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FeedAged by Design
By Alecia Stevens
Photo by Alex Steinberg
1 Materials
The beauty of the materials found in old European architecture is their unashamedly worn patina, softened by time and the elements. Eiswald embraces this look and feel by choosing honed Carrara marble slabs for the countertops and the backsplash. The flooring is limestone of varying sizes, tumbled with rough edges and laid in a random pattern, much like an old French kitchen in Provence, weathered from centuries of use.2 Palette
Part of the charm here is the pale color palette, from the creamy walls to the cooler gray marble and the light, bleached pine cabinetry. The walls are covered with tinted, limed plaster, a material used in Europe for centuries. It is hand troweled and features carefully placed “cracks” and “water damage.” The natural limestone floor and soft salmon color of the walls wrap the room in a sublime matte texture.3 Cabinets
The old pine cabinets, original to the house, are a style familiar to many of us who live in twentieth-century Minneapolis residences. Often discolored by years of neglect and aging varnish, the cabinets usually have an unappealing orange cast. Eiswald stripped his to the bone, bleached them, and then used a small carving tool to create “wormholes” in the wood to add an even more aged look. A final coat of paste wax keeps them soft and sensual.4 Collections
The charm of collecting is that it reveals something about the collector and, when objects are displayed en masse, makes a striking visual impact. While in France almost 20 years ago, Eiswald fell in love with the rustic nature of old copper pots. With every trip, he found himself tucking one more into his suitcase and, eventually, shipping back the large ones. Once home, he pounds out the dents and polishes them back to their former glory. For dishes, he uses only white—simple enough to find—and stacks them on open shelves. Along the backsplash, the blue and white imported Staffordshire English platters add color, and are true to Eiswald’s traditional tastes.Alecia Stevens, a Minneapolis interior designer and stylist, is a frequent contributor to Midwest Home.
For more information on resources featured in this article, please reference our Buyer's Guide.
11 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
