330 Homes Spring 2023

SPRING 2023

SUSTAINABLE SLEEK BEAUTY

photo by Lisa Buie, Pixel Perfect Productions MELINDA and JOE SCALFARO'S MODERN LAKE TOWNSHIP HOME

AMAZING AKRON-CENTRIC LOFT

NAVIGATE THE HOT MARKET

LIGHT, AIRY OPEN FLOOR PLAN

cont ent s

spring 2023 | volume 5 | issue 1

dream house 14 ENERGY SAVER

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8 RUSTIC REFINED BASEMENT 22 LIGHT OPEN LIVING AREA 30 AKRON-CENTRIC LOFT

listings alert

12 NAVIGATE THE HOT MARKET

open air

26 DREAM PLAYSETS

SPRING 2023

on the cover

SUSTAINABLE SLEEK BEAUTY

14 | ENERGY SAVER | photo by Lisa Buie, Pixel Perfect Productions

photo by Lisa Buie, Pixel Perfect Productions MELINDA and JOE SCALFARO'S MODERN LAKE TOWNSHIP HOME

AMAZING AKRON-CENTRIC LOFT

NAVIGATE THE HOT MARKET

LIGHT, AIRY OPEN FLOOR PLAN

we l come

by COLIN BAKER

STAY DRY Rain can bring water damage, so be prepared.

a supplement to Akron Life maga z i ne

Publisher COLIN BAKER cbaker@bakermediagroup.com Creative Director WILLIAM L. TECKMYER III wteckmyer@bakermediagroup.com Managing Editor KELLY PETRYSZYN kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com Assistant Editor ALEXANDRA SOBCZAK asobczak@bakermediagroup.com Graphic Designer TYLAR CALHOUN tsutton@bakermediagroup.com

A pril showers bring May flow ers, as the adage goes. I think this should be changed to, I hope your house was prepared enough to endure the winter and heavy rain so you can appreciate spring flowers. If not, you will be spending your time cleaning and not appreciating spring. Well maybe that’s a little harsh, but as a homeowner, the most common type of home damage that I have seen is water damage. Let’s start with mold and mildew. I don’t know about you, but the thought of mold growing in my house freaks me out. Not only is it gross, but it’s also a health hazard. And don’t get me started on the smell. It’s like a mix of wet socks and old cheese, and it lingers for days. I’ve tried everything from air fresheners to scented candles to cut down on it, but nothing seems to work. So, you must deal with the source and dry it out. Living in the Midwest is unique because most of us have basements, and for some, they seem more like indoor swimming pools. Now, let’s talk about electrical damage. The thought of water and electricity mixing gives me chills. It’s a recipe for disaster. Water damage can cause electrical dam age, which can be dangerous and even deadly. So, if you don’t want to get electrocuted or start a fire, make sure to turn off the power supply to the affected area until a professional can fix it. Last but not least is decreased property value. Water damage can decrease the value of your property, which is the last thing you want as a homeowner. I mean, who wants to sell their house for less than it’s

worth? Not me, that’s for sure. I recently had a friend who was look ing to put their home on the mar ket only to discover a foundation wall was bowing and deteriorating behind a finished basement wall. This required a lot of expense to shore up and fix. One of my not-so-funny stories about water damage is that when we had been in our home for no more than three months, I went downstairs before we were head ing to catch a plane and heard what sounded like a faucet running. No, it wasn’t a faucet, but a pipe valve was leaking. I had a choice at that moment — stay home from vaca tion and call a plumber or jump on a plane and deal with the plumber from Florida. I chose the latter, and since my daughter was staying home, she could deal with the leak. It was a mess. I know what you’re thinking, Prevention is key, but how do I pre vent water damage? Well, my friend, it’s simple. Regular maintenance, installing a sump pump, checking your gutters and downspouts and installing a water alarm are just a few ways to prevent water damage. Water damage is no laughing mat ter, but sometimes it helps if you find humor in the situation. I mean, What else can you do when your house is flooded and you’re ankle deep in water — maybe get a kayak out? So, my fellow homeowner, take preventive measures to avoid water damage, and if all else fails, laugh it off. After all, laughter is the best medicine, even when it comes to water damage.

Contributing Writer LYNNE THOMPSON

Sales BUNNY LACEY STEVE TYSON BEN DICOLA sales@bakermediagroup.com

Circulation circulation@bakermediagroup.com 330-253-0056, ext. 104

Editorial Intern SHAWN DAVIS

spring 2023 | volume 5 | issue 1

33 O HOMES is published by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2023© by Baker Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial con tent in any manner is prohibited without written permission. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed envelope and sufficient postage. Baker Media Group, LLC and Akron Life accept no responsibil ity for unsolicited material. Subscription rates: Continental U.S., One year —$19.95, Two years —$34.95. Call for Alaska, Hawaii or interna tional rates. Single issues available by calling the circulation department or visiting akronlife.com/ store. $3.95 each plus $3.50 shipping & handling. Editorial, advertising and business offices: (330) 253-0056, fax (330) 253-5868.

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space lift | listings alert | dream house | open air

by LYNNE THOMPSON and photos by ISO PHOTO STUDIO

SMOOTH TRANSITION Rustic yet refined features finish this basement.

A n area that’s for two high schoolers and their college-age sibling to hang out in yet polished enough to mesh with the 4,300-square-foot Brecksville colonial’s interiors: That’s what the homeowners requested in finishing their basement. “When they had adults over, they didn’t want it to look like a playland,” says Interior Design Studio owner Katie Heinz. She responded by trans forming a portion into a sec ondary living space finished in rustic-yet-refined transi tional decor complete with interesting architectural details and finishes. She describes the spot that’s way too tricked out to be called a rec room. WINE DISPLAY: The couple needed more storage than two wine refrigerators under the bar could provide. “We wanted something unique, an art comfortable

piece,” Heinz adds. She hung four 72-by-20-inch sycamore planks, each outfitted with metal hardware to hold eight bottles, on one bar wall. WALL PANELS: Heinz added interest to one long seating-area wall by installing a trio of stacked travertine-ledgestone panels framed by reclaimed wooden barn siding. She hung a flat-screen TV in the center panel, wrought-iron sconces in two narrow panels flanking it. Inspiration came from the trim she’d seen in old movie theaters. “I just didn’t want to slap a TV in the middle of this wall,” she says. LINEAR FIREPLACE: The basement wasn’t constructed with the intention of adding a

fireplace. Heinz compensated by putting an electric unit in a lounge-area wall. Although this one doesn’t provide heat, it was an easy way to add the ambiance of a fireplace. “There’s not a lot of framing that has to be done,” she says. “You just need a plug and a switch.” edge sycamore treated and sealed to stand up to spills, then faced it in quarter-inch-thick chocolate brown leather tile. “[The tile] was chosen for durability,” Heinz says. “But it has a great appearance and finished look.” BAR: She topped the refined rustic feature in kiln-dried live

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A. CASPERSEN CO. CONTINUES TO THRIVE

Chelsea Caspersen was 5 years old when her father, Eric A. Caspersen, started his construction company, A. Caspersen Co., which focuses on exterior home improvements such as windows, siding, roofing and doors. “I grew up watching him,” says Chelsea Caspersen. “I was a child going to window manufacturers with him.” The knowledge she garnered at a young age led to her officially becoming the new owner of the company, after a slow transition as her dad got older. Despite years of experience, she has faced some challenges as a woman in construction. Only about 11 percent of the construction industry is female workers, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. She has had people doubt her knowledge, but she proves to them that she knows the industry. “I just really went overboard with learning as much as I could. I’m on the job site, so I’m watching our work be done and learning more and more so that … they can trust me,” she says. “I try to stand out with my knowledge, and so far, it’s worked.” Caspersen is confident that her company can provide the best experience for customers. They have educational conversations with clients instead of giving rehearsed sales pitches or using

high-pressure sales tactics. She makes sure the company upholds the ethics her father based the business on. “His big thing was Christian ethics, which really just is having integrity, honesty and accountability,” she says. With that mainstay, the company has evolved, with recent changes including a trendy remodel of the Cuyahoga Falls office. Caspersen says the office, in addition to its on-site showroom, provide a better experience for customers, who can see examples of many different products and color options in use instead of picking based off a small sample. She hopes to continue improving customers’ experiences while also growing the company further and continuing to give back to the community. A. Caspersen Co. completed a project for the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, installing hundreds of doors and thousands of windows. The company also made Qualified Remodeler magazine's top 500 list. “Through it all, I’ve stuck with my father’s core values,” Caspersen says. “I think that’s why we’ve been in business for over 28 years.” A. Caspersen Co. 3473 Wyoga Lake Road, Cuyahoga Falls acaspersenco.com

Chelsea Caspersen Woman-owned business

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space lift | listings alert | dream house | open air

by ALEXANDRA SOBCZAK

BIG BUY Get expert tips on how to navigate the hot housing market.

Ask an Expert

H omeowners were getting 15 to 20 bids when selling their houses last year, and generally the deal was done within a matter of 24 to 48 hours. Buyers were getting outbid left and right, and escalation clauses had them agreeing to pay more to keep up with demand. “I’ve been in the business 35 years. I’ve seen the

ebbs and flows in the market through the years. But what was different, what we’ve never seen, is these multiple offers, these escalation and gap clauses,” says Berkshire Hathaway real estate agent Leslee Salhany. As of February 2023, the market has cooled off a little bit, but there are still about seven or eight bids coming in

on some houses. “It’s the ones that are the shiniest apple in their tree [that get] multiple bids,” Salhany says. There are fewer cash offers now than before, more offers with Federal Housing Agency loans are being accepted and fewer buyers are forgoing home inspections to sweeten the deal.

“Last year, we saw so many buyers waiving their home inspection. It was concerning. … But now the buyers are doing home inspections. I’m so happy,” Salhany

says. “The current housing market is still very good.” She offers some tips on how homebuyers can navigate the hot housing market.

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listings alert

most houses for sale below $600,000 stay on the mar ket for up to two weeks, you might consider it. Whatever route you take, make sure that even during the chaos and competition of the homebuying process, you are looking ahead. The house you’re buying should be big enough to accommo date you and your family for years to come. “Buy for the future,” Salhany says, adding that you should keep in mind that you can always do home renovation projects to make your house what you want it to be down the line, so don’t be too picky when it comes to aesthetics, espe cially in this competitive market where you could overpay. “You can change your decor, you can change cabinetry, you can change the lights. Once you do all that, it’s a whole different look,” Salhany says. “The diamond in the rough — that's the one you should look for because that's gonna be more bang for your buck.”

FIRST TIMERS

SEASONED HOMEOWNERS

says. “Even the day that you’re ready to close — I had a client go buy a car that morning … and they didn’t get the house.” When making an offer, you might consider set ting money aside for an escalation or gap clause. Escalation clauses set aside money to outbid any outside offers during the purchasing process, and gap clauses pay for the difference between the appraised value of a house and the listing price. Don’t panic during the inspection process. Keep in mind that some prob lems can be easily fixed and that it’s important to pick your battles. “That home inspector has to find everything wrong with that house from A to Z. And once you’re done, you’re just like deer in the head lights,” Salhany says. “It is unsettling, and that’s why you need a good real estate agent to guide you.”

If you’re shopping for your first home, Salhany rec ommends you meet with a real estate agent for a buyer's interview, where an agent can explain the homebuying process. This usually takes about an hour and a half, and agents can point you toward loans you might qualify for, such as a heroes loan for first responders or loans for buying in certain areas. Some people aren’t sure if they want to work with an agent, but Salhany recom mends it since they can provide information on list ings that is more up-to-date than resources like Zillow. Once you get further into the homebuying process, it’s essential to not alter your financial status by making big changes like buying a car or opening a credit card.

If you already have a house but are looking to sell it and buy another, knowing where to start and whether to buy or sell first can be tough. “If you own this house and you’re like, What do I do? What comes first, the chicken or the egg? … There’s different ways you can do it,” Salhany assures. “It gives you the availability to go purchase another home without the sale of your home,” she says. Most banks will give you 80 percent of your equity in your home, pay off your mortgage and bridge over 80 percent to the new house. This is a popular option during this hot market. Bridges weren’t as common before when houses took longer to sell, but now that One thing to consider is a bridge loan.

Leslee Salhany

“That can totally start them back at Ground Zero, or disqualify them,” Salhany

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SAVER ENERGY by LYNNE THOMPSON photos by LISA BUIE, PIXEL PERFECT PRODUCTIONS, and JOE SCALFARO An architect designs the sustainable home she’s always wanted.

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C ommercial architect Melinda Scalfaro always dreamed of designing a home of her own as a model of eco-friendliness. “My passion is sustainability,” explains the partner at SoL Harris/Day Architecture in North Canton. That dream became a reality when Melinda Hartville in 2017 so their daughters could attend Lake Local Schools. Melinda initially drew up plans for a three bedroom, 2 1/2-bath contemporary residence with a butterfly roof and decks on the first and second floors and completed the house in February 2020. Sustainable features include a five-zone underground geothermal system that uses Earth’s constant temperature to reduce the amount of electricity needed for heating and cooling. and her husband, Joe, purchased a wooded property in Lake Township near

Other eco-conscious features contribute to visual appeal — ribbon windows near the ceiling provide warm-weather ventilation by allowing rising heat to escape and large windows framing verdant views flood rooms with natural light, eliminating the need to flip a switch during the day. “The roof overhangs were designed to shade the windows in the summer but allow the sun in in the winter,” she says.

Akron-based Shultz Design & Construction built the home, and president Darren Shultz says the company stayed within budget without sacrificing sustainability. He used an insulated concrete bricks similar to Legos are stacked, braced off to plumb, reinforced with rebar and filled with concrete. And when Melinda found out she was pregnant with a third child during construction, she added form foundation in which hollow foam

a fourth bedroom without increasing the square footage of the inviting home. “We really focused on the family area, making this open plan where we could gather as a family, where I could cook and still interact with the kids as they’re playing in the living room,” she says. There were splurges. Melinda brought the cultured stone used to accent the angular gray-sided-and-paneled

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exterior in the front entry, where one wall was painted a golden yellow — an eye opening welcome to a predominantly white interior. “So many homes shy away from color,” she says. Full of finishes and textures that add interest without clutter, the sleek kitchen has white and-blue-acrylic and walnut-veneer cabinetry supplies as well as the usual pots and pans. A main sink installed in a bank of cabinets along a far wall, complete with a glass-tile herringbone backsplash that extends from quartz countertop to ceiling, keeps dirty dishes out of the island sink. The first-floor owner’s suite boasts his-and hers closets with built-in dressers and a bath with a zero entry walk-in shower, a feature that will allow the couple to age in place. Glazes layered on the ceramic tile create rectilinear patterns that change with the light. “It reminded me of looking at a city blueprint,” Melinda says. The Scalfaros furnished the home with midcentury modern pieces. Eight walnut stained chairs with cutout backs surround an Article walnut dining table with two leaves that seats 10. to accommodate Melinda's canning

CLOSER LOOK

Homeowner and architect Melinda Scalfaro turned a cable-rail staircase into a stunning design feature by building a series of shelves on the triangular staircase wall. The shelves were spaced and built of solid maple of the same thickness as the stair treads, creating the illusion that the shelves are extensions of the treads that wrap around the wall. That effect was rein forced by painting the wall the same robin’s-egg blue as the stair risers. “I didn’t really want any wasted space in this house,” she says.

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dream house

“We bring the bench from the entryway over when we have big groups — it can seat one whole side,” she says. The living area has a gray velour sofa and blue armchair the Scalfaros brought from their Akron home, a gray sectional from Joybird and a coffee table from AllModern. A painted wood artwork from Thirty-Two 8 Inspired & Co. in Hartville — “It looked like the sun to me,” Melinda says — hangs over a TV and white acrylic console. A colorful geometric vinyl graphic she ordered from Etsy and applied to a large half-wall serves as a focal point. “It emulates a honeycomb pattern — a nod to nature — and then also brings in the different colors that I used in the space,” she says. “But it’s a little abstract too.” The couple has continued to work on the home. They finished the 1,625-square-foot walkout lower level with two bedrooms, a full bath and a kitchenette so they can accommodate aging parents. They are tied to the grid but use 44 solar panels installed on the roofing. “Now we are making as much energy as we’re using throughout the year,” Melinda says. The all-electric home, she adds triumphantly, is officially net zero.

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space lift | listings alert | dream house | open air

by LYNNE THOMPSON and photos by ALISSA NEWBERRY and RACHEL GOTTO

LIGHT SOURCE A typical dark living area becomes open and bright.

N icholas and Rachel Gotto knew the 20-year-old ranch needed some work when they bought it a few years ago. The 5,800-square foot secluded New Franklin house was solidly built, but the floor plan com partmentalized the kitchen, dinette, for mal dining room and great room. And the decor was out dated — “a heavy wood-finish feel,” as Nicholas, president of ANR Electric in Akron, describes it. Ron Erks, owner of Crystal Contracting in New Franklin, adds that it lacked custom character building architec tural amenities.

“It was pretty much a plain Jane,” he recalls. Crystal Contracting removed a wall between the kitchen and dining room, which provided square footage to extend the kitchen island,

and remodeled the resulting open floor plan in a neutral palette. Standout features transformed it into a bright contemporary beauty.

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FIREPLACE: Erks’ team re moved the built-in cabinets flanking the see-through river-rock fireplace, enlarg ing the doorway-width en tries to the dinette on either side. “While it lends itself to a really nice, open feel, you definitely get a real sense of room definition,” Erks says. Contractors refaced the fireplace with blue-veined dry-stack rock, extended the hearth and topped it with new limestone.

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BUILT-INS: Crystal Con tracting built a window seat in a bay window to anchor the round table in the dinette and add storage. “It provides an ergonomic way to sit,” Erks says. The china cabinet in the formal dining area was constructed of freshly painted white cabinets removed from the kitchen to make way for new Wolff Bros. cabinets. KENNEL: An integral ken nel for the Gottos’ bulldog, Daisy, was constructed near the dinette and was painted white and outfitted with black hardware for a modern farmhouse look. “[Rachel] wanted it to match the decor,” Nicholas explains. After Daisy died, it was overtaken by Bow, a pit bull, and Arrow, an American bully, and the Got tos are adding another kennel. TECH: Nicholas installed a Lutron smart electrical system. The Gottos can control everything — lighting, audio, security, closed-circuit TV systems — from an iPad recessed in the wall. He cre ates lighting scenes that can be implemented, like a party scene that brings kitchen lighting, including cylindri cal glass pendants over the island, to 75 percent bright ness but dims everything else, including under-cabinet and toe-kick lights, to 50 percent brightness. “The capabilities are endless,” he says.

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AN ARTISAN APPROACH TO REMODELING & DESIGN Architectural Justice has been providing homeowners of The 330 with an artisan approach to design and remodeling for 35 years. Its unique design center in Medina offers clients a one-stop shop for all the materials and products needed to transform a home including countertops, cabinetry, tile and flooring, and beyond. Architectural Justice is one of the largest stocking stone fabricators in the area featuring nearly 2,000 slabs of exotic stone on-site. Along with stone fabrication, other on-site services include custom cabinetry, furniture, and millwork, architectural metal design, and fabrication, as well as design and remodeling services. Whether it's a small project or a full remodel, its purpose is to give you the most creative and innovative solution for your space.

Architectural Justice Design Center 2462 Pearl Road, Medina 330-225-6000 architecturaljustice.com

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space lift | listings alert | dream house | open air

by SHAWN DAVIS and photos provided by PLAYGROUND WORLD and WOODPLAY

IMAGINE THIS Give your kids the classic childhood experience with a backyard playset.

OUTBACK 6' COMBO 2

W ith spring in full to the playground and add one to your backyard. Playground World, which has locations in Canfield and Medina, offers playset construction kits made of natural, durable cedar with easy assembly to create a fun bonding activity between parents and their children ages 2 to 13. swing, save on trips

“We’re all about children growing into units, not outgrowing them,” says Tony Adamic, owner of Playground World. “If you’re buying it for Sue and Johnny and they’re 2 and 4 years old, you want to think of them being 8, 10 years old when you buy the playset.” Pick and order your cus tom playset, choosing

between five different wooden series, including sets with a wide base for a tire swing, mega sets and compact sets. Each of these sets has various safety features such as optional padded rails and industry-standard triple joint construction. Big or small, Playground World can deliver and install sets in your backyard for a

fee, or if you buy from the Medina location in April, installation is free, and check for sale prices. So sit back and sip a cool, crisp beverage on a warm spring day as your kids invite their friends and play on some of these exciting sets — all in your backyard!

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the Standouts

JUNGLE TOWER (SAFARI SERIES, $2,089)

Sometimes, all you need for a good bit of fun are a couple of classic belt swings hung at 8 feet tall, a smooth flowing 8-foot Alpine slide and a 4-foot deck. Swings and add-ons include a knotted rope, glider, toddler seats or trapeze bars and rings as your kids age. This set is perfect for those looking to unwind after a workday and catch up with their kids while pushing them on swings, and it’s one of the simplest sets for a childhood’s worth of fun. Tip: For longevity, apply a child-safe, oil-based transparent sealer stain every two to three years to keep up this and other stained playsets.

the Standouts

6’ COMBO 2 WITH FIREPOLE (PLAYHOUSE SERIES, $7,809)

With a towering 6-foot-tall deck, this combo set features a 12-foot slide, a 9-foot-tall swing beam and three levels of play with a base picnic table or sandbox and a third-level skybox with a lookout. It can have up to six stations where you can add periscopes, spotlights or a ship captain’s wheel. Plus, a firepole is a nice touch and lets your children safely explore their adventurous sides and bolster their courage. It’s a great playground for your kids to let their imaginations run wild with you, one another or friends.

“They love to gather, whether it be up top in the playhouse or underneath at the picnic table,” says Adamic. “It’s big enough where you can put four adults at that picnic table.” Tip: Before buying this set, scout out the most level area in your yard. If your yard is hilly, this modular set and the Outback series ones can be modified with extended ladders and swing sets to help compensate for the slope.

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the Standouts

MEGASET 3 ($22,329)

This gigantic set could keep your children and you

entertained even into adulthood with an optional wooden Burma bridge or plastic crawl tunnel, a 14-foot dual racing slide, a 360-degree spin spiral tunnel slide, two climbing walls, three rope ladders, a tire swing, monkey bars and swings. With up to 10 different stations for your child to play in, any scenario goes — castle, alien invaders, pirates, spaceship. It makes any function the party of the year. Adults can even swap in hammocks in place of swings, so it can be your sanctuary too. “Some people just want the biggest that they can get. … Kids look at it, and they go nuts,” says Adamic. “It’s something they’ll never outgrow. It’s always gonna pique their interest and challenge them.” Tip: Consider the placement of all sets, especially this gargantuan one — keeping it within vision from your windows as well as leaving at least 6 feet of space around the playset for safety and peace of mind.

OUTBACK 7' COMBO 5 WITH SPIDER SLIDE

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the Standouts

5’ COMBO 4 (OUTBACK SERIES, $7,359)

Featuring a wider base that allows for a tire swing

underneath, the Outback with a 5-foot-tall deck has features like a rock climbing wall, a tire swing and rope ladders that are more immersive while still offering the quintessential playground experience. Plus, the monkey bars underneath add more challenges for kids 6 and up. “[It’s] really how many activities there are,” says Adamic. “They’ll just bounce from one to the next. Kids love to slide, love to climb. … The tire swing’s very popular underneath. They love to spin around.”

Tip: Check and tighten the carriage bolts between

seasons once or twice a year — especially parts and joints that are higher up on this and all sets.

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space lift | listings alert | dream house | open air

by LYNNE THOMPSON and photos by IUDICIANI PHOTOGRAPHY

RUSTIC ELEMENT Nature and industry meet in this Akron loft.

H oused in Tire & Rubber Co. building, now Cascade Lofts, this 1,000-square-foot Akron loft functions as both an Airbnb and a hospitality suite for Cascade Lofts’ Trailhead event space. Karen Starr, co-owner of Hazel Tree Design Studio in Akron, married those functions with Rust Belt flair and natural elements. Her design incorporates the exposed ductwork and factory windows over looking the Towpath Trail with Akron-centric decor the former Swinehart

roots and showcases its interior design wares. “These interior design cli ents are very focused on environmental stewardship,”

she says. “Whenever we could source locally or with reclaimed, recycled and upcycled material — that was front and center.”

that acknowledges the Rubber City’s industrial

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LOCAL FURNISHINGS: “It was very important to have artisan-made furnishings, lighting and art,” Starr says. John Strauss of Strauss Studios in Canton made the primary bedroom’s maple platform bed, while Freddy Hill collaborated with fellow Clevelander Kevin Busta on the live-edge maple dining table and sugar maple-topped nightstands. “They were torched, so they have this really cool high low contrast,” Starr says of the latter. Steel coffee and side tables from Doug Meyer of Warren share space with a teal-tweed Norwalk Furniture sofa. Nearby, a metal bird by former Akronite Michael Marras perches among locally made vases and the clients’ treasures: a tire pattern, an old bank and an antique camera.

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MURPHY BED: Starr installed a desk bed made by Hiddenbed USA in the secondary bedroom. It allows the room to function as a workspace when the loft is a hospitality suite or has just a couple of renters. When the double bed is pulled down, the desk lowers beneath it. “You can leave all of your things,” she says. “You don’t have to move any of that to pull the bed down.”

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REPURPOSED ITEMS: See eco-friendly design, including in the kitchen, where a found-object assemblage by Akron artist Bret Hines combines metal ID tags from Akron’s Sumner’s Butter, an Akron Brewing Co. image and bottles on decorative wood. Hill fashioned the living area armchair from wood, some of it reclaimed, while Starr found the lawyer’s chair in the secondary bedroom at the Bomb Shelter. The dining chairs were made from recycled bottles. Starr points to a vintage bicycle hanging from the ceiling. “That was inspired by the Towpath,” she says.

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Mighty Ducts 26285 Broadway Ave., Oakwood Village 440-232-9450 mightyducts.com

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DESIGN FOR YOUR MOOD AND MIND — LIGHT THE WAY May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and interior design plays a part. A good design goes beyond mere function, promoting a sense of well-being. Incorporating color, natural elements, organized spaces and comfortable furniture is important, but we are going to focus on a very powerful tool — lighting. Studies have shown that emotionality is linked to the brightness of light, so bulb selection is essential. Artificial light impacts our circadian rhythms, positively or negatively affecting our mood. If you want to feel more productive, select cooler temperature lights (6500 K). When you need to wind down for the day, use warmer light (2700 K). At the Interior Design Studio, our goal is to help you promote well-being and enhance the experiences of those working, living and relaxing in your space. Understanding the relationship between lighting and mood plays a crucial role as we collaborate with you to build the optimum design concept.

The Interior Design Studio 207 S. Court St., Medina 330-725-7623 interiordesignstudiooh.com

33 O HOMES spring 2023

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