21ddmhd0308ptsblackwhite

7/31/2019 21DDMHD0308PTSblackwhite

1/4

MH+D MARCH 08

The Powero Restraint:

PAletteby Candac Ka

Phoography Franoi Gag

A study in black and whit

MH+D MARCH 08


2/4

50 MARCH 08 MH+D

It was, by all accounts, a job o Herculean proportio

M. L. Norton and Brett A. Johnson o Windem

Studios were hired to transorm a 200-year-old ba

used over the years or livestock, garage space, a

general storage, into a guesthouse and summer liviquarters or the current homeowners. Obscur

by a patina o grime and hard use that had accumulated ov

generations, the project called upon all o their combined sk

and resources. It was only ater the space had been emptied

the detritus o decades and stripped to its essence, revealing t

materials and cratsmanship o another era, that they let th

imaginations soar.

In order to enhance the beauty o the barns timbers, beam

and oorboards and emphasize the linear refnement o t

architecture, Norton immediately realized that she would ha

to exercise the power o restraint. This restraint is embodiedher decision to use only variations o black and white or

the fnishes in the project; abrics and rames, upholstery a

window treatments, paint and pillows, were all chosen in sha

ranging rom obsidian to cream, onyx to alabaster. We did

want to lose the integrity o the wood. We knew that it co

speak or itsel, Norton says o this critical decision.

Because the visual impact o the house originates with t

structure itsel, the designers insisted that the space not be ove

decorated. There are no dramatic splashes o color or ee

just the continuous and subtle use o blacks, whites, and gra

to unite the rooms and showcase the architecture. The draemanates rom the skillul interplay between the rustic struct

and the highly refned yet understated choices o urnishin

and fnishes. It was important to both o us that we make t

space look like we werent there, Norton states emphatical

The restrained palette o blacks and whites highlights the allu

The ooring, (Opening page)while not original to

barn, was created by Atlantic Hardwoods from salvag

antique boards, which blend with the existing timbers a

beams. The crisp, black-and-white striped slipcovers

the perfect foil for the old wood. The Palecek side tab

complement old and ne

The bathroom (left, top) contrasts the rough textu

of the barn with the renement and elegance of

decoration. The formal William IV hall chair, c. 183

sits delicately in front of a now-xed barn door with

original iron hardware. Other luxe accoutrements inclu

the Brunswig toile custom shower curtain, custom-fram

mirror, bathmat, and white Cuddledown bathshee

In the hallway (left, below), illuminated by Rab pend

lights, the old skis, farm implements, photographs, a

maps, are all original to the house and ba

PAlettes


3/4

MH+D MARCH 08

Windemere Studios designed the

sectional sofa executed by Alfred

Upholstery (right). Tailored furnishings,

window treatments, and carpet all serve

to showcase both the original woodwork

and the custom cabinetry. Painter Karl

Kamarath was responsible for nishingold wood and new, creating a cohesive

whole.

The bedroom (below) continues the

designers commitment to luxurious yet

restrained dcor choices. The neoclassical

mahogany and ebony mirror, c. 1820,

is from Tries in Bath. Visual Comfort

swing-arm lamps illuminate the custom

bedding and hanging night tables. The

horseshoe nailed to the ceiling beams was

uncovered during the renovation.


4/4

52 MARCH 08 MH+D

PAlettes

and simplicity o the original building materials, while adding a

quiet elegance.

Brett is an absolute master at renovation, says Norton.

Working with general contractor Mike Royal, Johnson reclaimed

timbers, doors, hardware, and windows, integrating them artullythroughout the project. A ormerly dark staircase was ooded with

natural light using windows ound in the attic. Beautiul sliding

barn doors were whitewashed and along with their sculptural,

hand-orged iron hardware were reimagined as dividers and

ornamental panels. A graphic black-and-white lacquered coee

table in the lot room was created with materials taken rom the

original fve-holer outhouse.

Even the artwork ollows the designers decree that banishes

color. Black-ramed pastoral photographs by Verner Reed hang

in the bedrooms, while the lot room eatures large-ormat,

black-and-white amily photos in similar museum rames and anantique advertising sign. Technology fts graceully

into the design scheme with black at-screen

television sets tucked into spaces where they go

practically unnoticed.

Color is oten used as shorthand to convey a

mood or atmosphere, especially

in an historic renovation.

Norton used black and

white to make a quieter

statement about a

reclaimed barn with itsown story to tell.

(Bottom to top) Mer

Viewpoint carpet, Fabr

Perrenials Black and Wh

Jake Stripe, Hanry Cal

Parma Charcoal, Henry Cal

Parma Cream, Brunshwig

Fils Shell To

Verner Reed pastoral

photograph and framing

from Jameson Gallery.

Oak William IV Dolphin

hall chair, c. 1830, from

Tries in Bath.

MH+D

Custom pillows by Main

Alice in Brunshwig & Fils Sh

Toile (top) and Carlton

Shaker Check (botto

21ddmhd0308ptsblackwhite

Documents