A two-story house sits on a tree-lined street in an historic local neighborhood. In the late afternoon, neighbors pass walking dogs, holding hands, pushing baby joggers and admiring the homes and the architecture of a by-gone era.
What is particularly interesting about many older historic neighborhoods is the diversity of both the residents and their homes. While there are some similarities, it’s hard to find any two homes that look identical. This makes for highly personalized interpretations of decorating styles.
This was the draw that originally attracted Ladd and Michel VanDevender to their home years ago. “To me, it’s critical that my home reflect who I am and my family’s lifestyle,” said Michel. “Our home is a mixture of antiques and eclectic pieces, traditional and transitional, mid-century and vintage, found art and family heirlooms—all rolled into one unique place.”
Michel started her decorating journey in the kitchen, where a small closet was removed to add a wine bar, a tray ceiling was installed to add more height and visual dimension and a cozy breakfast nook was created where there was none. Craftsman-styled, quarter sawn oak cabinets were chosen with translucent glass for a vintage touch, while honed granite was chosen for the countertops to add even more warmth. A slate-colored porcelain tile was chosen for the floors for ease of maintenance.
As you enter the house, you are greeted with stunning uses of color, patterns and texture. While each room is unique, they seamlessly blend to create a cohesive and inviting home. Make no mistake, the end result wasn’t rushed or hastily assembled. “My attitude about decorating is: I’d rather wait to find the right piece,” explains Michel. “I’ve got to like what I have, as style and personal comfort are very important to me.”
What’s particularly interesting about the home is that many pieces either have a story rooted in transformation or is a “budget design find.”
“Our living room sofa came from my husband’s first home—it was recovered. The dining room table and credenza was mine from years ago. The sofa in the den was a hand-me-down – recovered in a grey tweed fabric. The wing chairs near the fireplace were originally scratch and dent from a local antique fair. My hallway rug was purchased from eBay, and the majority of our art is either reframed family portraits, vintage pieces I’ve collected from flea markets or art my two children have made,” said Michel.
Though each piece is unique, Michel’s attitude is, “it must be livable and comfortable” for her family. She draws inspiration from designers like David Hicks, Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler. “Buy quality things you love,” adds Michel. “You can find a place for them and make them work in your home.”