house & home - august 2015

Vol. 1 Iss. 3AUGUST 2015

“It’s a gem in this community...”Bolivar Mini-Mansion

LightFixtures

7 Painting Projects

Fall 2015 Décor

Kitchen Counter

Intelligence

AUGUST 20, 20152 House & HomeTHE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

House & Home is a must read for anyone in market for a home in the Twin Tiers

The three newspapers — the Olean Times Herald, The Bradford Era and The Salamanca Press — of Brad-ford Publishing Co. have combined their resources to produce a new special section, House & Home.

The intention of the edition is to make it a must-read for anyone who is in the market for a new home in the area — or even someone who is thinking of selling a home.

House & Home includes regular, locally produced features on interesting homes in the area — perhaps for their historic value or because of certain features — while the section is fi lled with information on remodeling, decorating and landscaping trends as well as the money matters behind buying and owning a home.

The section also includes numerous listings from area Realtors of homes for sale.

Homeowners who believe they have living spaces with enough character and features to be spotlighted in House & Home are encouraged to contact special sections coor-dinators Adam Vosler at (716) 372-3121 ext. 231 (email is [email protected]) or Alex Davis at (814) 362-6531 (email is [email protected]).

Jim EckstromExecutive Group Editor

3AUGUST 20, 2015House & Home THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

I f you’re looking to update your home decor this fall, you’ll fi nd new furniture profi les, accents and textures galore, in everything from rugs

to wall coverings to ceramics and bedding.The trend toward mixing things up continues, from rustic to contem-

porary with a dash of traditional.“What’s interesting is the warm breath of traditional style that infuses

the season’s midcentury infl uence: Furniture, textiles and accessories, no matter how sleek-lined, are warm, inviting and touchable,” says New York designer Elaine Griffi n.

Also coming on is the handmade or “collected” vibe.“Our desire for authenticity, as well as for fi nely crafted and small

production design, is resonating,” says Jackie Jordan, color marketing director for the paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams. “We want to know whose hands actually created the object we’re purchasing, and how and where the materials were sourced.”

Griffi n concurs: “This season, the handmade look reigns supreme, with highly-textured fabric weaves, wallpapers (faux bois, faux hand-painted murals, and multicolored and metallic-layered geometric prints) and appliquéd effects on upholstery.”

Expect more tabletop accent pieces and furniture labeled with place of origin and/or maker’s information, whether they were crafted in Indi-ana or India.

One new kid in town is Scandinavian style. Simple, clean lines, gentle colors and charming motifs make for a look that’s contemporary and accessible.

And the dark horse? With the popularity of midcentury modern, some designers are ready to move forward to a 1980s redux. Decora-tors have welcomed ‘60s- and ‘70s-era macramé, fl ame stitch, classic furniture and retro fabric prints. Will they also embrace Memphis style — the ‘80s design movement characterized by disparate geometric shapes

and contrasting colors? Griffi n thinks there’ll be more to this trend come spring.

COLORJordan sees a shift “to soft monochromatic palettes,” citing creamy

whites and mineral tones — gray, khaki, earth tones, and nature-inspired hues like spruce, smoke, pond and shell pink.

“The serenity of these colors provides a sense of calm to balance our hectic lifestyles, and celebrates natural materials, honed, soft and sheer fi nishes,” she says.

Stronger hues are in play, too. Griffi n sees last spring’s pale pastels evolving into deeper, Southwestern hues like terracotta, pale pumpkin, deep salmon, dusty rose citron, and smoky French and teal blues.

Look too for boozy, midcentury modern hues: brandy, burgundy, whiskey and merlot, as well as navy and olive.

MATERIALSAgain, it’s all about the mix. “For both furniture and accessories,

when it comes to fi nishes this fall, one is a lonely number,” Griffi n says. “The freshest looks combine at least two colors and materials, like black lacquer with metallic accents (especially brass and copper); white enamel with gleaming metallic, acrylic pieces in harvest hues; and industrial iron paired with chrome.”

Patinated and polished brass, marble, copper, steel and mirror clad everything from accent pieces to furniture. See West Elm, Wisteria and CB2 for examples.

While silver and chrome are big players, Michael Murphy, design and trends producer for Lamps Plus, says brass and gold will be espe-cially strong, especially in softer, burnished tones.

“These metals can be easily introduced in the home with a table

Fall 2015 décor is all about the mix

By Kim CookAssociated Press

Fall 2015 décorcontinues on page 4

Associated PressThis photo provided by West Elm shows a trim midcentury sofa that is available in one of this fall’s trending shades of deep blue. (West Elm via AP)


lamp, chandelier or distinct accessory like a large vase or unique table sculpture,” he says.

Jordan says the handmade look extends to metals: “We’re seeing materials hand-carved, forged and assembled. Imperfections and fl aws in materials like iron, wood, concrete and hand-woven wool only add to the character of the piece.”

One interesting place to see this trend is the bathroom: vintage-style, weathered-bronze and cast-iron fi xtures. Stone Forest introduced the Ore vessel sink, inspired by an antique steel pipe cap. The Industrial series, with a cast-iron sink, towel bar and paper holder, has an old-school fac-tory quality.

Interesting woods continue to make inroads in furniture, fl ooring and doors. Watch for acacia, walnut, birch, maple and beech, and fi nishes ranging from weatherworn to highly lacquered.

Pottery Barn’s new Bowry collection of tables and storage units uses reclaimed acacia, teak and mango hardwoods. The Warren pulley lamp’s rustic-fi nished iron and functioning pulleys make for a steam-punk-style fi xture.

Konekt designer Helena Sultan’s Pause chaise lounge perches a comfy upholstered seat on brass or chrome legs, in several fi nishes.

And saddle and butter-soft leathers are strong players in ottomans, director’s and club chairs, and benches.

The fl ip side is the proliferation of translucents like acrylic and glass, often combined with other materials.

“These materials are being combined with unique fabrics like fur to

create a clearly contemporary trend,” says Murphy. “We see this where the tops of settees, benches and stools are covered with a luxe fur and fabrics, and the legs are made from clear materials.”

Jonathan Adler has a Lucite etagere with polished brass joinery, and a burled wood desk on Lucite legs. Gus Modern’s acrylic end table is etched with a white grain pattern to look like a piece of timber.

PATTERN AND TEXTUREChannel quilting, in which stitching runs in one continuous line, is

another trend to watch for. The straight lines, even spacing, design detail and comfort all add to its appeal. “This is part of the continued resur-gence of Art Deco, which is synonymous with fl uid lines, bold shapes, lavish ornamentation and metallic fi nishes,” says Murphy.

Look for rattan and other woven fi bers in items beyond basketry, like wall art, bowls and ottomans.

Shags, nubby wools, Southwest-patterned fl at weaves and Impres-sionist-patterned Indian silks will be on the fl oor of rug departments this fall. West Elm has some graphic kilim rugs and pillows.

Geometrics and facets cover textiles, vases and mirror frames. Some have an organic quality — think beehives or reptile skin. But rendered in iron or wood, they can have an industrial vibe.

In wallpaper, look to Tempaper, Wolfum and Timorous Beasties for intriguing patterns ranging from ‘80s Southwest to Japanese archival prints to nature themes.


Bolivar mini-mansion is a legendary place�Owner attempting to get home on national registry

A sk anyone in Bolivar about the “mini mansion” at 84 Wellsville St., and you’re sure to get an earful about the well-known relic’s history

and appearance.Given its size — it’s three stories high and 3,660 square feet — the

1880s-built Victorian stands out among the modest-sized homes in the area.

Its multifaceted structure with Queen Anne-style characteristics such as the pointed roof perched on top, a bay window on the lower front and a couple of bay windows on second-story and a porch spans across half of the front of home also make it an eye-catching piece of real estate.

The mammoth-sized residence features four bedrooms, fi ve bath-rooms, a pair of living room spaces, a formal dining room with a fi re-place, an updated kitchen, an enclosed curved porch, hardwood fl oors throughout and detailed woodwork around each of the doorways. Most of the residence is decorated with period-style colors and lighting.

However, the giant structure didn’t always boast all of these unique features.

According to real estate history records, Erie Wilson purchased the home from David Cooper and his wife Margaret in 1890 for $2,000. At the time, the home was half the size with a square structure and a low hip room. A remodel between 1890 and 1910 added 20 feet to the front of the house and a curved porch.

Wilson also added electricity powered by a plant and gas engine in the cellar, making this residence the fi rst home in Bolivar to feature electric lighting.

The structure was then sold to S. Clair Cleveland in 1941 and ex-changed hands and served many purposes for decades afterward.

Dr. James F. Hoffman owned the home from 1948 to 1973 and then sold it to Dr. Ernest Allison, who set up his chiropractic offi ce in the downstairs portion.

Once Allison sold the home in 1979, Louis and Joyce Molisani, Igna-cio Gomez Jr. and Matthew and Pamela Perkins all had ownership of the home, a time during which it served as an apartment.

Sometime in the mid-1990s, a fi re destroyed portions of the home, and it exchanged hands again. This time, the Allegany County Area Foundation purchased it and assisted the Bolivar-Richburg School Dis-trict with creating a program that would help rehab this and four other Bolivar-area homes.

In 2009, Bolivar-Richburg students renovated the charred structure to include the updated kitchen, a new fi re sprinkler system, radiant fl oor heating, new wiring and new plumbing.

Current owner Rob Brott, who purchased the home last summer, said he will continue restoration work to ensure the historic home remains a positive vision in the area.

He recently had the home’s exterior repainted a medium blue shade with white trim, replacing the chipping mint green with white trim that existed before, and he’s attempting to have the structure listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

“It’s a gem in this community, and I intend to have it recognized as such,” Brott said. “That’s one of the reasons I purchased the home. I recognized its rare charm.”

By Darlene M. DonohueSpecial to House & Home

Darlene M. Donohue/Olean Times HeraldThe home at 84 Wellsville St. in Bolivar is one of the oldest and most unique-looking homes in Allegany County.


L ook around Bradford, and you’ll notice plenty of housing rehabilita-tion work.Some of that work isn’t by private homeowners. Rather, that labor is

an effort by the Bradford city government.“The importance of this rehab work cannot be understated. This

maintenance and improvement of the housing stock is critical to the long-term viability of the community and any community and economic development activity or effort,” said Jeff Andrews, housing rehabilitation director and construction manager in the Offi ce of Economic and Com-munity Development. “Also the sustaining of the tax base is critical to the local, school and county to support the varied services they provide.”

In addition, rehab work improves quality of life for immediate neigh-bors and the community as a whole, he said.

“The city has been doing housing rehabilitation work for many years,” said Jeff Andrews. “The city invested $1,227,306 in the Elm Street Project Pride Neighborhood for owner-occupied rehabilitation from 2007 to 2014.”

Right now, the city has $500,000 in funding for the Second Ward Neighborhood project area, part of the Neighborhood Partnership Program and a commitment of Community Development Block Grant entitlement funds for homeowner rehab.

The city government and Neighborhood Partnership Program are

also offering facade improvement funds, too, Andrews said.At this time, there are six projects in the works in the Neighborhood

Partnership Program neighborhood, and others will be pursued as of-fi cials continue checking off the list of applicants.

“Applications are processed on a fi rst-come basis pending the avail-ability of funds,” Andrews said.

The rehab project process includes the owner applying for funding, verifying ownership and income eligibility, conducting an inspection for code issues, developing rehab specifi cations, bidding the project, moni-toring the work and closing out the project, he said.

“Any facade projects are for exterior improvements and are a match-ing grant with the owner participating for half the project costs,” Andrews said.

For the last nine years, city government has been focusing rehab work money on project areas in the city, per statement requirements, Andrews said.

“We had continued to do some scattered-site rehab work utilizing a program called R&R funding, although it has limited availability,” he said. “The homes are chosen from a list of applicants the OECD main-tains, and we proceed based on the owners’ qualifi cation for and the availability of funds.”

For more information, call the Offi ce of Economic and Community Development at (814) 368-7170.

By Alex DavisSpecial to House & Home

Several homes being improved in Bradford

BEFORE

AFTER

Our area’s dedicated realtors offer you many properties some

of which are highlighted in House & Home Spotlights.

Call an agent today.



Homeowners are often advised to keep the home neutral and avoid decorating with anything too bold or personal. But in order to make

a house your home, the decor should refl ect your personality and style. The good news is you don’t have to make permanent commitments. Paint is an easy and cost-effective way to infuse color and patterns that trans-form the aesthetic of a room or piece of furniture.

Regardless of whether you’re a masterful weekend warrior or fi rst-time do-it-yourselfer, paint projects don’t have to be time-intensive or overwhelming - a little paint and creativity can go a long way toward refreshing your space.

“The key to achieving professional-looking results is using the right tools,” said interior decorator Martin Amado. “That’s why I start all my painting projects by going to Lowe’s to pick up high-quality paint brush-es, a can of paint and 3M Safe Release Painter’s Tape with Advanced

Edge-Lock Paint Line Protector.”Amado suggests these painting projects you can accomplish with just

one can of paint: 1. Color block your furniture. Take the dining room from drab to fab

by painting the bottom halves of table legs and chairs in a bold, solid color. Change the look each season to impress guests on every occasion.

2. Invent your own artwork. Unleash your inner artist and create

7 Painting Projects for Weekend Warriors�Easy projects to tackle with just one can of paint

7 Painting Projectscontinues on page 14


unique designs on canvas or fi berboard. Use painter’s tape to make abstract designs and add your favorite paint color before fi nishing each piece with a decal or monogram.

3. Enhance your tired armoires. Play dress up with your furniture, and give armoire doors a makeover. Paint a colorful border around the front of the door and adhere adhesive hooks in the middle for a stylish, yet functional, new piece.

4. Skip store-bought photo frames. Instead of purchasing frames for your gallery wall, paint basic shapes directly on the wall. Mount artwork or photos onto the painted backdrops for a picture-perfect place to pre-serve your favorite memories.

5. Design a lavish headboard for less. Save money and instead splurge on style by painting a “frame” on the wall just above your bed. Rectangular shapes work best for most beds and you can get creative by trying patterns such as stripes, chevron and diamonds.

6. Install faux panel moulding. No moulding? No problem! Buy inexpensive frames and paint them the same color as your baseboard trim. Adhere the frames to the wall (without the backing and glass) for a simple, yet dramatic, look.

7. Make a statement (wall). Pick your favorite pattern trends and bring them to life on one wall of the living room or bedroom. If you’re not ready to take on patterns, bold and bright colors will do the trick.

For more tips to transform your rooms with paint, visit www.3MDIY.com.


Household objects, industrial cast-offs and vintage farm tools — all these and more are being salvaged and upcycled into lighting fi x-

tures that range from elegant to funky to pure wow.The trend is evident at eateries like Malai Marke, a stylish Indian

restaurant in New York City’s East Village, where light in the dining room glows from bulbs surrounded by green wine bottles arranged in a circle, empty but corked.

It can be seen on websites like Pinterest, where the “Upcycled Light-ing Obsession” board shows bulbs affi xed to old skateboards, the metal innards of a box spring, bird cages, teacups and an upside-down colan-der.

And it’s become a career for Robert Nicholas in Asheville, North Carolina, whose dramatic showpiece chandeliers made from all kinds of vintage objects sell for up to $6,000.

Nicholas’ materials range from the wooden roof of an old gazebo to tobacco stakes, which were used to harvest and dry tobacco leaves and are part of North Carolina’s agricultural history.

The gazebo-turned-chandelier is going to be a showpiece for a local brewery; the tobacco-stakes fi xture ended up in Miami. “You’re taking something that may feel more indigenous to a cabin in North Carolina and you’re putting it in a modern home in South Beach,” Nicholas said.

In fact, many of his fi xtures have an urban-chic sensibility despite their authentic rural roots, a style he’s dubbed “modern folk.”

Yet when it comes to an object’s original purpose, Nicholas said, “I don’t really care what it was, but I’m intrigued by what it was. It really is more about the aesthetic look of it and the potential of what it can become,” along with its potential for a “wow factor.”

His aesthetic has “a modern feel to it but there’s also a primitiveness to it,” he said. “The younger generation, they want the modern feel but they still want to be comfortable.”

His philosophy stems from “seeing value in things we were discard-ing.”

That’s similar to how Antonia Edwards, author of a book called “Up-cyclist: Reclaimed and Remade Furniture, Lighting and Interiors” (Prestel), defi nes upcycling: “You take something that is considered redundant and has no value and you are basically transforming it to give it value again. In my case, I’m looking at aesthetic value. It doesn’t have to have a cer-tain style particularly; it’s just got to have something interesting about it, then you put it in the right setting and it’s amazing.”

Edwards’ website — http://www.upcyclist.co.uk — refl ects her philosophy that “you could literally upcycle anything,” from repurposing abandoned buildings to making new clothing from scraps.

But her book focuses on interior decor, including lighting. Two of her favorite lighting designers featured in the book are Alex Randall,

whose quirky, theatrical lighting includes lampshades made from vintage dresses with enormous full skirts; and Stuart Haygarth, who Edwards says is known for show-stopping chandeliers, including one made from eye-glasses and lenses where you can’t tell “at fi rst glance that it’s spectacles because it’s looks really luxurious.” Another concept she likes is from a Finnish company, Characters, which makes lights out of individual letters from old neon signs refi tted with LED technology.

“Lighting is probably the most important thing in any interior,” she adds. “It’s what sets the ambience.”

Nicholas started his lighting business about 15 years ago “making lamps out of found architectural pieces” like distressed porch balustrades with turned wood and layers of paint. At one point, he was making hun-dreds of upcycled lamps, selling them wholesale to a furniture market and a retailer. But eventually he got bored with smaller fi xtures and now concentrates on larger, unique pieces, which can be seen on his website http://www.splurgedesign.com and in his showroom, Splurge, in Ashe-ville’s River Arts District.

He has a message for those who see an upcycled lighting idea on Pinterest or in a shop and think, “I can do that.”

“Hey, create something that hasn’t been done yet!” Nicholas says. “Don’t copy something else.”

Upcycling: Discarded objects reborn as light fi xturesBy Beth J. HarpazAssociated Press

Associated PressThis April 19, 2015 photo shows Robert Nicholas’ showroom, Splurge, in Asheville, N.C. Nicholas creates lighting fi xtures by upcycling or reusing vintage objects. The fi xture in the foreground is the skeletal frame from a gazebo roof, which Nicholas is converting to a showpiece fi xture for a local brewery.


Cattaraugus County

Allegany-Limestone Central School District3131 Five Mile RoadAllegany, NY 14706716-375-6600

Cattaraugus-Little Valley CentralSchool District207 Rock City StreetLittle Valley, NY 14755716-938-9155

Ellicottville Central School District5873 Route 219Ellicottville, NY 14731716-699-2368

Franklinville Central School District31 North Main StreetFranklinville, NY 14737716-676-8029

Gowanda Central School District10674 Prospect StreetGowanda, NY 14070716-532-3325

Hinsdale Central School District3701 Main StreetHinsdale, NY 14743716-557-2227

Olean City School District410 West Sullivan StreetOlean, NY 14760716-375-8018

Portville Central School District500 Elm StreetPortville, NY 14770716-933-7141

Randolph Central School District18 Main StreetRandolph, NY 14772716-358-6161

Salamanca City School District50 Iroquois DriveSalamanca, NY 14779716-945-2403

Southern Tier Catholic School andArchbishop Walsh Academy208 North 24th StreetOlean NY 14760 716.372.8122

West Valley Central School District5359 School StreetWest Valley, NY 14171716-942-3293

Yorkshire-Pioneer CentralSchool District12125 County Line RoadYorkshire, NY 14173716-492-9304

Allegany County

Alfred-Almond Central School District6795 Route 21Almond, NY 14804607-276-2981

Andover Central School District31-35 Elm StreetAndover, NY 14806607-478-8491

Belfast Central School District1 King StreetBelfast, NY 14711585-365-9940

Bolivar-Richburg Central School District100 School StreetBolivar, NY 14715585-928-2561

Canaseraga Central School District4-8 Main StreetCanaseraga, NY 14822607-545-6421

Cuba-Rushford Central School District5476 Route 305Cuba, NY 14727585-968-1556

Fillmore Central School District104 Main StreetFillmore, NY 14735585-567-2251

Friendship Central School District46 West Main StreetFriendship, NY 14739716-973-3534

Genesee Valley Central School District1 Jaguar DrBelmont, NY 14813585-268-7900

Scio Central School District3968 Washington StreetScio, NY 14880585-593-5510

Wellsville Central School District126 West State StreetWellsville, NY 14895585-596-2170

Whitesville Central School District692 Main StreetWhitesville, NY 14897607-356-3301

Pennsylvania School Districtson page 20

NY SCHOOL DISTRICTS


McKean County, Pa.

Bradford Area School District150 Lorana Ave.P.O. Box 375Bradford, Pa. 16701 |814-362-3841

Otto-Eldred School District143 R.L. Sweitzer DriveDuke Center, Pa. 16729814-817-1380

Smethport Area School District414 S. Mechanic St.Smethport, Pa. 16749-1522814-887-5543

Kane Area School District400 W. Hemlock Ave.Kane, Pa. 16735814-837-9570

Port Allegany School District87 Clyde Lynch DrivePort Allegany, Pa. 16743814-642-2590

Potter County, Pa.

Austin Area School District138 Costello Ave.Austin, Pa. 16720(814) 647-8603

Coudersport Area School District 698 Dwight St.Coudersport, Pa. 16915 814-274-9480

Northern Potter School District745 Northern Potter RoadUlysses, Pa. 16948814-848-7506

Oswayo Valley Area School District277 Oswayo St.Shinglehouse, Pa. 16748814-597-7175

Cameron County, Pa.

Cameron County School District601 Woodland Ave.Emporium, Pa. 15834814-486-4000

PA SCHOOL DISTRICTS

What Is The Best Thing You Have Owned?


I received an email from Joanna Reeves, subeditor/editor newspaper supple-ments for APL Media Limited in London, asking if she could email me a few ques-tions regarding my opinions about current and past developments “for collectibles.” While loath to do another reporter’s work (I prefer the reporter interview me and write his-her own piece—after all, the reporter is the one being paid), I reluctantly agreed. I was momentarily caught off guard after reading the third question: “What is the best thing that you’ve owned?”

This question is similar to another I am often asked when being interviewed: “If there was a fi re, what is the one thing you would save?” If my spouse is sitting next to me during the interview, a quick look at her eyes and body posture sends the message: “You had better say you would take me.” As you might suspect, this is not what I would say. My spouse is smart enough to fi gure out how to get out on her own. I would grab something. The exact object is irrelevant at the moment. My deepest wish is that my spouse do the same. It is better to save two goodies than one.

If Linda was sitting next to me when I was asked what is the best thing I owned, she would expect me to pick her. In all honesty, I would be tempted to do exactly that. Linda is a keeper, and I look forward to a long life with her. The problem is such a response or attitude is totally unacceptable in this age of political correctness. The concept that one person “owns” another is an anathema. For

better and for worse implies commitment not ownership. As a result, responding “Linda” to the reporter’s question is not possible.

When teaching advanced composition at Davenport University, I tell my stu-dents that critical reading leads to critical thinking which results in critical writing. When asked what is the best thing you have owned, the question being in a past tense implies what is the best thing you once owned but no longer own. Phrased in the present tense, the question is: what is the best thing you own? Is this what the reporter meant to ask? Since the reporter was on deadline (reporters always are on deadline when they contact you), there was no time to ask for clarifi cation.

I accepted the challenge and thought about the best object or objects I once owned, no longer owned, and miss. Loss is a diffi cult concept for collectors. True collectors, those that do not deal to support their collecting habit, are scarce. At the time of purchase, these collectors assume they are going to die owning the object(s).

Occasionally, for one reason or another, the collector reluctantly parts with an object or objects. The decision is painstaking. Regret haunts the collector for eter-nity. “When it is gone, it is gone” is not an easy concept to accept. Letting go of an object or objects is easier than letting go of the memories. Memories linger.

Until I sold The School (the former Vera Cruz [PA] elementary school), I could count on two hands the number of objects or collections I sold. Unable to fi t the objects I had housed in the available 14,000 square feet at The School into a 2,800 square foot house in Michigan, I worked with Kevin Smith of K.D. Auctions

By Harry L. RinkerHarry L. Rinker, LLC

continues on next page


in Allentown to dispose of objects I left behind. Two years into the process, the end is in sight.

Needing to answer the reporter’s “have ever owned” ques-tion, I made a short list of objects that when I think about them, I experience a brief moment of sadness. To my surprise, the objects fell into two categories – objects with great stories and objects I knew would mean more to another than to me.

The fi rst object that came to mind was a wonderful Ameri-can 1820s-1830s, Country Sheraton painted settee that sat in the living room when I lived in a home located on Third Avenue in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and which I rented from the West Side Moravian Church. I love it because of its rock hard seat, one which became excruciating uncomfortable after a person or persons sat on it for longer than 15 to 20 minutes. I made no effort to alleviate the situation by adding a cushion. Its purpose was simple. When guests in whom I have limited interest stopped for a visit, I offered them a seat on the settee. The settee never failed in its mission. Shortly after marrying Connie, my second wife, she found the role played by the settee downright inhospitable. I viewed it as highly functional. There are some spousal discussions where com-promise is not an alterna-tive. Connie eventually issued an ultimatum – she or the settee. To this day, I wonder about the correctness of my decision at the time.

Eventu-ally, Connie and I moved from Third Avenue in Bethlehem to a solar-powered home designed and built to our specifi cations that was located atop Carl’s Hill in Zions-ville, Pennsylvania. Our solar home did not use solar panels. Instead, it used a passive solar system using building

mass, a single wood stove, window quilts, landscaping, and loca-tion to control the fl ow of warm and cold air.

Our solar home was large, almost 2,000 square feet. Even so, space was limited, especially in the living room area. The furniture was a combination of nineteenth century Pennsylvania German pieces, a few “formal” Victorian items, and a contempo-rary couch. When a decision was made to acquire a coffee table to sit in front of the couch, I was determined to fi nd something of antiques origin rather than purchase a contemporary fantasy Colonial Revival piece. The answer turned out to be a child’s fu-

neral pyre, one that was used to support a child’s coffi n during a home viewing. It was the

ideal size. There was leg room under-neath. All that was required was a

piece of glass cut to fi t on top of it. An adult coffi n support pyre was too big. A similar devise used to transport the carcass of a pig or cow when butchering was done on a farm was too

bulky in appearance.The coffee table was the per-

fect conversation piece. When new guests arrived, I could hardly wait for the inevitable tell us about your coffee table question. The reactions ranged

from neat to gross.[Author’s Aside: The unusual coffee

table also housed a medical device – an antique rectal examiner. I reserve the stories associated with questions asked by guests about this for another time.]

In 2000 when I moved to the bach-elor pad I created at The School, the cof-fee table went into storage. It did not fi t into the 1950s/1960s turquoise, copper, and chrome theme for the living room. What did fi t was a “U” shaped turquoise covered kitchen nook set that belonged to my Aunt Doris Bebb. Think corner booth in a 1950s/1960s diner. When

Aunt Doris renovated her kitchen in the 1980s, she stored it

rather than throwing it

continues on page 24


out. God Bless the Pennsylvania Germans – they never throw out anything. Although not part of the original plan, it fi t perfectly in the area set aside for a 1950s Formica table and chair set. Since it was “built in,” I had no choice but to leave it behind when I sold The School. The memories of sitting in the booth at Aunt Doris’s house and The School will remain until I die.

The settee, child’s coffi n pyre, and kitchen nook represent great story objects. To end properly, this column needs a better home story. While there are several on my list, the one that stands out the most is my Mickey Mantle rookie card. The teeth in my mouth are capped and fi lled with silver or composite fi llings for one primary reason – the bubble gum I chewed with relish when collecting bubble gum cards, known today as sport and non-sport trading cars, in the early 1950s. I kept my bubble gum card treasures in two cigar boxes, far more interested in the Hopalong Cassidy and western card sets than I was in the foot-ball and baseball players.

In the late 1980s or early 1990s, I do not remember the exact year, I found something I wanted, remembered a baseball card collector’s offer to buy my cards if I ever wanted to sell them, and decided to part with the cards to acquire the desired object. I was aware the pile included a Mantel rookie card. The collector paid a fair price. Neither of us foresaw the value rise potential of the Mantle card. I was happy. The collector was happy. It was a good deal. To this day, the col-lector profusely thanks me every time he sees me.

This story always brings a smile to my face. Its importance ranks close to the story about the $3,000.00 I turned down for the fi rst Hummel Christmas plate in the late 1980s based on the mistaken assump-

tion that if the plate was worth $3,000.00 then, it would most certainly be worth much more in the future. Dumb is as dumb does is a favorite saying among the Pennsylvania Germans.

What is the “best thing you have ever owned?” Email your story or stories to [email protected].

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about col-lectibles, those mass-produced items from the twentieth and twen-ty-fi rst centuries. Selected letters will be answered in this column. Harry cannot provide personal answers. Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned. Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5955 Mill Point Court SE, Kentwood, MI 49512. You also can e-mail your questions to [email protected]. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered.

You can listen and participate in WHATCHA GOT?, Harry’s antiques and collectibles radio call-in show, on Sunday

mornings between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Eastern Time. If you cannot fi nd it on a station in your area, WHATCHA

GOT? streams live on the Internet at www.gcnlive.com.

Copyright © Harry L. Rinker, LLC 2015


T here’s been a subtle shift in contemporary décor; it started to emerge at this year’s furniture and design shows, and continues to gain

ground in retailers’ fall and winter collections.It’s a shift of light, in color and design.Hues are soft yet grown-up — snow, fog, lavender, blush. And after

years of dark wenge wood and stolid furniture, we’re seeing elements with a lighter footprint. Blond woods like maple, ash and birch. White-washed oak and pine.

Legs are more tapered, profi les more attenuated. There are more refl ective surfaces — metals with patinas; mirror fi nishes; and transpar-ent or opaque acrylics.

Much of it has a Nordic vibe, what some in international design are calling “The New Scandi.”

You can opt for a soft, casual approach with weathered woods and creamy linens, or a more dressed-up version with crisply tailored whites and burnished metals.

White walls are one easy way to get started. Farrow & Ball’s creative head, Charlotte Cosby, notes how effective whites and pale hues can be together. “Light neutrals create an illusion of a larger space and can act as a canvas, emphasizing artwork and statement accessories,” she says. “Try layering whites to create a softness and depth to rooms.”

Jackie Jordan, marketing director at paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams, sees a shift to soft, monochromatic palettes with creamy whites, warm grays, khaki hues and grayed blush tones.

“The serenity of these colors provides a sense of calm to balance hectic lifestyles,” she says. “They celebrate natural materials as well as

honed, soft and sheer fi nishes. These colors lend themselves well to both luxurious spaces and casual retreats. “

As to furnishings, Kimberly Winthrop, designer for online interior-de-sign marketplace Laurel & Wolf, says, “Bright, clean palettes give Scan-dinavian Design a minimal and modern feel, while still keeping beauty and a hint of glamour in balance.”

She says the look can work especially well for work spaces, where lighter hues and minimal décor can help focus the mind.

Don’t go overboard, however. You’re after rooms that look attractive, interesting and livable. Rooms dressed top to bottom in unrelieved white or one neutral hue may look stark and clinical. Adding textures, eclectic pieces and artwork keeps the spaces comfortable.

Kardiel offers a chic tufted ottoman that pairs white cashmere wool

Right at Home: new decor with a lighter, airier look

By Kim CookAssociated Press

Stuart Goldenberg/Konekt via APIn this photo provided by Konekt, the Philadelphia design studio Konekt, helmed by designer Helena Sultan, offers the Gazelle wood dining table – sleek, lithe legs anchor a slab of white ash or walnut. The slim profi le fi ts decor’s new interest in lighter woods, silhouettes and colors.

New Decorcontinues on page 26


with stainless-steel legs. Silky white leather clads a sexy Monroe mid-century sofa. The Sputnik dining table is a slim glass slab balanced on shapely walnut legs. (www.kardiel.com )

At Design Within Reach, Swedish designer Greta Magnusson Gross-man’s Grasshopper fl oor lamp perches a conical head on lithe legs; it’s available in hues like salmon, putty and blue gray. And simple circles of plywood give Danish designer Thomas Bentzen’s Around side tables a clean, spare appeal. Pablo Pardo’s Swell pendants in matte white with anodized brass interiors evoke the simplicity of water droplets, and come in three sizes. (www.dwr.com )

Light, reclaimed teak and a lacy rope seat make the Bentley arm-chair a contemporary standout at AllModern. A delicate starburst mirror from Ashton Sutton would add wall interest with a midcentury-modern vibe. A set of white lacquered storage boxes could hold tech gadgets, toiletries, jewelry or keys. (www.allmodern.com )

Lucite’s a wonderful material for introducing the illusion of airiness into a room; there are several pieces in Wisteria’s Disappearing furniture collection. (www.wisteria.com )

Z Gallerie’s got some fun, faux-fur slipper chairs on acrylic legs, with matching ottomans. Armless slipper chairs provide seating with a slim-mer silhouette. (www.zgallerie.com )

And the Borden chair from Apt2B is a comfy, tufted midmod chair that could live in a bedroom, dining room or living room. Colors include a warm honey mustard or serene gray. (www.apt2b.com )


A s chameleons go, quartz is impressive. The man-made stone offers an increasingly realistic look, mimicking materials such as marble,

granite, concrete and more, notes Consumer Reports. But quartz offers easier maintenance than those materials. Combine those qualities with granite fatigue, and you can see why quartz is gaining in popularity. Quartz is also top-rated in our tests, narrowly edging out granite.

To test durability, Consumer Reports stained, sliced, scratched, scorched and nicked 14 materials. Testers found big differences among materials but little variation among brands, except for recycled glass. In some instances, the fi nish can also affect a material’s performance.

Consumer Reports offers this glossary of materials: • Quartz. $40 to $100 per square foot installed. This mix of mineral,

color and resin is meant to mimic stone but is more durable and requires less maintenance, making it a good choice for a kitchen that gets a lot of use. Hot pots, serrated knives, abrasive pads and most stains were no match for quartz.

• Laminate. $10 to $40 per square foot installed. Inexpensive and stylish options with decorative edges abound, including Formica’s cool Jonathan Adler Collection. Stains and heat didn’t damage the laminates that were tested, but cutting directly on it does, and abrasives can mar.

• Butcher block. $40 to $100 per square foot installed. Varnished butcher block was very stain-resistant but terrible at everything else. Oil-fi nished wood was better at resisting heat, but stains spread and were impossible to remove. Not a good choice for a sink area.

• Granite. $40 to $100 per square foot installed. The real deal. Each stone slab is unique. Heat, cuts and scratching didn’t harm the granite Consumer Reports tested, but corners and edges can chip; let a pro repair them. Polished and matte fi nishes resisted most stains when properly sealed. Granite needs periodic resealing.

• Soapstone. $50 to $100 per square foot installed. It’s not as com-

mon as granite -- and it’s stunning at fi rst. It resists heat damage, and small scratches can be sanded fi nely, then coated with mineral oil. But it nicks, cuts and scratches easily, and some tough stains won’t wash away.

• Limestone. $50 to $100 per square foot installed. It’s attractive but impractical in a busy kitchen. Limestone resists heat well, but it nicks, cuts and scratches easily, and even a high-quality sealer didn’t fend off stains. So blot spills immediately and periodically reseal.

• Recycled glass. $60 to $120 per square foot installed. Large shards create a bold look; fi nely ground glass looks subtle. Resistant to heat, cuts, and scratches, but chips and stains can be a problem. And unlike other recycled glass counters that were tested, Cosentino’s Eco line developed a thin crack during heat tests.

• Concrete. $60 to $120 per square foot installed. It’s custom-formed, so quality may vary. Concrete chips and scratches easily, and can develop hairline cracks. Topical sealers can protect against stains but not heat. Penetrating sealers can handle heat but not stains.

• Marble. $50 to $150 per square foot installed. Marble takes on a patina, to some, but others see it as marred. Small nicks and scratches can be polished out, but marble chips easily and needs to be resealed periodically. On sealed marble, most stains wiped away with water.

• Bamboo. $40 to $100 per square foot installed. It is eco-friendly, it adds warmth and it looks great at fi rst, but it’s easily stained, scorched and nicked. Check if you can use near a sink, because moisture can warp it. Some may need mineral-oil beeswax reapplied.

— Consumer Reports

Kitchen counter intelligence

In kitchen counters, quartz, a man-made stone, offers an increasingly realistic look, mimicking materials such as marble, granite and concrete.

house & home - august 2015

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