On an impressive estate in Georgia, 19th C attached cabins are tastefully redecorated. One fascinating American country home style is known as a dogtrot house. Somewhere between a camp and a cottage it’s a supremely rustic dwelling that borders on the primitive. A phenomenon of the pre-Civil War south, a breezeway house, as it is also known, consists of log cabins connected by … [Read more...]
Open Hearth Kitchen
A wood burning kitchen fireplace can help create the aura of old construction in a new house. The western United States has often led the way in creating homes which exude the informality of a European farmhouse or country house -- without actually being a farmhouse or being located in the country. Such an approach leans on stone walls, steel casement windows, and weathered … [Read more...]
Rustic Kitchen Redo
A few changes redefine a French rustic kitchen. Several years ago, Jane featured the charming Mother Daughter Rustic Kitchens [below] belonging to Houston designers Pamela Pierce and Shannon Bowers. I instantly recognized Pierce's now not-so-rustic kitchen in the current issue of Veranda [top]. Having grown tired of the decor, Pierce did a remix of contemporary pieces with … [Read more...]
Refrigeration in Disguise II
An integrated paneled refrigerator can be designed to blend into a kitchen or steal the show. An integrated paneled refrigerator can be made to look like part of the kitchen's architecture. It's a necessary appliance needed but hated by many -- especially me -- because it's large, usually unattractive and it commands attention. Given a do-over, I would either hide our … [Read more...]
Modern Tuscan Kitchen
Even the most modern, fitted Tuscan kitchen must adapt to a very old house. There is a special challenge to installing a modern Tuscan kitchen in an ancient building. Even one as modern as this fitted kitchen in an Italian villa has its special characteristics. (Please forgive the slightly blurry photos, I had to enlarge them but I thought it was worth showing this actual … [Read more...]