07-apr-may

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

1/52

DECOR| GARDEN|TRAVEL

APRIL|MAY| 2007

Six Striking

Master Suites

Carmel, CALIFORNIAA QUAINT BIT OF THE GOLDEN STATE

Savvy SCRAM BLESAN ARRAY OF SPRING BRUNCH DISHES

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

2/52

Take rest; a field that has rested gives

abountifulcrop.~ Ovid

Spring is a wonderful time of year. Representative of refreshment andnew beginnings, it is a great time to celebrate the room where we areable to rest and catch a few precious hours of sleep each day.

Bedrooms no longer need to be a neglected room in the house, andthis issue honors these rooms and the creative designs that go beyonda simple mattress and bedside table. Also featured in this issue areLaura Swaynes delicious collection of scrambles, perfect for a springbrunch, and Karen Buteras design of Chateau Samara, an opulentestate on Californias Newport Coast.

Please enjoy this issue of Home By Design and consider it a gift inappreciation of your friendship and business. You can be assuredthat your needs will be respected and approached with the utmostprofessionalism. Please do not hesitate to call with any concerns orquestions that you or your family and friends may have.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

3/52

HOME BY DESIGN| APRIL MAY 2007 1

MOMENTS

Truesilence is the rest of the mind;it is to thespiritwhat sleep is to the body,nourishment andrefreshment.

To sit in the shade on

a fine day, and look

upon verdure is the

mostperfectrefreshment.

To look backward

for a while is to

refresh theeye, to restore it,and to render it the

more fit for its

prime function of

looking forward.

~ Wi l l i am Penn

~ MargaretFai rl ess Barber

~ Jane Austen

Refresh

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

4/52

1 Moments

4 Reading RoomThe Barefoot Home

5 Letter from the Editor

6 Cooking

Savvy Scrambles

8 Gardening

Foliage with a Tropical Flair

44 Destination

Carmel

48 Resources

DEPARTMENTS

442 HOME BY DESIGN| APRIL MAY 2007

6 STRIKING MASTER SUITES

12 Bright and Gorgeous

16 Communing with Nature and the Past

20 A Master Suite Fit for Royalty

22 Divide and Conquer

26 Home Suite Home

30 Tasteful Vanilla

SPECIAL SECTION

34 Chateau Samara

FEATURES

34

ContentsAPRIL|MAY|2007

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

5/52


APRIL|MAY|2007

EDITOR AMBER LINDROS

DESIGN NICOLA AUGUSTSON

GRAPHICS TEAM DAVID FLEISCHMAN, LINDSAY FOURNIER, MONICA LANG,

CHAD KUHLMANN, JESSI MATTISON, GLENN SANDVOSS, DEVON SCOTT-TUNKIN

CREATIVE TEAM HEATH ANYAN, PAT MONTGOMERY, SHAVAUN REED,

LAURA SWAYNE, COURTNEY TRUEBENBACH

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS RUTH CARLSON, KIM A. FUQUA, ASHLEY GRIFFIN,

DAVID KILMER, J EANINE MATLOW, CAROLYN M. RUNYON, DEBBIE L. SKLAR,

J AN WALKER, PHIL WOOD

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS ANN STRATTON PHOTOGRAPHY, HEATH

ANYAN, BERNARDUS LODGE, RICH CARLSON, CASANOVA RESTAURANT, CHRISLITTLE PHOTOGRAPHY, CHRISTOPHER DOW, CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA,

J OANN DOST, ERIC FIGGE PHOTOGRAPHY, J IM MOSES PHOTOGRAPHY, ELAINE

KILBURN, CHRIS MAYER, PEBBLE BEACH COMPANY, ALEX VERTIKOFF, PHIL WOOD

PUBLISHER BY DESIGN PUBLISHING

PRESIDENT AND CEO BRANDON LEE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER STEVE SWAYNE

V.P. OF OPERATIONS BELINDA RICHARDSON

V.P. OF TECHNOLOGY BILL WIENERS

PROGRAMMING BILL BAKER, TODD NEUMILLER, ROD ANDERSON

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR DAVE KEARBY

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER ESTEE VEDDER

ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE

11626 Tracey Road, Hayden, ID 83835208-772-8060, FAX 208-772-8061Advertising inquiries:[email protected] inquiries or feedback:[email protected]

www.homebydesign.com/editorial.html

Real-estate agents, mortgage lenders, or anyone interested in usingHomeBy Designin marketing plans should contact our sales office at 877-423-4567or visit our Web site atwww.homebydesign.com.

Home By Designis a complete custom publisher with many options to helpyou promote your business. If you are interested in more information about your owncustomized magazine or marketing programplease contact us at our sales office.Copyright 2007 By Design Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

Recipients ofHome By Designmagazine receive their subscription as afree gift ofareal-estate professional, mortgage lender, or other professional service provider.TheHome By Designmagazine programis an exclusive marketing programcreatedby By Design Publishing. By Design Publishing has contracted with its profes-sional clients to provide this free subscription to you. By Design Publishinghascontractedwith these professionals that By Design Publishingwill not use thesupplied mailing list for any purposes other than to mail copies ofHome ByDesignmagazine and other Home By Designcommunication products. Yourname and address information will never be leased, sold, traded, or used for anyother purposes.

For more information on our mailing list policy or for more information on ByDesign Publishingand our Home By Designcustompublishing program, pleasecontact us at 208-772-8060.

Home By Designmagazine is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is not intended tosolicit other brokers listings. If you are currently workingwith or in contract with another broker,please disregard this information.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

6/52


According to author Marc Vassallo, theres a new move-ment in home design: living like youre on vacation365 days a year. Todays homeowner entertains in thekitchen and eats in the family room. Our homes are finallybecoming more like our lifestylesincreasingly informal.Vassallo captures the essence of this new vacation living in hisbook, The Barefoot Home.

Theres no need to wait until you travel to your vacationhome to feel relaxed and comfortable. A barefoot home is ascasual and laid-back as your summer retreat, except itsdesigned for every day, says Vassallo. The Barefoot Homeshowshomeowners, designers, and architects how to create a homewith those same, apparently elusive, qualities we love so muchfrom our vacation homes yet leave us perplexed when we tryto create them on our own.The Barefoot Homeencourages homeowners to say goodbye

to the formal dining room that never gets used and hello to thelight-filled spacious rooms where families can cook, eat,

entertain, and truly live. The living room as formal gatheringspace is replaced by the living room as town square. Spaces areopen, informal, filled with light and texture. Rooms flow fromone to the other. Floors spill out onto decks to welcome theoutdoors in. Every space is used every day. Barefoot homesreflect our no-tie-required dress code and encourage us to pullup a chair and settle in for some quality conversation.

InThe Barefoot Home, Vassallo pinpoints the dressed-down,comfortable characteristics for which so many homeownerslong yet have been unable to capture or articulate. Using morethan 20 examples of barefoot homes from around the nation,

Vassallo explains and illustrates the five key elements thatmake a home a barefoot home.

1.Informality:Rethink each room. Identify those spacesnever used and spaces longed for. Think casual thoughtsand embrace a barefoot state of mind.

2.Openness: Cook, dine, and live in one big space. Padaround an uncluttered house uninhibited by walls.

3.Light:Think floor-to-ceiling windows. Embrace the sun.

4.Texture:Texture creates visual interest; it invites us totouch and feel cozy in its embrace.

5.House and Garden Are One:Live outdoors while livinginside. Let floors spill out into the landscape.

So relax, take it easy, and get comfortable in your barefoot home.

READING ROOM

The Barefoot Home:D RESSED D O WN D ESIG N FO R CASUAL LIVINGWRITTEN B Y MARC VASS ALLO

REVIEW WRITTEN BYK I M A . F U Q U A

Hardcover: $30

224 pages,

250 color photographs

Publication date:

Sept 5, 2006

Published by

The Taunton Press

Light and Texture:The op en interior ofclear birch cabinetryand wa ll panels isbright and airyunder the sweep ofthe high ceiling,which cants up tohigh windows onboth sides.

House and Garden Are One:The rhyt hm o f the living room ceiling

is echoed in the trellis above thedeck, creating a sense that the living

room continues into the ga rden.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

7/52


AAs I think about this issue ofHome By Designthe element that stands outto me is the personality evident in the designs.Master suites easily can beclosed off when company comes, but the person who designs his or her bedroom tofit exact tastes shows a true desire to please and pamper self, not to impress others.

Seen in these designs are also the homeowners desires to surround themselveswith their favorite objects, be they artwork, antiques, or beauty in general. The suitescan be seen as a hiding place from the world and its expectations, a place where those

who sleep there also can repose there and just be.Also not to be missed is the portrait of Chateau Samara (page 34). The beauty ofthis home and the ability of Karen Butera and her design team to satisfy the ownersRussian heritage and specific requestssuch as a home that would reflect the grandeurof the Amber Room at St. Petersburgs Catherine Palacedeserve recognition.

I hope that you enjoy this issue and are encouraged to surround yourself with a fewof your favorite things in your haven for rest. Please be sure to thank the generousperson who sends youHome By Design.

Enjoy!

Greetings!letter from the editor

Amber LindrosEditor,Home By Design

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

8/52

SavvyAN ARRAY OF FRESH AND EASY SPRING BRUNC H DISHRECIPES BY LAURA SWAYNE| WRITTEN BY KIM A. FUQUAPHOTOGRAPHY BY HEATH ANYANscrambles

SSpring seems to be the ideal season for brunch. Between Easter and Mothers Day, the calls for a fun brunch celebrationnever cease. Fresh herbs and vegetables at the ready, all you need now are a few new recipes in your cache. So if you findyourself running short on creative ideas for brunch dishes this season, Laura Swayne has put together three fresh scramblerecipes, plus some delicious, sweet scones to stand alone or serve on the side.If you find yourself needing to bring an impressive dish to an Easter brunch gathering, the Candied Ginger Scones, whichcome from a famous bakery in Los Angeles, make a tasty treat for kids and adults alike. The scrambles make easy dishes forthe kids to help with, making them a great choice for a Mothers Day brunch. Allow younger kids to participate in the cre-ation of Moms meal by letting them beat the eggs, add the cheese, and top with the garnish. Older kids will have no prob-lem handling the actual scrambling of the eggs.

Keep in mind that all of these recipes easily can be halved for a smaller group. Serve your scramble of choice with oven-browned potatoes and buttered brioche toast with jam.

LEFT TO RIG HT: ba con and toma to scramb le; pota to, o nion, and

fontina scramble; fluffy ricotta and fresh herb scramble


7/28/2019 07-apr-may

9/52

COOKING


BACON AND TOMATO SCRAMBLEThe Parmesan cheese adds a great twist! If youenjoy a little avocado on your BLT, it also makesa nice addition to this scramble.

Servings: 4-6Prep Time: 20 minutes

8 strips quality smoked bacon,

cut into 12-inch strips

3 tablespoons but ter2 shallot s, minced

12 extra-large eggs, beaten until frothy

4 Roma tomatoes, diced small

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped14 cup fresh Parmesan cheese

pinch of salt and fresh-ground pepper

Place cut bacon in skillet and cook overmediumheat until golden brown, approxi-mately 4 to 6 minutes. Remove bacon todrain on a paper towel. Discard all but 112tablespoons of bacon grease. Return greaseto heat. Add butter and shallots, and saut

for 2 minutes. Add the eggs and cook, stirringcontinuously with a spoon, scraping the bot-tomof the skillet until the eggs forma verysoft layer. Stir in the tomato and bacon andhalf the basil and cheese. Season with saltand pepper. Cook until eggs are just soft. Donot overcook. Garnish with remaining basiland cheese. Let stand for 2 minutes. Serve.

CHEESE TWIST: Replace the Parmesancheese with a mild, coarsely crumbled softfresh goat cheese, such as Montrachet.

POTATO, ONION, AND FONTINASCRAMBLEThis scramble is even more delicious with a littleof your favorite salsa on top.


2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons but ter12 small yellow onion, diced

12 extra-large eggs, beaten well

8 small red-skinned potat oes, diced

small and cooked al dente14 pound font ina cheese, shredded,

approximately 1 cup

1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley,finely chopped

salt and fresh-ground pepper t o t aste

Heat oil and butter in large pan. Add onionand cook until translucent. Add eggs, stirringcontinuously, scraping the bottom of theskillet until the eggs forma very soft layer.Stir in the potatoes, most of the cheese, andhalf the parsley. Season with salt and pepper.Cook just until eggs are soft. Garnish withremaining cheese and parsley. Let stand for 2minutes. Serve.

FLUFFY RICOTTA AND FRESHHERB SCRAMBLEThe fresh herbs make this scramble taste extra fresh!


2 tablespoons basil, finely chopped

2 tablespoons chives, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley,

chopped3 tablespoons unsalted butt er

12 extra-large eggs, beaten until frot hy

6 tablespoons low-fat ricott a cheese,

well-drained

3 tablespoons fresh Parmesan cheese,

shredded

salt and pepper to taste

Mix fresh herbs together in a small dish andset aside.

Heat butter in large pan. Add eggs, stirringcontinuously, scraping the bottom of the

skillet until the eggs forma very soft layer.Stir in the ricotta cheese and 2 tablespoons ofthe Parmesan cheese. Stir in most of the herbs.Season with salt and pepper. Cook just untileggs are soft. Garnish with remaining cheeseand herbs. Let stand for 2 minutes. Serve.

CANDIED GINGER SCONESA fabulous scone adapted from the famous gingerscones of Nancy Silverton from the La Brea Bakeryin Los Angeles.

Servings: 8Prep Time: 25 minutesBake Time: 12-16 minutes

214 cups unbleached all-purpose flour12 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon finely chopped lemon or

orange zest (about 12 lemon or orange)

112 sticks cold butter, cut into 1-inch cubes

4 ounces candied ginger, finely chopped

into 14-inch pieces to equal 23 cup34 cup buttermilk

extra cream or milk for brushing the

tops of scones

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position

and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In the bowl of a food processor fitted withthe steel blade or in the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddle attachment,combine the flour, sugar, and baking pow-der, and pulse or mix on low to incorporate.Add the citrus zest and butter, and pulse onand off, or mix on low, until the mixture ispale yellow and the consistency of fine meal.

If using a processor, transfer the mixture toa large bowl. Stir in the ginger. Make a wellin the center and pour in the buttermilk.

Using one hand, or low speed on mixer,draw in the dry ingredients, mixing untiljust combined.

Dust hands with flour. Turn the dough outonto alightly floured work surface and gentlyknead a few times to gather it into a ball.Roll or pat the dough into a circle about34-inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges. Place wedgesevenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking

sheet. Brush the tops with the remainingcreamand sprinkle with sugar. If you prefersmaller scones, divide dough into 2 balls,flatten each to12-inch thickness and cut eachinto 6 wedges.

Bake for 12 to 16 minutes, until the surfacecracks and they are slightly browned.

CHEFS HINT: If you dont have buttermilk,substitute regular milk and 2 tablespoonswhite vinegar and stir.

WINE: Dry, crisp, effervescent Cava, aSpanish sparkling wine, matches perfectlywith most egg dishes. Mix it half and halfwith orange juice for amimosa, if you like.

TEA: Add apitcher of iced green jasminesweet teaor iced blueberry zinger sweet tea.For each, boil 112gallons water; removefromheat. Add 1 cup sugar and stir untildissolved. Steep 2 flavored teabags and 2regular teabags for 20-30 minutes.Chill and serve.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

10/52

FlairWRITTEN BY PHIL WOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHIL WOODfoliage with

a tropicalThe tropical style, featuring plants with bold textures and

vibrant colors, burst upon the gardening scene a decade or soago. Not a fad that has run its course, it is still relevant; theideas behind the style can add both drama and fun to our gar-dens. We can borrow the best elements of tropical style andmake them our own.

You may have experimented with tropical foliage in yourown garden. If not, you have probably seen the style in maga-zines and newspapers, in container displays at nurseries, or ata friends garden. Tropical style can go beyond plant choicesand include accessoriestiki torches, anyone?and architec-tural features such as entry gates festooned with palm fronds.


7/28/2019 07-apr-may

11/52

GARDENING


In planting design, the tropical style stretched the bound-aries of what we could do in a garden, added a wider range oftextures and colors to our design palette, and made us see thatfoliage can be as important as flowers. By adding this new sen-

sibility we can create richer gardens, even if we dont want tocopy a tropical look. To enliven a dull composition of small-and medium-sized leaves, add the contrast of a few large-leafed plants, such as the tiger-striped foliage of Cannapretoriaor the jagged-edged ornamental rhubarb(Rheum palmatum).

Part of the tropical look involves zonal denial, growing plantsthat may perish in an arctic blast but are worth taking a chance.

The country has been divided into zones fromone to ten by theU.S. Department of Agriculture. By using plants that are taggedfor a warmer zone, you can expand beyond the familiar.

In colder areas of the country, many tropical plants are best

grown in containers and either discarded in the fall or protect-ed in the winter in a place that stays above freezing. Containersprovide a suitable home for tropical plants no matter what theclimate. Most tropical plants are fast growers. Put them inpots in the spring, give them plenty of fertilizer and water, andthey will be splendid by midsummer and into the fall. Add thecolorful foliage of coleus; the wide range of colors availablewill add sparkle to any container.

Bananas have the ultimate tropical foliage. The hardiest isJapanese banana (Musa basjoo). In zone seven and warmer,Japanese banana usually will come back from the roots if

frozen to the ground. Red Abyssinian banana(Ensete ventricosummaurelii)needs more protection. Either wrap the stem withinsulation in the winter or dig it up like a large bulb, place itin a pot, and keep it above freezing in a garage or cool green-house for the winter.

If you dont want to push the zonal envelope and still wantan exotic feel to your garden, explore the range of plants thatlook tropical but are hardy even in a cold winter. Many bold-textured perennials are hardy in cold climates because thefoliage dies to the ground, only to charge exuberantly out ofthe ground in spring. Hostas, some with huge leaves, are a

good example. Ferns add a tropical look, too. Bears breech(Acanthus mollis)has large leaves and exotic spikes of flowers.For the largest leaf of all, plantGunnera manicata. In a wet spot,a single leaf can reach 6 or more feet across.

Plants with spike-shaped leaves add contrast. New Zealandflax (Phormiumspecies and cultivars) is indispensable for itssword-shaped foliage and bright colors. Give this plant roomin your beds; it can reach 6 feet in height and width. In coolerareas, it will add panache to a pot.

Palm trees definitely speak of warmer climes. The hardiestpalm is Chinese windmill palm(Trachycarpus fortunei), hardy to

zone seven. If you live in a colder area, grow them in pots andput on the deck or into your garden in the summer.

Grasses add a lush linear form that can look tropical.Japanese silver grass(Miscanthus sinensis)with its many cultivars

can add color, too. Zebra grass(Miscanthus sinensis Zebrinus)has horizontal yellow stripes on a green background. GiantMexican feather grass(Stipa gigantea)adds a rush of fireworkswith its airy see-through seed heads.

When placing bold plants in the garden, arrange them formaximum contrast, spiky leaves playing off round ones, largeleaves in relief against small ones. You may want to try tropical-looking plants in just one area of your garden such as around aspa, or you can carry the bold foliage throughout.

Short of a trip to Hawaii, adding the accent of tropical foliageto your garden can be like a vacation in your own backyard.

OPPOSITE: (Clockwise from left) Houseplants can spend the summerout of doors and add a tropical touch to a container. Backlit by thesun, the foliage Canna 'Tropicana' shows off its stripes and purplehues. Coleus in a container brings bright tropical colors to this patio.

ABOVE:The seed heads of giant Mexican feather grass shoot likefireworks from the euphorbia at their base.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

12/52

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

13/52

SixStrikingMasterSuites

IIt may be the most health-restoring part of life

that we avoid. We labor away trying to finish a

project, tidy a room, make a phone call, read a

bookall activities that are good in essence,

but, when compared with sleep, they offer

small benefit. Consider the value of a suite that

invites you to repose, take a deep breath, and

let go of your worries from the day.

The bedrooms and the accompanying bath-

rooms profiled on the following pages are justthata place for their owners to retreat from

the world and let down their guards. We hope

you enjoy the stories behind the designs and

are inspired to create your own little oasis

from the world and its cares.


7/28/2019 07-apr-may

14/52

Bright and GorgeousAN EXPANSIVE MASTER SUITE BLOSSOMS INTO A RESTFUL RETREAT

The bedroom as a sanctuary. Thats the simple idea behindinterior designer Cami Fortes work at this Spanish estate inLos Angeles. The home itself combines Spanish Colonial andAndalusian architecture with Moorish influences to create alook that transported designer Cami Forte back to the glam-

orous days of old Hollywood.For the interior design, however, Forte stepped back fromthe glamorous architectural structures and moved towardwarmer design schemes. In doing so, she met the homeown-ers desires, creating an immaculate bedroom, attached sittingroom, and bathroom for their rest and rejuvenation.

I wanted the rooms to feel as if they belonged with thearchitecture, yet I did depart from designing an entire SpanishColonial-feeling room, as the owners didnt want the room tofeel entirely Spanish or Dark, she says.

Forte departed from the darker Spanish Colonial design by

filling the room with light colors and gorgeous furniture. Freefrom television and distractions, natural light spills from theFrench doors and windows, highlighting the lines and charac-ter of the area. The rooms have become many things throughFortes innovative work: They provide a space for the home-owners to lounge, read, take a soak in the tub, or enjoy theoutdoors on a balcony that overlooks the backyard and pool.

Forte transformed these rooms from a mere living space toa pristine sanctuary with careful attention to details such as thecolor scheme. We filled the room with warm creams and icysteel blue tones to accomplish this restful feeling, she says. I

wanted it to feel as if you could be anywhere in the worldwhen you were in this room, as if you were in a beautiful hotel.

Like the rooms of many well-designed hotels, Forte com-partmentalized the master bedroom into two distinct areas. Inone, she designed a place for rest and in the other a place for

relaxation, though she decorated both using the same warmcolor scheme. In the bedroom, cream Frette linens mesh wellwith the natural light. The sitting room utilizes the same shadewith a custom slipcovered linen sofa and nineteenth-centuryItalian gilded, muslin-upholstered armchairs.

Attached to these two rooms, the bathroom brings its ownattributes to the space and draws the eye in with aclean, invitingdesign. I definitely wanted the sitting room and bathroom tofeel like an extension of the bedroom, says Forte. I also wantedthe bathroom to be a focal point.

Forte used wrought iron pendants with alabaster glass and

wrought iron gold-trimmed sconces to light up the room. Shealso fashioned little cabanas out of linen draperies to providedistinct sections within the bathroom.

The bathroom, with the separate cabanas of cream linenfabric separating the water closet, shower, and bathtub, feels asif you are not really in a cold sterile bathroom but in a warmcomfortable room with a chaise lounge to relax on, she says.

Though each room serves a distinct purpose for the home-owners, Forte challenged herself to create a fluid designbetween the spaces. I hate to see one room in one color andtheme and the next in something totally different. It is very

WRITTEN BY ASHLEY GRIFFIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER DO W


7/28/2019 07-apr-may

15/52

In a room that departs from thehomes Spanish-style exteriordesign, Forte used warm hues anda four-poster Kerry Joyce beddressed in cream Frette linens tocreate a sanctuary within the home.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

16/52

A large, ornate chandelier adds characterto the sitting room, designed to providea space for reading and relaxing outsidethe master bedroom.


Withstyleandgrace, Forte makes designingasanctuarysound effortless.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

17/52


distracting to me, she says. The adjoining rooms do not necessarily have to mir-ror [one another] but be continuous of the design and color scheme.

In designing the master suite, Forte used furniture and artwork that made gooduse of the space while creating a flow between the rooms. They also served to addintimate, characterizing details to each room. She found the furniture at her mosttreasured and fabulous sources in the local area. She also managed to find artworkthat matched the rooms color palette. The artwork in the room was beautifuland such a find to get the exact wonderful hues in a painting that we were work-ing with for this project, says Forte of the artwork she used from NiermannWeeks and the Intaglios from Italy by Dessin Fournir.

With style and grace, Forte makes designing a sanctuary sound effortless. In

truth, designing a bedroom poses specific challenges, each of which Forteaddressed in the preliminary stages of the design.

We definitely go down a laundry list of likes and dislikes before we design aroom or house for a client, especially a bedroom, where you spend so muchof your time, she says.

In her pursuit of achieving the best possible design for aclient, Forte asks specificquestions such as whether the clients read in bed, take baths or showers, or wantto have a television in the bedroom. If they do watch television, she wants to knowwhether they watch it from bed or from a sofa. She also wants to know their mat-tress, bedding, and color preferences.

Not surprisingly, the process of designing such a private space is intensely per-

sonal and is quite alengthy project. Fromstart to finish, designing this master bedroomwas a six-month project, and one that cost in the $200,000 range. We sparedno expense, Forte says.

Like any good designer, Forte and her team do everything possible to stream-line the process and make it an enjoyable experience for both designer and home-owner. We will definitely also help along the way making suggestions, she says.After doing so many homes for people, you definitely begin to feel there is aformulafor these types of design issues to ensure that the owner is absolutely comfortableand at peace in their new environment.

Satisfied, at peace, and relaxed in a sanctuary to call their ownwhat morecould two homeowners ask for?

Forte created cabanas with cream-colored linenfabrics that separate the water closet, shower, and

bathtub and serve to enhance the comfort andwarmth within the bathroom

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

18/52

The handcrafted wrought iron head-board serves as a subtle focal point

for this master suite, which wasinspired by Santa Barbara style.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

19/52

Communing withNature and the PastWRITTEN BY CAROLYN M. RUNYON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC FIGGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Timeless ... classic ... with a 1920s Santa Barbara flair. Lush

tropical greenery and unencumbered doors and windows thatdraw the eye to multiple exterior courtyards in this breathtak-ing canyon location in Orange County, California. David-Michael, of TRIO Design Group, combines all these elementsto create a master bedroom suite that evokes warmth, history,and, most of all, comfort.

My clients love the California Riviera lifestyle, heexplains. And, their home is situated in a beautiful area,brushed by the ocean trade winds and within a private enclavecommunity that invites participation in the living areas thatsurround the house. It was a natural decision to communicate

with the outdoors in designing this master bedroom suite.The classic Santa Barbara style was the direct inspiration for

this David-Michael design. Santa Barbara style is a combina-tion of Tuscan and Spanish Colonial Revival influences, henotes. I am a historic preservationist, so this master suitereflects my desire to meld the past with the present. It uses atimeless color palette that includes rich dramatic colors likesienna, ochre, cobalt, raw umber, artichoke, and copper andhas wonderful textural accents like aged wrought iron, hand-hewn woods, woven grasses, tarnished copper, tropical lushgreenery with succulents, and earthenware pottery.

The large arch-shaped, handcrafted wrought iron head-

board is a dramatic central focus for the room, yet it does notdetract from or overpower the other rectilinear elements andcurvilinear lamps or the wrought iron console. These interest-ing, and often contrasting, shapes are enhanced by the chal-lenging variety of wood tones and a mix of textures, both hardand soft, to create a true balance of elements.

I love the visual of sheer curtains blowing in the canyonbreezes, says David-Michael. My choice of a copper-tonedsheer fabric casually sewn onto iron rings and hanging on a dec-orative iron pole adds the necessary softness needed within thismore masculine space. It is important to me that there is a good

balance between the yin and yang in every roomI design.One of the hardest things for people to do is to step out of

the expected and let the room tell its own story, David-Michael says. Most people feel everything should match. I ama big fan of mixing it up, and I am not afraid to use multiplewood finishes, he explains. It would be a boring story if everypiece in a particular roomwas coordinated to match perfectly.

In addition to mixing textures and finishes, David-Michaelloves to blend traditional, historic styles with modern influ-ences. The loveseat at the foot of the bed is a transitionaldesign that bridges the classic 1920s styling of the room with


7/28/2019 07-apr-may

20/52


current design trends, he explains. The cushion is fabricatedas a bench seat so that it is comfortable for two people to relaxon without having separate cushions to constantly adjust. Thefabric is a textural tone-on-tone geometric-cut velvet withsuede bolster pillows. Subtle, neutral, yet introducing new

tactile elements.Plants always add an important natural accent by bringingan additional dimension of life and serenity to a room. The lushgreen that the large tropical leaves of the White Bird ofParadise provide is gorgeous and cant be duplicated, accord-ing to David-Michael. The succulents within the room areplaced there because of my love of water-conscious plants(eco-friendly) and the aesthetic they provide with their inter-esting shapes, he adds.

The room also links to the outside living spaces throughtwo sets of French doors on opposing sides of the bed space.

One leads to an interior courtyard with beautiful over-scaled, handmade Spanish urns that are a part of a tranquilwater feature that lulls the homeowners to sleep. Another setleads to a private covered porch with exposed wood beamceilings and a spa.

The rug is one of David-Michaels custom designs and wasinspired by a combination of the classic quatrefoil motif inter-sected by the shapes of a linear wrought iron fence that thedesigner saw in Italy. Rugs ground my designs and allow theroom to visually expand itself. From a practical point of view,it is pleasant to have a nice, soft, warm surface to step on when

getting out of bed, he notes.The master bedroom and the bath are tied together bymeans of the hand-hewn walnut floors that run throughoutthe space. The bath reflects the overall styling in the bedroomwith its palette, wrought iron touches, and overall mood.

The glazed terra cotta tile countertop in a solid bisque colorpicks up the colors of the bedroom. The hand-paintedSpanish tile accents are in the style of classic Malibu andCatalina historic homes from the early 1900s. David-Michaelexplains, It was important to keep the mood of a 1920sSanta Barbara-style interior, so I utilized the glazed terra

cotta tiles. It would have been incongruous to use somethinglike solid surface countertops.Within my design style, it is important to me that there be

a good balance between the yin and the yang. This is even morein a bedroom, where we need to create the calm, comfortableenvironment a bedroom should be. Masculine and feminineinfluences, current and historic styles, the balance and con-trast of different wood tones, richly subtle and deep accentcolorsall come together in harmony and effect the balancethat is necessary for a welcoming retreat.

Within mydesign

style, it is important to

me that there be agoodbalancebetween theyin and the yang. This is even

more in a bedroom, where

we need to create the calm,

comfortableenvironment a bedroomshould be.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

21/52

The hand-hewn walnut floorsand the bisque-colored terra

cotta tiles tie together the two

rooms of this master suite.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

22/52


There is a lot more to Kentucky than horse races and blue-grass.Thanks to interior decorators Cindy Alberding Druinand LesaBuckler, of Details Interiors in Louisville, one particularhome in this city has a master suite to swoon.

Measuring more than 6,700 square feet, the two-storyhome built in 2006 is located in an upscale community in

Louisville. It also was recently one of the featured homes atHomearama, a parade of homes that pools together, show-cases, and judges the work of the areas top designers andbuilders. What makes this home truly extraordinary, however,is its master suite, which alone is more than 500 square feet.

The Home Builder Association of Louisville awarded usBest Use of Interior Trim and Best Lighting during its pre-liminary judging, Alberding Druin says. Then we won FirstPlace Grand Award, Interior Design, and our builder alsowon for Best Builder.

Alberding Druin also says Details Interiors designers were

chosen to work their magic inside this home because the firmis well-known for being purveyors of beautiful, custom drap-ery and fine home furnishings.

We just wanted an elegant look, something unique andslightly masculine for the master suite, she says. Most of theshowhouse work we have done lately has been very feminine,and this time we wanted to show the public that a masculinelook can be achieved. It also shows that even though it is mas-culine, it can be pleasing to the fairer sex.

For the bedroom, Alberding Druin says she opted for colorsof warm, pale gold and a deep juniper, with just a hint of ruby

to carry in the color schemes fromthe public areas of the house.The master bedrooms overall theme is ornate, which clear-ly shows in the master suites bed. The large king-size bed hasa decorative bed skirt that is actually an upholstered footboardand siderails made from silk.

The scrolling is very ornate in that it is fancifully shaped,and thats where the masculine feel comes in, she shares.

As for the bed covering alone, it is all fabricated in a rich silkexcept for the centerpiece, which is Pindler & Pindlers Dumas,an embroidered piece of fabric featuring a rampant lion device.

Its alion turned sideways, and he is standing on his hind feet,

and his claws are bared,she says. I used the juniper color becauseit was rich, and I wanted the heavier appearance. This was actual-ly the starting point of our work, and the builder loved it.

The Romanesque Half-Tester Corona with beautiful silkbed hangings offers lovely hardware and carved mouldings.

The headboard is upholstered and dressed in paisley silk in

multicolors of green, red, and gold.That particular juniper color was discontinued shortly

after we planned this room, so we had to make due with a lim-ited supply of it, hence working in the rich colors of the silk.Everything on the bed is silk, so you would not want to sleepwith the spread or shams, but who does anyway? Everyone Iknow pulls those down and sleeps with an eiderdown.

Beneath the bed coverings, there is a luxurious set of sheetswaiting to lull the imagined homeowner to sleep.

We thought by creating a masculine room, it might actual-ly bring out the romantic in some men, she shares.

As for the two nightstands, they are mirrored pieces reflecting the1930s, as is the vanity, both fromLillian August and Drexel Heritage.

The entire room is very lush and tends toward the elabo-rate, but in a modern way, she says.

As for the luxuriant drapery in this master suite, AlberdingDruin chose hand-turned and sewn drapery, designed byDetails and fabricated by its own workroom, The French Pleat.

It has Bristol pleats at the header, and they are slightly pud-dled at the floor in juniper. We pulled them back with beauti-ful tassel tiebacks and added custom hardware, she says.

In addition to the master bedroom, Details Interiors

designed the master bath, a room that also screams luxury.For example, it has carved Tuscan tiles and beautiful goldsilk drapery mounted over the Whirlpool tub as well as customcabinetry that was painted and glazed.

There is also a barrel-vaulted ceiling and plenty of hand-built cabinetry for extra storage space.

All the ceilings in this house are fabulous, she says. In fact,each room has some form of a special treatment including pan-eled, coffered, barrel vault, or groin vault. They are all veryhigh and have deep mouldings, but as formal as the home is ittruly is very livable and touchable.

A MasterSuite

FitforRoyaltyWRITTEN BY DEBBIE L. SKLAR| PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM MOSES PHOTOGRAPHY

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

23/52


The entire room is

verylushand tendstoward theelaborate,but in amodernway.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

24/52


Divide and ConquerA LUXURIOUS BEDROOM SUITE SUCCESSFULLY SERVES MULTIPLE PURPOSES

WRITTEN BY JEANINE MATLOW| PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHY

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

25/52


THIS PAGE:The back of thesubstantial headboardacts as a divider forthe room, allowing fora small office area.

OPPOSITE PAGE:The king-size bed floatsin the center of theroom, creating drama inthe sophisticated space.

WWhen faced with challenges in his profession, Zach Azpeitia is not the least bitintimidated.In fact, the designer for Pineapple House Interior Design in Atlanta,Georgia, views obstacles as opportunities to come up with new and creative solu-tions. This can keep your designs fresh and unexpected, Azpeitia, a formerlandscape designer, says.Fresh and unexpected can certainly be used to describe the incredibly luxuri-ous master bedroom in Atlanta, designed by Azpeitia. For this particular space, thedesigner explains that the bed was the focal point and dictated the design conceptfor the room. So, he took the already dramatic king-size bed a step further withthe unique placement of the exquisite custom piece.I wanted to dramatize the lines of the fully upholstered bed by floating it in the cen-ter of the room,Azpeitiasays. This also created two distinctive areas in the room.

Placing the bed in the center of the room allowed the designer to create anoffice area, complete with an antique writing desk and leather ottoman. But thisis no ordinary office space. By using the substantial headboard as a divider for thespace, the defined area is cleverly set against the back of the bed. The well-designed workspace bears a resemblance to a foyer.

Another point of interest is a nook originally intended for a built-in entertain-ment center. The awkward space may have posed a challenge for some. But withAzpeitias keen eye it has been reconfigured into a private reading niche that actsas a room within a room. Walls within the cozy spot are upholstered in caramel-colored linen and lightly tufted. Soft draperies allow a person to read without dis-turbing anyone who might be sleeping. Old-world sconces were added to makeit warm and inviting, Azpeitia says.

To help balance the vast elements in the room, such as the 14-foot ceilings, thereading niche, and the king-size bed, a 19th-century British landscape oil paintingwas placed along one wall. The darkness of the oil also added depth to the roomand draws your eye across the room as you come in, Azpeitia explains.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

26/52


Fine antiques enhance the already rich room by adding

another layer of warmth. Nineteenth-century pieces, includ-ing an English lap desk, maple-framed mirror, and antiqueboxes were incorporated into the design. An 18th-centuryFrench wing chair found a new home in the bathroom. And agenerous antique rug from India anchors the large bed in themiddle of the room.

While the antiques add a rich history to the newly designedspace, elegant reproductions, such as the bed, blend seamlesslyinto the grand scheme. The bed, upholstered in a camel-col-ored suede, was inspired by an English Williamsburg wingchair. At the foot of the bed, a reproduction piece was fashioned

after an antique English trestle bench. The leather chair,Azpeitia says, is a transitional take on a traditional wing chair.Repetition strikes a soothing note in the master bedroom

design. The curves of the armchair echo the curved shape ofthe bed. A series of oil paintings depicting landscapes provideoutdoor views, offering a great way to start the day. Lampswith pleated shades create a cohesive look throughout.

Because of the English Manor-style architecture and thedeep, rich color palette, Azpeitia says the overall design of thespace lends itself to masculinity. Even so, the well-appointedbedroom does reveal a softer side.

Balance is always the key to any good design, he explains.

Drapery panels, spanning the entire room on black iron hard-ware, consist of a tone-on-tone linen damask, framed with achocolate mocha linen border. A trio of pillows lightens up themood while adding pattern to the many solids.

Symmetrical and asymmetrical touches coexist effortlessly.A pair of lamps may flank the bed, but they rest on differentend tables. One is a round cherry pub table and the other asquare French occasional table. Its nice to coordinate, notmatch your end tables, Azpeitia says, which gives the room amore collected feel.

Walls throughout the intimate space are covered with tex-

tural interest. Camel suede wallpaper was chosen for the mas-ter vestibule while an antique gold grass cloth was applied inthe master bath. I believe texture is what adds distinction andcharacter to a neutral color palette, Azpeitia says. For themain area, a faux finish was created from layers upon layers ofpaints, waxes, and glazes.

Every inch of the handsome bedroomreceived great atten-tion to detail, including the ceiling. I dont ever paint a ceilingwhite, Azpeitia explains. I typically paint it the same color asthe wall or in a similar tone. The designer does not want toattract attention to a ceiling, he says, unless there is some fabu-

lous architecture up there. The neutral ceiling provides a sharpcontrast to the crown molding that already existed in the room.The end result is a room that manages to be both elegant

and inviting. That winning combination is something PineappleHouse strives for in the firms impeccable designs. Ourdesigns are developed around sophisticated elegance and func-tionality, Azpeitia says.

So, what does the creative mastermind behind this masterbedroomdesign think no bedroomshould be without? A beau-tiful piece of artwork that evokes a memory fromthe past,Azpeitiasays, whether it be afamily vacation or aloved one.

Fine antiques enhance thealready rich room

by adding another layer ofwarmth.

Sconces peek out frombehind the draperies inthis cozy reading nook.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

27/52

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

28/52


Home Suite HomeA LAKE ONTARIO BEDROOM ECHOES THE FINEST HOTELSWRITTEN BY DAVID KILMER| PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELAINE KILBURN

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

29/52


When Larry Gladstone pines for his favorite hotel suite, hedoesnt have to go far. Instead of ringing up the reservationsdesk and flying across oceans, he simply checks himself intohis Lake Ontario getaway.

The Toronto businessman has found a way to bring the OldWorld to the new. His waterfront home is created to be sparseyet comforting in the manner of Europes best hotels.

Located on the lakes north shore, the community of PortCredit is known as the Village on the Lake, part of the city ofMississauga, west of Toronto.

Its here that Gladstone retreats in between travels toEurope. In his favorite hotels in Milan and Paris, hes discoveredvarious inspirations and brought them home.

I came back with ideas, and my designers found a way toincorporate those ideas to create the lifestyle I was looking for,

the owner says.His wishes came to life in the hands of Eric McClelland ofFleur-de-lis Interior Design Inc., a Toronto firm known forclean modern concepts.

It was vital that this home be state-of-the-art, McClellandsays. This home needed to have all the modern luxuries of aboutique hotel.

During his travels, the homeowner would take photos andscribble notes when he found something he liked.

We would take that concept and fit it into his space and theproducts that were available to us in North America, the

designer says.Fleur-de-lis, a collaboration between McClelland andPeter Lunney, has built a reputation on interiors that allowthe clients tastes and personalities, combined with the cre-ative use of materials, to balance each other in classic yetinnovative designs.

The firms projects are characterized by attention to details,custom millwork, exotic materials, and creative lighting, alwayswith a dose of ingenuity and flair.

For Gladstones home, they used a series of simple playfulforms to create the desired effect.

The homes theme of the worlds greatest hotels is echoedmost strongly in the master bedroom and bath, an exquisite800-square-foot space in the 3,800-square-foot home.

Here, the concept of elegant open space is explored to bestadvantage.

A beautiful curving glass door introduces the bedroom,moving aside on exposed tracks for a dramatic entrance.

The bedroom is reduced to pure essentials. All furnishingsare built into the designnot even a chair intrudes. One of thedesign challenges was to make such a spartan space warm andwelcoming to guests.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

30/52


I wanted it very user-friendly and inviting, the owner says.Although its very highly designed, I also wanted to make sureeveryone who came into the space wasnt alienated and thatthey were entirely comfortable.

To create this welcome in the master suite, the designers ele-vated the floor under the bed and lowered the ceiling above it.

Those simple changes created a wonderfully intimate sleep-

ing space, McClelland says.MicroStar low-voltage accent lights border the mirrors

above the bed, and footlights set off the elevated platformbelow. All lights can be controlled for a variety of atmospheres.

The lighting is one of the biggestwowfactors in this house,the designer says. It helps define certain areas within thehomedividing space within the open spaces.

With its proximity to water, the home reflects a nauticaltheme. The designers used a great deal of stainless steel andchrome, with circular motifs reminiscent of the portholes ofan old-time ship.

Its wonderful to interact with a young-at-heart client whoswilling to take risks and willing to see concepts through with-out a lot of interference, giving guidance but not dictating everysingle screw and knothole along the way, McClelland says. Theconcept had to be held true. Not every client can see the broadpicture like this one can.

Wood has a special place in Gladstones home. A rich darkwalnut is used throughout the floors. Furnishings and accentsare created in oak thats been whitewashed and slightly aged.

The light-hued oak was inspired by the owners visit to ArmanisItalian showroom.

We again took his cue and went with a lighter color, awashed wood with a lighter feel, says McClelland, who praisesthe workmanship of the home throughout.

One of the keys to success is the quality of the millwork,because everything is built in, he says. Doing curved millworkis not an easy feat. There was a whole lot of process going on,and we relied on the skills of master craftsmen to pull it off.

The wall covering is Thai silk cloth by Jim Thompson,which gives a warm and cozy feeling from its rich texture.

That feeling is emulated in the Jack Lenor Larsen blinds madefrom raw silk. The bedding is entirely custom, created in a

variety of velvets and chenilles.The bedroomis partnered by an equally stunning master bath.Putting in adoor between the two rooms would have been sacrilege.Instead the spaces merge, joined by an elegant two-sided fireplace.

The bathroom features a Mexican limestone floor and match-ing limestone vanity tops. The shower is a piece of art all itsown, and one of the homes most commented-on features. Theshower curves to match the shape of the bed platform, and theshower walls are segmented, dissected by fins of glass.

The linear breakup of the glass provides some privacy butstill maintains the open feeling, McClelland says.

The walls of the shower, visible on theleft, are dissected fins of glass and provideviews through the master bedroomswindows of Lake Ontario.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

31/52


From inside the shower, one can look out through the bed-room windows to the lake.

The master bath is finished with agooseneck faucet, matchingtapestry, sunken mirrors, and bulkhead lighting.

It has that clubby hotel-paneled feel, the designer says.Next to the toilet is a dividing wall providing storage for

magazines and a ledge for a coffee cup and the morning paper.A very liveable feature is the walk-through from the bath-

room to the laundry room. In a clever bit of utilitarian

design, towels can be thrown directly from the shower intothe washing machine, and clothes folded and placed into thewalk-in closet.

This is very user-friendly and something Ive appreciatedimmensely,Gladstone says.

Each time he returns home, he appreciates his private hotelanew. Its a wonderful collaboration, he says. I have all theseideas, and my designers have this amazing ability to bringthem all together.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

32/52

D30 HOME BY DESIGN| APRIL MAY 2007

Tasteful VanillaA NEUTRAL PALETTE GRACED WITH ELEGANCE

Designer Gail Shields-Miller does not mind simple vanilladcor, but there is a time and a place. Shields-Millerwhohas been an interior designer for 20 years and owns her ownfirm, Shields & Companyrecently completed renovating aco-op in the penthouse of a high-rise apartment for clientswho are in the fashion industry. Not only did she give it abrand-new look; she transformed the bedroom and bath into

a true hideaway, New York style.Located in an apartment building near Lincoln Center inNYC, with Lincoln Center visible frommany windows, the2,000-square-foot project took about nine months to complete.

We totally renovated the entire apartment, she says. Itwas a very basic set-up without any fine details, except forhigh ceilings. It needed to be redesigned in order to fit thelifestyle and the aesthetic of the owners, who work with manypeople in the fashion industry.

It was basically a plain vanilla space when they purchasedit, and we created an elegant home for them, a place to show-

case their antiques from the 1930s and 1940s, as well as theirunusual art collection.As for the bedroom, Shields-Miller says that the client want-

ed a sophisticated apartment that would reflect some of the ele-gant places she had visited and traveled to through her businessin Italy and France. Nevertheless, she favored the look of the20th century as opposed to furnishings of an earlier time.

We spent untold hours searching for just the right piecesof furnitureor custom designing other furnishings, in thiscase the bedby collaborating on different ideas and sugges-tions until everything was just perfect, she says. I amfortunate

to have suppliers that can provide my clients with elegant cus-tom furnishings of a high quality. In addition, intermixingappropriate period pieces with new pieces creates sophisti-cation and personalization, which, I think, is necessary ininterior design.

The final touch of elegance was that the room was totallydesigned in various shades of silver and soft taupes, which

Shields believes accounts not only for its uniqueness but alsofor its glamour as a bedroom.The bed itself was totally designed and executed by Shields

& Company. It is finished in an antique silver leaf, with silverytaupe silk fabric on the headboard from Larsen and silk velveton the bed skirt from Stroheim & Romann.

The wallpaper is handmade in silver leaf by Elizabeth DowInc. The carpet is from Stark, imported from Belgium, andmade of linen and viscose. The night tables are mirrored andfrom Julia Gray while the chandelier is antique Murano glassand purchased from Fred Silberman Antiques in NYC.

The entry doors and moldings were also designed byShields & Co., and were hand-finished by Louise Crandell inantique silver leaf and antique gold. The mirrored make-uptable is from Alan Moss Antiques in NYC, and the hardware onthe door is from Valle and Valle in frosted Lucite with nickel.

In addition, Shields-Miller added an antique chair fromthe1940s that she purchased fromJohn Salibello Antiques in NYC.

I love it too because it reminds me of a tall elegant womanand seems so appropriate for a master bedroom suite of thisnature, she says. The creamy white color is a great foil for thesilvery colors in the room.

WRITTEN BY DEBBIE L. SKLAR| PHOTOGRAPHY BY AN N STRATTON PHO TOGRAPHY

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

33/52

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

34/52


And while Shields-Miller opted to avoid the simple vanillaoverall, she mentions that the client prefers a cool, contempo-rary environment, with a minimum of patterns and colors.

They wanted to have a relatively calm environment in theirhome. Nevertheless, a space in a neutral can be very dramat-ic, as long as you vary the shades ever so slightly so that it doesnot become boring, Shields-Miller says. It is also necessary tohave beautiful finishes on the walls as well as wonderful fur-nishings and unique accessories in order to make the neutralpalette sing, so to speak.

In terms of her own style, Shields-Miller says she favors asomewhat soft, traditional shell for a space filled with aneclectic array of interesting and unique furnishings.

I love the juxtaposition of the expected with the unexpect-ed, she says. Although this project was done primarily inneutral shades, I often use color and patterns in my projects.

Each space comes with its own character or bones, and Ilove to enrich that space by enhancing the aspects of the archi-tecture and searching for a grouping of furnishings that wouldappear to have been accrued over a period of time and reflectthe lifestyle of my clients.

Prior to her work, the bedroomconsisted of two separate,very ordinary sheetrocked rooms, each with its own bathroom.She combined the rooms with one entrance in order to create amaster bedroomsuite. The outer roomhas a desk, an armoire,a TV, and closets and a bathroomfor the husband, and the innerroomwith the bed has the closets and bathroomfor the wife.

By doing this, both spaces became more utilitarian to theirlifestyle, and the suite has a grander appearance as opposedto two smaller individual rooms. For example, the beautifulmirrored pocket doors leading to the bed area of the suite pro-vide privacy for someone who might want to sleep later orwatch a different TV program; in other words, this maintainsthe concept of two separate spaces when needed.

The bath is connected to the inner room of the suite and isused by the wife since the husband has his own bath in theouter room to the suite, also totally renovated.

It was totally redesigned to have a tub with a shower, as

opposed to two separate units; a wonderful Italian marble con-temporary sink/ vanity from Boffi; a great storage issued cabi-net with mirror and hamper, and its own little flat-screen TV,elegant art deco sconces, she adds.

As for the homeowners, they, too, are happy with the end result:All of our creature needs have been met perfectly, as well

as our aesthetic sensibilities. Although our apartment was apenthouse with an exciting view of Lincoln Center and thewest side of NYC, it was ordinary in presentation. The renova-tion provided us with a better use of the square footage and adesign both unique and sophisticated.

Intermixingappropriate period pieces

with new pieces createssophisticationand personalization, which,

I think, is necessary ininterior design.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

35/52

The two homeowners have separatebaths. The wifes, shown here, islocated adjacent to the interior roomof the suite and was redesigned to

have both a shower and a bathtub.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

36/52


WRITTEN BY JAN WALKER| PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MAYER

The elegant silhouette of Chateau Samara, overlookingthe Pacific Ocean, may be the jewel of Californias Newport

Coast, but step inside and be transported to an extraordinaryexpression of old-world opulence.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

37/52

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

38/52

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

39/52HOME BY DESIGN| APRIL MAY 2007 37

The owner wanted a home that would reflect his Russianheritage, says Ric King, Buteras husband, design partner, andthe firms CEO. He wanted a look that was a little more old-world than traditional formal.

Buteras work began fromthe ground up, as she and Kingworked with prominent Southern California architectural firmEric Trabert & Associates to modify the existing design to suitthe desires and personalities of the homeowner and his family.

Where most interior designers probably focus primarilyon furnishings and dcor, Karen takes a different approach,

King says. She focuses about 65 percent on the envelopethe architectural detailsto achieve a more foundationallook, which achieves a longer-lasting effect that will standthe test of time.

Each home brings a different challenge in terms of how thehomeowners live or want to live, says Butera. We wanted tomake sure what we did was reminiscent of the old Europeandesigns but with a fresh approach. We took a lot of classic ideasand made them very exciting.

The entry hall, with its elegant marble flooring, intricatelycarved and molded ceiling panels, dramatic staircase, and

impressive crystal and iron chandelier, sets the tone for therest of this spacious home.

Your first impression is the entry, says Butera. Its anextension of what you see on the outside of the house, and thesense of what you experience as you enter relates to the restof the home.

Accommodating the homeowners desire for an old-world

Award-winning designer Karen Butera created a modern-dayinterpretation of a classic European estate for the homeowner,a developer and entrepreneur from Kazakhstan, and his family.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

40/52


motif, complete with lavish wood surfaces, ornate carvings,and rooms accented with European antiques, called forthButeras renowned attention to detail.

If you found this kind of chateau in Europe, it would be verydark, says King, so Karen introduced a pale, almost mono-chromatic color palette in tones ranging fromchampagne toivory and white to lighten, brighten, and create some contrast.

I made it all light and neutral so it has a much airier feel toit, says Butera. I went with taffeta, velvet, chiffon, and silkwith subtle patterns like brocades and damasks that wouldntcompete with the more ornate details in the rooms.

The interior walls of the home are of Venetian plaster. Insteadof paint, pigmented plaster is applied to the walls, then burnishedand waxed to ahigh sheen. The plastering process creates the kindof texture, depth, and dramathat cant be achieved with paint.

Stained mahogany paneling, intricately inlaid ceilings,ornate hand-carved fireplaces, and unique flooring designsmake this custom home a tour de force of interior design.

The nearly 9,600-square-foot residence, located in the tonyenclave of Pelican Hills, is a natural addition to its Riviera-likesurroundings. The three-story home rises above a lush formalgarden, expansive lawn, swimming pool and spa, fountain, anda panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

Inside, there are five beautifully appointed bedrooms,including a palatial master suite, six and a half baths, an eat-in

kitchen, a formal dining room, a formal living room, a familyroom, an office, alibrary, abilliard room, atheater, awine cellar,and a six-car garage.

One of Chateau Samaras most celebrated rooms is thelibrary. Decidedly masculine in design, the room features alavishly carved fireplace and wood paneling, inlaid ceiling pan-els, and a mixture of both antique and traditional furnishings.

Every man Ive ever shown the library to wants that room,King says. They all say, When I become rich, I want one ofthose. The library is one of my favorite rooms, because itsuniquely masculine. Its a room like this that can really inspire

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

41/52

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

42/52

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

43/52


men to take an interest in the interior design of their home.Perhaps the most unique design feature of Chateau Samara

is the use of amber accents throughout the residence. Amber,the gem of Russian royalty, was most famously employed as adecorative design feature in the stunning Amber Room of theCatherine Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. This marvel of

18th-century design was a shimmering honey-hued roomlined with 16-foot mosaic panels of Baltic amber, intricatelyset amid mirrors and gold leaf. The room was so impressive, itwas dubbed the eighth wonder of the world.

Toward the end of World War II, the amber panels were dis-mantled by the Nazis and shipped to Germany, but the AmberRoom panels were said to be lost in transit, and their where-abouts remain a mystery to this day. In the 1980s, Russian arti-sans began recreating the Amber Room, and it was opened tothe public again in 2003.

In fact, the amber used in Chateau Samara comes from the

same source that supplied the amber for the restoration of theoriginal Catherine Palace Amber Room.

Hand-wrought amber accents can be found throughout theresidence, from the elaborately designed ceiling panels to theoak and mahogany flooring to the tile borders of the masterbath and powder rooms. Even the kitchen features amber

mosaic details. Butera regards the addition of amber as a dec-orative accent jewelry for the home.It took us nearly a year and a half to perfect the amber

accents because we were dealing with construction designsthat had never been used before, King says. The challengealso included creating a unique color palette to work with. Westarted with about ten shades of amber and narrowed it downto about five, ranging from near black to white, which is actu-ally the rarest and most prized amber. Between those twoextremes, we added arange of honey- to whiskey-colored amber.

The flooring in Chateau Samara is another remarkable design

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

44/52


feature. Because the homeowners were susceptible to allergies,they wanted virtually no carpeting or area rugs in the residence.

The floors were exciting because of the opportunity tocreate a variety of designs, using various woods and marble,Butera says. The designs are almost like a tapestry. Eachroom has its own character because each one features aunique flooring design.

The homes architectural features and flooring were so elab-orate, Butera kept the fabric patterns understated, but elegant.

Because there was so much pattern on the walls, the ceilings,

and the floors, I didnt want too much pattern in the draperyand upholstery fabrics, she says.

I wanted to create rooms that were elegant and stately torecall that old-world feeling but with a fresh perspective, saysButera. We combined many antiques within the home for amarriage of old and new.

The master bath is also an outstanding feature of the home.His and hers vanity and dressing areas are separated by a steamshower with a sleek curved glass front, which divides the twoareas yet preserves an open feeling to the comparatively small

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

45/52


space. Adjacent to the steam shower is an infinity tub. Both thetub and the shower provide a view of the Pacific Ocean.

The relationship between inside and outside is an importantconsideration for Butera.

Karen always creates a way to look past the windows andout to that view of the ocean and sunset, says King. Itsimportant to her that the view is always accessible.

The outside space is so beautiful, it seems to naturally pullthe eye to the outside. Butera says. The back of the homeopens onto a space that is perfect for entertainingthe formal

garden, the fountain, the poolits really quite dramatic.With such an abundance of elegance to work with, how did

Butera bring all the elements together to forge such a remark-able design theme?

Karen spends a lot of time with the clients to understandtheir tastes, personality, and lifestyle, says King. Then sheadds her flair and attention to detail to create something thatis uniquely theirs.

Thats the key, Butera says. If it doesnt reflect the client,then its really not their house, is it?

Chateau Samara has earned a bounty of awards for KarenButera Inc., including four Best in American Living Awards(BALA): Platinum BALA Best Interior Design - Libraryand Powder Room; Silver BALA Best Interior Detail - GameRoom; Silver BALA Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home. Inaddition, the residence won the Southern California MAME

Award 2002 as the winner of the Judges Special Award forInterior Design Excellence.

For more information, contact Karen Butera Inc. at949-640-1300 or visit www.karenbutera.com.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

46/52

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

47/52


CarmelCalifornia

DESTINATION

WRITTEN BY RUTH CARLSON

A Quaint Bit of t he Golden State

Dogs are welcome in stores and restaurants, thatch roofcottages line the streets leading to a white sandbeach, and due to the uneven cobblestone streets,high heels are against the law. It sounds like a European vil-lage, but its a small town in America. Carmel-by-the-Sea isthe official name, and it boasts an amazing number of French

restaurants for a 1-square-mile village. Within a few blocksyou can peer in the windows at diners enjoying continentalfare at the French Poodle, Anton and Michelle, PortaBella,and Casanova, to name a few.

This quirky town makes its own rules. There is no mailservice for one thing. Residents like to pretend they are livingin a storybook forest, so the houses dont have numbers; theyhave names such as White Sands. The Lone Cypress tree, per-haps the image most associated with the Monterey Peninsula,is trademarkedseriously. You cannot use any photos you takeof the tree in any promotional materials.

Clint Eastwood is a former mayor, and movie star DorisDay owns a hotel that caters to dogs. At the Cypress Inn,guests are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends todoggie tea. Those who bring mans best friend on vacationwill be pleasantly surprised to find a woof fountain atCarmel Plaza, store owners eagerly handing out doggie treats,

and boutiques catering to your poochs every need, includingposter beds, embroidered sweaters, and jeweled leashes. Itwas enough to make me want to rush out and get a pursepuppyor maybe its just those cool designer doggy bags Icovet, which you can pick up at the Coach outlet store onOcean Avenue, the towns main drag.

Fido isnt the only one who can be spoiled on the MontereyPeninsula. This area abounds with resorts and luxurious hotelsthat also pamper two-legged creatures.

Pebble Beach Resorts owns three premier properties: TheInn at Spanish Bay, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, and Casa

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

48/52


Palmero. To reach them you have to pay an entrance fee to the17-mile drive, but save your receipt. If you spend at least theamount of admission at one of the resorts restaurants orshops, you get your money back. My favorite way to be reim-bursed: drinks at sunset at the Inn at Spanish Bay. Nab a seat by

the open fire pit and sip a glass of local Chardonnay as youenjoy a solitary bagpipers haunting serenade along the dunes.

These resorts boast internationally famous golf courses, TheLinks at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill, and the Pebble Beach GolfLinks. Theres no guarantee it will lower your handicap, but itcant hurt to book a sports bodywork or post-golf therapy atthe Spa at Pebble Beach.

Even if youre not agolfer youll enjoy the areas natural beau-ty. Rollerblade, bike, or rent asurrey to travel the Monterey BayCoastal Trail, an 18-mile paved pathway along the waterfront.

Monterey Bay can be foggy and chilly all times of the year, so

bring that cashmere sweater. To be guaranteed warmer tempera-tures and sunshine, stay in Carmel Valley, an up-and-coming wineregion. The Covey, Quail Lodges signature restaurant, was justawarded Best Award of Excellence byWine Spectatormagazine.

There are 22 tasting rooms in the Carmel Valley, and theyre

racking up international awards. The Monterey CountyVintners and Growers Association (www.montereywines.org)has maps, information on tours, and visiting hours. You can getyour antioxidants without the calories in a Harvest CrushMassage using grape seeds at Bernardus Lodge.

The La Playa Hotel is the place for those who want to walkto shops and restaurants in downtown Carmel. Its walkingdistance from the center of town and the sugar-white sandbeach. Each sunset youll find locals and tourists alike standingon the hilly dune watching the sunset over the surfers. WhenMother Nature outdoes herself, the audience claps!

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

49/52


I cheer every time I get close to downtown, which boasts amens store with a pool table, European import specialtyshops, and art galleries on almost every corner, but no massmarket chain stores.

Here are a few of my favorites:

The locally owned boutique Dutches sells handmade bighatsperfect for the Concours DElegance antique auto showheld each summer on the Pebble Beach fairway.

The Cottage of Sweets, which looks like it belongs in afairytale book, boasts 45 kinds of licorice and importedBritish candy.

Lush, the British sensation known for inventing bathbombs, has one of the few outlets in America on Ocean Street.

Girl Boy Girl is an uber-hip store that never has salesitgives last seasons merchandise to the SPCA benefit shop afew blocks away!

Male visitors may never leave Red Haute Couture. Theowners have wisely installed a pool table upstairs in the mensdepartment so he can play while you shop downstairs in theboutique featuring trendy designers.

The Cheese Shop, a hole in the wall along Carmel Plaza, has

delicacies from all over the world and friendly staffers whoinsist you sample several varieties. Locals purchase picnic sup-plies and enjoy them in the outdoor courtyard.

If all that shopping worked up an appetite, head for nearbyPacific Grove, called PG by locals. Seafood lovers cant gowrong at Passionfish, which offers dozens of fresh items fromthe sea every evening and wine at retail prices.

My space has run out, and I havent even covered theMonterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fishermans Wharf, orClint Eastwoods Mission Ranch hotel and restaurant. Lookslike Ill have to returnI love my job!

Carmel offers a great number of activities for those who would like an experience in quaintleisure. Fabulous food, architecture, beaches, golf courses, and cultural offerings awaitvisitors and locals alike.

Photography provided by Bernardus Lodge, Rich Carlson, Casanova Restaurant, City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Joann Dost, PebbleBeach Company, Alex Vertikoff

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

50/52

Resources


12 BRIGHT AND GORGEOUSCami Forte

Forte Design Group

www.fdg-la.com

West Hollywood, California

310-309-3786

16 COMMUNING WITH NATURE AND THE PASTDavid-Michael

David-Michael Design

www.david-michael.net

Long Beach, California

562-491-1000

20 A MASTER SUITE FIT FOR ROYALTYLesa Buckler and Cindy Alberding Druin

Details Interiors

www.detailslouisville.com

Louisville, Kentucky

502-253-0092

22 DIVIDE AND CONQUERZach Azpeitia

Pineapple House Interior Design

www.pineapplehouse.com

Atlanta, Georgia

404-897-5551

26 HOME SUITE HOMEEric McClelland

Fleur-de-lis Interior Design Inc.

www.fleurdelis.ca

Toronto, Ontario

416-929-8599

30 TASTEFUL VANILLAGail Shields-Miller

Shields & Company Interiors

www.shieldsinteriors.com

New York, New York

212-679-9130

34 CHATEAU SAMARAKaren Butera

Karen Butera Inc.

www.karenbutera.com

Corona del Mar, California

949-640-1300

44 CARMELwww.montereyinfo.org

www.carmelcalifornia.com

www.pebblebeach.com

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

51/52

My heart, which is full to overflowing, has often bee

solaced andrefreshedby music when sick and weary.~ Mart i n Luther

A Haven for Rest

Recent studies have shown that getting a good nights sleep is not onlyessential to our productivity and ability to cope with daily stress, but itsalso equivalent in magnitude as diet and exercise is for the health andwellness of our bodies. We all may realize sleep is essential, but weseem to shortchange ourselves by not acquiring the recommendedseven to eight hours per night or by not providing ourselves with anadequate sleeping environment.

So, what can you do to improve your sleep and correct this problem?First, make your sleeping hours a priority, and second, redesign yourbedroom into a restful retreatone that relaxes and encourages sleep.Simple factors such as including restful colors, adjustable lighting, aquality mattress, and a lack of clutter can improve your ability tounwind for a restful nights sleep. Fortunately, it doesnt take a majorrenovation to create a sleep-friendly environment. Just a few simplealterations can transform your bedroom into a perfect sleep sanctuary,and you will be on your way to health and wellness.

7/28/2019 07-apr-may

52/52

And in the sweetness of friends

let there belaughterand thesharing ofpleasures. For in the dew of littthings the heart finds its morni

and isrefreshed~ Kahli l Gibran

Clouds of Comfort

We spend one-third of our lives in bed, so we should make thosehours as comfortable as possible. Choosing a pillow thats right for youdepends on your personal preference and on the way you sleep.

The filling in your pillow can be natural fill (down, feathers, cotton,wool, or buckwheat hulls) or synthetic (polyester or foam latex).Although experts say more people are going natural, synthetic

pillows, which generally cost less than natural pillows, still commanda large share of the slumber-time market. The memory foam pillowsalso are popular because they help keep your neck and head inalignment with your spine.

Pillows are now designed specifically for back sleepers, side sleepers,and stomach sleepers. If you sleep on your side, you may want afirmer pillow that will support the space between the surface of yourbed and your shoulders. A medium-density pillow is best for backsleepers, because it cradles the head and provides the right amountof neck support. Whether its filled with polyester, cotton, feathers,

or foam, or it costs $5 or $200, the right pillow can help you get agood nights sleep.

07-apr-may

Documents