Katie & Scott's Serene, Minimalist Home

When the McDonalds purchased the home of Katie’s parents four years ago, they were inspired by the spectacular view. The couple traded a Frank Lloyd Wright original in Rochester, New York, for a 1950’s colonial revival house overlooking a picturesque river in a small Rhode Island town.

Although the location was ideal, the existing gambrel-roofed home, situated on nearly two wooded acres, felt disconnected from the bucolic surroundings. Numerous additions throughout the years had left the house feeling like a complex aggregation of rooms. Katie, a holistic health counselor and raw food chef, and Scott set out to transform the structure into a modern, minimalist space that would allow them to deeply connect to the natural beauty of the serene setting.

Katie and Scott worked with 3six0 Architecture to execute their vision. Like the the prairie-style home they left behind, the couple’s new house would celebrate the principles of simplicity and intentional use of space. “Honoring nature remained the constant mission throughout the transformation,” Katie explains. Exterior decks and large floor-to-ceiling windows blur the line between inside and out. This harmony is particularly evident on a February afternoon, as a thick layer of snow appears to seamlessly abut an indoor rock garden made up of stones gathered from beaches the couple visited during their courtship.

In keeping with the family’s Buddhist practice, Katie says, “we were deliberate in creating an uncluttered space to unclutter the mind.” The former dining room, living room, kitchen, and family room were combined into one large multipurpose area. Custom wenge cabinetry running the length of the downstairs keeps the space tidy and acts as a unifying anchor for the open floor plan, connecting the glass doors of the living area to the Eastern-inspired meditation room on the opposite end.

Upstairs, the master suite with a private deck and adjoining bath area — complete with a Japanese soaking tub — has no furniture besides a chair and bed. Like downstairs, extensive closets and cabinetry eliminate clutter. Katie and Scott's 12-year-old son Sage, who wanted to keep his second-floor bedroom private, says, “I love my room because it represents me.” The fencing enthusiast says the thing he appreciates most about his house is the serenity. “I love how every room is the same, but different too.” His friends refer to the modern home, a rarity in New England, as the “IronMan House.”

The minimalist environment the McDonalds have created allows them to live in harmony with their surroundings and focus on their favorite sights: foxes frolicking on the ice, bald eagles pulling fish from the river, snapping turtles crossing the terrace, and owls filling the night. “Our favorite time of year is whenever the breezes flow through the house,” Scott says, “Each season brings its nuanced beauty through critters, foliage, scent, and diversity.”

You can see the full tour of the McDonalds' modern home and read more about their style on Apartment Therapy.

Text and photos by Jacqueline Marque.

Jane & Dan's Multifunctional Live/Work Studio

The temperature is in the mid 20’s and the ground is covered in a layer of snow that crunches with each step when I arrive at the Wrights’ Jamestown studio on a weekday morning in early February. Jane, a painter and printmaker, welcomes me into the tranquil space where she spends her days working. After shedding my heavy winter layers near the wood-burning stove, it isn’t long before I am settling in with a warm cup of Earl Grey.

Crisp light pours in through large windows, casting long, geometric shadows on the white walls and grey wash floors. The organic modern space, set back from the family’s home of 15 years, is at once a soothing refuge from the harsh elements and a harmonious extension of the natural surroundings. “The minimal design helps to keep me from getting distracted,” Jane explains, “It’s really nice. It frees me to do my work.”

The Wrights spent many years dreaming of having a multifunctional space, separate from their home, where they could work, accommodate guests, and hang out with friends. Jane was ready to stop renting studio space and work near home, and Dan, an attorney and musician who plays in three bands, wanted to have a place to edit and record music at night without worrying about waking up the rest of the family. Two years ago, they finally decided to make it happen. “We couldn’t just think about it forever,” says Jane.

To bring their dream to life, Jane and Dan turned to Newport architects Estes Twombley, whom they have long admired for their distinctive designs that feel modern and traditional at the same time. Jane has nothing but praise for the end result. “The architect did an amazing job of coming up with a design that was able to serve multiple purposes, while keeping the project within space and budgetary constraints,” she says.

Jane worked closely with the general contractor and managed construction of the space. Clean lines and the airy feeling of high ceilings, large windows, and a sleeping loft created the perfect canvas for her new interior design firm Roost Modern to execute their vision. “We tried to make it feel Scandinavian, but also like a New England farmhouse, and contemporary all at the same time. We chose the floor and wall color, lighting fixtures, Scandinavian wood stove and super simple and affordable cabinets and bathroom fixtures accordingly.” Jane feels the project provided the final piece of experience she needed to be ready to take on other construction projects with design partners Sue McNally and Misi Narcizo.

Jane and Dan have created a perfect setting for art and happiness to flourish. The couple’s collection of simple, mid-century modern furnishings are just right for the casual living room, which feels like a peaceful getaway right in their backyard. Plush hides draped over the back of chairs invite visitors to sit back, let out a deep sigh, and take in the artwork. The space affords Jane and Dan some precious time alone and provides a relaxing place to unwind with friends over wine and hors d'oeuvres. For their daughters Georgia and Lily, the studio offers the privacy that teenagers appreciate. When he's not working in his recording room, Dan enjoys the opportunity to have a session, with band mates or by himself, in the inspiring space. “It seems like every time I get a chance to really relax there, something positive happens, including a few tunes I don't think I would have written otherwise.”

Thank you, Jane and Dan, for sharing your beautiful space with us. You can see the full studio tour on Apartment Therapy.

Text and photos by Jacqueline Marque.

E's Academic Records #3

As a father, I feel it is my duty to impart any worldly wisdom I have acquired upon my daughter. Music has played a huge formative role in my life; it's helped me through break ups, break downs and the like. It provides me with joy and comfort and puts an extra spring in my step on dull days. Sharing music with Evangeline is one of my favorite parenting duties. When I buy a new record, I often wait until she comes home to open it so we can have a listening party. The following four photos are accompanied by brief stories about her associations with the music pictured.

Clockwise, from left:

1. Yo La Tengo – And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out, 2000

While listening to this record one night during dinner, I pointed out the bass line in the song "Night Falls on Hoboken" to Evangeline. Earlier that evening, I had shown her my bass guitar and explained how it worked; strings, notes, frets, etc. She loved it. So, while we were listening to the song, I asked her what she thought of it and the bass line in particular. She thought for a second and said, "Dad, it sounds like bubbles, Dad."

2. Tom Waits – Bad As Me, 2011

Evangeline's first intelligible word was algae. Her 64th intelligible word was Tom Waits. Okay, so that's two words, but you get the point. For some reason, she was drawn to his voice and music and would request it be played multiple times a day. She nagged my mom so much that I had to make a mix CD for them to listen to during lunch at her house.

3. Jim James – Regions of Light and Sound of God, 2013

Of all the music we have introduced to Evangeline, Jim James' solo album has had the most impact on her. She is constantly asking to listen to it. The highlight of last summer's Newport Folk Festival was watching Jim James perform. Evangeline was over the moon about it. It took a song or two for it to sink in that she was watching the actual Jim James singing the songs on her favorite album. She still talks about it to this day and thinks that Jim James lives at Fort Adams.

4. Hot Water Music – Forever and Counting, 1997

About a year ago, I went to see Hot Water Music play at The Met. For the next week or so after, I played all their records at home. Their music had a huge impact on my life in my early twenties. Though it's not always the most popular music in our house, Evangeline took to it pretty well. So much so, that one afternoon I got a frantic phone call from Jacqueline telling me that that Evangeline was having a meltdown in her car because she didn't have any Hot Water Music on her iPod. Proud parenting moment for sure.

Do your kids have a Tom Waits or Jim James? Did you have a music obsession when you were a kid?

Images and text by Eamon Kelly. You can view the entire photo series on Instagram.

Jacqueline took this photo of us while we were watching Jim James perform at the Folk Festival last summer:

Featured on Oh So Beautiful Paper!

Yay! I'm delighted to have my custom letterpress business cards featured on Oh So Beautiful Paper. If you're not familiar with Nole Garey's lovely blog, she regularly features beautiful paper goods, wedding invitations, calligraphy, cocktail recipes and entertaining ideas. If you love paper and design, it's is a great source for daily inspiration. You can check out the post here.

Miles & Antena's Laid Back Coastal Home

When Miles and Antena bought their Newport home eleven years ago, they loved the bones of the traditional Victorian structure, but envisioned a transformation that would infuse the 1892 building – filled with drab colors, floral wallpaper and period decor – with the bright coastal charm of a seaside cottage.

Over a decade later, the David home has a casual, all-American charm that welcomes visitors like a breath of fresh air. Past a white picket fence, a waving grand old flag, and a classic cast iron eagle plaque, guests enter a sun-drenched vestibule with a simple teak bench. Streaks of morning light accentuate the beauty of a shiny brass clamshell knocker and a heavy front door made of warm, rich wood. Streeter, a camera-loving yellow Lab, is ready to welcome a newcomer like an old friend.

The view from the foyer makes it immediately clear that this home is much more than an apple pie cliche. Wood salvaged from a Vermont barn covers the living room ceiling, which had a popcorn texture that proved impossible to remove. White walls, glass-paned pocket doors and custom built-in shelving provide a refined counterbalance to the rustic ceiling, which feels unexpected yet perfectly at home with the laid-back furnishings throughout the house. A peek into the dining room reveals a Smith and Hawken teak patio set complete with Sunbrella fabric-covered cushions. It is another unpredictable, yet fitting, choice that adds to the home’s easy coastal vibe.

They named the house Foghorn. The idea came to Miles, who works in the marine industry, when he heard the familiar sound one night in Newport Harbor, which is just a few blocks away. Foghorn has become an evolving labor of love to the Davids, who are inspired by their passion for design, art, and the sea.

“Buying our first home in a coastal town, we were drawn to local artists and really focused on the boats, beach and marine life,” says Miles, “After a few years, our taste changed considerably, and we now are drawn to the unique art of our friends, abstract art of our kids, and taking a few stabs at it ourselves.” The framed artwork of the Davids' young daughters hangs proudly throughout the house, which is filled with a vast and growing collection of art books. Miles' penchant for painting bullseyes has turned the familiar graphic into a recurring theme in their decor. “There is something soothing to me about a bullseye,” he explains, “I also tend to say ‘keep your eye on the prize’ when I reference them. When I put Bullseye Revisited in our den, I really felt it belonged there.”

Miles can always feel when something is out of place, and isn’t afraid to keep changing things until he gets it right. “This seems to be a theme in the house: tweak, tweak, remove, etc.,” he explains. The butler’s pantry he turned into a bar went through several changes until he finally settled on a varnished cherry counter finished off with an edge of brass nailheads. He made wood tracks to create wine storage, installed wainscoting in the liquor cabinet, and carved a "bar" sign. On a whim, he decided to cover the narrow hall with cedar shingles after testing out many colors, patterns and stripes; the added texture turned out to be just what the room was missing. “The pantry, now bar, connects the main house, built in 1892, and the den, built in 1936, so the shingles are rather fitting considering that used to be the outside of the house,” he says, “Many great conversations take place in that narrow space.”

It seems there are few things that have been untouched by Miles’ handiwork and the couple’s shared vision for maximizing space in a clean and beautiful way. The barn board ceiling in the living room, sliding pantry door in the kitchen, and custom built-in shelving throughout the house were all designed by Miles and built by custom woodworker Ben Wilcox. Antena, who works as a Student Outreach Coordinator for newportFILM, adds her creativity to the space with the curtains, pillows, bench seats and duvet covers she sews. It isn’t unusual for her to come home and find that her husband has started a new project, adding wainscoting to the second floor or working on one of the new lamp designs he hopes to manufacture. “Yes, this house has really lit the passion for design,” he says, “(I have) a passion to improve (my surroundings) and a mild case of ADHD. Put the two together and you’re walking around the house with a tool belt and measuring walls and floor space for the next idea.”

The Davids turned their third floor into a giant highly-organized walk-in closet with a bathroom.

Thanks for sharing your home with us, Miles & Antena! You can check out the full house tour and read more about the David home on Apartment Therapy.

Text and photos by Jacqueline Marque.

Beth Goes Gaga

Beth Hammond, a mother of three who works as a CNA and runs her own senior fitness company by day, is the producer, costume designer, choreographer and star of her own Lady Gaga tribute act by night.  We worked for nearly two hours at Salvation Cafe to get this shot for the cover of Mercury. Beth amazed me with her ability to hold some very uncomfortable poses. Thanks for being a good sport and a great cover model, Beth! Check out Jamie Gillette's Off the Lip interview with this amazing woman.

E's Academic Records #2

I've suffered from record shopping amnesia as far back as I can remember. When I walk into a record store, I often forget what I was planning on searching for that day. On my last few trips to New Orleans, I've set aside all ideas of what music I would like to buy and let the stacks dictate what I will be leaving with. The following photos are from our trip over the holidays…

Clockwise, from left:

1. Black Star – Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star, 1998

To me, the 90s were the best era for hip hop. This album is in my top five for the genre. Black Star only released one album as a duo. Their storytelling is a perfect blend of positivity, social consciousness and braggadocio. I first heard the song "Definition" while watching BET's Rap City one afternoon in 1998. It must have been out for a while, because I can remember hearing Mos Def's voice and thinking, "That's one of the dudes who raps on A Tribe Called Quest's 'Rock Rock Y'all.'" His voice is unmistakable. My favorite track is "Respiration." With Common as a guest lyricist, they paint a picture of a living, breathing cityscape. I found this at Domino Sound Record Shack in the Bywater. It's a perfect example of buying a record that I didn't expected to find. I had no idea this was even available on vinyl, so it was an extra special find for me.

2. Queens of the Stone Age – Era Vulgaris, 2007

The first Queens of the Stone Age album will always be my favorite, but this one is up there. It holds all the classic elements of a Queens record that will stand the test of time: shuffling rhythms, a Mark Lanagan song, falsetto, buzzing guitars. Josh Homme's guitar work on "Sick, Sick, Sick" sounds like coughing to me. "Turning on the Screw" has one of my favorite lyrics of all time: "You ain't a has been if you never was."

3. Nirvana – Incesticide, 1992

If I was stuck on a deserted island and somehow had a working record player and could only have one Nirvana record, this would be the one. It's only fitting to have the song "Big Long Now" on it. And I would listen to "Son of a Gun" everyday before going coconut hunting. ("Up up up and down. Turn turn turnaround. Round round roundabout. And over again.") My two favorite tracks on the album are "Aero Zeppelin" and "Aneurysm." 4. Beck – One Foot in the Grave,1994

During my first semester of college, there was a dude in my art class nicknamed Dirty or Scuzzy or something like that. He loved Beck. While we worked on charcoal still lifes of plastic fruit, he and I had many "philosophical" debates as to which Beck album was better, Mellow Gold or One Foot in the Grave. I chose One Foot in the Grave over Mellow Gold because of its stripped-down folk feel and indie credibility that its release on K Records brought with it. Scuzzy swore by "Truckdrivin' Neighbors Downstairs." Turns out neither of us was right or wrong. Both albums are great for their own reasons and proved to be a precursor for Beck's genre-bending musical career.

Do you have any memories associated with these albums? What are your favorite 90s hip hop records?

Images and text by Eamon Kelly. You can view the entire photo series on Instagram.

E's Academic Records

I'm happy to share that my husband Eamon Kelly will be contributing to Crescent & Anchor with a bi-weekly music post in 2014. The idea for this new feature developed in the fall when Eamon began photographing Evangeline with our record collection. What started with just a few images of our daughter holding records has grown into an ongoing father-daughter project that we've decided to call E's Academic Records. Each post will include a grouping of four images from the series. Eamon will share his thoughts about the albums; what makes them special, the feelings and memories they evoke. When Evangeline eventually inherits the collection, these posts will be the perfect accompaniment, a  sort of music diary from her father. We hope to spur a conversation with readers, so please comment and tell us what the music means to you! Eamon: We always had records growing up. From a young age, my parents taught me how to handle them and treat them with respect. Some of my earliest memories are those where I am sitting on the dining room floor poring over the artwork while listening to the Rolling Stones, Elton John or Donovan. I still have the first record I ever asked for for a birthday present, Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits. I love to hold the artwork and the ritual of placing the needle on the vinyl and then cranking the volume. Nothing to me, sounds better than listening to my favorite songs on vinyl. Now that I am a father, I am imparting this love of records onto my daughter, teaching her about music and it's value in everyday life.

Clockwise, from left:

1. The National – Trouble Will Find Me, 2013 This was one of my favorite records of 2013 and one of the first pics I took of E holding an album that made me realize I had something interesting going on. The National continue to make great album after great album. They make records that I want to buy again when I'm record shopping.

2. Panda Bear – Person Pitch, 2007 There was a moment a few years ago, while I was on a train barreling towards New York City, that this album opened up a spot in my brain that I haven't been able to close. It's an unbelievable creation. Beach Boys-esque harmonies, big beats, jangly guitars, and even a looped sample of the sound of a skateboard dropping in on a ramp. Probably one of the most important records made in my lifetime. As for the pic of Evangeline...

3. Pavement – Wowee Zowee, 1995 Great underrated Pavement album. The songs are all over the map, from the western soundscapes of "Pueblo" to the tinkling pianos on the Bowie-inspired "We Dance." The anticipation I was feeling before this record came out is still fresh in my mind nearly 20 years later. Evangeline really likes saying Wowee Zowee too.

4. Drive Like Jehu – self titled, 1991 "Spikes to you!" is such a great song and I like to ask E to yell it over and over again.  This record reminds me of going skateboarding in Southern California in 1996. A slightly more straight forward punk album than their follow up, "Yank Crime," there are still moments of quiet lulling feedback before full-on guitar gut punches and Rick Froberg's throaty vocals.

Do these albums stir up any memories for you?

Rest In Peace, Pete

I'll always remember Pete Seeger's performance in 2009 at George Wein's Folk Festival 50.  It seemed like just about every musician from the day had joined him on stage for a spirited finale. I vividly remember the look of joy on the performers faces as they sang "Guantanamera."

I had the biggest smile on my face as I captured these images. I was overcome with the feeling that I was a part of a special moment in time.

Judging from the look of admiration on the other musicians' faces as they lovingly watch Pete perform, I can see they probably felt the same way. You can listen to the set on NPR: Here

Rest in peace, Pete. Newport will miss you. Your legacy lives on.

Mitchell & Thomas' Bougie Boho Style

New Orleans is known for its laissez-faire culture. Anything goes, and every occasion is an excuse for a party. Mitchell Settoon and Thomas Ecker approach life — and homemaking — with the same easy spirit that characterizes the city they call home. As Mitchell explains: “I could wear a red sequined cocktail dress to my local grocery store; nobody would bat an eye. The only question would be ‘paper or plastic?’ I do hope my house has that same relaxed appeal.”

Mitchell and Thomas live in one half of a 1,700 square foot double shotgun house they own with Thomas’ twin brother Todd. Friends flock to the Mid-City home, which is furnished in a lively style they like to call “bougie boho.” It’s an artful mix of high and low brow design that combines inherited Mid-Century Modern pieces with cheeky artwork and thrift store finds, neutral slipcovered seating with daring paint colors and bold textiles. Mitchell, an artist and decorator who can sew just about anything, uses his skills to satisfy his need for change. He freshens rooms with fine faux finishes and the pillows, curtains and slipcovers he makes himself. Frequent out-of-town guests never know what they will find when they return for another visit.

Entertaining is a way of life for the fun-loving couple, and their home is designed with this in mind. An outdoor patio furnished with a melange of vintage signs, yard art, and colorful seating creates the perfect setting for the two big house parties they host every year, for the Endymion parade during Mardi Gras and the twins’ birthday in October. Formal dinners, spontaneous potlucks, brunches, and barbecues keep their home alive with laughter and good times.

Touches of humor and kitsch throughout the home create a light-hearted vibe and let visitors know they’ve entered a realm where nothing is sacred. “While I admire quiet, tasteful elegance, it's never been something to which I aspired,” explains Mitchell. “Nothing in this house is taken too seriously, or is too precious to use.”

Two large paintings in the living room, inspired by the graffiti found throughout the city during Hurricane Katrina, are evidence of this. One bears markings similar to those left behind by the National Guard as they searched houses for survivors. “I made the painting — using materials salvaged from our house — to have a reminder to never take things for granted; to realize how transitory life is.” The other, a play on words a store owner spray painted on his boarded windows, reads, “Don’t try. I’m sleeping inside with a crazy man, a bigass dog, a vicious cat and a pistol.” Mitchell says that it “demonstrates how to maintain your sense of humor, even in the worst of times... I've had some visitors find them a bit grim or off-putting, but I've always enjoyed gallows humor, and I do think it's important to remember dark days have as much importance in shaping you as the sunny ones.”

Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque.

You can see the full house tour and read more about Mitchell and Thomas' home on Apartment Therapy.