The Polished Pebble: July 2013

Of the many wonderful architectural styles that I enjoy

I think the modern farmhouse vernacular is by far my favorite

Architect Howard Backen
has designed dozens of residencies, wineries,
hospitality and retail buildings,
but the simple and appealing farmhouse aesthetic
is what he does so well

His, is a classic American house, combined with modern details and amenities,
wonderful sight lines and clean landscape.

All of these elements allow for a lean and modern home,
which include references to Scandinavian and French influences as well.

Nothing appears over done or excessive.

The homes that he designs

are filled with calm
and each element seems to have a purpose

The inside to outside flow in his work is wonderful too!

His wife is a very talented interior designer in her own right and her work fits his design to a tee.

Always with an exterior vista in mind, he often includes over scaled openings.

Even if there is not an amazing view,

there will be a opportunity to enjoy the out of doors around each corner.

He and the partners in his firm call this

"transparency"

In 2012 Mr Backen opened his first restaurant
in the landmark Vanderbilt building in Santa Helena,
locating his offices in the rear...how convenient right!!

The restaurant is called French Blue,

referring to the antique blue doors that have graced the front of the building

for over 50 years

Although he has designed many restaurants,

this is the first that he actually owns

here is the menu

it looks pretty tasty

and not all that pricey either

A few of the other restaurants he is associated with include

Press in St Helena

Go Fish in St Helena

and numerous Il Fornaio restaurants

throughout the United States

Mr Backens designs are perhaps the alter ego of much of what has been built in Napa,
known to many as the valley of excessive faux chateaus
and larger than life tuscan monsters.

His admiration for the American farmhouse lies in the honesty of the details,
the house as an element of the site
and the surrounding landscape.

Some of his work is more large scale

including the home of Gary Freidman CEO,

creator and curator of Restoration Hardware
and the much loved home of designer
Barbara Colvin Hoopes shown above

I wrote about Gary Freidmans house a while ago
and it is really an impressive residence

Many of the wineries Howard Backen has designed are in the

modern Farmhouse vernacular as well

The Paul Hobbs Winery above suggests the cleanliness of surgical steel
with the down home thoughtfulness of the American barn

Most of the wineries have wonderful spots for large gatherings and tastings

intimate dinning rooms

and large airy locations

for

weddings and events

The use of the very humble but much loved front porch is really so fun to see

Hay bales for seating.... a great idea
but I'll take the side with the pillows

He designed Sundance Resort in Utah

Meadowood Resort in St Helena

Solage in Calistoga

His retail work includes defining former public buildings into large retail spaces with many varied areas for merchandising, including enclosed exterior spaces