Prairie home is a dream come true

Celebrity photographer Harper Smith and country music star Cameron Duddy embarked on a journey to transform a Texas Hill Country farmhouse into a personal retreat, a move that also represented a shift towards a quieter, more creative life. The couple, originally from Topanga, CA, discovered the farmhouse through a serendipitous real estate app notification during a trip to Austin, a sign that prompted them to purchase the property the very next day. Their desire for a more peaceful existence, away from the fast pace of their careers, led them to relocate with their children and potbellied pig, Pepper, to this rural setting. The initial vision for the farmhouse involved a "big modification" project guided by Harper's detailed mood boards, aiming to open up rooms, introduce extensive glass elements, and eliminate the existing varnished oak woodwork. However, the renovation uncovered unexpected challenges, including mold in the walls, necessitating a more comprehensive demolition than planned. This setback prompted Harper to re-evaluate and refine her design vision. She collaborated with interior designer Amy Pigliacampo, who praised Harper's clear aesthetic and irreverent spirit. Their partnership led them to source unique pieces, with Harper prioritizing art acquisition first, believing that other decor elements can follow. The home's design embraces a blend of styles and personal touches. The living room features walls wrapped in windows, deliberately left bare to maximize natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. The rustic stone fireplace was updated with a German smear finish, giving it a whitewashed appearance. The kitchen incorporates Japandi style, a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, characterized by modern slab-front cabinets, natural wood, and fluting. Unique elements include stools crafted from a single tree trunk and Calacatta Viola marble with bold lavender veins for the backsplash, chosen to complement a small landscape painting that inspired the room's palette. Thin dolomite counters contribute to a contemporary feel. The decor favors warm naturals such as raw wood, unlacquered brass, leather, and oiled wood floors, chosen for their ability to develop patina over time. Rounded edges are a recurring motif, from arched exterior doors to the kitchen island, dining tabletop, and primary bedroom headboard, adding a modern softness. Personal expression is evident throughout the house. Harper's use of color is deliberate and impactful, particularly in the bathrooms. The primary bathroom features a shower surround that mimics slab stone and graphic interlocking floor tiles, which Harper meticulously crafted herself. This tile project, involving her family and even their pets' footprints, became a metaphor for the personal and slightly messy life they wished to build in their home. The primary bedroom exudes sophistication with warm green curtains, contrasting with the bare windows elsewhere, and layers of neutral shades in gray, cream, and ecru. Kitt's bedroom is designed as a young space cowboy's dream, featuring a horizontal mattress, cowboy-themed sheets, a space-inspired pendant crafted by Harper, and a sky-blue painted IKEA play table. The en suite bath showcases graphic green tile from Clay Imports, emphasizing local sourcing, and a fluted marble sink. The landing at the top of the stairs, intended as a future game room, currently serves as a family hangout space, adorned with a framed poster of Cameron’s step-grandmother, actress Connie Stevens, adding a touch of personal history. The overall design philosophy values depth, age, and character, allowing for imperfections and a lived-in feel, reflecting the couple's desire for a home that truly embodies their life and loves. #TexasFarmhouse #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #JapandiStyle #RuralRetreat #HarperSmith #CameronDuddy #AmyPigliacampo #PersonalizedDecor

The Prairie Run Open Space is a significant natural area managed by Boulder County, offering diverse ecological benefits and recreational opportunities. The area features a variety of landscapes, including grasslands, riparian zones, and areas designated for ecological restoration. A key aspect of the management plan for Prairie Run involves extensive restoration efforts aimed at enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health. These efforts include the removal of invasive species, revegetation with native plants, and improvements to water quality and soil health, particularly in the riparian corridors. Recreational access is a balanced consideration within the open space, aiming to provide public enjoyment while protecting sensitive habitats. Current infrastructure includes a network of trails for hiking and wildlife observation, which are designed to minimize human impact on the environment. Future plans involve the development of additional trails and amenities, carefully integrated with the natural landscape to preserve its character. These developments are guided by principles of sustainable recreation, ensuring that public use does not compromise the long-term ecological integrity of the area. Water resources within Prairie Run are critical for both ecological functions and potential recreational uses. The management strategy includes monitoring water quality in creeks and wetlands, implementing measures to reduce runoff and erosion, and promoting water conservation practices. These initiatives are essential for supporting the diverse aquatic and terrestrial species that rely on these water sources. The site also plays a role in regional water management, contributing to the health of downstream ecosystems. Community engagement is an integral part of the Prairie Run Open Space management. Public input is actively sought for planning and development decisions, ensuring that the needs and concerns of local residents are addressed. Volunteer programs offer opportunities for community members to participate directly in restoration projects, trail maintenance, and educational activities. These programs foster a sense of stewardship and connect people with the natural environment, promoting environmental awareness and conservation ethics. The Open Space is a dynamic natural area, continuously evolving through both natural processes and active management. Regular ecological assessments are conducted to track changes in vegetation, wildlife populations, and habitat conditions. The management plan is adaptive, allowing for adjustments based on scientific data and emerging environmental challenges. This adaptive approach ensures that the open space remains resilient and continues to provide valuable ecological services and recreational experiences for current and future generations. The integration of scientific research, community involvement, and proactive management strategies underscores Boulder County's commitment to preserving and enhancing its natural heritage. #PrairieRun #OpenSpace #BoulderCounty #EcologicalRestoration #Trails #Recreation #EnvironmentalManagement #CommunityEngagement

This article discusses the concept of universal design in home renovations and new construction, focusing on how adapting a home for aging in place can be a sound investment and make living easier for maturing bodies. The central idea revolves around creating living spaces that are accessible and usable by people of all ages, sizes, and abilities, thereby allowing older individuals to remain in their homes longer, a concept known as "aging in place." The article highlights that universal design elements, while beneficial for the elderly, are also attractive and practical for people of all ages. The article provides a detailed case study of a couple in North Wilmington who added a first-floor master suite to their home, specifically designed with universal design principles. This addition includes an oversized bedroom with a sitting area, a large bathroom suite with a walk-in shower and separate toilet room, two walk-in closets, an office, and a laundry room. Key design features mentioned are elevated front-loading washer and dryer, wide hallways and doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, and a separate entrance from the driveway that can be ramped if needed. The bathroom, designed by Rita Wilkins, president of Design Services in Wilmington, features amenities found in luxury hotels, such as walk-in showers and anti-scald faucets. Vanities are set at different heights, with some at 38 inches for easier use and one lower to accommodate a wheelchair user. The new bedroom boasts a 10½-foot ceiling with cove lighting and transom windows for ample natural light, and the owner's closet includes a large window seat, while his closet has a skylight, emphasizing the importance of extra lighting as vision deteriorates with age. The article emphasizes that universal design is not limited to new construction or additions. Renovations can also incorporate these principles, adding resale value and making existing homes safer and easier to live in. For instance, if stairs become an issue, a first-floor bedroom can be added, or an elevator can be installed if closets on different floors align vertically. An elevator typically requires about a 5-foot square space. The article shares an example of a Newark home where an elevator was installed to address mobility concerns, allowing the homeowners to remain in their beloved location. Other adaptations include adding handrails to stairs and hallways, installing grab bars near tubs and toilets, and adjusting the height of counters, light switches, thermostats, and electrical outlets for easier access. Traditional light switches can be replaced with rocker switches, and storage areas can be made more accessible with roll-out trays in cabinets and D-shaped handles instead of knobs. Some kitchen counters can be lowered to a desk height of 30 inches, and lever faucets are recommended over traditional turning handles. The article also suggests installing a faucet and spray hose near the stove for convenience. Flooring and furnishings are also crucial considerations. The case study home features firm chairs that are easy to get in and out of in the reading nook, and low-pile carpeting with firm padding in the bedroom, which is ideal for walkers or wheelchairs. Transitions between different types of flooring are clearly demarcated by contrasting colors. The overall message is that universal design, when implemented correctly, is stylish and blends seamlessly with the home's aesthetics, rather than making it resemble a hospital room. The article concludes by stressing that people do not have to leave their homes and neighborhoods they love simply because they are getting older, as numerous adaptations can make their current homes more livable as they age. #UniversalDesign #AgingInPlace #HomeRenovation #AccessibleDesign #HomeModifications #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #AdaptiveLiving #HomeAccessibility

Pargeting, an ornamental plasterwork technique, holds a significant place in the architectural history of East Anglia, adorning both the exteriors and sometimes the interiors of buildings. This craft, a less detailed version of fine stucco work, is primarily concentrated in East Anglia due to historical circumstances. The region's scarcity of suitable building stone led to the rendering of many timber-framed structures, providing an ideal surface for pargeting. The practice did not experience a revival but rather a continuous survival. During the Jacobean period, East Anglia's wealth from the wool trade fostered a proliferation of elaborately pargeted buildings. When the style fell out of fashion, the region's subsequent economic decline meant these structures were not replaced, thus preserving the tradition. Anna Kettle, a Norfolk-raised, Suffolk-based artisan, is among the few individuals actively perpetuating this craft. Her journey into pargeting was inspired by a Jacobean ceiling, prompting her to pursue a City and Guilds plaster course and subsequent work in plaster conservation. To further hone her skills in ornamental plasterwork, she secured a Queen Elizabeth Trust scholarship to study freehand modeling in Venice. Kettle's unique expertise lies in her dual capability as both a pargeter and a conservator, with approximately half of her commissions involving the restoration of historical plasterwork, such as a challenging ceiling repair in an Ipswich merchant's house that required steel support. Her new projects predominantly involve rural buildings, often aiming to replicate the distinctive East Anglian vernacular style. Notably, she also undertook a commission for a ceiling at Birkhall, The Prince of Wales's residence in Scotland. Kettle specializes in figurative scenes, often incorporating local historical references, and frequently draws inspiration from church designs. The grapevine motif is a recurring request, which she endeavors to vary creatively. She expresses a desire to explore more modern designs within her work. Kettle characterizes pargeting as the artistic facet of plastering, traditionally performed by plasterers with an innate artistic inclination. There are two primary grades of pargeting. The more common and less intricate method involves creating a 'scratch pattern' by 'combing' wet plaster panels. This technique generates a textured surface that interacts with sunlight, enhancing the building's character. The more demanding process, which Kettle predominantly practices, involves freehand modeling directly onto the surface, typically in low relief. She exclusively uses lime-putty mortar, purchased pre-mixed, and reinforces it with white goat hair to achieve tensile strength. Cement is deemed unsuitable due to its higher shear and inability to be molded into the desired curvilinear forms, though it can be utilized for scratch patterns. Kettle's process begins with transferring a scale drawing of the design onto the wall, followed by 'keying up' the surface with a drill. She then meticulously models and builds up the mortar using a spatula and her fingers, working in sections and refining the details as she progresses, as the material cannot be reworked once it starts to set. The finished pargeting requires approximately three weeks to properly set, depending on weather conditions, before modern masonry paints can be applied. However, the traditional and recommended approach is limewashing, which can be done sooner. Kettle sometimes applies the limewash herself, emphasizing the importance of balancing the number of coats to avoid obscuring the intricate details of the plasterwork. For those interested in preserving pargeting, expert advice includes using line drawings for designs, regular limewashing for maintenance, and ensuring proper guttering to prevent water damage to laths and subsequent deterioration of the pargeting. #Pargeting #EastAnglianArchitecture #OrnamentalPlasterwork #TraditionalCrafts #AnnaKettle #BuildingConservation #LimePuttyMortar #ArchitecturalHeritage #HomeDecoration

This article highlights a modern Paradise Valley home, a collaboration between RMB Luxury Real Estate, Tomecak Design, and Bellflower Design. The initial architectural inspiration for the home came from Mark Tomecak, whose Serbian background influenced a simplistic and European modern styling. Debra Richardson, the interior designer at RMB Luxury Real Estate, designed a floor plan that prioritizes a spacious, family-friendly residence with extensive indoor and outdoor entertainment options. The core focus of the design team was to maximize every square foot to create a modern-marvel entertainer’s dream home. A key design priority was to emphasize the stunning sunsets and views of Camelback Mountain. This was achieved through the incorporation of ten-foot-high sliding doors that open on both sides, creating a seamless transition between the interior and exterior spaces. The home was sold during the drywall stage, allowing the buyers to provide input on the finishes. Lead designer Richardson employed a palette of pure whites, soft grays, and bold blacks, while secondary areas featured softer, warmer tones. The new homeowners desired a residence that matched the high-end features found in luxury properties in the Los Angeles area, particularly seeking the flexibility to transform the space into a 'swanky nightclub' for entertaining. To meet this request, an intricate sound system with multi-colored LED lighting was installed both inside and outside, creating a dynamic visual and auditory experience. The exterior entertainment area is lavish, featuring a 70-foot pool, a 12-person jacuzzi, and various seating arrangements. Key design elements and resources used in the home include Arizona Tile for kitchen countertops, island, fireplace accents, bathroom tiles, and outdoor flooring. ET2 Contemporary Lighting provided fixtures for the entryway, dining room, and primary bedroom, while Modern Forms supplied kitchen lighting. McKenzie Custom Built Cabinets crafted the kitchen cabinetry. RH Modern furnished the living room with couches, accent tables, and rugs, and the bedrooms with beds and dressers. Sherwin-Williams paints were used for the walls, and Simplicity Home Automation was responsible for the LED lighting system. The flooring in the living room is Arizona Tile’s Super White imported porcelain, complementing the RHM furniture. The finished home was well-received, even earning approval from reality television personalities Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae Young during a tour, who praised its finishes and clever design. #ParadiseValleyHome #ModernDesign #LuxuryRealEstate #EntertainersDream #InteriorDesign #OutdoorLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #HomeAutomation #CustomFinishes