Marla
Copywriter
Brannan
Writing Your Success Story
Welcome to My Lifestyle Portfolio!
Scroll down or click the links for the following samples:
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Beyond Wine & Olives: 8 Artisanal Classes in Italy
by Marla Brannan
(Published by Taols Luxury Travel, Florence Italy)
Close your eyes.
What does your mind’s eye see when you hear the word “Tuscany?”
Winding drives on cypress-lined country roads through fields of sunflowers and poppies?
Shopping for leather shoes or hitting up outdoor markets for fresh picnic ingredients prior to nipping into a cafe for your morning cappuccino?
Wine and olives?
Well, there are unique ways to immerse yourself in your mind’s eye dreams that perhaps you haven’t considered.
In particular, opportunities to learn Tuscan artisanal trades in hands-on, fascinating and fun classes that will go down as some of your favorite vacation memories ever.
Here are eight one-of-a-kind artisanal classes you can take to make your time in Tuscany that much more meaningful and memorable.
1. CERAMICS
Tuscany has been known for ceramics, particularly Majolica, from at least the mid-14th century and likely from ancient times.
Though it’s no longer the trade it once was, shops in Tuscany and throughout Italy sell beautiful ceramics for you to take home and enjoy.
But, instead of simply shopping for plates and platters, why not spend a couple hours making your own? During a traditional Tuscan pottery-making class you’ll learn how to work clay, fire and glaze your own creation - and have a special souvenir to display back home.
2. PIZZA & GELATO
Who doesn’t like pizza and gelato?!
What if, instead of just eating them, you cook them yourself, adding the joy of eating delicious traditional Italian foods you’ve prepared with your own hands?
And you won’t even have to do the dishes!
3. BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA
Tuscany is known for many traditional dishes like ribollita and ravioli al burro e salvia (butter and sage ravioli), but one of its true culinary stars is bistecca fiorentina.
This Florentine-style steak or veal comes solely from the Italian Chianina, the largest breed of cattle in the world. It’s aged for at least two weeks and grilled over a barbecue of oak or olive embers.
This impressively large beefsteak is cooked in a very specific way, and you can prepare it yourself in the kitchen of a traditional trattoria during a cooking class and 3-course meal, complete with Chianti, of course.
4. PAPER
Many visitors return home from Tuscany with beautiful paper sets to remind themselves of their holiday or to give as gifts. Paper-making is an ancient art form in Italy, and Florence is particularly known for the art of paper marbling initially used by the city’s bookbinders in the 1700s.
In this style of decoration, paper is placed on top of water with colors floating on it. When the colored water is absorbed, the colors transfer to the paper giving it the appearance of marble.
Taking a few quiet hours away from museums, churches and the hustle and bustle of rubbing elbows with tourists from all over the world, to learn this incredible art form at an artisanal workshop is something you’ll always remember fondly.
5. EN PLEIN AIR
Painting classes are fairly common in Florence and are wonderful ways to take home, not just memories, but a token of your vacation made by your own hands.
A particularly special way to immerse yourself in the history and vibrant colors of Florence is to take an ein plein air painting class. In simple terms this means painting outdoors, perhaps next to the Arno or in one of Florence’s famous gardens.
What better way to see through the eyes of all those famous Renaissance painters like Ghirlandaio, Titian, da Vinci and Tintoretto? This is a truly inspiring way to enjoy the wonders of Florence.
6. FRESCO
If you want to take an indoor painting class while in Florence, but want something slightly different than the typical watercolor or oil painting opportunities, consider taking a class in fresco.
This famous Italian art form is accomplished by painting with watercolor pigments on fast drying plaster. Renowned artists like Raphael and Michelangelo mastered this difficult art form and their gorgeous walls and ceilings can be enjoyed, not just in Tuscany, but throughout Italy.
During a fresco workshop you’ll join an expert in learning the same method with the same tools and ingredients as those famous Renaissance artists. You will prepare the surface, draw and transfer your “cartoon,” and paint a work of art for you to take home and display.
Talk about a conversation-starter!
7. JEWELRY
On the Ponte Vecchio in Florence you’ll pass many jewelry shops on both sides of this famous bridge crossing the Arno River. Instead of purchasing pre-made pieces, consider making your own.
Throughout Tuscany the workshops of goldsmiths hold classes in the art of jewelry-making, a trade that passes from one generation to the next and has for centuries.
This is another example of a hands-on artisanal class that doesn’t just teach a tactile skill, but gives you a wearable work of art to remind you of a wonderful few hours in the heart of Tuscany.
Tuscany is, of course, a world-renowned wine region, home to both the robust red Chianti and the white Vernaccia de San Gimignano.
Tasting tours are de rigueur during any trip to the region, but visitors can make their wine time more memorable by creating a personal blend, complete with labels, cellar ageing and delivery to the door of your home.
Just think: The next dinner party you give could be accompanied by a wine you made yourself!
8. WINEMAKING
So there you have it - eight ways to enjoy Tuscany with hands-on, artisanal classes that go far beyond just viewing or purchasing to give you truly Italian experiences unlike any other.
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HQ's Dream Home
Part 111
In the last of our three-part series, we unveil the HQ Dream Home. Join us as we tour this stunning cedar cottage that pays tribute to the natural beauty that abounds in the Huntington hills.
by Marla Brannan
Imagine this: It’s a crisp autumn Saturday morning. You’ve decided to begin your day off with a trek through the woods just south of Huntington. An array of leaves have fallen during the night and now cover the forest floor like a colorful quilt. You surprise a buck nosing around in the tall grass for food and he darts off, white tail flashing.
Then a flock of turkeys surprise you, rising up from the nearby brush. As you watch them flap awkwardly into the trees and settle there, your eyes fall upon a house in the distance. The weak autumn sun momentarily peers around a cloud and you can’t help but think you’ve never seen a home so perfectly suited to its surroundings.
It fits, and you imagine the generations of family who have passed through its rooms. The moment passes and you go home and spend the rest of the weekend watching football and raking leaves. But, every once in a while, you remember . . .
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”
Frank Lloyd Wright
That’s how the Huntington Quarterly Dream Home makes you feel, regardless of whether you stumble upon it in the course of a perfect autumn morning or drive up for a Summer barbecue. It just fits its site, its natural surroundings, its city and state. Though not yet a year old and full of cutting edge amenities, this home located in the hills just south of Huntington evokes the history of a slower-paced past. It drums up a series of Christmas trees and birthday parties in the mind’s eye.
This sense of belonging and of history, albeit a history that has yet to unfold, were foremost in the minds of the HQ staff, architect, builder, designer, sponsors and workers as they planned and constructed the 4,500 square foot Dream Home.
“We didn’t want our Dream Home to look like a new house. We wanted everything about it from the design to the materials we chose to look like the home been there a while” says Editor Jack Houvouras. “Walking through the woods and stumbling upon it was our vision. The house needed to belong. Obviously we could have built a bigger or more opulent house, but this style suited the site and the beautiful natural surroundings so prevalent in the Huntington area.”
With all of that in mind, the team worked and worked until the now-finished product matches what was formerly just an idea, in fact, almost a philosophy.
The home’s exterior, a hybrid of upscale cabin, lodge and stylish simplicity, utilizes natural wood products like cedar siding and cedar shingles on the roof, as well as earth tones that mingle rather than contrast with the woods and hills beyond. The design is simple, warm and welcoming.
And the welcome only intensifies when you step through the front door.
“When you walk into the home we wanted it to have rustic charm with touches of elegance,” says Interior Decorator Tim Quade, a Dream Home consultant who works at Interior Motives in Ashland, Ky. “It’s old world rustic meets modern conveniences not rustic in the sense of a hunting lodge, but a natural setting adorned with exposed cedar beams and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace. To achieve this we successfully used upscale furnishings in heftier fabrics, wood and leather, wonderful warm colors and wrought iron and blended it with high end fixtures and appliances. Then we scattered the finest oriental rugs over the dark walnut floors to give a touch of class.”
As the foyer merges into the great room, the great room into the dining room and the dining room into the kitchen, it becomes apparent that this is a home built for living zestfully, whether that be the daily life of a family of five or a holiday party of 50.
The great room is the most attractive space in the home. It is dominated by a stone fireplace that climbs 30 feet through a cathedral ceiling. Custom-made by Terry Bailey of Huntington, the dry stack structure is a work of art in and of itself. It is surrounded by walnut flooring, custom-built bookshelves, a gold-toned oriental rug and furnishings adorned with vibrant fabrics.
The kitchen area, designed and installed by Creative Kitchens, is an ideal blend of form and function. White-wash cabinets offer an abundance of storage space including two custom-made pull out spice racks. A commercial grade Wolf range with six gas burners is just one of the high end appliances that Creative Kitchens chose for the home. They then added a fully-integrated refrigerator by Sub-Zero, a fully-integrated dishwasher by Asko and, for the wine lover, a wine refrigerator by Sub-Zero is incorporated into the island. The light-colored cabinetry is contrasted by the impressive Madura Gold granite countertops and bronze tile in the backsplash.
The open floor plan isn’t just pleasing to the eye: It’s supremely livable. While Mom or Dad cooks supper, one child could be completing homework at the dining table while another uses a laptop at the kitchen island. At the same time, everyone can enjoy the warmth of roaring fire in the great room’s stone fireplace.
If many guests are expected, two sets of French doors allow the party to spill onto the large veranda and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding hills.
Though unique in its open communal living space, the HQ Dream Home also provides plenty of privacy to family members and overnight guests alike.
The master suite on the first floor is a haven. The same drystacked stone chimney that stands as a floor-to-ceiling focal point in the great room provides a fireplace in the master bedroom that is perfect for cold winter nights. The space also features his and her walk-in closets and a set of oversized French doors that open onto the veranda.
The master bath has a clean look with white honeycomb tile and white cabinetry. A hint of color is added in the ochre Corian tile countertops. Chrome bathroom and lighting fixtures give the space a retro feel. Of course no master bath would be complete without his and her vanities and a luxurious jacuzzi. A large shower area doubles as a steam room with an encased glass door complete with transom.
The second floor is a delight for children and parents alike. Not only are there plenty of private spaces and play places, there’s a washer and dryer hook-up. Each of the two upstairs bedrooms feature their own full bath and walk-in closets. In what is truly a “bonus,” a large Bonus Room occupies the space above the garage, ideal for a game or play room.
The lower level contains two guest bedrooms, a large bath and a huge entertainment area. The space is rich in earth tones including mocha carpeting, latte walls and rustic leather furnishings. A huge wood burning fireplace lends warmth to an already cozy retreat.
A large television rounds out the decidedly “masculine” den which is perfect for watching weekend football games. Three more sets of oversized French doors can be opened to let in fresh air, natural light and access to the great outdoors.
“What’s interesting about the lower level is that we intended to have this expansive space with a huge TV, massive wood-burning fireplace and pool table,” Houvouras says. “But when all was said and done, we hadn’t left enough space for the pool table. It just goes to show you that even with mistakes, you can still end up with a great space.”
And so an exciting and enjoyable two-year journey comes to an end. Our Dream Home is complete and, except for a few stressful days, moments of indecision, financial worries and some of the other pitfalls that come with building a home, this has been a most rewarding experience. The HQ Dream Home has been an incredible learning experience, an opportunity to challenge our creative boundaries and a chance to re-connect with nature. But, above all else, it has been a labor of love.
Part III Tips
1. Keep a close eye on the budget. You should receive monthly statements from your contractor. Read them carefully as contractors can accidentally bill you for labor and materials from another job site.
2. Before you decide to buy property in a sub-division, be sure to have an attorney read all of the restrictions. You may find there are too many rules, regulations and financial obligations to make it an ideal place to live.
3. Once the electrician’s near the end of their work, be sure to walk through the house and examine the placement of light switches and electrical outlets. If the placement and availability of these items are not to your liking, let them know.
4. When it comes to landscaping, consult a professional. And when it comes to grass, go with sod. Be sure to follow all the directions for care and maintenance, especially watering. You’ll get a superior product and, best of all, instant gratification.
5. Work with an interior decorator. Start off by examining some of their past projects. If you like what you see, assemble a scrapbook of photos, magazine ads, catalog pages, paint swatches, fabric swatches, etc. Then get to work collaborating with your guru.
6. Consider allocating money in your budget for outdoor lighting. Not only does this improve the aesthetic beauty of the home at night, but it’s a deterrent to burglars as well.
7. To better protect your home from any possible water damage, have six inch gutters installed. Four inches are standard, but the extra two inches may be the difference between a wet basement and a dry basement.
8. Whenever possible use real materials in your home real wood vs. vinyl siding; real stone vs. cultured stone; hardwood floors vs. wood laminates. It may cost more, but the aesthetic improvements will be worth it.
9. Before you pay your final bill to your contractor, hire a professional home inspector to examine the structure from top to bottom. Once you receive the inspection report, sit down with your contractor and discuss any issues of concern.
10. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, if it doesn’t look right then speak now or forever hold your peace.
2.
Welcome to Huntington
by Marla Brannan
From the Ashes We Rose: "We Are Marshall"
(Huntington Quarterly Film Commemorative Issue)
It’s late afternoon. Huntington’s Fourth Avenue between Ninth and Tenth Streets is packed with an estimated 10,000 screaming people assembled to greet some of the most famous faces to ever grace the Tri-State.
Meanwhile, the celebrities and the top brass from Warner Bros. are anticipating just another public relations outing. They have been to similar functions in cities bored with celebrity and filled with irritated citizens rolling their eyes at yet another movie-affiliated street closing. Places where, maybe, 500 people would show up. But this was new, special and heartwarming even.
An enormous crowd crammed in between the buildings that line Fourth Avenue, all cheering in unison for Hollywood’s arrival in Huntington. All Director McG, Producer Basil Iwanyk and actors David Strathairn and Matthew McConaughey could do was smile and wave, smile and wave, smile and wave. It was so beyond expectations that David Strathairn turned to McG and made his now-famous remark: “You know, McG, they’re going to elect you mayor here!”
The idea for a block party originated with Basil Iwanyk, producer of “We Are Marshall”. But it was Ernie Malik, unit publicist for Warner Bros. and Dr. Keith Spears, director of marketing and communications at Marshall University, who took it from there, planning an all-day affair.
First, they planned a preliminary reception at Marshall President Stephen Kopp’s home for some of the “We Are Marshall” cast and crew.
According to Spears there had been some concern on the part of Malik about an A-list star like McConaughey being in an unfenced area near a public park. But Spears assured him that the event was a complete secret, unpublicized and far from open to the public.
“I told him that there wouldn’t be any teen-aged groupies hanging around, that this was an event for university intelligentsia and adults. Seventy-five people were invited but the party grew to 140! You know word’s leaked out when vans of paparazzi keep driving by including the National Enquirer.”
Despite numerous “friend of a friend of someone who was invited” attendees, things moved smoothly and according to plan. Strathairn, McG and Iwanyk all spoke and the crowd was interested and polite.
“But the mood changed when Matthew McConaughey showed up,” Spears noted. “A transition took place where mild-mannered females took on a new aura. When I noticed people climbing over the President’s back fence and saw Matthew McConaughey backed up against the garage, I knew we might have a potential problem on our hands!” Fortunately, for all involved, disaster didn’t strike, and the remainder of the event came off without a hitch.
It was time to move on to the day’s second event: a press conference at the Keith-Albee. The plan initially had been to hold it in the lobby in front of concessions, giving cameras a built-in movie ambience and writers a perfect descriptive backdrop. But Malik suggested holding it on the theatre’s stage instead since he could get the stars safely in and out through the alley between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. It turned out to be an excellent idea.
“Call it naïveté, but we had anticipated 15-20 local journalists,” Spears explained. “We were shocked and pleased when 55 regional and national reporters showed up in Huntington.”
At the press conference, Basil Iwanyk, the film’s producer, explained that “We Are Marshall” started with a beautifully written script by 26 year old Jamie Linden.
“I just could not believe how dramatic it was and how heartbreaking it was,” Iwanyk said. “It was incredible and filled with such emotional sensitivity that it really surprised a lot of people even in Los Angeles.”
Meanwhile, McConaughey told reporters how excited he was about the film.
“Very seldom do you read stories like this that are based on something that happened, something in history,” he explained. “My creed has always been to ‘Just keep livin’.’ That’s what happens in this story. Through the game of football, people, a team, a community comes together on the proverbial field to play and move on with memory and with hope.”
The film’s director agreed. “It was a difficult time,” McG said. “They did not have the resources. They did not have the money. It was going to be difficult to field a competitive team. Everyone knew that the team was going to lose an awful lot. I think one of the great moments in the film is when Lengyel comes to realize that we will play now so that ten years from now, it can be about winning. Right now, it’s about getting out there and playing, which is a great metaphor for living.”
Following the press conference, Huntington Police cleared an unexpected path from a side door of the theatre straight onto the stage area in the middle of Fourth Avenue. And that is when the crowd went wild.
“It was just a sea of humanity,” Spears recalls. “It was literally crammed with people from one end of the block to the other – it was a great atmosphere.”
Tri-State residents attending the event also thought it was great. Tammy Neuscheler, who resides in Prichard, W.Va., lived in Southern California for years and never saw a celebrity. “Since Matthew McConaughey was coming to town, I figured I had to go see him. Besides, he’s one of my favorites, and one of the best-looking men in Hollywood!”
She continues by noting how easy it was to come out for the block party due to Huntington’s size. “My friend and I spontaneously decided to go downtown, our three children in tow. We didn’t get down there until 20 minutes before it was supposed to start – which is something you can only enjoy in a small town and still get a parking spot! We kind of used our strollers to clear a path and managed to get pretty close to the stage and take some great pictures.”
John and Angie Hayes of Chesapeake, Ohio, wanted to attend the block party because “it’s not every day a major motion picture is filmed in your back yard!” The Hayes and their daughter Chloe benefited from the huge crowd and the fact that the stars came onto Fourth Avenue from an unexpected place. “The crowd was wall-to-wall, so we were only able to find a spot next to the Arcade Building,” John remembers. “As it happened, the cast made their way to the stage from the area where we were standing. We ended up with a great view of Matthew McConaughey, David Strathairn and McG coming and going to the stage.” The Hayes thought “the City of Huntington and Marshall University officials did a great job of planning the kickoff. With the band and cheerleaders, it seemed like the crowd’s excitement level gradually built until the cast made their appearance.”
Huntington resident Jeanie Poindexter agreed. “There was an electricity in the air that I have never experienced before in Huntington. Everyone was upbeat and excited – I have never heard a roar like the one when Matthew McConaughey took the stage. It was more than just women excited to see People magazine’s reigning “Sexiest Man Alive.” It was a community coming together to show their appreciation for this film finally being made.”
Regardless of whether you were invited to the President’s private fete, asked the stars questions at the press conference or cheered with the throng on Fourth Avenue, one thing is certain: April 1, 2006, is a day Huntington will never forget.
What Happened That Night
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by Marla Brannan
The story behind the most disastrous day in American sports history
Even before “We Are Marshall” brought the stars and movie-making to the region, most Huntington area residents had some idea of what happened November 14, 1970. For many, the story ran through their veins by personal relation to the tragedy; for some, it weaved its way in and out of their lives as they came into contact with relatives and friends of the victims; for all who lived here at the time, it left an indelible mark, an impression on the mind’s eye.
But what about non-natives from other states or countries, those who were too young to remember or those who hadn’t been born? What actually occurred on the night everyone talks about?
Marshall’s Thundering Herd football team went through a transition in the late 1960s. Brought on by the belief that West Virginia University was the university in the state and sick of being ignored, Marshall recruited players using money as incentive. Caught and put on probation by the NCAA and suspended from the Mid-American Conference, Marshall’s 1970 team was depleted by players dropping out of school or transferring to other universities. They began the season with only 40 players. “Marshall” and “football” were not synonymous in this pre-Pennington, pre-Moss, pre-championship era. In fact, the basketball program was better known and held in higher regard at that time.
Because most of The Herd’s rival schools were in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, they traveled by bus to every other game played during the fall of 1970. But for their ninth game of the season against East Carolina, the school chartered a twin-engine DC-9 from Southern Airways. Thirty-seven players, twenty-five supporters, eight coaches and five crew members boarded the flight in Greenville after yet another heartbreaking loss, this one 17-14. No member of the crew had flown in or out of Tri-State Airport, as the crew returning to Huntington was not the same one that had flown into Greenville; however, the pilot, Capt. Frank Abbot, had logged more than 20,000 miles flying time.
It rained. It was foggy. Due to budget constraints and the absence of large portions of level land, Tri-State Airport was not equipped with the “Glide Slope” portion of the Instrument Landing System that would have helped establish the pilot’s landing path and given him altitude. At 7:37 p.m., the jet clipped some trees, crashed and burned about a mile-and-a-half from the runway. All 75 souls on board were lost.
At first all anyone knew was that a crash had occurred. The first United Press International (UPI) wire on the subject, dated Nov. 14, read “A DC-8 [sic] passenger plane is down near Huntington’s Tri-State Airport this evening. Authorities say the wreckage has been located somewhere near the area of where the Interstate 64 bridge crosses the Big Sandy River outside of Huntington… There is still no word on possible injuries.” Eyewitnesses, without knowing who was on the plane, described earth-shaking booms and a conflagration no human could have survived.
Early the following day, the bleak truth surfaced. The next UPI wire described who was on the plane and the basic details of the crash. The wire went on to say: “National Guardsmen, State Police and volunteer firemen have begun the grim task of removing (the) bodies….they will be taken to the National Guard Armory where a team of identification experts will begin the tedious process of attempting to identify the victims. Parts of the plane in the surrounding heavily wooded area still are burning four hours after the crash occurred…. The main fuselage can be seen from the highway. A cockpit, however, is located behind the main section of the plane.”
Six of the victims recovered from the plane could never be positively identified. They were assigned football team members’ names by process of elimination and are buried at Spring Hill Cemetery under a memorial monument.
Investigations into the crash were inconclusive. All systems seemed to be operating properly and communication between the tower and crew was normal. After the crash, one official noted that, in a literal sense, if it hadn’t been for the trees, the plane most likely would’ve been able to land.
November 14, 1970 remains the most disastrous day in all of American sports history. The rebuilding of Marshall’s football program and the Huntington community is a miraculous story and certainly well worth portraying on the silver screen. For those few players and coaches who didn’t make the trip and for the families of the victims, the film will serve as yet another step in the healing process.
The Fanny Pack is Back!
by Marla Brannan
7 Reasons to Jump on This Hot Trend!
You read that right. The 90s dad-bod staple--the fanny pack--is back! And after strapping one across my chest (yes my chest!) on a 10-day trip to Scotland, I’m completely won over.
On November 22, 1954, Sports Illustrated advertised a lightweight “fanny pack” to hold the wax and lunch of a cross country skier. And in the 70s, downhill skiers wore them in lieu of a heavy knapsack.
Now in 2020 the fanny pack has mega cool factor as models and Instagram influencers wear them on the streets of New York and L.A.
What is now often referred to as a “belt bag” or “waist bag” has quite a long history.
In fact, Kendell Jenner--one of the 5 sisters of KUWTK--has carried one so frequently she’s thought to be the reason fanny packs are back.
Here are 7 Reasons to Jump on This Trend NOW!
First off, fanny packs have the benefit of being hands free. So whether you’re flying, taking a train or subway or simply sightseeing, you’ve got two hands at all times.
#1
#2
But wait, you say--there are several types of bags that also give you the advantage of having both hands free when you need them.
Consider this: None of those other options are quite so handy. A fanny pack is right where you need it when you need it, easy to access for your passport, subway ticket or keys.
Also, it’s easy to wear under a jacket so you can get by with a little extra luggage on a flight.
#3
I was surprised to find there was space not just for my wallet, passport folder and phone, but a fold up umbrella, very important when traveling in Scotland.
Modern fanny packs are large enough to carry everything you need and have pockets to keep things separated and easy to find.
#4
Another benefit of a fanny pack is you can keep it strapped on at all times.
You don’t ever have to set it down and risk forgetting it or having it stolen when you’re not looking.
And unlike a purse, backpack or crossbody bag, it isn’t an easy target for pickpockets that frequent tourist attractions.
#5
A purse or backpack might start out light, but gets heavier as every family member feels the need to put stuff in it. (Souvenirs they had to have? Water bottles? Guidebooks? Snacks?)
You switch it from side to side or take it off every chance you get, but your shoulders still ache. Not so with a larger sized fanny pack. First, every member of the family can easily carry their own. Second, it’s easy-peasy to switch it from across your chest to around your waist if one or the other gets tired.
#6
You can buy one at Target for $15 to $27.99. You can splurge on classic Gucci for $1,290 or metallic gold from Michael Kors for $278. And everything in between is available in stores, or with a click or tap.
Fanny packs come in all colors, sizes, price points, and styles from utilitarian to belt bags just large enough for phone, credit cards and lipstick.
#7
And, finally, perhaps the coolest reason of all to jump on this trend’s bandwagon: Batman carries a fanny pack. Ok. He calls it a utility belt and instead of lip balm there’s a sonic bat beacon and kryptonite. But still, one of the baddest superheroes of all time has a “fanny pack,” and if nothing else, that’s one way you can talk your kids into strapping on their own.
So there you have it. 7 reasons to run out and buy a fanny pack today!
Urban Charm
5.
by Marla Brannan
Mark and Connie Beford open the doors to their penthouse apartment and explain why they are leading a resurgence in downtown living.
Mark and Connie Beford like to go to the city on weekends. They used to pack up the car and head for Cincinnati. Now they pick up snacks and something to grill and make the long, long trek from their home in Briarcliff near Ceredo to – downtown Huntington!
The owners of Southpoint Beford Ford and Beford Family Pre-Owned Auto in St. Albans, Mark and Connie weekend at a recently renovated penthouse apartment in the St. James Building. With sweeping views of downtown, the Ohio River and Marshall University, their 12th floor flat feels urban and modern from the moment you enter the elevator. And with all the entertainment, dining and cultural options now available downtown, it has many of the amenities of a larger getaway city – without the long drive and money spent on gas.
Mark explains their decision to buy property downtown: “The thing to do as kids was come downtown – but then you get older, move to suburbia and don’t often go down there to eat or shop or just hang out. So we both looked at downtown buildings growing up, me in Charlotte and Connie here, and thought it would be so cool to live in one of them. As time evolved, I happened to bump into Mike Rafey, the St. James developer, at a restaurant in the Palm Beach airport, and he said he’d bought the St. James. Lo and behold, three years later he was marketing the condos and we decided we wanted to live at this premier address. Now this is our weekend getaway – and we absolutely love it!”
When they first saw what is now their 2,300 square foot apartment, it didn’t look anything like it does today. “You could not have lived in it,” says Connie. “It was two little units with 7½ foot ceilings, a boxy 1960s kitchen and an extremely dated bedroom.”
In order to lend an even airier feel to a space already containing 17 windows, crews hired by Creative Kitchens (who stayed in the condo during the week) knocked out numerous walls, raised the ceilings and totally reconfigured the layout. “We had to take it down to the foundational walls,” Mark remembers. “Andrea Nelson and Rob Stepp down at Creative Kitchens were so instrumental. In addition to designing the kitchen, they oversaw all the work and suggested paint colors – they really helped us create our dream.”
And what a dream! Now when the Befords and their friends cross the threshold of their downtown home, they truly feel transported. Contemporary art and traditional architecture co-exist in a wonderful fusion of old and new. Much like the Soho lofts the Befords admired on a visit to Manhattan, the classic appearance of the St. James Building belies the modern space nestled directly under its roof. And instead of the two making strange bedfellows, they seem to play into one another’s strengths.
Entering the marble-floored foyer, a formal dining area with dark brown walls and modern furnishings lays to the right and the cozy avocado-hued living room to the left. Occupying the corner of the loft is the magnificent kitchen, with traditional cabinetry that hides the refrigerator and dishwasher and blends seamlessly with the Murano glass pendant lighting and a stainless steel range hood. Beyond the living area is an office that can be used as a guest bedroom, a full bath with fantastic tile shower and a utility room complete with loads of storage and hanging space.
A large “his” walk-in closet for Mark echoes Connie’s space at the other end of the apartment.
What used to house an entire one-bedroom flat is now the master suite. Hidden behind a lead glass door, this haven contains not only a magnificent and jealousy-inducing “hers” walk-in closet, but a large brick-colored bedroom and a fabulous bath. Built-in cabinets along the hall add shelf space.
The master bath presents some perfect examples of the Befords’ synthesis of modern and traditional: The claw foot tub sits on a heated floor. The countertop is lava, but the lighting includes a conventional chandelier. Then again, there’s a chandelier in the bathroom, which is in itself a modern twist. Just outside a shower covered with rich blue Italian glass tiles is an extremely contemporary piece of glass art Connie picked up on a trip to Florida.
In fact, throughout the whole apartment art from the past century by the likes of Russian-born Frenchman Marc Chagall meets up with more contemporary pieces including an original painting by American Icon LeRoy Neiman. And this just adds to the unique nature of the loft. The entire space is wired for sound: The Befords have included a Bose system that extends to each room and a floor outlet in the living room for a soon-to-be-purchased grand piano.
It’s a nice change of pace for the Befords to leave their traditional home in the suburbs and “go to the city” for the weekend. And even though it’s not far from home, it has all the facets necessary for a great weekend getaway. “Downtown Huntington has seen so much progress in the last few years. We have Pullman Square, new restaurants, more shops and a comedy club. There are numerous cultural opportunities, as well as the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, The Marshall Artists Series, concerts on the riverfront and so much more.”
Connie adds, “We are thrilled to be able to come here on the weekends and be in the heart of it all.”
6.
Ritter Renovation
by Marla Brannan
The warmth of the Mediterranean is revealed in the renovations of this charming Ritter Park home.
It seems the current retro trend in many aspects of popular culture, like music and fashion looking back to the 1980s and cars to the 1950s, is reaching its long arm into the area of design – with a twist of course. Many homeowners, especially of a younger generation, are renovating properties with one eye on history and the other on the future, making for wonderful, modern homes that are true to the feel of the original structure. Such is certainly the case with Drs. Helene and Stephanie Jacobs-Skolik’s house at 1300 12th Street which overlooks Ritter Park.
According to the original blueprint hanging in the house’s vestibule, the structure was built in 1917 for Lester A. Pollock by Verus T. Ritter, a Philadelphia architect responsible for many of that city’s buildings as well as Huntington’s own City Hall. At the time of its construction the house resembled a quaint cottage with a definite Mediterranean flavor. By the time the Jacobs-Skoliks bought it in October 2001, it had undergone numerous renovations resulting in a structure similar to other Colonial homes along the park. But, as Helene points out, “A neo-Colonial feel had been imposed on the house when the bones and structure were actually more Spanish-Mediterranean.”
Thus the renovation began – and the challenge to keep the Mediterranean ambiance while opening the house up inside and creating good flow from room to room. Helene and Stephanie also wanted a “homey” place, modern and comfortable for them and their two boys, Lake and Cooper, but able to accommodate sit-down parties of 30 or 40 guests.
Several major structural renovations ensued. The house’s original front entry was on the side near the driveway; with the Colonial renovation, however, this side door had become exposed to the elements and the front door appeared to be centered on a columned porch facing the street.
Helene’s design called for a porch that featured an arcade of arches and granite balustrades, which wrap around the front and side of the house. This change provides shelter to the original front entry and adds more privacy from the street and Ritter Park.
Once inside the vestibule the changes continue. Helene felt the entry needed to be opened up because the size was “underwhelming” for such a large home. With the help of Vic Greco of Shamu, Machowski and Greco, an architectural firm in Wheeling, and Thom Bradley of Bradley Construction in Huntington, walls between the vestibule and living room, and the living room and formal dining room were knocked out and replaced with columns and arches. These changes created a natural flow from the now spacious vestibule, living and dining rooms to the kitchen.
In keeping with the Mediterranean concept of indoor-outdoor living, Helene selected a lush moss green and pale blue for many of the interior walls. This idea is intensified by doors leading to the patio and a view from the front door all the way to a fountain outside the dining room windows.
The living room is home to a 1940s Whitney (Chicago) baby grand piano, played by Arturo Sandeval when he was recently in town, a British high-backed chair from the early 1800s, an 1880 Hepplewhite armoire, and numerous pieces from Helene’s collection of West Virginia and Ohio Valley glass – a hobby she picked up long before she lived in the state.
Since Helene and Stephanie entertain as many as four times a week and now have a lovely space for parties and dinners both large and small – not to mention two growing boys – the kitchen is an important component in their renovated home. The process in this room began with what Helene describes as a complete gutting of the old kitchen – walls separating the brunch area and kitchen were knocked down to create a walk-through; a mid-room spiral staircase leading to the basement was removed; and the old outdoor root cellar stairs were transformed into comfortable interior stairs to the basement.
Then she started rebuilding from the ground up beginning with Brazilian Cherry floors, adding gorgeous and plentiful cupboards, sparkling black granite counters, two custom made copper sinks and copper tile in a dazzling harlequin pattern in the backsplash areas. Other walls were finished with rough plaster tinted a deep titian – the oranges and reds make the room as inviting as the smell of fresh bread. Helene loves the finished project. “Though the kitchen is large, you never have to move more than a step or two to do anything. The whole room is about function, convenience and details,” she explains.
The enlargement of the master suite was the next major renovation Helene and Stephanie undertook. Formerly the room sat over the living and dining rooms. Currently the master bedroom/bathroom suite encompasses the entire second story front of the house. With the front porch columns removed and the porch ceiling lowered, the sleeping area could now expand to include the space on top of the porch.
The room currently features a sitting area facing the park and a new full-sized fireplace and breakfast prep niche. The master suite also includes a lovely outdoor balcony, a dressing room that doubles as a library/study, hardwood floors meticulously stenciled with various stains by Helene and Stephanie, and built-in bedside bookcases.
The adjacent bathroom is also proportionately larger and is now home to a multi-head shower, soaking tub overlooking the park, two travertine sinks and a heated tile floor for those cold winter mornings.
Three years after undertaking this massive project, renovations are still ongoing. The basement, rumored to be a bomb shelter with its three feet thick concrete walls, now houses a bright playroom. The boys’ bathroom was recently renovated in an Amazon-theme featuring a suspended cage of colorful folk art parrots and underlit glass vessel sinks. Coordinating nautical themes were incorporated in their bedrooms.
A brick fireplace was built in the Wood Room – a large family room with red accents that doubles as a home office.
The renovations by the previous home owners created an enormous three car garage thats magnitude was reflected in the affectionate moniker, “The Garage Mahal.” The space now includes a full service laundry area, a gardening/potting area and Au Pair apartment. Tres bien! Raw space above the garage that was used by the previous owners as a bathing/grooming area for their show dogs was transformed into a guest apartment with a catering kitchen.
Other projects of note include converting space above the family room into a delightful combination storage room/playroom, a new second floor laundry room and a lovely garden. As Helene points out, “Our ‘To Do’ list was as long as the path that surrounds Ritter Park. And we’re still not finished.”
Even so, this stunning Ritter Park home has been modernized brilliantly. Its roots are showing again and the Jacobs-Skoliks and guests can enjoy the captivating warmth of the Mediterranean, right here in the heart of Huntington.