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"Howard J. Backen\nThe Architect Does the Farmhouse One Better in Napa Valley\nOn a hill surrounded by vineyards in California's Napa Valley, architect Howard J. Backen has built a house for himself and his family.\nBacken and his wife, Lori O'Kane Backen, who did the interior design, in the living room. Pillow fabrics, Ralph Lauren Home.\n\"The objective was to create a casual country farmhouse that would be comfortable for the family and for entertaining friends,\" says Howard Backen. Fieldstonepaved steps lead to the entrance of the 3,000-square-foot residence. The Backens put in the small garden.\nA fireplace warms the dining area. \"Sometimes my husband and I will just sit down and have a glass of wine in front of the fire, which is almost always going when it's cold,\" she says.\n\"During the day, the island serves as my office. On weekends it's a gathering place,\" says Lori Backen. Ralph Lauren Home fabrics. Stark carpet.\nFamily photos decorate the mantel in the master bedroom. Backen left the rafters exposed as a nod to farmhouse architecture. An oversize window provides uninterrupted views of the neighboring appellations. Henry Calvin chair, drapery and shade fabrics. Switzer table.\nPocket doors\u2014which remain open much of the year\u2014separate the living area from the veranda. A set of pocket screens allows the area to be closed off from the outside as the weather dictates. \"We use it all the time,\" says Lori Backen. \"It's where we live.\" Stark carpet.\nFor the covered porch off the poolhouse, the couple paired a zinc table of the architect's design with wicker chairs. The sloping lawn leads to a chicken coop Howard Backen crafted. \"It's lovely to sit in the shade on the chaise longues, under the row of olive trees,\" notes Lori Backen.\nThe poolhouse, which doubles as a guesthouse, \"shares the same architectural details as barns,\" says Howard Backen. Sited a short distance below the main house, the structure also serves as his home office. \"My daughter, Annie, and I draw together there,\" he says."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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