Housetrends August/Sept. 2015, Cincinnati: "Eye candy condo"

EYE CANDY

condo

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STUNNING ART-FILLED COVINGTON PENTHOUSE OFFERS SPECTACULAR VIEWS IN EVERY DIRECTION

BY AMY HOWELL HIRT | Photos by Robin Victor Goetz, RVGP Inc.

Despite the alluring riverfront views, it was difficult for some prospective buyers to see the potential of this expansive Covington condo. In addition to the inadequate bathroom space, there were features that didn’t exactly scream “move-in ready,” like tiled floors with inset carpeting and a fireplace blocking half of a window. | But this potential owner was different. Having been involved in the construction of two family homes, she had the confidence and the connections—not to mention a natural artistic eye—to picture the possibilities.

Through an eight-month renovation, the new owner served as her own interior designer and crafted a space that celebrates her creative viewpoint and the condo’s stunning views.

“She’s very artistic, and she is one of those people who really knows what she wants,” says Teresa McMillen with JP Flooring, who helped the owner in her selections.

Inventive solutions With three grown children and two grandchildren, the owner was eager to leave behind the upkeep and worry of her Anderson Township home and embrace a low-maintenance urban lifestyle. But her experience building single-family homes couldn’t prepare her for the challenges of gutting and rebuilding an existing condo with shared walls and limited access points.

While she was happy with the footprints of the kitchen and existing bathrooms, two additional baths were a must-have to accommodate visiting family. But here, there was no basement for routing plumbing lines.

Trusted architect Paul Muller came to the rescue, with a functional solution that yielded aesthetic benefits.

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Taking advantage of the unit’s high ceilings, the floor in part of the condo was raised. Because contractors were able to also lift the ceiling about six inches, the elevated level feels intentional, indicating a transition to the privacy of the guest bedrooms.

A little luck—in the form of an unused access space between units—also allowed the owner to move the laundry room. This created a walk-in pantry in its place, and an expansive laundry/craft room off the main hall. While the room isn’t equipped to handle the dust of throwing pottery—as the owner enjoyed doing in her previous home’s unfinished basement, there is plenty of counter space for flexing her creative muscles in other ways.

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1 A metal sculpture by Lish, that previously sat in the homeowner’s front yard was cleaned up, placed on a glass base and now sits next to the dining room. 2 Upon entering the home, a painting by Louisville artist Joyce Garner gives guests an immediate taste of the vibrant art that is placed throughout the space. 3 Between the kitchen and sitting area, cabinetry housing a standard-height wine cabinet was raised to pub-height by simply by adding a drawer under the countertop. 4 Behind the multi-level island, the kitchen’s existing wood paneled Sub-Zero refrigerators were refaced with stainless steel overlays.

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Artistic focus An artist at heart, the owner reconfigured her 35-year collection of artwork and furnishings to tell new stories in her new home.

Art created the color scheme in each of the guest bedrooms, and even directed the design of some spaces. A wall in the living room was arranged to highlight two oil paintings by local artist Jackie Frey, while a cherished piece by Louisville artist Joyce Garner holds a place of distinction in the foyer. So as not to distract from the vibrant colors in Garner’s piece, the foyer is illuminated by a modern fixture with all-white bulbs, which hung in the dining room of the owner’s previous home. This fixture’s multicolored twin, formerly installed in a foyer, now brings a bright pop to the gray-and-white dining room.

There’s a name and story behind nearly all of the owner’s decorative accessories, but a collection of porcelain and steel tiles holds a special place both in her heart and in the condo. Made by the owner’s sister, Jenny Grote, artist and curator, the dimension and repetition of the tiles transform a long hallway entry into a gallery. To achieve the desired effect, an additional 26 tiles had to be made.

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5 The fireplace wall is covered with 6-by-24-inch stacked stone, which quietly complements the striking art pieces by local artist Jackie Frey. 6 The skyline will always be the star of this space.

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A traditional base Despite these artistic features, the condo retains many traditional architectural details that reflect the style of the building itself. While minimal-casement floor-to-ceiling windows, for example, have become the norm for high-rise urban condos, this building’s massive windows are double-hung and paned.

The owner followed suit with finishes that balance classic and contemporary.

Throughout the open living space, wideplank walnut flooring, crown molding and tall baseboards are countered by contemporary details like top-opening cabinets in the living room that have slab doors and a striped paint glaze.

Some features even incorporate elements of both styles. The walnut cabinetry in the kitchen is a prime example.

Plate racks and raised-panel doors complement the farmhouse sink, yet the square lines and minimal trim connect to the modernity of sleek brushednickel door pulls and pendant lights made from borosilicate crystal.

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8 7 The oversized balconies are a favorite place for occasional naps when family— especially a brother—comes to visit. 8 Throughout the construction, the homeowner was on-site every day, and rented a unit at the nearby Ascent, seen to the right.

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Custom considerations Working with contractors, the owner likewise put a lot of thought into subtle details that may go unnoticed but were key to her vision.

In the main living space, the walnut flooring runs perpendicular to the hallway, to avoid looking like “a bowling alley,” and in an intimate seating area off the kitchen, a small flat screen TV could be mistaken at first glance for a piece of art, perched on a floating shelf alongside other artwork.

“That’s why I put all the black frames around it,” the owner says.

In the kitchen, Teresa’s husband, Bill McMillen with Stone Gate Custom Kitchens, introduced customizations to create cohesion despite several nonstandard selections.

“The little details are the key to doing a really nice kitchen. You won’t notice 80 percent of it,” he says.

Because the owner selected 30-inch base cabinets to allow more room for the range, extra-deep wall cabinets were installed to match the scale. Even with this adjustment, the amply sized microwave had to be recessed into the wall in order to be flush with the cabinetry surrounding it, he says.

Art in motion Despite this interior artistry, the owner continues to find new reasons to appreciate the condo’s ever-changing panoramic views—best enjoyed from one of the two oversized balconies. Here, the plush sofas, wide dining table and soft-as-a-carpet faux turf invite you to take in an al fresco show.

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9 Even the striking black and white master bath has a spectacular view, but remote controlled shades offer privacy when needed. 10 Sliding glass doors off the master bedroom lead to an expansive balcony that is also accessible from the living room and allow a view of festive hit-ahomerun fireworks. 11 Each guest room has a private bath as well as a tremendous view of its own.

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12 From the kitchen’s farmhouse sink, you can catch a glimpse of the collection of porcelain and steel tiles, made by the owner and her sister, hanging in the hallway. 13 Ceiling moldings help define the separate living areas within the open space.

14 A vibrant piece, by artist Megan Triantafillou, hangs in the guest bedroom.

This time of year, the scoreboard at the Great American Ballpark might light up with “Home run!” as the accompanying fireworks burst overhead. Come football season, the perch offers a bird’s eye view of the field at Paul Brown Stadium.

“This is why I bought this place,” she says.

To see another Covington condo with a river view, go to housetrends.com and search: Speedy Recovery

resources

Architect Paul Muller, Architects, Inc.; Contractor EGC Construction; Kitchen cabinetry Stone Gate Custom Kitchens; Kitchen countertops Pure Granite and Stone; Range hood MetalCraft; Flooring JP Flooring; Lighting Kitchen pendants, and living room floor lamp from Voltage; Master window treatments, dining room chair upholstery Matthew Millet of David Millet; Lighting installation John Kraft, Kraft Electric; Tile installation Butch White; Furniture Coffee table, credenza, and white bench in living room from Bova Furniture; Fireplace Bromwell; Closet Bench Made Woodworking; Laundry room Stone Gate Custom Kitchens

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