Modern Farmhouse Architecture

 Of the many wonderful architectural styles that I enjoy

 I think the modern farmhouse vernacular is by far my favorite

 Architect Howard Backen
has designed dozens of residencies, wineries,
 hospitality and retail buildings,
 but the simple and appealing farmhouse aesthetic
is what he does so well 

 His, is a classic American house, combined with modern details and amenities,
wonderful sight lines and clean landscape.

All of these elements allow for a lean and modern home,
 which include references to Scandinavian and French influences as well.

Nothing appears over done or excessive.

 The homes that he designs 

are filled with calm
and each element seems to have a purpose 

The inside to outside flow in his work is wonderful too!

His wife is a very talented interior designer in her own right and her work fits his design to a tee.

Always with an exterior vista in mind, he often includes over scaled openings.

Even if there is not an amazing view,

 there will be a opportunity to enjoy the out of doors around each corner.

He and the partners in his firm call this 

"transparency"

 In 2012 Mr Backen opened his first restaurant
in the landmark Vanderbilt building in Santa Helena,
locating his offices in the rear...how convenient right!!

The restaurant is called French Blue, 

referring to the antique blue doors that have graced the front of the building 

for over 50 years

Although he has designed many restaurants, 

this is the first that he actually owns

here is the menu

it looks pretty tasty 

and not all that  pricey either

A few of the other restaurants he is associated with include 

Press in St Helena

 Go Fish in St Helena

and numerous Il Fornaio restaurants 

throughout the United States

Mr Backens designs are perhaps the alter ego of much of what has been built in Napa,
 known to many as the valley of excessive faux chateaus
and larger than life tuscan monsters.

His admiration for the American farmhouse lies in the honesty of the details,
 the house as an element of the site
and the surrounding landscape.

Some of his work is more large scale 

including the home of Gary Freidman CEO,

 creator and curator of Restoration Hardware
 and the much loved home of designer
Barbara Colvin Hoopes shown above

I wrote about Gary Freidmans  house a while ago
and it is really an impressive residence

Many of the wineries Howard Backen has designed are in the 

modern Farmhouse vernacular as well 

The Paul Hobbs Winery above suggests the cleanliness of surgical steel
with the down home thoughtfulness of the American barn

Most of the wineries have wonderful spots for large gatherings and tastings

 intimate dinning rooms 

and large airy locations

for

weddings and events

The use of the very humble but much loved front porch is really so fun to see

Hay bales for seating.... a great idea
but I'll take the side with the pillows

He designed Sundance Resort in Utah

Meadowood Resort in St Helena

Solage in Calistoga

His retail work includes defining former public buildings into large retail spaces with many varied areas for merchandising, including enclosed exterior spaces

and huge lofty ceiling heights

shown here in a Restoration Hardware location

 But I think this is what defines his look

 The simple farm house...although not as simple as it may appear

It is often what we think of as the true "American" home

Hope you enjoyed this tour!

Any thoughts on your favorite style of architecture?

Have a fun weekend

~kelley~

Vegetables As Art: Part 1

 As you may have guessed I'm a

 "little bit of a crazy" 

when it comes to flowers...

I love all varieties, shapes and sizes

I'm not picky 

and I'll try just about anything in

 an arrangement at least once

well, maybe not poison ivy!

 This year in the vegetable garden I planted leeks...

I wanted leeks to eat and sauté 

but I was secretly hoping they would blossom

 and they did!

 These are little globes of 

oniony smelling 

leek flowers

 The flowers are pretty large actually...around 3 to 4 inches across

 tinged with a bit of purple and lime green

 I picked these just before I harvested the leeks and they have already lasted about a week 

in this arrangement of old milk bottles

The flowers that had not opened when I cut these,  

are now fully in bloom... 

which was another surprise

 I have planted Allium bulbs in the past, in my perennial beds, which are ornamental and not edible,

 but honestly, these are just as pretty 

and you get the benefit of the edible leeks as well

Two for the price of one!!!

  now onto the  

"vegetables as art"

 part of this story

 About 10 years ago I purchased this cookbook (originally publish in 1996) 

and it changed the way I look at the beauty of vegetables

I am a HUGE fan of Alice Waters 

and her cooking style

Alice and her staff have been the innovative force behind the 

"farm to table" philosophy and style of cooking 

in her landmark Berkeley California restaurant 

Chez Panisse

since 1971 

Anyone who is interested in cooking, organic farming and home gardening 

has heard of Alice Waters

She embraces the art of French cooking and was a friend and peer 

of the legendary Julia Child

She has supported her local community of farmers and growers 

from San Diego to the Oregon Border and beyond in search of 

of interesting and beautiful fresh produce, 

poultry, fish and charcuterie  

"Alice Waters and her suppliers share the belief 

that optimal flavor and environmental harmony go hand in hand"

 When I purchased this book, primarily for the recipes, it was actually the art work

that left me so in love with this cookbook 

all of the art included in this book is the work of Patricia Curtan, print maker,

 designer and long time collaborator at Chez Panisse

Patricia works with linoleum blocks or Linotype on a very old printing press.  She studied the art of printmaking and letter press early on in her collaboration with Alice 

which resulted in a collection of amazing menus 

these are just some of the beautiful interpretations of garden vegetables

 throughout this wonderful book

she manages to take the humble butternut squash 

and make it a package of gold 

and here are the simple and beautiful leek blossoms that have found their way

 into my love of

 honest and simple flower arrangements

much more to come...vegetables are beautiful !

yes indeed