New Hampshire Home January-February 2022

Up next in our new series profiling exiting local designers you should know about is Amanda Raymond of New London’s Studio Sage.

Lynne Snierson

Photography by

W. Hession 50 Lakefront Living Modern mixed with tradition creates a lasting design.

Emily Heidt | Photography by Joyelle West

Let It Snow!

This Bretton Woods ski house by C. Randolph Trainor Interiors displays an intriguing combination of classic alpine and comtemporary styles.

Karen A. Jamrog | Photography by Rob Karosis

72 Garden Rx Indoor Herb Gardens By Robin Sweetser

78 Master of Their Craft Mark Heffley, Rope Artist By Brion O’Connor

Photography by Kendal J. Bush

86 Home Resources

88 At Home in New Hampshire Telling Your Story By Dan Szczesny Illustration by Carolyn Vibbert

residential commercial interior design

Amanda Andrews is the associate editor for the New Hampshire Business Review, a McLean Communications publication, the parent company of New Hampshire Home.

Kendal J. Bush is a contributing photographer for New Hampshire Magazine. Before settling in New Hampshire, she traveled the world as an editor and videographer for the National Geographic Channel and NBC. See more of her work at kendaljbush.com.

Mary Ann Esposito is the host of the public television series “Ciao Italia,” now in its 29th season, and the author of 13 cookbooks, including her most recent, “Ciao Italia: My Lifelong Food Adventures in Italy.” She lives in New Hampshire. Visit her website at ciaoitalia.com.

Emily Heidt is the associate editor at New Hampshire Magazine. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, she now lives in Exeter.

John W. Hession is New Hampshire Home’s photo editor as well as a photographer and filmmaker specializing in architecture, design, food and advertising. He is currently working on a series of films for the New Hampshire Dance Collaborative. See his work at advanceddigitalphotography.com.

Karen A. Jamrog is a longtime freelancer who covers a wide variety of topics. She is a frequent contributor to New Hampshire Magazine, where she is also the regular Health Department writer.

Morgan Karanasios is New Hampshire Home’s photographer. While she was a student in Dijon, France, she took photographs throughout Europe and continues to develop her passion for photography.

Dan Szczesny is a journalist, author and speaker who has written several books of travel memoir, poetry and essays. His newest book, which he wrote with his 6-year-old daughter Uma, is “NH Rocks

That Rock: An Adventure Guide to Twenty-Five Famous Boulders of the Granite State.” Learn more at danszczesny.wordpress.com.

Lynne Snierson is an award-winning freelance writer and publicist who covers a wide range of topics with a special interest in sports, particularly thoroughbred horse racing. She is also a regular contributor to New Hampshire Magazine, where she writes the Seniority Department.

Robin Sweetser writes on gardening for the Sunday Concord Monitor and is a contributor to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, among other publications. A former Seacoast resident, she now lives and gardens in Hillsborough.

Carolyn Vibbert is a Portsmouth illustrator whose work also appears on packaging for food and wine brands such as Barbara’s, Stone Cellars and Williams Sonoma.

Joyelle West is an interior, lifestyle and portrait photographer based in Boston who loves telling the stories of spaces and the people who inhabit them. See more of her work at joyellewest.com.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

V OL. 16 | NUMBER 1 nhhomemagazine.com

VICE PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Ernesto Burden

EDITOR Erica Thoits

ART DIRECTOR John R. Goodwin

PHOTO EDITOR John W. Hession

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kara Steere

PHOTOGRAPHER Morgan Karanasios

SENIOR DESIGNERS

Jodie Hall, Nicole Huot

CONTRIBUTORS

Amanda Andrews, Kendal J. Bush, Mary Ann Esposito, Emily Heidt, Karen A. Jamrog, Rob Karosis, Brion O’Connor, Dan Szczesny, Lynne Snierson, Robin Sweetser, Carolyn Vibbert and Joyelle West

SALES DIRECTOR Jessica Schooley (603) 413-5143 • (603) 345-2752 jschooley@mcleancommunications.com

VP/CONSUMER MARKETING Brook Holmberg

VP/RETAIL SALES Sherin Pierce

BUSINESS MANAGER Mista McDonnell

EVENT & MARKETING MANAGER Emily Samatis

BUSINESS & SALES COORDINATOR Heather Rood

DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Morgen Connor

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE

Erica Thoits, editor New Hampshire Home 150 Dow Street; Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 736-8056 ethoits@nhmagazine.com

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© 2022 McLean Communications, LLC. New Hampshire Home is published bimonthly by McLean Communications, LLC.; 150 Dow Street; Manchester, NH 03101; (603) 624-1442. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the publisher’s written permission is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any mistakes in advertisements or editorial. Statements and opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect or represent those of this publication or its officers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, McLean Communications, LLC.: New Hampshire Home disclaims all responsibility for omissions and errors.

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There’s

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Contact Jessica Schooley jschooley@mcleancommunications.com (603) 413-5143 • (603) 345-2752 nnhomemagazine.com

Feel-good Spaces

ONE DAY, THE WHITE WALLPAPER WITH LITTLE red hearts in my bedroom seemed unbearably childish. It was cute, and I was done with cute. Cute, I probably thought, is for little kids. At 13, I was definitely still a kid, but I’m pretty sure like most teenagers, I was at least 90% confident that I was a. an adult and b. had everything all figured out.

It was time for a change, to create a space that better reflected my good taste, creativity and maturity. Mom and I steamed the wallpaper off the walls, which was a miserable, sticky, damp experience I have no desire to ever repeat. The only wallpaper I will ever consider is wallpaper that’s never coming down.

Then, a blank canvass. Four walls and a nook ready for fresh paint. This was a big decision, so I called in trusted reinforcements— my best friend Abby.

Mom drove us to the store, and we stood in front of every color that ever existed. Swatch after swatch, every shade you could imagine at our fingertips. Given such options, who would choose to limit themselves to one color? Boring people, that’s who.

From the bank of colors we plucked purple, yellow, green, pink and probably a few more I can no longer remember. As our excellent choices were mixed and shaken, we gathered our supplies—paint brushes, tape and sponges.

With so many colors to use, the only logical option was to make each wall its own unique masterpiece. We dipped our star-shaped sponges into golden yellow and pressed them onto a purple background. Night sky complete, next up we painted alternating vertical stripes of green and pink—this was the watermelon wall.

It is, as you can imagine, pretty hard to forget fruity stripes and a purple, star-spangled wall. The rest, however, is a little fuzzy. I remember polka dots around the closet, but the color combo has since mostly faded from memory (dark pink on light pink sounds about right, though).

Recently, while my mom and Abby were chatting, Abby (now a mom of two) asked what she was thinking letting us do whatever we wanted to the walls of my room. Mom later told me about their conversation, and said the same thing she told Abby— we got to have some fun, it made me happy, and walls can always be repainted. You won’t be shocked to learn this was eventually the case.

When interviewing Kerry Sheridan for “The Comfort Factor” on page 34, something she said brought back the way I felt when our multicolored paint job was done.

“It’s very satisfying and very fulfilling to be around things that are beautiful, that are put together thoughtfully, that make you feel good when you walk into a space,” said Sheridan. “People sometimes don’t get that.”

No matter the space—living room, office, kitchen—Sheridan told me, if we spend time in it, it should make us feel good, not just meet basic needs. I don’t think anyone other than 13-year-old me would call my room “beautiful” or “put together thoughtfully,” but it did make me feel good. It was an expression of my (and Abby’s) creativity, and it turned a bedroom into a special space made just for me.

While I’m not sure I recommend my teenage approach, I hope our interior design issue inspires you to find your own version of a watermelon wall.

BY

Join us for an elegant soirée saluting New Hampshire’s very best residential architects, designers and builders. New Hampshire Home will celebrate an array of design excellence at the Design Awards gala. Mingle with designers and enjoy a full dinner with spirited cocktails

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 • 5–8 P.M. LABELLE WINERY IN DERRY • 14 ROUTE 111

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RSVP by January 3, 2022

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FAVORITE FINDS for Interior Design

Find a place in your home for décor items that tell a story, like these warriors handcrafted by Lars Turin that exude strength and wisdom. League of NH Craftsmen in North Hampton nhcrafts.org

Dazzle your guests in the dining room, foyer or hallway with elegant fixtures, such as this dandelion-inspired chandelier. The Lighting Center in Claremont and Newington rockinghamlightingcenter.com

Combine American-made, mission-inspired Stickley furniture and one-of-a-kind antiques for rooms that feel inviting and comfortable.

Prospect Hill Antiques Barn in Sunapee • (603) 763-9676 prospecthillantiques.com

Enhance neutral palettes with area rugs that bring a pop of color and flair to your living space. PRG Rugs in Nashua • (603) 882-5604 • prgrugs.com

Emphasize sophisticated design by incorporating one-of-a-kind furnishings, like this round, mid-century nightstand. HOME | Design | Furnishings | Décor in Dover • homedesigndover.com

Accent pillows are an easy way to add “wow” to any room, and it’s a breeze to swap them out seasonally. Company C in Concord (603) 226-4460 companyc.com

Make organization a style choice with open-back grid shelves that express your creativity.

Winchendon Furniture in Keene • (603) 355-1116 winchendonfurniture.com

COOKING With Mary Ann Esposito

Cooking With Beer

Add a little craft into your menu.

With more than 90 breweries in New Hampshire, local beer is clearly popular with Granite Staters. These smaller, independent breweries create richer and bolder tastes that aren’t found in most mass-produced versions. Craft beer is defined as beer that is made by a small brewing company producing less than 6 million barrels of beer per year. According to the Brewers Association, there are nearly 7,500 craft beer independent brewers in the country, and that number keeps growing.

Beer is a fermented alcoholic drink made from grains, such as wheat and barley, plus hops, yeast and water. No one really knows when this thirst-quenching beverage made its world debut. What we do know is that the ancient world enjoyed beer and used it as a form of payment, as was the custom in Egypt around 5000 BC.

Archaeologists from Stanford University found evidence in 2018 that something might have been brewing in Israel some 12,000 years ago—likely a gruel-like concoction made from crushing the grains, heating them in water, baking them and wetting them again to encourage fermentation. When that happens, yeast microbes feed on the sugars released during fermentation and convert them to alcohol.

When I was a kid, I used to love to watch how my dad would slowly pour ice-cold bottles of beer into my mother’s etched Pilsner glasses for company. I just liked looking at the bubbles in the glass and the white cloud of foam that formed at the top.

I have never been a beer drinker, but I love to cook and bake with it. I particularly like to use beer in baking bread, pancakes and biscuits because it provides the lightest taste and texture.

If you do cook with beer, remember to use a beer that you also like to drink. Think about replacing some—but not all— of the liquid in a recipe with beer: When making a soup, use beer as well as water or stock. When marinating meat, use beer to create moisture as well as flavor. In a

BY MARY ANN ESPOSITO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN W. HESSION

batter for fried foods, use part beer to get great lightness and crispness.

Beer is one of the best seasoning agents for meat or fish marinades, and is a natural tenderizer. Added to a simmering stew, beer imparts a rich, dark color as well as boosts the flavor, and most of the alcohol evaporates in the cooking process. Beer can add surprising subtleties to a range of foods, from main dishes to sweet desserts. Why not give the suds a try and craft some new recipes cooking with beer! NHH

Beef ’n Beer Stew SERVES 4–6

This rich-tasting beef stew owes its deliciousness not only to a bottle of beer but also to browning the meat well to seal in flavor.

1 tablespoon dried oregano

2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary

3 tablespoons minced parsley

1 tablespoon minced sage

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon coarse ground pepper

1½ pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 large onion, chopped

3 tablespoons tomato paste

2 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slices

2 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

1 12-ounce bottle beer

2½ cups beef broth

1. In a large bowl, combine the oregano, rosemary, parsley, sage, salt and pepper. With paper towels, dry the beef cubes and add them to the bowl. Toss to coat the cubes well and set aside.

2. In a heavy-duty, large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Brown the meat on all sides in batches and transfer to a bowl.

3. Add the remaining oil to the pot and cook the onions until wilted. Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring to coat the onions well. Add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes.

4. Return the meat to the pot along with any collected juices. Add the potatoes and carrots. Add the beer and enough broth to just cover the ingredients. Bring the stew to a boil, lower the heat and cook covered until the meat is fork tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

5. Serve in bowls with crusty bread.

HOME COOKING With Mary Ann Esposito

Beer and Broccoli Soup SERVES 6–8

Ladle up big, steaming bowls of this flavorful and fun-to-eat soup, and serve it with hunks of country bread.

4 tablespoons butter

2 cups finely chopped celery

2 cups finely chopped carrots

1 cup finely chopped onion

2 cups broccoli florets, chopped

8 cups hot chicken broth

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup water

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping

4 ounces cream cheese, cubed

1 12-ounce bottle beer

Crumbled cooked bacon, for topping (optional)

1. In a soup pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots and onion, and cook them until crisp-tender. Add the broccoli, and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the broth and black pepper.

2. In a small bowl, combine the flour and water until smooth, and gradually stir it into the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer, and cook the soup uncovered, until it has thickened and the vegetables are tender, about 25-30 minutes.

3. Stir in the cheeses until they melt. Add the beer, and continue cooking on medium heat for 3–4 minutes.

4. Remove from the heat and serve. Top with additional shredded cheese and bacon.

We will bring you back to when life was simple. Since 1786 our quaint little red cottage has graced the hills of southern New Hampshire, seemingly untouched by time. The enchanting cottage was chosen by Elizabeth Orton Jones as the model for her illustrations in Little Red Riding Hood (Little Golden Books, 1948.) Today it is a mecca for gardeners, foodies, and anyone looking for inspiration and relaxation. Have a Pickity day!

Apple Coffee Cake SERVES 6–8

This simple-to-make but oh-so-moist apple coffee cake is the perfect treat or dessert to cozy up to with your favorite hot beverage.

3 cups flour, sifted

¼ cup white sugar

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups peeled and chopped apples

¼ cup butter, melted

1 bottle (12 ounces) beer

2 cups powdered sugar

3–5 tablespoons half-and-half or milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, letting the excess overlap the edges. Butter the foil and set aside.

2. In bowl, whisk together the flour, white sugar, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, baking powder and salt. Add the apples, butter and beer. Mix just until blended—the batter will be thick. Transfer to the pan.

3. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes.

4. Carefully lift the foil and remove the cake from the pan, and let it cool on a wire rack.

5. Combine the powdered sugar, enough of the half-and-half or milk, and the vanilla in a bowl to make a thin glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake, and serve.

Light-as-a-Cloud Beer & Buttermilk Pancakes

SERVES 4–8, DEPENDING ON SIZE

These fluffy beer and buttermilk pancakes were served to me by a friend who knows that I am not fond of them, but these pancakes were light as a cloud! I begged for the recipe and have made a few tweaks of my own, but honestly, these are the only pancakes I will eat.

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, separated

½ cup light beer

¼ cup buttermilk or sour milk

1 teaspoon maple extract

½ teaspoon cream of tartar

2 tablespoons of butter, plus more as needed

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, beer, buttermilk and maple extract. Stir in the flour mixture, combine well and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, use a hand-held mixer or whisk to whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft, fluffy peaks appear. Fold the egg whites into the egg and flour mixture.

4. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to a heated griddle or nonstick frying pan. When the butter is melted and bubbly, add about ¼ cup of the pancake batter to the griddle or frying pan, making a few at a time. Cook until the edges begin to brown slightly and bubbles appear on the surface. Use a flexible spatula to flip the pancakes and brown the other side. Continue with the rest of the batter, adding butter as needed.

5. Serve with additional butter, maple syrup or your favorite topping.

Recipe courtesy of Mary Ann Esposito

The Comfort Factor

A country club that feels like home.

“It doesn’t happen very often that you walk into a space and you love it instantly—that everything about it is appealing,” says Kerry Sheridan. But that’s exactly how she felt when she first stepped into the Bald Peak Colony Club in Moultonborough.

Now retired and living in Florida, Sheridan (who can’t quite suppress the itch to design, as she’s worked on a few country clubs in the Sunshine State) recalls that the atmosphere at Bald Peak was relaxed and charming, and inspiration struck quickly.

“It’s a darling club. It isn’t imposing at all,” she says. “When you walk in the front door, and look over the terrace to the beautiful golf course, it was just love at first sight. When that happens, everything becomes easier—you can’t wait to get started—you love the whole thing.”

Her task, which sounds deceptively easy, was to update the décor in a way that would last, but without being dull. Not to mention that, unlike at a residence, this time there were far more people than homeowners to please— she needed to create a comfortable, yet functional space for not just the committee that hired her, but for all of the club’s members.

The club needed plenty of places for people to sit and gather, and the space seemed perfect for that purpose, says Sheridan. This, she says, led her to think about “the comfort factor, that feeling of home—it’s a cozy space. It felt like home.”

BY ERICA THOITS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN HESSION

Even though the main sitting room is large, Sheridan’s design makes it feel like you’ve walked into someone’s living room. She chose to incorporate blue because, she says, no matter what tone, it’s “a universally loved color.” As the club was once a hunting lodge, she thought a more masculine navy was fitting. Pairing that with gray was a logical choice, as Sheridan notes this classic combination is unlikely to fall out of style.

“I didn’t want to do anything too ‘faddy,’” she says. “I wanted it to be viable five, six years from now. I’ve used that combination at other clubs, and it just works. It gives me a neutral canvas to put anything I want on it.”

Perfect against that neutral backdrop are the pops of orange. At the time, says Sheridan, “Orange was huge. We were using it all over the place.” But that didn’t mean hanging orange drapes or buying an orange sofa were the right choices. Pillows, she explains, can be easily swapped out as tastes and trends change. Change, though, isn’t always easy, and it took some work to convince a few members that painting the sitting room’s large, dark wood table was the right idea. Sheridan believes in using existing pieces when she can, but the table looked too heavy and needed new life. She had it lacquered in gray, and now it serves to divide the two sitting areas. She also chose gray paint for a large, formerly red buffet table in the ladies’ card room.

New to the room are the custom trophy cases on either side of the French doors that lead to the terrace. Some clubs, says Sheridan with a laugh, have “horrible, horrible trophies” that, nevertheless, have to be incorporated. At Bald Peak, though, Sheridan was taken with the silver-plated versions, some dating back to the 1940s. These “absolutely gorgeous” trophies deserved a place of honor, says Sheridan, so she hired a woodworker to create the cases.

There were no structural changes during the redesign, but to create contrast on the gray walls, Sheridan applied white moldings that “fill up the space beautifully and add an architectural interest that wasn’t there before,” she explains.

A long hallway leads to a conference room and bar, which Sheridan felt seemed more masculine, so she added browns to her navy and gray palette. This space can be easily turned into a venue for larger gatherings, like a wedding, which was Sheridan’s goal.

“I really like to incorporate versatility into these places, so you can turn things from lounge areas to eating areas. That room lent itself very nicely to that kind of atmosphere,” she says.

Why spend the time and effort to make something like a country club look more like a home? For Sheridan,

all of the places we spend our time— a house, an office, a commercial space—should make us feel good.

“It’s very satisfying and very fulfilling to be around things that are beautiful, that are put together thoughtfully, that make you feel good when you walk into a space,” she says. “People sometimes don’t get that.”

It seems she’s won over the Bald Peak members to this way of thinking. When working in places like country clubs, says Sheridan, she hopes for something “around a 50 to 60% approval rating,” as she calls it. “Then you know you’ve made half the people happy—you’ve done your job,” she adds. But the new cozy, homelike interior, the board told her, garnered more like a 90% approval rating. That, she says, made it “a very satisfying job.” NHH

ones to watch

IT STARTED

with deep crimson and dragons. That patterned wallpaper in her grandmother’s dining room ignited her imagination, kindled her creative fire and was the genesis of Amanda Raymond’s skyrocketing interior design career.

“When asked how I got into the business, I say it just kind of happened. But when diving deeper into that, I really dissected it,” says Raymond, the 36-year-old owner of Studio Sage Interiors in New London. “I had the most amazing grandmother on planet Earth. We lived on the Cape, and I spent a significant amount of time with her. She was the coolest lady. She was the definition of high fashion. She had the best costume jewelry, a home filled with fine antiques and that wild, deep-crimson wallpaper with dragons all over it.

“It sounds funny but now looking back, when I was the age of 4 or 5, she was my best friend and at the time, I didn’t think there was any age difference. We had the most wonderful adventures. We traveled all over the Cape and to antique stores, and found really interesting objects,” Raymond continues. “I think that sparked my love of beautiful things, and the ability to curate things in such a way and

see things differently than everybody else. I began to celebrate that ability to put something together and make something absolutely unique.”

Studio Sage is a fullservice design firm specializing in the second-home market for high-end vacation homes, particularly those on Lake Sunapee and Lake Winnipesaukee. Although she’s been in business for just four years, Raymond is established as one of New Hampshire’s must-have designers.

“It is so funny now looking back that my grandmother, Mary Prussman, was my best friend. We were just a couple of gals having a good time,” says Raymond, the principal designer. “Nothing has changed, really. Even now, we’re just gals having a good time.”

Today, Raymond’s gals include the Studio Sage crew: senior designer Liz Hause, former intern and now associate designer Bree Sowle, and in-house art curator Candita Clayton. Raymond assembled this talented team after she purchased Sage’s Interiors in August 2017, and rebranded and reinvented the business.

Make no mistake, though. While they enjoy working together on major design projects, everyone has a thorough understanding of the gravity of their work and its significance to

the growing roster of clients.

“I love what I do, and I think that translates pretty clearly. I take this job extremely seriously, even though it sounds like all we’re doing is having a good time. What we have is a profound responsibility. People are inviting us into their homes, and that is an incredibly personal experience. We take that with the utmost responsibility. At the end of the day, this is an industry that we’re so lucky

to be part of, where we get to be creative every single day. It’s a dream,” says Raymond, who ironically was labeled a “daydreamer” in high school.

Raymond, who earned the prestigious Allied ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) status, took the roundabout route to owning the firm. She graduated from the Art Institute of Boston with a bachelor’s degree in interior design in 2008, which was the depth of the

recession and right when luxury businesses weren’t hiring.

After an internship-turnedjunior-designer post that lasted only 11 months, next she took a leap of faith with a design-build construction firm in Portland, Maine.

“In hindsight, that’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to my career,” she says. “It was a wonderful experience to be thrown into the thick of things, and having to figure to my way out. I

was tasked with more of the technical drawings, which has helped me to understand how a project went together. I did that for four years. Most of my work was in Prouts Neck, Maine, which is a highend, gated summer community. That’s sticking with the same thing I’m doing now, but it was different in that we were also implementing the designs in the construction process.”

A reconnection with her middle-school sweetheart

(and now-husband Paul) brought her back to her hometown and led to a four-year position within architecture. Her rich resume provides her with different perspectives, a complete skill set and a wealth of advantages.

“One of the things that makes me different than other designers is that I took my bachelor’s degree and I coupled it with my work experience, and was able to have more of a full-body

understanding of my projects and how a house comes together,” Raymond says. “I have first-hand insight of the technical function of a home. It all worked out beautifully for me.”

The same is true for her clients. She doesn’t try to explain her vision, she shows it. All three-dimensional drawings, mood boards, CAD drawings, hand renderings, floor plans and other documents are created in-house at Studio Sage. Nothing is outsourced.

“We have a solid grasp of all the facets [of the job]. But for certain things, we need to figure out how to represent them graphically so the clients can understand

our intent. Using those tools so we’re able to relay the design intent to the client is honestly everything, because if they can’t see the vision, they don’t know what they’re agreeing to or approving. That runs a risk,” Raymond says. “Part of the execution is being able to relay the concept early on. There is a certain level of trust, which is great. We are definitely relying on trust for a lot of what we do, and we do establish that with the client quickly.”

Among her recent projects, which take eight to 12 months from inception to completion, are a spectacular 7,000-square-foot newly constructed house on Lake Sunapee. Studio Sage teamed with

Above: A dramatic run of walnut countertop serves as the perfect bar surface for gathering in the kitchen. Soft sage green contrasts with and complements the wood island, and glass uppers allow for an unobstructed view into the adjacent dining room.

Left: The dining room lighting was selected for its sensible, slim and linear profile, strong iron aesthetic, and the understated glamour of the translucent calcite.

the award-winning Bonin Architects of New London and Meredith. “We partnered with Bonin to pick the beam color, the trim profile, the floor materials, all the title, the plumbing fixtures—everything right through the window treatments. One of the things that’s really great about my

technical experience is that I can help anticipate the next decision that has to be made, so I can stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule. We work through that process with the design/build team, and in the end, we arrive at the finishing process. It is not a sprint. It’s a marathon.”

One of her trademarks is to keep the décor from competing with the natural beauty of New Hampshire’s lakes, mountains and woods designed by Mother Nature. This was a key forethought in the interior planning of another Lake Sunapee project, this one with the professionals at Old Hampshire Designs of New London.

“Naturally, I gravitate toward more of a contemporary or Scandinavian aesthetic. You might have two projects going, with the other one a little lighter, sleeker and more minimalistic. [Here], the view is so outstanding, why am I going to busy up the interior? It has to be complementary,” she says.

Hallmarks of all her professional relationships include integrity, authenticity and, most of all, honesty. The business is growing faster than even she dreamed.

“Being authentic, being myself and being slightly unapologetic is important. I show up every day to work, and I don’t change who I am. My clients have come to expect and respect that I’m real, and I bring that to the table. It’s worked out pretty well for me and my team,” she says.

Those long-ago days of hunting for antiques on Cape Cod with her grandmother led her to this wonderful adventure, and

a fulfilling life here in New Hampshire with her husband and 4-year-old son, Griffin.

“My path wasn’t linear. It was more meandering, and I’m so proud of all that. It’s finding your place and that thing you were meant to do, and doing it every single day with gratitude,” she says. “It sounds like a fairy tale and too good to be true, but it literally is a fairy tale. If I hadn’t taken on my team members, none of this would be possible.

“I get to get up every day and have the great fortune of meeting some really

interesting and amazing people, being brought into their homes, learning a little about their lives and how they function,” she says. “I get to make a living doing what I love, creating with some of the most gifted professionals in the industry. I am honestly the luckiest person on planet Earth.” NHH

RESOURCES

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC (603) 526-6200 • boninarchitects.com

Old Hampshire Designs (603) 526-6945

oldhampshiredesigns.com

Studio Sage Interiors (603) 526-2121

studiosageinteriors.com

With

a design that spans the generations

In this Lake Winnipesaukee setting, modern design and a sense of history come together in perfect harmony.

BY EMILY HEIDT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOYELLE WEST

WHEN IT CAME TIME to design her dream home on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, Jen Jackson had one goal in mind: create a rustic, curated vacation home that was reminiscent of decades of summers spent on the water with family. “I think the words I would choose to describe my home would be ‘collected over time.’ I really wanted to convey the family history and make it feel like a generational home that pays tribute to my New Hampshire roots, while also creating a place for my kids and

grandkids to one day call home themselves,” Jackson says.

Jackson’s grandfather first visited Lake Winnipesaukee in the summer of 1937, and now, 85 years later, her children are the fifth generation to swim, play and grow up in the same waters. Finding inspiration in the surrounding environment, she wanted to use natural materials, texture and pops of color to give the home a comfortable, laid-back and interesting design that didn’t feel too formal. “I went into this

Left: The home was designed to serve as a vacation destination that would support family gatherings in a stylish, comfortable and informal setting.

Above: interior spaces were inspired by the home’s surroundings, especially the lake.

project knowing that it is a vacation home, not my full-time residence, so I could take risks and play, and really incorporate my personality into the home,” Jackson says. “I wanted the house to have a ‘writer’s cabin’ vibe with layers of history everywhere, taking inspiration from eras of design from the ’40s to the ’70s. I imagined incorporating those styles throughout the house in furniture pieces, fabrics, art and more, so every space would be comfortable and convenient for all age ranges coming through our doors.”

Jackson and her husband spent a few months developing a vision that would give their family a solid foundation to build on, and they worked with Wood & Clay in Gilford to bring that vision to life. The plan: build a new, casual and fun home with bold color, unique details and classic

New England architecture that paid homage to their family history and the environment around them.

Kevin Beland, president and owner of Wood & Clay, says the couple wanted to create a traditional family lake house on the exterior, and wanted an open and modern concept for the interior to support large family gatherings in a stylish, comfortable and informal setting. “Given that the couple live across the country for most of the year, much of the design and construction process was managed remotely through weekly Zoom calls with only a few on-site visits throughout the project,” Beland says. “We were able to create samples that were reviewed through photos, shipped coast to coast for approval or discussed in-person when on-site

both aesthetically pleasing and

Walnut—which is both beautiful and durable enough for a busy kitchen—was chosen for the island countertop and the shelves.

meetings were possible. We were grateful to have worked with Patrick Ahearn Architects to help put all the pieces together and bring the vision to life.”

“With an existing boathouse on the lot, our goal for the new home was to design a lake cottage that feels as though it was one of the original cottages from a previous time. It was all about scale,” says Patrick Ahearn, FAIA, founder and principal of Patrick Ahearn Architects. “We had a difficult site with a lot of topography that had to be reimagined in order to achieve three levels lakeside, all of which take advantage of the lake views. From the

street, however, the home reads as a story-anda-half cottage.”

Wood & Clay and the team from Patrick Ahearn Architects knew the family was there to enjoy the lake, so they planned the house to cascade down to and open up toward the water. They also wanted to make sure the design was consistent—from the stairway that looks down over the living room to the clean, white-paneled walls, to the sweeping views of the water from the kitchen. The team aimed to make sure each part of the house flowed into the next, from top to bottom and room to room.

Through the front door, visitors are welcomed

by a natural entryway with warm, wood tones and a rug for an energized, yet cozy look. As you walk into the living room, it’s hard to miss the two-story granite fireplace. There are also a textured rug and bold, black windows that look out over the lake. The porch includes its own dining area with expansive, pocketed sliding doors that extend the living room into a protected, open-air space that seamlessly connects the indoors to the outdoors. “Spaces like the living room and porch have large windows and sliders to create a comfortable transition and axis from the front to the back of the house,” Beland says. “This is the first impression upon entering the home as well

as the starting point to then branch off and relax in the variety of other spaces.”

That cozy, relaxed feel continues with the interior design. Johnna Martin of J Studios Interior Design worked with Jackson to create a plan to eclectically balance the old with the new. “Our goal was to create inviting spaces where people could stay and gather comfortably,” Martin says. “We knew this would be a home that would be in the family for generations, so we didn’t want it to feel trendy or outdated. Instead, we focused on earthy neutrals for the perfect palette to complement a wide array of fabrics and art. Natural materials, a range of textures and pops

of ‘randomness’ were our vision.” To bring her design vision to life, Martin took inventory of Jackson’s collected artwork and furnishings, and used them as a starting point for each room.

“The main open room with vast ceilings allows for a deep sense of grandeur while remaining intimate with multiple seating areas,” Martin says. “The sense of ease that that area evokes was important, especially in the design of the kitchen—as that is where most of the family spends their time winding down after down by the water.”

The kitchen reflects Jackson’s “writer’s cabin” inspiration, and design elements from various eras can be found in the delicate details and bold use of color. “The unlacquered brass faucet was my ode to the nautical, the navy stripes were my neutrals, the countertop was my midcentury kick, the spinning stools were a fun diner-feel addition and the acrylic panels on the refrigerator were my modern version of the vintage enamel appliances,” Jackson says.

“Everything about the kitchen is great, but I love the seating area because it is an easy way to add a quick pop of color to balance the room out. It is also where most of the action in the house is, and it is the place where my kids love spending time snuggled into the love seat with a book. We have played more rounds of games squeezed together on that sofa than anywhere else in the house.”

Making good use of space by using distinctive furnishings and architectural details was a big part of the vision, and was even more important in the bedroom and master bedroom designs.

The principal master bedroom suite features Benjamin Moore Hunter Green walls that supplement the softer, neutral tones seen in the bed frame, side tables and bronze lighting fixtures that bring a balance of texture to the room. Angled rooflines were designed and mirrored through interior framing to create symmetry and interest, and were carried throughout the second-floor bedrooms to connect one room to

the next. Each bedroom has its own fun patterns for window treatments or bedding to keep things fresh, and each has its own decorative details to match, especially the two bunkrooms.

Each bunkroom, the boys’ and girls’, has its own vertical, pine paneling to warm the space. Through trial and error involving multiple stain samples, a final color was selected to give the pine an aged feel in keeping with a lakeside camp from bygone years. Throughout the house, extensive nickel gap paneling and bomb-proof prefinished, character oak floors create continuity and tie together the unique design details from each space. While both the boys’ and girls’ rooms hold their own in the home, the boys’ room is Jackson’s favorite in the whole house. “I love that we were all able to achieve the Wes Anderson vibe that we were going for,” Jackson says. “The different variations of the Pendleton stripe fabric on the three upholstered headboards really add to the overall summer camp nostalgia.”

Martin and Jackson’s attention to detail can be seen everywhere in the home—from the warm tones for the floors, to bright and vibrant shades that emphasize the energy for games and social gatherings. Each space seamlessly transitions into the next, allowing for an even-greater sense of ease blending the interior with the exterior.

The exterior landscape features similar styling as the interior: angled rooflines continue; a low-set patio and porch maintain unobstructed views; and siding in red cedar shakes with a green trim creates a sense of place as a lakeside camp that has been around for generations.

“The entire home was built with comfortability and longevity in mind, especially with the expansive water views and relaxed outdoor spaces,” Beland says. “The home will be warm and personal for years to come, and for the couple’s kids to enjoy one day and create memories of their own.”

One thing the lakeside retreat has proven: Building and creating a home doesn’t mean you have to lose a sense of timelessness along the way. “It’s important to have a team around you that can bring their own unique skills and talents to the project, from the planning to designing,” Jackson says. “It was a joy to draw inspiration from the surroundings and location. We look forward to continuing to welcome family and friends into our home to relax and enjoy its whimsical character, deep history and modern comforts for years to come.” NHH

RESOURCES

J Studios Interior Design • (435) 655-1638 • jstudios.com

Patrick Ahearn Artchitects • patrickahearn.com

Wood & Clay, Inc. • (603) 524-3128 • woodandclay.com

Jackson didn't want to be limited to one style during the design process. It was less about following trends, and more about keeping the home interesting and unpredictable. As the home will be in the family for generations, Jackson and Martin didn't want it to feel trendy and eventually become outdated.

GET COZY IN A CHIC CHALET

A Bretton Woods ski house combines traditional alpine and contemporary styles.

BY KAREN A. JAMROG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB KAROSIS

Natural light pours into the open-concept home. A fieldstone fireplace anchors the living room, and exposed beams add warmth. The space is decorated with items the homeowners collected during their travels.

THE BRETTON WOODS SKI HOME of Buddy and Pam Phaneuf is enough to make even non-skiers want to strap on boards and hit the slopes. It would be easy enough to do with the nearest chairlift a mere four-minute walk from the home’s front door.

But this house has a lot more going for it than just a convenient location. The home’s traditional post-and-beam design has contemporary touches, appealing textures, gorgeous views, and loads of natural light and functionality. With the home’s warmth and homey feel, it’s easy to imagine gathering with rosy-cheeked friends and family for après-ski delights after an active day in the chilly outdoors.

The Phaneufs purchased the home three years ago to make it easier for their family to ski together. “Our three kids started skiing at a very young age,” Buddy says. Christmastime visits to Europe that combined skiing with cultural siteseeing soon became a family tradition, but now that the children are grown and busy, a more accessible location seemed the best way to maintain the family’s ski time.

When Buddy and Pam came across the Bretton Woods house, it reminded them of European chalets they have stayed in. Built in 2002, the roughly 3,500-square-foot, open-concept home offers plenty of space even if guests join Pam, Buddy and their two dogs—Nadine and Mrs. Peanut Butter (who, given her coloring, “is really more of a fluffernutter,” Buddy says).

To make the house even better suited to their needs, they hired Randy Trainor of C. Randolph Trainor Interiors to help plan renovations. Today, the home’s ground-level main entry opens to where the bulk of the construction occurred. Heading left from the entry, up a couple of stairs, leads to what used to be an in-law apartment; the Phaneufs converted the space to a bathroom and two guest bedrooms— one with bunk beds and another that can be split in two if needed. Brian Lang of Gorham, who served as general contractor for the Phaneufs—installed two big barn doors in the area to allow light to flow in.

Next to the bedrooms is a ski room that is a ski-lover’s dream. “Having a ski room is very important to us,” Buddy says. Without changing the footprint of the original room and guided by photos Buddy took of a ski room in Austria, Trainor and the Phaneufs transformed an unappealing storage space into a highly practical yet aesthetically pleasing room that won New Hampshire Home’s Specialty Room Design award in 2020.

As an experienced skier and ski instructor, Trainor’s

design business has evolved to focus almost entirely on ski homes, she says, and she recognized that the Phaneufs needed a hardworking room. The skiing-oriented changes are evident upon approaching the room, as Trainor swapped out the original wood steps for long slabs of granite because she knew ski boots would ruin wooden steps. Similarly, the tile floor in the entry and ski room is durable enough to withstand people clomping around in wet ski boots and snowy, dripping clothing.

A washer and dryer in the room are now tucked out of sight behind a sliding barn door, and the room’s drop ceiling has been replaced with a much more attractive pine ceiling

and recessed lights—a tricky task because the ceiling needed to continue to provide access to the mechanicals for the house. Trainor’s solution included panels in the new ceiling that can be easily moved. With pine walls, the room envelops visitors in an inviting, organic-feeling atmosphere.

Plenty of seating is available with two long, built-in benches on opposite sides of the ski room, enabling a small crowd to be together as they suit up in the morning or take off layers at the end of the day. Storing bulky coats isn’t a problem, and individually lighted cubbies provide space for each person’s gloves and other accessories.

Probably the room’s piece de resistance, though, is an

electric boot-drying rack. Mounted on the wall, the rack blows hot air to prep a dozen ski boots for the next run on the mountain.

The room itself is warm, too, thanks to its radiant heat and is linked with the home’s sound system. It has become “a fun space,” Buddy says. “When we’re getting ready for skiing, everyone’s heading down there and getting ready with the dogs. After skiing, we come back, hang out, maybe have an après-ski drink, and talk about the day and the runs.”

One floor up, on the home’s main level, spectacular views of Mount Washington and the White Mountain National Forest are visible through windows that cover the length of

the house—from the primary bedroom through a three-season room, kitchen, dining room and living room. Natural light pours into the house, and cherry wood throughout imparts warmth.

In the living room, a fieldstone fireplace anchors the space, while overhead, exposed beams stretch across the cathedral ceiling. A black, leather sofa by Roche Bobois with subtly rounded edges and polished aluminum legs is balanced by a solid-looking, square coffee table that is coated with glossy lacquer and punctuated with eye-catching, inlaid gold-colored flecks and chunks. Underfoot, a fluffy, sheep’s-wool woven rug made in Greek flokati style provides a light and airy contrast to the heavy black furniture.

On one side of the fireplace, a small cabinet discreetly houses audio/visual equipment. While on the other side, a door leads outside to a bluestone patio and fire pit. Across from the leather sofa, more texture comes into play with two shaggy chairs placed against an exterior wall. “We saw something just like those at a ski lodge, and I remember saying, ‘These things are amazing,’” Buddy says. “The dogs love sitting on them, too.”

A small table between the chairs is one of many pieces Buddy and Pam discovered during their travels. They purchased several of the home’s rugs while visiting the Middle East; other items came home with them from India, Africa and other locations. Framed ski posters adorn the walls of the house were bought during family ski trips and represent some of the places the family has visited.

The dining room features a table crafted by Northfield-based Vantz Live Edge Furniture, a company that provides employment and more for men in recovery from addiction. “[Buddy] showed me a picture of a live-edge,” Trainor says. “He said, ‘We really like this look,’ so I looked for someone local who could make it. You pick your slab and decide what kind of base you’re going to put on it. ... It was great working with the guys [at Vantz], and they did a fabulous job.”

The center of the table adds interest with a gently undulating inset filled with stones and covered in glass, evoking streams that flow in nearby mountains. Additional wow factor and texture come from the dining-room chairs. “I suggested [chairs covered completely in] animal hide,” Trainor says, “and that didn’t go over well, so then we talked about all leather and that didn’t quite seem to work. So we settled on hide on the back and white leather [on the front].” The leather is treated, so spills and drops at the table aren’t a concern, she says.

Across from the dining area is a full bathroom and a TV room, although the TV is rarely turned on, Buddy says. Also bordering the dining area is the kitchen. A well-designed, spacious

kitchen was important to the Phaneufs. With limited dining options nearby and a son-in-law who is a former chef, “We spend the weekends cooking,” Buddy says. Not to mention, “After you’ve been skiing all day, you don’t feel like getting dressed and going out somewhere,” he says. “So, we wanted to have a big, open kitchen where people could gather around.”

A desk in the kitchen was removed—“I didn’t want to have any more reasons to work” while at the house, Buddy says— and replaced with a wine fridge and cabinets that blend in with the existing cherry. The kitchen’s lighting was in serious need of an upgrade, so Trainor supplemented it with trapeze lighting, also known as cable lighting. The suspended lights,

which are strategically located, provide excellent illumination for kitchen work, and their red glass housing adds pops of color.

Overlooking the kitchen and dining areas is a loft that serves as a game room and a spot for Pam’s Peloton. In a pinch, it can also provide additional sleeping space.

Outside the home, a hot tub will soon be installed in the patio area. Nearby, beautiful Japanese gardens and terraces created by the home’s previous owner are perfect for a meditative, warm-weather stroll.

This year marks the Phaneufs’ fourth winter in the house, and the family continues to take full advantage of it with hiking in the area during the warmer months. “So, we’re using it much more than just as a ski house,” Buddy says.

When the house is full, “it’s not uncommon for a bunch of us to sit around the bar area in the kitchen, having drinks and cooking,” Buddy says. “There’s music, and the dogs will be hanging out”—looking for attention and food. “It’s chaotic,” he says, “but in a good way.” NHH

RESOURCES

Profiles of Architects and Designers

Meet some of New Hampshire’s talented architects and designers, and learn how they create the perfect spaces for their clients.

Christopher P. Williams Architects, PLLC

CRAFTSMANSHIP IN DESIGN

Since 1984, CPWA has been fulfilling architectural projects throughout New Hampshire and New England. Through our long and forward-thinking experience, we will assist you during all the phases of your project—obtaining permits; securing practical budgets; design, restoration and interior planning; site analyses to determine survey requirements and feasibility options; and developing sustainable, environmentally-friendly building practices. Our staff includes LEED AP certified architects (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

It is our craftsmanship in design, unique use of local materials, understanding of clients’ needs, and a proven track record of guiding clients through every phase of the construction process. Our goal is your satisfaction.

We specialize in sustainable building practices, and offer expertise in incorporating solar, geothermal and other green/sustainable systems into clients’ projects, which enhance and protect ecosystems and conserve natural resources. With sensitivity to

landscape and building site requirements, we strive to bring together the beauty of the exterior surroundings with the warmth and comfort of your home.

We design and build homes to suit your needs, everyday life and budget. We can help make your dream house a real home.

When you need the best, most experienced and progressively dedicated New Hampshire architecture team, CPWA will make your building ambitions come to life.

Bonin Architects & Associates

We believe in a collaborative approach to every project, working collectively, and bringing an array of personal strengths and professional experience to ensure exceptional quality throughout the design process. Whether your vision is a single decisive statement or broad list of desires, that idea is our guiding principle and the benchmark for the design. We help you develop and maintain this vision from the initial meeting throughout the construction of your home, bringing your vision to reality through the architectural process.

Located in New London and Meredith, New Hampshire, we are in the heart of the Lakes Region and New England.

With expertise in custom residential design and landscape architecture, we draw inspiration from the abundant lakefront,

New London and Meredith, NH (603) 526-6200

mountain and vernacular architecture of our region to deliver distinctive and timeless designs. Bonin Architects & Associates strives to continually enrich the lives of those we work with, and to find satisfaction knowing the values of integrity, commitment, respect, service and hard work not only touch the lives of our clients, but are also the difference between building a home and building a dream.

If you’re considering new construction, renovation, family home or a getaway cottage, contact us to begin the process of bringing your dreams to life.

db Landscaping LLC

INNOVATIVE AND ENGAGING LANDSCAPES

Whether your property boasts leafy woodlands, sweeping vistas or a beautiful waterfront, Mother Nature’s landscapes are guaranteed to impress—and db Landscaping LLC can enhance that natural wow factor for your residential or business property.

In addition to designing the outdoor living space of your dreams, db Landscaping LLC takes care of the details, including permitting and adhering to regulations. Led by landscape architect Daniel Bruzga, our team has 15 years of experience navigating the process from design and environmental permitting, to construction and long-term care.

Our team works with you to select natural, local materials appropriate to your property’s surroundings. We happily provide services wherever our clients live and play—in New Hampshire, the greater Boston area, Cape Cod, the Caribbean and beyond.

PO Box 356 Sunapee, NH (603) 763-6423

dblandscaping.com

kcs Architects

ACADEMIC, INSTITUTIONAL, COMMERCIAL, MUNICIPAL & RESIDENTIAL DESIGN, BIG & SMALL

The office of kcs ARCHITECTS was founded by Katie Sutherland in 2015. Katie Sutherland has 25 years of experience in the practice of architecture, the last 15 years of which have been in New Hampshire. Prior to that, Katie worked extensively in New York City, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Osaka, Japan, and brings a world view to her work. Katie holds a Master of Architecture from Yale University and is a LEED-Accredited Professional.

The office designs projects big and small. Katie has won numerous design awards throughout her career, and specializes in thinking creatively and adaptively, architecturally responding to each project in its own right.

Listening to our clients is a critical first step in our process, so that their vision and goals are always at the forefront of the design. We are dedicated to environmentally sustainable design in our work. We enthusiastically embrace these principles in our projects, implementing sustainable strategies, materials and methods in innovative ways and whenever possible. We are currently working on several lakefront homes and are well-versed in meeting the requirements specific to those projects. This featured lakefront home is currently in design and will feature photovoltaic panels and a green roof.

Studio Sage

PROVIDING CLIENTS WITH INNOVATIVE DESIGN

Studio Sage is an intentionally small, full-service design firm, with a focus on specialty, individualized interior design. We strive to curate innovative design solutions tailored to our client’s specific lifestyle. We pride ourselves on a collaborative approach to projects, helping our clients discover, develop and execute their own unique aesthetic. Because no two projects are the same, we are equally challenged and inspired by the work that we do. From concept, completion and finishing with our white-glove art curation we are proud to serve clients all over New England.

310 Marlboro Street, 2nd Floor

Keene, NH

(603) 439-6648

kcs-architects.com

210 Main Street

New London, NH (603) 526-2121

studiosageinteriors.com

BY

Herbs for Your Winter Windowsill

How to grow herbs indoors, plus what to do with your flavorful harvest.

We all have a few favorite herbs we can’t seem to cook without. If you enjoyed picking them fresh from your garden all summer, you don’t have to wait until spring to start growing them again. Head to your local garden center and see what they have for fresh herb plants, and check the seed racks while you’re there, too. Some fast-growing herbs—such as cilantro and basil—are easy to start from seed. Not sure what to

BY ROBIN SWEETSER

grow? Think about what do you use the most; don’t waste precious windowsill space on something you won’t use.

The keys to success for your winter herb garden are light, light and light. Trying to grow summery plants indoors during the shortest days of the year can be challenging. The more bright sunlight the better—at least six hours per day. If you lack the proper orientation—south-facing windows are the best for most herbs— you may have to resort to grow lights.

Also, don’t overwater your herbs. Wait until the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, then thoroughly water and let them drain so they are not sitting in a wet saucer. Herbs don’t like waterlogged soil, especially in winter when growth is slow.

If herbs are growing in a good, compost-based potting soil, the plants should not need any extra fertilizer. If you must fertilize, use a half-strength, liquid fertilizer meant for edible plants. Overfeeding your herbs will dilute their flavor.

Ten herbs for your windowsill garden

• Basil: Try a compact bush basil if space is tight; otherwise, plant several pots of a Genovese-type to spice up your Italian cuisine. The more you cut it, the more new growth you will see.

• Chives: Chives are a great cut-andcome-again crop even when grown in a pot. They are happy in an east or west window with less direct sun.

• Cilantro: If you can’t find a plant, it is easy enough to start from seeds. Just press them into the top of the soil and place the pot in a warm spot to germinate. Plant the seeds closely together, and later, thin to 3 inches apart. Be sure to eat the thinnings! Harvest frequently to prevent flowering. Cilantro is a short-lived plant, so after a few weeks start a new batch of seeds.

• Greek Oregano: There are many types of oregano, but look for authentic Greek oregano when plant shopping. It has the best flavor. Grow it in a hanging basket in the kitchen where can you cut it often.

• Lavender: Although lavender is not thought of as a traditional culinary herb, its scent will give you much pleasure during the winter. When used in cooking, a little goes a long way. Look for a tender, perennial variety, such as “Goodwin Creek” or Spanish lavender. These grow better on your windowsill than a hardy garden variety that may need a winter rest.

RECIPES WITH HERBS

Cilantro Chutney

Bruce Barnes says: “I like my chutney on the spicy side, and will often add 1 tablespoon of sambal oelek to the purée. I feel it gives it a bit more body and zing!”

1 cup of cilantro, washed, well drained and chopped

½ cup of parsley, washed, well drained and chopped

½ cup of grated, unsweetened coconut (optional)

1 1-inch clove of ginger, peeled and rough chopped

4 cloves of garlic, smashed and rough chopped

1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped

2 teaspoons of turmeric

1 teaspoon of cumin

1 teaspoon of garam masala

2 teaspoons of sugar

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Salt and pepper, to taste

¼ cup neutral oil, such as canola Ice water, as needed

1. In a food processor, layer tightly the cilantro, parsley, coconut, ginger, garlic and jalapeños. Pulse to coarsely grid the mixture. Sprinkle with the turmeric, cumin, garam masala and sugar. Pulse to blend in the dry ingredients. Add the lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

2. Scrape the sides, turn on the processor and begin to drizzle in the oil. The chutney should begin to purée. Add the ice water to the chutney as needed to form a smooth, yet not watery purée. When done, the chutney should be smooth but rather thick. Adjust the salt to your liking.

Recipe courtesy of Bruce Barnes, Colby Hill Inn

Herbes Salées (Salted Preserved Herbs)

MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP

Liz Barbour says: “This flavorful combination of fresh herbs can be used to season soups, sauces, stews, dressings, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and sautéed vegetables, and used to create flavorful butters. There is no one recipe for this wonderful condiment. I often choose a flavor profile for my herbes salées based on a dominant flavored herb that I have on hand and choose additional herbs that support that profile. Supportive herbs can be parsley, arugula, spinach, scallion and celery leaves. I prefer kosher salt, but you can choose any minimally processed coarse salt that you prefer. Because the herb salt is salty, use a little at first or 1:1 in recipes when replacing plain salt with your homemade herbes salées.

½ cup dill

1 cup flat leafed parsley

½ cup celery leaves

½ cup chives or scallions

½ cup mint, basil, or cilantro

¼ cup course mineral, Himalayan pink, kosher or other coarse salt

Note: The measurements above are for uncut leaves packed into a measuring cup.

Herbes salées can keep for up to a year in the refrigerator. Divide the herb mixture into smaller jars if you prefer.

Herb combinations to try:

1. Roughly chop all your fresh herbs using a sharp knife. (If you prefer to use a food processor, pulse until the herbs are roughly chopped. The chopped herbs should remain bright green and loosely combined. Too much processing will turn the herbs into a bitter-tasting paste.) Combine the chopped herbs in a large bowl.

2. Layer 1 inch of herb mixture in the bottom of a 2-cup lidded jar, and sprinkle with some of the salt. Repeat in layers until all of the herb mixture and salt is used. Finish with 1 teaspoon of salt sprinkled on top. You will need to pack the herbs in tightly.

3. Cover and refrigerate for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, open the jar and press the herbs firmly to release any extra water. Pour the water out. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Recipe courtesy of Liz Barbour, the Creative Feast

Single herbes salées: rosemary, thyme, basil, mint or celery salt are favorites of mine.

Mixed herbes salées

1 cup parsley, 1 cup sorrel, 1 cup celery leaf, 1 cup Egyptian onion or green onion, 1 cup lovage leaf 1½ cup parsley, 1½ cup leeks or onion, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 cup finely chopped celery, ½ cup chives, ¼ cup tarragon, ¼ cup oregano, 3 tablespoons thyme, 2 tablespoons rosemary, 1 tablespoon sage

Stuffed Chicken Saltimbocca With Marsala, Basil and Sage

MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP

1 medium onion, diced

2½ ounces olive oil, divided

1 garlic clove, minced

¼ pound sliced prosciutto, diced

1 cup chicken stock

3 cups cubed basil or other herbed ciabatta bread

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

½ cup shredded mozzarella

4 six-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin

4 slices provolone cheese

½ cup Italian breadcrumbs

1. In a medium-size sauce pan, sauté the onion in ½ ounce of the olive oil until the onions become opaque. Add the garlic, and cook for an additional minute. Add the prosciutto, and cook for 1 more minute. Add the chicken stock, and bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from heat, and let it cool. Add the ciabatta bread, Parmesan and mozzarella to the liquid. Combine to make the stuffing.

2. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lay the chicken, breast-skin side down, on a cutting board. Place one slice of provolone on each breast. Divide the stuffing onto each portion, and roll. Spray a sheet pan with nonstick food spray (or line it with parchment paper), and place the chicken on it. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the chicken, and drizzle with remaining 1 ounce of olive oil.

3. Cook for 35 minutes or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Let cool. Slice, top with Marsala basil sauce and serve.

Marsala Basil Sauce

1 cup Marsala wine

1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

1/8 pound unsalted butter Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Add the Marsala wine, sage and basil to a sauté pan, and bring to a boil. When the bubbles of wine are large, reduce the heat. Add the cold butter, and swirl the pan until the sauce thickens.

2. When the wine sauce thickens, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over sliced chicken.

The more you cut basil, the more it grows.

Move the plants outside in the summer to induce blossoming.

• Parsley: Since parsley is tap-rooted, it will appreciate a deep pot. Prolong the harvest by cutting sprigs from the outside of the plant, allowing the center to continue growing.

• Rosemary: This can be challenging to grow, needing a cool, bright spot with good air circulation. Mist the plant frequently, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Rosemary doesn’t like to have wet feet, so don’t let it sit in water.

• Sage: Common sage has the strongest flavor. Try a dwarf variety, if space is limited. If you want a fancy option, look for a tri-colored or golden variety—they have a milder flavor.

• Tarragon: This staple of French cuisine thrives in a north, east or west window. As long as tarragon gets between six and eight hours of bright light, it doesn’t need a lot of direct sun.

• Thyme: Aromatic English thyme or common garden thyme grow well in a pot or hanging basket. For extra flavor, try caraway, orange or lemon thyme, or slightly sweeter narrow-leaved French thyme.

Spice up your life

Need ideas for what to do with your harvest? We asked a few local chefs to share their thoughts and recipes.

Pickity Place in Mason is known for its innovative, five-course menu that includes herbs and edible flowers grown onsite. They were serving farm-to-table meals long before that became the thing to do.

“There is a big difference between fresh herbs and dried, so it is best to use fresh whenever possible,” says chef Keith Grimes. He tries to incorporate them into every aspect of the meal—from appetizers and soups to main courses and desserts. Pickity Place even offers herbal drinks with their meals, including refreshing lavender lemonade. “Seeing lavender growing on your windowsill will give you hope for spring,” he says.

But asking him to choose his favorite herb is like asking him to pick his favorite child. “Chives are easy to grow, and they are a go-to herb that can be put into just about anything. But I really don’t have any favorites,” Grimes says. “My favorite is always whatever I am working on next.” However, he does admit to a preference for Mediterranean and Italian cuisines.

Liz Barbour, of the Creative Feast, is an author and cooking instructor from Hollis who presents online cooking demonstrations across New England. She also opens her edible garden for tours once a year. Knowing how hard it is to grow any quantity of usable herbs on a winter windowsill, she offers these suggestions: “Scallions are my number one favorite for a windowsill. You can buy them at the grocery store, cut and use the greens, and then put the white part—with roots attached—in a glass of water. The greens will regrow, and you can cut them again and again,” she says. “There’s no killing it! You don’t have to worry about watering them since they are growing in water.”

Rosemary topiaries are high on her list as well. “Once you find a spot with good air circulation and learn their watering needs, they are easy to grow,” Barbour says. If your windowsill garden is giving you a little of this and a little of that, she recommends making herb butter or herbes salée, a French-Canadian recipe made by layering fresh herbs with salt. “Both add a wonderful fresh flavor to everything you cook,” she says. Check out her book “Beautifully Delicious” for more ideas on using herbs and edible flowers.

Bruce Barnes and Jefferson Brechbuhl own and operate the Colby Hill Inn in Henniker. Their Grazing Room Restaurant is one of only three gold-level-certified farm-to-table restaurants in the state. Barnes and Brechbuhl not only source local ingredients from area farms, but also grow a lot of their own herbs and produce. Barnes, a prize-winning chef with a deep background in international cuisine, puts their work to good use. A

Goodwin Creek, or Spanish lavender are good varieties for indoor growing.

few of his favorites are rosemary, thyme and sage. “Rosemary is excellent with meats and for hearty winter stews,” he says. “It is my go-to for braising with pork or beef.”

Since he likes the combination of citrus and thyme, one of his dishes features chicken, thyme and clementines slow-cooked in a Dutch oven. “I love sage with pork or turkey,” he says, “and I have my grandmother’s recipe for a simple brown butter sauce with sage that is delicious with potatoes, especially roasted fingerlings.”

Barnes says cilantro and garlic are universal herbs used in southeast Asian, Caribbean, Hispanic and Indian cooking. He makes a versatile chutney with them. If one of these cuisines is a favorite with your family, a pot or two of cilantro on the windowsill will be a good choice.

At the inn, Brechbuhl wears many hats, including bartender. He has fun creating cocktails using the herbs he grows in his extensive herb garden. “It only takes a few sprigs of mint, thyme, basil or lavender to turn an ordinary cocktail or martini into something truly special,” he says. Experiment with adding some of your windowsill herbs to a favorite beverage or follow one of his tried-and-true recipes. NHH

RESOURCES

Colby Hill Inn and Grazing Room (603) 428-3281 • colbyhillinn.com

Creative Feast • (603) 321-5011 thecreativefeast.com

Pickity Place • (603) 878-1151 • pickityplace.com

Visit our sister publication at nhmagazine.com for more recipes.

The Artistic Journey

Mark Heffley turns retired climbing ropes into works of art.

There’s a certain irony to featuring Concord resident Mark Heffley in a department called “Master of Their Craft,” because the 41-year-old rock-climbing enthusiast is the first to admit he is still learning. The work, he says, is a constant evolution. Eight years ago, he launched his company, Second Ascent Designs, which showcases his brilliant creations fashioned from secondhand climbing ropes. Each unique piece, from beginning to end, is an adventure in design and dedicated craftwork.

Heffley grew up in southern Connecticut and attended Keene State College, where he graduated with a degree in health sciences in 2002. He then launched a career as a personnel trainer, setting up shop at the Boston Sports Club in Waltham, Massachusetts. Before long, Heffley discovered a new passion— rock climbing—which led to an awakening of his artistic side.

Inspired by his favorite pastime, theoretical concepts such as “the golden ratio” (an infinite number of 1.618), and the work of Nobel Laureate physicist and mathematician Roger Penrose and reality-bending graphic artist Maurits Cornelis “M.C.” Escher, Heffley immersed himself in his avocation, creating wildly colorful pieces. It soon became his vocation.

Heffley’s work ranges from small— wine racks, clocks, chessboards, planters and picture frames—to larger pieces, including chairs, wall hangings, coffee tables, quilts and the occasional birdbath. To date, he has recycled more

BY BRION O’CONNOR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENDAL J. BUSH

than 8,000 meters, or roughly 5 miles, of climbing rope.

New Hampshire Home [NHH]: Tell me about your climbing, Mark. Is this a lifelong interest? Or did you come to it later?

Mark Heffley [MH]: While I was personal trainer, I met a rock climber, Bill Schifone. He said, “If you’re strong enough to do that exercise, you need to start rock climbing.” So, he brought me out rock climbing and introduced me to his climbing crew. He was my mentor and was about 15, 16 years older than me. He taught me the ropes and connected me into the world.

NHH: What were the origins of Second Ascent Designs?

MH: Quite honestly, a sentimental token. I had been holding on to my first couple of ropes, and I wanted to do something with them. Everything I’d seen to that

point was a woven rug. So, I just started playing around. I started with super glue, and after a very small amount of experimentation, I realized that super glue bonds the fabric of the rope, the nylon, in a millisecond. It stays in a wet form (prior to application), so I can do a whole bunch of work, put the piece together, and it stuck. And stuck quite robustly. After playing around with the simple spiral, I said, “I can do more with this.” And then I built a 42-inch birdbath.

NHH: You’re a personal trainer and a rock climber. Where did the artistic side come from? What was your inspiration?

MH: I don’t fully know the answer to that. In high school, I took a shop class and really enjoyed that. And I took two pottery classes. I just love making things. I love to be attached to the product I created and the development of it. I probably went a really long time of not realizing

the attachment that I took so much pride in. I didn’t experience that in my life until I started the experimentation of making something from holding on to this sentimental token, these ropes. The first things I’ve built, the rug and the birdbath, were based on small sculptures I made it in pottery class.

NHH: This happened during your time as personal trainer?

MH: Yeah. After a little while, I begin to think, there is more to this. It started grabbing all my attention, and I stopped paying attention to my clients the way I should have been. I just got wrapped up in the next project to build.

NHH: Isn’t that a good definition of a passion? When everything else seems to melt away because you’re focusing on one thing?

MH: That’s the perfect definition. I don’t

get out to climb all that much, but it’s a passion of mine. I love the movement, I love climbing, I love being outdoors. But I get a bit of anxiety when I’m away from my work for too long. It can be a battle at times. The work is very tedious and very slow. I typically work seven days a week. I wouldn’t say I’m putting in an eight-hour day every day, but some are 12-hour days and some are five. But it is seven days a week, so on the average I’m definitely logging more than your typical 40-hour workweek.

NHH: Are you primarily, or entirely, self-taught?

MH: YouTube taught me a bit of art history, and some of my projects came from me learning art history, finding some connections to other things. Most of it was: “I learned this skill. What do I do with it? Where am I going to go from here with that skill?” You can say I’m 90-plus percent self-taught.

NHH: How do your influences translate to a commercial venture?

MH: I don’t know how they present as a commercial success. At this point, I really don’t know, because I keep struggling. I’ve tried to make it in the craft world. I make all sorts of knickknacks, from dog leads and coasters. I do gear racks and wine racks, all these things that are not large endeavors. These take time, but they’re reasonable enough that I can sell them. The fiber arts in general are known for time-intensive labor. And that’s definitely true for me. Nothing is easy. You have to do the calculations and charge enough to make $15 an hour. I’m no longer in the category where I can sell things for $20. And most things at craft shows sell for under $20. Going above that is a very hard thing to do.

NHH: How do you describe yourself?

As an artist? A craftsman?

MH: I’m a both an artist and craftsman. I think they’re one word. I don’t like the fact that many parts of the art world

Prospect Hill

separate them. But I feel the direction I’m going puts me more on the pathway of the fine arts, creating the one-offs, the not to be re-created projects.

NHH: Do you see yourself along the lines of a commission artist, like a portrait artist? Is that ideally where you’d like to be?

MH: I want to find a pathway in my work, something I can continue to pursue. So, if someone is giving me good ideas, I work with that person on the design. So far, I have not duplicated anything. Plus, there’s the fact that all my rope is 100% recycled; I don’t buy any of this stuff. So as far as colors go, I can’t duplicate anything. I could potentially take one of the chairs, if someone wanted two of them, I could make a second copy of the one I already made, but there would be some differences. I can make the two pieces

relatively similar. Because everything is custom and handmade, they’re not going to be identical. If someone helps guide my direction because they want a specific thing, I’d be more than happy to work with that person.

NHH: Ideally, then, you might work with interior designers or interior architects? That kind of partnership?

MH: Without question. I think it would be absolutely amazing to go in that direction.

NHH: If you’re creating pieces for someone’s home, do you focus on whether it’s fine art or functional art, such as a gear rack or a table or a set of coasters? Some of your pieces blur the line between the two, such as several of your chairs. How do you market yourself and Second Ascent Designs?

MH: I’m still in the process of formulating that. My chairs are often art as well as functional. Some of them aren’t the most comfortable things in the world. Some of them are. Like my hammock chair. It’s unbelievably comfortable.

NHH: That’s similar to a painting, isn’t it?

MH: Right. I see huge overlaps [with painting] in what I’m doing. I see all my pieces as functional and sculptural and fine art. All three. They’re colorful, which is inherent with the material I’m using, and then I’m just playing with all the different elements the rope offers.

NHH: I love the name of your business, Second Ascent Designs. It recognizes that all these ropes had a previous life. They have stories to tell. The ropes that you use, do they speak to you?

MH: When the ropes are mine, that’s true. I definitely worked with several ropes that were personally mine. I’ve also worked with others, like [climbing legend] Chris Sharma’s ropes. They were sent to me from California. It was special knowing I had the opportunity to work with those ropes. I think the sentimentality is always there, because of the IKEA effect.

NHH: The IKEA effect?

MH: There’s a certain sentimentality that comes with the furniture from IKEA. Why does something that you have to build yourself create such a strong connection with people? The clay ashtray that you built in third grade that looks horrible, quite honestly—why do you have that in your house? What’s the purpose of it? It has to do with the sentimentality of it. There’s a connection to it. There’s definitely a huge connection to the work and the creation of the work.

NHH: Climbing is a very spiritual sport. There is real Zen quality to it, with the concentration it requires and its mindbody connection. And then there’s the fact that these ropes are not just beautiful, but they’re also designed to save your life. Is that something that is infused in your work?

MH: It’s definitely present. I hope I’m satisfying that concept in the work I’m presenting. But it’s also converted. Rockclimbing rope is made from nylon. I realized that nylon is plastic. So, there’s this environmental connection that is stronger in the work at this point in time.

NHH: So, there’s constant evolution?

MH: Yeah, without question. Sometimes I’ll realize that it’s something that’s always been present in my work, but I just haven’t thought about it, and this current project is pushing me to think about it.

NHH: Where would you like to see yourself in a few years?

MH: Hopefully international fame [laughing]. Isn’t that the goal for every artist, to have their work viewed by millions? My current project [an enormous quilt] is like any of my work: It’s just an evolution. I’m going to take every opportunity I can find, and that’s definitely a challenge.

NHH: Ultimately, would you like to see yourself as a functional artist who can either work on commission or sell your creations at other outlets? Like, for example, a Simon Pearce gallery?

MH: Again, the goal is to just make it work. I’m working on the wine racks, the bottle openers and stuff like that. I’ll be pretty happy as long as I’m getting a few hours, four or five, to do my own thing. Because being hyper-repetitive, repeating things over and over again, would slowly eat away my soul. But as long as I have the ability to be creative to build and make things, that will work. Whatever keeps the bills being paid. NHH

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KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

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KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

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SPECIALTY WOOD PRODUCTS

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AT HOME in New Hampshire

Telling Your Story

The home is you, and you are your home.

This new year of 2022, more than others in recent memory, certainly feels like the opportunity for new beginnings. And a new year, in general, is a good time to take stock, to look ahead, to consider the future.

Instead, my daughter and I plan on hunkering down and reading—and it all has to do with the inside of our home.

First, some backtracking. As you read this, it will have been about two years since the pandemic’s first lockdown; about 35% of Little Bean’s whole life will have been officially lived during a pandemic. If I think too much about this, I’ll go crazy—so, instead, in a new year, there’s value in considering how the interiors of both our lives and our home have changed. And it all began with our first Reading Nook.

Architectural history has long made the distinction between the outside and inside, with one oftentimes having little or nothing to do with the other. (Frank Lloyd Wright and a couple of other architects being the exception.)

To interior designers, however, what your home looks like on the inside is every bit a reflection of the homeowners themselves. Designer and writer Amanda Talbot suggests that design is about “realigning your priorities to keep you focused on the important things in life.”

Celebrity designer Nate Berkus’ advice is more direct: “Your home should tell the story of who you are.” In other words, where and how you live is a reflection of you.

When I was a kid, my dad built a walk-in, partially enclosed space in our basement for me, where I stored my books, toy chest, Lincoln Logs and markers. It was chilly down there and damp. But importantly, even more so than my own bedroom, this was my own space, a place I owned and claimed agency to. Although small, it felt like, well, home.

Since I fancy myself a storyteller (my wife might use a different word), our own pandemic home renovation started by building a library and reading room in a basement extra room. We stripped the old wallpaper, a job Little Bean seemed to enjoy the most, then painted. Knowing my family was comfortable and safe upstairs as I measured and built the wall of bookshelves over the course of several weeks is one of my more pleasant memories of lockdown. We were going to tell our story, with stories. Finally, I turned my attention to the library closet, a shallow but long space with a built-in shelf at one end.

That space was on my mind as removed the doors and tore out the hanger slats from the closet in our house. Those hours I spent reading about robots and ghosts stayed fresh in my mind as I patched the holes and repainted the space. My wife—the true builder in the family—secured a long bench into the nook, sewed a cushion and set up drapes to give our daughter some privacy when she used the room.

This took months, but when it was complete, Little Bean moved in some of her own books, along with an armful of stuffed animal friends.

And finally, after all this effort of creating this new space, my daughter didn’t want to use it.

“I don’t want to be there alone, Daddy.”

“You’re not alone, baby, you have all these books and stories,” I pleaded.

“You come with me. Read to me.”

So that was the catch. I had overlooked the most important interior design feature of them all, the one thing I couldn’t build or buy from Home Depot.

It was us. The stories, in our home, in our Reading Nook, would be the people who used them.

That evening, I tucked myself into a reading nook built for a six-year-old, while my daughter sat on my lap and my wife sat in a nearby comfy chair, and we began to read.

We happened to be in a brand-new library, in a brand-new space. But this could be anywhere; over coffee in our kitchen, laying together on propped-up pillows in bed, out back in the sunroom overlooking our garden. The nook was an afterthought.

This was our story. Our home. Together. NHH

BY DAN SZCZESNY | ILLUSTRATION BY CAROLYN VIBBERT