Deep in the Lamar Park neighborhood sits a modernized 1960s home that proves classic design and impeccable taste will stand the test of time. The owners purchased this two-story residence in 2008 after becoming empty nesters, and have laid their hearts into making it a space filled with both classical charm and hints of modern traditional décor.
“I’d always thought this house was pretty with the rock siding,” the owner said as she recalled their decision to purchase the home. “We added a few things and reconfigured the kitchen, but we really didn’t change too much [of the interior architecture].”
Large format concrete tile flooring, a neutral color palette and upgraded appliances created a newfound glory to the home and fostered a welcome gathering place for the family’s grown children and grandchildren.
The main living area makes up the majority of the first floor. In the middle, a large double-sided stone fireplace divides the space’s seating areas. The owner enthused about the great detail put into its construction when the home was built years ago, “When the fireplace was created, each stone was chosen for a specific spot to ensure perfection.”
Board and batten detail lines the walls surrounding a mix of carefully selected antique furniture from various periods. The blend of Fortuny Italian damasks and Aubusson tapestry pillows with an unexpected touch of leopard enriches the space with layers of history and a longstanding standard of quality. Alongside lush and verdant indoor greenery, paintings of water reeds by reputed local artist Kitty Welsh Dudics reinforce the interior’s reverence for natural elements.
Through a widened doorway, board and batten continues into the kitchen with a wash of robin’s egg blue paint and navy accents maintaining the subtly Provençal design embellishing the home. The kitchen was once small and impractical, so the owners added gourmet appliances and a center island for additional counter space and dine-in seating.
“The kitchen is my favorite; it’s just so restful and open. It’s the heart of our home,” the owner said. X-paneled millwork and mullioned glass front cabinetry line the back wall, showcasing heirloom glassware and an extensive collection of classic Blue Italian Spode china.
Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room juxtaposes contemporary lines and French provincial elements. Swirls of vibrant hues battle for prominence in a large abstract painting, pulling energy from the sunlight streaming through the French doors and creating a focal point for the round glass-top dining table and modern Klismos-style chairs. An array of colorful opaque globes atop the table complements two oversized mosaic tile jars. Rarely seen in contemporary houses, a stained red oak floating staircase coolly leads to bedrooms and a second-level living space.
Steps inside the primary hallway reveal a pint-sized powder bath, carefully appointed with a textural, tone-on-tone damask wallcovering and modern floating lavatory cabinet further merging design styles. The frameless crest mirror is flanked with silver-leafed sconces that echo the wall covering’s repeating leaf motif.
Barely there blue sets the tone of serenity through the primary suite. A large oak armoire, antique prayer kneeler and iron bedframe maintain French appointments, in contrast to the contemporary starburst convex mirror and leather-wrapped and studded bedside cabinet. “I feel like I can take a deep breath when I walk in,” the owner said, “It’s restful.”
Across the room, earth-toned upholstery of varying patterns adorns the furniture of an intimate seating area offering a moment of quiet repose. An antique Japanese screen from the owner’s mother hangs on the wall above, connecting the past to the present and distinguishing the intention of the space.
In this home, every detail has a purpose and every selection has an intention. From the strategic accessories in one area to the exercise in restraint in another, one can’t help but appreciate the passion and dedication spent appointing their most personal spaces with a design scheme that transcends time.
