The screened-in porch embodies farmhouse appeal. It's full of antique furniture that Riker and Dolenc scored at local antiques stores, fairs and flea markets. They had the lamp made from a metal watering jug, and the cart coffee table predates all the catalog copies found on the market today.
Though the room is not winterized, it has storm windows and the owners use it year-round, including as the spot for their Christmas tree. "About an hour after you light up the woodstove, the room warms up," Riker says.
Stove: cast iron, Vermont Castings; rug: Ballard Designs
by jamesthomas, LLC Though the room is not winterized, it has storm windows and the owners use it year-round, including as the spot for their Christmas tree. "About an hour after you light up the woodstove, the room warms up," Riker says.
Stove: cast iron, Vermont Castings; rug: Ballard Designs
Clerestory windows and a skylight keep the living room light and bright. "Although this is the formal living room, it still feels casual and inviting," Riker says. "We used linen on the sofas and comfortable upholstered chairs. You can fit a lot of people in here."
The painting on the mantel was a housewarming gift from friend and artist Francine Turk of Chicago. (Fun fact: In the film The Breakup, with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughan, Turk created all of the artwork that Aniston's character pretends to sketch, as well as some of the work in the gallery where her character works.)
Paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; coffee table: Noir
by jamesthomas, LLC The painting on the mantel was a housewarming gift from friend and artist Francine Turk of Chicago. (Fun fact: In the film The Breakup, with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughan, Turk created all of the artwork that Aniston's character pretends to sketch, as well as some of the work in the gallery where her character works.)
Paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; coffee table: Noir
Whitewashed white oak floors and butt joint wood paneling (similar to shiplap) on the walls and ceilings round out the farmhouse appeal. "Using the paneling instead of drywall gave it a more authentic country feeling," Riker says.
by jamesthomas, LLC
In the kitchen, Riker and Dolenc traded the usual can lights for pendants, schoolhouse lights and sconces to cast a more authentic country vibe.
Floating shelves in lieu of upper cabinets help keep things relaxed and open. The nearly 9-foot-long kitchen island encourages casual weekend socializing.
Pendant lights: Pottery Barn; ceiling fixture: Restoration Hardware; sconces: Troy Lighting; countertops: Caesarstone; counter stools: Ballard Designs
by jamesthomas, LLC Floating shelves in lieu of upper cabinets help keep things relaxed and open. The nearly 9-foot-long kitchen island encourages casual weekend socializing.
Pendant lights: Pottery Barn; ceiling fixture: Restoration Hardware; sconces: Troy Lighting; countertops: Caesarstone; counter stools: Ballard Designs
Guests also congregate around this eating area, where built-in banquettes wrap around a zinc-topped kitchen table, which Riker says is very durable and has a beautiful patina.
The designer offers two helpful tips for those designing a custom banquette: 1. Make sure the back has a pitch for comfort, and 2. Have the carpenter create a lip to hold the cushions in place to prevent sliding.
Kitchen chairs: Restoration Hardware
by jamesthomas, LLC The designer offers two helpful tips for those designing a custom banquette: 1. Make sure the back has a pitch for comfort, and 2. Have the carpenter create a lip to hold the cushions in place to prevent sliding.
Kitchen chairs: Restoration Hardware
A long hallway leads to the garage, back deck and laundry room. "Lots of guests come through this hallway, so we wanted to dress it up and make it special," Riker says. "There are plenty of hooks for beach bags, towels and hats, and places to kick off and stow your flip-flops. We made it extra long, added lots of windows and used tumbled travertine on the floor."
Flooring: Ocean Blue tumbled travertine
by jamesthomas, LLC
Flooring: Ocean Blue tumbled travertine
The first-floor master bedroom has a door that leads out to a private patio. "We used a herringbone carpet in here to cozy it up for the winter," Riker says. A four-poster bed and a mirror, both scored at a county fair, encapsulate laid-back comfort. The loveseat was a Craigslist find, and the couple's cats love to snuggle up on the Ikea sheepskin throw.
Bed: Pottery Barn; carpeting: Ralph Lauren (discontinued)
by jamesthomas, LLC Bed: Pottery Barn; carpeting: Ralph Lauren (discontinued)
A photograph from Chicago artist Ron Seymour paired with antique accessories lends a rural touch to the master bathroom.
Bathtub: Piedmont #872, Sunrise Plumbing
by jamesthomas, LLC
Bathtub: Piedmont #872, Sunrise Plumbing
There's a nearly 800-square-foot space over the garage that includes an office, a small guest room, a bathroom and this long hallway with built-in beds. It's a favorite spot for young nieces and nephews when they spend the night.
by jamesthomas, LLC
The new build is a crisp country home with a large front porch and a standing-seam metal roof. A stone retaining wall connects the house and garden to the greater landscape. "We wanted the house to feel farmhouse-ish but still work for today," says Riker.
Windows: Pella; paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; siding: Hardie board
by jamesthomas, LLC Windows: Pella; paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; siding: Hardie board
The house sits on 4 acres about a block from Lake Michigan, allowing for a rare combination of close proximity to the beach and privacy. The plants are all deerproof to help keep the animals out of the landscaping.
by jamesthomas, LLC
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They should be as proud of their home as I am ashamed of my envy! ;)
Please and thank-you.
Are there really "deer proof"/animal proof plants to be had. We have tons of bunnies who love to eat our plants? Help!