Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/35164
Refr esh in g A Doug Zander’s porch getaway With space for casual conversation steps away, a dining table is set for al fresco entertaining day or night. Escape A fi xture on the local design scene for al- most 25 years, Doug Zander’s design studio and adjacent store (Zander’s Design Studio and Zander’s for the Home, respectively) have become Monroe Street staples for décor solutions and chic home furnishings. But a stone’s throw away, he’s brought his eclectic sensibilities into the near west side home he shares with his partner. Inside, rich chocolate walls are accented An array of candles—from a can- delabra above the dining table to wall fi xtures and vases atop the mantel—cast soft light for late night relaxation or entertaining. “So many different styles can be put together if your color scheme fi ts,” Zander says of his eclectic accents and bright color choices. “I personally like saturated color—it just blends with my personality.” Not only can Zander’s porch furniture withstand the elements, the pieces are also refreshingly easy to clean, including the outdoor rugs. “They’re made out of material that is still comfortable, but you can literally take it out onto the driveway and hose it off.” with bright furniture pieces. But through a set of French doors in the dining room, a refreshing outdoor oasis awaits. Original to the 1938 home, the once run-down porch has found new life under Zander’s careful eye. “My biggest thing [when designing this space] was getting it back to the original feel of the house,” he says. After tearing out retrofi tted windows and old carpeting, new fl oor-to-ceiling screens let light in while cheery fabrics in a bold palette bring the interior's bright accents outside. “It’s really an extension of the house,” he Floor-to-ceiling screens open to lush greenery in the spring and summer. As the weather cools, Zander adds storm windows and builds a fi re before watching the snow fl y. says. “We live out here during the summer. But even in the winter, we put the storm windows up and heat it with the fi replace.” Whether he's sitting back to watch his grandkids play or simply stopping in to relax, this little fresh-air getaway offers a lively escape. June 2011 bravamagazine.com 43