Throughout Sam and Karen Brindley’s Indianola home and garden, acanthus leaves appear on lamps, andirons, mirrors, and various furniture. “Acanthus leaves are a theme in my décor,” Karen Brindley said. “So, when local craftsmen designed and built an outdoor pavilion and stone fireplace, her favorite leaves became a central theme.
“We both love nature-inspired items,” she continued. “Being a Francophile, I have always taken the garden and home in a French direction.”
The fireplace came first. After the Brindleys’ grandchildren outgrew a play structure, the couple turned a shady, underused part of their garden into a gathering place. One thing led to another, and the space evolved.
“The project was a great way to connect with our community. It has created memories for all of us and a special place to gather,” Karen said. Mark Rosenwald took on the Brindley project for the stone fireplace. He built it on his weekends off from his job as a project manager in Seattle.
“My inspiration for this forest fireplace was inspired by the old school stone fireplaces that are all that remains of several old cabins,” Rosenwald said. “Many can still be found standing sentinel in and around this area. There are a few on Bainbridge Island that I am particularly fond of. They incorporate local stones in whimsical, artistic, and asymmetrical styles.”
Rosenwald designed the fireplace, first sketching a few preliminary drawings. “I’ve always wanted to design and build this style of fireplace, which had working wing tables, with stone legs, and plenty of storage for kindling and wood,” he said. “I thought it would be cool to accentuate the texture and sides with insets for nature to move into.”
He used an Isokern Fireplace Kit as the base. Then it was ready for the decorative veneer and customizations.
“There’s an aspect of wonderment when I see the work of masons from 100 or more years ago, nestled in the forest, or along a river or coastline. These fireplaces and chimneys were so solidly built, with every intention to create something that would stand the test of time. I can appreciate that,” he said.
The Brindleys and Rosenwald spent a day working out the components at Marenakos, a prominent stone supplier in Preston. They selected the veneer stones and blended larger rocks into them. The hearth, mantel, and side tables were made from custom-cut bluestone.
“I elevated the firebox to be more approachable and allow users to interact with the fire for easier refueling, stoking, cleaning, and especially cooking,” Rosenwald said.
A swing arm (iron crane), welded by Gil Ramirez in California with an acanthus leaf motif, became a feature of the fireplace.
“The custom-made iron crane was purposely built for pivoting cauldrons over to the fire for a slow, hot heat. You can grill anything from a hanging platform. I can’t wait to see what Karen’s ingenuity will come up with for cooking from the crane.”
After the stunning fireplace was created, the couple was inspired to tackle yet another large project.
“Of course, after the fireplace was completed in all its glory, it cried out for the companion structure you see now,” Rosenwald said. “It became a collaboration with talented woodworkers, other masons for the floor space, the slate roofer, Karen’s sense of furnishing and décor, and my fireplace.”
An existing gazebo didn’t feel grand enough. The Brindleys commissioned Tony Dattilo, a neighbor and friend who is a talented woodworker and owner of Dattilo Design/Build/Repair to build a structure compatible with the new fireplace.
“I asked that acanthus leaves be used as the inspiration for any carvings,” Karen said. “Tony created concept drawings, and then he was on his way.”
A hammer beam truss with complex joinery created a dramatic feature in a timber frame, and Datillo took on the challenge.
“The Brindley pavilion was an absolute joy to work with friends and to understand their aesthetic. I like to look at surrounding architecture and gardens to define direction,” he said. “I knew immediately the building would need to cozy up tight and look like it’s always been there. As much as I enjoy high modernism using our local materials, I also love these European traditions and the chance to mix and match Medieval with Renaissance and high baroque in one structure.”
After graduating from art school, Datillo trained with a German carver, which came in handy for this project, too.
“I love building these timber frames as they are a real challenge. I carve them off-site, and the tolerances are pretty tight. As there is no glue or metal in the joints, everything is produced with pegs and mortise-and-tenon joints, and it needs to be spot-on,” he said.
Another neighbor, Spencer West, is a master craftsman and shipwright who custom-milled the wood on site. “I’m really committed to using local timber and avoiding petrochemicals. There are great alternatives out there. It seems sensible that exterior designs be as green as they can be.”
Brindley chose slate for a roofing material. “In France the majority of the roof materials are slate. Northern Italy also has a lot of fish-scale roofs that I adore.”
The Brindleys brought in Phillipe Polien, a master copper worker and ornamental slate roof builder. Datillo noted that Polien studied in France and believed the structure wouldn’t be the same without his work.
After Dattilo finished the pavilion, he built and carved a 12-foot table split down the length, making it multi-functional. When separated, the two table pieces stand on their own as buffet tables.
With acanthus leaves carved into the pavilion, it was only natural that the banquet table be carved to match. “Acanthus leaf is symbolic of rebirth and regrowth,” Datillo said. “I love this motif as it is a plant that has been carved a million different ways and offers a ton of opportunities for interpretation.”
