Vol. 3, Issue 2
Summer 2022

Summer is here and the gals at SYH are collecting inspiration near and far: from the lushness of a midwestern lake to the texture and color of a Kona Ice in a cul-de-sac; from to the twisted forms of the coasters at King's island, all the way to French chateaus and cobbled streets in Spain and Italy. If we hole up and hunker down and bask in hygge in the winter, in the summer we spread our arms wide and take it all in. Lately, of course, life in America has been a lot to take in. That's worth saying again: if you've been paying attention in our country, it's been a lot to take in lately, friends. We feel that. And all we have to help you combat it this summer? A sliver of whimsy, and a glimpse of beauty. And we keep on keepin' on.

New Project Reveal: A Gentleman's Kitchen

News flash: men love nice kitchens too (duh.) This recently completed remodel was designed for a bachelor and his Bernese Mountain Dog (one of our favorite client dogs ever), and the result feels masculine in all the best ways: understated and sensible and full of subtly elevating design elements. The redesign joined kitchen and dining in this darling little (yes, midcentury) brick ranch, and oriented it toward a new screen porch overlooking an unexpectedly expansive back yard. The dark green cabinets almost read gray, bringing the gentlest of hues into an otherwise neutral and natural palette of black, white, wood and brick. Rift sawn white oak—including a clever sliding panel on a track above the coffee station—plays well with the darker original wood on the window casing, which was matched for a new screen that separates the kitchen from the living space. The classic PH 5 pendant lamp makes the table and cantilevered banquette seat—a great space saver— feel like more than just a kitchen table. Perhaps the best part: when the weather is anything above, say, 45°, you can open the double doors wide and achieve the Midwestern version of indoor/outdoor living, safe from mosquitos and rain in the screened porch. Thoughtful and timeless, we are confident these new spaces will anchor this charming home for a new generation. To see more of this project head over to  our portfolio.

What We Are Digging

A great door really is a game changer. We designed these beauties for our east side midcentury gut remodel that is now *nearly* done - inside and out, top to bottom, studs to art. Contractor Rusty Peterson coordinated with the talented Dave Sochar of Acorn Woodworks, who crafted them flawlessly.

Meanwhile, at our A-frame remodel on Lamb Lake up in Trafalgar, we asked for four panel alder doors, and contractor Derek Newland reached out to ETO Doors on the West Coast to make them. They are just the right amount of rustic, and we are in love.

If custom doors are not in the cards for you, don't forget that paint can do wonders. 

Local Vendor Spotlight: Pictura Gallery

We do many things well in our eclectic, culture-and art-filled little town, and making the yummieStarted by local photography lovers Martha & David Moore (whom Susan knows and loves from back when their daughter babysat her children), Pictura Gallery opened some 15 years ago on the corner of the square in Bloomington, its glowing windows showcasing contemporary photography from around the world in our little midwestern town. The gallery is now housed in the Moores' beautiful event space at Fourth And Rogers, the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts, and Pictura curators Lisa Woodward and Mia Dalglish select and show a diverse array of current talent throughout the year. So, when we were tasked at SYH with curating a collection for our east side midcentury project, for clients who love photography and portraiture as much as we do, we turned to Pictura and their robust exhibit archives. There, we found the likes of Maggie Taylor, Evgenia Arbugaeva, and Xan Padrón. The Moores' private collection inspired and delighted us, and we are so excited to weave the pieces we have sourced through Pictura in with art created across town and clear to Vietnam, in mediums that range from photography to oil to needle felting. Check out Pictura the next time you are downtown. The current exhibit is by Claire A. Warden, and they always put out good snacks for the First Friday Gallery Walks.

Project on the Horizon?

If you have a new build, renovation, and/or decorating project on the horizon, call us sooner than you think you need us! We want to work with you! But we do have a waitlist. 

How it works: Initial consultations happen within a few weeks of your call, during which Susan Y. meets with you to see your space, hears all your hopes and hang-ups, and offers off-the-cuff feedback and advice to help you determine next steps. If the next step for you is comprehensive design services, we pencil you in and launch your project as soon as your name rises to the top.