Modern-Rustic House Addition in Utah
The adage “good things come to those who wait” has shown true for Mitch and Jana Dettamanti, who waited and worked hard for 30 years to perfect their hillside home in southern Utah. “living in an unfinished home was our way of existence for many decades,” says Jana. “We just keep working on it a bit at a time.”
Back in 2001 they broke ground on the newest addition: a large, open-concept family room that contains a kitchen, dining and living room. This harmonious living room combines together with the home’s rustic and warm decor to turn into the heart of their property.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Mitch and Jana Dettamanti and the two youngest of the 5 children
Location: Cedar City, Utah
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, two baths
Sarah Greenman
Homey particulars and mild touches of Americana are sprinkled throughout. A Native American blanket shares room with a Prairie-style celebrity quilt. A woven basket keeps knitting stuff clean.
Wall paint: Sculpture Gray, Sherwin-Williams
Sarah Greenman
Sarah Greenman: Tell me about your decorating philosophy.
Jana Dettamanti: I like things to be neat, clean and fairly cleared out. If I have a lot of stuff, I can not breathe. But I understand my personality can be a little austere, so I try to fight this.
Sofas, chairs: leather, SofaMart
Sarah Greenman
The master bedroom is bathed in natural light by a top east-facing window. The bay window provides a view of the garden and the valley beyond.
Wall paint: Pearl Gray, Martha Stewart Living Paint
Sarah Greenman
Jana enjoys open space in the front of the bedroom hearth. She enjoys symmetry, simplicity and organic forms, so she’s loath to fill it with furniture. Jana works as a school librarian and enjoys getting her novels nearby.
Sarah Greenman
Family is central in the Dettamanti home, and Jana usually expects 14 people for Sunday dinner. Their addition — that contains the kitchen, living and living room in a single open space — readily absorbs their big immediate family for weekend parties.
SG: Who inspires your own personality?
JD: My family inspires my own decorating. Three of my five children are boys, and now I also have a manly husband. If stuff can not stand up to actual dwelling, it won’t last long. I am also inspired by amazing things which are helpful and not scared to show their age. My children tell me when something gets to the point that other folks would throw it out, I get interested in it.
Sarah Greenman
Inspired by a table that he found in a catalog, Mitch constructed this kitchen island with 2 glulam beams, which are usually reserved for roof construction.
Sarah Greenman
SG: What was the toughest part about building your home?
JD: Being individual. For all the years we were actively building the home, I stayed home with our children full-time. We were working with a single income and a firm commitment to borrow as little as possible. My husband was keeping us afloat financially. He was only able to operate on the home in his spare time. It is so easy to have great ideas, but getting them done on a budget and in your spare time is a struggle.
Sarah Greenman
Jana’s daughter, Mari, made this framed dry-erase plank as a Mother’s Day present. Each day Mari leaves a little message for her mom on the plank.
Sarah Greenman
A spacious pantry was a must for Jana as she proposed her kitchen. The shelves are stocked with hand-canned apricots, jams and more. A high chair on the far wall stands in the ready for visits from toddlers.
Sarah Greenman
A classic sewing machine welcomes people from the foyer. The slate flooring proceeds up the stairs and into the kitchen and family room, creating continuity from room to room.
Sarah Greenman
SG: Where’s your favorite place in the home?
JD: The downstairs living room. The couches are the most comfortable in the home. It is the perfect location for a rest.
Sarah Greenman
The hallway joins the addition with the older part of the home. A galvanized tin journal rack from Pottery Barn provides extra storage. “I really don’t have a favorite place to store,” says Jana. “I only look at the expensive catalogs for ideas and comb Target, hardware and secondhand stores for something like”
Sarah Greenman
While Jana has a solid sense of rustic design, she made space for her daughter to decorate her room as she pleases. Buttery yellow walls and a pink coverlet make a fantastic backdrop for Mari’s classic pieces and bulletin board.
Sarah Greenman
The garden is home to a gorgeous cherry tree, grapevines and a couple ample raspberry bushes.
Sarah Greenman
A classic sign is located against the back of the home. Jana is saving this fantastic find for the next part of the assemble: a master bath, which was used to serve as a very small nursery, and a downstairs washroom.
Sarah Greenman
The front porch welcomes people with an expansive view of the valley below. An inviting trio of Adirondack chairs adorns front porch.
Sarah Greenman
Owner Jana Dettamanti appreciates a sunny day on her front porch. She states, “If we build a second home again, I wish to transport our new addition. It is just perfect for all of us.”
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