97 / 124
for materiality.” Tree and plant
motifs are expressed in the
custom millwork, furniture, art
glass and metal works through-
out the home. These motifs
echo “prairie-style ideals,” she
says, while the emphasis for
the home was kept on “integra-
tion with the surrounding land-
scape, horizontal lines, crafts-
manship, and simplicity.”
All of these choices were made
in collaboration with the clients,
who were ultimately thrilled
with the end-result. Dora
says that kind of reception is
even more validating then the
awards.
“We were already winners when
we ended the job with happy
clients,” said Rhonda Gilchrist,
the designer of that project.
“Rhonda spent two years get-
ting to know the clients and
their family, and designing their
dream home alongside them,”
Dora adds. “The fact that they
were so happy and so excited
about the end-result means
more to us anything.”
BUSINESS WORLD MAGAZINE