CityView Magazine

Dr. Storto's rescue dogs Sadie and Gracie lounge around HigHland Funeral Service & crematory Edward Mercer, his wife Karen, and their two sons have moved to Fayetteville to join his in-laws, Bob and Martha Sullivan, in their family business. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and most recently, Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. 18 | October • 2013 with green-bean amandine, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut—a very German dish, my Italian grandmother's traditional pasta with gravy and meatballs, or the traditional English roast beef dinner with potatoes and vegetables. I love it all, I am an aspiring cook; I have gotten a lot better." The house changes with the seasons through candle scents, décor and seasonal recipes. "I love all the seasons." Storto continued, "When everything is colorful and decorated, people come together… For Thanksgiving, I like to do all the traditional stuff… traditional." He laughed, "You know, the turkey with all the trimmings." His traditional style has developed over decades of reading and travel. Many of his interior décor ideas have come from Europe, or older hotels, universities and private residences he has visited in America—the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia being a favorite. "My faith is certainly a strong influence [as well]. I do feel blessed and see a lot of beauty in this house, though I try not to let temporal things define me. If you can come closer to God with the things of the world, then great, if you can't then they are a waste of time." Next project: The dining room. "My goal is to have my family and all my friends, people dear to me, at the table for Christmas, Easter or another special occasion." The project results won't be instantaneous, but just as the logistics take time to come together, good style and design take time to ripen to their truest potential. "You have to make enough money for what you need, then charity and then what is left over you can use on yourself. So it all has priority and it all takes time," he says as he walks around the room pointing out what he plans to change…a new paint job…a crystal chandelier. "You will need to come back and see it as it evolves," he added with a smile. CV ONLINE EXTRAS! View additional photos online at www.cityviewnc.com

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