Nostalgic Charm

How do you describe the style of your surroundings? Is it Traditional or is it Transitional? Is it Eclectic or Modern? Do you like antiques or Mid-Century Modern? Or how about Contemporary versus Primitive?

If you are Heather McAninch of rural Polk City, you have created a new look altogether. She refers to it as Nostalgic Charm, and it honors her late grandmother, Glennis McAninch, whose style was legendary with the touch of French-inspired elegance in its detail.

Heather was so close to her grandmother that when Heather built her new home, she incorporated numerous pieces of the furnishings that had always inspired her. “My grandmother treated her furnishings like works of art. In the early 2000s, she completely renovated her farmhouse,” says Heather. Glennis also furnished a Chicago apartment off Michigan Avenue for a time.

HIGH-END AND REGAL

Heather remembers green carpet and floral beaded wallpaper. The effect was all high-end and regal. “A wall of windows overlooked a courtyard. There were gorgeous trees and manicured landscaping. French doors featured glass designs, and floors had an accent border of inlays. There were beautiful sconces and light fixtures and giant black iron pots with pink petunias and hibiscus.”

Some of the furniture pieces from Grandma Glennis carry the Henredon label. Heather also has incorporated many of her grandmother’s accessory pieces, many made of marble and glass.

Glennis was very particular with her pieces, for instance ornate picture frames, many without pictures in them. Heather also remembers a couch embroidered with a peacock print, plus bathroom sinks and tub with floral designs in blue.

“It may not sound appealing for today’s style, but there was something comforting about using those pieces,” says a proud granddaughter.

THE BUILDING PROCESS

When she decided to build her new home, Heather chose Accurate Development because her parents were longtime friends with Accurate owners Kevin and Brenda Johnson.

“In Ankeny, we lived on the 18th hole of a golf course, and we had no privacy,” Heather explains. This home is much more private. The beautiful property has about two acres, including one acre of woods. Blue heron and wild geese frequent the pond next door.

Cari Johnson, vice president of Accurate, met with Heather during the “looking phase.” “I meet with clients in the lot selection process. Heather found this lot she built on. There is a bucolic pond next to her property. It is lovely. We work with all of our homeowners to pick a design, a style, and undergo inspection.”

After that, Sarah Hoover, Accurate’s design coordinator, helps homeowners to pick colors and finishes. She continues to work with them throughout the whole building process.

“As Heather has used many of her grandmother’s furnishings and accessories, it has turned out to be such an interesting home,” says Sarah.

The new one-and-a-half story home features the master bedroom on the main floor and three bedrooms on the second floor. The open floor plan houses the living area that has 10-foot ceilings, the dining area, and an open kitchen with a huge island.

To break up the all-white kitchen, Heather and Sarah chose white oak for the base of the island and darker wood for the wine bar. Off a hallway is a mudroom and a laundry area, complete with Grandma’s blue in the cabinetry. A mudroom and guest bath, along with Heather’s home office, also are on the main floor. The kitchen opens onto a covered deck.

OVERSIZE WINDOWS

Stunning huge plate glass windows bring the outside in. The centerpiece pool outside those windows commands the view. Built by Valley Pools, it measures 44 × 22 feet. By the pool are two fire bowls and a fire pit table. There also are two waterfalls.

The master bedroom features a huge closet and a full bath with walk-in shower. It is extra huge for bathing Heather’s two big dogs.

The home’s lower level features an entertainment area, a bar, and an exercise room. A huge theater room hosts the family movie nights.

Dani, Heather’s daughter, a freshman at Iowa State University, lives in the home when she’s not in Ames. “I wanted a place where she could bring her friends to swim, watch movies, or just hang out,” Heather says. Joining them are two Great Danes, Gator and Jasmine, and a smaller dog, Marty.

Both Cari and Sarah have especially enjoyed helping Heather bring her home to life. Both say she has been amazing to work with.

Heather believes it’s truly wonderful that her grandmother’s furnishings and accessories work so well together in brand-new surroundings. “It just feels like home,” she says.