The Times

Weekend of January 8/9, 1977 TIMES/GUIDE 13

Arrival of daughter gave them roots

By DOROTHY STEIN Staff Writer The Smiths went to a lot of pains to furnish their new home with beautiful things, but it took the arrival of their daughter last May to get them to start staying home to appreciate it. "It was just a place we returned to at night," says Nina of their contemporary Kendall townhouse, "until Kimberly came along and made it a home. Now we spend a lot of time here, and we find that we really enjoy it." Nina and J. (as her husband is called, in abbreviation of a too-long and complicated name) decided to furnish their home in shades of brown, for the simple reason that the chocolate-brown shag carpeting came with the resale. Beyond that they weren't sure in which direction they were headed. They had ordered for the den a modular seating unit from a neighbor who custom-makes upholstered furniture, and by accident ended up having much of their downstairs decorated by his wife, whose own home they had greatly admired. In fact, says Nina, the unusual antique wall piece in the entrance hallway — quite literally a "piece" of what had started out as a large and ornate unit — owes its present existence to this neighbor's resourcefulness and imagination. She prevented Nina from junking what was left of the unit after it fell from the wall (J.'s first and last attempt at hanging things), breaking into dozens of unsalvageable pieces. The remainder was patched and redesigned, painted glossy white and the wall behind it dark brown, its beveled mirrors replaced, and its other scars left intact to enhance the "antique" quality. The "cold" look of many modern homes is nonexistent in the Smiths' living-dining room, because of the warm earth tones and the super-soft cushiony furniture, upholstered in a vibrant Indian print fabric. The background pattern of the sofa and chairs is repeated in variations throughout the downstairs: in cinnamon and camel for the dining room chairs and wallpaper in the kitchen and guest bath; and in brown and white for the ottomans and on the two-story wall which separates the living room and entrance hallway. The living room's sparkle comes from a plant-filled chrome etagere, and an enormous mirrored coffee table, which displays objects that Nina and J. both love: animal horns set in lucite, a hand-made "treasure chest" also of real horn, glass candy dishes, and a "piano" paperweight which J. gave to Nina when she began taking lessons two years ago. The dining room Parsons table and buffet are of burled wood, and a handsome Tiffany-style lamp over the table is reflected in the wood-and-mirror slatted wall, leading to the den. The den's motif is Polynesian, and the many baskets, ceremonial masks and spears decorating the walls — as well as an old-fashioned paddle-fan on the ceiling — give the room its flavor. All the walls are covered in a patterned beige burlap, with numerous wall-hangings of textured wool, leather and macrame. The cushiony modular unit is in a camel-brown-oatmeal Indian fabric, and in addition to the sofa opening for sleeping, the two oversized ottomans at its foot open for storage. Since the Smiths turned this downstairs bedroom into a den, they decided to go all the way and convert its powder room into a bar. Bronzed mirrors give this area a suitably dim atmosphere, and two other features complete the mood: a wine rack built into the sink cabinet, and a novel overhead wine-glass storage, whereby dozens of glasses hang upside-down from wood slats in the ceiling. Den is the favorite room in the house . . . because it is so inviting and comfortable

IS YOUR AIR CONDITIONER SICK?

We Service All Makes & Models DEPENDABLE SALES, SERVICE & INSTALLATION OF CENTRAL & ROOM UNITS Call Us Today 445-2413 GABLES AIR CONDITIONING, Inc. 4070 LAGUNA STREET CORAL GABLES SINCE 1961 your BANKAMERICARD master charge welcome

Rich Craft CUSTOM WOOD

Your Kitchen is the HEART of your HOME Start the NEW YEAR with a NEW HEART Redels Since 1947 29 Almeria 444-5596 Coral Gables #01554

SELL IT WITH CLASSIFIED 666-7981

400 ACRE RANCH

With Hunting Lodge — Near Ocala & Gainesville This beautiful ranch may be used as a cattle or horse ranch. It has been fenced and crossed fenced, has wells & was recently pastured. The lodge has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths & a swimming pool. The ranch has almost 2 miles of road frontage. Price: $600,000 (Terms Negotiable) CALL: Frank Muscarella 813-446-8501 (Days) 813-442-6227 (Eves.)

RADIO DOCTORS

Drive In Service OPEN 7 DAYS SAVE SAVE SAVE 7380 BIRD RD 266-6644

NOW OPEN! WEEDS & THINGS

NOW OPEN! NEW PLANT STORE IN THE GROVE FEATURING Beautiful Healthy Plants AT LOWEST PRICES — WEEDS & THINGS 2809 BIRD AVE. SUITE C. COCONUT GROVE 442-8977 OPEN — 11 A.M.-7 P.M., 7 DAYS A WK.

DRAPERIES EXPERTLY CLEANED

FREE ESTIMATE and INSPECTION Chosen by Florida's Finest Homes and Shops Here's Why — * OLDEST PERSONAL SERVICE IN MIAMI * Complete "PERSONALIZED SERVICE" — From Removal to Rehanging * SUN STREAKS & YELLOWING REMOVED * ORIGINAL LENGTH GUARANTEED * DECORATOR PLEAT FOLDED Custom Made Draperies—Fabrics Pre Tested for Cleaning FLORIDA DRAPERY SPECIALISTS 445 Northwest 54th St., Miami, Fla. 33127 757-0649