Interior Designer Ariella Duker Calls Amenia Home Sweet Home

The article highlights the collaborative efforts of David Bieker, owner of Denali Custom Homes, and Jodie Unger, Director of Sales and Marketing, in creating a Designer Dream Home model. This unique rustic modern retreat is strategically located near the Minnehaha Creek headwaters off Grays Bay on Lake Minnetonka, boasting significant privacy and natural views. Bieker, with over two decades of experience in designing and building architecturally significant homes, partners with Unger, who brings a diverse background in art, interior design, and real estate, to offer a comprehensive and artistic approach to luxury housing. Their combined expertise allows them to bridge the communication gap between architects, contractors, and clients, ensuring a highly personalized and unique outcome for each homeowner. The featured Designer Dream Home is a testament to their integrated approach, showcasing a wide range of talents in the luxury housing market. Bieker’s vision for the property was inspired by its secluded location and the towering white pines, evoking a sense of being far north despite its proximity to Wayzata. He applied his extensive experience to guide the design team, treating the project as if it were his own residence. Unger further elaborates on the home's design, emphasizing its suitability for entertaining and seamless indoor/outdoor living. A notable feature is the four-season pool lounge, complete with a fireplace and wet bar, offering impressive vistas of Minnehaha Creek and Grays Bay. Denali Custom Homes prioritizes client advocacy throughout the entire home-building process, from initial contact to the final handover of keys. This commitment to client satisfaction is a cornerstone of their philosophy. The Designer Dream Home is scheduled to be available for public tours during the upcoming Artisan Home Tour in June, providing an opportunity for prospective buyers and enthusiasts to experience this meticulously crafted property firsthand. The article positions the home as a dream residence in a dream setting, poised to attract those seeking an exclusive and bespoke living experience on Lake Minnetonka. #DenaliCustomHomes #DavidBieker #JodieUnger #LuxuryHomes #CustomBuilder #LakeMinnetonka #HomeDesign #ArtisanHomeTour

This article highlights the design philosophy and home transformation journey of Dana Dore, a professional stylist, blogger, and Instagram influencer known as Adored House by Dana Dore (@adoredhouse). Dore, residing in Farmingdale, Monmouth County, New Jersey, has garnered significant attention for her ability to infuse charm and color into her family’s 1,700-square-foot, builder-grade home, making it appear older and larger than its 12 years and 8-foot ceilings suggest. She emphasizes that with clever decorating tricks, any house can become a dream home, a sentiment she lives by through her personal renovation projects. Dore's design approach relies heavily on vintage decor, which she believes offers unmatched quality and appearance compared to new items. Her home features a variety of pre-loved pieces, from antique art and furniture to restored cabinets, contributing to its unique character. Even the landscaping, with its mature garden beds overflowing with hydrangeas and roses, gives the impression of an established, vintage setting. She attributes her DIY skills and appreciation for antiques to her parents, who fostered an early interest in home improvement, painting, and collecting. This upbringing naturally led her to study art and design, culminating in a 14-year career in retail display before she transitioned into social media content creation. Her family home, shared with her husband Bob and their two daughters, is situated in a quiet, rural community but remains conveniently close to popular New Jersey Shore beaches like Belmar and Manasquan. This proximity influences her design choices, incorporating nautical references and timeless beach objects throughout the interior. Despite initial reservations about purchasing a new colonial-style house that lacked the charm she desired, Dore proceeded with the assurance that she could personalize it extensively. Her philosophy, "Love the one you’re with," encourages homeowners to transform their spaces regardless of the property's original character, especially given the current real estate market's limited inventory of older homes. The transformation of her home began in 2016, focusing on first-floor living areas, the primary bedroom, and her daughters’ room. Her daughters actively participated in designing their "sisters suite," a collaborative effort that reminded Dore of her own teenage experience renovating her bedroom with a Victorian theme. The home showcases an exuberant color palette, particularly favoring summery yellows and greens, complemented by classic patterns like stripes and gingham. Dore's passion for unique finds is evident in pieces such as her indestructible ship-hatch door coffee table, which is ideal for family game nights. She is an avid thrifter, frequently utilizing Facebook Marketplace to source vintage items within driving distance, including her daughters' twin beds, the kitchen table, and a spacious TV cabinet. For a quintessential summer home with a Shore vibe, Dore recommends white bed linens, fresh flowers, and homemade treats made with local Jersey peaches, ultimately advising homeowners to fill their spaces with cherished items for their loved ones. This article showcases Dore's expertise in interior styling, her ability to blend vintage elements with modern comfort, and her dedication to creating a personalized and inviting living space. Her journey from a retail display artist to a prominent design influencer illustrates the power of creative vision and hands-on effort in making a house a beloved home.

This article features an interview with Betsy Moyer, an interior designer and co-founder of Retreat, where she shares her career journey and five actionable tips to enhance joy in living spaces. Moyer, a serial entrepreneur with a background in creative design and digital content strategy, co-founded The Estate of Things and The Blissfield Acres before launching Retreat in 2020. Retreat specializes in elevated, experiential design for short-term rental properties in the Joshua Tree area, offering services from real estate consultation to interior design. Her professional journey also includes roles as director of digital content strategy for NPR affiliate KCRW and The Design People, and she holds a Bachelor's of Art in History and is pursuing a master's in interior architecture and design. Moyer's passion for home, renovation, and real estate began early in life, leading her to co-launch her interior design and real estate blog, The Estate of Things, in 2008 with Sarah Farrell. This partnership chronicled their efforts in buying, renting, building, renovating, designing, and staging properties, and even included a brick-and-mortar shop. Her collaboration with Kate Shaw, founder of Riley Properties, an Airbnb Investment and Property Management company, naturally evolved into Retreat. Moyer recounts the rapid success of Retreat, noting that they quickly received more inquiries than they could handle after a weekend website launch, indicating a strong market demand for their specialized design services in Joshua Tree. A key lesson Moyer learned early in her career was the importance of balancing client satisfaction with personal well-being, moving from overcommitment to strategic project selection. She emphasizes focusing on enjoyable projects and creating a positive work environment for her team. Currently, Retreat is engaged in an interesting consulting project for new Airbnb construction and an exciting landmark project involving Kate Shaw's latest property, which will serve as a showcase for Retreat's capabilities. Moyer shares a deeply personal life lesson derived from a Rupi Kaur poem, reflecting on the transformative period of experiencing her daughter's birth, her mother's death from cancer, and her own cancer diagnosis and treatment. This period reshaped her perspective and intensified her drive. She credits Sarah Farrell for significantly influencing her design style and her husband for supporting her pursuit of a master's degree in interior design. The five recommendations Betsy Moyer provides for sparking more joy in a living space are: organizing the kitchen with beautiful storage, investing in high-quality bedding and mattresses, thoughtfully considering lighting, ensuring every item has an assigned place, and developing a cohesive space plan, 'vibes guide,' and color scheme. She believes these elements contribute significantly to creating a healthy and joyful home environment. Moyer concludes by proposing a movement centered on wellness in home design, advocating for spaces that support mental and physical health. She also expresses a desire to meet or work with Elon Musk, admiring his innovative spirit and skills, and jokingly suggests he hire her for his vacation home in Joshua Tree, CA. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Entrepreneurship #Lifestyle #WellnessInDesign #AirbnbDesign #RetreatHome #SmallBusiness #JoyfulLiving

Interior designer Annie Anderson and her husband, Jeffery, acquired a house that held sentimental value for Annie, as it was where her baby shower for her eldest child was hosted. They purchased the home six years ago, viewing it as a perfect fit for their family of five, despite their desire to adapt it to their specific needs. The initial modifications focused on reconfiguring the upstairs space to better accommodate their children. Subsequently, their attention shifted to the downstairs areas. The living spaces at the front of the house are notable for their expansive windows, which allow an abundance of southern light to illuminate the rooms. The Andersons opted to maintain the original layout of these areas. White walls serve as a neutral backdrop, enhancing the visual impact of the rich colors and various textures present in the decor. A deliberate and balanced combination of patterns invigorates the space. Diverse materials such as gilt, bamboo, lacquer, and raffia are harmoniously integrated, alongside houseplants with variegated leaves, modern art, and photography. A formal sofa, distinguished by its fringe gracefully reaching the floor, contributes to the room's aesthetic. A pink lacquered ceiling adds a rosy luminosity from above, completing the elegant and lively atmosphere. The dining room pays homage to traditional decorating styles, featuring a textured sisal rug, painted fretwork chairs, classic curtains, and hand-painted wallpaper. Despite its formal appearance, the space is actively utilized by the family. Anderson notes that her children often complete their homework in the dining room and host friends there for casual meals. Paradoxically, when the Andersons entertain adult friends, gatherings typically gravitate towards the kitchen. The appeal of the dining room's chalky Napoleon III-style rope-twist chairs, upholstered in a leopard print, is suggested as a draw for the younger occupants. The kitchen, typical of older homes, presented an opportunity for remodeling to better suit the family's lifestyle. Anderson had a clear vision for this transformation, aiming to enhance natural light in the kitchen and butler's pantry and to create a more spacious mudroom. The kitchen is anchored by a La Cornue range, chosen not merely for its decorative appeal but also due to Jeffery Anderson's past as a professional chef. The design incorporates classic, timeless elements, blending seamlessly with the home's existing style. Marble countertops and a backsplash, paneled walls, and wood floors are selected to respect the age and character of the residence. Brass lattice insets in the cabinetry add an unexpected shimmer, while raffia chairs in the breakfast room introduce texture, balancing the inherent formality of the space. To maximize natural light, Anderson installed generous windows on either side of the range and repeated transom windows on both interior and exterior walls in the kitchen and breakfast areas. The breakfast room's update served as the catalyst for adding a new family room. In this new addition, vaulted ceilings, clad in wood paneling, are complemented by an antelope-patterned carpet, maintaining the home's sophisticated aesthetic while offering durability. Technological and structural updates were also integrated, including new wiring and geothermal energy systems. The family room is designed for both casual and social activities, featuring a card table with spider-backed chairs for games or snacks, and slipper chairs near the fireplace for relaxation or conversation. A state-of-the-art television above the fireplace can display decorative images when not in use, enabling large groups to watch sporting events. The primary suite, distinct from the communal areas, serves as a luxurious private retreat. Wall-to-wall carpeting and floor-to-ceiling curtains contribute to a quiet and serene environment. Custom closets with mirrored doors connect seamlessly to the primary bath, which boasts marble tiling and fixtures reminiscent of a high-end hotel. The overarching design philosophy prioritizes the family's practical needs and social interactions over purely decorative elements. Anderson emphasizes that the home's value lies in its ability to facilitate family gatherings and hospitality, where people feel comfortable and connected. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #FamilyHome #KansasCity #DesignElements #CustomDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #InteriorStyling