Decor
Comfort Zone
BY VICKI GILHULA
Spring 2010 |
Terry Vendetti is a miracle worker with a magical touch. He is able to marry old and new furnishings, collectables and new accent pieces to reflect the personalities of his clients.
In his own home, he has recreated a 1930s cozy cottage with antiques, second-hand vintage pieces, his collection of bric-à-brac, and antique reproductions.
In the dining room, for example, an old-fashioned solid wood table works well with 1970s department store pressback-style chairs painted cayenne pepper colour. Replica stained glass lamps complete the illusion of yesterday.
His home on Lake Wahnapitae is one of the original houses in the area. It was built for a foreman with the Spanish River Lumber Company about 90 years ago. His grandfather, who worked for the lumber company, helped to build the home—he learned this from a relative after he moved in.
The house has beautiful solid pine wall and ceiling paneling and birch floors. Recently, Vendetti hired a workman to install wide-plank hand-scrapped hickory flooring over the lower level's concrete floor. It looks authentic and adds warmth to the downstairs living area.
The decorator and his partner purchased the three bedroom home eight years ago. They were interested in lakefront property. Vendetti had a preference for Lake Wahnapitae. He has happy memories about spent time in the area when he was growing up, and he has family in the Skead area.
"The house was a work in progress," says Vendetti. Previous owners had covered the original wooden exterior with white vinyl siding. It was peeled it off and replaced with board and batten siding.
Over the years, the roof has been replaced, new retaining walls built, and a new deck installed. The lower level of the home was really a half-finished basement when the new owners moved in.
The decorator is itching to renovate the kitchen, and can probably see all kinds of new possibilities. But to this visitor, the home looks pretty, and perfect.
