Different Strokes for Different Folks (111)When a real estate agent contacted John Koncar to say she had found "his" house, Koncar was curious enough to take a look. Within weeks, he and his partner, Howard, purchased the Cleveland, Ohio home... and were immediately faced with five pages of plumbing and electrical violations that required immediate attention. Tour John and Howard's home, which boasts unusual and special features including African zebra wood around the fireplace and original bakelite hardware on the kitchen cabinets. The two created a period home that has both comfort and style.
Then, meet Neil Frankel and Cindy Coleman, who live in a 19th century Chicago office building loft. Their unusual home is entirely open except for an enclosed bathroom and a moveable wall around their daughter's bedroom. It's a perfect example of ultra-modern design in a historical setting.
Next, visit the Dallas dream house of Ann and David Caruth, which they created in the style of a European villa. The antiques they purchased in Europe exude an elegant Mediterranean feel, yet Ann's modern touches—such as animal prints on the library furniture—keep the home warm and friendly.
Finally, travel to Bridgehampton, N.Y., to check out the home of John and Judy Rand. Built on a special piece of land to capitalize on space and beautiful views, the home is an open-plan dwelling that allows for plenty of natural light and an indoor-outdoor feel.
Zebra Wood House:
- Zebra wood (Zebrano) is medium-heavy to heavy hardwood that originates primarily in Gabon and Cameroon, West Africa.
- The stripes on wormy maple wood result from the fungus that grows in tunnels dug by ambrosia beetles.
- Coat decorative copper with lacquer to preserve the finish.
- Bakelite, a synthetic substitute for shellac, was a revolutionary, non-flammable plastic developed in the early 1900s.
Open House Facts:
- Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe (1886-1969) was a German architect famous for his dictum, "less is more."
- One benefit of vent-less fireplaces: 100% of the heat generated enters the room. Combustion by-products (besides heat) include water and carbon monoxide.
- Thinking "outside the box," the homeowners built the tissue container into the floor. They also decided to use movable walls for room dividers; these walls don't have to be set in place.
European Villa Home Facts:
- When buying in Mexico, consider the duty fees and restrictions imposed if you'll be spending more than $400 on the items you're bringing home with you.
- Interior shutters were used in early American homes to keep the cold out. Shutters were also designed to protect furniture from fading in the sun.
- Marble can be polished; limestone, however, cannot.
- Tapestries are more resilient when hung flat against the wall. This prevents "waves" in the fabric.
Spectacular Site Facts:
- Bridgehampton, N.Y., has a total land mass of approximately nine square miles and a population of approximately 2,000.
- The Rands' home has an open floor plan. The kitchen, living room and dining room are combined in one large room.
- White walls reflect 80 percent of the light that strikes them. White rooms require less lighting and save on energy costs.
