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My Houzz: Modern-Rustic House Addition in Utah
Patience and an eye toward longevity were key in building this open-concept DIY addition to a southern Utah home
Artist, freelance writer, home tour contributor for Houzz, designer, actor, mother and author of the blog La Maison Boheme. Greenman lives in a 1970s Texas ranch house, which she has transformed into a bohemian haven and family home. She loves eclectic, boho style but also has a soft spot for Midcentury modern and Swedish design. Learn more at www.sarahgreenman.com.
Artist, freelance writer, home tour contributor for Houzz, designer, actor,... More »
The adage "good things come to those who wait" has proven true for Mitch and Jana Dettamanti, who waited and worked hard for 30 years to perfect their hillside home in southern Utah. "Living in an unfinished house has been our way of life for many years," says Jana. "We just keep working on it a little at a time."
In 2001 they broke ground on the newest addition: a large, open-concept family room that includes a kitchen, living and dining area. This harmonious living space blends with the home's rustic and warm decor to become the heart of their home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mitch and Jana Dettamanti and the 2 youngest of their 5 kids
Location: Cedar City, Utah
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
In 2001 they broke ground on the newest addition: a large, open-concept family room that includes a kitchen, living and dining area. This harmonious living space blends with the home's rustic and warm decor to become the heart of their home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mitch and Jana Dettamanti and the 2 youngest of their 5 kids
Location: Cedar City, Utah
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
by Sarah Greenman
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Homey details and light touches of Americana are lovingly sprinkled throughout. A Native American blanket shares space with a Prairie-style star quilt. A woven basket keeps knitting materials tidy.
Wall paint: Sculpture Gray, Sherwin-Williams
Wall paint: Sculpture Gray, Sherwin-Williams
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by Sarah Greenman
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| Sarah Greenman: Tell me about your decorating philosophy. Jana Dettamanti: I like things to be neat, tidy and pretty cleared out. If I have too much stuff, I can't breathe. But I know my style can be a little austere, so I try to fight that. Sofas, chairs: leather, SofaMart |
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by Sarah Greenman
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| The master bedroom is bathed in natural light from a high east-facing window. The bay window provides a view of the backyard and the valley beyond. Wall paint: Pearl Gray, Martha Stewart Living Paint |
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| Jana enjoys open space in front of the bedroom's hearth. She appreciates symmetry, simplicity and natural forms, so she's reluctant to fill it with furniture. Jana works as a school librarian and loves having her books nearby. |
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| Family is central in the Dettamanti home, and Jana usually expects 14 people for Sunday dinner. Their addition — which includes the kitchen, dining and family room in one open space — easily absorbs their large immediate family for weekend gatherings. SG: Who inspires your personal style? JD: My family inspires my decorating. Three of my five kids are boys, and I also have a manly husband. If stuff can't stand up to real living, it won't last long. I am also inspired by beautiful things that are useful and not afraid to show their age. My kids tell me that when something gets to the point that other people would throw it out, I get interested in it. |
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| Inspired by a table he saw in a catalog, Mitch constructed this kitchen island using two glulam beams, which are usually reserved for roof construction. |
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SG: What was the hardest part about building your home?
JD: Being patient. For all the years we were actively building the house, I stayed home with our kids full-time. We were working with one income and a firm commitment to borrow as little as possible. My husband was keeping us afloat financially. He was only able to work on the house in his spare time. It is so easy to have great ideas, but getting them done on a budget and in your spare time is a challenge.
JD: Being patient. For all the years we were actively building the house, I stayed home with our kids full-time. We were working with one income and a firm commitment to borrow as little as possible. My husband was keeping us afloat financially. He was only able to work on the house in his spare time. It is so easy to have great ideas, but getting them done on a budget and in your spare time is a challenge.
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| Jana's daughter, Mari, made this framed dry-erase board as a Mother's Day gift. Every day Mari leaves a little message for her mom on the board. |
by Sarah Greenman
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A spacious pantry was a must for Jana as she planned her kitchen. The shelves are stocked with hand-canned apricots, jams and more. A high chair on the far wall stands at the ready for visits from grandchildren.
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An antique sewing machine greets visitors in the foyer. The slate flooring continues up the stairs and into the kitchen and family room, creating continuity from room to room.
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| SG: Where is your favorite spot in the house? JD: The downstairs living room. The couches are the most comfortable in the house. It's the perfect place for a nap. |
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| The hallway connects the addition with the older part of the house. A galvanized tin magazine rack from Pottery Barn provides extra storage. "I don't have a favorite place to shop," says Jana. "I just look at the expensive catalogs for ideas and then comb Target, secondhand and hardware stores for something similar." |
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| While Jana has a strong sense of rustic style, she made space for her daughter to decorate her room as she pleases. Buttery yellow walls and a pink coverlet make a great backdrop for Mari's vintage pieces and bulletin board. |
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| The backyard is home to a beautiful cherry tree, grapevines and a couple of ample raspberry bushes. |
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| A vintage sign lies against the back of the house. Jana is saving this fantastic find for the next portion of their build: a master bathroom, which used to serve as a tiny nursery, and a downstairs washroom. |
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| The front porch welcomes visitors with an expansive view of the valley below. An inviting trio of Adirondack chairs adorns the front porch. |
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| Owner Jana Dettamanti enjoys a sunny day on her front porch. She says, "If we ever build another home again, I want to transport our new addition. It's just perfect for us." Houzz call: Do you have an eclectic, Americana-style home? Show us your home and it could be featured on Houzz. |
Comments
kennedytarheel Your views are spectacular! I have one question: Do you mind having a step up in the master bedroom? We are looking at a home to buy with a similar step and my husband is concerned we'll trip, so that feature is holding us back from making an offer on the home. Thanks.
9 months ago · Like
olldroo "I just look at the expensive catalogs for ideas and then comb Target, secondhand and hardware stores for something similar." A woman after my own heart, and so much more fun and challenging.
9 months ago · Like
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Sarah Greenman Kennedytarheel, here is your response from the home owner: "It is funny, but that step was a priority for us when we were planning the master bedroom. We have never tripped on that step, not even getting up half-asleep in the middle of the night tending to babies. The one thing the step does limit is the placement of the furniture in the room. I love the idea of a bench at the end of the bed, but there is no possibility of that in our room." - Jana
9 months ago · Like
Megan Cobb This House is beautiful and the hard work is definately paying off!! Great Job!
7 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on July 3, 2012.
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