Design snapshot: Cupola kudos

I’m drawn to authentic barn cupolas, like this one. Grand, domed cupolas, the type with a belfry or lantern, can be exquisite, but it’s the hard-scrabble, yet graceful, venting cupola on a work building that speaks to me. This octagonal one is outfitted with green slatted louvers and a gently curved, somewhat-conical roof. The white roofing color reflects heat and nicely contrasts the black roofscape and moody sky. Of course, the weather vane on top is a fine form of functional grace, too. Look for another winning weather vane in a future “design snapshot”.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Design snapshot: Entry duality

This composition exemplifies the power of two – to reflect one on another, to contrast one to another, to connect one to another, to complement one and another, to assimilate one into another, and to attract one to another.

No, this isn’t a trick image. These symmetrical doorways likely defined two separate living quarters at one time, or perhaps, they still do. Or, maybe they addressed a duality in the household, the way Shakers had separate doors for men and women. The boldly contrasting colors of the glossy, red body/trim and the black doors lend a sophisticated Asian-infused color palette to otherwise colonial American materials and detailing. The green planters and plantings complement the powerful color scheme. Dutch doors, which by their very nature offer two (door and operable window) in one, round out this dual entry’s appealing duality.

I, for one, am smitten with these two. How about you?

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Musical House project in New Orleans by Swoon et al

quarter-scale model of "Musical House", courtesy of Kickstarter.comNow's your chance to contribute to an "interactive public sculpture" in the form of a house, by street artist Swoon. In collaboration with New Orleans Airlift, Swoon and other sound artists aim to create a permanent, full-scale "Musical House" out of material salvaged on site from a dilapidated New Orleans Creole cottage. Their first step is to create a "shantytown sound lab" to test the ideas to be incorporated into the "Musical House". Hard not to love a Kickstarter project like this.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Napkin sketches of home

"Katie's lair" by Katie (of KHS), a grown-upFind an introduction to this series here.

I would love to see a "napkin sketch of home" created by you, your family, and/or friends -- both young and old.

Please submit sketches via a scan or photo to Katie@katiehutchison.com for possible inclusion in the series. Include the artist's name and age, and a title for the sketch, if there is one.

Share your idea of "home" -- whether it's your cat, your porch, or your neighborhood; you decide what "home" means to you.

Let's get sketching.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Design snapshot: Garden amphitheater

It’s not every day that you stumble upon a National Historic Landmark. A couple of weekends ago, I did. I had just set out from a Camden B&B for my first stroll through the Maine village, when I came upon the town library. I headed to explore its grounds and shortly thereafter found myself descending into what I now know to be the Camden Amphitheatre, a National Historic Landmark.

Designed by Fletcher Steele in the late 1920’s/ early 1930’s, its gentle steps of fieldstone carve curved terraces leading to a circular, grass lawn or stage. The occasional boulder dots the geometry, and wild strawberries peak out from the crevices between stone treads. A splash of stark white birch trees stand out against the lush green backdrop and filter dappled light. Ascending stone stairs radiate off of what I imagine are compass points, and entice visitors to climb them. Maine’s rugged native materials and plant life soften the underlying formality of the design. It’s an exquisite marriage of planned and natural order. So glad I stumbled upon it.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast