with gray or taupe undertones — those feel more sophisticated than bluer slates, Kapellusch says. Depth of color and

This kitchen has Sherwin-Williams’ Hubbard Squash on the walls, Ryegrass on the island and Coral Reef in the entryway.

pattern can make a big, bold statement, says Baron. She gave a bedroom a bold but not overwhelming look by using warm, deep-brown, coffee-tone paint on the walls with a patterned wall covering.

COLOR OVERLOAD So, can you put too much color in a room? “That is a personal choice,” says Jordan. The bold, bright colors some people love to surround themselves with would drive others crazy. “You can paint all your walls a really vibrant color and do it successfully, and you can accessorize with other bright colors,”

Jordan says. But if you want to balance bold colors, tone them down with neutral colors for flooring, upholstery and draperies. Baron recommends using dramatic colors and patterns sparingly. Too much can be overwhelming. “It’s not about which color or whether you do a wall or ceiling in a pop of color,” she explains. “It’s about how you balance it throughout the room that’s very important.” She likes to use neutral palettes and then dash in the color. For example, to balance one wall of yellow, “a really popular color right now,” use neutrals on the other walls and

CORAL REEF by SherwinWilliams

2015

COLORS OF THE Y E AR

MARSALA by Pantone

U P F R O N T | PA I N T

KariAnne Wood of the home renovation blog Thistlewood Farms (thistlewoodfarms.com) chose Sherwin-Williams’ Coral Reef for an accent wall in her home office.

TREAT YOUR WALLS Wall coverings are another way to spruce up a room, and you don’t have to cover all walls. Try a textured covering on one wall or on the ceiling, Baron suggests. Think of it as another way to work color into the space while adding interest to the room. And don’t be afraid to try metallic, mica, mother-ofpearl and other reflective wall coverings. Baron says

HOME | SPRING 2015

these are fantastic ways to increase the interest level in a room with spectacular effect. Try them between beams or on a bedroom ceiling where they’ll glisten softly in natural or artificial light. Or use them to transform a powder room into “a jewel box.”

FALL FOR TEXTURE One of Colón’s clients wanted to close off a fireplace and convert it to a space for a bigger TV, but she talked him out of the idea. She reminded him that people love having fireplaces, and getting rid of it could affect a future sale. Closing it would cost money now — and more later when the house would sell for $5,000 to $10,000 less than it would with a fireplace. Instead, she placed drywall around the fireplace, then

covered the surface and accent walls in an elegant, yet very cost-effective Venetian plaster faux finish. Staging expert Kapellush calls the Venetian finish fireplace a “really popular technique that has a big wall effect,” without having to spend money on a mantel, glass doors, stone or tile.

FORGET THE RULES Above all, remember: “There are no rules. Everything is very personal and anything goes if you do it in an interesting way,” Baron says. Take note of trends and expert tips, but “do what resonates with you,” she adds. “What you do in your home really does reflect who you are.” If you love it and feel great in it, it’s going to be “on trend” for you for years to come.

uBuild bold colors on neutral bases. uLayer color depths. uIntegrate wall colors with texture, pattern and reflective qualities. uPick one palette to coordinate colors on the same floor or in the same visible space. uIf you may sell in the next five to 10 years, plan your palette with a prospective buyer in mind. uDo simple painting and basic work yourself, but hire a pro for projects beyond your experience. uPass on pastels or very trendy looks that may be appealing but that go out of style faster than deep or bold earthy tones.

THISTLEWOODFARMS; THINKSTOCK

add splashes of yellow and other complementary colors in varying degrees to balance the first wall’s impact. “The most important thing to remember when working with color … is that you still want to feel an ease of living in the room,” Baron says. “You don’t want to feel like the room is taking over.”

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MODERN MUSES

New American Home 2015 This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s model, located in Las Vegas, features the latest in smart technology.

HOME | SPRING 2015

NEW AMERICAN H e MES

New American Homes inspire smart DIY projects

t’s a custom-designed home built for the “wow” factor. And this year, it’s in Vegas, baby. Since 1984, the National Association of Home Builders has constructed America’s premier show home, an over-the-top,

BY DEBI PITTMAN WILKEY

HOME | SPRING 2015

year’s show home. With a contemporary desert design, the home taps into a growing trend to better connect people to their devices. “This year it’s specifically designed to demonstrate the capabilities of an integrated home automation system,” says Tucker Bernard, director of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the New American Home project. The home has innovations that satisfy increasingly busy people who want to stay connected to their homes via smartphones or laptops while on the road or in the office. And it has a long list of cutting-edge features that appeal to the luxury and environmentally conscious home buyer. For instance, the appliances and construction materials make use of energy-efficient technologies. These include custom desert water-saving landscaping, lowE windows (proven to reduce energy consumption), tankless water heaters, energy-efficient LED lighting and net-zero appliances. While these measures save energy, solar panels on the property generate power. In fact, the home qualifies as a net-zero energy house,

PREVIOUS PAGE, ABOVE: BLUE HERON PROPERTIES

The New American Home 2015 has an asking price of $2.8 million.

state-of-the-art, energy-efficient real-world laboratory where techsavvy homeowners, designers and builders peek into the future. The custom-designed New American Home showcases the latest products and demonstrates technical advances in home building and design techniques. A new house is unveiled every year during the National Association of Home Builders’ annual International Builder Show, which took place this year in January in Las Vegas. The high-profile event attracts thousands of people from all over the world. These forward-thinking designers and builders troop through the model dream home, taking away the brightest ideas and tips to use in their own projects back home. “The purpose of the home is for people to seek great ideas or things they can use, whether they’re designing or building a new home, or just looking for ways to improve their current home,” says Tyler Jones, owner of the Las Vegas-based Blue Heron Properties construction company and head of the team of architects, builders and interior designers who created this

NEW AMERICAN H e MES

meaning that the amount of energy used by the home equals the amount of energy created on the property. “Our goal is to always take it to the next level, and this year’s home certainly achieved that once again, not only with its open flow design for the indoor/outdoor desert lifestyle, but also to the advance technology for managing your home from your phone,” says Bernard.

These rooms and rooftop sky deck boast stunning views of the Las Vegas skyline.

BLUE HERON PROPERTIES

A Washington-based trade association, the NAHB represents more than 200,000 members. A committee of architects and builders selects the concept, architecture and interior design of each New American Home. “These homes are about reflecting a certain lifestyle, and we want to make sure everything in the home is leading-edge,” says Bernard, adding that everything on display is readily available in the marketplace. This year’s show home is nestled in the gated Sky Terrace community in the Henderson, Nev., foothills, just minutes from the sparkling Vegas strip. Overlooking the Las Vegas valley, the home is expected to achieve the highest level of certification — emerald — from the National Green Building Standard. The stringent certification process is administered by the NAHB Research Center. The home has an asking price of $2.8 million, but that gets buyers 5,891 square feet and two stories of living space, including an indoor/outdoor kitchen

NEW AMERICAN H e MES

PAST MODELS

1984 The first home was 1,500 square feet and built in Houston. SOLD FOR LESS THAN $100,000

2007 5,283-square-foot, Craftsman-style design in Orlando, Fla.

and four bedrooms. Add in a wine tasting room, home elevator, “intelligent” fireplaces, wet bars, a floating patio and a weather-sensitive irrigation system that collects rainwater and you have yourself some luxurious digs. Perhaps the best amenity is the gorgeous 360-degree view of the Las Vegas skyline and the surrounding mountains and desert from a third-story rooftop sky deck — though you could say the zero-edge infinity pool with a 360-degree spillover spa is the top perk. The home fits in well with the local real estate market, which is currently thriving. “These energyefficient luxury homes represent everything that Las Vegas is about, and that’s exactly what our higher-end shoppers are hoping to find,” says listing specialist John Gafford, who has appeared on NBC’s The Apprentice, and is broker/owner of the Gafford Group at Simply Vegas Luxury Brand realtors. “We are certainly moving toward building more and more of these high-tech, environmentally conscious homes,” adds Gafford. “That’s what we do here in Vegas.”

HOME | SPRING 2015

2009 5,000-square-foot, energy-efficient model in Las Vegas. SOLD FOR $900,000

2014 6,700-square-foot, desert contemporary in Las Vegas. SOLD FOR $3.2 MILLION

BLUE HERON PROPERTIES; PAST MODELS: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS

SOLD FOR $900,000

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NEW AMERICAN H e MES

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HOME | SPRING 2015

The concept of a “smart” home, one that communicates with devices, was first unveiled in the New American Home 2012, built in Winter Park, Fla. The trend has skyrocketed since, as consumers demand — and manufacturers develop — more affordable products that can communicate with smartphone apps. Now you can water the lawn, open and close garage doors and make sure the family is safe and secure, all from your smartphone. You can adjust the lights, lower the thermostat, unlock the doors and raise and lower the window shades, too. There are camera-equipped vacuums that keep homes tidy without you having to lift a finger, washers and dryers that can be monitored and set from your phone and camera systems with interactive devices that let you play with your pet while you’re away.

COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES

RAISE YOUR HOME’S IQ

BY DEBI PITTMAN WILKEY

NEW AMERICAN H e MES

Even better, this smart home technology has become simpler to use and more affordable for homeowners to install themselves. Today’s owners, says Tyler Jones, owner of the Las Vegas-based Blue Heron Properties, are willing to make the investment for “more convenient lives with a fully automated home. “All of this is cutting-edge,” he adds. It’s also a way for the rest of us — who can only dream of taking the elevator to our infinity pool — to bring home a little luxury from the New American Home. Today’s busy homeowners are reaching for their smartphones to stay on top of daily household tasks, whether it’s unlocking the front door for unexpected houseguests, closing the garage door after a delivery or checking to see if that last load of laundry has completed its cycle. “We’ve always taken care of our homes,” says Kevin Meagher, vice president and general manager of Lowe’s Smart Home Division, “and now, our homes are taking care of us.” Some of the hottest energy-efficient gadgets and appliances don’t break the bank, so DIY-ers can start small or go big, depending on their budget, says Meagher.

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HOME | SPRING 2015

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COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES

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HOT SPOTS

Austin This quirky, cosmopolitan city with a robust art and live music scene came in second on the U.S. Markets to Watch list. The high-tech industry is booming (Dropbox, IBM and Oracle announced major expansions in the last year), and the metro area has considerable job growth prospects, drawing millenials and others. The Texas capital saw significant urban growth (8.6 percent) over the last year, according to the ULI and PwC report. “Survey respondents and interviewees like the industrial base, the appeal to the millennial generation and the lower cost of doing business in Austin,” according to the report.

Emerging housing markets keep pace in 2015

ccording to industry experts, emerging housing markets are positioned to compete with major markets such as New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., in 2015. With lower costs of living and better-than-average employment opportunities, these up-and-coming cities may be just the place to call home. — Rachel Barron

Houston The fourth-most populous city in the country, Houston earned the No. 1 spot in the 2015 U.S. Markets to Watch list, part of a comprehensive industry report, “Emerging Trends in Real Estate,” prepared by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The pick demonstrates the resilience of the Texas economy, says Jed Kolko, chief economist for real estate website Trulia. Texas, he says, was lucky enough to avoid a lot of the pain from the housing bust. “It is less hungover than other markets,” he explains.

HOME | SPRING 2015

San Francisco The perennial top market fell to No. 3 on the list. The report notes that the decline “is likely due more to growth in the other cities than any identifiable flaw in the San Francisco market.” In fact, Northern California continues to be wellrepresented; Oakland and San Jose also make appearances in the top 20. A strong technology market, San Francisco entices investors with its vibrant urban core and growing millennial population. The multifamily and single-family sectors are also strong.

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â&#x2013;˛ High Point Market is where furniture meets fashion. The biannual event rivals New York Fashion Week in both scope and interest.

POINT Every year in a tiny Southern town, furniture fashion hits the runway BY NICOLE CREWS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT CROWDER

hen you think of high fashion, the sleepy, hollowed-out burg of High Point, N.C., is not the first place to come to mind. Yet, every October and April, the tiny town nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains transforms itself into a 10-millionplus-square-foot runway of furniture fashion that, when it comes to tastemaking, rivals New York Fashion Week. High Point is “almost like a second home to anyone with connections to the furniture market. In terms of visual merchandising trends, it enlightens all of us,” says Edward Massood, chief operating officer and owner of Thomasville Home Furnishings of New Jersey, who is a furniture buyer. For most entrepreneurs, accessory and furniture makers, what happens in High Point is make or break. It’s here at the High Point

Market that retailers and designers shop for the pieces and trends that will be sold to you, the end consumer, over the next season. “What’s great about the retail side is that we get feedback directly from the consumer, and we are able to communicate that directly to the manufacturer,” says Massood. “Premarket is huge for someone like us. It helps us preselect our inventory, and then we can see where the gaps are and modify to our market from there.”

STYLE STARS

As the largest home furnishings industry trade show, High Point is the place to be — and be seen — in the world of furniture and design. Even red-carpet stars contribute to these events. Hollywood Swank. Overture. Palace Gates. Beverly Boulevard. Patine de Royale. If these sound like projects starring actress

▲ Lisa Ferguson, trend curator for High Point Market, left, confers with Emporium Home’s designer Ashley Childers. They are admiring a modern lavender leather chair — the Mona, from Emporium Home, which costs $3,006.

Jane Seymour, it’s because they are. Together with designer Michael Amini, Seymour has debuted a furniture collection based on the concept of Hollywood glamour. “Ten years ago I was incorporating Swarovski crystals into furniture and people were laughing at me,” says Amini. “I was using gold foil and Old World designs and a lot of baroque and people thought it was over

HOME | SPRING 2015

the top. Now they are clamoring for it.” Amini adds, “Working with Jane drew in all sorts of elements. We mixed traditional furniture with her taste in jewelry and art and her love of home. It made for an elegant lifestyle mix.” Seymour says that acting in period films contributed to her aesthetic. “I try to capture the luster, glamour and the simplicity of old

POINT

◀ Displays at the High Point Market range from smallscale booths to showrooms that take up entire floors of commercial buildings.

Hollywood and new,” she says. “I’ve had the privilege of wearing some of the greatest designers, and I think furniture is often a way of interpreting fashion from other places.”

BRAND POWER

At High Point, you may see famous designers such as Jeff Lewis of Bravo’s Flipping Out and Interior Therapy and Candice Olson

of HGTV’s Divine Design and Candice Tells All. From TV star Jaclyn Smith and domestic goddess Martha Stewart to fashion designers Bob Mackie, Halston, Oscar de la Renta and Karl Lagerfeld, the entertainment and fashion industries have emblazoned their brands on the furniture world. “The furniture industry has come a long way, even in the last 10 to 15 years,” says

BIG BUSINESS

Well into its 105th year, High Point Market is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, and according to a 2014 Duke University study, it brings approximately $5.5 billion to North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foothills annually. It is housed in approximately 180 buildings throughout the area and delivers upwards of 70,000 warm bodies from more than 100 countries to town each April and October. For a week in the spring and another in the fall, the 10-millionsquare-foot-plus DMZ (Designer Mile Zone) is home to more than 2,000 exhibitors â&#x20AC;&#x201D; celebrity-licensed collections, decorative arts entrepreneurs, boutique accessory and furniture makers and established manufacturers. Joining them is a cadre of salespeople, designers, executives, PR pros, journalists and students in the field.

POINT Tom Conley, president and CEO of High Point Market Authority. “It used to be a bunch of old, white guys. Now it’s much more fashion and designer driven and, thanks to bloggers and the outreach of the Internet, it’s both globally and generationally diverse.” So what do these diverse designers, celebs and fashion gurus have in store for us this season?

◀ Tom Conley, the president and CEO of High Point Market, at the event last fall.

STYLE FORECAST

“There is a great deal of texture out there right now. I think people are really cocooning, and that texture adds depth, warmth and interest to the home,” says Lisa Ferguson, a Vancouver-based designer and curator of trends for the High Point Market Authority. “People don’t want furniture to just look good. They want it to feel good too. It’s a tactile thing.” Michelle Wiebe, a High Point style spotter and principal designer of Studio M in Tampa, agrees:

▼ Texture and layering are major trends in the home furnishings fashion world today.

Colors have taken a bit of a back seat and we are seeing more neutrals, especially in grays. We are seeing more details in lieu of color. People are responding to individual style. Ellen Gefen, a home fashion and style forecaster and owner of Gefen Productions, has studied the industry for 30 years. “Traditional looks, glamorous styles, clean lines and tight detailing translated to feeling comfortable and inviting — there’s a look for everyone,” she says.

POINT Gefen thinks consumers are shopping for investment pieces they will keep forever, (think the little black dress with pearls or diamonds) or “of-the-moment” looks that will change as quickly as the introduction of the next smartphone. “Everyone wants to bring something into their home that will make them smile, feel renewed and ... have a fresh perspective,” she says. Designer Amini, whose repertoire runs from over-the-top glamour to pared-down modern, says, “Style is very personal. You need to love what you do, and when you design for others it gets muddied. Concentrate on what you love and you will succeed. Good design needs no explanation. People see it and go ‘wow.’”

2015 TOP TRENDS

The High Point Market Authority doesn’t mess around when it comes to tracking trends. “There’s no question that fashion sets the tone for what’s happening in furniture, and that’s why we bring in the experts,” says Tom Conley, High Point Market Authority president and CEO. The organization previews trends in a modern way by first curating products via Twitter and Pinterest. Then a select group of designers, called style spotters, serve as live field guides during the event. “The market is a living breathing thing, and this group of informed individuals translates what’s happening before our very eyes and interprets where these trends are going,” Conley says. Designer Lisa Ferguson is the trend curator who reviews fashions before the market opens. Designer and style spotter emeritus Michelle Wiebe has been

HOME | SPRING 2015

in the field since the inception of the program. Here’s what they had to say about High Point’s current season:

How do you find trends? FERGUSON: Exhibitors are invited to submit their new products in a Twitter Preview chat, and my consortium of designers at Décor Mentor (a professional collaborative) curates them. We get about 10 million images, and we see where it all leads. We link to Pinterest, and then the style spotter designers and bloggers take it from there. WIEBE: Typically there are about nine Style Spotters who are fashion tastemakers from all over North America, and we try to pinpoint the hottest things to come. I preselect a lot from submissions — but then I go live. We each have a Pinterest board and we make a few dozen choice selections to post there. What is the biggest trend this season? FERGUSON: I think a high level of attention to detail is everywhere. Open the doors to a piece and you’ll see interior finishes or inlays. I think craftsmanship is the right word. Overscaling and exag-

▲ The Gunnison chair in Himalayan sheep is from Jaxon Home by Victoria Richter.

gerated sizing in say, a wingback chair, is emerging. There’s also a marbleized trend in fabric that is popping up everywhere. WIEBE: Texture is huge right now. Everything from burled woods to sheepskin to faux fur to feathers. There’s a great deal of shagreen that has a sharkskinlike texture. I’m also seeing a great deal of high gloss in the form of lacquers and acrylic furniture. Gold metallics are also predominant. Organic and fluid shapes are out there, as well as geometric shapes and honeycomb shapes. What’s the color story in today’s home furnishings? FERGUSON: Neutrals are key but they have a 3-D feel — there is nothing flat about them. Denim is playing a big role and it’s being dressed up and down. I’m seeing glimpses of green and blues on upholstery and instances of red-carpet red. WIEBE: Indigo is probably the freshest colorway. There are many neutrals, especially in the gray color story. I’m seeing pops of red and lots of one-of-akind artwork on pieces.

â&#x2014;&#x20AC; The company Laurie Bell, Fashion for Outdoor Rooms, introduced fabric fashions at the market last fall. Laurie Jenkins, left, president and designer, shows buyer Neil Perez her custom Sunbrella fabrics.

P O IN T

T U O D N STA LE S ST Y re es we c e i p great h Point e s e h T t Hig a d e t spot

HOME | SPRING 2015

COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES

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HOME | SPRING 2015

TAKE A NEW LOOK AT

Cultured secondhand and thrift stores offer more than a good value BY JENNIFER E. MABRY

E PHOTOS: RACHEL YIMOYINES

veryone from lifestyle bloggers to well-dressed celebrities has touted the value of secondhand shopping. And as more people turn to consignment- and thrift-store shopping as a way to score deals on unique items and pieces that can be “upcycled” into budget-friendly décor, the stores themselves are finding ways to enhance the customer experience. Gone are the stuffy, mildewy shops that make treasure-seeking more of a chore than a joy. At these

new thrift stores-turned“lifestyle centers,” you don’t just go to shop. You browse for that perfect period piece while sipping fresh-brewed coffee and listening to a local band. The past decade has seen a proliferation of such full-service centers. In places such as 3Fifteen Rescue Mission in Syracuse, N.Y., and Wanderlust Road in Salida, Colo., coffee, live music and wine tastings fit in with the funky, vintage finds. Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Ala., resells items discovered in, you guessed it, unclaimed luggage. But the store also

has a barbecue restaurant, coffee store and Dippin’ Dots ice cream shop — fuel for finding treasures in those lost bags, including a Versace gown and a 5.8-carat diamond! Another such center can be found at Middlebury Consignment, part of the collection of The Shoppes at Whittemore Crossing in Middlebury, Conn. It’s arguably the largest and one of the most unusual furniture consignment stores in North America. Here, you can spend “from $5 to $50,000,” says owner Dean Yimoyines. That cash can be put

The Shoppes at Whittemore Crossing in Middlebury, Conn., upper left, is home to Middlebury Consignment, upper right, arguably the largest and one of the most unusual furniture stores in the country. You can also find design help, food, drink, lush gardens and more at the four-story “lifestyle center,” bottom left. There’s a gourmet chocolate store, bottom right, on the first floor, where fresh fudge is made daily.

The lush outdoor garden at Whittemore Crossing features Italianate statues and fountains.

HOME | SPRING 2015

toward furniture, fine dining, décor, sweet treats, home accents and more, all found under one roof. Yimoyines, 67, a retired surgeon, and his wife, Linda, 60, first bought an 8,500-square-foot, post-andbeam barn built in the 1870s to use for personal storage. In 2009, they opened a store in about 1,800 square feet of the building and have expanded since to fill the building — and then some. The 20,000-square-foot center now has several floors of retail and an impressive outdoor garden complete with Italianate statues and fountains. “(I wanted) to make it look like it’d been here a long time, built with architectural

detail that most current commercial buildings don’t have,” Yimoyines says. The structure resembles buildings and farmhouses from the late 1800s, with an original stone foundation, copper flashing and gutters and a shake-shingles roof. On the first floor is a gourmet chocolate shop, where fresh fudge is made daily. Customers go for the imported truffles, too. On the second floor, there’s a 70-seat café and state-of-the-art kitchen where you can not only eat, but learn to cook — over cocktails, if you want! There’s an outdoor patio, part of the expansive backyard and lush garden. “It’s a beautiful place to

visit, (and) you can have a nice meal,” says Henry Borkowski, who comes with his wife, Toni. “It is really an all-around enjoyable, fun, shopping experience and a very cost-effective way to shop for furniture.” For those seeking to meld new and old furnishings or blend contemporary and antique pieces, experts are on-hand at Middlebury Consignment. Staff at the design center work with customers to gather swatches, review color palettes and discuss décor ideas. Linda Yimoyines says the store seems to fill a need in the community. Adds her husband, “In a way we’re an old-fashioned department store.”

RACHEL YIMOYINES; TEXTURE, GETTY IMAGES

Chef Sherry Johnson, above, instructs students during a group cooking class in The Kitchen, a state-of-the-art stop at the Shoppes at Whittemore Crossing. The four-story, 20,000-square-foot complex is owned by Dean Yimoyines and his wife, Linda.

TAKE A NEW LOOK AT

TIPS FOR FINDING SECONDHAND PIECES

DETAI MATTELS R

You’ll fin want e d what you a specify sier if you colo and de r, size sign style.

John Kauzlarich of Consign Design, a furniture and home accessories store in Seattle, writes a blog (consigndesign.us) with suggestions on how to infuse new life into existing spaces. To those new to shopping at furniture consignment stores, Kauzlarich advises: Do your research. Identify and define your own taste in design and furniture. Browse through magazines to get a better understanding of the variety of furniture styles (think art deco, midcentury modern and traditional) as well as fabrics and color palettes. You may hear decorators or shop owners use these terms in conversation. Be specific. Or at least have an idea or description of what you’re looking for (i.e. an antique treadle sewing machine or a midcentury tufted redleather couch).

PRODUCTS: GETTY IMAGES; FLEA MARKET: PAMELA KEECH

Ask. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, ask the shop owner to take your con-

tact information, keep an eye out for the item and call you if something similar comes in.

HA FINDRD-TOAn e arly 2 ITEMS 0th se

Check back regularly. The best stores are constantly receiving new inventory and swapping out existing inventory. Express yourself. Have fun. Let your creativity play out in each room of your home. Don’t get attached to trends, and don’t be afraid to mix and match modern styles with more traditional pieces. Be patient. Contemporary or common items are often more plentiful, but collectibles or antiques may take more than one trip to find.

-cen wing tu m woul achine ry d be great a find.

H P L U ST E R E S U ix OR A afraid to m

be dern Don’t match mo trar d o n a m e . with s styles nal piece ditio e fun! Hav

— Jennifer E. Mabry

9 vintage treasure troves Even in this age of online commerce, shoppers still flock to flea markets and antique shows. “Dealers come from so far away, and they bring all sorts of things,” says Pamela Keech, author of The Best Flea, Antique, Vintage and New-Style Markets in America. Here are her favorite markets from across the country.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. BROOKLYN FLEA brooklynflea.com

Keech calls this curated weekly gathering the nation’s best flea market. “It’s just the hippest thing you can imagine. You’ll find a lot of midcentury furniture, lots of vintage clothes, lots of handmade items.” It’s also where to find Smorgasburg, a gathering of 100 food trucks and vendors, making it a fun place to snack as well.

TAKE A NEW LOOK AT

CHICAGO RANDOLPH STREET MARKET FESTIVAL randolphstreetmarket.com

MOUNT DORA, FLA. RENNINGER’S FLEA MARKET AND ANTIQUE CENTER

PORTLAND, ORE. PLUCKY MAIDENS JUNK FEST pluckymaidens.com

This new-style market features old items re-made into something contemporary. “You might find that 1940s vanity that’s been painted pale pink and has glitter knobs,” Keech says.“The fan base is so broad that people come from outside the United States.”

stretches for a mile though town. “This is the grand dame of flea markets,” Keech says. “It’s rather traditional, and it’s very, very famous. It takes a certain learning curve to go there and figure it out.”

facebook.com/RenningersFleaMarket andAntiqueCenter

This weekly indoor and outdoor market has more than 500 booths. Keech recalls visiting a dealer who had nothing but antique televisions in restored cabinets, and then seeing a restored horse buggy for sale. “You feel like you’ve gone in some other world.” Three times a year, it also hosts a larger gathering called an Extravaganza. “It’s crazy big,” Keech says.

ORONOCO, MINN. DOWNTOWN ORONOCO GOLD RUSH DAYS goldrushmn.com

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO SPRINGFIELD ANTIQUE SHOW & FLEA MARKET springfieldantiqueshow.com

ROUND TOP, TEXAS ANTIQUE WEEKEND antiqueweekend.com

Every fall and spring, dealers set up shop for weeks along a 25-mile stretch of road in central Texas. While the shopping is fantastic, with everything from folk art to European antiques, the social aspect is just as intriguing. Many of the gatherings have live music and dancing — and even a martini and champagne bar. “I don’t think there could possibly be a market anywhere in the world that’s as much fun as this one,” Keech says.

HOME | SPRING 2015

Shoppers find a range of Middle America at this weekly market. “They have a lot of quilts. You’ll see early 20th-century pottery and glassware — and also garden plants and motorcycle accessories,” Keech says. There’s also vintage clothing, including wedding gowns, and jewelry fashioned from repurposed items.

BRIMFIELD, MASS. BRIMFIELD OUTDOOR ANTIQUE SHOW qhma.com

Any antiquer or vintage shopper needs to make it to this thrice-annual show, which

Although this market runs only once a year, in the third weekend of August, Keech includes it. “It’s so much fun to see the whole town putting this thing on.” You can find “a Midwest mix” of vintage cars and taxidermy animal heads.

PASADENA, CALIF. ROSE BOWL FLEA MARKET rgcshows.com/rosebowl.aspx

This gathering on the second Sunday of the month is one of the best on the West Coast, with as many as 2,500 vendors. “This one is a classic,” Keech says. “Lots and lots of vintage clothes, probably things worn in movies. There are lots of celebrity sightings.” — Larry Bleiberg

PAMELA KEECH

For more than a decade, this market at the Beaux Arts Plumber’s Hall in the West Loop has offered a wide spread of merchandise, from handmade items to vintage clothing and jewelry. “It’s very dependable for really, really smashing fashion from the past,” Keech says. The market usually runs monthly from May through December.

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THE HOME DEPOT

Ana White’s he unusual project germinated in White’s fertile brain, confidence in one packed with ideas that, each month, draw more building with power than 2 million readers (325,000 uniques, according tools developed to Compete) to her website, ana-white.com. Her DIY when she and her savvy has caught the attention of The Home Depot, husband decided to build their first which flies her to the Lower 48 several times a year to house together. conduct Do-It-Herself workshops across the country. From simple farmhouse-style coffee tables that can be completed in a few hours to complex mudroom cabinets for storing winter boots, White’s projects can be created with step-by-step instructions available on her blog. Her writing helps people, mostly women, understand that they are capable of building something on their own. “The popularity of my blog is kind of surprising, but it’s all about giving people the knowledge and confidence to follow through on their vision,” says White, a 34-year-old mother of two (a girl and boy) who wears a tool belt with the same panache that many women carry a designer handbag. “I’m all about saving money and repurposing, and that rings true with most DIYers.”

THE HOME DEPOT; THINKSTOCK

FALLING FOR TOOLS Although she spent much of her childhood in Alaska building forts from scraps of wood, White, who is part Vietnamese, was not raised to be comfortable with power tools and construction materials. She had an interest in interior design and architecture, but she pursued a college degree in computer science at Montana Tech. She considered it a “safe” degree that would always guarantee employment. But, after a few miserable years at a great job in the Silicon Valley, White returned to Alaska to figure out what she really wanted to do with her life. That’s when she met Jacob. afraid, but it was really so easy.” “On our first date, he told me about That eye-opening moment evolved into building an addition on to his garage and a confidence that simply bubbles out of doing the work himself,” she says. “I think I White on her blog and at her Home Depot fell in love right then.” workshops. “I think we, as a culture, have After the couple married, they lived moved past the stereotypes that girls must in that garage while building their play with dolls, but still there are so many 1,200-square-foot, threepeople who are simply not raised in bedroom, two-bath house an environment where tools and using plans that White construction and creativity “The popularity drew on graph paper. are a resource.” They did everything Twenty-six-year-old of my blog is kind of themselves, including Travis Smith of Hattiessurprising, but it’s all the plumbing and burg, Miss., is one of those about giving people the electrical work, with people. Not a typical knowledge and confidence the exception of some follower of White’s blog, to follow through on masonry work on the simply because he is male, their vision.” front of the house. Smith has been inspired by One day, when White her ideas and confidence. was pregnant with their “Her instructions are very first child, she was helping her easy to read, and most of the husband as he worked in the rafters projects are very simple,” says Smith, of the home. One of the two-by-fours was who found White’s blog while looking for a little long, so he asked her to cut a few ideas to build a kitchen table. Although inches off the board so he wouldn’t have to he had done a lot of work helping in climb down. communities hit by Hurricane Katrina, “I freaked out for a minute. Up until that the environmental specialist had never point, I thought operating an electric saw attempted to build anything prior to the took more muscles or something that I kitchen table. didn’t have,” she says. “All this time I was “I tinkered with her plans a bit to

tips for

saving White began building her own furniture because, as newlyweds, she and her husband didn’t have the cash to buy new. Some of her designs and projects save as much as 90 percent off retail prices. Here are a few ways to save even more money with DIY: u Shop the scrap wood piles found at most lumber yards. u Rent tools if you can’t afford to buy. u If you don’t own the right saw, stores such as The Home Depot often offer simple cutting services. u Visit Habitat for Humanity ReStore and other thrift shops. u Reclaim wood whenever you can, from a pallet or the curb. u Use less-expensive veneered hardwood plywood for most of the project. Create the frames and tops out of quality hardwood. u Use furring strips, often far cheaper than select boards, for more rustic projects.

“We were sleeping on a mattress on the floor, so I thought we just built our own house, why can’t I build the furniture I want?”

make it fit our space and was really pleased with the outcome,” he says. Total cost for a table that he completed in one weekend — $150. Smith adopted the attitude, “If I mess this up, it’s nothing permanent. I’ll just start over,” and that’s a way of thinking White encourages. Most of her projects are stand-alone pieces, so if she cuts something wrong or the color is not right, she turns repairs into an inexpensive learning opportunity. The biggest mistake newbies can make, she says, is not being fully prepared with the right materials and right tools or the proper safety equipment. She advises beginners to invest plenty of time in research and not take on too big of a project for their first effort. “I see a lot of people get very excited about a big project and it becomes overwhelming when they get into it, then everyone gets discouraged,” she says. White’s first effort was a farmhouse bed — a pretty big undertaking for a beginner. But she had gained confidence and experience in using power tools while working with her husband on their house. “We were sleeping on a mattress on the floor, so I thought, ‘We just built our own house, why can’t I build the furniture I want?’”

White’s blog provides starter, beginner, intermediate and advanced projects spanning a variety of decorating styles. Through step-by-step plans, readers can create furniture for every room of the house, as well as toys, gifts and home décor.

HOME | SPRING 2015

Her blog has more than 1,000 free design plans categorized by skill level. Readers can find instructions for everything from that original farmhouse bed to tables to wall hutches and Adirondack chairs. She has nearly 100 ideas for beginners, from simple shelves and plant stands to fun children’s toys and a great drawer insert that keeps spices organized. She also has published a book, The Handbuilt Home: 34 Simple

ANA-WHITE.COM

SHARING DESIGNS

ANA-WHITE.COM; THE HOME DEPOT

Stylish and Budget-Friendly Woodworking Projects for Every Room, now in its second printing. Despite her extensive DIY-ing, White admits to encountering challenges on her mission to make her home as functional as possible. Just recently, she installed a three-cornered cabinet in the mudroom, complete with storage for boots and shoes and a bench. It was one of the most frustrating projects she has tackled, she says. “The problem with most houses is that corners and walls are never straight and never at 90-degree angles, so my perfectly formed cabinet did not fit perfectly,” White says. She had to disassemble, cut and rebuild it at least three times before getting it right. “I was beginning to doubt myself, but I just kept at it and now it looks great,” she adds. “Never give up on an idea, and recognize that anyone is going to encounter problems.” White also encourages people to do exactly what Travis Smith did — look at her plans and tinker with them. Spend some time thinking about your style and what you want people to feel when you see the project, she says. “With the Internet, it’s so easy to get lost

White’s rolling storage cart was featured in a recent Home Depot DIH (Do-it-Herself) workshop. She hosted the workshop at an Atlanta Home Depot store, and other DIY-ers completed the project at various Home Depot locations across the country.

Ana-white.com provides free plans, including drawings, dimensions, shopping lists and cut lists for over 1,000 building projects. The plans are searchable by project type, skill level, style or room.

in another person’s style, in the look that works in their house,” she says, noting that she really likes the farmhouse look. “Find something you like and that you gravitate to. Let that be the basis of your style.” That’s good advice, says Jennifer Stockhausen, an interior designer at Vessel Architecture in St. Louis. “Personal style is very trendy in itself,” says Stockhausen. “There are no rules about what goes in your house. The only time you should be cautious about style is if you have a truly historic home and are trying to set the stage for a period of time. Otherwise, there are no boundaries about what you call home.” In addition to building furniture and other objects that brighten her home, White is all about growing her own food for her family. The two passions complement each other perfectly, thus that idea for a bookshelf-style hothouse on the back porch. “I like the upright design because it takes up less square footage,” she says. “This is perfect for urban gardeners with a patio or tiny deck or for anyone when space is a concern.” Despite the love they have for the first house they built, the Whites are beginning to doodle with plans for a new timber frame house in the Alaskan wilderness. Of course, they plan to build it themselves, but this time, Ana may be the one up on the ladder. j

Y H T R WO s e d a Upgr Y BY STACEY FREED

To get the best return on your home improvements, carefully consider the projects you take on and how they fit into the surrounding market

ou’ve just moved into a new house. Congratulations! Does it look and function exactly as you want, or are you planning on making some improvements? If you’re going to stay in the house for at least 15 years, you don’t need to worry about getting a return on investment, or ROI. But if you know you’ll move in the next two to five years, you should know that some projects pay off more than others. And don’t plan to wait until you’re about to sell to make improvements. “Upgrade and live with the benefits,” recommends Len McAdams, owner of McAdams Remodeling and Design outside Seattle. “Doing nothing is not an option. The penalty for doing nothing is very high when it comes to your sales price.”

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HOME | SPRING 2015

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In this kitchen, showcased in the book Salvage Secrets Design & Decor, the contractor used salvaged wood and recycled glass for cabinets.

One of your biggest investments should be in everyone’s favorite room: the kitchen. The new 2015 Cost vs. Value survey prepared annually by the trade publication Remodeling and the National Association of Realtors found that a midrange, minor kitchen remodel that costs on average $19,226 will bring 79.3 percent of your investment back to you. A major kitchen remodel with midrange finishes and products comes in at $56,768 and brings a 67.8 percent ROI. “Kitchens are so important (at resale),” says Mike Gaughan, a broker-owner for REMAX in Nashville. “Does

HOME | SPRING 2015

it have granite counters? Updated cabinets and appliances? You should put about 60 percent of the costs of your fix-ups into the kitchen.” There’s plenty you can do on your own, says Kate Albrecht, aka “Mr. Kate,” an interior and jewelry designer and DIY guru. Refresh cabinetry with paint (sand first to prevent peeling, Albrecht says). Keep the kitchen a neutral color and change cabinet knobs. “It’s a great fix and you can infuse personality, drama

and color with knobs,” says Albrecht. Other, lower-cost fixes include re-tiling the backsplash or re-finishing wood floors — but you may need professional help with these, cautions Albrecht. Think about storage, too. Can you create storage under a banquette, install a pantry or build shelves to park keys and bags? Maria Stapperfenne, president-elect of the National Kitchen and Bath Association and a certified kitchen and bath designer with Tewksbury Kitchens and Baths in

Think entryways, garage doors, siding, decks and window replacements.

Whitehouse Station, N.J., suggests putting in a slim cabinet to use as a broom closet or for storing backpacks and keys.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Truly the biggest bang for your buck comes from fixing up the outside of your home. Nine of the top 10 remodeling projects in the Cost vs. Value survey are exterior projects. Think entryways, garage doors, siding, decks and window replacements. The project with the highest ROI? Installing a midrange 20-gauge steel entry door (101.8 percent ROI). While the door may cost about $1,200, you can install it yourself to save money.

SUSAN TEARE/SALVAGE SECRETS DESIGN & DECOR

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And if the front entry sees high traffic, think about storage — as in a mudroom. “But you don’t want it to look like a mudroom,” says designer Paula Kennedy of Timeless Kitchen Design in Seattle. “Maybe use a bench and some cabinets, a built-in piece with doors on it or open shelving with baskets.” And, although it’s not as sexy as purchasing a granite counter top, siding brings a great return at resale. “The biggest bang for your buck is a decent vinyl product,” says Neil Sciacca, president of New Jersey Siding and Windows in Randolph, N.J. In neighborhoods where vinyl won’t fly, try higherprice composite sidings such as HardiePlank by James Hardie or Everlast by Norandex. A newcomer to this year’s Cost vs. Value list is stone veneer, which has 92.2 percent ROI. Finally, spend some time

out back fixing up your deck. You can probably DIY this at a low cost, and the resale value is worth it, especially in regions with outdoor enthusiasts or a temperate climate. “Everybody (in Seattle) has a deck or patio, and many are in poor condition,” says McAdams. “If someone’s looking to improve their home’s sale value, they should look there. A deck in poor condition is a real negative.”

LAWN AND GARDEN Studies by the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council show a 20 percent to 28 percent ROI on landscaping. The amount depends “on the appropriateness of the landscaping and the surrounding neighborhood and community,” says John Harris, landscape economist and principal with Landscape Economics, based in

Hollywood, Fla. “Mature trees tend to have the greatest impact over just re-doing your shrubs or putting in a new lawn, and a poorly maintained landscape will have a negative effect on your property value,” he says. To figure out what works for you, consider your market. You don’t necessarily have to keep up with the Joneses, but you need to be comfortably in range with your neighborhood. Do your research before starting. And that advice goes for any of your updates: “If you have a $3 million home in Beverly Hills and it doesn’t have a master suite, then you should add it,” says Coldwell Banker realtor Pat Vredevoogd Combs of Grand Rapids, Mich. “But if you have a $250,000 home in Grand Rapids and it has no master suite, well, then, that’s just it.”

Beautiful mahogany floors set off this deck by New England Design & Construction. The project included skylights, heat lamps, lighting and a grilling area backed by a stone wall.

Cost vs. value Based on the results of the Cost vs. Value survey prepared annually by the trade publication Remodeling and the National Association of Realtors, “it looks like curb appeal does more for you than interior improvements,” says Craig Webb, editor in chief of Remodeling. Several thousand realtors nationally complete the survey, which compiles estimates for 36 different projects in 102 markets. Check out yours online at www. remodeling.hw.net/cost-vsvalue/2015/. When selecting products for your renovations, keep resale in mind. Consider what’s trending and if it will still be in demand two to five years from now. Hot now are: uA neutral color palette (gray is the new white) uHardwood floors uHorizontal drawer pulls in polished chrome uShaker-style cabinet faces u Stone counter tops, especially granite, although quartz is on the rise. Your design objective should be for something timeless, says Kate Albrecht, aka “Mr. Kate,” an interior and jewelry designer and DIY guru. “Know when to stop or take things away. Use restraint. You can always add stuff.”

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Room by Room{

Make your way through the rooms, stopping in each to consider ways to bring in the latest in design and dĂŠcor.

ENTRYWAY 66

WORKSPACE 70

KITCHEN 74

BATHROOM 80

BEDROOM 85

OUTDOORS 90

The entry, foyer or front hall create the tone for your whole home. Whether formal or casual, this area should set the scene as soon as the door is opened.

SARAH RICHARDSON

Use seating and a console or side table to anchor the space. Designer Sarah Richardson, author of Sarahstyle: An Inspiring Roomby-Room Guide to Designing Your Perfect Home, shows how the pairing of a chair or small sofa alongside a credenza or sideboard can keep clutter down and present an ordered introduction to the rest of the house. Make the flooring matter. Richardson suggests hardwood, although stone is a good option. Place the flooring across the width of your entry, extending about 4 or 5 feet into the hall. Now, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s explore the rest of the house.

For a simple mudroom, add storage under a seating area. Andes bench, $399, and Leigh wall coat rack, $74.95, Crate & Barrel

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Clutter-catching storage systems are easy to install BY MAISY FERNANDEZ ina Tate had grown accustomed to the chaos that unfolded every time she arrived home with her two sets of young twins. The preschool-aged tots paraded from the garage into the sitting room, and it was there that they relieved themselves of lunch bags and backpacks, coats and shoes, mittens and hats — all of which landed in one big jumble on the floor. Not only was the result overwhelming, “it was a hazard for everyone,” says Tate, of Bedford, Mass. When she could fit the kids’ gear into the coat closet, the space didn’t work. “With four kids, it was just so much stuff,” Tate says. “It was out of control.” Many families face the same dilemma, says interior designer Tracee Dore of Louisville. Few homes have enough space in their coat closets, if they have a coat closet at all. But you don’t have to be doomed to a lifetime of stumbling over winter parkas and Spider-Man rain boots. With a little planning and a few pointers from the experts, you can make a fun and functional storage spot.

The first step to freedom: shelve up. Install cabinets or shelves on the wall to maximize storage and make use of vertical wall space, says Chris Marth, president of Closets by Design in Columbus, Ohio. Under the shelving, add a series of double coat hooks, followed by a bench with

In her own home, interior designer Tracee Dore gutted a coat closet and built cubbies for optimum storage and easy access. Baskets help contain clutter and a small area rug helps define the space.

a shoe storage area underneath, he says. Divide the spaces vertically so that each family member has his or her own spot. Of course, you can pay to have a custom-made storage system that maximizes every inch of usable space, but you’ll be looking at a bill

Isaac wooden storage entryway bench, $203.99, allmodern.com

E N T R Y W AY

A standalone coat closet is an easy addition that will turn any hallway into an entryway. Logan hall tree, $1,529.10, Ethan Allen

Nina Tate transformed a dysfunctional coat closet into a storage oasis for her four children.

HOME | SPRING 2015

Whether it’s with paint, wallpaper or furniture, you can incorporate a fun or bold pop of color to the space that helps distract from visual clutter, Dore advises. Attention to details can help showcase your style, too, says Dore, who competed on the third season of HGTV’s Design Star. Use baskets, vintage hat boxes, colorful or leather-like bins for storage on shelves. Choose funky or sleek coat hooks that reflect your personality - or even branch out by using offbeat doorknobs as hooks for backpacks and handbags. You can transform the space for each season as well. Tuck bright beach towels into shelves during the summer, or hang cross-country skis in the room during winter. “You can make it a neat little space, even if it opens directly into the kitchen or living room,” Dore says. No matter how you tackle the problem, the result may change your life. Just ask Tate, who last spring had her dysfunctional closet turned into a makeshift mudroom. Each child, now ages 4 and 6, has his or her own area with cubbies, coat hooks and bins. Nothing stays on the floor long. The kids know where to put their things and where to find them. “It looks neat, it’s easy to clean and people are always like, ‘What a great idea,’” says Tate, who had a contractor build her ideal space. “It was the best $600 we spent on the house. That was one thing I could tackle and we don’t have to fight over it anymore. Luxury is not having your kids’ things all over the place.”

DESIGN TIPS

Modern wallpaper can add a touch of fun and color. Graham and Brown majestic berries wallpaper, allmodern.com

Put those coat hooks on a salvaged wood door for an antique look.

A contrasting color can help brighten and separate the space.

Cut clutter with a storage bench that doubles as a place to sit and take off your shoes. Skyline Furniture Diamonds fabric storage bench, $219.99, wayfair. com

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM: MAISY FERNANDEZ; ETHAN ALLEN; ALLMODERN.COM; GETTY IMAGES (2); WAYFAIR.COM

between $500 and $2,000, depending on the size and scope of the project, says Marth. But it’s entirely possible to make one yourself. You can also create a unique entryway by using unexpected items. Paint an old toy chest a vibrant color and use it as the bench. Bonus: You can use it to store things. A salvaged wood door can provide a great backdrop for coat hooks, Dore says, and flea markets are great places to find such things.

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W O R K S PA C E

THE HOME OFFICE HANDBOOK Need to upgrade and modernize your workspace? Here’s a handy guide.

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BY JANENE MASCARELLA

HOME | SPRING 2015

o matter how often you conduct business from su casa, chances are your workspace could use a little refreshing. Comfortable, convenient, fashionable and functional … yes, the perfect professional home office is possible. Here’s the ultimate guide to creating a space that works for you.

STREAMLINE YOUR SPACE Maximize your vertical space to create a system that allows you to properly organize bills, paperwork, magazines and more, suggests California Closets’ chief design officer, Ginny Snook Scott. “A mix of open and closed storage leaves frequently used items accessible and gives you the freedom to hide clutter,” she says. And if you don’t have a lot of extra room to work with, it’s OK to get creative. “One popular feature of home offices is to incorporate wall beds so that the space can also double as a guest bedroom,” adds Snook Scott. “Create a multifunctional room without sacrificing the design aesthetic.”

COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES; GETTY IMAGES

INCORPORATE YOUR PERSONALITY What’s the fun of working from home if your office looks like your old cubicle? Interior designer Catherine Avery of Resovate Office Design, a design firm based in Fairfield, Conn., likes to use small dining room tables for desks, a bar cart instead of boring office cabinets and an antique hallway console for storage. “Most often, my clients ask for home office spaces that are multifunctional,” explains Avery. “For example, if they ask for a creative

area to think, I may suggest a bar/ café-height table and two chairs for brainstorming with a business partner, or a comfortable chair with a floor lamp and a side table.” Avery encourages clients to consider the image they want to project as they decorate. “What do they stand for? What are their passions and hobbies? What colors are meaningful for them? Then we choose fun accessories and art that reflect their vision,” she says.

Design itime

To incorporate your style in your workspace, Chris Marth of Closets by Design in Columbus, Ohio, offers these ideas: uAdd unique wall décor and art to set a tone for the room. You can dedicate an entire wall to this. Cyanotype print, $129, potterybarn.com

uIf the lighting in the room is bland and outdated, consider installing a cool chandelier or floor lamp. Aerin Dover floor lamp, $590, horchow.com

LIGHT IT UP Poor lighting affects how a room is used and whether or not you enjoy your time in it, says Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri, HGTV’s Cousins Undercover. Lighting is an important, yet often overlooked, aspect of home décor, and the right light can improve productivity. When undergoing an office remodel, make sure you pick lights that don’t flicker, buzz or cause an unnecessary distraction. Pay attention to how each area will be used. In an office, the brightest spot should be the table. Make it the focal point by illuminating with a bright overhead light like the 75-watt equivalent Cree LED Bulb, which is also dimmable and lasts up to 23 years, say the cousins.

uUpdate the knobs and pulls on your desk and storage units for a modern, fresh look. The color, style and shape of the hardware can make a tremendous difference. Crowned quartz knob, $24, Anthropologie

uAdd a bookshelf with books, picture frames and flowers or plants (succulents are big now) to give the room a warmer, inviting feel. These items can also serve as conversation starters.

W O R K S PA C E

ORGANIZE YOUR OFFICE Amanda LeBlanc, an organizational designer, believes your home office should be functional, yet chic. It’s crucial, she says, to create an organizational system. The “action file” is her answer to the piles of mail you receive; each should be labeled with action verbs such as “To Do,” “To File,” “To Pay.” “Now, when you are ready to go through your mail, it is already sorted and you can pay, go and file.”

30 million of us work from a home office at least once a week. As the technology continues to advance, the number of home office dwellers will likely rise.

Instant office upgrades Here are four nifty gadgets to keep you on track.

ADD SOME FLAIR This Priley Lane Dauphine Console is an elegant addition to any room or entryway. It’s inspired by the grace of Southern traditional furniture. $1,295, prileylane.com

WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is the ultimate large screen smartphone. The S Pen makes it easy to write e-mails and texts. Prices vary, samsung.com

SUIT YOUR NEEDS

HOME | SPRING 2015

KNOCK OUT DISTRACTIONS A knock at the door when you’re trying to focus can set you back. One truly smart solution is SkyBell, a groundbreaking Wi-Fi video doorbell that enables you to view and answer the front door from the convenience of your smartphone. $199, skybell.com

SEEK ENLIGHTENMENT With a sleek finish and slender curves, aerelight (powered by an energy-efficient OLED light panel) combines the functionality of traditional desk lamps with attractive features. $239, aerelight.com

COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES

If you’re on a budget, zero in on the essentials. “The most important piece is the desk chair, as we spend so much time in them,” says Avery. “Fortunately, there are great chairs at a variety of price points.” While an ergonomic chair is a critical investment, you may want to consider losing the seat all together, suggests Mark Cutler, chief designer for nousDECOR and principal of Mark Cutler Design. “A recent study claimed that sitting is the new smoking, so maybe it’s time to think about changing to a standing desk, or at least one that can alternate between sitting.”

L I T T L E Foodies can find happiness in tiny spaces BY LORI SANTOS PHOTOGRAPHY BY RENﾃ右 COMET

HOME | SPRING 2015

KITCHEN

you have a teeny kitchen, you musn’t be put off from tackling some big recipes. Trust us, some of the best chefs we know actually prefer a more compact workspace. Their advice: Utilize a variety of cooking techniques to get several things going at once. Keep your space as uncluttered as possible, and clean as you go. Here are a couple of things you can cook, all at once, even in the smallest of kitchens.

IN THE OVEN

Quiche Lorraine 10-12 SERVINGS

CRUST INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

u 1½ cups flour u 4 egg yolks u ¼ lb. butter u 4 T. grated Parmesan

PREHEAT OVEN to 375 degrees.

cheese

u Cold milk u Salt, cayenne pepper to taste, pinch of dry mustard

CUSTARD FILLING INGREDIENTS u 2 cups whipping cream

u 4 whole eggs u 2 egg yolks u Salt, cayenne to taste, pinch of dry nutmeg

FILLING u 1 lb. crisply fried bacon

u 8-10 slices Swiss cheese

TO MAKE THE CRUST, place the flour in a bowl. Then make a well in the center of the flour and place the four egg yolks, butter and dry ingredients in the well. Work the center ingredients into a paste, and then quickly work in the flour, using only enough cold milk, if necessary, to gather the dough. ROLL THE DOUGH out carefully and place it into an 11-inch pie plate, springform pan or flan ring. Take care that the dough is solid and not ripped at any point. Trim the edges neatly. Brush the surface of the dough with an unbeaten egg white, and then place the pie shell in the refrigerator to dry for at least 10 minutes. TO MAKE THE FILLING custard, lightly beat together two cups of whipping cream, four whole eggs, two egg yolks, salt, cayenne and a pinch of nutmeg. FILL THE PIE SHELL with alternate overlapping slices of crisply fried bacon and Swiss cheese and then pour the filling over the shell. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is puffed, browned and set. Allow to stand for at least a few minutes before slicing.

KITCHEN

HOME | SPRING 2015

MULTITASKING TOOLS

IN THE SLOW COOKER

Caramelized Brown Betty 6-8 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS u 3 T. solid unsalted

butter, plus 3 T. melted butter u 6 firm Bosc pears or Granny Smith apples or large ripe peaches, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces

u 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

u 1 tsp. vanilla extract u 3 cups fresh or day-old bread cut into ¼-inch cubes u ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

Compact immersion blenders make puréeing a cinch, and often include attachments that can crush, whisk, chop or grind ingredients. Cuisinart Smart Stick 2-speed hand blender, $59.95, cuisinart.com

DIRECTIONS

APPLES: THINKSTOCK; PRODUCTS: COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES

MELT THE THREE TABLESPOONS of solid butter in a large skillet over high heat until foamy. Add the fruit and sauté until the pieces just begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and mix in the brown sugar and vanilla. MIX THE THREE TABLESPOONS of melted butter and the bread cubes in a medium bowl until the butter coats the bread evenly. Scatter a third of the bread over the bottom of a 3- to 4-quart slow cooker. Top with half the fruit mixture, another third of the bread, the remaining fruit and then the remaining bread. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Drape a folded kitchen towel over the top and cover with the lid. Cook for 3 hours on high or until the fruit is bubbling and brown around the edges. KEEP WARM FOR up to 2 hours. Serve warm with ice cream, if desired. Adapted from Art of the Slow Cooker by Andrew Schloss.

Grill pans impart the look and texture of foods cooked on a traditional grill, and work equally well to turn out grilled cheese, panini and quesadillas. Le Creuset square skillet grill, $160, lecreuset.com

Cuisinart’s 3-in-1 4-quart programmable slow cooker lets you brown or sauté ingredients inside before slow cooking. $129, Crate & Barrel

KITCHEN

ON THE INDOOR GRILL

Cajun Chicken Skewers with dipping sauce 6-8 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

DIPPING SAUCE

u 4 skinless, boneless chicken

(makes 1 cup)

breast halves (about 1 lb.) u 2 T. Cajun spice blend u 1 T. fresh lime juice u 1 T. olive oil uDipping sauce

u ½ cup plain yogurt u 2 scallions, coarsely chopped u 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped

u ¼ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves or 1 tsp. dried

RINSE CHICKEN with cold water and pat dry. Slice each breast half in half lengthwise and then crosswise in quarters to make a total of eight pieces. IN A MEDIUM BOWL, combine chicken pieces with Cajun spice blend, lime juice and olive oil. Toss to coat. Cover and marinate 1 to 2 hours at room temperature or up to 24 hours refrigerated. Soak 16 bamboo skewers in water at least 30 minutes to prevent burning when grilled. PREPARE GRILL. Thread two pieces of chicken onto each skewer and place on an oiled grill, 4 to 6 inches from coals or flame. Grill, turning occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with dipping sauce.

HOME | SPRING 2015

cilantro leaves or parsley

u Salt and freshly ground white pepper

COMBINE FIRST SEVEN ingredients in a food processor or blender. Purée until smooth. Season with salt and white pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Adapted from 365 Great Barbeque & Grilling Recipes by Lonnie Gandara.

MINT: THINKSTOCK

DIRECTIONS

u 1 T. brown sugar u 1 T. fresh lime juice u ¾ cup loosely packed

B AT H R O O M

Spa

No room in your home gets as much “business” as the bathroom. Take simple steps to make your space look luxurious and feel indulgent. BY SHARON O’MALLEY

HOME | SPRING 2015

KOHLER

FROM BLAH TO

Watery blues and greens on your walls have the calming effect of a day at the spa, and make a simple bathroom look like it belongs at a resort.

START SIMPLY You’ll be amazed by how much you can improve the look and feel of a small bathroom simply by hanging plush, color-coordinated towels on wall racks or placing them on exposed shelves for all to see. Toss a matching area rug on the floor near the tub, and then pull the look together by draping a thirsty, oversized bathrobe in a similar hue over a door hook.

RAIN SHOWER A luxurious shower is the key to a spa experience at home. Instead of paying for high-cost side sprays, install a wide-face rain showerhead, and enjoy a soothing, steamy waterfall every day. $95-$259, americanstandardus.com

CONSIDER YOUR CANVAS

COURTESTY OF THE COMPANIES

ransform the most-visited room in the house with affordable luxuries that wow visitors and make every day feel like a trip to the spa. You might want to start simply; consider a coat of paint or something as easy as changing the faucet. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune. But get started, and turn that boring bathroom into pure luxury.

Brushing a clean coat of paint on the walls is not just the most cost-effective way to update and upgrade a bathroom; it’s the most effective way, period. Choose a bold color to coordinate with your new towels and vanity-top accessories, or stick with an elegant neutral, such as a creamy off-white that goes with everything. “Neutrals are timeless,” says designer Shannon Kadwell of Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Cabin John, Md. “They stand the test of all the different styles, no matter what the trend is during any year.” Maria Stapperfenne, the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s 2015 president, favors tranquil “spa” colors such as teal paired with rich browns. “Good, quality color is a very inexpensive way to get a high-end look,” notes Stapperfenne.

SEA, SAND & SKY Thick Marlo Jacquard organic hand towels add luxury to any bathroom. $10-$34.50 each, potterybarn.com

FOCUS ON THE FAUCET Just about every trip to the bathroom begins or ends with hand-washing, so the faucet is the room’s centerpiece — and a worthy investment. Skip the shiny, silvery chrome you’ll find in almost any bathroom, advises Jean-Jacques L’Henaff, vice president of design for American Standard. The well-dressed powder rooms of the rich and famous feature muted metallics such as oil-rubbed bronze or the perennially popular satin nickel. Manufacturers make it easy to mimic the premium look for less with look-alike faucets at lower price points.

F IX T U R E S Oil-rubbed bronze and a three-hole design transform a standard faucet set from plain to posh. Devonshire faucet, $378.75, us.kohler.com

Bancroft chandelier, $999, zgallerie.com

In designer bathrooms, light fixtures aren’t an afterthought; they’re carefully selected to add style, drama, whimsy and shine. They “set the tone for a really, really luxe bathroom,” says designer Teri Turan of Turan Designs in Tyrone, Ga. Turan is partial to hanging a dining room-style chandelier over a classically styled, freestanding tub. She also likes to string pendant lights on each side of an oversized vanity mirror. You can buy both luxurious lighting styles at a big-box store for no more than you’d pay for a traditional, ceiling-mounted fixture.

HOME | SPRING 2015

GO FOR THE GOOSE

BLING IT ON

TAKE STOCK

Choose a spigot with a stylish, arching gooseneck, and stay away from faucets set on metal panels. Instead, opt for the chic three-hole, widespread faucet with the spigot and hot and cold levers set right into the vanity top. If you prefer a single-lever faucet that combines the spigot with just one lever to control both hot and cold water, you’ll save even more, as these stylish alternatives cost less than the traditional three-piece set.

Accessories are to a luxurious bathroom what jewelry is to your most elegant outfit: a finishing touch that adds a glint of sparkle and shine. Towel racks, robe hooks, doorknobs, drawer pulls and even hinges shouldn’t be an afterthought. Choose reasonably priced, matching hardware in a finish that complements your sink faucets for a designer look. Don’t shy away from trendy pieces in leather or crystal.

Wood vanity cabinets look rich and feel sturdy whether they’re ready- or custom-made, but the latter can cost up to 60 percent more. The simpler the styling — smooth door fronts, for example — the more affordable. Stained wood cabinets cost less than painted and allow for easier refinishing if you want to change the look later. Pick up some satin-nickel door pulls or knobs at a big-box store and affix them to simple, stock cabinets to add a touch of luxe without paying a premium price.

Z GALLERIE; AMERICAN STANDARD

Shine the light

B AT H R O O M A freestanding tub looks like a splurge, but some acrylic and cast-iron models are available for less than $1,000.

Splurge just once

Caravan Persia vessel sink, $1,385.60, kohler.com

KOHLER

Keep your choices simple and the space uncluttered, so a single splurge on a trendy vessel sink, an elegant claw-foot bathtub or an opulent marble vanity top will create the room’s first — and lasting — impression on anyone who enters. Nobody who uses your fancy new bathroom is going to look for price tags. Find high-end looks at down-to-earth prices, and enjoy feeling pampered without worrying about how you’re going to pay for the pleasure.

PURGE THE PINK

STAY PUT

MIMIC NATURE

LOOK UP

The sky-blue, pink, avocado or harvest-gold toilet and tub that came with your 1960s- or ’70s-era house can overpower any hint of elegance you might have added to your bathroom since you moved in. Swap those last-century relics for shiny new fixtures to automatically refresh a tired room. Choose traditional, no-frills stark white for bathtubs, sinks and toilets, advises Turan, who says white fixtures “go with everything, even bisque.”

If you place new bathroom fixtures in the same spot as your old ones, you’ll save a bundle by not having to re-route the plumbing or dig up the floor. “If you go into the walls (and/or re-do the) Sheetrock and pipes and electrical, then that’s where the money goes,” says designer Jeb Breithaupt of JEB Design/ Build in Shreveport, La.

One of nature’s most luxurious contributions to home design is stone, which looks rich and durable on a vanity top or bathroom floor. Manufacturers have come a long way with ceramic, porcelain and even vinyl tiles that look so much like marble, stone or wood that you can fool your guests while saving hundreds of dollars. Can’t live without the real thing? Use natural stone as a backsplash on part of an otherwise painted wall. Or design a demure mosaic border with fancy glass.

Nothing screams “expensive” like fat strips of ornate — but pricy — crown molding around the top of the wall at the ceiling line. Keep the price in check by creating your own lavish bathroom border from two or three narrow, matching cornices. The thinner the strip, the lower its cost. Paint the group white, and “it looks like it’s one big, beefy piece,” notes Kadwell, whose well-heeled clients love the look.