Published in the NORTHSHORE HOME MAGAZINE Fall 2015 issue, this home was dubbed 'Manchester Marvel'. Before its renovation, the home consisted of a street front cottage built in the 1820’s, with a wing added onto the back at a later point. The home owners required a family friendly space to accommodate a large extended family, but they also wished to retain the original character of the home. The design solution was to turn the rectangular footprint into an L shape. The kitchen and the formal entertaining rooms run along the vertical wing of the home. Within the central hub of the home is a large family room that opens to the kitchen and the back of the patio. Located in the horizontal plane are the solarium, mudroom and garage. Client Quote "He (John Olson of OLSON LEWIS + Architects) did an amazing job. He asked us about our goals and actually walked through our former house with us to see what we did and did not like about it. He also worked really hard to give us the same level of detail we had in our last home." “Manchester Marvel” clients. Photo Credits: Eric Roth

Designed by Angie Barwin of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Woodbridge VA in collaboration with Potomac Home Improvements, this primary bathroom features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Sierra door style in a White finish. The vanity countertops are MSI Q Smoked Pearl. The bathroom includes Italgraniti Lux Calacatta Mont Blanc field tiles, Islandstone Waveline Breeze Matte glass accent tiles and Islandstone Sliced Pebble Grey shower floor and under tub accent tiles. “The client was a joy to work with, full of energy and excitement for this project. He was looking for a spa-like feel in his Primary Bathroom. He had definitive ideas about what he did not want which helped steer me in the right direction,” said Angie. “We expanded the shower, added a freestanding tub in lieu of the existing garden tub, and brightened up the bath with white cabinetry, a light vanity top and a frameless, custom shower door. Removing the large tub deck and surround enabled the space to feel open and grand as well.” “The bathroom project exceeded all my expectations. Everyone performing the work was professional and the design of the new bathroom is fantastic. Well worth the effort and the costs were reasonable,” said the client. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

[Michael Moran - Photographer] Master Bedroom: The high headboard and quiet fabrics atop a Swaim bed combined with highly styled, dark wood pieces from Italian manufacturer, Selva, to make this master bedroom a minimal, yet luxurious space. A Persian rug with subtle shading softened the room’s hardwood floors. This home was designed from start to finish by Stephanie James with Allen and James Interiors at Furnitureland South. While Stephanie’s long-time clients were in the process of determining finishes and textures, from cabinetry to flooring to counter tops, they visited Furnitureland South. He had contemporary tastes that gravitated toward leather and angles; she was drawn toward softer fabrics and curves that occasionally bordered on traditional. They both agreed that Stephanie should help them select furnishings, fabrics and textures that would result in a contemporary home with warm elements that were beautiful, comfortable and welcoming, while reflecting both their aesthetics. The slideshow above visualizes the story of their search for beauty and art in each piece of furniture, in each room and within the house as a whole.

Walk-in shower - mid-sized master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile, beige floor and single-sink walk-in shower idea in Raleigh with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount tub, gray walls, an undermount sink, granite countertops, a hinged shower door and a built-in vanity

Designed by Angie Barwin of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Woodbridge VA in collaboration with Potomac Home Improvements, this primary bathroom features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Sierra door style in a White finish. The vanity countertops are MSI Q Smoked Pearl. The bathroom includes Italgraniti Lux Calacatta Mont Blanc field tiles, Islandstone Waveline Breeze Matte glass accent tiles and Islandstone Sliced Pebble Grey shower floor and under tub accent tiles. “The client was a joy to work with, full of energy and excitement for this project. He was looking for a spa-like feel in his Primary Bathroom. He had definitive ideas about what he did not want which helped steer me in the right direction,” said Angie. “We expanded the shower, added a freestanding tub in lieu of the existing garden tub, and brightened up the bath with white cabinetry, a light vanity top and a frameless, custom shower door. Removing the large tub deck and surround enabled the space to feel open and grand as well.” “The bathroom project exceeded all my expectations. Everyone performing the work was professional and the design of the new bathroom is fantastic. Well worth the effort and the costs were reasonable,” said the client. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

Designed by Angie Barwin of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Woodbridge VA in collaboration with Potomac Home Improvements, this primary bathroom features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Sierra door style in a White finish. The vanity countertops are MSI Q Smoked Pearl. The bathroom includes Italgraniti Lux Calacatta Mont Blanc field tiles, Islandstone Waveline Breeze Matte glass accent tiles and Islandstone Sliced Pebble Grey shower floor and under tub accent tiles. “The client was a joy to work with, full of energy and excitement for this project. He was looking for a spa-like feel in his Primary Bathroom. He had definitive ideas about what he did not want which helped steer me in the right direction,” said Angie. “We expanded the shower, added a freestanding tub in lieu of the existing garden tub, and brightened up the bath with white cabinetry, a light vanity top and a frameless, custom shower door. Removing the large tub deck and surround enabled the space to feel open and grand as well.” “The bathroom project exceeded all my expectations. Everyone performing the work was professional and the design of the new bathroom is fantastic. Well worth the effort and the costs were reasonable,” said the client. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

Designed by Angie Barwin of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Woodbridge VA in collaboration with Potomac Home Improvements, this primary bathroom features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Sierra door style in a White finish. The vanity countertops are MSI Q Smoked Pearl. The bathroom includes Italgraniti Lux Calacatta Mont Blanc field tiles, Islandstone Waveline Breeze Matte glass accent tiles and Islandstone Sliced Pebble Grey shower floor and under tub accent tiles. “The client was a joy to work with, full of energy and excitement for this project. He was looking for a spa-like feel in his Primary Bathroom. He had definitive ideas about what he did not want which helped steer me in the right direction,” said Angie. “We expanded the shower, added a freestanding tub in lieu of the existing garden tub, and brightened up the bath with white cabinetry, a light vanity top and a frameless, custom shower door. Removing the large tub deck and surround enabled the space to feel open and grand as well.” “The bathroom project exceeded all my expectations. Everyone performing the work was professional and the design of the new bathroom is fantastic. Well worth the effort and the costs were reasonable,” said the client. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

With children raised and the work of establishing a career behind them, Dennis and Helene Liotta decided it was time to simplify life and downsize—by moving up. They sold their 5,000 sq. ft. family home (complete with the requisite pool and expansive yard), in favor of a 3,600 sq. ft. residence on the 47th floor of The Sovereign, a sleek mixed-use tower located in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Realizing they wanted to enlist a talented decorative collaborator for all phases of the project, the couple sought the assistance of Mercedes Williams, design consultant at Cantoni Atlanta. Having helped the couple’s sons with purchases in the past, he came highly recommended. “I know the Liotta’s were thrilled to have the opportunity to personally conceptualize their new home,” recalls Mercedes. “They wanted my input to customize the space—confirming paint, tile, flooring, and finish choices—and they wanted help choosing furniture that would create an elegant yet warm and comfortable living environment.” “Dennis and Helene also had a vision for how they wanted the space to flow,” he explains. “The large, open floor plan for the main living room included the kitchen and dining areas, so we had to delineate the spaces while creating visual interest…without using a lot of furniture.” Choosing pieces with impact, and looks that simultaneously celebrated texture, scale, finish, and color, was the key to success. The dining table and large wool rug were custom-made by Cantoni and colored to coordinate with some of the couple’s key glass collectibles. “We also made the salt water aquarium a focal point in the living area because Dennis and Helene love the beach and ocean,” explains Mercedes. Along with additional new furnishings from Cantoni the couple wanted to incorporate other existing pieces from their extensive art and glass collection. Given the size of their former residence, an editing session was in order, so the Liotta’s took a novel approach to the task at hand. “We had a huge ‘Sovereign’ moving party and let friends and family take some of the things we knew we could part with,” says Helene. Dennis and Helene have been settled into their new digs since November. He continues to work as a professor at Emory University, and she enjoys searching for premium wines sold at Wine Gallery + Market, a family-owned gourmet emporium in Atlanta. With two bedrooms and a study, there remains room enough for the grandkids to sleep over—and a large dining table was selected so the couple could continue to accommodate multi-generational gatherings. “This project was a dream job for me,” reflects Mercedes, with enthusiasm. “The Liotta’s have excellent taste and wanted to create a fun and inviting environment that evokes luxury without stuffiness. They knew what they wanted, but needed a little help getting there. I’m flattered they chose me and Cantoni to help them realize the life they dreamed of living at The Sovereign.”

Photography by William Quarles. Designed by Shannon Bogen. Built by Robert Paige Cabinetry. Contractor Tom Martin
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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.”

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