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Designing Barrington Lifestyles
An Equestrian Country Estate
A family leaves the city for Barrington to create Saddlestone, a French Provincial home with equestrian flair.
It was a wrought iron front door design that inspired Alyssa and Dave Pazdan in the building and designing of their home in 2006. “My husband and I purchased land in Barrington while we were living in the city, so we had the luxury of time to design the house,” Alyssa says. But it was a trip to Mexico that pulled the whole project together. “While vacationing, we came across the most amazing front entry doors we had ever seen at the time. We found out who the manufacturer was and traveled to the headquarters where we custom designed our door.”
The unique front door was a labor of love. Photos showing the construction progress of the wrought iron door went back and forth over several months between the manufacturer and the couple. And then came the house. “Having the specs of the door, we brought them to our architect and told him we needed to build the house around this door,” Aylssa said.
The interior design process for the new home became Alyssa’s favorite project, one that is close to her heart. “Decorating has always been the bond between the women in my life. I absolutely love walking in my house and having a reminder of the most important women found in almost every room. It was important to me to keep sentimental pieces from my mother and grandmother, very elegant women, and Hyla was able to incorporate that while including input from my husband, helping us compromise on a vision we both liked,” she said.
Alyssa knew Hyla personally and had a chance to watch her design work and the diversity of her projects, and felt she could help bring the Saddlestone vision to completion. “Without having to articulate much about my style, she was able to define the vision of the rooms that exceeded my expectations. After many frustrating years trying to decorate the living room myself, Hyla was able to relieve my “decorator’s block.”
The interior design was a true partnership between Alyssa, Dave, and Hyla. Alyssa says that her designer has the gift to immediately connect with people and tap into a client’s character to provide a personalized design that fits. “It is almost as if she is the “Designer Whisperer,” Alyssa says of the furniture, lighting, rugs, and window treatments sourced by Hyla.
Moving to Barrington was the result of a two-year search by Alyssa and Dave. “We moved here with a 3-year-old son, and since have had two more children.” To the family, Barrington epitomizes a traditional family-oriented community with Midwest values.
“I like the fact that within Barrington, there are several vignettes—from the country of Barrington Hills to the downtown of the Village, there is a place that can suit almost anyone. I can find myself hiking through a prairie in the morning, going to lunch at Egg Harbor or Shakou with friends, and then attending a fundraiser at night,” says the busy mom.
Saddlestone reflects the vision for all of Barrington’s qualities through the eyes of the homeowners, and with help from their interior designer.
Interior designer Hyla Guerriere shares the top design ideas for “An Equestrian Country Estate” below.
A beautiful project begins and ends with special clients. Alyssa and Dave Pazdan had a great room right when you walked into their home; it was a blank canvas. So fun! I believe the entrance of the house is like the title of a book, and the rest of the home is the story. For this entrance, we repurposed family heirlooms, mixing old and new. I love to search around and take things from other rooms and remixing throughout the house which keeps the décor fresh and doesn’t break the bank. In the end my hope was to create a space of warmth. A place to enjoy and share special moments with family and friends.
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. –Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Hyla Guerriere of Designs By Hyla may be reached at 847-452-0587, or by email at hguerriere@gmail.com.
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Elegance Meets Comfort
