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Floating Landscapes

By
Ashley Miller
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Container gardens enjoy a stylish upswing thanks to high-flying, boldly blooming baskets.
By Brad Mee, Photos by Adam Finkle
Want to give your patios and porches a stylishlift? Think hanging baskets. Easy to create and maintain, these suspended container gardens put showy flowers and foliage at eye-level, creating floating focal points that brighten outdoor spaces all summer long.
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1. Set the site

Hanging baskets allow you to garden on a small scale with very big results. Determining the location of your hanging baskets helps you choose the proper container and plants as well. Consider the light, heat, sun, shade, wind and space the considered spot will provide before making a decision that will enable you to predict the amount of maintenance and watering that the planted basket will require.

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2. Choose the container

Hanging baskets come in an assortment of styles and sizes as well as materials ranging from wood and plastic to metal frames lined in moss or coco-fiber. “Wood can be heavy, making it a good choice for windy locations,” says Mary Jo Hartmann, Nursery Specialist at Cactus & Tropicals in Salt Lake City. Plastic, which is typically lighter, retains moisture well, requiring less watering. Hartmann adds, “Moss and fiber have a great natural look, but because they are more permeable and breathable, they dry out faster so they need more frequent watering.” The same is true of smaller and shallower containers.

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3. Prepare the soil

Garden soil is a no-no. Hartmann suggests good quality potting soil augmented with water-retaining materials like peat moss as well as a slow-release fertilizer prior to planting. The fertilizer provides nutrients up to four months. “Late in the season and into fall, feed baskets with water-soluble fertilizer on a regular schedule to keep them going strong,” she advises.

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4. Select the plants

Be careful to choose plants that thrive in the specific location and complement your outdoor decor. Also consider each plant’s color, texture, size and shape. ”A basket of a single variety like bright impatiens or calibrachoa makes a strong focal point,” says Hartmann, who also likes using the foliage of plants like coleus, creeping jenny and assorted potato vines to add dazzling, non-blooming color. For nontraditional containers, herbs and succulents also provide interesting options, and fragrant bloomers like sweet alyssum are heady choices for hanging planters. Hartmann’s personal favorite? Hanging tuberous begonias. “I love their deep colors and unique foliage,” she says. Her least favorites include standard petunias—trailing petunias are better suited for baskets, she says—and Margarita potato vines. “Margaritas get too large and their tubers take too much room.” Whatever your choice, be adventurous. “Think beyond the obvious choices and have fun with it,” says Hartmann. “There are so many unexpected plants that can flourish in baskets.”

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5. Hang wisely

Determine the full weight of your planted, watered container when choosing the right hook and structure from which to hang it. Also consider accessibility to the container, as you will need to water it frequently and maintain the plants regularly.

6. Water, water, water

If there’s a con to hanging containers, it’s the frequent watering required, especially during Utah’s dog days of summer. “Hanging baskets dry out quickly, and once they mature and become somewhat root-bound late in the summer, they have difficulty staying wet,” Hartmann says. She suggests watering during the mornings or evenings to lessen evaporation and to water regularly and thoroughly, making certain the soil is fully saturated. Use the basket’s weight as a watering gauge. “Lift the basket slightly before and after watering to enable you to predict when it needs to be watered.”

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Planting Pointers

Nursery specialist Mary Jo Hartmann’s tips for creating and maintaining beautiful hanging baskets.

  • May 15th is typically the last frost date for Salt Lake City and first safe date to leave summer baskets hanging unprotected outdoors. Be prepared to bring them indoors if temperatures drop.
  • Place taller plants in the center and trailing plants around the edge when planting baskets with mixed flowers and foliage.
  • Establish soil edge a full inch below the edge of the water to enable thorough and deep watering.
  • Planting densely creates instant drama but requires a keen eye on water needs as plants become root bound by mid-summer.
  • Plant brighter plants in shaded baskets as darker colors and foliage fade into a dim backdrop.
  • Give baskets a light shearing in August. The late summer clean up gives baskets a boost for early autumn beauty. Swap out tired plants with fresh replacements if necessary.
  • Let the experts do the work. Select a new basket or bring yours in and Cactus & Tropicals will plant your container after discussing your wants and needs.

Supercharged Shortcakes

By
Ashley Miller
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Easy-to-make shortcake plays a meal’s best-supporting role.
By Mary Brown Malouf, Photos by Adam Finkle
Whether it’s topped with savory or sweet, shortcake soaks up juices and amplifies flavors.

Easy-as-Pie Shortcake Recipe

2 cups flour
4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, cut in chunks
2 Tbsp. shortening, chilled
3/4 cup half and half

Place flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a food processor. Pulse a few seconds until mixed. Add butter and shortening and pulse until mixture looks like cornmeal. Dump it in a mixing bowl and stir in the cream until a ball forms. Pat dough out 1/2” thick and cut with large biscuit cutter, or drop by large spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet, and then pat into shape. Bake about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Now, scroll down to add some flavor to your shortcake.

Classic Strawberry Shortcake

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Slice strawberries and sprinkle with sugar. Let sit several hours. Add a touch of balsamic vinegar to enrich the flavor of early-season berries, spoon between shortbread layers and then on top. Finish with whipped cream.

Garden Shortcake

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Sauté roughly chopped red and yellow peppers, sliced zucchini and yellow squash, tomatoes and choice of herbs until vegetables are tender. Serve over shortcake and sprinkle with shredded parmesan or not.

Tropical Shortcake

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Sauté pineapple chunks in butter with brown sugar until fruit is tender. Add a shot of dark rum if you like, and a dash of vanilla. Serve on shortcake and garnish with toasted coconut.

Tuscan Shortcake

Cook chopped onions slowly in butter and olive oil until caramelized. Add quartered mushrooms and cook until tender. Deglaze with a little balsamic vinegar and season with crushed rosemary. Serve on shortcake.

Tips

  • Never overwork the dough. Don’t knead it, pat it. Best to drop it on the baking sheet by spoonfuls, and then coax it gently into shape.
  • Wait until shortcake is cool before splitting it. Otherwise, it’s apt to crumble.
  • Use two forks to split a shortbread, instead of a knife.
  • Let your imagination run wild with toppings—the only requirement is that your topping has enough juice for the shortbread to soak up.
  • Serve immediately after topping.

What do you mean, “short?”

Shortcake’s “short” dough is one that’s crumbly or mealy, the opposite of a “long” dough, meaning flaky, like pie crust. Both depend on solid fat—shortening or butter. For a short dough, cut the fat into the flour until it has a cornmeal-like texture. For a long dough, leave the butter lumps as large as peas.

Up in Smoke

By
Ashley Miller
-

Smoke’s flavor burns hot as one of 2014’s top food trends.
By Mary Brown Malouf, Photos by Adam Finkle
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No wonder the flavor of fire was named one of the top food trends of the year. Americans are eating more smoked seafood and meat than ever. They’re also eating smoked corn, smoked cauliflower, smoked chocolate gelato. They’re sipping smoked vodka and, yes, even smoked water. Weird. How about smoked ice cubes? Forbes reports that Ian Tulk, lead bartender at Restaurant Kelly Liken in Vail, Colo., “puts ice cubes in the kitchen’s meat smokers; after the cubes melt, he pours the water back into ice cube trays and freezes them.” Tempted to take up smoking? We’re here to help you get started.

Lighting Up

It was one of those wedding gifts.

Between us, we had accumulated three ex-spouses and had set up households in five different states before we settled together in a small house in Salt Lake City. In short, we had amassed more small appliances—blenders, toasters, juicers, salad spinners, mandolin slicers, hydraulic cork extractors, wine snorkels—than we could use and had no space to store them.

And this Cameron smoker, a gift from a foodie friend, seemed like just another kitchen gadget—that year’s bread mixer, pasta machine or panini maker. So, the smoker stayed shiny and untouched in its box, next to a forlorn earth-toned crock pot, for two years. Then one day, as we loaded it in the car with the other detritus of life destined for Deseret Industries, my unreconstructed packrat of a husband said, “Look, it even comes with wood chips! Let’s at least try it once before we dump it.”

So we bought a piece of salmon and followed the instructions, sealing it in the pan and placing it over low heat on our gas stove, just to see. Takeout Chinese was always an option.

Fifteen minutes later, we considered ourselves smoking geniuses. The fish was moist and rosy, just tinged with the taste of the alderwood. We added a tiny squeeze of lemon.

And the house was not, as we had feared, filled with choking fumes.

We’re chain smokers now.

Top Tools

Traditionally, the art of smoking was limited to trained professionals because of the size of the equipment and the overpowering odor of smoke that accompanied the process, but modern tools put smoking within reach of home cooks.

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A stove-top smoker is a more authentic way to get that irresistible aroma. About the size of a brownie pan, the smoker has a rack, a perforated pan and a sealable top, as well as assorted wood chips.

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The battery-operated smoking gun allows you to smoke virtually everything. Load it with your combustible of choice, point and shoot cool smoke flavor into anything. Because it’s cool, you can smoke anything from salad to meringue. If you want to.

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Liquid Smoke, that ‘50s favorite, is actually made from real smoke. Who knew? The smoke from wood chips is condensed into solids or liquids, then dissolved in water by a process called destructive distillation.

Into the Woods

Woods from fruit- or nut-bearing wood are generally good for smoking, however, avoid woods with too much resin or sap. Mesquite smoke is strong and can overwhelm more delicate foods if you use too much.

  • Cherry and Apple: Slightly sweet and fruity; mild, so good for poultry and ham
  • Hickory: Popular and pungent, so use it on heavy beef
  • Oak: A strong but not especially pungent smoke; good for beef
  • Alder: Is great with fish, especially salmon
  • Maple: A lighter, sweeter hardwood good with pork
  • Pecan: Use on large cuts of meat.

Tip: Spice up your smoke by adding one or more of these ingredients to flavor your wood: tea, fresh orange or grapefruit peel, jasmine rice, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods and rosemary branches.

Smoking Section

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Here in Utah, all the buzz is about Viet Pham’s new restaurant in Park City, Ember & Ash. Back in September, Pham’s foodie friends received a photo on Facebook: “a sea of mussels smoking gently over blue spruce.” Wow. The very idea makes one’s mouth water.

“I think it’s a primal thing,” Pham says. “The smell of smoke is the essence of cooked food, part of the basic human relationship between humans and food.”

That said, Pham offers some cautions to would-be smokers: “Less is more. Smoke is a strong aroma and can easily overpower other flavors. It’s best when used subtly–an elusive hint of smoke is often best.”

Get It Here

Even if you don’t have time to smoke your own, there are lots of products you can purchase that will add that inimitable flavor and fragrance to your food.

  • San Simon smoked cow’s milk cheese from Spain, available at Caputo’s, is just one (though one of the best) of the many smoked cheeses. Others include smoked Gouda, smoked mozzarella, smoked Cheddar, Bruder Basil, Rogue Creamery Smoked Blue Cheese and local Apple Walnut Smoked Beehive Cheddar.
  • Smoked shellfish—oysters, clams and mussels—are available at gourmet markets like Liberty Heights Fresh.
  • Coarse or sea salt smoked over wood is a great way to add a final fillip of flavor. Several local stores carry smoked salts, including Harmons.
  • Chipotles are just smoked jalapeno peppers. A teaspoon or more of them, chopped, adds extra flavor to baked goods, meats, salads, casseroles and just about anything.

Smoke in the City

Chefs around town are firing up their menus, using smoke to pump up the flavor in many of their traditional dishes.

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Gnocchi with smoked tomato nage from Pago.

  • House Smoked Rainbow Trout — Tin Angel’s kitchen guru Jerry Liedtke uses a Little Chief aluminum box electric smoker loaded with a mix of apple and hickory to smoke Utah trout, which he brines first. 365 W. 400 South, SLC, 801-328-4155 
  • Smoked Meatloaf — Pat’s BBQ smokes meatloaf, along with more traditional brisket, pork and ribs, transforming every mom’s favorite dish into a beer-worthy feast. 155 W. Commonwealth Ave., SLC, 801-484-5963 
  • Smoked Tomato Nage — Pago Chef Phelix Gardner smokes trays of ripe tomatoes, then makes a nage for poaching gnocchi which he serves in the liquid, thickened lightly with cream. 878 S. 900 East, SLC, 801-532-0777
  • House Smoked Salmon — Smoked salmon is a standby, but the house-smoked salmon at Caffe Niche is different because it’s hot-smoked in-house, so it cooks while it smokes and comes out moist and flaky. 779 E. Broadway, SLC, 801-433-3380

In Character

By
Ashley Miller
-

Enduring design and extraordinary craftsmanship distinguish the new kitchen of a century-old Salt Lake City home.
By Brad Mee, Photos by Scot Zimmerman

Step into the new kitchen of this circa 1901 Salt Lake City home and you’ll find it difficult to determine what’s original and what’s not. That’s exactly the intent of the homeowner who hired architect/designer Scott Cornelius and contractor John Ford to expand and remodel the entire Shingle-Style home, giving it modern ease and vintage charm. “The goal was to make the house function better for the family without losing its historic nature,” Cornelius says. With the architect’s down-to-the-details design and Ford’s skillful execution, the homeowner’s objective was remarkably realized.
Photo: The owner favored the 1901 home’s arts and crafts cottage style over its Victorian leanings. Capturing the Shingle style character was “about being honest with the materials and the craftsmanship,” Cornelius says. In the kitchen, the team prioritized a functional floor plan distinguishing the cooking and mingling spaces and linked the room to those nearby with large openings that ease the interior’s traffic flow.
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Understated granite and glazed celadon wall tile provide visual relief from the widespread wood of the quarter-sawn oak cabinets. The stain-and-oil finish was favored over paint for its easy maintenance and the richness and sense of permanence it lends the room.
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“Glass-front doors give a sense of openness and make the upper cabinets look lighter,” says Cornelius, who describes the feature as common to butler pantries of the era. To enhance the treatment, the team inset tile inside the cabinets creating the illusion that the running-bond backsplash expands upward and behind the cabinet shelves.
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The team played hide-and-seek with the pantry by concealing it behind a door of vertical tongue and groove paneling that lines up perfectly with that of the wall. The adjacent refrigerator is completely trimmed out with wood and is designed to somewhat resemble an old icebox.
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Forget stainless steel. This ceramic, apron-front farmer’s sink better suits the room’s casual, vintage style. New windows feature unfettered lower panes that frame views while upper portions are broken up to relate to the patterning of the room’s upper cabinets.
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Never mind ceilings pocked with countless recessed lights. Vintage Holophane industrial pendants drop from the high ceiling bringing it down to a comfortable human scale while illuminating the kitchen with style. “Hanging fixtures give a better light and relate better to the space,” says Cornelius. Ford created a small apron to conceal under-counter LED lighting that illuminates the tile backsplash. He also installed task lighting over the sink.
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The new kitchen, built on site, boasts extraordinary workmanship elevating its quality and character. Notable features include full inset-style doors and drawers fitting exactly within the perfectly square cabinet frames, walls built out to be flush with the cabinets and trim pieces that terminate precisely. “The most challenging and rewarding part of the project was maintaining the high level of detail without missing a single thing,” says Ford.
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Featuring a simple design and matte nickel finish, the kitchen’s hardware is so honest that it showcases attachment screws. “Often, overly fussy hardware is used to attract attention when the cabinetry isn’t interesting,” Cornelius says. Here, conversely, the plain handles allow Ford’s furniture-quality cabinetry to showcase his artistry.
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Architect and Designer: Scott Cornelius
Contractor: John Ford

Into the Mountains and Through the Woods

By
Ashley Miller
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Benefitting the National Ability Center, Katie Eldridge hosts a cozy dinner party in her snowbound Brighton Estates cabin.
By Virginia Rainey, Photos by Darryl Dobson

Nestled in the woods, Eldridge’s Brighton Estates cabin awaits the evening’s dinner party.

Picture the inside of a vintage snow globe. Feathery flakes swirl around an A-frame cabin and a warm glow emanates from the windows as smoke curls from the chimney. Inside, a table laden with wine bottles and gleaming glasses sits at the ready.

But look closer and the nostalgic scene gives way to a thoroughly modern sense of comfort and fun. All set for a party, a foot-high dinner table surrounded by big satiny pillows beckons guests to get comfortable on the floor. In the background, a talented tattooed chef is hard at work in the open kitchen.

That was the scene at Katie Eldridge’s lovingly renovated cabin in Brighton Estates on a blustery night last March. Owner of Panic Button Media in Park City, Eldridge is a part-time resident of this remote neighborhood located about two miles from Guardsman Pass. There, winter means the only modes of transportation are snowcats and snowmobiles, and watchful neighbors are the most precious commodity.

All were employed for the dinner Eldridge hosted as a fundraiser for the National Ability Center (NAC)—a Park City nonprofit known globally for supporting and enabling the dreams of people with disabilities and making it possible for them to engage in all kinds of sports. Most NAC benefit dinners (there are several, all on the same evening) are staged in palatial settings around Park City. This one, geared to the more adventurous NAC donors, unfolded in a 900-square-foot space.

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The party’s set-up crew hikes into Brighton Estates, located in the mountains above Park City, Brighton and Midway.

Snow flurries flying, guests convened just off Guardsman. Some climbed into a compact snowcat, others hopped onto snowmobiles. About 25 minutes later, they all piled out into knee-deep snow and stomped into the cozy cabin. Vintners Jason and Suzanne McConnell of Rivino Winery were already settled in, ready to pour their  wines, all donated to the cause. Rivino, a boutique winery in Mendocino, produces only about 2,000 cases a year.

After treating guests to fat, juicy strawberries sprinkled with cinnamon (surprisingly compatible with Rivino’s chardonnay), chef Asi Yoked of Park City’s Reef’s Restaurant served a gorgeous red snapper ceviche with mango, shallots, grape tomatoes and fresh ginger. Next up, white shrimp with watermelon and Bulgarian feta; filet mignon with a mild tomato “stew” and a fresh quail egg. Hot whiskey Malabi (a rich milk pudding) fortified each diner for the ride back to the Pass.

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Guests dine at a low-sitting table that Eldridge’s neighbor built using aspen trunks for legs.

Bellies full, guests reluctantly headed back out into the night, back into the snowcat, back on the snowmobiles, back to a world made a little better through generosity and gracious entertaining.

The Case for Cauliflower

By
Ashley Miller
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Topping today’s trends lists, cauliflower proves itself in many mouthwatering ways.
By Mary Brown Malouf, Photos by Adam Finkle, Plates from Williams-Sonoma

Warm Cauliflower Salad
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Step aside kale and brussels sprouts, cauliflower is taking the title as the latest unlikely star of the kitchen. More than a cloud-white head of bland, cauliflower surprises with hues of orange, purple and chartreuse as well as unexpected preparation possibilities. Look beyond the usual rocky (or mushy) side dish of buttered florets. Forget cauliflower’s modest role as an inevitable part of a crudités platter. Instead, take inspiration from innovative chefs who are crumbling, creaming and roasting it for a delicious reveal on the plate.
Cauliflower “Couscous”
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Wash cauliflower florets and pulse in the processor until they resemble couscous. Sauté cauliflower kernels in olive oil with a garlic clove until al dente. Season and top with mixed roasted vegetables and pine nuts.
Cauliflower Mash
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Boil cauliflower florets until tender; drain thoroughly and pat dry. Do not let cool. Put florets in food processor with 2 Tbsp. cream cheese, 2 Tbsp. salted butter, 1 clove minced garlic and pulse until smooth. Thin with chicken or vegetable stock, if necessary. Season liberally with pepper. Garnish with chopped chives.
Roasted Cauliflower
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Toss cauliflower florets in olive oil and place in an ovenproof pan with mashed garlic. Roast at 500 degrees for about 15 minutes, turning frequently so cauliflower browns lightly. Squeeze lemon juice over the florets and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Prep Pointers

  • Choose firm heads with no brown spots.
  • Buy cauliflower whole, and break it into florets to get the freshest flavor.
  • Store cauliflower stem side down in the fridge.
  • Break cauliflower into florets before cooking to ensure more even cooking.
  • Know that purple cauliflower cooks faster than white.
  • Use broccoflower—the chartreuse cross between cauliflower and broccoli—as you would cauliflower.
  • Experiment with cauliflower as a low-carb starch or potato substitute.

Rock Stars

By
Ashley Miller
-

A solid choice for bathrooms, stone is making a splash in some showy, surprising ways.
By Brad Mee
Stone may be old as dirt, but it’s bringing a new look to bathrooms of all types. Sure, stone is known as a long-lasting, highly-durable option for bathroom walls and floors, but it’s today’s surprising treatments and unique fixtures that are making the material more dazzling, more dynamic and definitely more statement-making than ever before.
From glowing onyx and classic marble to ornate agate and patterned granite, stone has become today’s decorative must-have for splashy spaces, from showy powder rooms to luxurious master baths.

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High Drama

By
Natalie Taylor
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Lux metals and rich textures dazzle a Montage mountain residence.
By Natalie Taylor, Photos by Scot Zimmerman
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In the texture-rich living room, a ’70s-inspired glass-topped cocktail table pairs with a wool rug imported from New Zealand.

It’s not surprising the owners of this Montage Deer Valley residence turned to designer Beth Ann Shepherd to elevate the elegance of their mountain getaway. Shepherd specializes in chic.

“Our client asked for decadent diva design,” says Shepherd, owner of the L.A.-based firm Dressed Design. “I told her, ‘You want glam? We are glam.’”

And in just a few short weeks, Shepherd transformed the five-star condo’s granite-laden and dark wood-clad interior into what Shepherd affectionately refers to as the Ice Castle. “Think of it as a reflection of the morning after a winter storm with everything sparkling like sun on new-fallen snow,” she says.

To accomplish a winter wonderland effect, Shepherd adorned the residence with rich textures, polished metals mixed with steel and chrome, and dazzling statements. “I love drama,” she says. “I try to get it into every room.”

In the guest bedroom suite, for example, she covered one wall with kindling stack wallpaper imported from Europe. Espresso, ebony and bark colors enrich the other walls melding natural elements with contemporary design. Shepherd layered the space with tactile delights—furs, textured surfaces and suede—to elevate the effect.

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Mohair-covered chairs flank a custom-designed oak table; a pewter and bronze light fixture mimics sparkling twigs. The adjoining living room features built-in bookcases detailed with antiqued mirrors and Italian mohair door panels.

The homeowners wanted their luxurious residence bejeweled throughout. In the master bedroom suite, Shepherd and team responded by designing around a chrome and steel chandelier that dangles like a piece of Harry Winston jewelry. They then added a European white-oak paneled ceiling.

“My goal was to create a modern, clean and elegant palette for a family who was used to a very traditional mountain home,” explains Shepherd. “Mixed metals juxtaposed with the hand-scraped white oak ceiling are a fabulous, unpredictable visual delight. It takes the room to a whole new level.” Layering furs, an alligator-stamped bench and a chenille sofa adds textures, creating a sexy, chic and luxurious space.

The entire interior is adorned with elements inspired by a Studio 54 mix of glamour and decadence. “We replaced the outdated staircase banister with one based on 1970’s design,” says Shepherd. “It was one of the smallest changes that made the biggest impact.” The new link-design banister and an adjacent wall’s polished nickel steer head infuses instant glamour.

Similarly stunning, big brushed-brass handles on the nightstands in the master bedroom suite perform like jewelry. “I love Halston fashion and the ‘70s simple, sophisticated styles,” says Shepherd. “This leather-paneled nightstand is like that with simple lines set off by bold handles that remind me of earrings.”

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The chrome-and-steel chandelier, set off by a European white-oak paneled ceiling, shimmers like jewelry in this master bedroom suite. An alligator-stamp bench and faux bois rug lend subtle pattern to the texture-dominant décor.

The designer balanced opulent details with practicality. Every inch of the residence had to be multifunctional. For example, a small viewless alcove in the living room did not seem to have a specific function. So Shepherd created a luxurious camp getaway for children.

This “game room” features three-dimensional chocolate velvet-on-gold wallpaper teamed with double chocolate hideout drapes and plush shag carpet. The thick fabrics muffle sound, so kids can hide away to watch movies or just hang out without disturbing others in the home. A surprising light fixture features cutouts in its bottom; turn on the light and the walls shine with what appear to be shimmering stars.

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A 1970s-inspired banister sets off a polished nickel steer head.

In the master bedroom suite, a built-in niche transformed into an office maximizes space without sacrificing glamour. Its walls boast Brazilian albino cowhide cut into large squares applied in a memorable, patchwork design.

“It’s a new way to use classic materials for unexpected results,” says Shepherd. The designer also enhanced and lightened the living room’s traditional dark cabinetry by adding Italian ivory mohair panels and inserting antiqued mirrors behind the built-in bookcases. Similar dynamic treatments flourish throughout. “We wanted to create spaces in which every corner excites and entices,” the designer says. To her client’s delight, Shepherd and her team did just that.

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A commissioned, crushed gold-foil art piece floats in an espresso frame above the living room fireplace.

Serene Sanctuary

By
Ashley Miller
-

Designers Jessica Bennett and Suzanne Hall recast a rustic Highland home as a luxurious retreat.
By Jessica Adams, Photos by Nicole Hill Gerulat
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A Thomas O’Brien rug anchors the great room’s muted sitting area. A canvas from Pryor Fine Art visually softens the rugged stone fireplace wall.

When an interior designer and a homeowner meet for the first time, their conversation often covers a laundry list of must-haves and talk of personal style. Throw in a few inspirational photos and the design project is good to go. It’s not often, however, that a client presents her preferences through a meticulously prepared PowerPoint, but when she is an executive software engineer, that scenario doesn’t come as a surprise.

This Highland home is a serene, clutter-free retreat providing a reprieve from its owner’s logic-based occupation. Suited for the jet-setting fashionista, the interior is peppered with personal effects of Hermès scarves and Valentino pumps, reflecting its lived-in luxury. While working with this client, designers Jessica Bennett and Suzanne Hall of Alice Lane Home Collection strove to cultivate the home’s cocoon-like, comforting ambiance.

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Branches of cherry blossoms add a pop of pink and freshness to the subtly-toned living room.

She didn’t want anything too exact because she deals with that all day long,” Bennett says. “Understanding who she was as a person made it easy to work with the house.”

The home boasts a fresh, clean-lined interior, warmed with a neutral color palette, perfect for its always-on-the-go owner. In the main living areas, Bennett and Hall incorporated natural elements using living plants and framed crystals. The owner’s collection of paintings and sculptures from all around the world are prominently displayed nodding to her love of travel while enriching the décor.

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The master bedroom features a spectacular custom plasterwork mural by artist Tyler Huntzinger. 

In order to further personalize each space, Bennett and Hall called in local visual artist and designer Tyler Huntzinger, best known for his inspiring plasterwork. Among his memorable creations is a ceiling detailed with 3-D chrysanthemums mimicking artwork originally drawn by the owner’s late grandfather.

Huntzinger presented his interpretation of the drawing to the homeowner as a reminder that her grandfather is always watching over her. Bennett and Hall completed the celestial effect with a chandelier that appears to cascade from the plaster foliage, replacing what was once rugged beams.

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A striking gold ceiling detail and delicate glass pendant foster the master suite’s luxurious style.

“When we first came to this house, it was heavy with rustic detail, featuring  dark, hammered beams extending across the ceiling,” Hall points out. “It threw your eye so you didn’t know where to focus, and it felt nervous.” The team removed the beams, dropped the ceiling and floated a large circle that diffuses the ceiling’s harsh angles, relaxes the room and showcases Huntzinger’s artistry.

Below, a large painted canvas rests above the fireplace and serves as the great room’s finishing touch. It not only tones down the rustic feel of the original rock, but also adds an ethereal aura to the room. “It looks like heaven ruffled its feathers,” Hall says. “When I first saw it, that’s what came to mind and I thought it was absolutely perfect.”

The kitchen is another flawless representation of function meets fashion with impeccable Calacatta Marble countertops and sophisticated dove gray backsplash. Embroidered white linen roman shades give the room texture and delicate luxury, and pendant fixtures above the island and dining table perform as jewels that polish it all off.

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A fresh, uncluttered kitchen features Calacatta marble countertops, understated backsplash, luxurious window treatments and simple pendant lights over the island.

The master suite features more of Huntzinger’s spectacular plasterwork brought to life with a large mural that spans each wall and creates the look and serenity of a muted woodland. The room’s adjoining sitting area is similarly cozy and charming. Near the window, a crisp white daybed is dressed with lush pillows and flanked by a tailored armchair, an unspoken invitation to settle in and stay awhile.

“When I walk in after a long day or a long trip, it is a sanctuary, and it is a very beautiful, calming space without being boring,” the owner says. “It’s functional and it reflects aspects of my travels. I love that Alice Lane provided a canvas for that.”

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A cozy sitting area, complete with a daybed and tailored chair, offers an unspoken invitation to sit and relax.

Period Pop

By
Ashley Miller
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A respectful renovation and fearless décor move a mid-century modern home into the 21st century.
By Brad Mee, Photos by Scot Zimmerman

The home’s butterfly roof allows the cedar slatted ceiling to slope upward, drawing the eye up and out through floor-to-ceiling windows. New ceiling insulation, solar panels, bamboo floors and energy-efficient windows are among the renovation’s eco-friendly additions. Boldly furnished sitting areas animate the large, open great room. Photo by Scot Zimmerman.

Uttering the words “good bones” to describe a house is akin to using “sweet personality” to sell a blind date. The expressions sound warning bells. But when architect Ann Robinson used the former phrase to explain the original condition of a mid-century modern home that she, designers Belle Kurudzija and LaMar Lisman, and contractor Matt Russell recently remodeled, it was pure flattery.

“We knew this house was great from the beginning,” says Robinson of the dynamic Salt Lake dwelling that dates back to the 1960s. “Our goal from the start was to remodel it, while respecting its unique style every step of the way.”

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The interior ceiling plane extends outside, expanding the sense of space and connection to the landscape. A colorful rug visually links the dining space to the adjoining living area. Photo by Scot Zimmerman.

Nestled in a quiet Cottonwood neighborhood, the 3,000-square-foot, single-level dwelling has what few homes can claim: authenticity. Its flat architectural planes, big windows, wide-open rooms and strong connection to the outdoors are archetypal of classic mid-century modern design.

Fortunately, the owners’ commitment to maintaining the original style remained steadfast throughout the renovation process. “Preserving the architectural integrity of the home was extremely important,” Lisman says.

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The shimmering riveted brass fireplace treatment was added early in the home’s life. The designers added clear glass firebox doors. Photo by Scot Zimmerman.

For the sort who appreciate and live in homes of this kind, there is little waffling when it comes to remodeling decisions. They remove imprudent alterations made over the years and lovingly restore damaged and timeworn elements.

The home’s owners took this route, while also adding modern conveniences and sustainable features to their must-have list. Following their clients’ lead, the pros transformed the dwelling into an improved version of its original self, complete with a few surprising twists.

The fun begins at the step-down entry, where a new glass wall and modern glass-paned door draw light into a foyer completely clad in cedar planks. Its once-cherry wood floor is now ceramic tile, a modern solution that’s more functional, says senior project designer Kurudzija. The small foyer steps up into an impressively large great room walled by expanses of new energy-efficient windows linking indoors and out.

This split-level transition from a private entry into an open, light-filled interior is a hallmark of mid-century modern design and one the team resolutely retained. “We spent a lot of time choosing replacement windows with frames that don’t impose on the views or the architecture,” Russell says.

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The designers’ daring use of color and shapely furnishings infuse the great room. Overhead beams and a solid white wall define a visual break in the space where Kurudzija and Lisman staged low-profile, high-style furniture that allows light and views to flow freely throughout the inviting sitting area. Photos by Scot Zimmerman.

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Many additional features define the great room’s distinctive design. Overhead, a cedar-slat ceiling follows the lines of the unique V-shaped butterfly roof while unifying the open living, dining, kitchen and entry areas. “The ceilings make the whole space,” Kurudzija says. A brick wall extends from the great room out onto the patio, visually linking indoors with out.

Lisman and Kurudzija strategically painted this and other walls chalk white. “White creates a gallery look that allows the architecture to stand out,” Lisman says. It also provided the ideal backdrop for a bold mix of bright colors and shapely forms introduced by large-scale furnishings, eye-catching art and select accessories.

“We used color and function to divide the large living room,” says Lisman, who worked with Kurudzija methodically to form conversation and reading areas devoid of structural barriers. Beginning with intensely colored rugs placed atop new bamboo floors, the duo formed three high-style groupings.

For the first, they clustered four zebra-patterned wingchairs that break the room’s low horizontal lines and add a highly unexpected pop of pattern. A second grouping pairs a low-profile tufted orange sofa with an iconic Eames chair. For the third, they placed a navy womb chair and round nesting tables in front of the stunning riveted brass fireplace. While individually impressive, the room’s furnishings were teamed to fill the space with statement-making style. “This is all about the look, not the separate pieces,” Lisman says.

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Completely gutted, the master bathroom boasts new clearstory windows and a glass-walled shower. Photo by Scot Zimmerman.

To transform the dark, outdated kitchen into a light-filled, functional space, the team enlarged an existing window, reconfigured the room and installed a new breakfast bar to replace a solid wall separating the kitchen from the adjacent dining area.

Kurudzija and Lisman swapped the kitchen’s laminate countertops with quartz, and installed beech wood cabinets distinctly designed with matching horizontal grain that runs continuously across the doors and drawers. Rod-like hardware dresses the cabinets, while “quirky” geometric patterned glass tile animates the backsplash.

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A new breakfast bar replaced a wall that blocked the kitchen from the open great room. New quartz counter tops and beech wood cabinets perfectly suit the mid-century home’s style and pedigree. Photo by Scot Zimmerman.

“I had the most fun on this project,” Kurudzija says. The same holds true for all of the professionals. From the start, each had a special fondness for the 50-year-old house, good bones and all.

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