Kentucky Homes & Gardens March/April 2021

KENTUCKY HOMES

&

GARDENS

MARCH/APRIL 2021

Summer Getaway...

THE PERFECT

... is just a few feet away.

Now is the time to reimagine your perfect Outdoor Living Space!

Visit Housewarmings – The Ultimate Patio & Grill Store!

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10277_CLAY_KYH&G2_3-21 2/25/21 1:15 PM Page 1

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Kentucky Homes & Gardens

March/April 2021 Volume 18 Issue 1

On the Cover: Sophisticated Sanctuary photograph by Walt Roycraft Turn to page 48 to see more.

20

48

HOME IMPROVEMENT

16

14 HOMESCAPES: Prepping Your Lawn & Garden

for Spring & Summer

SPECIAL FEATURES 16 GARDENS: Pastoral Oasis 20 FEATURE: Living in Luxury...Outdoors!

28 ARTIST: Kiptoo Tarus

58 12

HOMES 32 Meant to Be 40 Custom Comfort 48 Sophisticated Sanctuary

28

GO KENTUCKY! 12 COOKING IN KY: Swizzle Dinner & Drinks 58 DISCOVERING KY: The Louisville Zoo

14

KENTUCKY HOMES

&GARDENS

Published by RHP Publishing, LLC PO Box 22754 Lexington, KY 40522 859.268.0217 Publisher: Rick Phillips 1rickphillips@windstream.net Associate Publisher: Carolyn Rasnick carolyn@rhppublishingllc.com Circulation and Distribution: 1rickphillips@windstream.net Account Executives: Lexington/Central Kentucky Rick Phillips 859-268-0217 • 1rickphillips@windstream.net Editors: Rick Phillips, Carolyn Rasnick Senior Associate Editor: Kirsten E. Silven Photography: Walt Roycraft Contributing Writers: Robin Roenker Kirsten E. Silven Heather Russell-Simmons Art Direction & Design: Meghann Burnett meg.kyhg@gmail.com Printing: Freeport Press 2127 Resier Ave. SE New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 Kentucky Homes and Gardens is published six times a year by RHP Publishing, LLC. 859.268.0217 www.kentuckyhomesandgardens.com All rights reserved.

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Kentucky residents add 6% sales tax.

606

4395 South Highway 27 Somerset, Kentucky

679-5325

8 • March/April 2021 • Kentucky Homes & Gardens

Subscriptions and change-of-address should be sent to Kentucky Homes and Gardens, Subscriber Service Center, PO Box 22754, Lexington, KY 40522

With a mortgage from South Central Bank you can make all the

right moves

SouthCentralBank.com 888-651-7466

Custom Garden & Outdoor Living Design

859-260-1122

www.rwthompsonlandscaping.com

C

OOKING

K IN

ENTUCKY

1

Swizzle

Visit

Dinner & Drinks

2

High Atop Louisville’s Galt House Hotel

1 Perched atop Louisville’s Galt House Hotel, guests savor a world class view of downtown, along with top shelf drinks and delectable cuisine.

By Kirsten E. Silven

Photographs Courtesy of Swizzle Dinner & Drinks

C

hanneling a grand retro supper club vibe, Swizzle Dinner & Drinks is located on the 25th floor of Louisville’s Galt House Hotel, serving up breathtaking views of the Ohio River and downtown, along with masterful cuisine and handcrafted cocktails in one of the city’s premier fine dining locations. Opening in August 2020, the space features a truly independent restaurant design concept that is approachable and elegant, with a distinct local vibe.

“There is certainly a nod to the city’s history here, drawing inspiration from the Swizzle restaurant and supper club that was formerly located in Louisville on Chestnut Street during the 1940s and ‘50s,” stated Scott Shoenberger, President and Chief Executive Officer of AJS Hotels. “Guests will find the best city and river views to complement the fantastic menu, while our exhibition kitchen, 1,200-bottle wine caves and other sensory elements create an atmosphere that is both social and swanky.”

In fact, the entire Galt House Hotel has recently emerged from a significant $80 million renovation, so most parts of the property—including Swizzle of course—now have a new or completely refreshed look. The redesign certainly gave this classic hotel restaurant space a timely facelift, creating a more relaxed atmosphere that is at once both sophisticated and familiar.

2 The luxuriant Carnivore Platter includes an 8 oz filet mignon, 7 oz strip steak and 8 oz ribeye, served sliced with your choice of three sauces.

The space was designed with guests in mind, much like establishments from the golden era of supper clubs, which elevated basic “dining out” to create a more social experience, complete with a wide selection of refined yet approachable food and cocktails. In the same way, the new Swizzle Dinner & Drinks offers an expansive menu of classic American dishes, reimagined with exciting modern flavor combinations that feature prime steaks and chops, local produce, house-made sauces and a nice variety of sustainable seafood.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a varied menu,” Shoenberger said. “Apart from all of our premium steaks and seafood, the salmon entrée is a runaway favorite and the Carnivore Platter is one of our hottest sellers.”

The bar serves all the classic cocktails one might expect, along with an impressive list of reinvented libations, while the delicious array of appetizers includes fresh shucked oysters, lump crab cocktail, and tuna tartare from the cold bar, as well as favorites like lobster bisque, Maryland style crab cakes and potato gnocchi. Steaks can be accompanied by add-ons like lobster tail, bone marrow and grilled bacon, and/or topped with a variety of house-made sauces, including Swizzle’s signature steak sauce and Argentinian chimichurri.

12 • March/April 2021 • Kentucky Homes & Gardens

Filet a la Swizzle Components: • Filet Mignon, 8 oz.

• Tomato Tart, 1 ea.

Filet Mignon: • Salt & pepper • Olive oil • Filet, 8 oz.

Lightly coat the filet with olive oil. Liberally sprinkle salt on all sides. Lightly sprinkle with black pepper, or omit if desired.

Cook over a hot broiler or grill until the desired temp is reached. Set aside for use.

3

Tomato Tart: • 2 ½ inch diameter piece of puff pastry, pre-baked • 2 Tbsp roasted tomato puree • 2 ½ inch diameter slice of herb roasted tomato Begin by spreading the puree on the puff pastry, you can add more or less than the prescribed amount. Next lay the herb roasted tomato slice on top, slightly pushing it down so it sticks. Reserve in a warm place.

3 RECIPE: Grilled filet mignon, served with tomato confit tart, grilled pork belly and wild mushroom Mornay sauce.

Slow Cooked & Grilled Bacon: • Pre-smoked & service-ready pork belly, sliced approximately ½ inch thick and divided into two 1 ½ oz. portions • Salt & pepper • 1 Tbsp maple syrup • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar Start by lightly sprinkling the bacon with salt & pepper, grill the slices on a hot grill on both sides until warmed through.

Meanwhile, mix the mustard, syrup and cider vinegar, then slightly heat in a small sauce pan until warm and fully incorporated. Liberally glaze the bacon slices with the mix using a brush. Set aside for plating.

4 4 Handcrafted drinks (left to right): Kalinago Torch “swizzle,” a custom tiki mix featuring pineapple rum, ginger and angostura bitters; Singapore Sling “swizzle,” with Castle and Key gin, Benedictine, lime, pineapple, grenadine and Bitterman’s Tiki Bitters; Smoke on the Water, featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon, lime, orange curacao, falernum and pineapple; and the Everything Bagel Martini, made with Tito’s vodka in an atomized Carpano vermouth rimmed glass, finished with bagel spice.

“This is a sexy restaurant that beckons for a good time,” Shoenberger added. “Guests can always expect to enjoy safe dining, complemented by innovative experiences and reasonably priced dishes.”

Swizzle also recently started hosting a popular, family-friendly Sunday brunch series, offering traditional favorites and other bold dishes in an all-you-can-eat format. Shoenberger said he is particularly excited about the chicken and waffles, hash brown casserole and Carnivore Platter on the brunch menu, adding, “let’s not forget about the bottomless champagne and mimosa bar!”

The brunch menu also includes steak and eggs, crab cakes, poached eggs, shrimp and grits, caramel apple oatmeal and mini quiche Lorraine, to name just a few of the many options, along with classic coffee drinks, a selection of desserts and other add-ons, such as shrimp cocktail, a chilled seafood platter and shaved prime rib. Finally, Swizzle will be rolling out a monthly wine club in the coming weeks, with special benefits and mixology classes featuring special kits so attendees can recreate the cocktails at home.

Swizzle Dinner & Drinks is open from 4:30-11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday and reservations are recommended. Call 502-252-2500 or visit swizzle25.com for more information.

• Slow Cooked & Grilled Bacon, 3 oz.

• Mushroom Mornay Sauce, 2 oz.

Mushroom Mornay Sauce: • ½ Cup standard Mornay sauce • ¾ Cup sliced mixed mushrooms (can use chanterelles, baby bellas, wood ear, etc.)

• 2 Tbsp olive oil • 2 Tbsp sherry • Salt & pepper In a small sauté pan heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, then sauté until cooked through. Deglaze the mushrooms with sherry, then continue cooking until the sherry has evaporated. Once complete, add the Mornay sauce and heat through. Adjust seasoning as needed.

To Plate: Place the tomato tart center of plate. Off to the side, angle the filet then lay the strips of pork belly against the filet. Top with mushroom Mornay sauce, or make up your own variation!

5

5 Potato Gnocchi appetizer, served with brown butter, aged balsamic, pecorino Romano cheese and a seasonal garnish.

6

6 Sushi-grade tuna tartare comes with a sweet and spicy sesame ginger sauce.

Kentucky Homes & Gardens • March/April 2021 • 13

H

1

OMESCAPES

Preparing Your

Lawn&Garden for Spring&Summer

By Robin Roenker

M

arch and April are an ideal time to prep your lawn and landscape for the warm spring and summer months ahead. From pruning shrubs and fertilizing grass to cleaning and repairing hardscapes, there’s lots to do before you’re ready for your first outdoor barbecue of the season.

Photos Courtesy of RW Thompson Landscaping LLC

Lawn Prep

Jack Traylor, owner of Lexington-based Premier Lawncare & Landscaping (premierlawncareandlandscaping.com)—a full-service lawn care company offering landscape and hardscape design services as well—shared these tips to ensure your lawn looks its best: 1. Sharpen and clean all yard tools, mowers and trimmers. Having tools at the ready will save maintenance time in the long run.

2. Set aside time to clean up the yard.

Pick up all leaves, twigs and branches that accumulated over the winter.

Traylor suggests using a blower for leaf removal, rather than a rake, which can tear up moist soil and create bare spots in your turf.

3. Clean all landscaping beds. Remove leaves and debris, and trim any dead branches from shrubs. Beds should be edged to aid drainage. Following clean-up, add a new layer of fresh mulch around plants, Traylor advises.

4. Visually inspect trees in your yard for dead or hanging branches—and remove them for safety before spring storm season. Use a pole pruner to remove branches you can reach from the ground and call a landscaping service or tree professional to help remove any higher branches.

5. To get your grass looking great, apply a pre-emergent broadleaf weed killer with fertilizer in early spring.

This will help prevent crab grass and other broadleaf weeds. It will also help encourage a good root base for the lawn, Traylor says. Plan to fertilize a second time in late spring to help fill in bare spots and further encourage root growth.

14 • March/April 2021 • Kentucky Homes & Gardens

6. Wait at least six weeks following the application of pre-emergent weed killer to spread grass seed. If you apply the grass seed any sooner, it will not germinate.

7. Traylor encourages homeowners to mow their yard every five days, if possible, in the spring. Letting grass get too long, he says, can stunt grass root growth. “Mowing often helps ensure a thicker, fuller lawn,” Traylor adds.

2 1 Consult with a designer to find the ideal placement for a new pool, firepit, or outdoor kitchen.

“You want your outdoor living to have a nice flow...” says landscaper Rich Thompson.

Photo and landscaping by RW Thompson Landscaping LLC. 2 Clean your outdoor patio with a pressure washer or hose to remove dirt and debris from winter and ready your outdoor space for warmer weather.

Photo and landscaping by RW Thompson Landscaping LLC.

Don’t Forget Hardscapes

To ensure your outdoor entertainment areas are prepped for company, Rich Thompson, owner of R.W. Thompson Landscaping LLC (rwthompsonlandscaping.com)—a Lexington firm specializing in landscape management and landscape design—suggested these steps: 1. If you’re interested in installing a new pool, outdoor kitchen, or firepit area for the upcoming season, work with a designer to select the ideal placement location in your lawn. “You want your outdoor living to have a nice flow as you walk out the back of the house,” Thompson explains.

2. Use a pressure washer or hose to wash off winter dust and dirt that may have accumulated on stone walks and outdoor walled or paved areas. Avoid using cleansers, sealants or waxes that might cause paved entertainment areas to become overly slick or waxy—to avoid the risk of falls.

3. Check for evidence of cracks, unevenness or settling in paved paths and other hardscape areas and work to repair and level as needed.

4. Take time to check the stability and connections in your outdoor kitchen and fire pits before the first use of the season. “Make sure your gas or propane is installed and checked properly before you start using it,” Thompson advises.

5. If needed, consider adding to or editing any landscape plants that surround your hardscapes. Springtime offers a perfect opportunity to remove plants or shrubs that may be past their prime and/or to add in new landscape elements. Spring is also an ideal time to do a soil health checkup. “We can help with recreating and redesigning beds,” says Thompson. “We can start from scratch, or just work to amend beds. On every project, we check the soil content to make sure that all plants have a great soil bed and the nutrients they need to thrive.”

Kentucky Homes & Gardens • March/April 2021 • 15

G

ARDENS

Pastoral Oasis

W

hen Chris and Lindsay Estes decided to build their dream home on a picturesque five-acre lot close to Nicholasville, they also wanted to create an outdoor oasis that would make the most of its expansive exterior spaces.

To make this happen, the couple worked with Randy Sparks of Sparks Enterprises on all aspects of the landscape and pool design, while Charlie Ayres of Ayres Custom Homes built the pool house (and the residence itself, which is featured in a separate story you can find in this issue on pages 48 to 57).

“We love the variety of different ‘kid-friendly zones’ that were specifically designed with our four children in mind, but we also appreciate the calmer ‘adult zones’ that provide a relaxing atmosphere for us to enjoy,” Lindsay shared. “As a whole, the exterior spaces work perfectly to meet and exceed what we originally envisioned.”

Sparks carefully designed the project to be completed in phases, which took several years to complete. Today, the outdoor living areas boast many custom touches and exciting amenities, along with noteworthy plantings that alternately offer color, height and texture at every turn. The mature landscaping gives the home a distinct feeling of timelessness, making it difficult to guess its true age, while every aspect of the design was meticulously crafted and appears to meld seamlessly with the natural lay of the land.

By Kirsten E. Silven Photography by Walt Roycraft

To provide necessary screening for the property from the road, Sparks also brought in two massive 25-foot-high October Glory red maples and 10 mature Norway spruce trees that reached approximately 12 feet in height at the time of planting. In addition, the home and every aspect of the garden was carefully positioned to maximize the natural light and views, as well as provide easy access to all of the property’s various spaces.

“The design-build plans we create always work as a sort of road map, allowing us to adjust the course as needed when changes are necessary or if one of us has a better idea to overcome a challenge,” Sparks stated. “This flexibility can save time and money, not to mention prevent unnecessary headaches.”

When it comes to the Estes garden, the end result of all this planning and hard work is a series of exquisitely designed exterior spaces that not only work well together, but play beautifully with the surrounding countryside and the house itself, offering a little glimpse of paradise in the heart of our beloved Bluegrass state.

Impressive Cane Ridge limestone was salvaged from a farm in Bourbon County and used to create much of the hardscape, including a tremendous poolside bench seat and a large, meandering waterfall that filters into the pool. The natural limestone also provides a framework for the many different “rooms” and plantings found throughout the garden spaces, while Pennsylvania bluestone patios create a flawless base.

“Lindsay, Charlie and I worked closely together on every aspect of this project to make it as perfect as possible,” Sparks shared, adding, “Charles Dewar and I meticulously positioned all of the natural rocks and boulders, fitting them all together one by one, so the prettiest sides face outward.”

Other notable features include a firepit and grill area (not pictured), a circular heated spa, swimming pool slide and rope swing, as well as a poolside foot bath, basketball hoop and sun deck. There is also a cheerful bridge overlooking the swimming pool, connecting it with the pool house, and several lanterns that have been hard wired into the natural stone hardscape, providing visual interest and a truly custom lighting source that extends the usability of the property’s exterior spaces well after the sun goes down.

1 1 This view of the incredible pool house highlights another custom touch that makes this project so special; a lantern has been hard-wired into the natural stone—just one of several that grace the home’s exterior spaces. The pool boasts a slide and a handy foot washing station on the deck, which are also visible here, while visible plantings include several Blue Atlas cedar, a tri-color beech and Japanese maple, along with variegated liriope and bright yellow Happy Return daylilies.

16 • March/April 2021 • Kentucky Homes & Gardens

2 2 A veritable playground for all ages, the home’s exterior spaces were designed to evolve through several carefully planned phases to offer a wide variety of amenities, including a roomy pool house and adjacent swimming pool that is complete with a waterfall, rope swing, basketball hoop, sun deck, slide and circular heated spa. There is also ample seating at every turn, along with a firepit, grilling station and screened-in porch. Plantings include Green Velvet boxwoods, hydrangeas, Blue Atlas cedar, Hameln grass, weeping chamaecyparis nootkatensis and Happy Return daylilies.

3 A massive waterfall was painstakingly handcrafted by Randy Sparks of Sparks Enterprises with the help of stonemason Charles Dewar, using rock salvaged from a farm in Bourbon County. Water flows down and filters into the nearby pool, while plantings visible here include Oriental spruce, fountain grass, yellow coreopsis and purple catmint.

3

4

4 Taken from a bridge that connects the swimming pool area with the pool house, this shot also highlights the sprawling, classic Kentucky countryside beyond, where an idyllic creek winds its way through the property. A trio of Blue Atlas cedar trees stand sentry to the far right in this view, while other plantings include a Nordman fir, purple catmint and Russian sage framing the circular heated spa.

Kentucky Homes & Gardens • March/April 2021 • 17

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6

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8 18 • March/April 2021 • Kentucky Homes & Gardens

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10 5 Vivacious Pardon Me daylilies create a striking grouping, along with Green Velvet boxwoods and a variegated red twig dogwood shrub, which also provides visual interest during the winter months with its showy namesake red stems.

6 One of only two gates in the fence that encircles the property is shown here; it was added to allow Chris and Lindsay Estes’ children easy access to friends who live next door, so they can easily visit back and forth without ever stepping foot on the main road. A natural Cane Ridge limestone boulder in the foreground is nestled amid a variety of perennials, including blue fescue, coral bells, wildflowers, blue dune grass and a white birch.

7 The random-cut Pennsylvania bluestone patio spans two levels,leading up to a screened-in porch that is also adjacent to an outdoor grilling area and fire pit (not pictured), providing a highly functional space for entertaining. A vibrant purple beech tree in the foreground is ringed by Shasta daisies and Green Velvet boxwoods, while red drift rose surrounds a weeping Norway spruce and a white dogwood and hydrangeas are also visible.

8 Blue fescue, coral bells and Patriot hostas add pops of color and texture amid the natural limestone hardscape and oversized stepping stones.

9 This exceptional poolside bench is fashioned from a single massive natural limestone rock that came from a farm in Bourbon County, creating a truly unique place to enjoy a break from the sun, sip a cool drink and take in the idyllic views.

10 A remarkable weeping purple beech tree lies just left of the natural stepping stone walkway leading to a spacious pool house, which was built by Ayres Custom Homes. Spiderwort, Morning Light maiden grass and boxwoods surround a birdbath in the foreground, while dozens of substantial natural limestone boulders provide incredible hardscape and a solid framework for additional plantings, including daisies, a weeping chamaecyparis nootkatensis (also known as a False Cypress or Nootka Cypress) and a weeping Blue Atlas cedar that is just visible in front of the pool house.

GARDEN CREDITS Landscape Design: Sparks Enterprises

Builder: Ayres Custom Homes

Stonemason: Charles Dewar

Kentucky Homes & Gardens • March/April 2021 • 19

1 Luxe outdoor furniture and a rectangular firepit table have been carefully arranged to create a variety of intimate conversation areas, while a Pennsylvania bluestone deck lends visual interest to the space and six arcing deck jet fountains create a relaxing ambiance around this inviting swimming pool. A nicely-equipped open-air outdoor kitchen and bar area feature several flat screen televisions and provide easy access to the living room and kitchen inside the home. Photo courtesy of Mike Hollaway Custom Homes.

20 • March/April 2021 • Kentucky Homes & Gardens

Living in Luxury ...Outdoors!

By Kirsten E Silven

Kentucky Homes & Gardens • March/April 2021 • 21

S

PECIAL

F

EATURE

L

uxury residential outdoor living spaces have become increasingly popular among homeowners in recent years, but perhaps none more so than now…for obvious reasons!

Today, the home’s exterior has become more than just a place to enjoy the great outdoors, having evolved into a true extension of its interior, with more homeowners requesting indoor-style amenities for their outdoor spaces than ever before, including kitchens, fireplaces, comfortable furniture, entertainment centers and more.

“The last year has seen more homeowners opting to enhance their home’s outdoor living areas, and lighting is an essential part of creating a usable exterior space that family and friends can enjoy,” shared Kyle Adamson of Red Oak Outdoor Lighting.

“Setting the mood with lighting is vital when the sun goes down, and today everything can be controlled independently with your smartphone, tablet and/or home automation system.”

Homeowners have also discovered that investing in a well-designed (and well-lit) outdoor living area will increase a home’s value. In fact, according to the American Board of Realtors the addition of new landscaping and custom outdoor living areas can result in a 15% (or higher) increase in property value. This makes sense, since landscaping is the first thing people see when viewing a home for purchase, and the outdoor living spaces are what usually gives the strongest parting impression.

“All too often, outdoor lighting winds up being little more than an afterthought, which is a shame because it’s really a necessity, especially if you want to get the most out of your investment in a nice outdoor living area,” Adamson added.

Although luxury residential outdoor living design is expected to continue exhibiting a strong emphasis on traditional and transitional styling, this year will also highlight a new modern look that is characterized by a focus on statement-making designs with clean lines, soft curves and a stronger, more architectural statement.

“One of the biggest 2021 trends, which is growing every year, is the mixing of materials in deep seating and dining groups,” revealed Julie Lewis, a designer, visual merchandiser and buyer for Housewarmings in Lexington. “Rather than all pieces matching, you will now find a more curated mix of woven, cast aluminum, stone and teak pieces all in one grouping. Many items also feature artisan finishes that range in color, tone and texture.”

A greater use of neutrals with bold color accents will also work to highlight these themes, and you can also expect to see continued trends of warmer colors that give off a relaxing, casual, global vibe.

“The outdoor furniture lines we carry offer many comfort options from deep, plush cushions to high back seating and even reclining chairs,” Lewis added. “The fabric and material selections also continue to be on-trend with the indoor options, offering the same soft hand, rich colors and vibrant patterns as indoor upholstery, complete with trims, fringes and designer options including deep, thick, comfortable cushions with little maintenance.”

Whether you are thinking of renovating an existing outdoor area or creating a new space from scratch, first you must decide how it will function. Consider that pavilions and pagodas can add shade and extend your home’s interior spaces by effectively adding another “room” outside, while the color of pavers and blocks often complements the home itself.

“During the planning phase, it’s essential for homeowners to decide how they want to use their outdoor spaces,” shared Jack R. Traylor III, owner of Premier Lawncare, Landscaping & Outdoor Living. “Whether you love to entertain, enjoy dining al fresco or need a place where you can simply spend time outside with family, we can design a custom space to meet any desire.”

Today’s outdoor living spaces are also getting larger, with many outdoor kitchens incorporating several types of cooking appliances, and many homeowners are also requesting areas that are covered so they can enjoy year-round use. This also allows for the installation of televisions, WiFi, sound systems, ceiling fans, lighting and heating.

“Since COVID has many people staying in more often to enjoy their home’s outdoor spaces with friends, many homeowners are extending existing outdoor areas for added space and amenities,” Traylor added. “This includes fireplaces, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, dining areas, water features, walls that double as extra seating and landscaping for privacy.”

Residential outdoor living will remain a hot trend for hosting social gatherings this year, as Covid-19 has elevated the importance of having private space to entertain at home.

22 • March/April 2021 • Kentucky Homes & Gardens

2 Perhaps not surprisingly, outdoor kitchens also remain in high demand, along with integrated entertainment systems, pergolas and backyard cottages or pool houses. Privacy is also a huge factor, as more homeowners opt to enjoy luxury at home staycations instead of traveling abroad.

“At Premier, we have worked with a wide range of different styles and designs according to each homeowner’s personal taste, including very modern, traditional, old world and even abstract residential projects,” Traylor said. “2021 is promising to continue the trend of outdoor living at home, as people are looking for more sustainable lifestyles and greater health—both physical and mental.”

Traylor agrees that residential outdoor living areas are expected to remain popular for social gatherings, as more homeowners are adding heat lamps, fire pits and fireplaces to extend usability of the home’s exterior spaces well into cooler temps.

In the same way, adding screens and ceiling fans will keep insects out and increase air flow during warmer months. A bubbling fountain, small stream or natural rock waterfall can help create a soothing ambiance, while carefully placed outdoor lighting and comfortable, durable furniture that can withstand the elements are a must.

2 This urban oasis highlights a perfect stage of white limestone pavers set against a refined palette of minty green tones.

Bright white cushions and teak furniture continue the clean, crisp aesthetic. The bartending center by Danver features powder coated louvered doors and stainless-steel components for true luxury in outdoor living.

Designed by Hollander Design Landscape Architects.

Photo by Charles Mayer Photography, courtesy of Housewarmings in Lexington.

As with all things, luxury residential outdoor lighting starts with a detailed plan. The available options for these spaces are extensive and ever changing, so working with an experienced outdoor design professional is key for the creation of a successful space. The project must reflect a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors and provide both the function and comfort needed to offer countless hours of enjoyment for many years to come.

Kentucky Homes & Gardens • March/April 2021 • 23

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3 Highlighting the outdoor “living room” portion of a 1,000-square-foot pavilion overlooking acres of rolling farmland near Winchester, this view also showcases a striking tongue and groove redwood ceiling and natural limestone hardscape. The pavilion is just a few steps away from the attached infinity pool and hot tub, which in turn leads to the home’s beautiful Florida room, while a dining room and kitchen area are separated from this space by a large glass fireplace (not pictured). Photo, design and installation by Premier Lawncare,Landscaping & Outdoor Living.

4 Clean lines and a neutral color palette lend a sleek, contemporary vibe to this covered patio space, which boasts a square Amini firepit table that features chic colored accent lighting, tile flooring, a textured tile accent wall and entertainment center, with comfy all-weather furniture from the Pacifica Collection by O.W. Lee.

5 A rectangular tabletop firepit takes center stage, offering cozy seating in this open-air flagstone courtyard, which is ideally positioned between the kitchen and dining room inside. A luxe outdoor bar area is conveniently positioned nearby, complete with an oversized flat screen television, dual sinks and ample refrigeration.

Photo courtesy of Toll Brothers.

6 Lighting is an essential part of any properlydesigned outdoor living area, and here it works to create a romantic, conversational mood under a charming pergola, where plenty of soft, billowy seating feels more like an elegant living room than a patio outdoors. Photo courtesy of Zeus Integrated Systems.

Kentucky Homes & Gardens • March/April 2021 • 25

7 This amazing Nicholasvillearea lanai was brought to life

by Back Construction and beautifully illuminated by Red Oak Outdoor Lighting, creating a custom space that is ideal for entertaining. It is truly an extension of the home’s interior, with space for an outdoor grill, ample seating including atop the perimeter walls, and minimal up-down lighting in the rafters to create a clean look with just the right amount of illumination.

Photo by Mark Mahan, courtesy of Red Oak Outdoor Lighting.

8 A circular seating wall surrounds this enticing firepit, with a winding walkway leading to a covered dining pavilion that is complete with a hand-laid stone wood-burning fireplace.

New plantings are interspersed with mature trees throughout the landscape, while a sensible decorative gravel substrate and dry creek bed work to reduce runoff and maintenance in the immediate area. Photo courtesy of Jameson.

26 • March/April 2021 • Kentucky Homes & Gardens

9 This heated outdoor custom kitchen boasts multiple grills and stainless-steel appliances, along with a stone fireplace, expansive party area and stunning reclaimed stone edifice, along with a custom Mexican stone sink and a cooking island that overlooks the swimming pool (not pictured). Tumbled marble stone floors and a wood-burning stone fireplace complete the look. Photo courtesy of Miller + Miller Real Estate.

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7 10 Superior craftsmanship embodies a fresh look with the Classico-W outdoor furniture collection from OW Lee. The design exudes graceful elegance using wrought iron with artisan bends to complement the Old World vibe in this inviting outdoor living space, which features plenty of room for entertaining around the swimming pool, with impressive natural stone and poured concrete hardscape throughout. Photo courtesy of OW Lee.

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10 Kentucky Homes & Gardens • March/April 2021 • 27

A

RTIST

Sculpting

His Way to

Greener Pastures A

By Heather N. Russell-Simmons

lthough artist Kiptoo Tarus studied drawing, painting and printmaking at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, “Most of my projects ended up as sculptural pieces,” he explained of the trouble he got into with his professors. “They said, ‘What are you doing? There is no sculpture curriculum here!’ They didn’t know what to do with me.” That was, until they had the opportunity to introduce Tarus to Garry Bibbs, a University of Kentucky associate professor of sculpture whose contemporary style and encouragement motivated Tarus to continue his education.

Despite that encouragement and motivation, Tarus was initially denied acceptance to study sculpture as a graduate student at the University of Kentucky. “I was sending a portfolio of drawings for sculpture classes,” he explained. Tarus eventually quit his job at a bank in Nairobi to focus on a sculpture portfolio. “People thought I had gone crazy. ‘You want to carve things?’” he recalled being asked. The day he quit, Tarus walked home, passing a number of tree stumps uprooted on the side of the road from construction.

When he kicked a stump out of frustration, “There was an instant connection.” In that moment, he realized, “I can use this.”

With a mentor’s chisel and wood found along the road, Tarus spent the next few months creating a body of work for his portfolio. When Tarus completed about 20 pieces of sculpture, he had a devastating exchange with his mentor who accused Tarus of copying his work.

“I took all those pieces and set them on fire,” Tarus said. That defiance turned out to be serendipitous. That night, rain extinguished the fire. Rather than turning the wood to ash, the fire transformed the sculptures. Holding a few pieces of his partially burned work the next day, Tarus thought, “This is not your style anymore, this is my style.” From there, he began charring his sculptures with a controlled burn. “That is the body of work I sent to UK,” he said of his third attempt and eventual acceptance.

“Coming from a nomadic community in Kenya, I’m looking for greener pastures,” Tarus said of his artistic inspiration and his move to Kentucky. “The journey is what inspires me.”

Now based in Lexington, Tarus’ artistic process is defined by his materials. Metal is an additive practice combining and fabricating material to create forms. When carving wood, he works in reverse to subtract material and reveal his final vision.

Tarus described working with chisels as understanding how to use the edge of the blade with or against the wood grain. “You carve against the grain to remove material and you carve with the grain to get cuts and bends.” Power tools, like a chainsaw, work with and against the grain so the mastery is in understanding the balance of applied pressure to create forms.

“I like the idea of manipulating material to create the unexpected,” Tarus said of his work. He shows viewers there is more to what they see by challenging the norms of displaying a form in conventional ways. Referencing two pieces of public art influenced by a traditional nomadic headrest, The Mutation of the Happiness Gene and Nomad’s Palace, Tarus explained that his intent was to change the scale of a common item from his heritage. “The inspiration is nomadic but by blowing up the proportions, I have a canvas to manipulate my ideas. What I do with that canvas can be very different than expected.”

When Tarus reconstructs a tree stump into a work of art, he does more than add a visual element to a community. “People call to say they sat on my sculpture to refresh their mind. Or tell me their children want to visit a park because they love a horse I sculpted.”

The connection people make to a place because of his sculpture connects Tarus to those people. “They associate moments with me and I’m part of them in sharing that.”

In addition to commissioned work, readers can find Tarus’ work throughout Lexington: Ashland- The Henry Clay Estate; The Living Arts & Science Center; Global Lex; Southland Drive; St. Joseph East; and Castlewood Park. He is currently working in Woodland Park and plans to unveil a sculpture in the spring of 2021.

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1 Sculptor Kiptoo Tarus.

Photo by Kate McStay.

2 The Proof is in the Grain Cherry Year of completion: 2020 3 Maji Mazuri Swahili for “Good Waters” Sculpted black maple Year of completion: 2018

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4 Savannah Drama White oak Year of completion: 2020 5 Work in progress of Martin Luther King, Jr. & Amanda Gorman Black walnut

6 Nomad’s Palace Fabricated steel, leather & wood Year of completion: 2014 7 2020 Blues White oak Year of completion: 2020

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8 The Mutation of the Happiness Gene Locust wood Year of completion: 2019 9 Message in a Bottle Cherry Year of completion: 2021

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1 Hillcroft Farm in Paris, Ky. was built in the late 1800s and purchased by Misdee Wrigley Miller in 2001. The Saddlebred Division of Hillcroft Farm is the first farm since 1932 to win all four coveted World Grand Champion titles with their Saddlebred horses.

Meant to Be

By Heather N. Russell-Simmons Photography by Walt Roycraft

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2 “I wanted this room to be elegant yet cozy,” said Miller. The living room has the home’s original fireplace and several pieces that belonged to Miller’s mother and grandmother. “The nesting tables between the wingback chairs belonged to my grandmother. The desk and clock were my mother’s.”

3 Single when she bought Hillcroft farm, Miller decided to learn piano so she would not feel lonely. “It kept me occupied until I met my husband, James Miller,” she said.

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hen Misdee Wrigley Miller, an accomplished equestrian and owner and chief executive officer of Wrigley Media Group, decided to relocate her horse operation from sunny Ocala, Fla. to seasonal central Kentucky, she searched with purpose. “If I loved it in December, I knew I’d love it year-round,” she said. At the suggestion of friends, Miller made a trip to Paris, Ky. to see a property built in the late 1800s. “It was owned by a couple with a small brood mare business,” she said of her first visit. On a cold, brown, December day, Miller drove over an old, romantic bridge and fell in love. “I knew that with some work, I could make Hillcroft Farm my home.”

That work was done with the help of Phase IV Contractors over the course of a year. Miller’s priority was to start with a home for her horses and her carriages. “I didn’t know if I could resurrect the thoroughbred barn,” she said; but the stall dividers became presentation space for her carriages, a collection that started with a call out of the blue. A fourth generation horsewoman, Miller was working in her Ocala barn office when a phone call informed her that her grandfather’s Brewster and Sons carriages, on loan to a museum that was closing, were now hers. Wanting to know more, Miller learned that early carriages were used by English landowners to carry guests to polo fields and races where they were served refreshments from a hinged back panel of the carriage.

“That’s where the term tailgating originated,” she said.

With the horses and carriages settled, Miller turned her attention to her home. “It was a traditional farmhouse,” she recalled. “And too small for me.” Leaving the exterior footprint, “I completely gutted the home,” she said. The second floor was transformed from having four corner bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bathroom into a single Master suite. “I wanted a shower made of glass block,” Miller said. “We weren’t sure the blocks could be curved, but we found someone who found a way.” When she discovered antique doors etched with peacocks, an animal she raises at Hillcroft, contractors figured out how to temper the glass so the doors could be used for the shower. “I thought, ‘I’m going to get cold, I’ll need a fireplace,’ so we installed a gas fireplace.”

4 The hunt board located at the base of the stairs stood in the original home. One of the home’s previous owners directed Miller to a local antique store to purchase the piece, returning it to its rightful place. The mirror above belonged to a friend of Miller’s who specializes in equestrian antiques. “The Vanderbilt trophy is from the 1903 National Horse Show,” said Miller, who has competed in the Horse Show.

On two separate occasions, for two separate fireplaces, Miller found mantle pieces at Heritage Antiques that fit the exact openings she needed. “Things just fell into place,” she said of the renovations, remembering the thought that, “This is meant to be.” But, as is the case with most home renovations, the unexpected was also meant to be. When tearing down plaster to turn the attic into a guest room, Miller said, “There were hundreds of snakes in the walls!”

The basement was dark with a low ceiling and a water heater system that made terrible noises. It was not ideal for entertaining.

“You could have filmed horror movies down there,” Miller said with a laugh. “One wheelbarrow at a time, Phase IV dug out the floor making room to stand up straight.” The basement is now a bright rec room with the original structural beams, a pool table and a custom-built bar made from fallen cherry trees at her home in Ocala by a man who crafted bars for yachts in Florida.

“The home’s colors are a reflection of what I feel represents warmth and hospitality,” said Miller of her home interior. “I wanted a yellow kitchen because first thing in the morning, I want to be happy and cheerful in December or April. And that’s how the kitchen makes me feel.”

The home’s contents also reflect what Miller cares about. Among artwork and a desk that belonged to her mother, Miller keeps a tall, wooden cylinder in her library. “It was my Grandma Wrigley’s favorite conversation piece,” Miller recalled, adding that no one could ever identify the item when her grandmother asked. But a guest of Miller’s knew the moment she saw it. “I had the great joy of meeting Virginia Fowler Cain, who owned the house at one time,” said Miller. “I invited her over and she recognized the elephant ladder the moment she saw it,” said Miller. “‘Oh, my dear. I had one, too,’” Miller recalled her guest saying. “I said, ‘Miss Virginia, this is another sign I’m meant to be here.’”

“The special thing about this home was that I finally had everything I loved all in one place,” said Miller. “I get to live the best life with the three great loves of my life: my husband, media and horses.”

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“Marry me, marry Hillcroft” 5 Originally the home’s Master bedroom, Miller’s renovations included changing this area into the dining room. “I painted this room red because I heard doing so meant good luck and good conversation,” she said.

6 “Marry me, marry Hillcroft,” Miller recalled saying to James, her husband of 15 years.

Although he fell in love with the home and its belongings, he did not love the kitchen’s farm chairs. “He sits with me while I cook,” she explained.

“And I love to cook, so he needed something more comfortable.”

7 “The corner bookshelf was the door to the kitchen,” Miller said. “And this was the dining room.”

In addition to closing off the room for a cozier feel, Miller had the coal box converted into a working fireplace. “I found the carved oak mantle at Heritage Antiques and it fit perfectly into place.”

Her mother’s childhood desk rests under the library’s window.

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10 8 “This space was completely overhauled from dark and dank to a fun place to gather,” Miller said of the rec room. The original structural beams were restored while a knee wall was added to reinforce the walls once the floor was lowered to make the space more inviting.

9 Having lived in Arizona and Florida, Miller had one clear motive for the sunroom. “Make Misdee feel warm in the winter,” she laughed.

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10 Miller’s grandfather owned two Brewster and Sons horse carriages that were loaned to a museum. When that museum closed, the carriages were transferred to Miller, a fourth generation horsewoman. “When I got the call, I was intrigued,” Miller said. Through research, she learned that carriage driving and coach building were closely tied to the development of automobiles. “When horseless carriage took over, Rolls Royce hired Brewster and Sons coach builders to build cars.”

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Custom Comfort Jessamine county home features one-of-a-kind design

By Robin Roenker Photography by Walt Roycraft

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1 The homeowners were able to settle on the color palette for the home’s exterior very quickly. “I knew that I wanted a red door,” one said. “And then, selecting the right shade of blue came easily after that.” Colors: Sherwin William Salute Red (front door); Sherwin Williams Smoky Blue (Hardie siding).

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The house also incorporates one-of-a-kind, custom trim work specifically designed for the Mattson’s home. The trim was painted in Sherwin Williams Morris Room Grey so it could pop against the soft, off-white tone of the walls.

The husband-and-wife optometrists, who operate four EyeMax locations in Lexington and Nicholasville, broke ground on their new, 3,180-square foot, four-bedroom ranch-style home in May 2017 and moved in just before Thanksgiving in 2019.

“The trim, I feel, is artwork in and of itself without having to put anything on the walls,” Clay said. “It’s just so well-constructed and designed, without being formal or ornate. It adds a detail that we were looking for, to help make our house very unique and different.”

lay and Kari Mattson love everything about their new home in the Barkley Woods subdivision in Nicholasville.

“We loved the look of the neighborhood. It has a lot of mature trees and rolling hills and large lots, and it just felt like a place we could call home,” Clay said.

Built by Mitch Canup of Canup Inc., the home features interior design by Letitia Maynard and Sergey Pigulko of Select Design and Construction. The Mattsons had worked with Maynard previously on interior design projects for their optometry offices, so they trusted her vision for their home. “I told my husband, ‘If we’re going to build, then Letitia has to design it,’” Kari said.

Custom Finishes The couple knew they wanted a home that was, in Clay’s words, “cozy and comfortable, but also different and interesting. We wanted to use unique touches that no one else was using or had seen before.” With that directive in mind, Maynard set to work incorporating custom features throughout the home, including a distinctive wood accent wall in the hallway leading to the great room and an intricately designed fireplace surround made of a mix of flat and 3-D hexagonal tiles.

The Mattsons opted to use Character Hickory wood flooring throughout the bedrooms and main living spaces of the home as another way to let the beauty of wood shine.

For the home’s interior design, Maynard worked to mix textures and styles, blending modern and rustic elements to achieve an aesthetic she knew the Mattsons would love. In the great room, a navy blue faux fur custom sofa from Massoud Furniture offers the perfect place to relax and unwind. In the Mattson’s bedroom, a faux fur throw on the bed adds texture and visual appeal to the very clean, streamlined design.

The kitchen countertops, made of Dekton, present a chic, modern look that’s echoed in the bold, bubble pendant lights—chosen by Kari—that overhang the kitchen island.

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3 While Kari loves the open flow from the kitchen to the great room for ease of entertaining, she tweaked the home’s original design to remove garage space and add a butler’s kitchen—or, as she calls it, “her kitchen”—off to the side of the main kitchen.

“I do everything in that kitchen. There’s a steam oven and microwave. I have my own little dishwasher,” Kari said. “It’s the perfect small kitchen, so that when we have guests over, we don’t have to clutter up in the main kitchen and dining room.”

The Mattsons are also particularly fond of their home office, thanks to its ample work space and cleverly designed, custom spot to showcase Esty-sourced portraits of their three beloved dogs, Stella, Honor and Reeb.

“They wanted something very eclectic, with a mix of traditional and modern features, and it was fun to deliver that,” Maynard said.

“It was a great project from beginning to end. We have known each other a long time and have a great working relationship because we know each others’ styles so well.”

2 “When we were discussing the fireplace, the one thing I did not want to use was stone, because everyone has it,” Kari Mattson said. Instead, the couple opted for an intricate and unique fireplace surround that was created using a mx of flat and 3-D hexagonal tiles. Letitia Maynard hand-selected the tile placement to achieve the custom design. “I love the texture, and how pleasing it is to look at,” Kari said.

3 The home’s dining area offers an easy flow into the backyard pool space and outdoor kitchen. The custom wood table with epoxy resin inlay was designed by Sergey Pigulko of Select Design and Construction.

The base for the table was created by an artist in Versailles. The dining chairs were sourced from Johnston Casuals based in North Carolina.

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4 4 The kitchen features sleek, modern countertops crafted from Dekton, a durable, manmade material similar to quartz. The incandescent bubble lights over the kitchen island have been a hit with the Mattsons and their guests alike —but they were not easy to install. “The lights are staggered in height, and they’re staggered in the way that they’re hung,” Maynard explained. “They’re not hung straight across from each other because each one is a little bit different. So, it posed a little bit of a challenge for us to place them just right.”

5 The butler’s pantry—or “Kari’s Kitchen” as the couple calls it—offers a private space for food prep when the Mattsons are entertaining. Kari subtracted garage space from the home’s original floor plan in order to add the butler’s pantry. The room features a drawer dishwasher, a steam oven, and a microwave—all sourced from Ferguson.

6 The Mattsons love outdoor entertaining, and the built-in outdoor kitchen offers the perfect space from which to serve guests and enjoy the nearby pool deck. The custom grill stand was constructed from wood salvaged from Kari’s great-grandmother’s home, adding special meaning to the project.

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7 The Mattsons’ home office overlooks their picturesque front lawn and features a large, wraparound custom-made work desk with ample space for two. The wood trim accent wall offers the perfect spot to showcase hand-drawn portraits of their two Miniature Schnauzers, Stella and Reeb, and their Miniature Australian Shepherd, Honor. The trim in the office uses the same dark-blue stain that’s found on the master bedroom door.

8 The walls of the master shower blend neutral subway tiles and decorative mosaic tiles, while the shower floor is covered in small hexagonal tiles. Maynard sourced tile from Louisville Tile, ProSource of Lexington, and FloorandDecor.com.

9 The Mattsons worked with Maynard to custom design this accent door for their master bedroom. It features a navy blue wood stain and twelve small panes of bullseye glass, which Kari sourced from artisan crafters in Michigan.

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10 Maynard was given full freedom to design the master bedroom. The walls were kept relatively bare to allow the custom woodwork to shine—and to respect Kari’s dislike of clutter. “Kari knew what kind of bed [Wesley Allen Furniture] she was getting, but I surprised her with everything else,” said Maynard. “Other than the side tables and lamps, no two elements were sourced from the same manufacturer.

That helps give the room the eclectic, warm look they were looking for,” Maynard said.

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HOME CREDITS: Builder Mitch Canup, Canup Inc. Nicholasville

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Specialty Contractor & Interior Design Letitia Maynard & Sergey Pigulko Select Design & Construction Lexington Custom Wood Trim Fabricator Wholesale Hardwood Interiors Campbellsville/Nicholasville Custom Cabinet Maker Gene Fleming, Accent Wood Designs Plumbing Fixture Vendor The Showplace Nicholasville Custom Countertops Quality Stone Countertops, Inc. Nicholasville Appliances Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery Lexington Pool Backyard Fun Pools Nicholasville

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1 Situated close to Nicholasville with easy access to Lexington, this inviting new residence boasts a fresh, farmhouse feel and was built by Ayres Custom Homes to create a truly idyllic sanctuary for the Estes family to enjoy. The gated home’s front elevation overlooks an expansive circular drive and masterful landscaping, while a spacious pool house is just visible here beyond the garage to the left.

Be sure to check out the garden story on page 16 to see more of this property’s incredible exterior spaces.

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Sophisticated Sanctuary

By Kirsten E. Silven Photography by Walt Roycraft

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2 Clean lines and a soothing neutral color palette create a welcoming feel in the home’s foyer, which opens to the dining room and features a stunning leaded glass window that was salvaged from a historic home. Honey-hued natural hardwood flooring provides a beautifully textured base, while the custom woodwork shown here continues throughout the home’s interior, lending substance and a tangible sense of structure to the design.

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3 3 This generously-sized window nook is tucked into a shiplap-clad hallway, providing a perfect spot for reading or taking a restorative afternoon nap, with expansive views of the gardens and rolling countryside beyond.

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hen Chris and Lindsay Estes found a five-acre lot just outside of Nicholasville, they knew it would be the perfect place to build their dream home. Having both grown up in the central Kentucky region, the couple knew they wanted easy access to downtown Lexington, so they embarked on this journey with only a few pictures and a basic idea of how they wanted their new home to look.

The totally custom residence is situated in a vibrant, semi-rural neighborhood where the couple’s four children can roam and play in the creek with friends, where the neighbors often carpool and everyone enjoys the idyllic, uniquely Kentucky countryside.

Chris and Lindsay turned to builder Charlie Ayres to make their dreams a reality, resulting in a luxurious modern farmhouse with many custom touches throughout and a design aesthetic that is both approachable and refined.

“We have four children between the ages of 8 and 13, and we really wanted them to grown up playing outside with friends,” Lindsay shared. “Our property backs up to rolling farmland, so we enjoy a great deal of privacy and there is plenty of space for the kids to explore.”

Including planning, the project took several years to complete, with the entire team—including landscape designer Randy Sparks of Sparks Enterprises—working closely together to complete the extensive exterior spaces in carefully planned phases after the home itself was finished. The residence took approximately one year to build, and careful consideration was given to every detail, from its placement on the lot to the many custom interior finishes.

Today, the property is gated and features an expansive front lawn with a circular drive, while inside the house exudes livability and a sense of refined elegance.

Special touches include custom woodworking and cabinetry throughout, including coffered ceilings and classic wainscoting, along with an oversized hallway window seat overlooking the gardens that provides an ideal spot to relax with a good book or enjoy an afternoon nap. There is also a leaded glass window salvaged from a historic home in the entryway, along with a charming screened-in porch situated just off the family room with views of the gardens and bucolic countryside beyond.

“In my view, the word ‘custom’ has been taken for granted by too many in the building trades,” Ayres added. “So we really strive to meet and exceed the needs of our clients and build every home as though it was our own. In this industry, there is simply no room for ego; our job is to bring the client’s vision to life.”

“It was basically designed from scratch and is a truly custom home in every sense of the word,” shared Charlie Ayres of Ayres Custom Homes. “We brought their ideas to life, and the end result is a beautiful home because Chris and Lindsay have incredible taste!”

Serene neutral tones meld with pops of color throughout the home’s interior spaces, while sentimental items lend a personal touch here and there. These include several handwritten family recipes framed by interior designer Rene Estepp that are now located above a hutch in the formal dining room, along with a striking orange trunk in the guest bedroom that once belonged to Lindsay’s great-grandfather and dates back to 1895. In the kitchen, a remarkable honed and sueded granite countertop lends texture and works to ground the space, which also features custom white cabinetry and a marbled grey and white tile backsplash in a classic herringbone pattern.

Spanning roughly 7,000 square feet of finished space, the home boasts ample room for the children to play upstairs, including large bedrooms, baths and living areas, while the first floor has a fabulous layout for entertaining.

With a fundamental sense of symmetry and a focus on excellence at every turn, the Estes residence stands as a testament to what smart planning can accomplish, providing a flawless home base and a stylish safe haven the family is sure to enjoy for many years to come.

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4 4 A stunning coffered ceiling and exquisite wainscoting creates a grand feel in the home’s formal dining room, which lies just off the foyer and boasts a low-key yet graceful aesthetic. Family recipes have been artfully displayed here; framed and handwritten on tea-stained paper above the hutch, while the understated floor covering and custom window treatments complete the look.

5 5 Calming greys with pops of orange give the guest bedroom an updated classic feel, while the antique trunk at the foot of the bed is a family heirloom that dates back to 1895 and once belonged to Lindsay Estes’ great grandfather.

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6 6 Situated just past the dining room to make entertaining a breeze, a custom kitchen also opens to the expansive family room, featuring a cozy breakfast nook and beautiful coffered ceiling. Double doors open to a screened-in deck outside, while the refrigerator, pantry and trash receptacles have all been artfully concealed to create a sleek, streamlined appearance. The countertops were custom crafted using honed and sueded granite in textured shades of black and grey, while the tile backsplash boasts a herringbone pattern in tones of marbled white and grey.

7 7 The impressive coffered ceiling continues into the family room, which also boasts dual built-ins flanking the fireplace and opens onto a lovely screened-in outdoor living space. The piano area seen here mirrors the kitchen breakfast, adding to the home’s inherent sense of symmetry, while shiplap walls surrounding the fireplace lend a bit of added texture and visual interest to the space.

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8 A screened-in deck represents the very best in easy outdoor living, showcasing pastoral views of the surrounding countryside & pool house beyond, coupled with ample seating that provides plenty of room to entertain.

9 9 Calming shades of tan, brown, navy and light blue ensure the master bedroom is imbued with relaxing vibes, while the sliding “barn” door leads into the en-suite bath, doing double duty as a full-length mirror.

10 Custom cabinetry provides ample storage in the master bath, which also boasts a steam shower and freestanding tub (not pictured), adding to the spa-like feel of the entire master suite.

“It was basically designed from scratch and is a truly custom home in every sense of the word,” —Charlie Ayres of Ayres Custom Homes.

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HOME CREDITS: Builder Ayres Custom Homes Landscape Design Sparks Enterprises Stonemason Charles Dewar Interior Design Rene Estepp

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ISCOVERING

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ENTUCKY 1

The Louisville Zoo

By Robin Roenker

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Photography Courtesy of The Louisville Zoo

here’s nothing better than a day at the zoo. And a day at the Louisville Zoo, in particular, offers a definite recipe for fun. As the state zoo of Kentucky, the Louisville Zoo is home to more than 1,100 animals representing habitats from around the world. Walking through the zoo is like taking a trip across the globe—from South American rainforest and African savanna to the Arctic. Many of its exhibit zones have won accolades from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for their excellence and innovation.

Visitor-favorite exhibits include Islands, home to penguins, tapirs, orangutans and more; Glacier Run, where you can spot seals, polar bears, grizzly bears and snow leopards; and the four-acre Gorilla Forest, home to ten western lowland gorillas.

“We’re a place where people can escape the problems of the day and come out and enjoy these amazing animal ambassadors,” said John Walczak, Director of the Louisville Zoo. “We provide a place for people to enjoy quality time with their families, and we cherish that role.”

Committed to Conservation Guests to the Louisville Zoo can enjoy fun “animal encounters” including the opportunity to feed a giraffe or lorikeets (weather and COVID protocols permitting) or get up close with the animals in the African Petting Zoo. Daily “Keeper Talks” and animal training presentations offer insights into the care and handling of the zoo’s various animal residents.Staff at the zoo also work tirelessly behind the scenes to help conserve and protect wildlife. In fact, the Louisville Zoo is home to one of the world’s few captive breeding populations of black-footed ferrets, one of the most endangered mammals in North America. “We have actually bred and released more black-footed ferrets into the Great Plains of North America than any other zoo in the world,” said Walczak.

The zoo has also helped release thousands of Monarch butterflies into the wild. Its staff is involved in researching polar bears in the Arctic, among other projects.

And, proceeds from zoo admission fees have helped support worldwide animal conservation efforts via partnerships with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and other nonprofits. “Conservation education is the soul of what we do,” said Walczak.

New Experiences In the wake of COVID-19, the zoo provides a safe outdoor attraction for families. While indoor exhibits, such as the Herpaquarium, remain closed due to COVID protocols, outdoor exhibits are open and ready for guests’ enjoyment. For safety, traffic flow on pathways through the zoo has been limited to one-direction, and all guests over the age of five must wear masks at all times.

Guests should plan to pre-purchase admission tickets online before their visit, however, since daily crowd numbers are capped as a COVID safety precaution.

Several fun experiences await guests this spring, including the zoo’s new sloth exhibit. Home to the zoo’s two Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths—Sebastian and Sunni—the new exhibit lets visitors get a close-up look at the famously slow-moving, elusive creatures. When COVID protocols allow, the zoo plans to unveil a new, behind-thescenes sloth meet-and-greet as an additional ticketed experience.

The zoo’s lemur exhibit has also been recently renovated to provide more green space for the animals. The changes will eventually allow the zoo to add to its lemur population, Walczak said.

Visitors will enjoy seeing the zoo’s newest animal additions, including a new gray seal pup, born in December and available for viewing remotely on the zoo’s new webcam (LouisvilleZoo.org/sealcam).

From March 19 through May 30, the zoo will host Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo. The special nighttime, ticketed event will include thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns—in the shape of animals of all kinds, including jellyfish, peacocks, lions, and even a T-Rex—lit by more than 50,000 LED bulbs. “These lanterns are absolutely gorgeous. And calming music is piped through the zoo speakers. It’s almost a Zen experience,” Walczak said. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring it to guests this year.”

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3 1 Giraffe feeding is one of the most popular and interactive exhibits at the zoo.

2A & 2B The Zoo is home to one of the world’s few captive breeding populations of black-footed ferrets, one of the most endangered mammals in North America.

3 The zoo is home to an array of African animals, including a family of lions from the sub-Saharan regions of the continent.

4 A new sloth exhibit houses Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths, Sebastian and Sunni.

Plans are underway for an interactive meet-and-greet with the sloths, once COVID protocols allow for it.

FIND OUT MORE AT:

www.louisvillezoo.org 4

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3945 N. Cleveland Road

Enjoy country living, yet convenient to everything, 10 minutes to shopping, Dining & entertainment, and ONLY 10 miles from The Kentucky Horse Park! Fantastic floorplan with so many special features and amenities located on a lovely 13+ acres gated estate! Economical Geothermal HVAC, Anderson Renewal Replacement windows. Main house workshop!

$1,575,000

SHADELAND

617 Summershade Circle

Wonderful home on a lovely lot in so popular Shadeland! Convenient to Ecton Park, UK, Baptist Health and downtown! 10 Ft ceilings on the main level with beautiful crown molding!

Fantastic kitchen with Electrolux Professional Series appliances, two full size ovens, granite counters and island and informal Dining area. Sunroom overlooks lovely yard.

$925,000

LANSDOWNE

G DIN

PEN

820 Brookhill Drive

Total remodel of fabulous, classic estate home!

Located in wonderful Lansdowne subdivision!

$1,379,000

CHEVY CHASE ING ND

PE

822 Chinoe Road

Fabulously remodeled Ranch home with a WOW factor right in the heart of town!

$1,089,000

TEN ACRES G DIN

THE CURTILAGE

LD SO

PEN

4035 N. Cleveland Road

Enjoy main level living in this gorgeous Ranch style home with peaceful 10 acre view!

#1 Consistently TOP Producer a Topfor 3 Sales 2015,Producer!

2011 & 2010!

$798,000

901 The Curtilage

Elegant home, located in the secluded enclave area of The Curtilage, popular Shadeland area!

$1,349,000

homesinlex.com

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

#1 Top Producer for over 20 years!

Suzanne Elliott (859) 806-6234

Laura Eaves (859) 797-5822

website: www.suzanneelliott.com email: selliott@demovellan.com

1616 Tates Creek Road #6

$1,295,000

2121 Lakeside Drive

$1,280,000

Classic brick home nestled in the gated Enclave neighborhood. Open floor plan with 10’ & 2 story ceilings; spacious rooms with lots of light; 1st floor Primary Suite with sumptuously remodeled Bath (lava stone counters, tiled steam shower, infinity tub, heated marble flooring, programmable Toto Neo Rest Toilet); Finished Basement; covered slate patio with Koi pond, waterfall & brick walled garden.

Location! This stately brick ranch backs to the lake in the popular Lakeside neighborhood and features gleaming hardwood floors, tall ceilings, and spacious rooms. Formal Living Room and large Formal Dining Room flank the Main Entry Hall, which leads to the paneled Library with Fireplace. Kitchen and Primary Suite boast great lake views. Sold AS IS, but inspections are welcome.

109 Blue Wing Pass, Nicholasville

108 Lindleigh Drive, Nicholasville $155,000

$859,000

New Construction - Ready to move in and choose your final touches!

Built by Gale Custom Homes in the exciting new Drake’s Landing development off of Clays Mill Road. This one story home features impeccable attention to detail throughout, tall ceilings, an open floor plan, and lots of natural light. You’ll love the covered back porch with stone fireplace! 3 Car side entry Garage. Full, unfinished Bsmt.

This great one acre lot is in the very popular Clays Crossing subdivision just over the Fayette Jessamine County line in Jessamine Co. Therefore you can get a large lot with a pretty tree line convenient to Fayette businesses and shopping and still be on sewers. This is one of the last lots left in the great development, and is at the end of a cul de sac road with low traffic.

REAL ESTATE

Specializing in Residential, Farm & Luxury Properties Locally Owned & Operated Since 1978 Turftown.com • 859-268-4663 • 124 Kentucky Avenue, Lexington 4465 Augusta Chatham Road Award Winning Baker-Bird Winery & Distillery was built in the 1850s by Abraham Baker, Jr. The Grandson of John Baker, the distiller. It is one of the oldest commercial wineries in America that still has its original vineyard land and sports spectacular stone enclave partially underground that is perfect for private parties. The main floor has been completely restored in places with original beamed ceilings and other parts of the stone structure that kept in as close to original condition as possible. Sitting on 65 acres, the distillery building is completely new and perfect for bourbon tastings. Call Today.

Hill Parker 859-6089-8039 Brett Bussell 859-983-8616

1965 Hart Road Stunning renovation in Chevy Chase area. 4 Bedrooms & 4.5 Bath with over 4100sq.ft.of luxury living space. Gourmet kitchen, gleaming hardwood floors, 1st floor primary suite. $1,149,000 Rick Queen 859-221-3616

2121 Shelton Road Magnificent custom built home in Hartland Estates. 5 Bedrooms, 5 Full Baths, 3 Half Baths, 1st floor primary suite, in-ground heated pool, circular driveway and much more. $1,145,000 Rick Queen 859-221-3616

3628 Hidden Pond Road Totally renovated 1½ Story home on ½ Acre corner lot.

High end details throughout.

5,000 sf. $1,198,000 Becky Mobley 859-321-0819 Owner/Agent

467 W. Second Street Built in 1843 listed on National Register of Historic Places, visited by President Lincoln, and Lexington's first Bed & Breakfast; A True Inn $1,049,000 Rick Queen 859-221-3619

1901 West Lane Spectacular income producing equestrian estate. Prime location, 100 x 200' Coverall indoor arena, 2 barns. Spacious Executive style home, salt water pool, gourmet outside kitchen w/fireside lounge $1,849,000 Dennis Nobles 859-388-4237 Hill Parker 859-608-8039

Karen Hollins

Jennifer Bell

ABR, SRES, Realtor®

RENE, Realtor ®

Cell: (859) 421-8125

(859)361-9026

2947 Four Pines Drive Spectacular Executive Residence!

Beautiful home with 11,600sq. ft., 10 Bedrooms, 11 Full Baths & 1 Half Bath, elevator, in-ground pool and 3 car garage. Extensive Details & Amenities. $2,350,000 Rick Queen 859-221-3616

Cell: (859) 221-4857

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