With the Winter Olympics opening this weekend and the weather in Raleigh becoming ever more blistery- our thoughts turned to the Winter Wonderland that is Salt Lake City, Utah. For this new series, Design Lines is interviewing our friends in other cities. I had the pleasure of interviewing designer Kathryn Evans of Denton House Interiors.
1. Best antique store in Salt Lake City, Utah?
Housed in a historic Greek revival mansion, Anthony’s does not only unique and ultra high quality antiques, but some lovely fine art as well. For eclectic items in a lower price range, Salt Lakers are also big on consignment shops, with the charming Emilee Jayne leading the way. My favorite thing about Emilie Jayne is the way its organized, all vignettes are arranged by color and the displays are flawlessly styled by the shop owner.
Anthony’s Antiques
401 East 200 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801.384.2231
Emilie Jayne Home Consignment
801 South 800 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801.359.3356
2. After you have had a morning to shop what is your favorite place to grab a bite to eat and take a load off your feet?
The perfect lunch spot for the truly weary shopper is Cafe Niche. With a simple yet elegant menu (And brunch on the weekends! Yum!), the cafe is also adjacent to a fabulous salon. Dexterity (http://www.dexteritysalon.com/) is the perfect after lunch relaxation with a whole selection of “quickie” services, like a half hour massage, express facial or express pedicure.
Cafe Niche
779 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801.433.3380
3. What is artistically unique about Salt Lake City, Utah? Or what is Salt Lake City, Utah known for?
Most well known as the headquarters of the LDS church, Salt Lake’s rich history is exemplified in its historic downtown area, the heart of which is Temple Square. The most visited place in all of Utah, Temple Square is a 10-acre enclosure with meticulously cared for gardens and centered around the stunning 6-spire LDS temple a granite feat that took Utah pioneers over 40 years to build. If you visit around Christmas time you are in for a special treat as the whole area is lit up with hundreds of thousands of lights, a life-size Nativity scene and regular musical performances.
My favorite modern bit of architecture is the Salt Lake City Public Library. Designing by Moshe Safdie of Habitat ’67 fame, the structure is spiral shaped and ethereal, with a five-story curved glass wall making up the front facade and a spiraling grand staircase. The library also houses an art gallery for local artist’s work and a rooftop garden with a path that walks you along the ridgeline of the descending spiral and lands you back on the ground at the end.
(Image by Rick Satterfield)
Temple Square (Visitor Center)
50 West North Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84150
SLC Public Library
210 East 400 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
4. Describe the current design trends in Salt Lake City, Utah.
As any mountain city would be, Utah style is typified by a rustic Western American look, especially in its posh ski resorts in and around Park City (which is just 20 minutes up a canyon from downtown Salt Lake). As we say in my office, “very Ralph Lauren.” However there is a growing trend towards more transitional, luxe looking pieces. The perfect example of this is the gorgeous Alice Lane Home Collection in Orem, a short 45 minute jaunt down south and well worth the trip. A little modern and a little vintage, Alice Lane speaks to the next generation of taste makers in Utah.
Alice Lane Home Collection
1350 South State Street
Orem UT 84097
801.802.6266
5. Best art gallery in town?
With its architecturally striking space and unique collection, A. Gallery is our go-to place for fine art and custom framing. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and professional, I did a job with over 150 images with them last month and they were wonderful to work with.
A. Gallery
1321 South 2100 East
Salt Lake City UT 84108
801.583.4800
6. What is one unique thing you can do in your city?
Salt Lake is fantastically located within easy distance of a number of outdoor activities. Park City, with its 5 world class ski resorts and high-end shopping is only 20 minutes away. There are also literally hundreds of other spots for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, and during the summer there are any number of water activities on the various lakes and reservoirs, as well as plenty of rock climbing, hiking and backpacking. Downtown Salt Lake has the perfect “Little-Big City” feel with restaurants and clubs and concert venues, its always full of life but without running the risk of feeling over crowded.
7. Top 2 favorite accessory stores in Salt Lake City, Utah?
Hip and Humble A jumble of collectibles, many on consignment. This place is true to its name!
1043 E 900 South
Salt Lake City UT
801.467.3130
Light Spot THE spot for all designer favorite modern brands, like B&B Italia, driade, Tre-P, movi and Gallotti & Radice. Plus their space is stunning, a simple visit is sure to inspire.
2927 South Highland Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801.355.1553
8. According to you, where is the coolest place to stay in your city?
The Peery Hotel is a charming boutique hotel in a wonderful building that is actually on Utah’s National Historic Register. From the romantic facade to the crisp white bed linens, this hotel is all about understated elegance. And when you stay there you must go across the street to Setebello, Salt Lakes only true Napoletana style pizzeria. Unfortunately the decor does nothing to whet your appetite, but the margarita pizza is to DYE for!
The Peery Hotel
110 West Broadway
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801.521.4300
Settebello
260 South 200 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801.322.3556
9. What is your connection with Design Lines, Ltd?
My best friend and college roommate, Brittany Ruch, has been working there since we were both starry-eyed interns in the summer of 2006. A few times a year I make the trek down south and have had the wonderful opportunity to meet the other designing women of DLL.
Be sure to check out Denton House’s You Tube channel.
-Brittany