Simply Escapist in Santa Cruz

Artist Michelle Stitz enjoys “old things which are somewhat odd, imperfect, occasionally demanding and authentic,” she states. After living for seven years in a warehouse space shared by artists, she purchased her own house in Santa Cruz, California. The house came with a lush backyard and a streamlined garden shed. With assistance from friends and …


Entertaining Possibilities in the Hamptons

Interior designer Iris Dankner craved a relaxing escape for her family in the busyness of Manhattan life. So that the Holiday House NYC showcase founder worked with builder Joe Farrell to design a breezy, beach-inspired home that contrasts with the family’s sleek city apartment and placed a priority on entertaining. “The benefit of designing my …


See a Party Barn Shaped Like a Game Piece on the California Coast

With an present permit for a barn on their 16-acre property, Stuart Gasner and Kate Ditzler of California’s Monterey Bay Area decided to make something that would complement their compound-style retreat and supply additional play area for their family and friends. The couple worked with architect Cass Calder Smith of CCS Architecture to make what …


We Love Midcentury Modern Design

What’s it about midcentury modern design that has so a lot people in a decorating tizzy? In this electronic age of innovation and technology, why are we scouring flea markets, antiques shops and the Internet seeking pieces that were designed 50 to 60 decades ago? Eames, Noguchi, Nelson — these designers’ pieces are dominating our …


Community and Family Art Merge Within an Architect's House

The beauty of California’s Ojai Valley has attracted countless artists who’ve turned the area into a hub of imagination with laid-back appeal. When architect Jeffrey Weinstein and his wife, Wendy, were looking to get from Los Angeles and find a place where they could increase their own boys, Ojai came calling. However, the city’s allure …


Creative, Art and Travel Layering Mix at Vancouver

When couples join their possessions and lives under one roof, their personalities don’t necessarily match up. Compromises occur; sometimes arguments ensue and somebody is forced to sell their beloved items or infect them in storage. This was not true for Randy and Heather Zieber, nevertheless, who met while traveling through London in 2005 and later …


A 'Shoe-in' for Creativity in Brooklyn

It’s no surprise that Isobel Schofield, the creative mind behind Bryr clogs, lives in an apartment as magical as her handmade shoes. Located in the quiet area of Cobble Hill, Brookyln, Schofield’s 750-square-foot joint apartment and workplace shows off her commitment to handmade details. An eclectic mix of budget-friendly furnishings, DIY projects and a miniature …


Collected and Cozy in New Hampshire

Longtime collectors and crafters Sandy and Jim Gorman have filled their New Hampshire house with thoughtfully obtained antiques and repurposed, handmade items that nod into the surrounding nature. Despite the formerly dark, luxurious and wallpapered interior, Sandy immediately needed a vision and proceeded with it, whitewashing walls and adorning every room with antiques that are …


Old-World European Flair in Oregon

This Salem, Oregon, home has been undergoing remodeling for 18 years, transforming into a beautiful refuge. Geri and Sal Ortega have done everything from building cabinetry and furniture to placing rock and tile, to installing windows and built-ins. The yearlong construction has been done in stages over a period of weeks and months at a …


A Family Goes Sweet on a Traditional Texas Home

Craving a cozy getaway where they could increase their girls, Katie and Steve Aldrich chose this magnificent home near Dallas. After they gutted the house and fixed the outside, Katie infused the interior with her signature easy and feminine style, accenting with family antiques. “I just wish to make a happy atmosphere for our family,”she …