Brad Haines knows a thing or two about building things. The intensely creative and innovative founder of Oklahoma City-based Haines Capital is the driving force behind numerous successful companies including Bank 7 (NASDAQ BSVN), which proudly reported record year-end earnings since going public in September of last year. He has beautifully built, renovated, and personally thumb printed all of his commercial spaces and residences. “Our theory is to keep things sophisticated but comfortable,” Brad says. That’s the exact approach he took in his personal haven in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma. Painstakingly renovated over the span of two years by Candeleria Foster Design-Build of Oklahoma City, his home boasts museum-white, authentic Venetian plaster walls and ceilings; charcoal tiled flooring; imported marble in the master bath; and a pretty kitchen you’ll want to emulate. Reminiscent of an edgy luxury hotel, it is a vibe conjured by Cantoni designer Nicole George. “The new remodel plan was all about opening up the space and layering monochromatic color with lots of texture,” says Nicole, who collaborated with Brad on two previous projects. “The color palette is minimal, with charcoal, bone, amber, stone, linen and leather.” “Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated“Sophisticated Nicole helped oversee space planning and selection of interior finishes, lighting, furnishings and fine art for the entire 7,000-square-foot home. It is now decked top-to-bottom in pieces sourced from Cantoni, beginning with the custom-ordered console at entry and a pair of Glacier Suspension fixtures over the stairwell. “Every angle in the house is the result of a critical thought process,” Nicole says. “We wanted to make sure each room would be purposeful.” To that end, “we reintroduced the ‘parlor,’ and also redefined the formal dining area as a bar and drink lounge with enough space for 10 guests to comfortably dine,” Nicole says. Brad’s parlor holds the Swing sectional customized in a silky, soft-hand charcoal leather crafted by prominent Italian leather furnishings company Gamma. Nicole paired it with the Kate swivel chair customized in a light grey leather, the sleek DK writing desk, and the Black & More bar cabinet by Malerba. “Nicole has a special design talent and adapts quickly to what we expect and like,” Brad says. To create the restaurant-worthy dining space, Nicole brought in a black-satin glass and marble-topped dining table and mohair-velvet chairs, all by Italian maker Gallotti & Radice. Guests can take a post-dinner respite on the adjoining room’s Aston sectional by Gamma. In the formal living room, Nicole paired Cantoni’s Fashion Affair club chairs with the Black & More cocktail table, and sofas sourced from Désirée, an Italian furniture upholstery company that creates cutting-edge yet comfortable pieces. The color-coordinating kitchen and breakfast area, meanwhile, hold a set of Guapa counter stools in ash grey leather, and the Ray dining table with light-grey leather Cattelan Italia chairs. The expansive loggia also is ideal for entertaining and lounging with the Versa grand sectional, the Ido cocktail table in grey aged walnut and Dolly chairs customized in black nubuck leather. Nicole made most of the design decisions, but, “she took my suggestions seriously and then put me in my place,” Brad says. She had the master bedroom’s Marlon bed by Gamma customized in a remarkably soft black leather with a matching stitch and paired it with onyx gloss Black & More nightstands. “The furnishings absolutely complement the style,” Brad says. “They are high-quality and have a modern flair, but at the end of the day, are still comfortable and user-friendly.” The end result is a home Brad not only enjoys, but one that Nicole also finds exceptional. “I honestly love every part of this house,” Nicole says. “Working with Brad is always an adventure but a privilege that I take very seriously, from the beginning of the design process to installation.”

Kitchen by Ellis Design | Dallas & Harris Photography

We had the pleasure to design and execute this wonderful project for a couple in Sherman Oaks. Client was in need of a 4th bedroom and a brighter bigger living space. We removed and reframed a 30' load bearing wall to unite the living room with the dining room and sitting area into 1 great room, we opened a 17' opening to the back yard to allow natural light to brighten the space and the greatest trick was relocating the kitchen from an enclosed space to the new great room and turning the old kitchen space into the 4th bedroom the client requested. Notice how the warmth of the European oak floors interact with the more modern blue island and the yellow barstools. The large island that can seat 8 people acts as a superb work space and an unofficial dining area. All custom solid wood cabinets and the high end appliance complete the look of this new magnificent and warm space for the family to enjoy.

Jacob Snavely

Sitting room after the renovation. Construction by RisherMartin Fine Homes Interior Design by Alison Mountain Interior Design Landscape by David Wilson Garden Design Photography by Andrea Calo

Il salotto di Casa DM è arricchito da un camino che da calore e luce all'ambiente. Progetto: MID | architettura Photo by: Roy Bisschops

Formal living room with Jewel-tone furniture

Philip Lauterbach

Sean O'Kane Architects (www.sokaia.com/)

Located less than a quarter of a mile from the iconic Widemouth Bay in North Cornwall, this innovative development of five detached dwellings is sympathetic to the local landscape character, whilst providing sustainable and healthy spaces to inhabit. As a collection of unique custom-built properties, the success of the scheme depended on the quality of both design and construction, utilising a palette of colours and textures that addressed the local vernacular and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. A fundamental objective was to ensure that the new houses made a positive contribution towards the enhancement of the area and used environmentally friendly materials that would be low-maintenance and highly robust – capable of withstanding a harsh maritime climate. Externally, bonded Porcelanosa façade at ground level and articulated, ventilated Porcelanosa façade on the first floor proved aesthetically flexible but practical. Used alongside natural stone and slate, the Porcelanosa façade provided a colourfast alternative to traditional render. Internally, the streamlined design of the buildings is further emphasized by Porcelanosa worktops in the kitchens and tiling in the bathrooms, providing a durable but elegant finish. The sense of community was reinforced with an extensive landscaping scheme that includes a communal garden area sown with wildflowers and the planting of apple, pear, lilac and lime trees. Cornish stone hedge bank boundaries between properties further improves integration with the indigenous terrain. This pioneering project allows occupants to enjoy life in contemporary, state-of-the-art homes in a landmark development that enriches its environs. Photographs: Richard Downer

Utsikt mot hallen

Ruth Maria Murphy

As part of a housing development surrounding Donath Lake, this Passive House in Colorado home is striking with its traditional farmhouse contours and estate-like French chateau appeal. The vertically oriented design features steeply pitched gable roofs and sweeping details giving it an asymmetrical aesthetic. The interior of the home is centered around the shared spaces, creating a grand family home. The two-story living room connects the kitchen, dining, outdoor patios, and upper floor living. Large scale windows match the stately proportions of the home with 8’ tall windows and 9’x9’ curtain wall windows, featuring tilt-turn windows within for approachable function. Black frames and grids appeal to the modern French country inspiration highlighting each opening of the building’s envelope.

A lovely perch.

Welcome to this heavenly great room. You see this room as soon you enter the apartment and it draws you in… The fireplace wall is the feature wall here. I decided to soften the wall with silk wallpaper which lends the perfect background for the feature art. The swivel chairs in the sage green velvet with their low back create good sight lines and allow for TV viewing and conversations to be enjoyed. The geometry in this layout make my design heart smile… the curved sofa, the semi-circle chairs and the organic side table play to the structural head chairs in the dining room.