Making

By Kirsten E. Silven

Nestled in the heart of our legendary Kentucky bluegrass, inhabiting a majestic, bucolic setting befitting of the farm’s storied past, this stately residence offers a captivating glimpse into days gone by, but has its sights firmly set on the future. Built in the 1860’s, the historic home and surrounding 350-acre farm was purchased by its current owners in 2003; a move that was immediately followed by nearly three years of renovation to create the masterpiece we see here today.

“The house was already very pretty and formal,” shared L.A.-based interior designer Liza Whitcraft, who helped spearhead the project. “Initially, we didn’t think it would take more than eight months to renovate, but we ended up taking it down to the brick.”

Today, nearly every inch of the interior is new, including all walls, wiring and utilities, but every aspect of the renovation kept the home’s historic integrity intact. Parts of the floorplan have also been reconfigured, while all of the moldings, doors, windows and other interior trim was meticulously hand-cut to scale, taking the ceiling heights and room dimensions into careful consideration.

“We still wanted the home to look like it was built in the 1800’s,” Liza said. “And we definitely wanted to keep a sense of dignity and formality in the final design.”

Although the home required more work than originally anticipated, everything was updated to modern standards with an eye toward the time period when it was built. “This project was truly remarkable because every single room has been beautifully renovated, not just the common areas,” shared Greg Padgett of Padgett Construction, who worked on the project. “We added around 3,000 square feet of living space to the house and also reworked the original front stairwell to stabilize the structure and bring everything up to current standards.”

2 Situated just off the entryway and spanning 40 feet across, the formal living room (or parlor, as you will) is a study in sophistication, with an award-winning antique Italian handcarved cabinet taking center stage and several distinct seating areas to create a natural sense of flow. The custom window treatments help to balance the space, while rugs from J.D. Staron work with a sofa, two armchairs and a coffee table from Ebanista to complete the look.

The interior employs a soft, neutral color palette throughout, characterized by carefully chosen mid tones to create a pale, subtle transition from room to room. A new addition modernized the floor plan without compromising the original structure, while the addition of an elevator in lieu of the original second staircase allows for easy transport of suitcases and other items to the second floor. “The overall look and feel evolved along with the project, which is always interesting to me as a designer,” shared Liza.

The master bedroom ceiling was opened up to create a grand, vaulted sanctuary, while custom touches throughout the home lend an exclusive feel to virtually every aspect of its design. This includes hand-cut molding and the finest traditional Italian fabrics, as well as de Gournay wallpaper, J.D. Staron rugs and accessories from Fortuni, to name just a few of the many extraordinary surprises that are just waiting to be discovered by those with a discerning eye.

“The magnificent gloss black range by La Cornue has a distinctly European industrial feel and is very well insulated,” shared Frank Kahanic, Senior Appliance Specialist at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. “The color, style, size and configuration is unique, and was totally customized just for this kitchen, requiring an 18-week lead time prior to delivery.”

Kahanic worked closely with Debra Hupman of Creative Kitchen & Bath to ensure that all appliances would be completely concealed behind the custom cabinetry in the finished design, which also includes a healthy steam oven, two dishwashers and a variety of convenient refrigeration drawers. The countertops and decorative backsplash feature a breathtaking bookend marble with striking purple veins, while wide-plank flooring and recessed lighting complete the look.

Sure to retain its rightful place among our state’s most noteworthy private properties, every inch of this historic home’s current iteration honors its legendary past with an eye toward the future, preserving an essential piece of local history for generations to come.

3 The formal entryway boasts the home’s original staircase, light fixture and ceiling medallion, while the parkay floor is crafted using reclaimed wood from France that was found at Francoise & Co. in Nashville. The intricate dental molding seen here above the entrance to the parlor on the left is mimicked on the home’s exterior, while the incredible de Gournay wallpaper creates a continuous mural that winds up the stairwell to the second-floor landing.

4 The trophy room just off the formal living room leads out to a side patio and provides the perfect alcove to display the farm’s long history of impressive winnings.

5 Hidden behind stunning floor-toceiling custom cabinetry, the open-concept kitchen boasts a wide variety of custom touches, including a pizza oven and two dishwashers, as well as a 72-inch refrigerator. The magnificent gloss black range by La Cornue was completely customized for this space to include bronze and brushed nickel accents, with two ovens—one gas and one electric. The custom range hood is grey with mixed metal accents, from Francois & Co.

7 Part of the new addition, a dramatic coffered ceiling and ample natural light create an elegant and inviting feel in the home’s intimate family room, which lies adjacent to the kitchen and opens to a screened-in porch and a brick side patio.

10 This delightful ladies’ conversation room opens to the first-floor guest bedroom and features a more feminine feel, with a Fortuni light fixture and Recamier sofa, also known as a fainting couch.

11 With soaring vaulted ceilings and a soothing color palette, the master bedroom is a stylish refuge featuring a bonnet canopy and traditional fabrics throughout. A television is neatly hidden in the chest at the foot of the bed, while the en suite master bath lies through the doorway to the left in this view.

12 Boasting a fabulous view of the farm, this sitting room is adjacent to the master suite, offering comfortable seating, a trey ceiling and recessed lighting.

1 Nestled in the beautiful countryside of Georgetown by Midway sits the stunning home of Megan and Jason Tackitt. The home is situated on 20 acres of gorgeous, sprawling farmland, and old horse stalls on the right were converted into a contemporary office and a spacious TV room. Beautiful living quarters were added on the left, including an enormous family room, an impressive kitchen, three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, wine closets, a screened-in porch, six horse paddocks, and eight horse stalls.