Cuisine and styling by Blended Table. Photo by Jessica White.
This summer, we have been all about mezze, a Greek appetizer platter that can also be the life of the party. We shared the supplies and ingredients to make this dish at home. But if you’re hoping to skip the prep time and support a small business, we know where to get mezze in Utah.
Owner and chef Manoli Katsanevas grew up in Salt Lake’s Greek restaurant culture—his family owns one of the town’s favorite burger joints. Manoli has his own ideas about Greek food: his tiropitas come with caramelized onions and he sauces his shrimp with a Greek coffee barbecue sauce.
Owner of one of the most renowned Mediterranean markets in the country, Matt Caputo is a cheese whiz, and his store stocks the best local ingredients and special products from small exporters.
314 W. 300 South, SLC, 801-531-8669. Shop the store or order online.
Familiar faces to Salt Lake architecture Trent Smith and Steven Walters recently formed Modern Out West Architecture & Design, and the firm just completed a dynamic office space for FileVine, a software system for attorneys. The location is a former Sugarhouse commercial space previously occupied by Toys R Us, and the new design seems to have channeled the playfulness of the previous tenants in the bright colors, graphic elements and originality in approach.
The opening photograph shows how the firm addressed the challenge of limited windows and natural light inherent with converting to office from big box commercial. The conference room floor-to-ceiling windows are an addition after the space conversion, and the natural wood slat separation to the main workspace opens to the open work space in a way Trent calls “revealing and concealing” that transmits the daylight deeper into the interior.
Photo by Scot Zimmerman.
I was intrigued with how the open office space addresses needs for privacy and break-out space.
Photo by Scot Zimmerman.
Pods enclosed on three sides are huddled along the perimeter. LED lights strafe the black-painted concrete blocks for a dramatic effect.
Photo by Scot Zimmerman.
Phone booths make a reappearance to offer a place for private conversations and to block out distracting noise.
Photo by Scot Zimmerman.
Wood slats diagonally traverse the 25-foot wall. Through the door are displays of merchandise with the company logo.
Photo by Scot Zimmerman.
There is break space on two of the three levels in the office.
Photo by Scot Zimmerman.
The wallpaper is surprising and uplifting, and an indication of how closely Modern Out West merges architecture and interior design. Stephen Walters is lead architect, Jena Smith is lead interior designer, and Trent Smith is credentialed in both interior design and architecture, so it is not surprising there is a close dialog between disciplines.
Photo by Scot Zimmerman.
Upstairs is a training room for users of the software system.
The office encompasses over 13,000 square feet spread over three floors. Despite the force of the design, Trent acknowledges that the tenant improvements and furnishings came in substantially under market rate. Also, it was a hands-on job, as the team designed and built furniture. After spending a day photographing the work, I can conclude they are a firm to watch and I look forward to seeing more projects.
For the photos, I tried to balance capturing the space, materials, and the history in some of the exposed ducting and exposed walls with the details of the furnishings, cabinetry, and wall treatments. We kept the lights on, and I supplemented with flash to maintain color balance.
Nelson Quality Construction owners Kurt and Tracee Nelson shared their own home for this year's Parade, including a family-friendly pool that centers a magnificent landscape.
These are definitely not your grandma’s backyards. Utah’s top designers and builders are taking the indoors out, creating outside living spaces that prove you don’t have to leave sharp style and supreme comfort at the back door. And as COVID-19 forces us to spend more time at home than ever, spaces that give us fresh air and blur the line between indoors and out are more desirable than ever. Check out some of our favorites from this year’s Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
All photos courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes
Riverside Dream from Bastian Homes takes advantage of the property’s views of the American Fork River with a multi-tiered deck that offers scenic lookouts from different vantage points.
Alpine Swoop from E Builders has more than a backyard—its landscape might as well be a fully functional second home, combining a multi-use sports court, outdoor casita, meandering stream and a pool house with a full kitchen. This home has the recipe for a perfect summer night: a dip in the pool and s’mores by the fire.
This state-of-the-art poolside pavilion in Brinkerhoff Construction‘s Quiet Eloquence elevates your everyday summer barbecue. The covered patio with ceiling fans and a fireplace adapts to any weather, and nearby is a full outdoor kitchen and dining room.
You don’t have to be tethered to your air conditioner during 100 degree days in Lucca Modern by BLJ Construction. The covered hot tub is an ideal place to unwind—rain or shine.
Maison de Reve by Davies Design Build has something for him, her and them. The house includes outdoor living spaces attached to the “man and babe caves” and a covered deck with cozy furniture outside the master bedroom.
Millhaven Homes’ Deer Crest Tudor doesn’t skimp on outdoor furniture. Curved barstools, which soften the patio’s hard edges, are ideal poolside seating, and wicker makes a welcome appearance at the heads of the dining room table.
The interiors of Quiet Eloquence boast hand-crafted details and ornate design, and the home’s vast landscape matches this air of classic elegance. The pool area, which includes a water feature and splash pad, is a serene getaway, and the yard also boasts a gazebo, lush gardens and several patios.
Golden Summit at Summit Creek, built by Beartooth Holding & Construction, extends its sleek, modern design to its exterior. Located in the grand mountains of Woodland Hills, this home is centered on stunning landscape views with open windows and a large patio and deck.
This drone shot of French Country Manor from Xtreme Builders shows off the property’s endless options for entertaining, including a pool, sports court and whimsical ship-inspired playground.
Can’t get enough of these homes? We rounded up some of the biggest trends at this year’s Utah Valley Parade of Homes here. The Parade of Homes is open for virtual tours until Aug. 22.
Designer Tonya Olsen, principal of The Olsen Home, proved that our master bathrooms deserve a starring role with this luxurious design inside a Park City home. Here, Olsen shows us how she cleverly immerses this room in engaging style.
The side walls’ large porcelain slabs resemble marble, offering a wallet-friendly alternative to real stone. Olsen used the material’s veining to visually offset the room’s hard lines and angles. The Bedrosians porcelain marble also backs a wide niche for shampoo and soap.
Photo by Rebekah Westover.
To affordably get the look of stone, Olsen chose 24-by-48-inch porcelain tiles for the walls. She also favored narrow grout lines to maximize continuity of the tile.
An enclosed wet space occupies the end of the room. “It isn’t for everyone, but it functions well for people who like to go back and forth from the tub to the shower,” Olsen says.
Photo by Rebekah Westover.
Creativity extends to the accessories. Stephanie Holdaway and the team at Gatehouse No. 1 cleverly used a dark cutting board to serve as a bathtub caddy.
Olsen set the bottom of the makeup vanity mirror at countertop level. “You don’t want to have to look above a backsplash to see yourself while sitting,” she explains.
Photo by Rebekah Westover.
A cowhide rug delivers a bold geometric pattern to the room. “The rug actually accentuates the shower door’s grid pattern,” Olsen says.
Forget about small, framed mirrors. “A large single mirror visually expands the space,” the designer says. What’s more, the mirror doubles the forms and light of the two cylindrical pendants suspended in front of it.
Looking for bold new ways to rethink your bedroom or bathroom? Click here.
Everyone in Salt Lake City except for me is tending a patch of tomatoes right now. We’re a city of home gardeners. In Utah, tomato harvest season is here, and many Utahns are looking for ways to use the fruits of their labors.
Despite Fred and Ginger’s famous dancing argument, it doesn’t really matter how you say it: Garden-ripened tomatoes are the soul of summer. No one said—sang—it better than Guy Clark so: Play this song while you make tomato sauce from your own homegrown tomatoes. Because guaranteed, if you’re growing them, you’ll have plenty—enough to make a sauce, besides all the other things Clark mentions.
I like this recipe from Windy Cedar farm because even though it takes some time to reduce the water out of the tomatoes, it’s passive time: You don’t have to stand over it. I like the condensed richness of tomato flavor, and the suggestion to freeze it in useable portions instead of steam-canning it makes it easy to use for months so you can have that fresh tomato flavor even in midwinter when fresh tomatoes are just a happy summer dream.
“I like to pair texture with neutral furnishings to make a space feel more comfortable and homier.”
Wood Tones
Wood adds warmth to a space and helps bring the outside indoors. “To maintain a more natural look, I don’t match wood tones.” Here, the shade of the floors and furnishings vary.
Inside Out
Photo by Rebekah Westover
“Outdoor living spaces are very important, so make them part of your home and let your interior design flow outside. Choose good, comfortable furnishings and don’t chintz on your choices.”
Black Accents
Photo by Rebekah Westover
“People are afraid of black, but there is something about it that adds an element of layering. If it isn’t too crazy, it can create depth by adding a punch.”
White Walls
Owens chose Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. “It is a little warmer than what I normally do, but given all the windows in the house, we didn’t want it to feel stark or cold.”
Organic Forms
Photo by Rebekah Westover
“Adding irregular shapes and rounded forms help take the edge off of rectangular windows and furnishings, making a space feel more comfortable.”
Looking for more inspiring work from interior designer Becki Owens? Read our house tour featuring her work here.
The 2020 Utah Valley Parade of Homes is back—and it’s featuring some of the most awe-inspiring homes in the state. Designers and builders pulled out all the stops on these extravagant estates, and we have some of the hottest tips and trends from this year’s Parade.
Black and White Dominates
Black and white continue to rule as a modern-day palette power couple. This tried-and-true color combo provides sharp contrasts and classic appeal that never goes out of style.
The Baccarat by Raykon Construction. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
Celebrated Ceilings
Things are looking up as detailed ceiling treatments elevate the style of rooms throughout the home. From dazzling light fixtures to unique materials, these beautiful ceilings are going straight to the top.
Silo Creek Farm by Robison Home Builders. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
The Mix is In
Kitchens prove the mix is in—and oh-so-hot. Why settle on one finish for cabinets or a single stone for countertops when compelling pairings deliver interest and character to the most-used space in the home.
Whiltshire Plan by Valor Homes. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
The Ridge at Alpine by Highland Custom Homes. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
In the Dark
Dark rooms continue to add contrast to homes defined by predominantly white-painted spaces. From offices to laundry rooms, deep, moody colors continue to add surprising depth to one-note palettes of white.
Matterhorn by Davies Design Build. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
French Country Manor by Xtreme Builders. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
Curve Appeal
Rounded elements take the edge off spaces defined by sharp corners and strong angles. From circular mirrors to oval tables, curved coffee tables to orb-shaped lighting, round is all the rage.
Deer Crest Tudor by Millhaven Homes. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
Blonde woods, washed treatments and light-toned finishes thrive. From floors to furnishings, beams to cabinetry, many décors are lightening up with fresh finishes that reject dark or drab.
Designers are elevating private spaces in the home with joyful, vibrant walls. Jaw-dropping wallpaper and fearless paint treatments transform walls from blah to ahhh.
Sabrina by EDGEhomes. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
Maison de Reve by Davies Design Build. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
Matterhorn by Davies Design Build. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
Window Dressing
Today’s top builders aren’t skimping on windows. Bold, large windows flood rooms with natural light and give the home a chic, modern finish.
Deer Crest Tudor by Millhaven Homes. Photo courtesy Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still enjoy the 2020 Utah Valley Parade of Homes. In addition to touring in person, you can tour each property virtually on their website from the safety of your own home. In-person tours are being hosted until Aug. 8. Virtual tours were recently extended until Aug. 22. For more information, including ticket sales, click here.
Read more of our favorite decorating ideas and design inspiration.
Admittedly, we can’t get enough of this Holladay landscape and its storybook beginning, nor can we get our fill of the must-see design elements that make it so enthralling. Fortunately, we have plenty of photos to share beyond those we squeezed into the original story featured in our pages—and here they are. Ready to be charmed?
Photo by Josh Caldwell
A cannon ball closure adds charming detail to a gate opening to the spectacular landscape designed by Northland Design Group. Architect Clayton Vance designed the thunder shack and cottage, and he referred to them as “garden folly” that enliven the breathtaking property.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
The thunder shack’s stone archway offers access to the rose garden and the cottage beyond.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
“The property’s magic hour is during the evening,” explains Jeremy Fillmore, principal of Northland Design Group. Soft landscape lighting illuminates the gardens, hardscape and rolling lawns. The enchanting curved swing arbor boasts gas lanterns on its handcrafted posts.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
Designed as a place to entertain, the cottage boasts broad windows and doors that open to the lawns, patios and gardens. Interior designer Jessica Bennett placed a sleeper sofa near the fireplace so overnight guests can fall asleep in front of the fire.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
Shots of blue cool the charming interior of the cottage, courtesy of Alice Lane Interior Design. The tufted daybed overlooks views of the rose garden.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
Contractors Jackson & LeRoy built the property’s new structures, including the impressive cottage. There, a stone fireplace lords over the open, light-filled great room.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
Timeless cottage style flows into a small kitchen designed for entertaining and to provide a well-equipped workspace for caterers.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
“We ran the hex floor tile into the shower to keep the eye moving,” says Bennett. Grove Brickworks tile from Waterworks clads the shower walls.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
Wasatch Timber crafted the broad beams that frame the cottage’s shiplap-clad ceiling.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
Low stone walls were masterfully crafted by Artistic Stone to delineate the property and to connect structures within the landscape.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
Flagstone floors flow from the cottage’s patios into the living areas. “When you open the doors, the party moves seamlessly indoors and out,” Bennett says.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
A shaded patio provides a respite between the owners’ main house below and the renewed landscape above.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
“Gates are like waffles—everybody loves them,” says landscape designer Jeremy Fillmore, who integrated three handcrafted gates on the property. Each custom gate was built by Jackson & LeRoy.
Photo by Josh Caldwell
Northland Design Group used stone from the Grantsville area to build a new water feature that tucks into existing mature trees and others they imported from Oregon.
The only thing worse than it being over 100 degrees outside and having even your hair follicles sweat? When you try to cool down from the Utah heat with some ice cream and get a brain freeze. Unfortunately, our bodies aren’t able to handle a rapid temperature change, so when mixing delicious frozen goodies and the harsh summer heat, the blood vessels in the back of our throat get confused and freak out, which is the cause for the tedious brain freeze. This summer though, the brain freeze is definitely worth it in order to taste these irresistible local frozen treats. Here are our favorite summer Utah ice cream (and custard and gelato) spots.
Nelson’s Frozen Custard Nelson’s Famous Frozen “Concrete” Custard has made their ma-and-pa burger shop a famous staple for Utah locals. Not only is there an endless list of delicious toppings to go on the thick ice cold custard, it’s also known that custard is less fat and calories than regular ice cream. Bonus! 3918 S Highland Dr. Holladay, 801-277-7479
Java Cow Café and Bakery What makes Java Cow Café and Bakery so great is that it takes you down to Historic Main Street of Park City which, in-and-of itself, is amazing, but they also offer some utterly delicious ice cream. Nothing could keep me away from a giant scoop of Mocha Almond Fudge or Peanut Butter Boom. 402 Main St., Park City, 435-647-7711
Sub Zero If you’re looking for a serious brain freeze, Sub Zero is the way to go. Their nitrogen freezing technique gives you the chance to pick your own flavor, add your own mix-ins, and watch it freeze right before your eyes. You can eat it while its freezing cold, which is a great treat during 100-degree days. 900 E 5600 S Murray, 801-263-0406
Dolcetti Gelato Get a brain freeze from across the ocean with a perfect cup of gelato. The famous Italian dessert provides a light and fluffy texture with summer flavors like lemon, raspberry and cantaloupe that’ll help you cool down and make you wish you were actually in Italy. 900 S. 902 East, Salt Lake City, 801-485-3254
Iceberg There’s a reason their Famous Thick Shakes have been around for over 55 years. Nothing quite beats a fun day in the sun like ending it with a large and thick raspberry shake from Iceberg. It’s a summer must. 3900 S. 900 East, Salt Lake City, 801-424-5400
Here’s a fresh idea: think beyond boring bowls and serve summer treats in colorful glasses and festive stemware. Choosing colorful crystal tumblers may seem like a bold move, but these hand-blown Baccarat glasses are guaranteed to make anything you serve more special. Just think: If they can perform as vibrant vases for garden blooms or as chic containers for scooped ice cream, imagine what they can do for your favorite iced drinks.
