Modern FAMILY

he couple, two successful architects, lived in a Merriman park home — traditional, but newly remodeled to their tastes — with 4-year-old daughter ava, a golden retriever named foster, and another child on the way.

they were perfectly content. settled. well, maybe not perfectly.

the husband, rick Myers, had casually mentioned to his realtor that someday he’d love to find a midcentury modern home in lake highlands. No hurry, though.

Just a week after their new baby, emma, was born, Myers received an email: a too-good-to-be-true, freshly renovated home near walnut hill and audelia

Bernita Beikmann and Rick enjoy their pastel-inspired bedroom in the new home. had just hit the market. Myers and his wife, the Realtor insisted, should really take a look.

— here with daughters Emma and Ava — found their dream home in Merriman Park in 2007.

A renovation included a major overhaul to the master bedroom, which originally had a large room but only a tiny bathroom. Now both are large.

Beams throughout the ceiling structure accentuate the home’s clean lines.

During a recent renovation, the former homeowner converted a closet into extra master-bathroom space.

Wife Bernita Beikmann told her husband, in no uncertain terms, “Whatever you do, don’t go look at that house.”

But Myers says he couldn’t help himself.

“I figured it couldn’t hurt to look,” he says.

After touring the house, he confessed all to his wife, and — pressing his luck — urged her to see it.

She reluctantly approached the home, baby carrier in tow, looking for the slightest imperfection.

“I wanted to find something wrong with the house. Anything. But as I walked through, I was muttering every cartoon curse word I know, because I realized we were going to have to move.”

The mid-century modern dwelling is situated on a brisk incline at the back of a quiet cul-de-sac. Its exterior is modest, but its strong lines and stone façade hinted to the architect that this was a unique find. Light and nature flow into every room through huge windows; the renovation exhibits obvious care, craftsmanship and dedication to top-quality construction materials. Details — such as glass-tiled, travertine-floored bathrooms, and the kitchen’s glass mosaic counter backsplashes and top-of-the-line appliances reaffirmed to Beikmann that she had found home.

The next night the couple made an offer, and within a few days they had a contract on the house and were putting their Merriman Park home up for sale.

“We understood how difficult it is to find a renovated mid-century modern in this neighborhood.” Beikmann says.

Not In Our Yard

THIS HOMETOUR.

Ron’s Organics is proud to sponsor and maintain the park for the Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home & Garden Tour. We will be spreading ALLNATURAL INSECT REPELLENT to all the homes and parks on tour, making it inviting to visit the homes and gardens.

Moore Life offers yearround organic health care programs to ensure your trees, shrubs, and turf are receiving proper nutrition to remain healthy and vigorous. We also provide insect and disease control to protect your gardens seasonally.

Plus our Enhanced Compost Tea reduces water usage up to 30%!

ServiceS

Moore Life Enhanced Compost Tea

Annual Seasonal Spray Program

Beneficial Insect Release

Root Zone Fertilization

Air Spade Aeration

Horticultural Oil

A wall separating the kitchen from the family area has been repurposed as a built-in entertainment center.

The stone work in the fireplace is repeated in walls and columns throughout the home.

Stairs lead to a kid-centered activity room and office space. back

The new home meshed flawlessly with their taste, while the previous home, even after they remodeled it themselves, never exactly fit their style, Beikmann says.

“In the old house, friends would ask when we were putting curtains up,” Beikmann says. “In this house they understand that there won’t be curtains.” adds Myers, “It’s like some of our friends have said: this looks like a place where two architects would live.”

The 3,141-square-foot house was built in 1963, owned by the original builder until he died, and then sold in 2007 to a builder who completely remodeled it before the Myers-Beikmann family bought it in 2008. according to Beikmann, the renovation included a major overhaul to the mas- ter bedroom, which originally had a large room but only a tiny bathroom. a closet was converted into space used for a roomier master bathroom. Workers installed large windows and glass doors that allow the maximum benefit of natural light. a wall separating the kitchen from the family area has been repurposed as a built-in entertainment center, flanked by a contemporary fireplace. a n activity room occupies most of the upstairs. But a va, now 6 years old, says that as much as she loves her room complete with toys and a television, she likes the neighborhood’s outdoor accommodations even more.

Local craftsman

Jim Kuchera custom made downstairs shelving that can be seen from the top of the staircase.

Geometrical patterns keep the walls interesting. A stair-step pattern opens a space between the dining and living rooms.

“We can walk to the park!” she says.

The family has added a few of its own touches — local craftsman Jim Kuchera custom made downstairs shelving and an upstairs entertainment center, and wall art is comprised mostly of family photos shot by photographer Andrew Hamilton.

“All in all, we really didn’t have to do anything,” Myers says.

This time, he says, the family plans to stay put for the long haul. “Buying this house was a big commitment, and we will stay here until we are empty nesters,” he says.

“Then I suppose we might reassess.”