Archive for June, 2009
Hello all!
Designer Frank Hodge
The countdown to the opening of the 2009 20th anniversary Museums of Old York show house has begun. This is the time when the show house gets busier and busier each day and all of the “magic” happens. My name is Frank Hodge and I am an interior designer based in Boston, Mass. You may have attended the MOY show house last year, in which I created the master bedroom suite.
This year I signed on to do a guest bedroom/sitting room. The design of this room was inspired by a recent trip to Hillwood Museum and Gardens, the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post. Hillwood is an awe-inspiring place, and was created with an educated eye. My project was aptly named “Marjorie’s Room,” and I can only hope that Ms. Post would feel at home in room I created with her inspiration.
A few weeks into working on this guest bedroom/sitting room, I received a call from Carol Coles asking me if I would consider undertaking the kitchen/pantry project. No designers had presented proposals to design the kitchen and pantry, knowing what a daunting task it would be. As the kitchen is the heart of the home and I did not want to let it remain “undone,” I accepted the task.
Pantry
Kitchen, before, with bead board
Now with two and a half rooms to work on and design clients to keep happy, it was time to get into high gear. With help from my associate Weston Frederickson, we started the dirty work on the kitchen. (I am going to keep the guest room design as a total surprise to you all!)
The existing kitchen was a basic 40’s farmhouse kitchen- simple and serviceable. The kitchen has retained its original cabinets, counters and floor. The pantry was used as a laundry room/storage area.
I wanted to retain the charm of a farmhouse kitchen, so I started by undressing the rooms. Weston and I removed the bead board that sheathed the walls. The bead board was disproportionate for the room and gave the illusion of lower ceilings. We then removed the upper cabinets at the sink and a wall of cabinets on the cellar door wall. Though we lost some storage, the kitchen now has a larger, airier feel. Next went the Formica counter tops. You could hear the kitchen sigh with relief as we removed these counters.
Kitchen in progress
Always keeping the integrity of the house in mind, I wanted to create the kitchen and pantry with a relaxed farmhouse feeling. I wanted it to be a place to gather, talk, and enjoy family and friends.
The remaining original 40’s cabinets have been prepped, primed, and painted. They now look like new thanks to Weston’s expert paint job. Crown molding was added at the ceiling to add some interest and a more finished look to the room. The walls that were once bead boarded are being Venetian plastered in hues of chocolate brown. The walls now have texture and depth and appear to have been in situ for years and years.
Judy Dibble at work
Armstrong tile flooring has apparently never gone out of fashion! Much to my amazement, I was able to order new tiles to patch the places where the cabinets were removed and replace a few damaged tiles. The difference in color between the old and new is virtually seamless thanks to the expert cleaning and polishing job.
The countertops are being replaced with Irish Limestone, which is a richly colored grayish limestone that is reminiscent of your grandmother’s soapstone wash sink. It is perfect for a farmhouse kitchen. If you look closely at the kitchen counters, you can see the numerous fossils that the limestone holds.
The only modern touches will be the stainless steel appliances and kitchen sink and faucet. Please be advised that there will be no fridge in the kitchen, as it would impede the flow of traffic when visitors come to see the show house.
My inspiration for the color scheme of the kitchen and pantry was derived from the existing yellow and dark green linoleum checkerboard flooring.
Oak leaf fabric
As for the rest of the decoration, I hope that you make a trip to the show house to see what the finished rooms look like. If you may have any questions, or would like to meet me at the show house while it is open, please feel free to call or send me an email.
Many thanks, and I look forward to meeting you!
Frank Hodge | F. D. Hodge Interiors | Boston, Mass. 02118 | 617-267-8103 | fdhodge@aol.com
June 26th, 2009
Chuck Hugo, of Charles C. Hugo Landscape Design, writes in with this update from the Old York Designer Show House, where he is designing the entrance garden.
Entrance Garden Design
The YHS entrance garden is based on a 1920’s garden style, which is isn’t a style but rather drawing from many historical garden ideas and melding into a new hodgepodge, much like our country. The design is a mix of French parterre and English cottage with some Italian formalities. Ellen Bidddle Shipman was a landscape architect living in Plainfield, NH and worked throughout New England in the 20s and 30s. We took inspiration from her designs and incorporated our own style of plantings. Maya is doing some custom glass work for the arbor and we will be working with some antique granite pieces. And Lynn Felici Gallant is working her magic with annuals, vines and containers throughout.
Charles C. Hugo Landscape Design | PO Box 263, South Berwick ME 03908 | 207 384-5893 | www.charleshugo.com
June 16th, 2009
Nicole Yee of NY Interiors writes in with this update from the Old York Designer Show House, where she is designing the Master Suite.
Designer Nicole Yee
Tackling the Master Suite
The McIntire master suite immediately appealed to my problem-solving nature. Apparently, I wasn’t the only designer who saw it as a challenge: when I met my esteemed Showhouse colleagues (a warm and welcoming bunch, by the way) they deemed me “the brave one” for proposing to design that room.
The master suite does have some undeniable design maladies. For starters, it’s completely disjointed from the rest of the house. It is a recent addition tacked on without any design transition from the original house. (A big no-no for us decorators who are always in search of cohesion.) Further, there is no obvious placement for the bed, large built-in wall speakers occupy almost every spot that a piece of art could hang, and the over-scale chandelier would be lovely in say, the lobby of the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas, but it dwarfs the 16×20′ room!
So why stake my reputation on this flawed room? The view of the York River Watershed is a site to behold. Using that as a building block for the design, I know that I can mine a diamond out of the rough! And I can’t wait to get started.
Design Challenge #1 - My 2,700 Mile Commute!
I’m honored to have been chosen to design the master suite at this year’s Old York Showhouse, especially since the panel of judges was completely unfamiliar with my work. Though I am a New Hampshire native, I have
been living–and designing–in California for many years. The Showhouse kicks off the expansion of my San Francisco Bay Area-based business to the New England Seacoast. As of June, I’ll be officially based in Kittery, ME and Oakland, CA and will divide my time between coasts.
My first challenge in May, which is “dirty work” month at the Showhouse, is my 2,700 mile commute! I flew in to get things started at the beginning of the month, but had to return to California to finish a mid-century
modern kitchen remodel. Luckily, I made good headway on my visit–drywall, prep, painting and rug stretching are all underway.
Organization is always important in design and in this case it’s critical! I’ll be back in Maine for the duration of the Showhouse in early June. Nothing like a wonderful New England summer to look forward to, along with a
fantastic design project.
In Plain View
When I walked in to the master suite at McIntire Farm the first time, the bed was completely blocking one set of windows. It was wonderful to see the view of the old barn revealed when I returned to the empty room for the “Before” tour.
Master Suite, Before
On the other hand, the other things that were exposed once the room was emptied are what we’ll spend a month covering back up! Wall cracks and drywall seams will need to be blended back into the walls. These types of issues are only properly addressed with excellent preparation before paint. Paint alone cannot hide these sins. This is where an experienced painter makes all the difference.
Working on the Room
I love technology—and good acoustics—however, the sound system in the master bedroom, while may be good for the ears, is NOT easy on the eyes. Oversized speakers are placed conspicuously all over the room making it tough to place pictures on the walls. They are laid out in such a way that artwork won’t fully cover them, but instead overlap. We received permission to remove the speakers and repair the walls for the Showhouse. (They’ll be replaced later.)
Master Suite, Before
Finally, the condition of the carpet needed to be addressed. Improper installation had caused it to buckle over time. This was resolved by having a professional installer re-stretch the carpet and trim off the excess. A good cleaning will have it in ship shape.
First Impressions
Master Suite, Before
The entryway to the McIntire master suite is in a word; odd. It’s my job to define it as something other than an extension of the upstairs hallway. I’ve got big plans for this little space. All a surprise, of course, but suffice it to say that the space will be given a purpose and transformed into an interesting, style-packed dressing area.
NY Interiors | 62 Whipple Road Kittery, ME 03904 | (510) 326-5390 | www.nicoleyee.com
June 15th, 2009
Janet Swanson and Georgie McGowan of Fiona’s Porch write in with this update from the Old York Designer Show House, where they are designing Frankie’s Room.
The starting point for me, as a designer, begins with revisiting the room and aligning my initial idea with the actual physical room. I started the redesign of the room by meeting with my painter, Cider Hill Painting, (lucky for me, it’s my son, and I get a great deal on a professional job!) and we asses the condition of the walls and ceiling. They weren’t bad and it will take a day or two of prep and a few days for paint and it will be fresh and new! That’s the wonder of paint, it can make a room look fabulous very easily! The single best way to change something up!
Frankie's Room, Before
After finalizing the colors, based upon my inspiration piece,the hand made quilt ‘Flying South”, I move on to the fabric for the window treatments and the slip cover for the vintage chair we acquired for the room. I met with Mary Trigge our seamstress and we measured the window and discussed our idea for the valances for Frankie’s Room. We are going to create an ‘envelope’ style valance using two different fabrics that tie in with the slipcover and quilt, executing ideas are always fun and exciting for me!
Frankie's Room, Before
After that discussion, it was on to ‘The Sewing Room’ and a quick meeting with Linda to review our ideas for the slipcover, very simple and fun with red covered buttons that will tie in with the window treatments. It’s now on to gathering the rest of the accessory items for the room, cleaning up and painting the old iron bed, and managing the work on the room, while keeping the design idea intact and going with the flow!
Fiona’s Porch | 7 York Street York, ME 03909 | (207) 363-6270 | www.fionasporch.com
June 15th, 2009
I am glad that there are so many green options available these days. From food to clothing, recreation to home products, it seems like every area of our lives have gone green. Although that is a very good thing, it can be a bit overwhelming to sort through all of the choices available, and finding good deals can be even more difficult.
That’s where the Green Alliance comes in. Based in Portsmouth, the Green Alliance promotes local businesses that are committed to sustainability, fostering a community of like-minded businesses, consumers, and activists. Businesses can become a partner of the Green Alliance, and individuals can join their Green Co-Op. The Co-Op not only offers great savings from local green businesses, but also it is a way for the average consumer to get involved in the green community.
For $35, you can become a member and enjoy thousands of dollars in savings at 57 local businesses. With the Green Card, you will save money on your morning coffee, organic duds, home renovation supplies and services, summer recreation, and much more.
A quick glance at the discounts from participating businesses reveals so many great deals. For example, Seacoast Energy Alternatives is offering 5% off solar hot water hardware, and 10% off all products in store, under $500. That’s a savings of $250 on a solar hot water system, or $50 on a solar powered attic fan.
Planning a renovation this summer? Ridgeview Construction offers 10% off all labor, and a free energy audit with insulation and home sealing job. With the free energy audit alone, you could save $350. A sustainable kitchen remodel will save you $800, and save $500 on a green bathroom makeover. Pick up your supplies at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Dover, and you will save 10% on every purchase.
As a yoga enthusiast, there are many discounts to tempt me, including Zev Yoga’s promotion: the first five classes will be only $5, for a savings of $70! Blue Moon Yoga is offering 50% off your first five classes yoga punch card, for a savings of $32. Blue Moon also has a café and market, and both are offering percentage savings on any purchase.
As a member of the Green Alliance, ACCENT hopes to encourage the community to get active in the green movement. With the Green Card, it is easy and fun to support locals that have gone green.
To learn more about the Green Alliance, and how you can become a member, visit www.greenalliance.biz.
June 8th, 2009
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