House Beautiful USA (January 2020)

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2H O U S E B E A U T I F U L96 22IN THISISSUEJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020ON THE COVER:Interior Designer Leanne FordPhotographer Reid RollsOn the cover: Light fixture, Isamu Noguchi. Paint, PPG. Coffee table, from the Round Top Antiques Fair.22KITCHEN OF THE MONTHArts and Crafts meets Art Deco, and yet somehow it’s totally of-the-moment.96THE ENDUnique door knockers make a great first impression.1714 PRO TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE RENOVATION From the folks who have done this before.8OPEN HOUSE: HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORKSix designers on the reality behind dream-home makeovers.94RESOURCES13WHAT’S IN A NOOK?It’s the architectural manifestation of a hug.26FINDING HER PLACE Single women are outpacing men in solo homeown-ership, an HB survey finds.35NEXTWAVEDesigners to watch in 2020. WHICH WOOD FINISH SHOULD YOU USE? P. 20



4H O U S E B E A U T I F U LP74TEACHING A TUDOR NEW TRICKS The cure for an outdated home? Cheerful pastels.52THE TOY FACTORYA designer walks into an office building and turns it into a colorful family respite.58SAVING A McMANSIONYou’d never believe this home was once a total sore thumb.80KEEPING A GOOD HOUSESee how a magazine editor gave her Victorian house a makeover.88BRAND-NEW BUT AGE-OLD A from-scratch Brooklyn townhouse gets a posh accent.66REWRITING HISTORYHow one designer found a Frank Lloyd Wright home listed online and brought it back to life.44CAN’T STOP WON’T STOPLeanne Ford is a serial renovator, and her Pitts-burgh home is the latest target.IN THISISSUE

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6H O U S E B E A U T I F U Lp. 45p. 74p. 55p. 82p. 72p. 60p. 92See more living rooms on pp. 8, 19, 61, 70, 80, and 89.LIVING ROOMSLooking to get design ideas for a specific space? There are tons jammed into this issue.KITCHENSSee more kitchens at housebeautiful.com/dream-kitchens.See more bedrooms at housebeautiful.com/bedrooms.BEDROOMSp. 56p. 79p. 62p. 48p. 77p. 91p. 73p. 85DINING ROOMSp. 58p. 47p. 68p. 86See more dining rooms on pp. 9, 78, 87, and 88.JEWEL TONESTEXTURED WALLSp. 79p. 93p. 87p. 84p. 90p. 56p. 71p. 52For more inspiration, visit housebeautiful.com/room-decorating.NOW ON AMAZON!Incredible Kitchens is an essential guide to creating the room of your dreams, from appliances to finishes.INSPO INDEXTRENDING THIS MONTH

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8H O U S E B E A U T I F U LOPEN HOUSEPESo you’ve got the itch to renovate but aren’t sure what to expect? Six Hudson Valley designers sat down with editorial director Joanna Saltz to shed some light on the reality of the dream home makeover.Joanna Saltz @josaltzKate Cummings @freestyle restyleWANT TO TALK?E-MAIL ME AT [email protected] Saltz: Renovat-ing is a serious process. What’s your favorite part? Kate Cummings: The first step is really understanding the house at its core, in terms of history. That is my favorite part. I like to know who lived there, if there are any crazy stories about the place. Were there any specific functional elements that the house could have again? Brad Ford: I like collecting information, from not just the clients but also furniture, lighting, and materials. Then funneling those through to make decisions. I love the idea of being an editor.Will Brinson: We work with old houses, so finding quirky things and figuring out how to renovate around them? I love it.ARIELLA USED GRACIE WALLPAPER (HAND-PAINTED ON METAL LEAF) TO GIVE THIS FARMHOUSE STAIR-WELL A MODERN ZING. FOR THE RENOVATION OF A CABIN IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, KATE WENT WITH RUSTIC CEILING BEAMS AND BARN DOORS. Susan Brinson: That’s being historically sensitive! I see us as storytellers, and a renovation starts at the very beginning of the story.Maryline Damour: Where I start is always interior architecture and maximizing the bones of the space. My favorite part is once we’ve cleared out, the walls come down, and now I can see that it’s a complete blank slate. Jo: I’m going through my own kitchen renovation right now, and that part is so much more magical than I had ever imagined. When stuff starts coming in, you’re like, “Oh, things have to come in?” Maryline: Absolutely. When you’re not encumbered by anything else, all you see is possibility.Ariella Duker: For me, the most exciting part of the challenge is creating an instant nostalgia and a collected feel. Especially upstate, I’m trying to create a feeling that when you walk into a home, it might have been there for some time. Ariella Duker @arielladukerIS THIS WHAT YOU WEAR TO RENOVATE?HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORK

9H O U S E B E A U T I F U LJo: What do you wish the world knew about the reality of a renovation?Kate:Have we all seen the triangle? Fast, cheap, and good?All: Oh yeah. Kate: That should be a business card. Clients get to choose which two they want, and we’ll work from there. Brad:It’s the same thing with furniture and big-box stores. People want things faster and cheaper, but there’s such a cost that comes with that. One of my favorite things to say is, “Just because something is free doesn’t mean there isn’t a price to pay.”At some point…Maryline:You’ll pay.Brad:It’s the truth. A tree that grows slowly has deep roots. It’s worth the wait.Susan: I’m nodding in agree-ment, but I’m the most impatient person. I’m thinking, You know, he is right—but I also want to get it done now. Jo: I’m like, “Grow those deep roots faster!”Will: We find so much more engagement with people who want to know, “How did you put in the flooring? How long did it take?” Susan and I are really into the slow and intentional renovation, and bringing people along step-by-step.Kate: I do think the younger generation that’s following us through this journey, they’re smart. They know that things don’t happen quickly, and they are looking for people who are doing it in real life on a real timeline. Ariella:In the Hudson Valley, I think clients don’t anticipate how much site development you need. You have to create all your utilities! For instance, you don’t get town water—you have to put in a septic. And you have to dig a huge hole for propane. For my own home, I had to rehire an architect to make my plans less expensive “We work with old houses, so finding quirky things and figuring out how to renovate around them? I love it.”—WILL BRINSONMaryline Damour @maryline_damourWill & Susan Brinson @houseofbrinsonBrad Ford @brad_ford_idBRAD PAINTED THIS WOOD-PANELED ROOM IN A PREWAR APARTMENT CRISP WHITE TO MAKE THE SPACE FEEL FRESH. FOR A MEDITATION ROOM AT THE 2019 KINGSTON DESIGN SHOWHOUSE, MARYLINE COLLABORATED WITH MEL JONES ON A CUSTOM SOFA.to build! But it was the greatest education I have received. Jo: Renovations are sort of like driving a car, riding a bike—you couldn’t possibly explain it. You really have to go through it to understand.

VP, Group Publishing Director/Chief Revenue Officer JENNIFER LEVENE BRUNO Associate Publisher, Advertising BRENDA SAGET DARLING Group Finance Director CHRISTOPHER J. TOSTIDesign Advertising Director ANGELA JETT OKENICA National Digital Director TARA WEEDFALD SALES Executive Directors, Home Furnishings KAREN ELIZABETH MARX, JON WALKERExecutive Director, Home Products CHRIS AGOSTINELLIExecutive Director, Real Estate, Technology, Retail, Food & Beverage JAYME LAYTONExecutive Director, Beauty ANGELA PARAUDAExecutive Director, Jewelry DEENA SCHACTER Executive Director, Travel, Finance TAYLOR RAE SCHIFFMAN Executive Director, International Home Furnishings SARAH SMITHJunior Account Manager SARA CARSON Advertising Services Manager JUDY BRAUNSTEIN Advertising Sales Assistants CAROLINE FILIPS, LIZZIE ROSWIG, LAUREN SIEGEL, ASHLEIGH UZOARU, HELEN ZIMINSKY U.S. BRANCH OFFICES New England: TAYLOR RAE SCHIFFMAN, 212-903-5321;JAYME LAYTON, 212-903-5116; Southeast: JIM BLAZEVICH, YVONNE RAKES, WHITNEY OTTO, Blaze & Associates, 704-321-9097; RITA WALKER, Mandel Media, 404-256-3800; Southwest:VIRGINIA DAVIS, Wisdom Media, 214-526-3800; Midwest:KAREN LOVELAND, DONNA SCHULTZ, 312-251-5370; Los Angeles: CYNTHIA MCKNIGHT, CM Media Sales, 310-291-2730;JOANNE MEDEIROS, Mederios & Associates, 424-317-0078;SHERRI ZIGMAN, Zigman Media, 310-663-6352; Pacific North-west: JANET LAUTENBERGER, JL Communications, 415-317-1833 INTERNATIONAL OFFICES Italy: ROBERT SCHOENMAKER, ALESSANDRA BANDINI, 011-39-02-6619-3143 London: DANIELLE KLEIN, TALA MAHDIEH, 011-44-207-439-5400 Canada: JOHN MAGNER, York Media, 416-598-0101 INTEGRATED MARKETING Executive Director LISA A. LACHOWETZ Brand Marketing Director MATTHEW HARE Senior Manager JENNIFER LAVOIE Managers BRITTNEY BURFORD, JESSICA MOLINARI, KAILIN VILLAMAR Associate Managers KARINA CAMARGO, MARY KATE MURRAYSenior Coordinator ELENA METZNERCreative Directors FRAUKE EBINGER, GLENN MARYANSKY Designer STEPHANIE ATHANASOPOULOSBRAND EXPERIENCE Executive Director JENNIFER ORR Senior Directors JENNIFER C. LAMBROS, SUZY RECHTERMANN, SARAH RYAN Director THERESA CATENAPARTNERSHIPS & BRAND DEVELOPMENT Executive Director HILLARY KOOTA KREVLIN Director LAURA IVES COLONY Manager LAUREN CORBIN CONSUMER MARKETING Executive Director JOCELYN FORMAN Research Manager LENORE MONTAPERTOADVERTISING PRODUCTION Operations Manager EDWARD BARTLETTEditorial Director JOANNA SALTZ Deputy Editor AMANDA SIMS CLIFFORD Design Director MARC DAVILA Director of Content Operations LINDSEY RAMSEYStyle Director ROBERT RUFINO Market Director CARISHA SWANSONSenior Editor, Content Strategy ALYSSA FIORENTINOSenior Features Editor EMMA BAZILIAN Senior Editor HADLEY KELLERDesign Editor HADLEY MENDELSOHNCopy Editor ANN LIEN Associate Market Editor BRITTNEY MORGANArt Director JEE LEE Senior Designer, Digital ALICE MORGANSenior Post-Production Supervisor PHILIP SWIFT Video Producer LAURA MARINCinematographer BRAD HOLLAND Video Editor IAN MUNSELLEditorial Assistant MEGAN UYCONTRIBUTING EDITORSKaitlin Menza, Kathryn O’Shea-EvansHEARST VISUAL GROUPChief Visual Content Director, Hearst Magazines ALIX CAMPBELLExecutive Visual Director CHRISTINA WEBERDeputy Visual Director DON KINSELLAVisual Assistant EMILIE BENYOWITZPresident & Chief Executive Officer STEVEN R. SWARTZ Chairman WILLIAM R. HEARST III Executive Vice Chairman FRANK A. BENNACK, JR.HEARST MAGAZINE MEDIA, INC.President TROY YOUNG Chief Content Officer KATE LEWIS Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer DEBI CHIRICHELLA Secretary CATHERINE A. BOSTRON Publishing Consultants GILBERT C. MAURER, MARK F. MILLERCUSTOMER SERVICE Call: 800-444-6873. Email: [email protected]. Visit: service.housebeautiful.com. Write: Customer Service Dept., House Beautiful, PO Box 6000, Harlan, IA 51593. REPRINTS For 500 or more, call PARS INT’L: 212-221-9595. Published at 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019; 212-903-5000. www.housebeautiful.com. PRINTED IN U.S.A.10H O U S E B E A U T I F U LPGearing up for a reno? These motivating feeds are full of ideas.@sweeten_homeMakeover ideas from a free service that matches you with the best contractor for your renovation.@rollandhillA Brooklyn-based lighting company proves that one small update can have major impact.@caclosetsDreamy custom closets and pantries, like this one for blogger Camille Styles.@renovationhusbandsFollow this couple as they reimagine their 1894 Victorian home in Boston.4 INSTAGR AMMERS TO FOLLOW IN JAN/FEB

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S H O P N O W : C I R C A L I G H T I N G . C O MP R E S I D I O S M A L L L A N T E R N I N H A N D - R U B B E D A N T I Q U E B R A S SAT L A N TA A U S T I N B O S T O N ( W I N T E R ) C H A R L E S T O N C H I C A G O D C D E N V E R G R E E N W I C H H O U S T O N L A L A G U N A ( W I N T E R ) M A N H AT TA N N A S H V I L L E ( W I N T E R ) S A N F R A N C I S C O S A V A N N A H S C O T T S D A L E8 7 7 . 7 6 2 . 2 3 2 3D E S I G N E R : I A N K . F O W L E R F O R V I S U A L C O M F O R T

T H E R E N OVAT I O NI S S U EJ A N UA RY/ F E B R UA RY2 0 2 0WELCOMEP13H O U S E B E A U T I F U L DESIGNER EMILY HENDERSON INCLUDED OUTLETS IN THE SHELF OF THIS NOOK SO STOW-AWAYS CAN WATCH TV.THE EXPLOSION OF OPEN FLOOR PLANS HAS RESULTED IN HOMES THAT are, well, open—“devoid of any snuggly, cozy places,” says architect Jeffrey Dungan. Find yourself craving the intimacy of a cocooned space where you can curl up and escape the vastness of the world? “What a nook person wants is space, however small, to follow whatever image is driving her,” writes Durga Chew-Bose. The design solution is to create a niche, or make an existing dead space more functional. Com-fort is key: A nook is the architectural manifestation of a hug. Here’s how designers are carving them out of thin air. —Hadley MendelsohnWhat’s in a Nook?

3 Things to Do Before You NookP14H O U S E B E A U T I F U L1. Consider Its SizeWhere we see an awkward stair landing, Erin Fearins sees a hangout. Encased in a walnut frame, this nook by Fearins Welch Design and CWB Architects is spacious enough for two brothers to convene for video games.3. Sneak in Storage Deep enough to moonlight as a guest bunk, this alcove by Rita Koenig and architect Gil Schafer III has drawers under the cushion. “It’s more than a reading nook or another piece of furniture,” says Schafer.2. Give It Lots of LightSurrounding a window and outfitted with overhead sconces, this lounging zone by Chloe Warner of Redmond Aldrich Design is both cozy and roomy. The wallpaper, Gondola by Cole & Son, energizes with color and pattern.WHY BOTHER BUILDING ONE?“With social media, we’re more connected than ever—but people feel more alone than ever. Nooks are places to sit and visit with an actual person (hopefully, one of your favor-ites) over a cup of coffee or glass of wine, and compare notes on life.” —Jeffrey Dungan

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I l l u s t r a t i o n s b y R A M I N I E M I17H O U S E B E A U T I F U L14 Pro Tips for a Stress-freeRenovationFrom the folks who have done this before: the power of popping on a new faucet, bracing for the unexpected, and everything in between.

P18H O U S E B E A U T I F U L“Whatever you think your budget and timeline will be, double them both.”— L E A N N E F O R DYou don’t have to replace it all.Refinish old cabinets.Jasmine Roth says to sand down, prime, and paint a builder-grade kitchen to spruce it up. Reinforce old windows.For about half the cost of replacement, add weather stripping and storm windows to prevent energy leakage. Resurface old tiles.To change the color of dated tiles, hire a resurfacer to spray a thin layer of enamel all over them. Estate Vinyl Siding mimics the look of real wood but holds up a lot longer under the elements. royalbuildingproducts.com1352A RENO IS A PRIVILEGE!“You have to put things in per-spective. There are so many people without a roof over their heads. So remind yourself how lucky you are.”—Patrick Mele“IN MY LAST HOUSE, a 200-year-old farmhouse on Long Island, I decided to be the contractor and moved in, on site, for the restoration. I blocked off a bedroom with a mattress, an old table, and an electric kettle for tea—but the dust crept in. And when I went through the house to check on the bathroom tiles and fireplace hearths, sawdust would go flying. The old wallpaper was ripped, revealing moldy old plaster. I loved being there, seeing it all come together, but before long, I had a chronic cough. The doctor put me on antibiotics and told me to stay with friends or at a motel for the duration. The workmen used masks and worked seven hours a day, he reminded me, while I was in there inhaling dust and mold spores 24/7. With my next house, I lived nearby while the work was being done, and it made all the difference. I learned my lesson!” —Tricia Foley4 REAL TALKGet out of the house.AVERAGE NATIONAL REMODELING COSTSRemodeling a... Bathroom: $10,417Basement: $20,110 Kitchen: $24,178Adding a...Closet: $2,013 Shed: $3,048Garage: $27,403Room: $44,317Look-alike materials can be better than the real thing.Engineered-wood floors like RevWood can be more sustainable (many planks are made from a single log) and tougher than real wood. mohawkflooring.comA coat of Faux Poured Concrete can make a plaster wall look like solid concrete, minus the cost or trouble. concretestudio7.comTo fake the English slate castle of your dreams, use Brava Old World Slate, a synthetic that can last more than 70 years. bravarooftile.com

19H O U S E B E A U T I F U L9768The position of a window can change how you use a room. Character can be tacked on! “Molding creates an architectural framework and structure, as well as providing a layer of decoration. It’s easy to get stuck on historic details, but remember: People did all sorts of crazy things with molding in the Victorian age. It doesn’t always have to be super-classical.” —Young HuhCARPET CAN BE COOL.“I welcome wall-to-wall carpeting in private areas, like the master bedroom or master closet,” says designer Meg Lavalette, who recommends a natural fiber like wool for a high-end look. Other bonuses? “It’s incredi-bly durable, naturally stain-resistant, and easy to clean.”ADDING SIMPLE BASE OR CROWN MOLDING1. Buy it at the Home Depot, where they’ll cut it to your measurements. 2. Secure it using a hammer and finishing nails or a nail gun.3. Caulk, prime, and paint it so the new molding pieces match your walls.“It’s so important to know who you’re working with—get references, and actually call them all!”— A L I S O N V I C T O R I ANorth-facing windows in a room by Grace Rosenstein Interiors let in muted light all day long.G.P. Schafer Architect used bold blue to make this tradi-tional trim feel anything but.South-facing: bright, intense sun all day long West-facing: a long period of direct sunlight, including a dreamy golden glow in the afternoonEast-facing: a blast of bright morning light followed by a lack of light throughout the dayNorth-facing: soft, even expo-sure all day long

20H O U S E B E A U T I F U LMoving a wall is simple—unless there are pipes or wires inside it. What’s the Trouble?“Moving existing plumb-ing or electrical usually requires an architect to draw and file plans with the city for approval, which adds both time and costs to the project.” —Meg Lavalette“Moving a tub from one side of the room to the other is $10,000 right there.” —Patrick MeleWater-based poly-urethane: With its clear satin finish, this poly (available from Bona) dries way faster—and is less toxic—than its oily counterpart. When Is It Worth It?“We’ll move plumbing if a home’s existing layout doesn’t work, like if the kitchen is too small, or the bathroom needs to be expanded. We aim for symmetry with good flow and storage. And sometimes, moving the plumbing allows a tiny room to feel much big-ger.” —Keren RichterOils and waxes:Tung and linseed oils, or a wax-oil hybrid like Rubio Monocoat, are matte and natural. Note: Special soap is required to maintain the finish.WE’VE HAD OUR SHARE of the unexpected while renovating a home in Hudson, New York. Each room held a surprise: under one layer of flooring, another; windows that blew right out of their frames. Unmaking history takes time, and we learned we needed patience—a lot of it. One morning turned up different news: I sat up in bed to a cancer diagnosis. We found cracks in the foundation, both mine and the house’s. All the stress we’d poured into trying to get it done on time now seemed so unnecessary. Each clogged pipe and crack whispered to us, “Slow down.” Sometimes the plan—and perspective—needs changing. We finally learned the importance of that. —Danielle Van Noy1413REAL TALKYou can’t predict everything. Don’t try. 12. “All of the finishing touches—light fixtures, bathroom mirrors, closet systems, even door knobs—are a big part of the budget. Don’t forget about them! — J A S M I N E R O T H11How to ensure you’re actually comfortable in your home? Own a properly functioning HVAC system. For newer units, change or clean the filter regularly and have older units inspected before each winter season. Get a smart thermostat to regulate temperatures. “A variable heating-and-cooling system will reduce temperature swings and run quieter at lower speeds,” says Tim Storm of Trane Residential. After about 10 years, replace the system.Oil-based polyurethane is durable, but that shellac-like amber finish will only get darker with time. Consider an alternative.10Wood floors should look like wood floors. Some of the best investments are invisible.Reporting by Amanda Sims Clifford, Hadley Mendelsohn, Kaitlin Menza, Brittney Morgan, Carisha Swanson, and Shoko Wanger

TO SIMULATE 5 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE, WE PUT OUR PRODUCTS THROUGH EXTREME TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS INSIDE THE SEET LAB. WE PUSH BEYOND ANY WEATHER YOU SEE, SO THEY CAN RUN THROUGH ANYTHING. D E S C R IP T I O NXV20i HEAT PUMPSYSTEM EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL TESTPR ODUC TTE STTEST .SO ITRUNS.WES L A MW E TC O L DH O TS H A K E

P h o t o g r a p h s b y PA U L R A E S I D E22H O U S E B E A U T I F U LArts and Crafts meets Art Deco, and yet somehow it’s totally of-the-moment. By Emma BazilianThe Time MachineLOW STOR AGEThe original bay window limited storage above the sink, so Farmer added plenty of under-counter cabinets throughout.TEXTUR AL TOUCHHandmade Moroccan tiles are a more textured substitute for standard subway.K I T C H E N O F T H E M O N T H

23 H O U S E B E A U T I F U LHE FIRST TIME designer Nina Farmer set foot in her clients’ 1904 English Arts and Crafts–style house outside of Boston, she was smitten with the period features—finely hewn moldings, leaded glass windows, grand mahogany mantels. Unfortunately, none of that extended to the kitchen. A previous renovation had stripped it of any original detail, leaving a sea of cherry cabinets instead. “It just didn’t feel like the rest of the house, so we needed to find a way to reintegrate it,” says Farmer. The question was how. “With all that woodwork elsewhere, stained cabinets would have felt heavy, but a typical white kitchen wouldn’t fit, either,” she says. So she split the difference, combining an Arts and Crafts–inspired stained surround with two-tone painted fronts. A bit of Art Deco detailing—most visible on the custom brass-trimmed hood—provides a glamorous twist. “It was definitely an experiment on our part, so the clients had to trust us!” says Farmer, laughing. “But a little of this and a little of that ended up feeling totally current.”Once filled with heavy woodwork, this suburban Boston kitchen’s new two-tone treatment brightens up the space. Pendants: Allied Maker. Stools: Thomas Hayes. Tile: Mosaic House. Faucets: Waterworks. Refrigerator: Sub-Zero. Shade fabric: Rogers & Goffigon.TWho Lives Here?A young family of five lived in the house for three years before renovating to restore it to its original glory.OUT OF SIGHTShort pendants light the room from above without blocking the view of the kitchen.

24H O U S E B E A U T I F U LConnected RoomsFarmer simplified the palette in the butler’s pantry, painting the cabinets a solid gray-blue color that also appears in the adjacent dining room. “When the doors are open, the spaces still feel integrated,” says the designer.Two-Tone CabinetsFarmer chose two Farrow & Ball paints: Pavilion Gray and Downpipe. The tile backsplash and marble counter were kept solid white: “There’s already enough happening on the cabinets!” says Farmer.Metallic TrimKnowing the anthracite Lacanche range would be a focal point, Farmer designed a brass-edged hood to complement it. Mesh cabinet fronts were added to thread more gold tones throughout.Repeating Motifs“We designed this ‘command center’ to be utilitarian but also beautiful,” says Farmer, who replicated features from the stove area—mesh, Deco detailing—via a screened window that looks into the pantry. Chair:Richard Wrightman.HANDBLOWN- MIRROR CABINET FRONTS OPEN UP THE NARROW SPACE.K I T C H E N O F TH E M O N T H

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266H O U S E B E A U T I F U LO U S E B E A U T I F U L2HI l l u s t r a t i o n b y T H E R E D D R E S SSHE OWNS IT!My rental building went co-op.”Courtney McLeod,who turned to interior design as a second career seven years ago, lived in a slew of apartments before settling on “the one”—a rental. “I’ve lived all over the city, but Harlem feels like home,” she says, “and when I saw this apartment, it was love at first sight.” When the building was converted to condos, she jumped at the chance to own. “

27H O U S E B E A U T I F U LH B S U R V E YIDDespite the fact that women still make, on average, 80 cents to their male coworkers’ dollar, single women are far outpacing their male counterparts in purchasing homes. By Hadley KellerFinding Her Place“When I hit my mid- to late 30s, I decided to create my own happy ending.”—TIA BENNETTHEY COME IN ALL forms: retirees, divorced boomers, millennials purchasing their first homes. Single women made up some 18 percent of home buyers in 2019 (by contrast, their single male counterparts accounted for around 9 percent). To learn more about this rising demographic—one of the fastest-growing groups of home-owners—House Beautiful conducted a survey in collaboration with Marie Claire, and here’s what we found. Unlike their male peers, women aren’t waiting for marriage (or even partnership) to buy a home. Recruit-ing manager Tia Bennettbought and sold an investment property in New Jersey before settling into the home she now owns in Mary-land. “When I think back to my 20s and early 30s, the ideal was finding a Prince Charming, getting married, starting a family, and living happily ever after,” she says. “I held off on buying a home because, like many women, I thought I’d have that fairy tale and go into homeownership with my spouse. But that never happened—and then time just starts passing you by.”Another factor in her decision: motherhood. “I’m considering becom-ing a choice mom, and I wanted to TSHE OWNS IT!When my husband left us, I needed a reset.”Poet Danelle Lejeunefound herself in “Midwestern midlife with three kids and few employable skills” when her husband of 16 years left. She packed her things, moved across the country, and bought a foreclosure farmhouse in the Deep South.“Changing the Fairy Tale

28H O U S E B E A U T I F U LH B S U R V E YIW h a t ’ s I t L i k e t o B u y a H o m e a s a S i n g l e W o m a n ?“Think of it as an investment oppor-tunity, a way of not starting your life in the negatives.”—NIKKI MERKERSON “I even found a female home inspector. I thought, The more female business-women I can support in this, the better.”—Nasozi Kakembo“I worked with one realtor who insisted I run every decision by my parents.” —Anonymous, who bought at 2567%of realtors are female, but they are less likely than their male counter-parts to be in leadership roles $189,000the average price of awoman’s first home, compared to$215,000the average price of a man’s first home “We find that women tend to come far more pre-pared with what they want than men.” —DanielleLurie, Compass26%bought because“real estate isalways a goodinvestment”29%bought because the market wasfavorableof children live with single mothers, as opposed to 4% with single fathers.21%entrepreneur, purchased her first home at age 29, she rented it out while renting another place because she couldn’t afford to live in it. Merker-son went on to found PairGap, a hub for collaborative buying, to encour-age more young people (male andfemale) to build on success like hers by buying young. “Millennials are starting their lives $30,000 in debt,” she explains. “They should consider buying, and if they can’t do it them-selves, get with friends, buy something together, and build wealth early.”have something that was my own,” says Bennett, who froze her eggs shortly before closing on her home last year. “I wanted someplace that was stable, that I could raise a child in.”Getting Smart with MoneyTHERE’S ALSO THE PRACTICALmatter of finances. “For me, it was a combination of wanting an invest-ment and knowing that renting a nicer apartment would’ve cost me what a mortgage would cost,” explains photographer Alexa Klorman, who closed on her one-bedroom apart-ment in Manhattan at age 31. When Nikki Merkerson, a New York–based SHE OWNS IT!I threw in a ridiculously low bid.”For Katy Polsby, CEO of C.W. Stockwell, a combination of preparedness and speed got her a townhouse: “The entire city was looking the other way while the Giants played in the World Series, and I threw in a ridiculously low bid and ended up getting the house for under asking price.”“To find out what kind of house you can afford, go meet with a mortgage broker, says homeowner Malene Barnett, who bought at 31. Then you can start looking at listings.T i p !



30H O U S E B E A U T I F U L“It’s something I can be proud of. If I have a bad day, I go home and say, ‘This is fine. I own it.’”—EMILY PALEN26%Urban25%Rural49%Suburban13%Condo/Co-Op72%Single-FamilyHome9%Town- houseW h e r e ( a n d W h a t ) A r e S i n g l e W o m e n B u y i n g ?LOCATIONHOMETYPESHE OWNS IT!H B S U R V E YI“I couldn’t afford a 20 percent down payment.”Extensive research led entrepreneur Nasozi Kakembo to pay just $0.73 at closing on her home in Columbia, Maryland: To start, her realtor put it in the contract “that the seller would contribute 2 percent to cover the closing” (a number of women interviewed for our story negoti-ated the same). Then, Kakembo was able to secure $15,000—the cost of her down payment—from a government program offered in her Maryland county. Many states offer similar support; visit the housing section of your local government website to see your options.Finding the Right HomeLIKE ANY DECISION, HOME- buying is about finding the balance between ideals and what’s attain-able. “I think it’s so important to just sit down and think about what matters to you in a space you will live in,” says genetic counselor Emily Palen, who bought her Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, home at age 25. For many women we spoke to, a purchase meant making certain compromises: moving to a different neighborhood or state, choosing a different style of home, or deferring a purchase until it was possible to buy something within those preferred parameters. The other thing they all agreed on? While the process of buying alone may seem daunting, the increased security—and the feeling of reward that comes with ownership—was worth it. Danielle Lurie, founder of Compass, an all-female realty team that empowers women to buy early, puts it this way: “The No. 1 thing that we hear they want is stability.”Don’t be afraid to negotiate, says Compass agent Danielle Lurie. And not just on price. Some sellers will even consider cover-ing some of the closing costs.T i p !

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32H O U S E B E A U T I F U LDo you have enough money for a down payment?Ah!I’m notsureAreyou opento changing locations?Are youopen to renovations?Great,where doyou wantto live?That’s OK.There are other ways! Are youa veteranor relatedto one?A licensedprofessional!Ask a friend or trusted realtorfor a rec. What’s that?YES.YES.thesticksthe’burbsthecityNO.Yep!Yikes.Yeah,no...Yas!Wait, how muchis that? 20% of the purchase price.Look intoVA loans.Go meet with your bank.Look at new developments for a negotia-ble price.Research high-value markets.Considera fixer- upper!Does my aging mother count?On the fence? Pause to save up more. Once you’re financially set, start looking at homes.See lots of properties. A good agent is your tour guide. Ask about HSA loans, and local and first-time buyer grants.Doyou havekids?NOPE.MAYBE!Someday, hopefully.Yes! I am ready to look.Absolutelynot.Meet with a local broker.H B S U R V E YS o Yo u W a n t t o B u y a H o m e ...Have youmet with a mortgage broker?Hear more success stories—and start your own—at housebeautiful.com/single-female-homeowners

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35 H O U S E B E A U T I F U LHAILIN FROM ACROSS THE U.S., GHOUSE BEAUTIFUL’S NEW CLASS OF NEXT WAVERS ARE the 14 most promising up-and-comers in our industry right now. Their styles run the gamut, but every single one is already pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a great designer. By Hadley KellerOnes to Watch in 2020Sean LeffersLOS ANGELES “I have been reading every shelter magazine I could get my hands on since I was about 10,” says Sean Leffers. While working at Taschen just out of college, he began buying fixer-uppers and renovat-ing them on shoestring budgets. The experience taught him the nitty-gritty of the construction process, a valuable foil to the love of art, antiques, and collecting he has developed since then, and a trademark of his work today. “I want the houses that I work on to be therapeutic sanctuaries for their inhabitants,” he says. @seanderlustLEFFERS IN AN ART- FILLED SAN FRANCISCO HOME OF HIS DESIGN. We’ll becelebratingthese winners all year on housebeautiful.com

PG36H O U S E B E A U T I F U LMarie FlaniganHOUSTONSome designers might turn up their noses at a small project, but not Marie Flanigan. “When I’m working on a home that has a smaller footprint or presents a unique set of obstacles, I find I’m always pushed creatively,” says the designer. Flanigan founded her firm in 2010 after shifting from architecture to design for the closer relationship it allows with her clients. “I love to see the complete picture,” she says, “from the beginning to placing the final piece of art.” @marie aniganinteriorsflNoz NozawaSAN FRANCISCODespite skipping over design in favor of a more “stable” career to please her parents, Noz Nozawa found herself in the industry anyway when she landed a job in marketing at Houzz. In 2014, she started her own firm, where creative color and pattern have become her calling card. “I think there is a freedom to the way I design spaces that untethers them from the pressure to be strictly beautiful,” Nozawa muses. Another signature? A dedication to sustainable materials. “It 100 percent drives the decisions I make,” she says. @noznozawaFLANIGAN IN A HOME SHE DESIGNED IN HOUSTON. N E X T WAV E

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38H O U S E B E A U T I F U LFrench & FrenchSANTA FE, NEW MEXICO When Matt and Heather French decided to build their own house, neither realized it would result in a dual career change. “We became stronger during the process, so I knew we were onto something,” says Heather. Once the project was complete, Matt (a trained electrical contractor) and Heather (a natural-health professional) founded French & French. They are deeply influenced by the adobe aesthetic of their hometown, Santa Fe, which manifests in colorful, folk-inspired interiors, and they recently launched a lighting line, which they sell out of their shop. “We never would’ve guessed that this is what we’d be doing,” Matt says, “but we love it.” @frenchandfrenchinteriorsMATT AND HEATHER IN THEIR SANTA FE STUDIO.

PLinda HayslettLOS ANGELESWhen Linda Hayslett began looking for a second career after burnout from the fashion world, “interior design was just never on my radar, because in my mind, a designer was an older woman who covered things in frilly florals,” she laughs. But after redoing her own home in Califor-nia, she went back to design school—and took to it. Hayslett loves devising unique solutions for her clients and working closely with a construction team to do so (“I love being in the middle of it”). And she still often looks to fashion for inspiration. @lhdesigned Clary BosbyshellATLANTAHaving grown up admiring the design work of Dorothy Draper and Bunny Williams, Clary Bosbyshell unsurprisingly tends toward a classic approach. But, since launching her own firm in January 2019 after working alongside her mother for 10 years, the Atlanta native has started infusing old-school American style with current comforts—and a bit of the unexpected. “I try to create timeless interiors that layer color and pattern with a mix of fine antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces,” she says. @clarybosbyshellBOSBYSHELL IN THE ENTRY OF AN ATLANTA HOME SHE DESIGNED. HAYSLETT AT A MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA, PROJECT OF HER DESIGN.N E X T WAV E

P40H O U S E B E A U T I F U LKatie HodgesLOS ANGELESWhile studying speech-language pathology in college, Katie Hodges took a job as a personal assistant and got into her boss’s home renovation: “She recognized me for the closet creative I was,” laughs the designer, who went on to start Katie Hodges Design, a design-build firm, just a few years later, in 2014. “My style is deeply rooted in the feel of California,” she says, “but every project has a unique story.” @katiehodgesdesign Mikel WelchNEW YORK CITYWhen Mikel Welch, uninspired at a corporate job, found himself window-shopping at home stores for 45 minutes during a lunch break, he knew it was time for a career switch. He began by designing rooms for no more than the price of the furniture, eventually landing Steve Harvey as a client. The come-dian put the young designer on his talk show eight years ago, and Welch’s TV design career was born (in 2019, he appeared on the reboot of TLC’s Trading Spaces). @mikelwelchWELCH IN THE ROOM HE DESIGNED AT THE 2019 BROOKLYN HEIGHTS DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE.N E X T WAV E

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PE42H O U S E B E A U T I F U LGordon DunningATLANTAWhile some design duos may be opposites who attract, Lathem Gordon (right) and Cate Dunning say they are, well, the opposite. “We’re like a Venn diagram that overlaps, with tiny, separate slivers on the sides,” laughs Gordon. The duo founded their firm in 2014, creating a kind of contemporary Southern style that finds bold new uses for classic motifs. Says Dunning, “The architecture of the South and the Low Country is very much seeped through our souls.”@gordondunningAnthony GianacakosNEW YORK CITY Before founding his firm and textile line in 2012, Anthony Gianacakos, a self-proclaimed “maximalist at heart,” went on a trip to Brazil, where he cemented his design ethos. “I thought, This is what I’m going to do—I’m going to sketch on these trips so that I can come back to my studio and create an actual collection.” His latest, for his fabric line, Anthony George Home, reinter-prets Spanish architectural themes, taking the wildly colored tilework of Antoni Gaudí as inspiration. @anthonygeorgehomeGIANACAKOS IN A COLORFUL APARTMENT HE DESIGNED IN HARLEM. N E X T WAV E

43 H O U S E B E A U T I F U LMA AllenRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINAIt makes sense that MA Allen ini-tially set out to pursue a career in law before pivoting to design: Each of her projects begins with a sweeping research phase. “Almost like an anthro-pologist, I learn everything I can about my clients, their families, and how they live,” she says. Allen has a knack for translat-ing this practical knowledge into colorful, art-filled interiors that break rules in just the right ways—a fitting parallel to her own daring fashion sense. @maalleninteriors Whitley EstebanNEW YORK CITYFor the past five years, Whitley Esteban has been behind the scenes at Roman and Williams, quietly shepherding the firm’s projects (including the highly anticipated British Art wing at the Met, opening this spring) as its managing director. Esteban’s personal style and process reflect the best of her firm’s: She’s passionate about classical art and design, fascinated by context, and always looking to experiment. “I want to be able to acknowledge the classics and play them back in a reverential way,” she says. @whitleyestebanALLEN IN HER FABRIC LIBRARY IN DOWNTOWN RALEIGH.

interior designer LEANNE FORDwriter CANDACE BRAUN DAVISONphotographer REID ROLLSproducer ROBERT RUFINO44H O U S E B E A U T I F U LLeanne Ford is unquestionably a serial renovator: Just when this HGTV star finished her own quiet escape in Pittsburgh, she got the itch to do it all over again. CAN T’STOP WON T ’STOP