New Hampshire Magazine May-June 2023

Landscape-Inspired Modern Family Camp

Where design, innovation and quality unite. Let’s create together.

Congratulations to this year’s Design Award winners!

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.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of

porcelain

Porcelain panels create an experience that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. They offer a seamless, grout-less surface that will transform your space with breathtaking results With the wide range of colors and the durability of the material, porcelain works for a variety of applications, including countertops, shower stalls, replaces, and walls. Rumford Stone is the ideal source for natural stone, quartz, and porcelain surfaces and is the trusted choice for discerning homeowners and kitchen designers.

Contact your local kitchen and bath dealer or stop by our showroom

Showroom: 95 Sheep Davis Road, Route 106, Pembroke, NH

603.410.6731 RumfordStone.com

52

62

Conceived

By Jennifer Sperry |

Photography

by John W. Hession

70

Presenting

By Janice Randall Rohlf

commercial interior design

Thank you

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

Congratulations to all of the 2023 winners, and a special thanks to this year’s event sponsors: 2O23

Mary Ann Esposito is the host of the public television series “Ciao Italia,” now in its 30th season, and the author of 14 cookbooks, including her most recent, “Ciao Italia: Plant, Harvest, Cook!” She lives in New Hampshire. Visit her website at ciaoitalia.com.

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.

Chuck Choi is an architectural photographer who has documented the work of the world’s leading architects and designers for over 25 years. His photographs have been published in all major design publications, both national and international. Learn more at chuckchoi.com.

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.

Jennifer Sperry has over 20 years of experience in publishing. She has worked as both an editor and writer at a variety of luxury magazines. Her specialty is writing about architecturally significant homes, their owners and the designers who create them.

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.

Dan Szczesny is a journalist, author and speaker who has written several books of travel memoir, poetry and essays. His newest book is “NH Rocks That Rock: An Adventure Guide to Twenty-Five Famous Boulders of the Granite State.” Learn more at danszczesny.wordpress.com.

Debbie Kane writes about design, architecture and education. She also is a communications professional with years of experience in nonprofit, consumer and business-to-business marketing. Learn more about her at debbiekanewriter.com.

MAY/JUNE 2023 V OL. 17 | NUMBER 3 nhhomemagazine.com

VICE PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER • Ernesto Burden

EDITOR • Janice Randall Rohlf

MANAGING EDITOR • Emily Heidt

PROOFREADER/STAFF WRITER • Amanda Andrews

ART DIRECTOR • John R. Goodwin

PHOTO EDITOR • John W. Hession

CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR • Jodie Hall

SENIOR GRAPHIC PRODUCTION ARTIST • Nicole Huot

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Jessica Schooley (603) 624-1442 ext. 5143 • (603) 345-2752 jessicas@yankeepub.com

ADVERTISING & EVENTS SALES DIRECTOR • Jenna Pelech

OPERATIONS MANAGER • Ren Chase

SALES & EVENTS COORDINATOR • Paul Milone

BUSINESS & SALES COORDINATOR • Paula Veale

DIGITAL OPERATIONS AND MARKETING MANAGER Morgen Connor

VP/CONSUMER MARKETING • Brook Holmberg

VP/RETAIL SALES • Sherin Pierce

BILLING SPECIALIST/IT COORDINATOR • Gail Bleakley

STAFF ACCOUNTANT • Nancy Pfuntner

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE

Janice Randall Rohlf, editor New Hampshire Home 250 Commercial Street, Suite 4014 Manchester, NH 03101 (617) 543-3902 • janicerohlfnhh@gmail.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

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

© 2023 Yankee Publishing, Inc.

New Hampshire Home is published six times a year by Yankee Publishing, Inc.; 250 Commercial Street, Suite 4014, 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. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, Yankee Publishing, Inc.: New Hampshire Home disclaims all responsibility for omissions and errors.

Celebrate Spring!

MARK TWAIN is often cited as saying, “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” The literary legend would have had a field day with this past winter’s crazy fluctuations in temperature and precipitation from one day to the next. I for one am looking forward to a more benevolent spring, a season that has its own set of challenges in this part of the country but which brings the promise of sunshine streaming through our windows and into our yards.

One way that we at New Hampshire Home are celebrating spring is with our 10th Annual Design Awards. We have brought the excitement of the April 20 live event into this issue and offer an ongoing round of applause to the winners. The fields of architecture, interior design, landscape design and construction are all exciting to watch, constantly simmering with ideas and innovations that pique our interest. So much so, in fact, that we added several new categories this year in order to do justice to these burgeoning fields. We trust it will be a treat for you to read about the award winners and admire their projects (page 70).

At the same time that practitioners of design are continually looking forward, they are also often looking back to be inspired by tradition. The National Trust for Historic Preservation designates May as Preservation Month, and this year’s theme is “People Saving Places,” which the trust says “will be a national high-five to everyone doing the great work of saving places— in ways big and small—and inspiring others to do the same.” The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance was one of the organizations recruited by The Portsmouth Advocates to advocate for Carey Cottage at Creek Farm, a Gilded-Age treasure that had fallen into disrepair. On page 36, read how a core team of eight individuals saved the building from demolition and restored it to its former glory.

Keeping tradition alive is important on a more intimate level, too. Two feature stories in this issue (“Sister Act” on page 62 and “An Elevated Experience” on page 52) have a common theme: the hallowed New Hampshire lakeside “camp.” In both instances, the original structures were beyond saving, but the new homes that replaced them carry on the spirit that underpinned their predecessors—making family memories within their four walls.

Our regular Garden Rx column, written by Robin Sweetser, is our way of acknowledging the state’s agricultural and horticultural heroes. In this issue, on page 44, we meet Jo and Jack Shields, who not only tend a jewel-box flower garden, rich in color and texture, but also grow vegetables in a rooftop garden. It’s Yankee ingenuity at its best!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy spring,

Janice Randall Rohlf Editor

Design

Sit back in this modern swivel chair, designed to fit in any space, and made of a durable ultra suede. Circle Furniture in Portsmouth (603) 441-2011 circlefurniture.com

Designed for modern entertaining, this midcenturyinspired bar cabinet features diamond-patterned door fronts and modern brass hardware for a sleek silhouette. Ethan Allen in Bedford · ethanallen.com

Blending marble with the natural look of solid oak wood is sure to add a sophisticated feel to your home. Boston Interiors in Bedford · (603) 232-3350 · bostoninteriors.com

Be bold with your design choices—choose visually striking colors and textures that draw the eye across the room. Green Mountain Furniture in Ossipee · (603) 539-2236 · greenmountainfurniture.com

This year’s celebration returns to its glory days of sampling great food, drink, live music and fun from across the state. The event will be an elegant tent and garden party at one of NH’s most beautiful local treasures.

FLAG HILL DISTILLERY & WINERY

Thursday, June 22, 2023

VIP Barrel Tasting & Tour: 5–6 p.m. (Limited Capacity) • $98

General Admission: 6–8:30 p.m. • $68

SPEND THE NIGHT IN ONE OF 10 TINY HOMES ON THE PROPERTY!

Humble design permeates this credenza, offering a sleek outline in a dining room or parlor.

Home Comfort Design & Furnish in Center Harbor (603) 253-6660 · homecomfortnh.com

Sprinkle eye-catching décor items throughout your home that spark a conversation, such as this unique wall clock.

Harris Family Furniture in Laconia, Plymouth and North Conway harrisfamilyfurniture.com

Opt for designer lighting fixtures that are eye-catching whether lighted or dimmed. The Lighting Center at Rockingham Electric in Newington & Claremont rockinghamlightingcenter.com

This chic, deep-seated sofa with a high back and sides brings glamor to a living room. Ethan Allen in Bedford · ethanallen.com

Gather Round the Charcuterie Board

What began as strictly meatcentric has become a host’s favorite way to serve cheese, veggies and dessert, too.

JUST THE SOUND OF THE WORD

“ charcuterie” implies something complicated. But it really isn’t! The French term refers to cooked or cured pork products like terrines, pâtés, ham, sausage and bacon. The term was coined in the 15th century in butcher shops specializing in the preparation of cooked pork.

Today, serving cured meat products has evolved into an array of classylooking charcuterie boards, a canvas if you will, where edible works of art are arranged on wooden boards. In current parlance, the term has evolved to include foods beyond cured meat, like cheese, fruit and vegetables.

For many, charcuterie has become the answer to easy entertaining, and it is a popular restaurant item for sharing at the table. For entertaining at home, charcuterie boards are often the main course.

Creating one can be a lot of fun. Start with an attractive wooden board or display platter large enough for the number of guests you’re hosting. Platters are great for cured and cooked meats, but for cheeses, go with wood if possible; it makes slicing into different-textured cheeses easier. Think about arranging the food so that it is not one dimensional. Try rolling ham slices into thin cylinders, folding salami into triangles, threading chorizo coins on toothpicks,

and snaking thin slices of prosciutto down the middle of the board. Add some height with breadsticks or crackers in different shapes and flavors piled high in a container. Cornichons—tiny crisp and pickled cucumbers—are a mainstay of charcuterie boards, as are grainy mustards.

Other interpretations of this popular arrangement of food could be a cheese board with mild to assertive cheeses accompanied by marmalades, dried fruits, olives, interesting breads like focaccia and herb sprigs for accent. Hollowed-out vegetables like eggplant and peppers can serve as containers for cheese, olives and cherry tomatoes.

If you don’t want to put out a behemoth display of meats and/or cheeses, think “jarcuterie,” which became a

BY MARY ANN ESPOSITO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN W. HESSION

clever idea during the pandemic. Each guest gets their own mini version of any and everything, from cured meats and cheeses to olives and raw vegetables, all snugly arranged in small jars or glasses.

Dessert boards are nothing new, but how they are displayed can be. Go for a variety of color. For instance, a cantaloupe melon cut in half and placed cut side down can be an attractive and functional placeholder for skewered fruit. Sugar-frosted grapes, poached pears, filled strawberries, dates stuffed with cheese and nuts, figs and an assortment of dried fruits are some options for sweet endings. For interest, add cookies, nuts and even chocolates.

Serving a board—charcuterie or otherwise—offers something for everyone and showcases the host’s personal style. NHH

Jarcuterie

Here is a novel idea—and a real conversation starter—for serving an appetizer before the main course. Start with individual miniature assortments of meats, cheeses and vegetables artfully cut up into bite-size pieces and arranged in half-pint jars or glasses. Some foods to consider are mini cheeses like pearl mozzarella balls, Baby Bel cheese, cubes of cheddar and Swiss cheese, chickpeas, radishes, small celery sticks, asparagus spears, carrot sticks, English peas, tiny cucumber coins, cherry tomatoes and marinated artichoke hearts. Spread a couple of tablespoons of your favorite aioli sauce in the base of the jar before arranging the vegetables.

Lemon Aioli Sauce

2 egg yolks at room temperature

1 large garlic clove, minced

½ cup minced parsley

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 anchovy fillets in olive oil, mashed with a fork

1 tablespoon wine vinegar

1 teaspoon white pepper

Salt to taste

1. In a food processor or blender, pulse the egg yolks and garlic.

2. Add the parsley, lemon zest and juice, and pulse a few times to combine everything.

3. Add the anchovy fillets and pulse a few times.

4. Slowly dribble in the remaining oil until the sauce is the consistency of mayonnaise.

5. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the vinegar and pepper. If the sauce seems too thick, mix in a few drops of water.

6. Add salt to taste.

7. Serve at room temperature.

8. Refrigerate any unused aioli.

Create a Cheese Board

Cheese boards have an elegance about them and often bring together new taste discoveries from around the world. Plan on one to two ounces of each cheese per person. As an example, for 10 people choose at least five different cheeses with a variety of textures and tastes, from mild to assertive.

Soft cheeses could include Brie, Fontina, goat and mozzarella. Avoid cheese that is too crumbly or runny, like burrata and feta. Semi-hard cheeses could include Comté, Kasseri, Gorgonzola Dolce and Queso Manchego. For hard cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, aged cheddar, Pecorino Romano with peppercorns and Gouda all play well together.

Arrange the cheeses attractively on the board at least one hour before serving, so they are at room temperature when your guests arrive.

Wine jellies and marmalades, dried and fresh fruits, nuts, crackers, olives, grapes and vegetable spreads can pull a cheese board together nicely.

Cheese Charcuterie with Marmalade

During the summer, I make tomato marmalade to pair with cheese. Fig, apricot and orange marmalades are also great with both soft and hard cheeses.

Tomato Marmalade

MAKES 1 PINT

6 cups halved cherry tomatoes

1 small onion or large shallot, peeled and studded with 8 whole cloves

Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1 (6-inch) piece cinnamon stick

¼ teaspoon fresh ground ginger

1 bay leaf

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large pot.

2. Cover and bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and stir to combine everything well.

3. Cook over low heat, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, or until it is thick and spreadable.

4. Discard the onion, cinnamon stick and bay leaf.

5. Ladle the jam into a pint-size jar, cap and refrigerate for up to one month, or freeze for up to one year.

Saving a State Treasure

Teamwork restores Portsmouth’s Gilded-Age Carey Cottage at Creek Farm and gives it new purpose.

IN JUNE 2019, Carey Cottage at Creek Farm, a historic property sitting on 35 acres along Sagamore Creek in Portsmouth, was slated to be torn down. The rambling structure, one of the few Gilded Age, shingle-style summer homes remaining on the New Hampshire Seacoast, stood unused and had fallen into disrepair. Its owner, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF), had unsuccessfully sought a long-term tenant that could help preserve the property for conservation and public use; they had run out of options to keep Carey Cottage intact. The former owners of Creek Farm, Chet and Billie Noel, bequeathed their property

to SPNHF and stipulated that it be used by nonprofit entities. The Portsmouth Advocates, a local preservation group led by Dr. Richard Candee that was affiliated with the Portsmouth Historical Society, and members of the greater Seacoast community had rallied to save the property once before, in 1996. They rallied once again, posting weekly updates on a “Save Carey Cottage” Facebook page and contacting state and national historic preservation organizations for assistance. But it appeared no one was interested in the property. “The challenge was to find a donor who would allow use of the property and keep the building,” says SPNHF President Jack Savage.

Then Eric Chinburg, president and CEO of Chinburg Properties in Newmarket and a long-time developer of former mill properties, had an idea. “When I learned the Forest Society planned to demolish the building, it broke my heart,” he says. “I worked with Jack to find some way to save the building.” Chinburg knew a local philanthropist who sought space to house a new nonprofit incubator. They brainstormed with SPNHF and announced a plan to save Carey Cottage just weeks before demolition of the home was scheduled.

Now, four years later, Carey Cottage at Creek Farm is again a vital community resource. The nonprofit incubator,

BY DEBBIE KANE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GENEVE HOFFMAN OF 16 HOOPS LLC

GoodWork, is housed on the first floor along with six other nonprofit organizations; the second floor has been transformed into apartments preferenced for employees of area nonprofits. And the public can access Sagamore Creek and different parts of the property via walking trails as well as by kayak and canoe. “It was a complicated endeavor, but it was worth it,” Chinburg says.

A Grand Summer Home

Designed by Boston architect Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow Jr. in 1887-88, Carey Cottage was built as a summer home for Arthur Astor Carey and his family. The original gambrel-roofed structure had a high stone foundation and a broad porch overlooking the water. A gambrel-roofed extension was later added to the home’s eastern side; a guest wing was added to the house’s western side in the early 1890s. Reflecting Arthur Carey’s love of music, the eastern wing contains an elegant, Tudorstyle music room with hand-carved linen-fold paneling and a Renaissance-

“When I learned the Forest Society planned to demolish the building, it broke my heart. I worked with Jack to find some way to save the building.”

—Eric Chinburg

HISTORIC RESTORATION

era fresco painted by a student of Italian Renaissance painter Filippino Lippi.

The Careys were part of Portsmouth’s summer colony of prominent writers, artists, architects, lawyers and historians. President Theodore Roosevelt asked Arthur and his wife, Agnes, to host Russian and Japanese delegates who visited Portsmouth as part of the negotiations leading to the 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War. The Careys hosted the officials at social parties and gatherings, acting as citizen diplomats to forge communication between the two countries. Their diplomacy is credited with helping end the war and contributing to Roosevelt receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906.

The Careys owned Carey Cottage well into the 1950s. In 1957, new owners Chet and Billie Noel reconfigured the home’s bedrooms into apartments and enclosed part of the original open porch at the western end of the house. SPNHF received the property in 2000; after Billie Noel, who continued to live on the property, died, Carey Cottage served as a land base for Cornell University’s Shoals Marine Laboratory for 10 years. After the lab relocated in 2016, the cottage stood unoccupied.

Before: The dining room, with its raised, linen-fold paneling protected during the work.

After: Repurposed as a meeting space, this room retains its original millwork features while providing concealed and code-compliant life safety and mechanical improvements.

Restoration Begins

Chinburg Properties was general contractor on the project and brought in JSA Design of Portsmouth as architects. Tracy Kozak, formerly of JSA and founder of ARCove Architects in Portsmouth, was lead architect (and a member of the Portsmouth Advocates). Kozak and colleague Erin Doody carefully reviewed historic drawings and photographs of Carey Cottage to determine how to best to restore the home and create new living space on the second floor. “Rehabilitating the building and bringing it up to code is really where we spent most of our budget,” Kozak says. Design and construction focused on: reinforcing Carey Cottage’s structural integrity; repairing, weatherproofing and restoring the building envelope, creating safe ways to exit in an emergency; decreasing the building’s overall energy usage; installing new electrical, heating and air-conditioning systems; making the building accessible;

and installing new fire protection. Windows were restored rather than replaced, a cost-effective and historically accurate solution.

Though Creek Farm is a waterfront property, there was no water line in place, which was necessary for installing fire suppression systems. Installing a sprinkler system required installing a lengthy water line, connecting it to city services. “The home was on a well system, a quarter mile from the water main,” Kozak notes. “Once they got the line to the cottage, they discovered they had to work around solid ledge. So the connection is just outside the building.”

Another challenge was carefully concealing HVAC and electrical systems behind walls and ceilings to maintain the home’s historic features, especially in the Music Room. “The room has incredible craftsmanship,” says Kozak. “It’s the most important architectural space in the building.” The fresco over the Music

New Hampshire Preservation Alliance

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance was one of the historic preservation organizations recruited by The Portsmouth Advocates to advocate for Carey Cottage at Creek Farm. Founded in 1985, the Preservation Alliance helps communities and residents preserve and protect historic structures around New Hampshire. “We often work with local advocates who are trying to rescue or steward an older historic building,” says Executive Director Jennifer Goodman. The Preservation Alliance recognized GoodWork in 2021 with a Preservation Achievement Award for the rescue and adaptive use of Carey Cottage.

The Preservation Alliance hosts a number of programs and workshops—including its annual preservation conference happening on May 19 in Claremont—that are open to the general public and “help people doing preservation on the ground,” says Goodman. The organization’s preservation awards and Seven to Save, an annual list of New Hampshire properties worth preserving, draw attention to special places and landmarks. Recent initiatives include a research report completed in conjunction with similar historic preservation organizations in Maine, Vermont and New York about the status of preservation trades and employment.

Room fireplace as well as one on the sun porch were restored by local artisans; woodwork was preserved and wooden floors throughout the home were refinished. “Chinburg did a great job using concealed sprinkler heads and tucking ductwork away, so you don’t have soffits everywhere. It’s discreet,” says Kozak.

The original first-floor apartments were repurposed as office space for GoodWork as well as meeting and conference rooms with views over Sagamore Creek; smaller offices in the front of the building are occupied by six area nonprofit organizations. The Music Room, available now for community use, contains rollaway tables and chairs that can be tucked away for receptions and performances.

On the second floor, existing apartments were refreshed and reconfigured, with new kitchens and several featuring their original 1950s-era bathroom tile. “Each unit is unique in its own way,” says JSA’s Doody. “One looks out to the ocean, another has a deck overlooking Portsmouth Harbor, another has an original

Design with Distinction

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

for children. GoodWork, together with Chinburg Properties, provides property management. GoodWork CEO Molly Hodgson and COO Maria Sillari (who once lived in one of Carey Cottage’s apartments) are eager to show off Carey Cottage to visitors interested in hosting meetings and retreats at Creek Farm. “The privilege of working here isn’t lost on us,” Hodgson says. “When you walk through the building in the morning and look out at Sagamore Creek, there’s an incredible peace and solitude. We’re very lucky to work here.”

fireplace. They’re definitely not cookiecutter.” Operable windows allow for fresh air and natural day light throughout the building. Outside, a clock tower and its original pendulum clock, with goldcolored Roman numerals and a unique sun ray design, was repaired and restored by David Graf, a tower clock restorer from Kittery, Maine.

Combining Conservation and Historic Priorities

Restoration of Creek Farm was completed in 2020. A masterplan for the property’s landscape and gardening is in place. SPNHF operates a small education center on the property, open seasonally, and runs a summer camp with another area nonprofit, The Gundalow Company,

Carey Cottage at Creek Farm is positioned to continue contributing to the unique fabric of Portsmouth and the Seacoast. “It really is an example of marrying conservation priorities with local and historic priorities,” says Savage. NHH

RESOURCES

ARCove Architects • (603) 988-0042 • arcove.com

Chinburg Properties • (603) 868-5995 • chinburg.com

GoodWork • (603) 953-4709 • goodworkseacoast.org

JSA Design • (603) 436-2551 • jsainc.com

Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (603) 224-9945 • forestsociety.org

A Jewel Box Garden

A Penacook jewelry-maker’s garden is a tiny gem.

“I WOULD DO ANYTHING for this woman!” says Jack Shields about his wife, Jo. Together they have transformed the ho-hum landscaping of their 1850s home into a treasure trove of plants.

In the past, Jack worked for the EPA on public water systems and, before retiring, he headed up the Community Action home weatherization program. A former Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, he is a Jack-of-all-trades who loves a challenge. Jo is a mixed-metal artist who fashions jewelry from silver, copper, brass and recycled metals, often incorporating found objects into her creations. A juried craftsman, she sells her work online and in the League of NH Craftsmen stores and annual fair. Her love of nature and plants is evident in her work, and she looks to her garden for inspiration. Since she is a plant collector with an eye for the unusual, it is a jewel box rich in color and texture.

When they first met, Jack was her landlord. Both had a love of plants and they gardened together for a few years before tying the knot 17 years ago. Their first big project was to renovate the bare backyard, turning it into a restful oasis with cozy seating, artwork and lots of plants. “There was only a sparse lawn and some lemon lilies and irises,” explains Jo. “We potted up everything we wanted to save and peeled up the grass. Then Jack rented a Bobcat, laid out the walkways, and dug a hole for a pond. He really is amazing!” she says. “We were working on the garden when he proposed!”

The pond is three-and-a-half-feet deep—just below the frost line—and a pump keeps the ice open in winter. The three-for-a-dollar feeder fish they

BY ROBIN SWEETSER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN W. HESSION

bought are now 17 years old and huge! A spray bar along one side of the six-footby-eight-foot pond adds a soothing sound to the garden while oxygenating the water for the fish. Radiating out from the pond and nearby seating area are pathways that make all parts of the 50-foot square lot accessible. The metal-edged beds are planted to the hilt with an abundant collection of small trees, shrubs and perennials. A stroll along the paths leads to many surprises, and Jo’s choice of plants and their placement make the garden seem much larger than it really is.

Spring ephemerals including blood root, pink rue anemones, hellebores, blue and white jeffersonia and Jack-in-thepulpit start the season. Many of them go dormant in the summer, making room for other plants, such as the unique shredded umbrella plant (Syneilesis aconitifolia). When it emerges, the fuzzy white leaves look like a folded umbrella. As the season goes on, it opens up its finely cut green foliage, which truly does resemble a tattered umbrella. The leaves of Mukdenia

rossii, “Crimson Fans,” also go through a surprising transformation, staying green only until its tiny white flowers fade, then slowly turning a rich burgundy. Contrasting with the spiky green leaves of a daylily, the burgundy-edged fans really stand out.

“Texture is what I think about most,” says Jo. Epimediums thrive in the shade under the full moon Japanese maple. Variegated hostas, ligularia and soft pillows of golden hakonechloa grass brighten up other shady spots along with Japanese painted ferns and maidenhairs. “Ferns just go crazy here,” Jo says.

In so small a space, every plant must pull its weight, and there are no slackers in this garden. Even with the emphasis on texture, there are plenty of flowers. From globe thistles, foxgloves, deep purple phlox, poppies, alliums and tall filipendula to an abundance of daylilies, there is a steady flow of blossoms among the greenery. Interesting seedpods also catch Jo’s eye. An early-blooming forest peony has delicate white flowers in

See Jo’s Jewelry at the Fair

The League of NH Craftsmen will hold their Annual Craftsmen’s Fair August 5-13 this summer at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury. This is the 90th year for the popular crafts fair. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend! Following them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news. Email with questions: nhleague@ nhcrafts.org or call 603-224-3375, ext. 0, during HQ business hours, Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Gardens Galore!

New Castle, the smallest town in the state, is celebrating its 400th anniversary in big style with several events hosted by the Great Island Garden Club. Following April’s Daffodils 400 Bloom, with more than 8,000 bulbs planted throughout town, The Secret Gardens of New Castle on June 16 and 17 is a unique opportunity to wander the charming streets of the historic district and be welcomed into 11 oases tucked in behind stately historic homes. On this self-guided tour, each location will have garden club members on hand to provide information about the garden’s history and what’s growing in it. The New Castle Historical Society museum will be open during tour hours for those wishing to learn more about the town. Festivities continue throughout the summer with a living history demonstration, traditional barn dance and the town’s biggest July 4th parade ever! For more information, visit greatislandgardenclub.org. Purchase tickets online at portsmouthnhtickets.com, starting May 1.

GARDEN R x

spring that last only a few days, but its bright indigo and red seedpods are quite dramatic in fall. Belamcanda has small lily-like flowers, but its shiny, blackberrylike seed clusters will stand in the garden until heavy snow knocks them down.

Since space is limited, Jo looks for dwarf shrubs such as the narrow bloodtwig dogwood “Compressa” that stays about four feet tall. There are many fine-needled dwarf evergreens, two blueberry bushes, a 20-year-old red witches broom azalea, blue hydrangea, flowering dogwood with lime green variegated foliage, and a callicarpa that bears neon purple berries. An espaliered pear tree grows next to the house, accompanied by several clematis vines, and a climbing hydrangea is making its way up one of the back corners.

Like many house-bound folks during the early part of the pandemic, the Shields wanted to have a vegetable garden but the backyard was too shady. Instead they looked up—way up—to the roof over their shed where they had a small deck. “It gets sun all day long,” Jack says. They started with one long,

STRAWBERY BANKE MUSEUM History Happened Here

Experience New England life in the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood.

Tour historic houses on original sites, meet engaging costumed roleplayers, watch traditional crafts demonstrations, and explore historical gardens and landscapes.

Open daily May 1-October 31

Featured Exhibit 2023: Portsmouth Possessions: Objects that Shaped the City Plus!

Year-round events. Seasonal tours. Outdoor ice-skating December-February.

Portsmouth Possessions

OBJECTS THAT SHAPED THE CITY

In celebration of the City of Portsmouth's 400th anniversary, Strawbery Banke presents a new exhibit for the 2023 season.

Objects on view include those featured in the book "Portsmouth NH in 101 objects," and furniture, textiles, portraits, samplers, and objects relating to the local industries. The exhibit is included with general

waist-high raised bed. To get the soil and other supplies up there without traipsing through the house, Jack devised a hoist system similar to a lobster boat’s davit that lifts heavy and unwieldy items with ease. They were able to grow all their favorites, including tomatoes, peppers, beans, carrots, cukes and squash. Unlike many people who started a vegetable garden during the pandemic, however, the Shields have kept theirs going, adding another bed last year to double their growing space. Jo starts their vegetable seedlings under lights in the basement,

happy to have plants to tend while outside the garden is still covered with snow. “I can’t wait to get my hands in the soil!” she says.

Like anyone who has been bitten by the gardening bug, Jo is constantly on the lookout for unusual plants to enhance their already full backyard. “When I look down on the garden from the roof deck, I can see where I need to add more color or greenery,” she says. Jack meanwhile has a new cedar fence to install, and they have plans to add onto the roof deck to make room for more raised beds. None

of this is what they consider to be work. “It is sheer joy!” Jack says, and Jo agrees. You can find her almost any time in the summer out in the garden, coffee in hand first thing in the morning or with a beer in the late afternoon. Jack appreciates all the meals they make from their roof-top veggies and enjoys the peace of just sitting in this gem of a garden they have created together. NHH

RESOURCES

ON LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, A NATURALISTIC MODERN HOME DISTILLS THE ESSENCE OF A BELOVED FAMILY CAMP.

This four-season lakeside retreat is navigated by a circulation network of elevated boardwalks, stairs, decks and a bridge. On approaching the entry, the building dynamically wraps around a glacial erratic.

BY BRION O’CONNOR

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHUCK CHOI

GLIMPSED FROM THE LAKE, this four-season camp nestled amid ancient boulders and tall trees nearly disappears into the landscape, its gray siding blending in with its surroundings. With a southfacing shoreline that provides 180-degree views, its minimalist structures are connected to the surrounding landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows. The wood, steel and glass construction, built only three years ago, is so in tune with its wooded setting that it’s hard to believe the home—known as the “Elevated Camp”—hasn’t always been there.

“The property has a fascinating history,” says the homeowner. “It had been enjoyed as a rustic camp by the previous family across four generations.

“It was remarkably well built in the 1940s, and expanded in the 1960—with running water—and was a ‘camp’ in the best New England sense of the word,” he says. “It had lots of quirks and character, built on piles, often on boulders, and held in place with hand-poured concrete, which gave it the appearance of almost floating above the ground.”

The homeowners—a couple with three children, aged 15, 13 and 11—bought the property in 2017, and “wanted to live in the old camp for a year before doing anything,” he says.

The camp had plenty of personality, and a slew of bunk beds and other furnishings, but no heat, no insulation, an ancient electrical system and only rudimentary plumbing.

“Making memories with the kids was the primary purpose for even considering a lake house,” says the homeowner. “In 2018, we asked our architect for ideas to preserve it while expanding it with a much more modern aesthetic, but that juxtaposition was a bridge too far.

“In the end, we saved as much of the character as we could, incorporating the oversized rafters into the new construction as benches, desks and shelving, retaining design concepts and colors, and framing some old charts and

The nexus of the house, the family room has southern panoramic views of the lake. A neutral interior palette, including a board-plank floating hearth and a board-plank fireplace, defers to the colors in nature outside.

photos,” he says. “We even refinished an original hand-painted ‘No trespassing’ sign.”

That architect, Tom Murdough, owner and principal of Murdough Design in Concord, Massachusetts, says the homeowners brought in his firm “for our aesthetic and design philosophy.”

The overarching goal, he says, was “prioritizing and strengthening the connections between buildings to the natural landscape and the natural site. We were very aligned on these objectives for the project.”

“The single-story camp was elevated on piers, allowing one to see under the building to the lake, giving it a sense of hovering over the land,” says Murdough, noting the previous owner was

an engineer. “It also had a very efficient plan, massing and a clear sense of construction—not to mention many inventive design details within the camp. Many of these features gave us clues to the final design of the new house.”

Once the decision was made to replace the existing camp, the homeowners, Murdough and project manager Rob Potish now had a blank slate. The next task was to create a design

that was able to capture the essence and atmosphere of the original camp while providing a bevy of modern amenities.

The homeowners and Murdough worked together on a final design for a main home and guesthouse, totaling 3,115 square feet, which could be used as a year-round residence for the family of five, and welcoming friends and extended family.

“The new camp is, of course, quite different, but many ele-

ments and loads of inspiration were gained from the original,” says the homeowner. “Our vision was to create a place to bring family together—bedrooms are small, while communal areas are larger—and then invite everyone outside, with lots of glass, porches and ceilings that extend to the outdoors. It does that remarkably well.”

The design called for a primary suite, which overlooks the

lake, and two bunkrooms (which share a bath) in the main house, and a separate suite connected by a boardwalk. The main house also has a mudroom, office, kitchen, laundry, pantry, roof deck, living room and two porches, one of which is screened in. The finished product is a striking lakeside retreat, combining a 2,733-square-foot residence and a 382-square-foot guest cabin.

“To us, the primary attraction of the place is the nature that surrounds it,” says the homeowner. “We enjoy a south-facing and a west-facing shoreline, and 23 acres of woods to explore, contiguous with some gorgeous public lands.”

According to Murdough, the house was conceived as an arrangement of private and semi-private spaces—bedrooms, bathrooms, office, support spaces—grouped as solid “blocks.”

Those blocks are arranged to frame the shared open space of the kitchen, dining room and living space. This “common room,” he says, serves as the nexus of the house.

The emphasis on common areas underscores the importance of gatherings with family and friends, says the homeowner.

“I once spoke with the matriarch of a large family; she spoke of the ‘gravity’ their family camp had, even as her children and then grandchildren grew up and left home,” he says. “Those childhood memories brought them back for family reunions, or just time at the lake. It’s only been a few years, but I can already feel that gravity at our camp, and each year it’s stronger.”

Though the lot meanders across almost two dozen acres, the mature trees and protruding boulders made for another challenge, says general contractor James DePaolo Jr., owner of Denali Construction in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

“As I began the project, we had a site visit and the owner was very concerned about taking trees down and wanted to save as many as possible,” says DePaolo. “It was very difficult to not be able to clear cut and have a lot of room for the heavy machinery, but we were able to accomplish that.”

An elevated, galvanized steel boardwalk linking the guest suite to the main residence is one of the homeowner’s favorite features of the property.

The buildings, linked via an elevated boardwalk, were built on the same spot as the previous cabin, allowing the new design to utilize the grandfathered footprint required by local regulations and limiting the number of mature trees that needed to be removed.

“I am very happy with the finished product, with the way the building strikes a dynamic gesture in dialogue with the landscape, wrapping around the large glacial erratic and bending to the shoreline’s edge while hovering above the landscape, touching the land lightly,” says Murdough. “We were able to preserve the forested condition of the site as well as the integrity of the lake’s shoreline, minimizing the visual impact of the house on the lake.

“I love that the house feels like it belongs to the site, the way it sits between the natural features and ties them all together to be enjoyed from inside and outside the house,” he says.

Special features abound throughout the camp, but “one of my favorites is the bridge between the roof deck on the main house and the one on the guest suite,” says the homeowner. “It’s whimsical and fun, and it also frames some beautiful sight lines.”

Below:

the

The home, and its design, shine during every month of the year. No air conditioning was installed, and the building uses code-exceeding insulation, radiant floor heating and passive cooling strategies that include cross ventilation, tree shading and use of ceiling fans.

“I love that in each New England season, there’s a different favorite part of the house,” says the homeowner. “Coffee on the screen porch in the early spring. Yoga on the roof deck on summer mornings. Beers around the campfire in the fall, and a puzzle or some guitar-picking by the fireplace while the snow flies. It never gets boring.”

A creative design, however, can sometimes be difficult to put into practice. In addition to nimbly working in tight spaces, DePaolo says his “goals were to accomplish the design and intricate details such as steel finishes, board-plank floating hearth, board-plank fireplaces, and the galvanized bridge leading to the guest house.”

“These were extremely challenging finishes that I could have only done with my team and other skilled individuals,” says DePaolo. “Given the frame and steel requirements, I can only give credit to my crew of skilled carpenters to have accomplished such a difficult project.”

All three principals—homeowner, architect and builder— agreed that the project required a high level of collaboration.

“My wife and I are both fairly opinionated, but our design aesthetics are similar, and Tom allowed us enough rope to have a lot of fun, and never enough to hang ourselves,” says the homeowner. “Whenever my wife and I couldn’t agree, he would mediate—typically with a better solution—and whenever he saw us about to make a mistake, he’d gently course correct.

“Tom and the team at Murdough Design were spectacular,” he says. “There’s the art of it, the engineering, project management, client education and management. We simply can’t say enough good things about the process and their expertise and support throughout. The house will always be as much his as it is ours.”

Mulling what advice he might give others planning a similar project, the homeowner suggests finding “an architect that ‘gets you,’ and a builder that cares deeply about both the vision and his craft. Of course, you also have to love their work, but it’s so important that you get along well with them.

“There will be issues and surprises. But the quality of the humans involved will determine whether those surprises are manageable, or stressful, or opportunities. With Tom and Jim, there were always opportunities.”

“On a project as big as a house, I expected to have some regrets,” says the homeowner. “But I can’t think of a single one.” NHH

RESOURCES

Murdough Design • (978) 341-4100 • murdoughdesign.com

Denali Construction • (617) 694-4555 • builtbydenali.com

SISTER ACT

a

CONCEIVED BY TWO SIBLINGS WITH ONE SHARED VISION, THIS ENERGY-EFFICIENT LAKESIDE CAMP OFFERS SIMPLE BUT MODERN AMENITIES FOR MULTIGENERATIONAL

GATHERINGS

ALL YEAR LONG.

AS THE LEGEND GOES, their grandfather won the property in a poker game. On it, he built an unassuming cabin using salvaged doors and windows and lumber milled from trees felled by the Great Hurricane of 1938. “He owned a hotel on Lake Sunapee and brought hotel guests to the lake for the camp experience,” recalls granddaughter Loren. “We grew up going there our whole lives, having picnics, canoeing, swimming,” adds Loren’s sister, Dana.

Set on the shores of an isolated pond in New Hampshire’s Lake Sunapee region, the camp came alive every summer with children, grandchildren and guests. For anyone lucky enough to visit, it was a happy place in the mountains— private, peaceful and serene, yet full of life.

Over time, camp ownership transferred to all family members, including Loren, Dana and their cousins. As the family grew, so did the camp’s popularity, resulting in crowded summer weeks. A solution to this situation arrived in the form of a “For Sale” sign on a neighboring property, noticed by Dana’s husband while canoeing on the pond.

“We thought it would be the perfect overflow space,” Loren recalls, adding that when they purchased it in 2015, the parcel’s amenities were few—besides the beautiful setting. “It was a postage stamp of land with a tiny cottage, compostable toilet and no running water,” she remembers.

Their first inclination was to fix it up DIY-style but soon discovered the bones weren’t strong enough to warrant an upgrade. In addition, since the cabin rests on a ledge of rock, installing a septic system wasn’t feasible. At this point, the two sisters realized the project was more complex than they had originally thought.

As previous business partners—they operated Viewpoint Gallery in Newport, Rhode Island

together for 24 years—Loren and Dana were confident in their ability to collaborate on a new build as a unified team. “We had put in so much effort already; we decided to commit to developing a year-round home for our own expanding families,” says Dana.

Step one in their camp construction journey involved purchasing an 80-acre parcel set behind the lakeside property that would accommodate their septic system and leave the rest of the acreage preserved as open land. Step two involved researching architects, a process that led them to Jessica Cook, AIA, principal of Eagle Pond Studio.

“We connected with Jessica right away,” says Dana. “We saw pictures of her own house and really liked its design and her take on simplicity.”

“Her ability to pull nature inside made us feel completely comfortable with her in the lead,” adds Loren.

They envisioned a camp, similar to their grandfather’s, but with plumbing, heating and a fully outfitted kitchen. They requested a simple, clean design, without a lot of furniture, rugs or clutter. They also didn’t want a house that was overly large: “This lake is so precious to us. We didn’t want our construction to impact its natural beauty in any way,” says Dana.

From the beginning, Cook worked diligently to maintain the look and feel of a classic New Hampshire camp while creating a four-season, energy-efficient retreat. She also had to contend with both shoreland and wetlands restrictions. “We would have been limited to the existing footprint if we had stayed within 50 feet of shore,” explains the architect. “Building just behind that setback meant we had fewer limitations for the lot.”

After a couple of iterations, Cook and her clients settled on a modest lakefront presentation

BY JENNIFER SPERRY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN W. HESSION

with a tall central gable flanked by low rooflines on either side. In the center, an open-concept kitchen and living room arrangement overlooks the water through large sliding glass doors. On either side, the dining room and screened porch have doors leading to the pond.

“When you’re sitting in the living room, with those big doors open fully, it feels just like being outside,” says Loren.

A central feature of their grandfather’s camp was an old fireplace built with local stone. Similarly, the sisters wanted a large, central, masonry chimney, and Cook delivered a two-sided design, with a wood stove facing the living room and an open hearth facing the porch. “The dry stacked stone masonry has the modern look the clients wanted.”

The project’s builder, Old Hampshire Designs, handled all aspects of the construction, from the timber frame to the wood finishes. “Luckily, we didn’t have to remove much ledge,” says

project manager Bill Andrews, adding that the remote site presented certain access challenges, but the view made it all worthwhile.

Bill Demers, also a project manager at Old Hampshire Designs, applied Eastern white pine tongue-and-groove boards to walls and ceilings in every room. “We only used three pieces of sheet rock in the whole project,” notes Demers. For the floors, they installed natural ash. “I had to find something to complement the pine, and I think the two grain patterns work well together,” relates Cook.

A whitewash coat—applied to both walls and floors—not only lightened the boards but also prevents against yellowing over time. The predominance of wood on the interior evokes the feel of an old timber cabin, but the whitewash sealer and the knot-free lumber lend sophistication to the rustic theme.

At the heart of the layout is the kitchen, where painted cabinets are a contrast to the warm pine. Constructed by Pepi Guggenberger,

a Vermont-based cabinetmaker, the doors feature random-width vertical boards supported by a Z frame behind. “This cabinet style feels more camp-like than traditional stile-and-rail cabinets,” notes the architect.

Maximizing as much available space as possible, Cook tucked the coffee area underneath the stair. Loren and Dana surprised their architect—pleasantly so—with some of their material choices, specifically the pale gray paint for the cabinets and the white quartz for the countertops. These selections make the kitchen feel bright and welcoming.

Behind the kitchen is a multipurpose room, where Cook combined the functions of a mudroom, pantry and laundry area. “A typical home would have three separate rooms dedicated to these uses,” explains the architect. “It took a lot of sketching and diagramming to fit all of this programming into a modest 8-by-14-foot space.”

Capable of sleeping up to 12 people, the camp has three bedrooms. One, on the ground floor behind the dining room with a cathedral ceiling, overlooks the woods. Another on the second floor—dubbed “the observatory”— enjoys panoramic views from within the central gable. Its multi-slide Marvin window achieves an expansive opening, with a custom metal guardrail for safety. “When that window is fully open, it feels like you are floating on the lake,” describes Cook.

Tucked into the gable’s peak is an attic bunkroom, where Old Hampshire Designs installed six custom-built beds. Each has a niche for books and USB outlets for charging electronics.

Jay Aubertin of J.A. Metalcraft executed the camp’s custom metal work, including the staircase balustrade, railings for the screen porch, guardrails for the upper window, and a metal cordwood rack that also supports the front porch roof. His clients, no strangers to craft, appreciated his talent and artistic eye.

To withstand the mountain elements and New England’s long winters, Cook sourced prefinished fiberglass and aluminum windows and doors with triple glazing. On either side of the fireplace, large glass pivot-hinged doors, custom-made in Maine, close off the porch, creating a weather-proof seal. During the summer

Opposite page: Gray painted cabinets and white quartz countertops keep the kitchen feeling light and airy. Using every available square inch, Cook tucked a handy coffee station underneath the stairs.

Left: A combination laundry/pantry/ mudroom.

Below: White-washed natural ash flooring complements the pine interior paneling.

months, these doors remain open, allowing for easy circulation.

Under Cook’s supervision, all exterior material selections had to be durable, low maintenance and energy efficient. The siding is ipe, left untreated to weather over time. The builder applied this siding using a rain screen technique: “Clips hold the boards off a waterproof membrane, leaving space for the wood to expand from moisture and contract when dry,” says Old Hampshire Designs President Jay Tucker. Meanwhile, the galvalume steel roof is “one of the greenest choices out there,” he says. “The coated steel is extremely long-lasting.”

Making only a modest stamp on their beloved woods was an easy choice for the sisters, who gravitated naturally toward sustainable building practices. At the outset, they insisted the property’s existing camp be salvaged. “It seemed wasteful to tear it down,” says Dana. It was challenging, but the builder moved it to their large parcel for use as a storage shed.

Now that the project is complete, Loren and Dana are making memories with their children and grandchildren, doing much the same activities they loved as kids. Their days at camp involve swimming, fishing, kayaking, relaxing and cooking big family dinners.

And thanks to their forward-thinking decision to invest in a year-round structure, the fun doesn’t end when fall descends. “We are now getting to know the lake in winter,” points out Loren, “and we’ve even bought snowmobiles.” NHH

RESOURCES

Eagle Pond Studio Architects • (603) 456-8553 eaglepondstudio.com

J.A. Metalcraft • jametalcraft.com

Old Hampshire Designs, Inc. • (603) 526-6945 oldhampshiredesigns.com

SIMPLY OUTSTANDING

MEET OUR JUDGES

2O23

Each year, the Home Design Awards acknowledge the incredible range of talent in the Granite State. For 10 years, New Hampshire Home has highlighted and celebrated these exceptional architects, builders and designers, tasking the judges with the challenge of selecting the winners from an incredible pool of submissions. The winners were announced on April 20 at the presentation ceremony at The Factory on Willow in Manchester. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a project for consideration. Your work continues to inspire us!

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN : MODERN

• Founder & Principal • Andreozzi Architecture • Barrington, R.I. Andreozzi Architecture specializes in historically based residential architecture expressive of its sense of place, attentive to its detail and proportion, and timeless in its beauty. David has served as president of the New England Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, and as national chair of CRAN, the AIA’s Custom Residential Architects Network. In addition, he spearheaded CRANtv, an internet-based series of viral videos that educate the public on the importance of good design and the role of the architect.

• Founding Principal • Dan Gordon Landscape Architects • Wellesley, Mass. Dan Gordon Landscape Architects is an award-winning landscape architecture firm known for creating beautiful outdoor spaces that humanize and inspire. Dan’s work has been widely recognized, including awards from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. In 2017, Dan was inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame. He currently serves on the board of the New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and is an adjunct professor at UMASS Amherst.

Watson • Founder & Interior Designer • Taste Design Inc. • Newport, R.I. Patti Watson founded Taste Design Inc. in 2004. With an extensive background in creative marketing and business development, Patti is a leader in the design community. Taste has completed hundreds of new construction and renovation projects, to which Patti and her team bring design clarity and leadership. The result is a positive experience for all contributors and, most importantly, a home that provides respite and restores balance for their clients.

THESE DISTINGUISHED PROJECTS AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO CREATED THEM WERE RECOGNIZED AT THE TENTH ANNUAL NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME DESIGN AWARDS IN APRIL. WINNER: Elevated Camp • Murdough Design • Concord, Massachusetts

This four-season lakeside retreat, composed of a 2,733-square-foot residence and a 382-square-foot guest cabin linked by an elevated boardwalk, is conceived as an arrangement of spaces grouped as solid blocks, which are arranged to frame and hold the common, open family room—the nexus of the house. On approaching the entry, the building dynamically wraps around the glacial erratic, framing the family room and creating an aperture with views beyond toward the lake. The camp, navigated via a circulation network of elevated

(978) 341-4100

boardwalks, stairs, decks and a bridge, has a restrained and muted material palette. The concrete and steel exterior visually recedes into the landscape of textured gray tree trunks and weathered boulders. Exterior materials carry through to the interior at critical transitions, blurring the interior and exterior boundaries. Inside, the neutral palette complements the colors of foliage, water and sky. Overall, the building strikes a dynamic gesture in dialogue with the landscape, touching the land lightly, and embracing

intimate interiors where the family can convene and enjoy the views.

What the judges said: Clean, elegant and restrained. Unlike the international style known for its void of connectivity to culture and context, this project celebrates modernity with design elements and materials that respect and honor its site, culture and vernacular.

Read the full story about this spectacular home on page 54.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN : TRADITIONAL

WINNER: Big Grey Rock

Bonin Architects & Associates

New London and Meredith (603) 526-6200 • boninarchitects.com

Big Grey Rock, aptly named for the abundance of exposed granite ledge dominating the landscape, exemplifies environmental sensitivity, enhancement of the natural elements, and use of native and natural materials. Seventy feet above the water, the home offers predominantly southerly views stretching across the lake’s length, offering an ever-changing seasonal backdrop from sunrise to sunset. The highly crafted home balances small-scale use and sufficient space for large family gatherings. The entry court paved with reclaimed granite slabs establishes a sense of scale, maturity and endurance before you even step foot inside the house. The millwork, generous use of wood and natural palette of materials anchor the home in the rugged landscape. Various outdoor spaces extend the living space beyond the home’s walls: The western side of the residence features an outdoor kitchen adjacent to the screened porch; the screen porch also has a deck above adjacent to second-story bedroom balconies; the southern side has a cascading pathway.

What the judges said: Handcrafted and rich in thoughtful details, this home strikes a balance between whimsy and opulence. We appreciate the location of the round room on the unique site, taking full advantage of the lake views.

INTERIOR DESIGN : SPECIALTY/SMALL SPACE

WINNER: Crestview Path • Home Comfort • Center Harbor • (603) 253-6660 • homecomfortnh.com

A large dining table sits between two large sliding doors that open up to a generous porch and this stunning wet bar, which makes the area perfect for hosting guests. A wine cooler and paneled mini-fridge store beverages conveniently. Two large cabinets that flank open shelves provide an abundance of storage for glassware. An apron sink is wrapped in the same beautifully veined

INTERIOR DESIGN : HOME OFFICE

soapstone as the counters, and a textured, blue barnwood makes a standout backsplash. The entire space used to be the kitchen, but a rearrangement of the main floor created a new dining area and room for a bar, both of which help make this home a great space for entertaining.

WINNER: Sunapee Sunsets Home Glow Design • Hopkinton (603) 892-4612 • homeglowdesign.com

The wife’s office was created to be a serene jewel box within the home. Working with just under 100 square feet, Home Glow Design was able to pull out all the stops with the custom forest mural wallpaper, completely enveloping the room. Floating rift-sawn oak open shelves allow storage without interrupting the scenic flow. To maximize work space without impeding the beautiful corner window configuration designed by Bonin Architects, a custom desk was built to fit the small space. Per the wife’s request, room for hanging files and a hidden printer tray were incorporated and hidden behind the beautiful reeded front. A custom daybed in an updated silhouette and upholstered in textural goldenrod and ivory fabrics is the perfect place for a quick power nap. Understated natural fiber roller shades and a woven wool rug support the ambiance of serenity.

INTERIOR DESIGN : LIVING SPACE

INTERIOR DESIGN : PRIMARY SUITE/BEDROOM

The clients wanted a respite from their busy lives; a spa-inspired suite was the solution. Set against a palette of light and dark greige tones, rich walnut brown and polished nickel accents, an oversized horizontal channel-tufted Vanguard velvet bed sets the stage for luxury. New custom-stained beams that match the newly stained floor provide polish and structure. By extending an awkwardly angled wall, a new sitting area was defined and is outfitted with custom-painted cabinets, a new sofa, a steer hide rug, a tufted ottoman and family artwork. A polished nickel chandelier with gray cheetah shades adds elegance, as do

WINNER: Feast Your Eyes

Heather Nadeau Interior Design • Exeter (603) 770-3631 • heathernadeauinteriors.com

You wouldn’t want to miss a meal gathered in this stunning dining room! The beautiful architectural beams soaring high above the long table are complemented by a pair of sparkling, oversized chandeliers hanging from the rafters— a perfect combination of rustic and elegant. In the center of the room, the table comfortably accommodates 12 or more family members and friends. Generous windows allow natural light to flood in and play up the room-flanking dark gray custom cabinetry, topped by a quartz-like Dekton countertop that’s both showstopping and extremely durable. Finally, because no dining room is complete without a beverage center, there is an under-counter beverage fridge, ice maker and a handy sink. Despite the regal design of this dining room, it still feels warm and cozy. Once guests are done feasting, they can spill over into the newly designed living room.

What the judges said: A truly unified design with an immense design presence. We imagine family dinners and special occasions in this highfunctioning and well-appointed dining hall.

new linen drapery panels with Schumacher trim. The bathroom floor’s graphic intensity was carried into the nine-foot-tall steam shower with double rain shower heads, where river rock adornment on both the shower floor and ceiling adds a welcome spa-like effect. New custom walnut cabinetry with polished nickel hardware offers warmth and balance, and a soaking tub at the window constitutes the ultimate in relaxation. As a final flourish, this stunning suite has a custom closet replete with beautiful soft-greige cabinetry and Stark Studio animal print carpeting, also in greige.

INTERIOR DESIGN : WHOLE HOUSE

SMALL HOME DESIGN

WINNER: Nane Blohm 1900s Barn nidu Studio

Peterborough • (914) 552-5379 nidustudio.com

A 1900s barn with a sound structure and beautiful surroundings was repurposed to be a home away from home for a family that is scattered across the globe from Seattle to London. Conceived as a nest where they can reconnect and recharge, the home has a first floor divided into two main areas: the social section, with ample space to spend time together comfortably, and a private section for bedrooms that offer peace and quiet. The second floor, added to serve as a loft, comprises a home office, a meditation room and reading corners. Decorated in an alpine-modern style, the home is appointed with the family’s collection of art and furniture from former residences. The home, filled with original wooden finishes and details, reminds the family of where they came from.

What the judges said: A cohesive and consistent expression, born of one parti and magically executed. The interiors are beautifully composed with an exquisite art collection. The marriage of modern and historic fabric is wonderful!

WINNER:

The client’s primary home sits on a small lakeside lot with parking for only three cars. With children being married and grandchildren arriving, room for the growing three-generation family and a quiet place away from the din of lakeside living were sorely needed. The program, on a lot nearby, was to design a garage for seasonal storage of boats and cars, with a two-bedroom guest quarters above. The new barn-style structure has five bays for cars and storage, a workshop and a full bathroom, all on the first floor. The second floor comprises

two bedrooms, two baths and ample living space—1,900 square feet in all. The open-plan kitchen, living, dining and bar areas sit beneath a timber-framed cathedral ceiling, with the heavy timber and use of exposed steel representing a nod to the general functional aspect of the home. An adjacent covered deck offers views of the nearby brook. In this new multifunction structure, guests and family can relax comfortably above the practical storage and workspaces and join the activities lakeside at any time, only a short drive away.

KITCHEN DESIGN : CONTEMPORARY

This condo, nestled into the hillside of Loon Mountain and surrounded by trees and ski trails, provides a relaxing yet highly functional space for a family of five to spend their weekends. The kitchen cabinetry perfectly blends warm and rustic with clean, modern lines. The frameless constructed cabinets are made using Nature+, a material sometimes referred to as “Technical Veneer,” which is a thermo-structured surface that has a beautiful wood-like realism and texture. Each component has a decorative surface that is heat-pressed at high pressure over a dense particle-board panel. This durable melamine surface is easy to maintain and allows the cabinetry to hold its beauty for years to come. The clean modern lines of the frameless cabinetry balance perfectly with the warm wood-like surface as well as with the black Nature+ material on the bar and island cabinetry and the black fixtures, including the hardware.

KITCHEN DESIGN : TRADITIONAL

WINNER: Fresh Urban Living PKsurroundings

Fine Kitchens & Interiors Portsmouth • (603) 817-6347 pksurroundings.com

A young couple wanted to update their dark and dated kitchen to reflect their fresh, modern style; they wanted it to be practical for their two young kids but also feel stylish and sophisticated for entertaining. To keep the space bright, light but durable rift-cut white oak was selected for the cabinet bases, and a pale warm gray paint was used on the upper cabinets. Stoneguard Countertop Protection Film protects the desired marble, making it more family friendly. Brass tones add warmth and shine, and black accents add a touch of drama and contrast to the soft color palette and also complement the stone surrounding the fireplace. Storage consists of deep, easy-to-reach drawers and interior-lit pantry cabinets with rollout shelves that flank the refrigerator. A beverage and wine bar area offers additional refrigeration as well as storage. Other features include a Lemans magic corner cabinet, appliance garage, pot filler and island prep sink. A furniture-like piece abuts the island for a casual feeling. Lighting selections complement the fresh, new look and accessories add a natural vibe. It is a welcoming room for all ages.

What the judges said: The material palette is well edited and sophisticated, yet calm and restrained.

KITCHEN DESIGN : TRANSITIONAL

WINNER: Cove Light

TMS Architects & Interiors

Portsmouth • (603) 436-4274 tms-architects.com

Turquoise glass and brass pendant lights from Derek Marshall set the tone for the materials, colors and patterns in this kitchen, where blue, green and amber glass tile behind the range mimics light bouncing off the water visible through large windows. A gorgeous marble was selected for the island countertop to coordinate with the soft yellow paint on the island base. The cabinet hardware, plumbing fixtures and island leg ferrules are each shades of brass to match the lights. Storage in the island is maximized using mainly drawers to keep knives, cutting boards and appliances off the counter, while a hutch-like cabinet displays everyday plates and bowls. The perimeter cabinets are a warm white with coordinating quartz counters. A pocket door leads into the pantry, which has a second sink for coffee service, a beverage center, a toaster and other small appliances. The backsplash tile is a small-scale shell mosaic with a uniquely colored Jerusalem Gold Limestone tile flooring. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets store dry goods, platters, vases and paper goods. A touch of yellow was applied to the v-groove ceiling in the pantry to tie it all back to the kitchen island.

What the judges said: The choices of open shelves, natural materials and water colors blend together in this pretty, high-functioning kitchen.

GREEN DESIGN : ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME

As recent empty-nesters, the clients were ready to downsize with a glassy new residence on 3.2 acres of picturesque marshland. The sweeping views came with the requirement for significant setbacks from the wetlands, leaving a small buildable area just down from the street. The siting naturally accommodated the clients’ primary goals of netzero performance and preserving the beauty of the property. The primary living spaces follow an east-west axis, granting southern exposure to the long, marsh-facing façade. Floor-to-ceiling tilt-turn

windows unfold along the back elevation, letting occupants soak in the scenery while their home soaks up passive solar heat. Triple-glazed windows and doors mitigate heat loss during the winter, while an exterior aluminum trellis provides just enough shade to prevent overheating in warmer months. Non-toxic cellulose super-insulates both of the home’s wall assemblies. The interior climate is moderated by multiple air source heat pumps, two energy-recovery ventilators, and electric radiant heat in heavily trafficked zones. Despite the energy

GREEN DESIGN : NET-ZERO READY HOME

kaplanthompson.com

demands of its advanced HVAC system, a 14 KW rooftop photovoltaic array generates a surplus of electricity for the home. As their neighbors are subject to significant increases in utility costs, our clients are receiving monthly paybacks from their electric company.

What the judges said: True love! We applaud the commitment to the environment while still celebrating great design that connects to this family’s love of nature.

Despite some unique challenges, the client’s ambitious vision of a contemporary, sustainable new residence in a densely populated downtown Portsmouth neighborhood was brought to life. The gabled structure, a nod to the neighborhood’s aesthetic, is modernized with high contrasting color, shape and scale. Horizontal, white, lowmaintenance siding joins wide, black, vertical paneling and trim—all with extended warranties to guarantee long life spans. Everything is powered by on-site renewable energy, generated by a roofmounted solar array and concealed components. A vehicle charging station sits smartly in the driveway. Complementing the environmentally conscious exterior, a healthy, attractive interior environment is achieved using high-performance ventilation and eco-friendly materials. The efficient, highly insulated envelope reduces heating costs in the winter and cooling in the summer. A glasswindowed stairwell, contemporary minimalistic metalwork and other creative solutions create a pleasing flow, open living and lots of natural

light. Outside, multilevel decks and a spacious patio further enhance the home. The solar panels, a pandemic-related replacement to more powerful panels the team originally chose, generate just under the required amount to make it fully net-zero.

What the judges said: This project demonstrates an immense respect for the neighborhood and proves that great design can be achieved responsibly and on a budget. It stands as a positive role model for all.

HISTORIC RENOVATION

REMODELING/RENOVATION DESIGN

WINNER: Downtown Federal

TMS Architects & Interiors

Portsmouth • (603) 436-4274 • tmsarchitects.com

Originally destined to be a smaller-scale renovation, as the design progressed and construction started, it was decided to gut the interior of the Portsmouth building down to the original brick walls, which dated to 1817. Awkward layouts and non-stacking stairs that did not make efficient use of the already small footprint were among the challenges. An existing stairway was widened to be more of a grand design detailed with an open balustrade up all three floors with skirt inlays and a beautiful sweeping wood railing. The five existing fireplaces were reworked using gas inserts, and uniquely designed surrounds were added to each one using period detailing. The construction details throughout the home were meticulously thought through for a cohesive historic design using color schemes, furniture and antique lighting. A putty trim color is used throughout the main spaces along with a grass cloth wallpaper, while narrow white oak floorboards received a darker brown oil finish. Older-style mortise locks were used for all the interior doors to incorporate beehive-style solid brass, chrome-finish doorknobs.

What the judges said: Lovingly restored and with beautiful details, this is a celebration of our rich history and a textbook case of architectural stewardship.

Read about this Portsmouth historic renovation in the January/February 2023 issue of New Hampshire Home magazine.

WINNER: 1812 Plank House • Randall T.

The client wanted to revive a family-owned Cape-style house that had been neglected over time. Its personal significance to the owner influenced the decision to retain the primary structure—a combination of heavy timber floors and roof supported by plank walls—and design it to conform with contemporary residential code requirements. After moving the house to a spot on the property where there was better sunlight and significant views, a new, insulated exterior over the entire existing structure was created, including new wall and roof insulation and custom-made, true divided lite, insulated windows. The frame and plank walls were retained as finished features on the interior. Since the original central chimney and fireplaces had been removed, a classic center chimney and three

fireplaces to define the primary living spaces were introduced on the ground floor, which has floor boards salvaged from the original house. The Cape’s upper level consists of two bedrooms and two bathrooms. New mechanical systems were included throughout the project. The main house connects to an ell, which includes a primary bedroom suite, a study and other support functions. A barn and an equipment shed were built on the site of the original house.

What the judges said: A beautifully conceived and crafted renovation story. Traditionally inspired details and materials sit harmoniously next to the house’s original fabric. This home will stand proud for the next 100 years thanks to the loving restoration and caretaking by its owners.

OUTDOOR DESIGN : OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

WINNER: Historic New Boston Farmhouse • Pellettieri Associates, Inc. • Warner • (603) 456-3678 • pellettieriassoc.com

Respecting the rural setting of the colonial-style home built in 1991, careful consideration was given to mature tree preservation, extended views from the house, and newly incorporated features such as stone walls to maintain the farmhouse feeling of the property. The comprehensive design plan incorporates walkways, retaining walls and a large patio, along with a seasonal driveway for easy summer access to the porte-cochère. A strong diversity of plantings, including native ground covers, flowering annuals and perennials, evergreen and deciduous

shrubs, and ornamental trees, provides a rich experience for the senses as one walks the property. Blocky granite retaining walls frame a wide, terraced walkway with granite steps and Chester stone landings that lead to the improved, formal front-entry door. The client, an avid gardener and owner of a small antiques business, incorporated her own statues, sculptures, arbors, fountains and other accent pieces, which add a great deal of character and depth to the landscape. The focal point of the patio features a custom-designed,

gas-powered fire table, which, when not in use, can be transformed into a simple stone coffee table. What the judges said: The marriage between the designer and client is evident throughout the picturesque setting, with wonderful vignettes appointed throughout the natural landscape.

Read about this spectacular outdoor design project in the March/April 2023 issue of New Hampshire Home magazine.

OUTDOOR DESIGN : LANDSCAPE

The program for this home perched on the side of a mountain focused on maintaining and accentuating its panoramic views, creating an interactive landscape for gardening and outdoor hobbies, and maintaining accessibility to site features that allow for inclusivity for their entire family. Grade naturally falls away from the rear of the house, allowing the primary patio space to be sunken below the screen

porch and lower level of the home, keeping views unobstructed from the inside. The custom-built potting shed, complete with a sedum-covered green roof, sits lower yet to maintain a free and open view from the patio, ipe deck and hot tub. Selections of low-growing garden plants further strengthen the goal. With gardening as a hobby for the homeowners, elements like the green-roofed potting shed

OUTDOOR DESIGN : GARDEN DESIGN

and cedar-fenced vegetable garden were necessities. Site plantings are heavy with perennial flowers with staggered bloom times, such as rudbeckia, echinacea and salvia, which are great for cut-flower arrangements routinely brought into the house. Hardscaped ramps descend through the landscape to the central patio, fire-pit area and deck, allowing access to the hot tub.

WINNER: Shiprock

McDermott Landscape Design

Portsmouth • (603) 531-8001 mcdermottlandscapedesign.com

The landscape plan created for this newly constructed home includes an inviting front walkway with hydrangeas and boxwoods against the house and perennial swaths to add color. The deer-resistant plants provide a succession of blooms throughout the season. Moving away from the house, the plantings become more natural to blend into the woodland setting. Native trees such as white fringe tree and dogwood provide scale and balance to the more established trees that surround the backdrop of this home. Other native shrubs, such as sweetspire and ostrich fern were incorporated into the boulders on the right side of the home, closer to the woods. Near the home and driveway side, yarrow, catnip and hakone grass provide bright swaths of yellows and purples, a color scheme continued by the plantings along the back walkway and patio. Hakone grass, lady’s mantle, salvia, Russian sage and the use of vertical boxwoods as a green wall separate the space. In contrast, perennials such as pink astilbe and shastas add mid-summer color. As you round the back corner, a statue from the homeowner’s collection provides a serene moment against a backdrop of knockout roses.

BATH DESIGN

WINNER: Lake Winnipisaukee Retreat • Whitten Architects • Whitten Architects • Portland, Maine • (207) 774-0111 • whittenarchitects.com

A young and active family of four based in Boston desired a lakefront summer home that could serve as a seasonal retreat from the city. Their home is a place for their family to make memories together and host friends. With a busy and active home, the clients wanted their bedroom ensuite bath to be a private and quiet sanctuary with connection to sunlight and nature. With eastern exposure, the corner window

UP AND COMING TALENT (UNDER 40)

gathers morning light and affords views of the lake from the soaking tub. The space is made visually quiet by using a limited number of complementary materials. The wood ceiling provides a warm color and adds a natural texture. Interior designer Kelly Healy selected finishes, fixtures and millwork in harmony with the client’s vision for a calming environment.

What the judges said: Zen-like in its simple appointment and detail, this bath feels like a hidden treehouse. The natural ceiling over the bath and fluted vanity provide the right dose of warmth and detail to the solitude of the design parti.

WINNER: Lauren Milligan • Owner and Designer, Lauren Milligan Design • Gilford • 603-556-7330 • laurenmilligandesign.com

Nominator Sarah Powers said: Lauren is incredibly hardworking, thoughtful and committed. She is dedicated to working closely with homeowners to create individual spaces that reflect their personality and designs beautiful, timeless spaces for clients to enjoy for years to come. She has

poured years of hard work into her business, with a broad clientele base that champions her accomplishments, and she continues to grow each year. As a mother of three, Lauren is involved in the community and is eager to see the Lakes Region grow and evolve.

What the judges said: We appreciate Lauren’s ability to enhance a home’s architectural assets with layered interiors. Her work embraces different styles in interesting, well-done compositions. She has a bright future, and we look forward to seeing more!

H AL L of FAME

2023

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.

2023 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: TRADITIONAL, 2023 SMALL HOME DESIGN, AND 2023 OUTDOOR DESIGN LANDSCAPE

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.

2023 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE IN INTERIOR DESIGN: PRIMARY SUITE/BEDROOM

Boehm Graham Interior Design

BEDFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE (617) 692-0400 • boehmgrahamdesign.com

Busy clients were searching for a respite, a spa-like retreat where they can recharge. Greige, a grayish beige, provides a calming, neutral palette. A horizontaltufted velvet bed takes center stage, while the wallpapered wall behind it and custom linen draperies celebrate the calm hues and create a cocoon-like effect. Rich brownstained hardwood floors replace a tired carpet. New stained ceiling beams provide warmth and a visual link to the floor, and also create a rectangle overhead where a polished nickel chandelier dazzles with patterned shades. The effect complements the luxurious linens on the bed, which sits on a textural transitional rug, anchoring the room. Striking walnut nightstands, dresser and TV piece

have beautiful ferrule feet, and bulbous lamps with drum shades elegantly flank the bed. A once awkwardly angled wall is squared up to allow for a functional seating area complete with sofa, tufted ottoman, custom painted cabinetry and a steerhide rug. The sun pouring in the window makes this the perfect spot for the homeowner’s beloved morning yoga. Here, peace is found.

2022 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE IN REMODELING: RENOVATION DESIGN

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.

2023 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE IN KITCHEN DESIGN: CONTEMPORARY

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.

2023 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE IN INTERIOR DESIGN: LIVING SPACE

Heather Nadeau Interior Design

EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

(603) 770-3631 • heathernadeauinteriordesign.com

Making the decision to update a space and to invest in your home isn’t one to be taken lightly. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming—no matter how big or small the project is. For 10 years, Heather Nadeau Interior Designs has been designing distinctive, yet functional spaces throughout the Seacoast of New Hampshire, Southern Maine and the North Shore of Massachusetts. Every home can be beautiful, functional and extraordinary. By incorporating thoughtful arrangements of existing pieces, careful new selections, color, patterns, fabrics, lighting and design, HNID creates a space that is innovative, functional and layered with details. This dining room design is nothing short of spectacular with beautiful architectural beams soaring high above the long table, perfectly juxtaposed by two oversized sparkling chandeliers hanging from the rafters. The perfect mix of

rustic elegance. Centered in the middle of the room is a long table with room enough for 12 or more family and friends to sit comfortably and break bread with my extraordinary clients. While the table and architecture are their own showstoppers, you can’t help but notice the banks of custom cabinetry flanking the room. The banks of windows above the cabinetry allow for plenty of natural light and complement the dark grey cabinetry. And the Dekton countertop is as show stopping as it is durable. And finally, because no dining room is complete without a beverage center, we added an under-counter beverage fridge, ice maker and a handy sink to the design. Despite the grandiose design of this dining room, it still feels warm and cozy.

2023 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE

INTERIOR DESIGN: WHOLE HOUSE

nidu studio

PETERBOROUGH, NEW HAMPSHIRE (914) 552-5379 • nidustudio.com

At nidu, our goal is to weave together the threads of your life into one unique and beautiful fabric, your own personal space. The nidu method, a holistic approach to design developed by interior designer and therapist Nane Blohm, looks to incorporate the space, the context and the individual into a unique interior. Aesthetics and purpose are brought into harmony to honor your story and help you connect with what is essential to your well-being. For this project, an old barn was repurposed to be a home away from home for a family that is scattered across the globe. The first floor is divided into two main areas: one social with ample space to spend time together comfortably, and one private with bedrooms and quiet spaces. A second floor was added to accommodate an office, a small gym and a meditation room. The home is decorated in an alpine modern style with artworks and furniture that tell the story of a cosmopolitan family with strong roots.

2023 WINNER OF EXCELLENCE IN INTERIOR DESIGN: SPECIALTY/ SMALL SPACE

Home Comfort

CENTER HARBOR, NEW HAMPSHIRE (603) 253-6660 • homecomfortnh.com

Acustom apron sink is wrapped in the same beautifully veined soapstone as the counters and a textured blue barnwood makes a standout backsplash. While using a monotone color palette, this design utilizes different textures, materials and shades to make a bold impact in a small space. This unique wet bar ensures this dining area is perfect for hosting. We will guide you to make functional designs based on how you use your space; this small dining area used to be the kitchen, but a redesign of the main floor created a new dining area with enough space for a bar to help make this home a great spot for entertaining and hosting family. For over 20 years, our award-winning team of experienced designers has been available for everything from design consultations to project design, direction and project management. We special-

ize in high-end, full-scale design, from selecting the architectural details to furnishing and styling. A fabric library, flooring, furniture, area rugs, accessories and lighting can all be found at our 7,000-square-foot showroom in the heart of the Lakes Region in Center Harbor. Let Home Comfort’s premier interior designers help you make your house your dream home.

2023 EXCELLENCE IN OUTDOOR DESIGN: OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

Pellettieri Associates WARNER, NEW HAMPSHIRE (888) 826-2275 • pellettieriassoc.com

Pellettieri Associates is a New England–based design/ build firm with 40 years of experience, providing skilled, creative and comprehensive landscape services to clients throughout the region. From site assessments and master planning to plant selection and hardscape installations, we produce enduring environments for discerning clients and exceptional residential, commercial and institutional properties.

We transformed the arrival experience of this originally built 1991 farmhouse by framing the wide, terraced granite step walkway with blocky granite retaining walls. The formal entry is surrounded by colorful plantings, including perennials, shrubs, ornamental trees and ground covers, creating a vibrant and rich medley for the senses. Owners of the home and on-site antique shop—Tea Stains—say, “The final orchestrated piece was the ultimate visual prize.” Other highlights of this project include linear stone walls, reclaimed granite pavers, and a con-

necting cobblestone summer drive leading to the portecochère. These elements work together, grounding the home to the property.

Celebrating our 40th year in all facets of landscape architecture, we are proud to be one of the most highly qualified design/build firms in New England. What sets Pellettieri apart is our innovative and passionate team of employees who create award-winning landscapes focused on natural and sustainable solutions. Helping your property fit into its natural surroundings, we take cues from nature and implement unique, stylized concepts tailored to each client’s needs. We believe the art of outdoor living should remain rooted in nature’s intentions.

Events AROUND THE STATE

MAY 5-6

40th Annual NH Farm, Forest & Garden Expo

This family-friendly event features a variety of engaging exhibitors, agriculture experts, educational workshops and demonstrations of interest to homeowners, hobby-farmers and industry members alike. Deerfield Fairgrounds, 32 Stage Rd., Deerfield. (603) 851-8624; nhfarmandforestexpo.org

MAY 6

21st Annual Benefit by the Sea

Support the good work being done to break the cycle of homelessness on the Seacoast by Cross Roads House while enjoying a wonderful evening with likeminded individuals. This gala is a vital part of securing the necessary funds to continue providing shelter and life-changing services for the homeless in the Granite State. Wentworth by the Sea, 588 Wentworth Rd., New Castle. (603) 436-2218; crossroadshouse.org

MAY 7

Paws for Compassion Brunch

This fundraiser for Pope Memorial SPCA of ConcordMerrimack County features a delicious brunch, silent auction and social time with adoptable pets. Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Ave., Concord. (603) 856-8756; popememorialspca.org

MAY 8

NHBCA 39th Annual Arts Awards Gala

Save the date for the 39th annual gala event, where attendees join together in celebrating art and community. The New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts educates, motivates and recognizes business support of and participation in the arts. They also advocate for the value of the arts in economic, social and community development, and facilitate people and projects that enhance engagement in the arts. DoubleTree by Hilton, 700 Elm St., Manchester. nhbca.com > New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.

MAY 13

Amherst Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

At the Amherst Garden Club’s flagship event, the organization sells more than 2,000 potted perennials each year, dug by hand from gardens in and around Amherst. Wilkins School, 80 Boston Post Rd., Amherst. amherstgardenclub.org

MAY 17

Bedrock Gardens 2023 Seasons Opens

This emerging public garden integrates unusual botanical specimens and unique sculpture into an inspiring landscape journey. The 37-acre site is transitioning from a historic farm and private garden to a public oasis of art, horticulture and inspiration. The Boston Globe described it as “one of the most beautiful and intriguing landscapes in New Hampshire.” 19 High Rd., Lee. (603) 659-2993; bedrockgardens.org

JUNE

22

Best of NH Party

Join us for an elegant, tented party at Flagg Hill Winery in Lee to celebrate all the best the Granite State has to offer. There will be food, drink, art, culture and great entertainment. Tickets are $68 – $98. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Flag Hill Winery, 297 North River Road, Lee; nhmagazine.com/best-of-nh

MAY 20

Exeter Arts & Music Festival

There’s no shortage of Seacoast-area festivals on the calendar this summer, but you can get a head start on the season with this fest from Town.Exeter.Arts.Music. This party is especially impressive with attractions like a rockclimbing wall, an ecovillage and sets from hip local musicians to supplement the standard arts festival fare. Swasey Parkway, Exeter. (603) 512-8396; teamexeter.com

MAY 28

Memorial Day Weekend

Fireworks Show at Hampton Beach

Bring a blanket and the whole family to kick off summer with this incredible fireworks display. 9:30 p.m., Hampton Beach, 115 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach. (603) 926-8717; hamptonbeach.org

JUNE 3

Chowder Festival

Seacoast restaurants will serve up their delicious chowder recipes to compete for Best Chowder honors and the Golden Ladle. Entertainment will be provided by WOKQ and there will be other entertainment provided on the Wilcox Industries main stage all day. Prices vary. Beginning at 11 :30 a.m., Prescott Park Arts Festival, Portsmouth. (603) 436-2848; prescottpark.org

JUNE 10

Market Square Day

Downtown Portsmouth will be bustling with thousands of people who will enjoy a full day of food, craft vendors, live entertainment and local artists. Kick off the day by running (or walking) the 10K road race through the streets lined with festive booths and cheering crowds. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Market Square, Congress Street, Portsmouth. (603) 433-4398

JUNE 10-19

Juneteenth Celebration

The Black Heritage Trail of NH will hold a week-long Juneteenth celebration that will encompass the theme “Reading the Bones: Celebrating the African Diaspora.” Reading the bones is both an ancient and modern form of divination found in all civilizations. The celebration will include programs, exhibits and musical entertainment. Blackheritagetrailnh.org

JUNE 16-17

The Secret Gardens of New Castle Garden Tour

In celebration of the town’s 400th anniversary, the Great Island Garden Club is hosting a self-guided walking tour of special gardens in New Castle. This is a unique opportunity to wander the charming streets of the historic district and be welcomed into garden oases secreted behind the historic homes. The New Castle Historical Society museum and New Castle Congregational Church will be open during tour hours. greatislandgardenclub.org

JUNE 23-24

Portsmouth Pocket Gardens

The city’s annual pocket garden tours include 11 gardens in the Goddwin Park neighborhood, along with the gardens at the historic John Paul Jones House and Rundlet-May House. 292 State St., Portsmouth. (603) 380-4849 southchurch-uu.org

JUNE 25

Nashua Pride Festival

Join members of the local LGBTQIA community to celebrate Nashua Pride. Parade starts at 2 p.m. from the Elm Street School. The festival is a FREE celebration of diversity, acceptance, music and fun focused on promoting equality and inclusion of all people. Visit Nashua Pride Festival Facebook page for full schedule of events and activities.

KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

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 Rd., North Hampton (603) 964-1771 • accentonkitchens.com

FLOORING

Ponders Hollow Custom Wood Flooring

As a fourth-generation, family-run sawmill, Ponders Hollow is fortunate to provide some of the finest timber in the world. The diverse grains and colors of New England trees make it the ideal flooring option for any household. Every project is special; that’s why we use state-of-the-art machinery and hand-grading to tailor each board to your specifications.

16 Ponders Hollow Rd., Westfield, MA • (413) 562-8730 pondershollow.com

OUTDOOR LIVING

Soake Pools

Create a spa-like experience in your own backyard. We manufacture four-season, luxury plunge pools designed to be warm in winter, cool in summer and small enough to fit almost any backyard space. Soake Pools are made in New Hampshire, and delivered tiled and ready for your finishing touches. Small pools, big benefits. Order now to install this season!

Pembroke • (603) 749-0665 • soakepools.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

SPECIALTY WOOD PRODUCTS

Ponders Hollow Custom Millwork

Whether you’d like to call attention to the architectural details of your room or create a crisp contrast of styles, Ponders Hollow provides a vast array of handcrafted custom millwork. We offer countless traditional and contemporary designs in numerous wood species to fit the needs of any finishing wood project.

16 Ponders Hollow Rd., Westfield, MA • (413) 562-8730 pondershollow.com

A SMART MARKETING INVESTMENT

There’s No Place Like HOME

to reach New Hampshire’s most desirable, affluent audience of homeowners who invest in their properties. We target highly qaulified consumers who are looking for ideas on how to improve their living space inside and out.

Ready to advertise with us?

For advertising opportunities, contact Jessica Schooley at jessicas@yankeepub.com (603) 345-2752 • nnhomemagazine.com

You Are What You Design

A FEW WEEKS AGO, my wife said to me, “I think I’d like some sunlight in my office.”

I’ve been married long enough to know that this simple proclamation signaled a major space and design change in our basement, and that I should likely set aside two to three weeks to make it happen. I was right.

Understanding the full scope of what happened and why takes more explanation than I have column length here, so suffice it to say that we each had our own “office” in our basement. Mine was designed like a library, complete with a reading nook for Little Bean and built shelf by shelf as a pandemic project. My wife’s office was designed as more of a guest bedroom, with a large set of closets and a major computer-work space.

The problem? My office had a window to the outside, and she wanted it. Since the sunlight has no draw for me, we set about rebuilding each of the rooms and, as you might expect, the project dominoed into a major basement redesign.

There were two differences this time from when we had originally moved into the house. First, we had the time and brain space to actually think about how the rooms should look and what their functions should be. It wasn’t just having bookcases. It became about having the proper, consistent bookcases. It wasn’t only about a window. It was about how that window would relate to the rest of the room. We were able to be deliberate.

put it, is our forever space.

And I’m not talking about anything as curious as modern design Feng Shui, though there is plenty of research to suggest that mental health and well-being

ated quite a disaster, but my daughter and her friends quickly took to the cave-like labyrinth like little Indiana Joneses exploring a new realm.

are connected to architecture and design. We are what we build, and what we build is us. We grow into spaces.

We spent days measuring and laying out and making sketches of what we needed, then headed down to IKEA to make sure the selections were perfect. The hours turned into days and days into weeks. There was furniture to build, walls and rugs to clean, spaces to downsize and plenty of boxes full of items to donate.

At one point, Little Bean gathered every single one of her stuffed animals into the center of a bare room and dove into the pile like an amusement park ball pit.

“Daddy,” she wanted to know, “can we just leave the room empty for dance parties?”

Eventually, our spaces returned to normal. My wife was able to open a shade in the morning as she sat at her desk and feel the sunlight on her skin. And my library became even more cavernous, the perfect setting for my volumes.

But the real judge, of course, would be our daughter.

The second difference was that Little Bean was old enough to be more involved. I spent days building her little reading nook, but she barely used it because she preferred being near other people, and the library room didn’t offer her that option. So we were finally able, as a family, to really dig in to a space that meant something to all of us; a space that, as my daughter often

Conversely, a built environment that is cluttered or difficult to navigate can lead to stress or even depression. At the very least, as is the case with my daughter, if you don’t feel at home in your space, then you’re not going to feel like it’s your home.

So, we set to work.

We hauled every piece of furniture, every book and rug, out into the main part of the basement. If it wasn’t bolted down, out it came. As you can imagine this cre-

I recall a moment a few weeks after the big redesign. It was a particularly cold and windy Saturday so a large group of Little Bean’s friends were over, playing in the basement. As any parent knows, when the children grow quiet, you investigate.

I discovered the children all splayed this way and that around the library. A couple were lying on the floor reading. One had settled into the big rocking chair. Another had created a small throne of cushions. They all looked up at me as I peeked my head in as though to suggest I was bothering their vibe. I quickly retreated. Design can work. Space can have meaning. Slowly, our house is becoming our home. NHH

BY DAN SZCZESNY | ILLUSTRATION BY CAROLYN VIBBERT