New Hampshire Home May-June 2022

Clean Aesthetics: The slimmest profiles available and minimal exposed hardware.

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Easy Operation: Smoothest and easiest operation of any folding glass wall.

Secure & Durable: Air, water, and forced entry tested. Swing doors tested to 500,000 and folding panels to 20,000 open and close cycles.

Whether your home is on a lake, in the mountains or in the center of a beautiful New Hampshire town, you want your rooms to reflect your lifestyle and personal taste. Our stores will inspire you, spark ideas and provide solutions. Learn why the construction of quality furniture makes a difference and enjoy design expertise from a staff whose only goal is to make you love your home. Whether you are looking for one perfect piece or furnishing an entire home, we invite you to discover all that Winchendon Furniture has to offer.

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FEATURES

44 A Touch of Big Sky Country in Hopkinton

A bit of Montana finds its way to New Hampshire in this gorgeous Adirondack-style home. By Karen A. Jamrog | Photography by John W. Hession and Morgan Karanasios

54 A Home Fit for a President

Take a peek inside the historic president’s residence at UNH in Durham, where a fresh design pays homage to the seacoast and the university’s past.

By Brion O’Connor | Photography by John W. Hession

60 The 2022 New Hampshire Home Design Awards Discover this year’s outstanding residential projects from around the state.

DEPARTMENTS

From the Editor

Finds

By Design

Cakes

Small Space

Big on Style

Emily Heidt | Photography by Morgan Karanasios

Garden Rx

Annual Portsmouth Pocket Garden Tour

Robin Sweetser

Home Resources

At Home in New Hampshire Gardens of Light By Dan Szczesny Illustration by Carolyn Vibbert

68 Design Awards Hall of Fame Meet these featured architects and designers

residential commercial interior design

Get Inspired

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

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 assoicate editor for New Hampshire Magazine, a McLean Communications publication, the parent company of New Hampshire Home. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and now lives in Exeter.

Karen A. Jamrog is a freelance writer who covers a wide range of topics, from profiles and lifestyle features to health care issues, including the monthly health-focused column in New Hampshire Magazine.

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.

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.

Brion O’Connor is a freelance writer and journalist whose work has appeared in many publications, including Men’s Journal, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, Bicycling, Men’s Fitness, Boston Magazine, New Hampshire Magazine and numerous in-flight magazines.

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.

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.

Note: In the March/Aril issue feature “The Modern Farm,” we incorrectly referred to Sheldon Pennoyer Architects as the SKP team. It should have read SPA team. Additionally, the homeowners in the story raised their family in Marlborough, New Hampshire, not Massachusetts. New Hampshire Home regrets the errors.

MAY/JUNE 2022

V OL. 16 | NUMBER 3 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, Mary Ann Esposito, Emily Heidt, Karen A. Jamrog, Brion O’Connor, Dan Szczesny, Robin Sweetser and Carolyn Vibbert

SALES DIRECTOR

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

VP/CONSUMER MARKETING Brook Holmberg

VP/RETAIL SALES Sherin Pierce

BILLING SPECIALIST/IT COORDINATOR Gail Bleakley

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions, New Hampshire Home PO Box 37900, Boone, IA 50037-0900 call (877) 494-2036; subscribe online at nhhomemagazine.com; or email customerservice@nhhomemagazine.com

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,

New Hampshire

disclaims all responsibility for omissions and errors.

§

Thank you

to everyone who helped make the New Hampshire Home Design Awards a resounding success!

to all of the 2022 winners, and a special thanks to this year’s event sponsors:

A Trip to the Past

A LARGE NUMBER OF YEARS I DON’T LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE have passed since I graduated from the University of New Hampshire. And still, every spring and fall, the changing of the seasons always snaps me right back to Durham, even if only for a fleeting moment. Like the scent and taste of madeleines propelling Proust back to his childhood, the feel of the air turns my clock back to college.

The first spring day, when the sun is finally warm and the chill is held at bay for a few precious afternoon hours, I’m suddenly sitting outside with my friends, splitting pitchers of beer, enjoying time together before we go our separate ways for the summer. In the fall, when walking through the crisp air underneath the changing leaves, I’m in front of T-Hall, shoulder aching under the weight of my old brown leather bag overstuffed with books, on my way to Ham Smith.

I wonder if someday spring will arrive and those sunny days on the patio will remain in shadow. Or in the fall, I won’t find myself massaging a phantom shoulder twinge. Sixteen years on, and it hasn’t happened yet. It’s a testament to what those four years meant to me—meeting lifelong friends, reveling in the freedom to try new things, toss some things aside and make possibly the worst decisions I’ll ever make (I hope). It didn’t hurt that I was studying the things I love, sure that I was working toward the future I’d always wanted.

There were bad days, scary choices, intense pressures and classes that brought me to frustrated tears (thanks, math gen ed). But, as usually happens over time, the hard, frightening things have taken a back seat, tinging it all with a bittersweet hue that inspires nostalgia instead of pain. Those were all things I had to learn, and with greater perspective comes the realization they were just as important as the good—the professors who inspired me, the thrill of diving deep into book after book, living with friends, the promise of tomorrow and, yes, maybe a party or two.

When I say I sobbed the day of graduation, I’m not exaggerating. I was brokenhearted. Want to know what set it off? Actor Mike O’Malley’s 2006 commencement speech, which he delivered at much the same point in his life that I’m at now. Here’s the part I’ll never forget:

“Eighteen years ago, I wanted to stay close with the friends who had filled my college years with depth and vitality, because 18 years ago, I was swamped with the sadness that comes from the realization that once I left Durham, I would no longer be a fiveminute walk from 20 of my closest friends.”

Killed me. I was dead. I was also suffering from what I’d come to learn was a vicious case of mono, but still. That struck me, and my friends, with a profound sadness. We were, of course, also proud and excited, but in that moment? Devastation. We could barely even look at each other.

I credit the season, as spring is just emerging as we go to press, and one of my favorite features in this issue—the new interior design of the UNH president’s residence (page 54)—with sending me down memory lane. But it’s not an unwelcome stroll.

To any new graduates who might be reading this, here’s something else Mike O’Malley said in his speech: “College was not the best four years of your life. They were the best four years of your life so far.” And to parents who may be welcoming home despondent children for whom that point hasn’t quite sunken in yet, be patient, and try not to roll your eyes. And to everyone, happy spring—I hope this summer is one to remember.

BY

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Invite serenity into your outdoor space with this cascading water fountain. $210 Riverbend Home in Londonderry riverbendhome.com

Take a break from gardening chores in this comfortable folding chair, made from lightweight pine wood. $199 Pioneer Chairs in Fitzwilliam etsy.com/shop/pioneerchairs

Harvest your garden vegetables using these efficient, multipurpose baskets to easily gather, rinse and store your homegrown foods. $30 Gardener’s Supply Company · gardeners.com

Optimize outdoor space with wall planter racks and boxes for herbs and other small plants. This planter system made out of beautiful acacia wood brings the modern slatted design to your outdoor space. Components sold separately. From $60 Crate & Barrel in Kittery, Maine · crateandbarrel.com

Grow your own veggies at home with this self-fertilizing and self-watering farmstand, ideal for homes that have limited outdoor space. This vertical garden is available in sizes from 3 to 6 feet tall and holds from 12 to 36 plants. From $399 Gardener’s Supply Company · gardeners.com

Showcase artistic features in your garden space like this handpainted solar lantern. $69 Bedford Fields in Bedford · (603) 472-8880 bedfordfields.com

Admire your handiwork while nestled in this modern armchair, seated amongst your vibrant garden space. Seasonal Specialty Stores in Amherst · (603) 880-8471 seasonalstores.com

Illuminate a garden path or backyard porch with these light-up stones made from frosted glass. From $50

Barn in Salem · (351) 277-6062 · potterybarn.com

Boost curb appeal with your best flowers and plants displayed in this vintage Amish wagon. $47 Wayfair · wayfair.com

Monitor the health of your plants with this Bluetooth-compatible home plant sensor. $40 Northfifteen on Amazon amazon.com/northfifteen

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Q: Which one should you choose—curb appeal or functionality?

A: Build for functionality and curb appeal will follow. It's true—the American homescape is changing, and our living spaces are changing to accommodate it.

By the numbers:

31%. The percentage of U.S. homes with multigenerational families sharing the same home and living space. Mom, Dad and the kids. Brothers and sisters, the grandparents and the grandkids. It's becoming normal

again for households to have multigenerational families sharing the same spaces. Creating functional outdoor spaces will create a home that appeals to the people and pets within it—and the neighborhood around it. That’s curb appeal!

One in six. Retirees who have a “boomerang” child who moved back into the family home. Upsizing is a thing! In a recent Merrill Lynch and Age Wave retirement study, 30% of retirees actually moved into larger homes. Outdoor living spaces, pools and patio construction are at an all-time high as more parents welcome their kids and grandkids to spend more time together, not less.

Q: Is it better to bring the outside in, or take the inside out?

A: Allowing people to move freely between the inside and the outside of the home is using a home more productively. What was stated above is still true—the American homescape is changing and our living spaces are changing to accommodate it.

By the numbers:

25%. The percentage of the American workforce that will work remotely by 2025. With today’s changing workforce, functionality has become the number one focus for homeowners, landlords and property managers. Creating living

There's no such thing as a patio that's too big!

—Daniel Gordon

spaces that merge the inside with the outside of the home results in better spaces to live, work and play—and it increases the value of the property.

86%. The percentage of U.S. Households that have an outdoor living space. While the average American patio is 250 square feet, the average size patio in New England is 300 square feet. There is no such thing as a patio that’s too big. Patios aren't just for entertaining— they are a part of our daily household living. With computer and Wi-Fi mobility, the patio has morphed into one of the most desirable spaces in the home.

Q:Do we plan our outdoor spaces, or do the areas that we use just become them?

A:For many homeowners, the outdoor areas that we use become the outdoor areas that we plan for better use. The best outdoor spaces generally combine these five qualities:

1. There is ample seating and table space for work or play. There's no shortage of options for seating and flat spaces to cook, email, serve or create in your outdoor area.

2. You have the ability to enjoy any weather. From umbrellas to pergolas to fully enclosed spaces, your outdoor space can

easily be a fluid part of your everyday living space.

3. It's a place to cool off, and it’s a place to warm up. Is it a simple fire pit, an outdoor fireplace or a combination of alternatives? Outdoor spaces are simpler to integrate into your four-season living.

4. It's a space to cook, eat and entertain. It's your outdoor kitchen! Setting your grill into a brick or stone counter is easier than ever. Fridges, cabinets and cooking space? It's all possible and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

5. It's a place to relax. TVs, stereos, screens and more—the outdoor space is outdoor living space. ■

Celebrations Call for Cake

Cake, big and small, elegant and homey, dramatic and simple, is the iconic and universally recognized symbol of sharing and expressing happiness for life’s important milestones.

My mother was a prolific baker who used every excuse to make cakes. Her weekly ritual was to make sponge or chiffon cakes to celebrate Sunday dinner. Her kitchen pantry had a large assortment of well-used cake pans, tube pans, Bundt cake pans, pound cake pans, jellyroll pans and fruitcake pans. When I announced a friend was getting married, she made a four-tier wedding cake. Mom was so caught up in baking cakes that she bought flour in 25-pound bags and stored it in big, tin bins. It was nothing for her to go through all that flour in no time.

I used to watch some of the tricks she used when baking; for instance, she recycled the butter wrappers and used them to grease the pans. If she was making a chocolate cake, she used cocoa powder to dust the pan so no white flour would spoil the look of the cake.

Serving a store-bought cake was just unthinkable, even worse was “making” a cake from a box mix. This led to a feeling of intimidation from many of her friends, but to Mom, it was just what she liked to do.

When I have the urge to bake, I pull out my mother’s wooden recipe box and ramble through the hundreds of cards smudged with butter stains and splatters. Some of these cards have notes commenting on whether she would make the cake again, substitute some other flavoring, or add more or less sugar. Reading them,

I still make many of her trusted cakes, but I also have moved on to my own take on cake. While I make a lot of scratch Skip the store-bought version and make your own.

I can almost smell and taste those cakes. But more importantly, the cards are a walk down memory lane, a time capsule that preserves life experiences in a simpler time.

BY MARY ANN ESPOSITO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN W. HESSION

cakes, like pound cake, I don’t mind “making” an angel-food cake from a mix. I am sure Mom would wonder what got into me, using scented geranium leaves in a rich butter cake. I am also sure she would say that a slice of life is enjoying a piece cake now and then. So for whatever the reason, make a cake and eat it, too. NHH

Lemon-Loaf Tea Cake SERVES 8–10

My mom always had pound cake on hand. She made vanilla-flavored and chocolate-flavored ones. I still have the battered-looking loaf pans she used for baking. And while the cake did not have the all-the-bells-and-whistles appearance of other cakes, it had its merits. Perfect with tea, jam and fresh fruit, it often was the just-right nonfussy cake we all loved. This lemon-loaf tea cake has an interesting texture; when I make it, it reminds me of Mom’s pound cakes.

Butter, for greasing the pan

2½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pan

3 eggs at room temperature

1¼ cups sugar

½ cup sunflower oil

1/3 cup water

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus zest

¾ cup cornstarch

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

Powdered sugar or lemon glaze, for topping the cake

1. Butter and flour a 12-inch-by-4-inch-by-2-inch loaf or similar pan, and set it aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. In a large bowl, whip together the eggs, sugar, oil, water, and lemon juice and zest.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together 2½ cups of flour, the cornstarch, the baking powder and the salt.

4. A little at a time, beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well combined. Scrape the batter into the pan, and bake for about 55 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Transfer the cake to a cooling rack and cool completely.

5. Dust with powdered sugar, or make a lemon glaze to drizzle over the top of the cake.

Chocolate Olive-oil Cake With Chocolate Ganache SERVES 8

Sometimes a whole cake is just too much and winds up going stale, but not to worry—this super moist and dense chocolate cake, made with olive oil, can be made in cupcake size or in smaller cake pans. The beauty of this is that you get two cakes from one batter! One to enjoy now, and one to freeze for up to three months. Bump up the elegance of this cake by making a chocolate ganache glaze, dust the cake with powdered sugar, or use your favorite frosting.

Butter, for greasing the pan

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

6 tablespoons baking cocoa

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

3/4 cup light olive oil

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2 cups cold water

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

½ cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1. Butter a 9-inch-by-1½-inch cake pan, line the bottom with buttered parchment paper and set aside. (You can also use smaller-size cake pans—i.e., 6½-inch-by-3½-inch— or disposable cake pans or molds.) Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

2. Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. With a hand mixer on low speed, beat in the olive oil, vinegar, vanilla and water until smooth. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan(s). Bake the cake for 30–35 minutes or until a cake skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Do not over-bake the cake. Cool on a wire rack.

3. Place the chopped chocolate into a medium bowl and set aside. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat just until the cream starts to form small bubbles at the edge of the pan. Pour the cream over the chocolate and stir until well blended. Cool for 5 minutes.

4. Place the cake on a serving dish, and pour the ganache over top, allowing the excess to drip down the sides.

For cupcakes:

Follow the same recipe, and bake for 12–14 minutes or until a cake skewer inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Place the cupcake tins on cooling racks. Yields about 1½–2 dozen.

To freeze:

Wrap the unfrosted cake well in freezer paper (wrap cupcakes individually) and place in plastic bags.

Lemon-Scented Geranium Cake

MAKES ONE 9-INCH CAKE; SERVES 8–10

Perfumed and lush, scented geraniums are the inspiration for this cake that is not only gorgeous to look at, it is also incredibly moist. Greenhouses carry all kinds of scented geraniums, and the leaves can be used to make a decorative pattern for the top of the cake. Scented geranium leaves are edible, and used for everything from potpourri to flavoring jams, drinks and puddings. Snip some of the leaves, and mix them into the cake batter.

9 whole, rinsed and dried lemon geranium leaves, stems removed

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1¾ cups sugar

4 eggs, separated and at room temperature

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup milk

3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon fresh grated lemon zest Powdered sugar, for dusting the cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Position the oven rack to the middle slot. Coat a 9-inch-by-2inch deep, round cake pan with baking spray or butter spray. Use a piece of parchment paper to line the bottom of the pan. Spray the parchment paper.

2. Position 6 or 7 geranium leaves face side down in the base of the pan. Set the pan aside. Mince the remaining leaves very fine and set them aside.

3 In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, and blend well. Beat in the lemon juice. On low speed, beat in the milk. The batter will look curdled but will smooth out.

4. On a sheet of wax paper, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. Using the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture 1 cup at a time.

5. By hand, stir in the lemon zest and the minced geranium leaves. Set the batter aside.

6. In a clean bowl with clean beaters, whip the egg whites until they are soft and shiny with soft, not stiff peaks. With a rubber spatula, fold the egg whites into the batter.

7. Slowly pour the batter over the geranium leaves in the cake pan, smoothing out the batter as you go.

8. Bake until the cake is golden brown and a cake skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Cool the cake on a cake rack for 30 minutes. Run a butter knife around the inside edge of the cake pan to loosen the cake, then invert it onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

10. Dust the cake with powdered sugar, and cut into wedges to serve.

Prospect

Angel-Food-Cake Roll With Citrus Curd SERVES 8

This impressive, light-tasting cake with a refreshing and tangy citrus-curd filling begins with a boxed angel-food-cake mix, and it is heavenly.

1 box angel-food-cake mix

Powdered sugar

Citrus Curd

Raspberries

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 15-inch-by-12½-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.

2. Follow the package directions for making the angel-food cake. Spread the batter onto the parchment paper, and bake until the cake has browned and is firm to the touch— about 20 minutes.

3. While the cake is baking, dust a clean, cotton dish towel with powdered sugar. Set aside.

4. When the cake is baked, cool about 5 minutes. Then, carefully turn the pan upside down onto the sugar-dusted towel, and peel away the parchment paper and discard it.

5. Let the cake cool to room temperature. Spread the Citrus Curd evenly over the surface of the cake to within ¼ inch of the sides. Arrange the raspberries over the curd.

6. Starting at the short end nearest you, carefully roll the cake up, using the towel as a guide. Place the cake on a serving dish and refrigerate.

7. When ready to serve, dust the cake top liberally with powdered sugar. (As an alternative, you can frost the cake with sweetened whipped cream, and garnish with raspberries or citrus slices.) Use a serrated knife to cut the cake crosswise into pieces.

1 each small lime, lemon and orange, squeezed to yield ½ cup of juice

½ cup sugar

3 large eggs, lightly beaten with a fork ¼ teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits

1. Combine the citrus juice, sugar, eggs and salt in a 1-quart saucepan, and whisk the ingredients together well. Place the pan over low heat, and whisk until the sugar dissolves.

2. Whisk in the butter, a little at a time, until it is completely dissolved and the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

3. Transfer the curd to a small bowl. Cover, and refrigerate for several hours or for several days.

A Small Space That’s Big on Style

Make the most of limited square footage with intentional design.

Living in New Hampshire—especially for those who call coveted areas like Portsmouth home—often means learning how to fit your lifestyle into a small space. It can be tedious to learn how to navigate the often-compact layout and shape of traditional New England Cape Cod or Colonial-style homes, but kitchen and interior designer Susan Durling, of Susan Durling Designs, says it doesn’t have to be. “I have found that a lot of New England homeowners get nervous about redoing their homes because of the small spaces within that they feel confined to,” Durling says. “Whatever you lack in square footage— whether that’s in the kitchen, living room or other shared spaces—you can make up for with smart, intentional design.”

Durling’s creativity shines in a combined kitchen and living space she designed for a couple who were looking for a space with greater functionality for their family of four. The family imagined being able to walk between rooms with ease, and creating a space that honored the home’s originality and charm with a more modern twist.

During the renovation, Durling focused on enhancing the space she was given without knocking down walls or changing windows, and making sure that one room transitioned smoothly into the next. Her first order of business? Cabinetry. “When you’re working with an older, quaint home, maximizing vertical storage space is a crucial component to bringing functionality and practicality to a space,” she says.

White cabinets add a traditional element to the kitchen, while the dark, charcoal gray Durling recommended on the center island and cabinets around the living area adds a sense of depth. “Contrary to what many people would think, adding darker colors in moderation actually make smaller spaces appear larger,” Durling says. “The gray tones down and grounds the white cabinets, while also making the surrounding walls look like they are receding. If your space gets a lot of natural light, adding a darker color like this one can be beautiful and even dramatic.”

Matt Janousek, of MJ Cabinets, built the cabinets from scratch using reclaimed materials. “Our goal from the beginning was to make sure the cabinets were easy to maintain, were user-friendly and created a sense of balance,” Janousek says.

Lighting was added into the accent cabinets to stand out and add warmth to the area, without adding more clutter in the house. “Lighting can make or break a space,” Durling says. “The key is to make sure you are integrating a good balance of decorative and task lighting without adding so much that it feels like you’re weighing the room down. Choosing features like the light fixture above the dinette is also a way to incorporate a statement piece that doubles as a small work of art.”

Looking for ways to add texture through furniture and materials can bring a space alive. “We used lighter colors in larger pieces, like the living room couch, to create a harmonious feel between both rooms,” Durling says. “We also played

BY EMILY HEIDT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN KARANASIOS

Despite the small square footage, Susan

created a combined kitchen and living space that doesn’t feel cramped or cluttered.

up the patterns and textures in the throw pillows and rug to complement the roughness of the textures in the exposed kitchen beam and natural floors. All the elements together aim to soften the hard edges in the home while keeping it open.”

Making good use of modern, transitional details was a big part of the homeowner’s vision and was even more important in the dinette design. The corner where the dinette was built is tight, so Durling recommended a round table to maximize seating around the banquette that Janousek built. “We used the same fir-wood material from the countertops, which ties the space together,” Janousek says.

Extra design details—like the blackand-white wallpaper and bench cushion fabric from the Weekender House in Portsmouth—brought the corner to life. “It’s important not to over-design a small nook like this one,” Durling says. “A quick, bold pop of color or pattern is all you need to give the eye some negative space to rest and let the overall design speak for itself.”

Another charming detail is the open shelving around the window over the sink. “It really gives the eye a little relief from a wall of cabinetry,” Durling says.

In order to tie the three living spaces together, Durling used nickel gap on the ceiling that is consistent with the age of the house. It was one of the elements of the design that she showed the homeowner on the 3D software she uses for all her designs. “I’ve found the software is tremendously helpful for homeowners to visualize their kitchen. I can change colors, fixtures, cabinet designs and even furniture. The homeowner can virtually stand in their future kitchen and get a complete 360-degree perspective. They love it!”

The last design touch was the 20-footlong reclaimed beam that was added between the kitchen and living room to tie both rooms together and give interest. The final result? A petite dwelling that maximizes space without sacrificing style. “This project exemplifies that small-space design doesn’t have to become more of a project than it already is,” Durling says. “It’s a perfect unity of the function and tranquility that echoes throughout the rest of the home.” NHH

RESOURCES

MJ Cabinets • mjcabinets.com

Susan Durling Designs • susandurlingdesigns.com

Weekender House • weekenderhouse.com

A Touch of

in Hopkinton

This stunning Adirondack-style home is the result of a clear vision with an excellent team of builders and designers.

BY KAREN A. JAMROG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN W. HESSION & MORGAN KARANASIOS

Most would agree that this Hopkinton house, clocking in at around 12,000 square feet, is big. And yet, despite its heft and space, “you never feel like you’re rattling around in it,” says Susan Booth of Vintage Kitchens. Also contrary to what you might expect, the process of building the home was extraordinarily smooth.

Much of the credit on both counts goes to Booth and the other pros who helmed the project: general contractor George Sharpe of Sharpe Builders, architect Duene Cowan of Cowan | Goudreau Architects and designer Annie Ballin of Annie Ballin & Co.

“Right from day one, this was a joy to work on, with wonderful clients and people on the team,” Sharpe says. “Everyone was so good at what they did, when problems came up, it was easy to find a solution.”

This teamwork drove the building process and is evident in the home’s seamless, cohesive feel, with design decisions guided by the desires and priorities of the homeowners: a husband and wife with two young children who wanted a grand, yet relatively low-maintenance residence reminiscent of a house in Montana where the wife spent time during her youth.

The resulting Adirondack-style house in Hopkinton, loaded with stonework and warm-toned wood, fits the bill.

It’s positioned on the property to allow for a bucolic view and a serpentine driveway that Cowan says provides tantalizing “glimpses of parts of the house before you get the full front view.”

The house is outfitted with an eco-friendly geothermal heating and cooling system, exterior shingles that will never need paint, and exterior colors of subtle green, putty, and chestnut that tie to hues in the home’s stonework. “The stone is really the backbone of the entire house,” Cowan says. “It gives the house a lot of character.”

Stepping through the entry to the home, visitors are treated to an enormous fireplace surrounded by granite and enhanced with unique accent pieces. These nearby pieces include an antique carpenter’s bench to the right of the fireplace, and toward the left, an antique trunk—most likely of Japanese or Chinese origin, Ballin says—with detailed, hand-painted panels.

Overhead is an iron fixture made of two concentric circles, with textured glass on the outside circle and an opaque inner circle. “Lighting was an integral part of the design,” says Ballin, who tapped the lead designer from Hammerton to create custom lights for most of the house. “Lighting is the jewelry on a home, and with a house of this size, the fixtures had to be the right scale.”

On the floor of the foyer, an Oriental rug in cinnamon

brown with touches of cream and sky-blue covers tile from Artistic Tile that is plumbed for radiant heat and could easily be mistaken for wood. The tile is an undemanding and durable choice—perfect for the home’s active family with dogs and young kids who love to zip around the house on scooters.

In the nearby dining room, a vibrant 4-foot-by-12-foot, three-panel photograph by Peter Lik imparts depth and energy as it depicts birch trees grounded in flaming-red ferns. Exposed fir beams break up the ceiling space, and a bowed, mahogany 12-foot table, made by Sharpe, provides a counterpoint to the room’s many linear angles. The table’s chunky footing mimics the ceiling beams, and upholstered chairs with nail heads provide additional interest and tie with the Lik photograph’s scarlet hue. Two end chairs—in high-performance fabric like the others, except in a print— disrupt the chair pattern, while ebony chair legs complement the stonework. “Everything relates to everything else,” Ballin says. “I wouldn’t have used blonde chair legs, for example, because that would echo the beams, drawing the eye above, which we don’t want.”

Beneath the table, a flat-weave custom rug by STARK enables easy movement of chairs to and fro during mealtime, and brightens the space with airy, sandy tones. Above, a light fixture features hand-blown glass with swirls and an

amber tint, a style that repeats throughout the house.

Three baskets mounted on a wall in the dining room add texture and quietly interrupt wall space without distracting from the star of the room—the Lik photograph. Beneath the baskets is a buffet with hammered pulls on top and glass pulls below.

On the room’s exterior wall, windows rest on sills made of granite to accommodate the family’s three dogs. “You know how dogs are,” Ballin says. “If they want to see what’s going on outside, they put their paws up on the windowsill.”

At the far end of the room, a hutch with wavy glass doors matches the buffet, while around the corner from the hutch, a stair tower showcases a light fixture that cascades down through all the floors of the house. Anchored in a peaked, wood-lined ceiling, the fixture has thick, iron circles from which bronze-toned cords extend to varying lengths, each ending in a single bulb encased in a tawny-tinted cylinder of wavy glass.

“ There’s lots going on in this space,” Ballin says, so the light was designed to have relatively simple details. The goal was “to create interest but not overwhelm,” she says. Oval windows beside the staircase add curves, daylight, and views of the stonework and trees that dot the landscape. Rather than line the staircase treads with carpet, Ballin used granite from Rumford Stone in Bow to create the look of carpet but with added durability and cleaning convenience.

Also off the dining room, an image of a monkey adds a

A

4-foot-by-12-foot, three-panel

and a bowed, 12-foot

by

and energy to the

The ceiling space is broken up by exposed

offers a counterpoint to the room's linear angles. The table's chunky footing mimics the ceiling beams. The nail-studded chairs are upholstered with high-performance fabric, and their ebony legs complement the stonework.

whimsical touch to a powder room with copper-colored floor tile. Two of the room’s walls are covered in reclaimed teak and other wood from buildings and boats.

The kitchen—“definitely the hub of the house,” Cowan says—reflects the homeowners’ request for lots of storage space and “a hearthy sense, a cooking alcove,” Booth says. The hearth provides a clear focal point for the kitchen, with stonework that climbs the hearth’s exterior from the floor to the cathedral ceiling. Dramatic blue-gray granite—chosen by Booth and the homeowners—covers the hearth’s back

wall and “draws you into that space,” Booth says. Cabinets tucked into the hearth’s side walls provide a convenient place to stash cooking spices, seasonings and whatever else a cook might like to have handy while working on the stove.

The kitchen’s large island offers seating for five in chairs with caramel and chestnut hues that pick up the countertop and cabinetry colors. While on the floor, a handwoven, black-and-gold runner in an interlocking pattern softens footing in the work area between the island and hearth.

Toward the back of the room, a Simply Amish oval table

and chairs in chocolate brown present gentle arches and curves that counteract the room’s angles, with chair legs accentuated by iron detail that ties with metal touches found elsewhere in the home. Next to the table, more curves are on view in the room’s glass doors and oval window. Beyond the doors, a deck and pool beckon.

With the “high ceiling and massive island, the kitchen could have felt oversized,” Booth says, “but everything is very much in balance.” Sinks are slope-front to make them more comfortable to work in, Booth says. If the kitchen doesn’t provide enough storage space, there’s more in a galley-style pantry that includes a full-sized refrigerator and freezer.

Steps away, additional stonework anchors the great room, where the lights of a candelabra-style chandelier perch on the perimeter of an espresso-hued wagon wheel decorated with subtle diamond shapes. Below, black leather sofas soften the space and continue the dark-colored theme, also repeated in the curlicued legs of the glass-topped coffee table and end tables. Two chairs with taupe upholstery and gentle curves offset the dark furnishings in the room, as do motorized window treatments in a natural, woven material and a rug in warm, earthy colors.

Nestled in a corner of the room are a mini bar and a wallhugging, semi-circular standing bar. Both were built by Sharpe. The standing bar is supported by a two-piece darkmetal bracket that repeats the chandelier’s diamond-shape accents, while the room’s oval window and glass doors carry details from the kitchen.

Adjacent to the great room, a smaller room provides overflow space for party guests or a more intimate space for

Top: The main bedroom, located on the first floor, features a mahogany television console with a built-in lift created by Sharpe Builders.

Bottom left: A wall of stone covers the area behind the sinks in the primary bath, which also features a Native Trails soaking tub that overlooks the gardens.

Bottom right: The suite's walk-in closet includes an island, vanity, washer and dryer.

family. Artwork by Susan Parmenter injects color and a “soft, calming, pastoral” feel, Ballin says. Furniture is studded with oversized nail heads. Glass-topped, bunchingwood tables and a matching sculpture provide texture and organic elements, while the pale, sea-green wall color keeps the room light. Gaps at the top of the walls enhance airflow and the interconnected feel of the rooms.

Also on the first floor, the primary bedroom features a mahogany television console with a built-in lift crafted by Sharpe. Lighting in metal cylinders topped with glass flanks the console, while ceramic lamps with crackled glass add texture atop Simply Amish nightstands. The bedroom overlooks gardens and has doors that open to outdoor seating. The room, Ballin says, “feels like a little sanctuary.”

Walk-in closets for the primary suite provide enough storage space for even the most serious clotheshorse. One was designed especially for the wife, with an island, vanity, washer, dryer, peaceful colors and feminine touches. Rather than using all-wood cabinet doors, some of the cabinetry is covered in frosted glass to contribute to the room’s open feel. The ceiling fixture is crackled glass, and countertops are quartzite. “We took advantage of every nook,” Booth says, to maximize the space.

In the primary bath, a wall’s worth of stone covers the area behind the sinks, and a Native Trails soaking tub made of concrete resin overlooks the garden, woods and fields. Rustic and dark-metal elements are sprinkled throughout the room, from the oil-rubbed bronze faucets by Moen to the mirrors, lighting and towel holders. Mahogany storage columns bookend top-mounted Native Trails sinks made in the same material as the tub, while a walk-in steam shower features hand-blown glass tile.

Downstairs, a gym, dog-washing room and massage room can be put to work, or fun awaits in a game room ready for rounds of pool, poker, pingpong, shuffleboard and more. A bar in reclaimed chestnut, built by Sharpe, features a rustic, live-edge walnut top and is illuminated by handblown, thick lights from Hubbardton Forge. Sharpe was thrilled to work with chestnut, “a unique wood we don’t use a lot,” he says. The room’s wood ceiling includes removable panels that provide access to some of the home’s mechanicals, and behind the television, a cork wall adds texture and absorbs sound.

If people tire of indoor games, an outdoor pool comes complete with a pool house that includes a changing room and bathroom. A screened-in porch overlooks the pool and provides fresh-air seating minus the bugs.

When it’s time for a quiet activity, the home’s downstairs theater with an old-fashioned popcorn popper offers three

descending rows of reclining leather seats and a mahogany credenza stocked with cozy blankets, Jujubes and other movie-candy classics. Vintage posters and reels warm the space, and patterned taupe carpeting picks up the rich, burgundy wall color. Overhead, the ceiling mimics the night sky with tiny lights that poke through black fabric.

The design team is rightfully pleased with how the house turned out. “The whole house has a consistent vibe [and reflects] the homeowners’ love of wood, stone and heavy architectural style,” Booth says. “We took a huge space, incorporated the darker tones that the homeowners gravitated toward, and made the house feel warm and homey. You don’t feel like you’re in such a big house. It’s cozy, with elements of stone and texture.”

Ballin agrees. Collaboration was key in designing the home, she says, and the effects of it are palpable. “There is,” she says, “a lot of harmony in the house.” NHH

RESOURCES

Annie Ballin & Co. • annieballin.com

Artistic Tile • theperfecttile.com

Company C • companyc.com

Cowan | Goudreau Architects cgarchs.com

Hammerton • hammerton.com

Hubbardton Forge hubbardtonforge.com

Little River Oriental Rugs nhrugs.com

Peter Lik Photography • lik.com

Rumford Stone • rumfordstone.com

Sharpe Builders • sharpe-builders.com

The Granite Group thegranitegroup.com

Vintage Kitchens • vintagekitchens.com

The president’s residence at the University of New Hampshire was built in 1904 and is one of the oldest buidings on the Durham campus.

A HOME FIT FOR A president

Located on Main Street in the heart of the UNH campus, the president’s residence gets a much needed face-lift that remains faithful to its past.

THE DIGNIFIED, RED-BRICK HOME

overlooking Durham’s Main Street holds a special place for anyone connected to the state’s flagship university. Like the iconic Thompson Hall, the president’s home is a showpiece, situated in the midst of campus, with students, professors and residents passing by every day. Jan Dean, the first lady of the University of New Hampshire, understands the importance of her residence, as much as her husband—UNH President James Dean—understands the importance of his position.

“I feel very fortunate to call this place home, and I try very hard to honor UNH by graciously welcoming our faculty, staff, alumni, donors, students and townspeople,” says Jan, who came to UNH with her husband from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “This is one of the oldest buildings on campus and has undergone several transformations over these many years.”

Jan is not simply a current occupant of the “PresRes,” as she calls it. She’s become a student of the structure.

“The home was built in 1904 as the official UNH president’s residence when President William Gibbs and his young family arrived in Durham, and has been home to all 20 UNH presidents with the exception of our first, President Charles Murkland,” Jan says. “Situated on Main Street in the heart of the campus, it’s a stately example of the Federal style.

“In recent months, I’ve embarked on writing a history of this home, the beautiful grounds and tidbits about the many families who’ve lived here these last 118 years,” she says.

Jan was enamored with the residence the moment she and her husband arrived on campus in 2018. Her favorite aspects included “the beautifully maintained woodwork and floors, gorgeous moldings, high ceilings, a triple-sided fireplace and pocket doors throughout the public level of the home,” she says.

“The squeaky floors here and there just make me smile to think of all those who’ve walked before me in ‘this old house.’

“I’m touched by the level of care and concern the Facilities and Grounds folks have for the PresRes,” Jan says. “It’s been lovingly maintained over the years. Yes, this is our personal residence, but it’s also the university’s home, and from the beginning, Jim and I have wanted it to be a warm and welcoming place for dinners, meetings and receptions.

“Sadly, the pandemic has put a bit of a wrench in our entertaining, but we’ve been able to pivot with outdoor events last summer and autumn, and are featuring smaller, more intimate events in place of large-scale gatherings,” she says.

However, Jan also felt the interior of her new home needed updates and embarked on a privately funded face-lift.

“The redesign was strictly cosmetic—fresh paint in neutral colors, recovered windows and repurposed pieces along with some new seating in the parlors did wonders to lighten and brighten the spacious lower level,” she says. “The kitchen was redesigned in 2007. It’s used as a catering kitchen for our dinners and events, and works well today. Fresh paint [and] window treatments were really all that were needed.

BY BRION O’CONNOR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN W. HESSION

Jan Dean and designer Stephanie James Goldman chose colors that reflect the New England coast while also featuring the UNH colors with variations on blues, whites and grays. Some paintings date back to the 1800s, and were donated from Karin and Doug Nelson’s collection, such as “Calm off White Island” by Arthur Quartley, seen here in the formal dining room.

I lean toward a clean and uncluttered style, which reflects my organized nature.”

For 21 years before moving to Durham, the Deans lived in Chapel Hill, where Jim was executive vice chancellor and provost. The couple still maintains their home there “so we’ll have a place close to our family when we visit,” Jan says. Which makes sense. A retired registered nurse, Jan and her husband have two adult daughters and four grandchildren under the age of 8 all living the Chapel Hill/Raleigh area.

Jan’s first renovation effort was at her Chapel Hill home, built in 2004. That work, she says, was more of a “refresh.”

“The UNH residence was by far the most large-scale project I have undertaken,” she says. However, the North Carolina project introduced Jan to Stephanie James Goldman of Allen and James Home in High Point, North Carolina.

James, an interior designer with more than 25 years of experience, says High Point is considered “the furniture capital of the world,” which could provide “beautiful, curated pieces that fit into [Jan’s] style.”

“Jim and Jan were referred to me by a friend in early 2008,” James says. “They had a beautiful home in Chapel Hill that we had just completed with wonderful rugs, fabrics, upholstery and many other furnishings.”

To achieve similar success in Durham, Jan asked James to come on board. “I was ecstatic when she agreed to lend her expert hand with paint colors, furniture and rug selection, and layout and window treatments,” Jan says. “She worked tirelessly to secure the best pricing and designs for us.”

Who paid for the project was a significant factor. Jan was keenly aware that, when she decided the UNH residence needed a refresh, the work would be met with public scrutiny. The challenge was to “create an environment that represents the university in a positive light with all our guests, while maintaining the ethos of a public university,” Jan says. She emphasizes that public funds were not used during the recent renovation.

“We accomplished this project with generous donations from private funds as well as our personal funds,” Jan says. “This is my first experience living in a public home. I really didn’t know what to expect. I must say the university community and town have been extremely welcoming to us as transplanted Southerners.”

For James, it was a welcomed reunion.

“Jan and I work well together. She’s good with scale and vision of what she likes,” James says. “It’s nice when a designer and client ‘get’ one another and trust each other.

When you have that combination, you can reach much higher design goals in the home.

“She was excited but also a little challenged with the [UNH] home,” James says. “She was coming from a newer home with all new furnishings to a 1904 home that needed updating. The existing furnishings in the home were more early American and Arts-and-Crafts style. Jan’s style is more traditional.”

And, like Jan, James knew that the project didn’t come with a blank check. “We wanted to conserve money, but still give Jan and the university something to be proud of,” James says. “I didn’t travel to New Hampshire for on-site consultation because we wanted to keep costs down. I’ve done many, many homes out of state, so I know how to do them remotely. I have a system, and it works.”

James says her out-of-state clients prefer working with her firm because there are roughly 400 home-furnishing factories “in my backyard” and they are able to ship “product all over the world.”

“Jan and I had done this before, so we knew we could accomplish a beautiful look this time, too,” James says.

James worked from the photos and specifications sent by Jan and UNH’s architect (the now-retired Doug Bencks, under the guidance of project manager Alexander Brickett) to create “a good game plan of what lines would work with

her look,” employing computer-aided design (CAD) to lay out each room.

“ The scale is a little smaller on older homes, so that was challenging,” James says. “I worked with the UNH staff to share updates on painting schedules, measurements, shipping and delivery details.”

Jan flew to meet with James and complete her selections. “We looked at each room with an eye for how it would be used and how the seating could be reconfigured to accommodate different numbers of guests,” Jan says. “To preserve the beautiful wood trim around the high windows, drapes were hung from the ceilings.

“Fabrics were chosen with timelessness in mind along with a fresh vibe,” Jan says. “We chose solidly crafted pieces with the idea that they’d live on to perhaps be ‘new’ classics. We tried to recall the New England coastal setting when choosing a theme, and also feature the UNH colors with variations on blues, whites, gray and even a touch of orange. We wanted to honor the historic nature of this beautiful home while at the same time give her a few new dresses.”

The collaboration resulted in an interior that boasts a bracing combination of “old and new pieces,” Jan says.

“I’ve been able to use many classic pieces that have been part of the residence for over 40 years, as well as repurposing other pieces,” she says. “The formal dining-room sideboard

is now at home in one of the parlors, for example. Dining chair seats have been updated with new fabrics in keeping with tradition with a twist. For example, I chose performance fabric for the formal dining-room chair seats.

“It’s not only gorgeous, it’s extremely functional,” Jan says. “I love this design style because I love the idea of preserving history. This home has many wonderful examples of that.”

The “something old, something new” theme also applied to the artwork found in the house. Some pieces date back to the late 1800s, and were donated from Karin and Doug Nelson’s ’90 collection, Jan says. Other pieces were commissioned from UNH Hamel Scholar Dan Faiella, ’19, while some feature the North Carolina artist Christie Younger and local Durham artist Debbie Mueller.

“Old and new, classic and edgy,” Jan says. “I love to see how well they all blend.”

Jan is also “very proud of a ‘history wall’ that I designed not long after we arrived, with vintage UNH photos and documents sourced with the help of Special Collections in Dimond Library,” she says. In the center of that wall is a wrought-iron piece “whose origins I’m told go back to the campus blacksmith shop,” Jan says.

“From old photos, I know it has been hung in the PresRes as far back as the ’70s,” she says. “Instead of keeping it over

The redesign was strictly cosmetic, with a goal of lightening the residence. Fresh paint in neutral colors, linen drapes and some new seating helped achieve a bright, uncluttered feel. Common areas are designed for entertaining with plenty of space for guests to sit and chat. The kitchen was redesigned in 2007, and is used for catering dinners and events. At top right from left are paintings by local artists Daniel Faiella and Debbie Mueller. Bottom right: Designer Stephanie James Goldman

a mantle, I decided to incorporate it into a gallery wall. It’s quite the conversation piece when faculty, alums and donors are here. It was my way of honoring all those who’ve come before me here at UNH. I think it’s always good to take a look back to be able to fully admire the academic excellence we enjoy today.”

The overarching goal of the renovation, says James, was to give the house a brighter feel.

“We retained the parlor rugs and although dark and ornate, they now anchor the room nicely,” she says. “We wanted it to look light and fresh. We wanted an entirely new look and a fresh updated space. We selected light linen drapes for all the rooms. Details with tapes on skirts and drapes layered with linens and Ikat prints on chairs. We made several seating areas so everyone could have a place to chat.”

The concept of common areas, designed for entertaining guests, was a common theme throughout the project.

“The dining rooms are my favorites,” Jan says. “The smaller one is used when we entertain a very small party. And it’s where just the two of us regroup at day’s end to take a deep breath and relax. Sunday brunch with the fireplace on and the sun streaming in is the best.”

Meanwhile, the home’s large, formal dining room never fails to impress visitors, she says.

“They just don’t make rooms like this much anymore,” Jan says. “Light from the back gardens floods in the stately bowed windows—I never tire of this space. I’m extremely pleased with how everything’s come together.”

The gardens are another favorite aspect of the property for UNH’s first lady.

“I’m a serious gardener. My gardens were on the 2018 Chapel Hill Garden Tour,” Jan says. “So, I was thrilled to see so many opportunities throughout the grounds to add my special touches once I got settled and learned a bit about gardening in New England.

“While the home is right in the heart of campus, it still manages to provide many private spots as well,” she says. “Our back gardens are screened with privacy plantings, and our personal living floors have reading nooks and a solarium to find solace. I’ve joked with the dean of the Paul College of Business [Deborah Merrill-Sands] that she is my closest neighbor should I need to borrow an egg or cup of sugar.”

Given her obvious affection for her Durham home, the university’s home, Jan has proven to be not only a good neighbor, but also a good steward. NHH

RESOURCES

Allen and James Home • High Point, North Carolina • allenandjameshome.com

DESIGN

OUTSTANDING DESIGN

These distinguished projects and the professionals who created them were recognized in the ninth annual New Hampshire Home Design Awards in April.

Each year, the Home Design Awards are evidence of the incredible range of talent in the Granite State. For nine years, New Hampshire Home has highlighted and celebrated the exceptional architects, builders and designers, tasking the judges with the challenging job of selecting the winners from the incredible pool of submissions.

To determine this year’s winners, we asked a jury of experienced professionals—Harry Hepburn of BRIBURN Architecture for Life, Paul Lewandowski of Paul Designs Project and Joeb Moore of Joeb Moore + Partners, Architects—to carefully review the entries, which were kept anonymous.

The winners were announced on April 20 at the presentation ceremony at LaBelle Winery in Derry. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a project for consideration. Although we can’t include everything in these pages, your work continues to inspire us.

ABOUT OUR JUDGES

Harry Hepburn IV, LEED AP, AIA

Principal of BRIBURN Architecture for Life in Portland, Maine

Since co-founding BRIBURN in 2013, Harry Hepburn has led numerous design charettes, providing design, leadership and management on many residential, commercial, educational and institutional projects.

Harry’s career started in 1997 after graduating from Roger Williams University with a bachelor of architecture degree and a minor in historic preservation. Harry is passionate about design, the relationship between interior and exterior spaces, energy efficiency and the environment.

Paul Lewandowski, IIDA, AIA

Founding Principal of Paul Designs Project in Portland, Maine

Paul Lewandowski is the founder of Paul Designs Project, an architecture and interior design studio located in the historic State Theater Building in Portland, Maine. He has over 25 years of professional experience, and his skill and passion for design has led to many successful projects in residential and commercial design internationally. Paul has presented on design theory, workplace trends and more. He has served on the faculty of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Maine College of Art. In addition to design work in architecture and interiors, Paul is an experienced fashion and product designer.

Joeb Moore, FAIA, NCARB

Joeb Moore + Partners, Architects, LLC in Greenwich, Connecticut

Joeb Moore’s work has received over 60 national, regional and state architectural design awards. In 2010, Residential Architect Magazine named him one of the “Top 50 Residential Architects in the US.” Most recently, Joeb was elevated to the prestigious College of Fellows in the American Institute of Architects in recognition of the aesthetic, scientific and practical significance to the profession. He is also on the board of trustees of The Cultural Landscape Foundation and is a senior advisor to the Pella Design Council. He serves on the National AIA’s 25-Year Award for Design Excellence Committee and a nomination member of the Cornelia Hahn Oberlander International Landscape Architecture Prize.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN : MODERN

HOME of the YEAR

WINNER: Soo Nipi House

Marcus Gleysteen Architects in Boston, Massachusetts • (617) 542-6060 • mgaarchitects.com

Sited atop a highly visible promontory on Lake Sunapee, the Soo Nipi House was designed for a brother and sister (and their spouses) to enjoy together or separately. The floor plan provides two master suites with equally spectacular views of the lake, while also furnishing a variety of comfortable spaces to cook, eat, gather and relax. The siblings’ original house was destroyed in a fire caused by a lightning strike. Sadly, shrubs, ground cover and a number of surrounding trees were also lost. Now, native plantings are revitalizing the damaged terrain, while a granite and Douglas fir pergola offers a privacy buffer and shades the primary living spaces. The home’s interior contrasts warm wood with white plaster to create an airy but intimate environment. Thoughtful details, executed in close collaboration with artisan builders, give the residence a subtly sculptural, handcrafted quality. Designed for net-zero energy, a photovoltaic array covers the majority of the roof. All potable water is sourced from an on-site well. A system of downspouts, rain gardens and a dry well collect runoff to control erosion and help recharge the natural water table.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: We can see evidence of both clear building and site strategies. The three building volumes are organized around the circulation spines/connectors of the house, and the program is pragmatic and responsive. There are excellent proportions of massing and also void/solid (fenestration to wall), and an elegant, simple strategy for material contrast that helps break down the scale of the house.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN : TRADITIONAL

526-6200 • boninarchitects.com

On a peninsula with stunning southern views, this gently sloping property features mature hemlock framing views of the lake and mountain. This multiyear project included rebuilding the home, guesthouse, boathouse and landscape. The design is comfortable and efficient for two as their year-round residence. It also addresses the couple’s goal “to fill the home with children, grandchildren and friends” during weekends and holidays. Four bedrooms, open casual living spaces, a recreation room, a gym and a reading loft are only a few amenities providing a range of opportunities for family gatherings and quiet relaxation. The importance of connecting the indoors to the lakeside is evident as the design balances the expansive views and integrates the outdoor living spaces comfortably. A tranquil equilibrium is obtained in the design and integration of home and landscape, celebrating the enjoyable qualities of lakefront living.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: The scale is beautiful, and the home is sited well into the landscape—it feels like it’s meant to be in its place, that it belongs to the site. The interiors are welldetailed in a thoughtful way that isn’t overworked. There are also excellent proportions.

BATH DESIGN

WINNER: Zen Master Bath | Denyne Designs Home Interiors in Nashua and Dunstable, Massachusetts • (978) 846-3046 • denynedesigns.com

A Zen-inspired space was top on the owner’s wish list for their master bath renovation project. A dramatic mix of materials—light to dark versus smooth to textured, as well as organic patterns that played on nature-inspired elements—adds visual interest to the bathroom. Playing with ceiling heights—from the soaring wood-clad cathedral ceiling to the dropped ceilings over the bathing areas—kept the large space from feeling cavernous and gave it a cozier feel. The hallway that leads you past his-and-hers closets is clad with custom sohji screen panels, while a custom sohji pocket door adds privacy when needed and continues the Zen theme. Soothing colors finish the space to keep it light and bright, yet restful to the homeowners while they soak away the stressors of the day.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: The Zen Master Bath displays clean organization, and a strong relationship between the bath, hall and closet. Balanced symmetry around the vanity and entry door, and lowered ceilings over the bathtub, shower and toilet, help to create more intimate and individual spaces within the openconcept bathroom.

GREEN DESIGN

With a history of farming in their family, the goal for this couple’s vacation home (and ultimately where they’ll retire) was a low-maintenance, Greek Revival-inspired farmstead. Set on 30 acres in the Mount Washington Valley, the program included an open-plan living/dining/kitchen area, first-floor master suite, open and screen porches, mudroom, second-floor guest bedrooms, and a barn to house farm equipment, recreational vehicles and a bocce court. The home achieved a Home

HISTORIC RENOVATION

Energy Rating System (HERS) rating of -30, an order of magnitude below the 52 HERS average for New Hampshire and climate zone 6A in 2020. The electric meter has been running backward since the project was completed. The result is a home that is healthy, comfortable, durable and efficient, with electricity produced on-site that more than offsets its use of fossil fuels.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: This is a very livable, classic New Hampshire house.

This property consists of a late 18th-century Colonial home that was destined for demolition. The owner began this project with several principles in mind: First, to maintain the historic integrity of the original structure while making it a comfortable home. Second, to create a kitchen that can be practical in today’s lifestyle, but not interrupt the original home’s structure and intended purpose of its time. He used repurposed materials, much of which was from the late-18th to mid-19th century. All the wood used to create the cabinetry, interior doors, trim work, crown molding, floors and kitchen island was obtained by dismantling several structures that were between 150 and 200 years old and destined for demolition. The windows are efficient but also period correct.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: This is a beautiful, authentic restoration and renovation. There are thoughtful paint palette, colors and woodwork throughout the home, which is well-done and well-crafted. The large, open-concept kitchen and dining area creates a wonderful space for entertaining with lots of natural light, while preserving the structure and materials within. A creative renovation and restoration, that transforms the home for modern living, yet maintains its historic integrity.

INTERIOR DESIGN TIE

WINNER: Contemporary Cape | Life Styled Interior Design in in Portsmouth • (603) 828-0095 • lifestyledco.com

The goal was to create a modern, family-beach-house interior, while making certain that it still felt like home. A neutral paint palette was chosen for the main living areas on the waterside of the home, which not only provided the perfect backdrop for a few of the more striking contemporary furnishings but also kept the water view as the primary focus. Texture is emphasized throughout, specifically textures that embody the essence of New England’s coastline. In the end, “quality over quantity” served as the driving force behind the design and helped create what is now a cohesive and comfortable, contemporary interior.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: We enjoyed the elegant, balanced interior and color scheme. The wallcoverings are well-selected and elegant. The simple, clean finishes and fixtures add to this fresh look that has just enough attention to detail.

WINNER: Widrid Bedford Residence

Boehm Graham Interior Design in Bedford (617) 692-0400 • boehmgrahamdesign.com

The design goal was calm, classic and current. With four kids and two dogs, the clients were looking for durable, family-friendly and casually elegant home. The new palette is classic black and white with neutral gray and emerald green. The gray stone, floor-to-ceiling fireplaces flank the left and right sides of the user-friendly center kitchen. That was the jumping-off point for the neutral gray wall color. Keeping in mind “first-floor flow” and good design follow-through, the furnishings in the family room/kitchen area included a gray velvet sectional sofa, textured bar stools and chairs in gray performance fabric. On trend and current, they used emerald green on the velvet settee, dining room walls, pillows in the family room and curiosities in the bookcase. An abstract painting in the dining room tied the color palette together and was a juxtaposition to the classical pieces. Calm, current and classic, this family will enjoy all the new possibilities that come with a transformation like this.

T THE JUDGES SAID: Here there are bold, yet traditional colors and precise attention o detail. While some rooms are visually very exciting, others are calming. There is impeccable furniture selection.

KITCHEN DESIGN : NEW CONSTRUCTION

WINNER: Ocean Break | TMS Architects in Portsmouth • (603) 436-4274 • tmsarchitects.com

Located on a thin peninsula on the New Hampshire seacoast, this home has panoramic marsh and ocean views. The clients’ love of cooking and entertaining meant the kitchen would need to be intricately designed, and form meets function in all aspects. It was a collaborative effort with the architect, interior designer and client to come up with a kitchen layout that would support the client’s desired workflow. Multiple separated workstations allow many people to be in the kitchen without feeling overcrowded. Two large kitchen islands offer extra storage and workstations, while providing a place to sit out of the way of kitchen traffic. This kitchen provides all the functionality a cooking enthusiast would want, while feeling as refreshed and relaxed as a warm, sunny day at the beach.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: This soft, light kitchen features delicate spaces and details. The soft coloration palette also really gives the space an atmospheric, ephemeral effect. The relationships between all materials and colors were carefully thought out. It is traditional in style and elegantly detailed to create a strong, cohesive link between kitchen, dining and interior architectural design.

KITCHEN DESIGN : RESTORATION

WINNER: Seaside Glamour | PKsurroundings in Portsmouth • (603) 817-6347 • pksurroundings.com

Inspired by the seaside, a combination of pale gray and muted teal inset cabinetry set the tone for the space. These are paired with Bianco Neve polished marble countertops. The white marble backsplash tile includes a detail in sea-hued glass. The soft curved shape in the tile is repeated in the design of the hood and in the shape of the polished-nickel cabinetry pulls. In contrast to the cool blue/green tones, there are warm rose-gold details throughout. Rose-gold hardware is used at the island and wet bar while metal mesh inserts highlight the large step-in pantry doors. Inside the pantry you’ll find a surprise of shimmering teal wall tile and gray stained oak shelves. In all, it’s a glamorous space ideal for entertaining.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: This is an inventive organization of space between the dining room and kitchen. We enjoy the light and playful organization of materials and details. They took an elegant and creative approach with some unique detailing. The materials, finishes and fixtures work together in harmony.

OUTDOOR DESIGN

WINNER: Big Grey Rock | Bonin Architects & Associates in New London and Meredith • (603) 526-6200 • boninarchitects.com

Big Grey Rock is aptly named for the abundance of exposed granite ledge dominating the natural landscape. Environmental sensitivity, enhancement of the natural elements, and use of native and natural materials were emphasized in designing the site landscape. Guests arrive in a stately entry court paved with reclaimed granite slabs. The courtyard establishes a sense of scale, maturity, and endurance before you even step foot in this exquisitely crafted residence, which includes a man-made, yet naturalistic waterfall, artfully crafted fieldstone walls and reclaimed granite steps, a variety of outdoor spaces that extend living spaces beyond the walls of the home, mixed garden beds, patios and more.

REMODELING/RENOVATION

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: The rustic and large set stones integrate well with the existing topography but also with the new house. Overall, a well-conceived and executed landscape.

WINNER: Flaster Lake House

Christopher P. Williams Architects in Meredith (603) 279-6513 • cpwarchitects.com

Conceptualized from one of three camps on the existing site, two buildings were removed and the new home resulted from a major remodeling of the original 1938 rustic cabin. Numerous reclaimed wooden features of the original camp have been utilized and built back into the remodeled home to maintain the rustic feel and rugged tradition of the original main cabin. Everything from old, knotty pine posts and rails, exposed beams and entrance arches, to some original stonework has been preserved and blended with the craftsmanship of the new construction in a seamless way. Skillfully blended into the woodland with naturally sculpted paths to the water, this tastefully designed lake house brings great joy to the owners and their family. WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: This home has well-integrated, lovely interiors. The heavy timber and log details are a nice addition.

SMALL HOME DESIGN

WINNER: Loon Lake Retreat

Whitten Architects in Portland, Maine (207) 774-0111 • whittenarchitects.com

A screened porch, situated on piers, is nestled in the woods with minimal impact to the earth and surrounding trees. The porch appears like a lantern in the woods from the house and offers another point of view to the site. The 1,500-square-foot, T-shape house plan creates two courtyards—extending the domestic zone of the home into the landscape. Granite boulders, emerging between hardscape, express the splice of the architectural intervention with nature. The entry courtyard is to the north and the south courtyard gestures toward the outdoor fire pit and lake. The living space, housed in the vertical leg of the T, opens with glass sliding doors and a corner window to the lake. The horizontal leg of the T contains the bedrooms and bathrooms. The master bedroom opens to a private patio with an outdoor shower facing the lake. The house is clad as a log, with black “bark” and exposed “sapwood.” The black siding is stained western red cedar. The amber siding is Douglas fir with a natural oil finish.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: There is a simple, clear plan and building massing strategy. This is the strongest plan and massing concept we’ve seen in all of the submissions. The details and materials are carefully considered both from inside to outside, and also beyond into the landscape and entry approach. It’s pragmatic and elegant all at once. The simple palette of materials allows the home to blend with natural setting. This is clean, modern design, inside and out.

SPECIALTY DESIGN

WINNER: Guest House, Music Studio, Utility Barn | Sheldon Pennoyer Architects in Concord • (603) 856-8994 • spennoyerarchitects.com

The design challenge: To provide a flexible event space for family gatherings that directs occupants’ focus to beautiful views, allows for a commercial kitchen space where wild game, local grass-fed beef and on-site poultry could be prepared for meals; and provide needed additional garage space without additional paving. Surrounding the site is a deciduous forest interspersed with meadows. This combination of open field and dense forest offer a diversity of native species that became the inspiration for the planting design.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: This multipurpose barn— a “wildcard” event space—is flexible and open, but also retains the original idea of barn as an open civic area and a guest house for visitors. Thoughtful and authentic details abound.

H ALL of FAME 2022

Meet some of this year’s and past years’ winners of the New Hampshire Home Design Awards — architects, interior designers, kitchen and bath designers, landscape architects and designers, builders, and others whose award-winning projects make homes in New Hampshire both functional and beautiful.

2022 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: MODERN AND 2022 HOME OF THE YEAR

Marcus Gleysteen Architects

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

(617) 542-6060 • mgaarchitects.com

At MGa, we believe that every space deserves beauty and purpose. The Soo Nipi House embodies our desire to create functional, enjoyable homes that respond meaningfully to their surroundings. Designed for a pair of siblings and their families, Soo Nipi holds a variety of comfortable spaces to cook, eat, gather and relax all while taking in the spectacular views of Lake Sunapee. The siblings’ original house on the site was destroyed in a lightning fire. Now, native plantings are revitalizing the damaged terrain while a granite and Douglas fir pergola offers a privacy buffer and shade to the primary living spaces. The interior contrasts warm wood with white plaster to create an airy and intimate environment. As in all our work, thoughtful details, executed in close collaboration with talented local builders, give the residence a subtly sculptural and handcrafted quality.

Crown Point Cabinetry

CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE

(800) 999-4994 • crown-point.com

Family owned and operated, Crown Point Cabinetry handcrafts the finest quality custom cabinetry for your entire home. We are the only custom cabinetmaker in the country that sells direct to homeowners, custom builders, remodelers and designers nationally and internationally. We offer one-inch-thick doors, drawer fronts and face frames, plus American black walnut interiors in every base cabinet, wall cabinet and tall cabinet. We work directly with one of our talented and award-winning, in-house design professionals. Made in New Hampshire.

MWV Homes LLC

NORTH CONWAY, NEW HAMPSHIRE (603) 986-6709 • mwvfinehomes.com

Mount Washington Valley Fine Homes is a custom builder focusing on architect-driven work for discerning clients in western Maine and the Mount Washington Valley. This Excellence in Green Design winning project is a good example of how our collaborative process ensures a quality product.

During the design phase, Anthony Giovanni, founder of MWV Homes, worked closely with John Cole Architect and energy consultant BuildingWorks LLC to develop details for the super-insulated building envelope, the large array of photo voltaic roof panels, the heating, cooling and ventilating systems, and the Greek Revival

interior and exterior trim. During construction, Anthony was the on-site working manager, coordinating the efforts of his talented craftsmen and a wide variety of sub-contractors who have worked with him for years.

The result is a beautiful home that is healthy, comfortable, durable and efficient. The satisfied clients report that the electrical meter has been running backward since the home was completed, providing them with a check each month from the utility company. Call Anthony today to discuss how he and his team can assist you in building your dream home.

2022 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE IN OUTDOOR DESIGN AND 2022 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: TRADITIONAL

Bonin Architects & Associates

NEW LONDON | MEREDITH, NEW HAMPSHIRE (603) 526-6200 • info@boninarchitects.com boninarchitects.com

Bonin Architects & Associates, located in New London and Meredith, New Hampshire, serves homeowners in New England with homes in the lakes, mountain and coastal regions. As a design firm, we bring architecture and landscape architecture together in a collaborative approach to every project. Our values of honesty, integrity, commitment, respect and service are reflected in all we do. Those values and hard work are the difference between building a home and building a dream.

Life Styled Interior Design

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE

(603) 828-0095 • lifestyledco.com

Life Styled Interior Design is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in high-end residential homes. Owner and Principal Designer, Ashley Gallant, is innovative in her work, thanks to an eye for quality and a very client-centered approach to business. Her designs reflect a refreshing, modernized take on traditional design, allowing her to create distinctive and notable spaces, all defined by a timeless backdrop.

LSID works in collaboration with architects and builders to execute each vision, allowing them to optimize interiors far beyond just the décor. From grand coastal homes to modern office spaces, Ashley and her team have created beautiful, award-winning interiors that are exclusive and perfectly functional for every client.

“I like to bring a sense of excitement into every space, without compromising the integrity of classic design. It’s important to me that every home we design doesn’t just spark that initial sense of joy, but continues to bring joy to all those who experience it — for years to come.”

Belknap Landscape Company

GILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE (603) 528-2798 • belknaplandscape.com

Belknap Landscape of Gilford, New Hampshire, is well-known for its creative, quality, hand-built outdoor living spaces. This example in Alton is no exception.

Featuring a sunken fire pit as a point of interest and primary feature, this landscape is a great place to entertain, relax and enjoy the Winnipesaukee views through three seasons. The designer and property owners selected natural materials for their durability and beauty. Careful consideration was given to assure uninterrupted views and offer an uncommon take on a common outdoor feature. The landscape offers a function the property owners enjoy using with a form they enjoy viewing.

Low-voltage lighting was utilized to assure the outdoor space is safe and usable during the evening. The inclusion of downlighting and spotlights provides visual interest at night while reducing light pollution.

Pathways from the main house to the fire pit, dock and waterfront were realized by using stepping stones and

granite steps, keeping with the theme of using natural materials. Their placement lends a rustic appearance while also providing significant permeable surfaces to reduce runoff and protect the lake water quality.

As a three-time winner of the Excellence in Outdoor Design award, Belknap Landscape is proud to continue offering design, construction and maintenance services to discerning clients in the greater Lakes Region area.

“When I started this company in 1989, I wanted to offer great people a great experience, and the best outcomes possible,” says Hayden McLaughlin, owner of Belknap Landscape. “It’s honors like these that let me know we’re still following through on that sentiment today.”

To learn more about Belknap Landscape, go to belknaplandscape.com.

To speak to client services and design professional, please call (603) 528-2798.

Christopher P. Williams Architects, PLLC MEREDITH, NEW HAMPSHIRE (603) 279-6513 • cpwarchitects.com

Our award-winning team of LEED-certified architects has provided innovative and environmentally friendly design solutions to clients throughout New England since 1984.

No matter what your goals may be, our staff is dedicated to building homes that meet your needs, budget and lifestyle. We will make your dream home a reality.

Our firm specializes in sustainable building practices, and we offer expertise in incorporating solar, geothermal and other green systems into client projects that 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. Visit us at cpwarchitects.com to view our portfolio.

2020

Old Hampshire Designs, Inc.

NEW LONDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE (603) 526-6945 • oldhampshiredesigns.com

Old Hampshire Designs, Inc. has been designing and building homes since 1984. This quintessential lakeside cabin was designed to use timber harvested directly from the property on Blaisdell Lake. It features a welcoming open floor plan and loft, spacious covered porch overlooking the lake and a fully equipped wet bar complete with retro-designed appliances. Fourteen thousand board feet of lumber was harvested and milled from the property and includes white pine for the exterior siding and trim, interior walls and ceilings as well as red oak flooring and interior decorative trim

and baseboards. Oak trees from the property were also used for porch posts, interior support and decoration and stair railings. The keystone from the original 1901 fireplace was saved and replaced in the new artfully crafted design. This efficient cabin is a classic testament to preserving New Hampshire’s unique Lakes Region history, conservation and living comfortably in a small footprint.

What’s in Your Pocket?

The Portsmouth Pocket Garden Tour returns.

Apocket garden can be as small as removing a paver or two from your patio and filling the space with herbs, tucking some welcoming perennials into a spot next to the front steps, or lining an alleyway with shade-loving plants. When working with a small space, choosing the right plants is key. If they can do doubleduty by pleasing the senses and providing food and habitat for birds, butterflies and pollinators, it is a win-win situation.

Once a year, homeowners in Portsmouth share their gardens during the Pocket Garden Tour. The following gardeners have participated over the years and tell of the transformation their yards have undergone on the journey from weedy neglect to urban oases.

A secret garden with water view Lifelong gardener Barbara Renner grew up in England. “We always had a patch of ground,” she says, “so I have gardened since I was a little girl.” She and her husband moved to their double house overlooking the South Mill Pond in 1984. (“It was built in 1799 by two brothers who lived in it, side by side,” she says.) Along with restoring the house, the Renners threw themselves into designing a functional backyard.

“There was not much of a garden there when we bought it,” she says. Sadly, her husband passed in 1991, and Barbara found her garden to be a haven. “I didn’t think I would survive,” she says, “but the garden has been my therapy.”

Now, a mahogany arch defines the transition from house to gardens. Rotted wooden steps leading down a 16-foot drop to the yard were replaced with

stone; local blacksmith Peter Happney fashioned a sweeping, wrought-iron railing for it. A brick-paved ellipse was added to make a spot for outdoor dining, and many stone-edged, raised beds were con-

BY ROBIN SWEETSER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN W. HESSION

structed to give Barbara plenty of room for perennials, shrubs and her favorite David Austin roses. A wide, iron pergola—also crafted by Happney—is near the edge of the pond, and covered with both choco-

late- and pink-flowering akebia vines where the mourning doves often nest. “I’m very fond of vines and things that trail,” says Barbara, who also has several wooden trellises covered with clematis and grows annual vines, including passiflora ‘Kew Gardens’ and hyacinth bean.

When an old tree died, she filled that spot with an octagonal glass house called an orangerie. “It came as a kit made by the Amish, and the two wonderful carpenters who had worked on

the house put it up in a day!” she says. “I grow a few plants in it, but since it is not heated, I mostly use it as a pleasant spot to sit.”

Along the fence next to the street, she planted trees and shrubs including a Japanese umbrella pine, American dogwoods, witch hazels, hydrangeas, heptacodium and a weeping willow. “The willow was just a twig that came in a vase of flowers. It developed a bird’s nest of roots, so I lifted a stone flag, dug

to China and planted it,” she says. “Now it is an immense tree that is gorgeous in summer. It forms a room underneath where I have a table and chairs. I call it the Willow Café!”

The dense plantings and position of the house block the gardens from view and none of this can be seen from the street.

“People are always surprised when they see the garden,” she says. “They have no idea all this is tucked away back here.”

Her garden is an ongoing project and labor of love. This summer, she is planning to add some more raised beds and a few new rose bushes. “It occupies my mind and my heart,” she says. “It is not just a hobby but a passion.”

From hollow to haven Jeffrey Reaume and Rachel MarottaReaume had lived for 10 years in a second-floor apartment, cultivating gardens around the building, when the house behind them came up for sale. Excited to finally have a home of their own, they had their work cut out for them. The side yard of the one-fifth-acre, double-lot was depressed below street level and had been employed as a dog

run with deep piles of brush around the border. “The lot had loads of potential … and challenges,” Marotta-Reaume says. First order of business was to take down a huge Norway maple at the front corner of the house that was domineering the yard, and the chain link fence had to go. The couple already had many plants growing in nursery beds, and moved most along the driveway and out front. The rest stayed in containers that first year, and were moved around the yard as the couple studied sun and wind exposure and planned what to do next.

“When a garden scout for the Pocket Garden Tour came to our door to say we’d been recommended to the committee, all we could think was, ‘Can’t you see the ‘yard’ below?’ It was still a clay-based hollow,” Reaume says. “They convinced us the driveway and front gardens were worthy by themselves as a starter. We were so pleased— and terrified—we shot into gear.”

The couple had to fast-forward their garden design plans. The brush piles

WATER HAS A MEMORY:

Preserving Strawbery Banke and Portsmouth from Sea Level Rise

Strawbery Banke Museum’s historic houses are being damaged by the impact of sea level rise. Right now. The "Water has a Memory" exhibit, in partnership with the City of Portsmouth, invites visitors to learn how history is impacting the present and future, understand the problems, and learn proactive ways to adopt local, regional, national, and international initiatives to address sea level rise.

Open daily May 1 - Oct. 31, 2022, in the Rowland Gallery. The exhibit is included with general museum admission.

were removed, and three dump-truck loads of loam were brought in to level the yard. “Then we went shopping for shrubs and small trees, roses, flowers, more herbs and some vegetables,” Reaume says. “Our ambitious, hole-digging friend Albert Kelly helped place plants and created two dry wells to draw water down through the clay.” The couple laid out the

2022 Pocket Garden Tour

border contours and paths, paving with large chunks of bark. Lawn areas were kept to a minimum. “Then it rained!” Reaume laughs. “On the morning of the tour, we were out bailing water from holes we’d intended to pop the last couple of plants into. It was glorious! We’ve been [part of] the tour twice since then, giving people an opportunity to see

This year’s Pocket Garden Tour will be held 4–7 p.m. June 24 and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. June 25. Eleven private gardens in the Goodwin Park neighborhood along with the gardens at the John Paul Jones House and Rundlett-May Historic Home will be featured. Tickets will be sold at various local retailers and online at portsmouthnhtickets.com. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 day-of at the information table at the John Paul Jones House. Parking and public restrooms can be found at the Foundry Place Garage. More information is available on Facebook at PortsmouthPocketGardenTour. The tour is in its 33rd year, and it’s a fundraiser for South Church Unitarian Universalist Church of Portsmouth. Be sure to attend and get some ideas for what to put in your pocket!

the garden take form and mature.”

At the back of the yard is a more secluded grotto area under the canopy of a 50-plus-year-old apple tree, perfect for shade-loving plants. “We dwell in the sunny spots during the cool days of spring and fall, and in the deep shade during the summer,” Marotta-Reaume says.

Their gardens are broken into vignettes with the areas defined by shrubs as well as hedges of roses and boxwood. A profuse bed of flowers flows along the street and is backed by a tall, mixed hedge that still allows views into the gardens. “Our goal is to provide a beautiful space for friends, neighbors and passers-by to enjoy as well as pique their interest in gardening,” she says.

Many small trees and bushes frame out the spaces, including Tollymore spruce, Kousa dogwood, Japanese maple, weeping cherry, holly, spirea and lots of hydrangeas. “We are especially fond of the climbing hydrangea that we brought with us from next door when it was only 8 feet high,” Reaume says. “Now, it covers one and a half sides of our back kitchen and holds its flowers most of the summer.”

The most comment-catching plant is a dappled willow (Salix integra) grafted onto an upright willow-tree trunk. “It requires several prunings a year, but its slightly shaggy, pom-pom tree look in varying shades of cream and green is a nice foil and anchor,” he says.

A cycle of perennial and annual flowers parade through the seasons. “We limit the color palette to mostly blue, pink and white pastels, adding yellows midsummer when black-eyed Susans and ligularia roll in,” Marotta-Reaume says. The couple also grow many herbs and interplant vegetables, including tomatoes in iron cages, squashes, kale, beets, beans and radishes

A plant collector’s paradise

At 411 Middle Street is a grand Victorian home close to downtown Portsmouth that has been converted into affordable units. Owners Bob Vaccaro and Dan Rawling have formed an intentional

community of like-minded individuals interested in planet-friendly living. The backyard serves many functions and fulfills the needs of the tenants and their guests—a lot to ask from an in-town property.

Over the years, Vaccaro and Rawling have planted a veritable arboretum of interesting trees that form the bones of the garden and give it year-round interest. Rawling, an architect and landscape designer, has taken full advantage of the opportunity to try out new, fun plants. “In the spirit of Victorian gardeners who were big plant collectors, I let the exotics play out to my heart’s content,” he says. The garden has become his laboratory, giving him a chance to become familiar with new plants before using them in his clients’ gardens.

The front of the house is close to a busy street. “The front yard was too exposed so we never used it,” Rawling says. To provide a sense of enclosure, he planted Serbian Spruce, Japanese maples, weeping mulberries, spring-blooming ‘Forest Pansy’ redbuds, Persian parrotia and fragrant Chinese witch hazel. “Once it was planted, it became a nice place to sit and watch the city go by,” he says. “It is rare to be out there and not have interactions with neighbors and passers-by.”

The backyard is very private and can’t be seen from the street. An allée of Korean stewartia edged in dwarf evergreens leads from the back porch to a circular, center lawn area with room for activities ranging from croquet to yoga. Two helical pergolas—based on a classic design—support climbing roses, clematis and honeysuckle as well as serve as the fanciest clotheslines ever! The big backyard is divided into spaces for barbeques and outdoor dining; sitting and relaxing; or holding small parties. A productive vegetable garden with nine raised beds is planted and tended by the tenants. Winding, grass paths lead from one area to the next. “We wanted the garden to be a respite from the city, with spaces for everybody to go to,” Rawling says. “Using exotics and pushing the limits of our planting zone gives the garden a Southern feel, so it seems like you stepped out into someplace else, like a vacation.”

The gardens at 411 Middle Street have been part of the Pocket Garden Tour many times and are always a favorite with visitors. Every year, Rawling and Vaccaro host an after-party for the tour committee, volunteers and participating homeowners. About 100 people turn out to celebrate the successful completion of another tour. NHH

RESOURCES

Peter Happney • (603) 436-4859

peterhappney.com

Rolling Green Nursery • (603) 436-2732

rollinggreennursery.com

Snug Harbor Farm • (207) 967-2414

snugharborfarm.com

Stratham Circle Nursery • (603) 778-3711

strathamcirclenursery.com

Wentworth Greenhouses • (603) 743-4919

wentworthgreenhouses.com

KITCHENS Accent on Kitchens

Your home should reflect who you are and what you love. The Accent team is creative and committed—combining experience and innovation with a friendly, low-key approach. The results are rooms that become the heart of your home: beautifully designed spaces that will be an expression of your lifestyle for years to come.

112 Lafayette Road, North Hampton (603) 964-1771 • accentonkitchens.com

LIGHTING

Derek Marshall Sculptural Lighting

New and dramatic: A pair of graceful Lilia pendant lights in an utterly unique American art glass we call Blue Comet. Lighting like this comes only from Derek Marshall Lighting.

85 Upper Road, Sandwich • (603) 284-7000 derekmarshall.com • linda@derekmarshall.com

LANDSCAPING

db Landscaping LLC

We are a full-service landscape architectural design/build company based in Sunapee, New Hampshire, and serving New England. Our team of landscape architects, engineers, horticulturists, stonemasons and other specialists is committed to realize your visions for your outdoor living spaces. We deliver unique, functional and environmentally sensitive design solutions.

Sunapee • (603) 763-6423 • dblandscaping.com

KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS Belletetes

Whether your project is large or small, complicated or simple, Belletetes takes your ideas and makes them happen. We have all the tools, products and skills necessary to make your project a complete success. Specializing in lumber, decking, windows, doors, paint, stains and flooring—as well as fixtures and cabinets for kitchens and bathrooms—we have everything for your remodeling needs. And don’t forget to take advantage of our free estimates!

51 Peterborough St., Jaffrey • (603) 532-7716 • belletetes.com

HOME FURNISHINGS

Winchendon Furniture

We are passionate about quality. Since 1939, our family-owned company has helped homeowners create comfortable, memorable spaces. Visit our locations in Keene, New Hampshire, or Winchendon, Massachusetts, to find fine handcrafted furniture (most of it American-made) from top manufacturers, including our own designs. Our design consultants are delighted to help you select the right pieces for your home. winchendonfurniture.com

ARCHITECTS

Bonin Architects & Associates

Bonin Architects & Associates—located in New London and Meredith, New Hampshire—serves clients in New England with a focus on lake, mountain and coastal homes. We bring architecture and landscape together in a collaborative approach to every project; our values of honesty integrity, commitment and respect are the difference between building a home and building a dream. New London and Meredith • (603) 526-6200 boninarchitects.com • info@boninarchitects.com

Gardens of Light

Of rebirth and the ghosts of memories

Ithink about old images a lot, more than I should I suppose— about Super 8 and Brownies and VCRs and slides. Everyone has them. Somewhere, in some family member’s dark, old attic, there is a box of pictures of people you, mostly, don’t know.

Years ago, long before the miracle of digital, as I was cleaning out my father’s house—the house where I grew up—I stumbled upon an enormous box of dusty and decaying color slides. They were my mother’s, thousands of them, all neatly labeled and mostly dated. They were from the mid-1950s, before she met my father. For years, she took long, cruiseship-style voyages to Europe, a single woman sailing the ocean blue to visit the Roman Coliseum and the Dickens’ Old Curiosity Shop.

I knew she took those trips because I had her diaries. But I hadn’t seen the pictures until I held them in my hands that day at my father’s. A treasure trove. Priceless. Now that I have the technology at my fingertips to scan those slides, I’ve slowly been working my way through them, showing my daughter little snippets in her grandmother’s life.

“Was your mommy a princess?” Little Bean asked about one picture in particular that showed my mother as a bridesmaid in a pink chiffon, ruffled dress.

But in many pictures, when my daughter asked, “Who is that?” I had no idea.

All that light being imprinted, all those ghosts of my parents’ past, just sitting there, nameless, caught in a split second of a split second. Who was the photographer behind those blurry images of my mom standing in front of a trellis in Paris? Who was the grinning man in a short tie, holding a poodle on some street in Amsterdam? Why would my mother take a picture of that particular street sign? Or that building? Who was she before she was my mom?

I thought of this as I took pictures of my small family while we strolled around our yard, doing a little pre-spring inspection of the soil, the fence, the grass—our tiny urban plot there behind our

house. These were small flashes of living as we prepared our home for its own rebirth.

I considered where those pictures would end up. Who is going to stumble upon an old flash drive in a junk store in 50 years and then go find some old ASUS computer to scan through images of me with my baby? Just doing normal stuff. Just living. What will they think of me, based on the chilly blue of a near-spring day in our earthen lot in some unknown place? Will they be able to see how much I love my family from the pictures I take? Will we look happy?

There is a picture of me, maybe 4 or 5 years old, standing in my backyard, in my mother’s garden, under an enormous sunflower. I’m grinning and pointing up at the yellow head of the flower. I’m happy.

I’m happy because it’s my yard. And because my mother is taking the picture. And because my father will be home soon. And because it’s a sunny day. And because maybe, there is a grilled cheese sandwich waiting for me. To ghost me, looking at this photo now, possibility is endless.

I look at the digital pictures of my own daughter in her own yard, and I see my smile. My anticipation. She picked some smooth stones out of the vegetable patch and held them up, and I took a picture of her. The stones shimmered in the sunlight.

Full circle. The technology is different, but the transformative power of the dirt isn’t. That’s the same.

We are all, someday, going to be shadows on glass, or digital dots, or grooves, or tape, just sitting there in our backyards, pointing up at our sunflowers or holding tiny stones.

Someday, all that will remain will be us, standing with our arm around someone we love in front of Cinderella’s castle or sweating with joy, leaning over the Mount Washington summit sign.

We grow, we die. We’re captured somewhere living, for just a moment. The methods change, but the heart remains. Just like the garden, our impermanence is our strength.

We are, in the end, just light. I think I’m fine with that. NHH

BY DAN SZCZESNY | ILLUSTRATION BY CAROLYN VIBBERT