16 Jan 2016 Love and health are the heart of home
by Brenda McClain
“We now call this my wellness project,” so says Charles DeBoard.
When in need of a home renovation, Charles and Susan DeBoard called on their friend of more than 19 years — Georg Andersen — the locally loved, internationally respected member of the American Society of Interior Designers.
They knew what they wanted, but as the conversation began, the DeBoards realized it would be oh so wise to defer to Andersen if they were to really give their home a place to renew, refresh and relax.
The DeBoards said, “We find his designs timeless.”
They did and they do. Could their two-car garage with guest quarters above actually be redone as an entertaining area?
“Yes,” according to Andersen. Thus, the journey began.
Andersen wanted to introduce greens to the space through glass billiard shades, wainscoting and upholstery. The greens don’t match, but they are related hues that make for more visual interest than if they were a perfect match.
Color and texture are paramount to Andersen’s elements. “The space incorporates three shades of green, camel color photo process wall covering with heavily textured fabric that causes people to want to touch and feel it.”
The ceiling is robin’s egg/sky blue. “The space interacts with the beautiful surrounding gardens through the use of French doors where t he garage doors once stood,” Andersen said. “Fenestration was added to the space along with yet another glass door giving views and light to both the east and west walls.”
One of the more beautiful components of Andersen’s designs many times includes lots of mirrors. For the DeBoards, the mirrors were installed on the opposite wall from the French doors and doubles the room’s visual depth.
These elements create “windows” on all four walls. Then, the floating wood floor of textured driftwood was added, and it was time for selecting the pool table.
The DeBoards wanted a California vibe for this space. Andersen designed a contemporary pool table that included a self-contained drawer for equipment. The table top? Taupe colored worsted wool — beautiful to the eye and expanding the visual.
The billard fixture was custom made through Hambuchen Electric. Reflection in the mirror continues the illusion of an additional fixture in the room, as Andersen intended.
Other elements include:
Two undercounter beverage coolers
Bar sink
Glass storage
Rain Forest Green marble surfaces — According to Andersen, the use of granite for hard surfaces is over stressed. Marble has considerably more color and pattern choices than granite. Marble, if sealed and maintained, is a worry free material.
Most surprising, the floating floor of unbleached cedar. According to the DeBoards, it’s one of the most amazing floors, like no floating floor they’ve seen. Andersen wanted “a real California feel; Charlie wanted something that would transport him a little geographically.”
Andersen had the black wicker chairs and the tall woven leather chairs made to order on the East Coast.
The second-floor guest studio remains intact. The safe room is now a wine cellar capable of cozily seating six.
DeBoard designed, then ordered, full-wall wine racks. He even assembled the racks as they are today.
Somewhere between creating a space of solace for Charles and Susan DeBoard, Charles had a health setback.
Great friendships supersede professional relationships when this happens. “Georg jumped in and took over because I could not be involved for a time,” Charles said. “Thankfully, I am on the other side of my health issue; it was such a relief to know the work would continue and be our beautiful place of solace.”
