Richard Herman is in the hospitality business and owns several upscale hotels in Florida and in other states as well as cattle ranches in both Florida and Missouri. Their farm in Ocala is by farm their most unique. The property serves as a 4-H demonstration project for the purpose of children’s education. They have been working with the Academy Prep of St. Pete which is dedicated to inner-city youths that are selected on the basis of need and achievement. Wife Diane spends her time on the farm raising Gypsy Vanners, a diminutive draft horse named after the job they did in Eastern Europe, pulling the wagons (vans) for gypsies that wandered across the continent. On the Ocala farm, there are several mules with a unique profession. Richard had visited the Hearthstone display at a Log & Timber Home Shows at the Orlando Convention Center many years ago. He was impressed that Hearthstone had stayed in touch with him over the years by mailings, invitations to shows, and periodic phone calls. When the time came to start serious consideration of the design of barn, Hearthstone responded promptly and professionally to Richard and Diane’s requests for information and a review of their ideas for their barn, which would serve as the centerpiece for their new farm. They wanted a multipurpose facility that could accommodate an educational environment and a large hall suitable for the fundraising events for his charities. Richard wanted a barn that reflected the look and feel of barns built at the dawn of the 20th century. Besides the rustic chicken houses and vegetable gardens, they have completely renovated a 1020’s era farmhouse to be as historically correct as possible and serves as the entry to the farm. “They very careful to feel us out, get comfortable with our capabilities, and be convinced that we could perform as promised,” said Project Manager John Ricketson of Hearthstone. Design Process There were some initial drawings that gave us a start on the basic shape and size of the barn. From there, it was a process of narrowing down the uses of each area and the spans that could be achieved. The barn was going to have the traditional “board & batten” exterior siding and a metal roof. There is a cantilevered ‘hay hood” on the north gable end above the large sliding barn doors that open into the foyer and horse stalls. The wings house a combination of areas, beginning with the large restrooms to accommodate crowds for events. Other parts of the wings have garage areas for the farm vehicles, feed room, tack room, wash rack, storage, offices, and smaller restrooms. Keeping with the look and feel of the turn of the century, Hearthstone developed a process for giving the timbers a surface texture that mimicked the circular cuts of timbers that had just come out of an old sawmill. This was easier said than done. Randy Giles guided his millwright (Wolfgang) in designing a machine that would do this effectively. The barn was delivered in October of 2014 and was erected over the course of two weeks, thanks to a hardworking crew (Eric Foster) and near-perfect weather. After the Hearthstone crew completed the erection and roof dry-in, it was time for the local carpenters to step up and install some light conventional framing on the gable ends before applying the roof fascia and exterior board & batten siding. Next came the big sliding barn doors, plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling. Large rustic fixtures were hung from the great hall roof timbers. Exterior The board & batten siding was cypress and allowed to turn color naturally as rain hit it and the sun started working on it with UV rays. This method causes a much grayer look closer to the ground and less so where the roof overhang provides protection. The North end has some large limestone boulders and planters arranged around the pad with tall pampas grass. The planters provide casual seating before events and during outside receptions. The entire area was sodded with lush St. Augustine grass and split rail fences were added to enclose the barn area. The corrugated metal roof was a special order material that immediately rusted after being exposed to moisture. The layer of rust protects the metal from the elements. Interior The board & batten theme was carried throughout most of the interior with the timbers left natural to show off the circular saw texture. All of the tongue & groove decking was shipped in advance to allow the local painter to pre-stain it with a dark brown transparent stain that is a beautiful background to the light color Eastern White Pine timbers. “Everything was unique in this project” said Project Manager John Ricketson. “The setting on a small demonstration farm close to Ocala, the multipurpose design, the circular saw texture on the timbers.” The Hermans are very proud of their farm’s outcome. Richard sent a note to Randy Giles, owner of Hearthstone: “The Barn is fantastic, not a single problem, period. Next month, we have Jo Dee Messina coming in to help with a fundraiser for a local center for abused kids. Folks love the farm, ...... but that barn gets all of the attention. I would encourage you to use me as a reference for your sales team, feel free to extend my cell phone to any prospective purchasers.”

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Minneapolis

Photo-Jim Westphalen
Small trendy galley concrete floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an island, concrete countertops, stainless steel appliances and gray countertops

Spa flaunting a rustic look created by Cement wash by Specialists from Pondicherry and Stone wash basin.
Example of a zen drop-in bathtub design in Delhi with open cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue walls, wood countertops and brown countertops

MWA made this grand entrance inviting with the use of a custom onyx topped foyer table. The custom David Iatesta chandelier used the volume of the double height ceiling to its advantage.

Drew Steven Photography http://www.drewsteven.com
Inspiration for a timeless mosaic tile floor and blue floor drop-in bathtub remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets and blue walls

This charming kids guest room was design with fun and whimsy in mind. The client wanted to transform a spare bedroom into a guest room for kids. We achieved some fun and flare with a new coat of paint and Eskayel wallpaper to give the space character and movement. We furnished the room with a daybed that includes a trundle to accommodate two children. We added boho elements like a bright vintage Moroccan rug and mixed textures with pillows and blankets that have graphic patterns. The cave chair serves as a reading nook for bedtime stories and the mirrors on the walls add a bit of Middle Eastern flare. Photos by Amber Thrane.

Bedroom - transitional bedroom idea in Salt Lake City

Designed By: Richard Bustos Photos By: Jeri Koegel Ron and Kathy Chaisson have lived in many homes throughout Orange County, including three homes on the Balboa Peninsula and one at Pelican Crest. But when the “kind of retired” couple, as they describe their current status, decided to finally build their ultimate dream house in the flower streets of Corona del Mar, they opted not to skimp on the amenities. “We wanted this house to have the features of a resort,” says Ron. “So we designed it to have a pool on the roof, five patios, a spa, a gym, water walls in the courtyard, fire-pits and steam showers.” To bring that five-star level of luxury to their newly constructed home, the couple enlisted Orange County’s top talent, including our very own rock star design consultant Richard Bustos, who worked alongside interior designer Trish Steel and Patterson Custom Homes as well as Brandon Architects. Together the team created a 4,500 square-foot, five-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bathroom contemporary house where R&R get top billing in almost every room. Two stories tall and with lots of open spaces, it manages to feel spacious despite its narrow location. And from its third floor patio, it boasts panoramic ocean views. “Overall we wanted this to be contemporary, but we also wanted it to feel warm,” says Ron. Key to creating that look was Richard, who selected the primary pieces from our extensive portfolio of top-quality furnishings. Richard also focused on clean lines and neutral colors to achieve the couple’s modern aesthetic, while allowing both the home’s gorgeous views and Kathy’s art to take center stage. As for that mahogany-lined elevator? “It’s a requirement,” states Ron. “With three levels, and lots of entertaining, we need that elevator for keeping the bar stocked up at the cabana, and for our big barbecue parties.” He adds, “my wife wears high heels a lot of the time, so riding the elevator instead of taking the stairs makes life that much better for her.”

Interior Design by designer and broker Jessica Koltun Home | Selling Dallas
Huge beach style master multicolored tile and stone tile marble floor, beige floor and double-sink bathroom photo in Dallas with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Inspiration for a huge contemporary u-shaped kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash and an island

Piston Design
Tuscan great room photo in Houston with beige walls

Ben's Barn, From Marvin Windows and Doors
Inspiration for a contemporary two-story wood gable roof remodel in Other

Example of a classic tile patio design in Charlotte with a fire pit and a roof extension

Large transitional dark wood floor kitchen photo in Salt Lake City with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Toronto’s Upside Development completed this interior contemporary remodeling project. Nestled in Oakville’s tree lined ravine, a mid-century home was discovered by new owners returning from Europe. A modern Renovation with a Scandinavian flare unique to the area was envisioned and achieved.

Inspiration for a timeless courtyard patio remodel in Other with a fire pit

Michael Stavaridis
Pool - huge coastal backyard rectangular lap pool idea in Miami with decking

Angle Eye Photography, Period Architecture, Ltd.
Elegant enclosed medium tone wood floor living room photo in Philadelphia with a tile fireplace, beige walls, a standard fireplace and no tv