Sun Valley Home and Design / Fall 2011 / Before and After

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Before and After

(page 2 of 4)

della MANO

The Challenge

For builder Joe Marx of Idaho Mountain Builders, being a part of a renovation on Main Street was something he had wanted to do since moving here 20 years ago. “It was nice to be a part of the updating and rebuilding of a town we love,” he said. Marx worked with owners, chefs and designers Taite Pearson and Sarah Lipton to transformthe della Mano space from an empty former jewelry store to a modern yet rustic restaurant. Built in the 1930s, the space has history and a quirky construction. Ultimately what 260 Main Street has become is a unique place where Pearson and Lipton can showcase their passion for food in an atmosphere that is warm and inviting but has a modern twist.

Additional Changes

Cashing in on every remodeler’s dream, the plan was to install new flooring. But when the carpet was pulled, original oak floors were revealed. A little patching and refinishing was all it needed. New electrical was installed throughout, which was especially important as della Mano’s environmentally friendly kitchen runs on electric heat.

The Result

A small space with big impact. Modern touches are paired with rustic elements to invite guests to dine at the community tables or with friends in a space that brings old Ketchum into present day.

Special Touches

Chef Pearson designed the wine boxes mounted on the wall to be both art and functional wine storage. The lighting for the jewelry store stayed the same, as the dining tables lined up where jewelry cases once stood. When concrete blocks were cut from the kitchen floor to plumb for dishwashing, the blocks were used as a backdoor pathway. The kitchen is fully mobile, with everything mounted on casters, making it easy to clean.

In The Business

Local electrical contractor, Tim’s Electric, helped make the electric heat kitchen possible. Big Wood Plumbing in Bellevue updated the bathrooms and installed an all-new dishwashing system. Tom Shulz installed the back wall of the dining room, a feature piece of gray and orange. The kitchen’s sustainable flooring is a 1950’s product called marmoleum.

Before: Courtesy Christopher & Co. / After: Tim Brown