Housetrends Oct. 2017: "Art takes center stage in Hyde Park condo"

GREATER CINCINNATI | OCTOBER 2017 | HOUSETRENDS.COM | $4.95

ART TAKES HYDE PARK

CONDO C

R

A

FIRE PIT GLOWS BIG IN ANDERSON

TOWNSHIP FIND INSPIRATION AT

DESIGNBUILDCINCY

WEEKEND

WALLS

THAT

TALK Hyde Park home is designed to showcase a love of (mostly) contemporary art

BY AMY HOWELL HIRT Photos by Connie Kimsey Andrew and Michele Wolf are never surprised when guests say their Hyde Park condo feels like an art gallery, given the white walls, clean-lined furnishings and even a couple of museum labels hanging next to noteworthy artwork.

For the Wolfs, that feels like home.

❚

Growing up in a house filled with

contemporary art, Andrew’s childhood memories involve family road trips to galleries and the studios of artists such as Dominick Labino, and later having dinners with Dale Chihuly and Binh Pho.

❚

“A lot of the artwork has mean-

ing because of my childhood,” he says of the collection. “My parents passed on a love for the arts, especially the art glass movement.”

➻

2

housetrends greater cincinnati 25

Setting the stage

4

3 Making a decision to purchase at 2770 Observatory, the Hyde Park project from Greiwe Development and North American Properties, while it was still in the early stages of construction, the Wolfs were able to design their condo from the ground up, creating a modern blank slate where the artwork can take center stage. “We liked the basic plan as presented, but we made a few changes, in some cases because of the art,” says Michele. Howard Ben Tré used space borrowed from the guest bedroom closet to create a niche for a glass piece.

To keep the spotlight trained on the art, they went with colors that weren’t going to conflict with it. A palette of cool white and silvers, sleek black and rich brown continues throughout the entire condo. In the kitchen, for example, white Caesarstone countertops and white subway tile don’t compete with a painting from Chihuly’s Venice collection hanging above the counter. In the dining room, a custom pedestal supports a large glass piece by American artist Michael Pavlik yet blends away into the rich tones of the Stonewood flooring. The couple also opted for minimal trim embellishments—omitting crown molding throughout the unit and a bulkhead from the kitchen—to enhance the condo’s “gallery” feel and tall ceilings.

But Andrew and Michele, who both have design and development experience, wanted their condo to do more than passively provide a pleasing backdrop: They wanted it to celebrate their artwork, and worked with contractors to bring their ideas to life.

➻

26 housetrends.com

1 Originally, the fireplace wall was to be covered in granite, until Michele was shown this graffiti-inspired ceramic wall tile. The glass bowl on the coffee table is “Bowl with Point” (1984) by Frantisek Vizner. 2 In Michele’s favorite area, the foyer, she selected a settee that would pair well with “Sunshine Face” by Karel Appel. The sculpture “Feathered Woman” (1991) by Leslie Hawk stands in the corner. 3 Although the couple selected the developer’s modern trim package, they made a few changes, such as removing crown molding from the kitchen. 4 A tiled balcony runs the length of the great room and affords a view of the action on Observatory Avenue. 5 An untitled painting (1982) by Viola Frey, which formerly was on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum, pops off the crisp white wall in the dining room area of this 2,170 square foot home.

5

6 To protect the artwork and furnishings from sunlight, electronic blinds are operated via an iPad app.

28 housetrends.com

7 8

The fireplace wall, which provides the most dramatic moment in the open floor plan, is a product of that collaboration. Andrew designed slab shelving in conjunction with Gary Wilson, who also created the dining room art pedestal, to showcase the wood and glass pieces, including new acquisitions from the Wolfs’ travels. Items such as “Reincarnation I” by Vietnamese artist Binh Pho and Andrew’s favorite work: a glass, paper and wire creation by Sydney Cash, which is displayed with the wall plaque from its days on display as part of a show at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The shelving’s chrome posts pair with graffiti-inspired ceramic wall tile--Michele’s idea--to foster a creative mood that doesn’t detract from the collection.

Of course, housing museum-worthy artwork presents special challenges.

While the expansive west-facing windows provide a welcome view of Hyde Park shops and Knox Church, next door, they also drench the space in sunlight. So the couple layered additional solar film on top of the UV-deflecting windows, and use electronic blinds as an additional line of defense. Also, there is always a little research to do before something as simple as having a painting reframed. “We didn’t like the frame around the Viola Frey piece in the dining room and wanted something that went with the space better,” says Michele. “But we had to first try and find out if the artist picked the frame, thereby making it part of the piece.”

After doing the research, the couple was able to make the switch.

➻

7 These two chairs in the master bedroom and a couch in the guest room are the only pieces of furniture from the couple’s previous home. A painting by Irish artist Adrian Margey hangs on the wall between the bedroom and bath area. 8 To keep a streamlined look, the cabinetry style, hardware and countertops in both bathrooms are the same as what was used in the kitchen. 9 An architectural Eames daybed fosters an open flow between the living room and kitchen, while also comfortably seating four. Over the daybed is “Russians at a Bar” (1989) by David Miretsky.

30 housetrends.com

9

Art for life Despite the condo’s artistic focus, this is a home, and one that regularly welcomes grandkids. As such, the space and its furnishings merge form and function so seamlessly that everyday objects become art. When asked about an accessory in the living room, Andrew begins to explain a display of small ancient Roman Egyptian vases hanging in protective casings on the wall, then realizes the question is referring to something else. “Oh that? That’s a lamp,” he says of a slender chrome design. While the accoutrements of children typically are an eyesore, here a walnut kiddie table has warm tones and sleek chrome legs that fit, on a miniature scale, alongside a sophisticated Eames daybed. And the condo’s perfectly placed art lighting? Michele often uses it as a night light.

➻

10

32 housetrends.com

10 This untitled piece by Sydney Cash, which had previously been on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum, is a favorite of Andrew’s. 11 A pedestal was built specifically to support “Circle and Square Composition” (1989) by American artist Michael Pavlik.

11

12 Since the couple moved in last October, the Wolfs have hosted other collectors who have seen these pieces in other display environments, people who would have strong opinions on how to best display artwork. But the Wolfs say their guests are never critical of the couple’s curation.

Apparently, even among the slew of art aficionados in their circle of friends and family, word has gotten around that the Wolfs have created an incredible stage upon which their artwork can speak for itself.

RESOURCES Architect GBBN Architects; Contractor North American Properties; Developer Greiwe Development;

Kitchen and bath cabinetry Wood-Mode Brookhaven, Auer Kitchens; Peninsula tile Daltile, Marble Collection - First Snow Elegance; Bath mirrors and medicine cabinets Auer Kitchens; Plumbing fixtures, towel bars, lighting and appliances Ferguson; Shelves, cabinetry, pedestal for art display and door stain G. Graham Wilson Architectural Woodworking; Closets Topshelf; Furniture Room and Board, Design Within Reach; Fireplace tile Mirage OXY Blackmore, The Hamilton Parker Company; Countertops Caesarstone Organic White; Floor Stonewood Restoration Hardwood, Carpetland Carpet One; Audio-visual components and window blind automation Sound Advice; Doors and barn door Forge Lumber; Door handles Omnia; Artwork framing Rottinghaus Custom Framing and Gallery; Aftermarket UV film Solar Tint 12 In the study, a stoneware and print piece by Akio Takamori. You also can catch a glimpse of a Chuck Close print in the entry.

34 housetrends.com