Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (0)

Home Sweet Home Sweet Home

May 31, 2009

From our fall 2008 issue of Design Today: designers Thomas Jayne, Amelia Handegan, Darryl Carter, Timothy Corrigan, Dan Andersen and Lorena Gaxiola discuss second homes. Article by Susan Dickenson.

DESIGNER: Thomas Jayne, Thomas Jayne Studio, New York

Jayne has completed numerous fellowships and internships at America’s most prestigious museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the J. Paul Getty Museum, Historic Deerfield, and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Smithsonian Institution. Jayne frequently lectures and has published several pieces on practical and historical decoration. He has been named to House Beautiful’s Top 125 Designers list and New York Magazine’s “The City’s 100 Best Architects and Decorators.”

Style: Anglo American comfort

Your second home ideal: A pied-à-terre in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Popular second home locales for your clients: Waterfronts on both coasts and islands are always most popular. We have clients with second homes everywhere from Jamaica to Hawaii.

Are most of your second home projects executed as designs for new or existing properties? Both, but our clients are very often drawn to historic properties.

What’s different about designing/decorating for primary residences vs. vacation homes? When we decorate first houses, the clients have lots of energy and perfectionist tendencies. Also, the formal and informal areas are more clearly designated. In second homes, the decoration is simpler, less formal, and expectations are more reasonable. Clients are more flexible -- partly because they have invested many of their original and best ideas in their main house so there is more leeway on the second. 

How important is low-maintenance? Energy efficiency? Technology? Spaces for entertaining? Use of green/sustainable products? Logically, low-maintenance becomes more important because the houses are more informal and relaxed. Also, maintaining another home takes lots of effort so everyone wants to simplify. People want houses they can use for a few months and weekends without too much fuss, and minimal work to open and close them for the season. Regardless of the scale of the house, everyone is considering energy efficiency, not only because of the price of oil, but simply the mood of the times. More interesting technologies for lighting and climate control are used to save resources rather than simply load up a house with flashy extras. One area where second homes compete with first homes is entertainment, especially houses in quasi-remote locations that are often equipped with good entertainment systems and generous kitchens -- it serves as an inducement to friends and family to make the trip to visit.

Do your clients spend more or less on second homes as compared to their primary residences? The budgets are not considerably different for the basics, though less formal things tend to be less expensive. There are fewer grand gestures such as one-of-a kind antiques, though art and collectibles have important places in second homes. 

Does old money decorate differently than new money? Old money comes to the table with family houses and inherited furnishings they tend to want to reuse. Like many people, they are sentimental and won't throw anything out. Is there anything like "old money" out there anymore? 

The most expensive item or installation you’ve been asked to do for a client’s second home: Our client bought a house in the middle of the desert in New Mexico and we decorated the library with antique Scottish paneling and two silver chandeliers. Despite these luxurious touches, the room felt like a comfortable oasis with generous upholstery and places to relax. Overall, the room fit in with the general mood of the house, that of a folly in the desert, not a pretentious castle in an isolated setting. 

What’s in? Comfort and texture is in, pretense is out. Fabrics and carpets that address that urge. Accent objects with bolder colors. Things 18th-century and rococo that contrast with beige, neutral backgrounds and add interest.

If you were invited to design a new line of furnishings for the second home market, what would your product line consist of? In general, any furniture line being developed now has to combine new and old in order to be successful and have an application in many types of houses. Decoration is all about blending ancient and modern to different degrees. More specifically, I think it would be interesting to work with metal and color -- so many interesting metal sculpture techniques have been developed that I think applying some of them to a line of outdoor furniture would be fun.

DESIGNER: Amelia Handegan, Amelia T. Handegan, Inc., Charleston, S.C.

For nearly 30 years, Amelia Handegan has been based out of Charleston, S.C., where she has had the privilege of working on many of Charleston’s nationally recognized historic homes. For the past eight years she has been named to House Beautiful’s 100 Best Designers in America list and more recently was included in the Robb Report’s 2007 Guide to the World’s Top 40 Interior Designers.

Style: Understated, unusual palettes, sophisticated

Your second home ideal: A rustic contemporary in Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island or a Tower Structure at the peak of White Point on Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
 
Popular second home locales for your clients: Kiawah Island, S.C.; Cashiers and Highlands, N.C.; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; Nova Scotia, Canada

Are most of your second home projects executed as designs for new or existing properties? About equal. We do a lot of renovation as well as new construction.

What’s different about designing/decorating for primary residences vs. vacation homes? The approach may be lower key, fabrics more durable and furnishings a little less serious, but fortunately good aesthetic reigns whether the interiors are buttoned up or relaxed.

How important is low-maintenance? Energy efficiency? Technology? Spaces for entertaining? Use of green/sustainable products? All of these are important -- especially when one has the chance, in new construction, to implement new technology and the use of green, sustainable products. Low-maintenance is important, but I have clients who also make this a priority for their primary home.

Do your clients spend more or less on second homes as compared to their primary residences? Clients want a level of design and comfort anywhere they live. They are usually willing to make a second home equal in good design to their primary home. Why not? After all it’s a place of retreat. It should be everything home is, and more.

Does old money decorate differently than new money? The issue is really whether a client and I have a common vision or not -- not new or old money. To approach a project with like minds and integrity is what’s important.

What’s in? My clients seem to want high-end simplicity. They are not intimidated about mixing contemporary with traditional or the use of color, things that seem to be part of the pared-down interior trend. They are gravitating toward paler colors with accents of stronger color. I think "in" is sometimes what clients don't want, or if they do it's in small doses. They may want a sparse look with updated colors but most still prefer ageless interiors. This encompasses both traditional and contemporary design.

If you were invited to design a new line of furnishings for the second home market, what would your product line consist of? My line would reflect the style of the interiors I create -- clean simple lines with a nod to the past. It would hopefully fill a gap for the things I have a hard time finding: tables, upholstery with unusual lines but not exaggerated, an outdoor furniture line that is simple, quirky and durable. Beds that are ultra-simple but when the right linens are added come alive, which brings me to what I’d like to add to my lines: a great textile collection, from the simplest textures in soft palettes to the most exotic designs in beautiful updated combinations of color.

DESIGNER: Timothy Corrigan, Los Angeles and Paris

Showcased in some of the world's most extraordinary properties, Timothy Corrigan's distinctive flair for interior design, architecture and restoration has earned him spots on Architectural Digest’s Top 100 International Architects and Interior Designers and the Robb Report's Top 40 Interior Designers in the World.

Style: Comfortable elegance

Your second home ideal: A big, old house in the French countryside that is both welcoming and comfortable.

Popular second home locales for your clients: In the last two years we have done second homes in such diverse locations as Malibu, Calif.; Lake Forest, Ill.; Seaside, Fla.; Paris; Deer Valley, Utah; and Cap Ferrat, France.

Are most of your second home projects executed as designs for new or existing properties? The majority of our projects have been with existing properties.

What’s different about designing/decorating for primary residences vs. vacation homes? The biggest difference is that people view their second home as a place to get away from the boring practicalities of everyday life. That translates into an even greater emphasis on comfort and a willingness to be a little more daring and fun in design choices. I love doing a second home for an existing client because I already know the way that they live, and we can make their second home an even greater extension of who they are and who they want to be.

How important is low-maintenance? Energy efficiency? Technology? Spaces for entertaining? Use of green/sustainable products? Neither low-maintenance nor energy efficiency have been major requests. Modern technology integrated into the home is a given on all of our projects. Even if a second home is in the jungles of Costa Rica they still want to have wireless Internet access and satellite television! Because I believe so much in the importance of taking care of our planet, we try to incorporate elements of green design whether our clients request it or not. Increasingly one does not have to sacrifice great design to be green.

Do your clients spend more or less on second homes as compared to their primary residences? When people are at their second home they want all the comforts that they have come to expect at home, and this is the place to really live, so they are willing to spend accordingly.

Does old money decorate differently than new money? We try to help all of our clients understand the importance of investing in high quality pieces that will sustain the test of time. Old money seems to already understand this. They are also less likely to choose the latest fad item because they understand that in a year or two it will look outdated and need to be replaced. Old money doesn’t want a home that looks like it has just been decorated; they want it to look like it has evolved over time and to reflect their personal interests and travels.

The most expensive item or installation you’ve been asked to do for a client’s second home: We were asked to replace all of the door hardware in an 8,000-sq.-ft. home with 24K gold-plated pieces. And because this was in a very chic 19th century Paris apartment, it didn’t seem vulgar or out of place.

What’s in? Comfort and color.

If you were invited to design a new line of furnishings for the second home market, what would your product line consist of? This really comes back to everything we strive for in all of the projects that we undertake: creating a world of comfortable elegance. Comfort is more than just how something feels to sit on. It is also the mind-set of knowing your furniture is made to last, durable and resistant to the daily rigors of kids, food and spilled drinks! No one wants to live in a space in which you are always worried about whether something will get stained or spotted. People want to be able to put their feet up on the coffee table and eat on the sofa and not worry about it. In a second home that becomes even more important. In our development of furniture we are addressing that need with materials and finishes that are sturdy without sacrificing beauty and elegance. We are currently in discussion with manufacturers in various categories about developing exactly that kind of line.

DESIGNER: Darryl Carter, Washington, D.C.

Darryl Carter is an attorney who left practice when his own home landed on the cover of Metropolitan Home. Thereafter, he received a number of would-be client inquiries which finally led him to open his own firm. Darryl has had a furniture collection with Neiman Marcus and currently has a collection at Thomasville, as well as Frontage and The Urban Electric Company, with others in the works. His book The New Traditional (Random House/ Clarkson Potter) has had a record reception.

Style: Modern, traditional, collected

Your second home ideal: The one that got away -- a mid-century concrete warehouse, former hydro-electric plant, buttressed by a cascading dam, surrounded by a multitude of grain silos in the remote Virginia countryside.

Popular second home locales for your clients: All places remote.

Are most of your second home projects executed as designs for new or existing properties? They generally tend to be renovations of historic properties.

What’s different about designing/decorating for primary residences vs. vacation homes? Commissions other than primary residences tend to be geared toward comfort. So, the vocabulary is always a fascinating departure from the principal home.

How important is low-maintenance? Energy efficiency? Technology? Spaces for entertaining? Use of green/sustainable products? As most of these commissions have been historic, the primary emphasis has been the use of reclaimed materials to respect the original architecture. This can often involve exhaustive hunts for just the right element, right down to the door knocker.

Do your clients spend more or less on second homes as compared to their primary residences? I think sometimes my clients are more passionate about their second homes given the intensity of their lifestyles. The retreat has great significance.

Does old money decorate differently than new money? I find that most of the clients who engage me have a very specific design sense.

What’s in? My clients tend toward quiet palettes and time-honored forms from the modern to the antique.

If you were invited to design a new line of furnishings for the second home market, what would your product line consist of? I would be consistent with my penchant for the eclectic mixture of things sensing old and new. I would probably be more creative with finishes and textiles that could support climate changes.

DESIGNER: Dan Andersen, D. Andersen Consulting, Lake Las Vegas, Nev.

D. Andersen Consulting of Nevada can design an atmosphere intimately customized to meet a client’s every need and desire. In 2001, Andersen moved to Los Angeles and cultivated an elite client list, instilling his design and construction magic on everything from home recording studios to yachts and condominiums.

Style: Elegant, efficient, revealing

Your second home ideal: A well-appointed cabin in the southern Rockies, near the tree line and flowing water. Isolation with Internet.

Popular second home locales for your clients: San Diego County, Calif.; Lake Las Vegas, Nev.; Nederland, Colo.

Are most of your second home projects executed as designs for new or existing properties? I primarily adapt existing properties to the needs and tastes of the client.

What’s different about designing/decorating for primary residences vs. vacation homes? Second homes tend to concentrate a lot of their living energy into shorter periods of habitation, compared to a primary residence where longer-term storage areas and larger closets are required. In a second home, more daring design choices seem tamed by their placement near the mountains or desert. While both design objectives are fulfilling, a well-crafted second home is a canvas upon which one creates a space that celebrates the freedom to entertain, while meeting all of the needs of a home away from home.

How important is low-maintenance? Energy efficiency? Technology? Spaces for entertaining? Use of green/sustainable products? The second home can become a liability when not maintained. Automation allows for control of the HVAC and pool from the Internet, giving the home systems time to adjust prior to the client’s arrival. Maximizing efficiency has included the use of synthetic lawns to eliminate watering, and using blinds to thermally screen the home when not in use. In a second home, a visit may not last long enough to get a broken appliance repaired before moving on. Regular maintenance, even when unoccupied, ensures that the home is always ready for guests. Crafting the precise mood and setting is imperative for a second home entertainment space. Ideally, these profoundly personal environments are unencumbered by the conventional, allowing detailed designs for elegant entertaining or intimate exchanges.

Do your clients spend more or less on second homes as compared to their primary residences? A second home is a reflection of the client in a new place. While their tastes aren’t likely to vary significantly, their comfort levels do broaden to include new concepts. Size becomes less of a focus as a more intimate and creative out-picturing of the client’s true heart’s desire is realized. When creating this personal retreat, the client may be somewhat less restrictive in terms of budget. Naturally the client’s principle intent with a second home is to effortlessly transport to a private space rich with uncompromising atmospheres.

Does old money decorate differently than new money? People have different tastes and appreciate different styles. Old money is just as likely to try new approaches as new money is likely to try looking old. It is the designer’s job to integrate their aesthetic with their space.

The most expensive item or installation you’ve been asked to do for a client’s second home: A 14-foot-tall chandelier for a stairwell. The piece is built from artisan glass petals, precision-cut and kiln-slumped, attached by articulated arms. This complements 11 panels of hand-etched frosted glass and nine panels of etched clear glass. The same artist created the balustrade design which features the same neo-renaissance acanthus pattern with saturated glass ornaments and trompe l’oleil effect. The four main columns of the house are Venetian plaster representations of the same theme. The artist, Jan Mondragon, was flown in from California to create a glass studio in Kansas to execute the work. The project took 18 months to complete.

What’s in? Simple elegance, craftsmanship, artisan creations, unique and functional. Typically, our clients aren’t looking outside themselves for “the new black,” rather they are desirous of an intimately customized lifestyle. They enjoy master baths at least as large as the master bedroom, adorned with Hans Grohe fixtures and clear, private outdoor views. They love the feel of custom handcrafted bedding with antique fabric, and Lutron home automation systems. We are creating more spaces that blend primary elements (water, glass, fire) to create an almost illusory, yet completely relaxing experience.

If you were invited to design a new line of furnishings for the second home market, what would your product line consist of? LED lighting effects. LEDs are just coming into the realm of usable, but no one has found the right implementation. Stair lighting, accent lighting, under-stone effects and other uses would help maintenance as well as efficiency.
 

DESIGNER: Lorena Gaxiola, Kuatro Design, San Diego, Calif.

Lorena Gaxiola co-founded Kuatro Design in 2000, taking on dual roles as vice president and creative director. In late 2003, Gaxiola became the sole proprietor of Kuatro, making her one of San Diego’s youngest Hispanic business owners. In March 2007, she launched a line of contemporary furniture called Kuatro Living at the Architectural Digest Show. Gaxiola’s cutting-edge design work has been recognized by both the American Society of Interior Designers and the Building Industry Association, both of which she is a member.

Style: Modern eclectic

Your second home ideal: A loft space with 20-foot ceilings in New York’s SoHo district.

Popular second home locales for your clients: Downtown San Diego; Sydney, Australia; and Italy.

Are most of your second home projects executed as designs for new or existing properties? Both

What’s different about designing/decorating for primary residences vs. vacation homes? The client typically tends to cut loose with their second home. The second home is always more modern and eccentric.

How important is low-maintenance? Energy efficiency? Technology? Spaces for entertaining? Use of green/sustainable products? In second homes, I have found that low-maintenance design is a high priority. Clients want to focus on enjoying their home while they’re there, not worrying about it when they’re not. The use of modern technology in kitchen and media spaces is crucial and we integrate as many indoor/outdoor spaces as we can, depending on the climate and location. Overall, we want to give our clients a design that is impressive and entertaining when they’re there, worry-free and efficient when they’re not.

Do your clients spend more or less on second homes as compared to their primary residences? Some want their second home to be very low maintenance, so the spaces are very open and minimal. Others want to showcase their fun, eccentric side, so the designs are always fresh and interesting from home to home.

Does old money decorate differently than new money? If this means taste level, then no, not really. Generally speaking, I find that old money lends itself toward finer quality things. They may decorate less but the quality of the item is much higher. New money is more conservative with cost per item, but they generally want more items. It’s more of an overall question of quality vs. quantity in my experience.

The most expensive item or installation you’ve been asked to do for a client’s second home: A custom designed 10-foot solid copper fireplace to be built in one piece for a luxury Craftsman residence in the San Diego wine country.

What’s in? Our clients come to Kuatro Design because of our cutting-edge designs. Our clients lean more toward modern and ultra-modern with sensitivity toward sustainability and integrating green designs.

If you were invited to design a new line of furnishings for the second home market, what would your product line consist of? Actually, we did just that. Based on feedback from our clients, I created a line of furnishings called Kuatro Living, an eclectic combination of wood and acrylic, which I was fortunate to debut at the 2007 Architectural Digest Show in New York. I love recreating traditional items with modern materials.

Posted by Staff on May 31, 2009 | Comments (0)