11 minute read
At Home on the Water
1 Ultra-durable shake and shingle Hardie Board siding lends remarkable style and character to this home’s exterior, which boasts a distinctive Nantucket flair. The roof shingles are made with a material crafted from recycled tires designed to emulate slate that will last for at least 50 years, while Versatex recycled plastic trim and aluminum/vinyl Marvin windows offer a real wood look without the ongoing maintenance. Plantings visible here include a magnolia, upright Japanese maple, white hydrangeas, red drift rose, American holly and Wardii taxus, while a bronze blue heron found by Wally and Mary Emily Gross in Florida is perched atop a bluestone circle in the foreground. Be sure to check out the garden story on page 16 to see more of the grounds!
HomeAt on the Water
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By Kirsten E. Silven Photography by Walt Roycraft
2 A graceful staircase takes center stage in the foyer with a completely freestanding design, while wide-plank Brazilian cherry flooring and stair risers lend a warm, sophisticated feel. The staircase was custom built on site for this space, which is also home to a number of timeless pieces found at Clairebourne Antiques.
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When Walter Gross first purchased this waterfront lot on Lake Herrington with a few friends in the mid-1980’s they set about building a weekend getaway lodge, but he likely never envisioned what the future would hold! In the early 1990’s he bought out the remaining partners and made it his full-time residence, expanding upon the original four-bedroom lake house they had built together by adding a new wing that included a master bedroom.
Not long after meeting his wife Mary Emily in 2000, things started changing again, and ultimately the smallish lake home evolved into the impressive 12,000-square-foot dwelling we see today.
“Now we have a total of 26 acres,” Walter shared. “It’s a gated neighborhood, so we enjoy plenty of privacy, especially between Labor Day and Memorial Day when the lake itself is very calm.”
Although not much of the original structure still exists, the growing pains were well worth the end result, which is a marvelous Nantucket-inspired home that offers everything the couple could have wanted and more. It has provided a wonderful backdrop to raise their daughter Lisi, and also offers an idyllic place for friends and family to unwind and revel in the spoils of legendary “Lake Life.” “We really enjoy the solitude and quiet,” Mary Emily stated. “We also have amazing wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys, bobcats, black bears and foxes, to name just a few!”
Upon arrival, the home’s front elevation is preceded by a large circular drive that offers easy access to both the main two-car garage and carriage house, which serves to lend additional garage space and also provides room for some of the many treasures Walter and Mary Emily have collected over the years.
The couple entrusted Charlie Ayres of Ayres Custom Homes to complete the project, which—like the very best ones always do— has harbored its own unique challenges and rewards. Walter and Mary Emily lived on-site in part of the new addition and used a makeshift kitchen during the construction process, which allowed them—especially Mary Emily—to be intimately involved in the day to day happenings at the job site.
“Ultimately we decided to remove the entire original structure and start fresh, which saved both time and money in the long run,” Ayres shared. “This house was truly unique in so many ways—there will never be an exact reproduction of it!”
The home boasts a long list of additional features and exceptional custom touches, including wide-plank Brazilian cherry flooring throughout, a freestanding curved staircase in the entryway, custom woodwork and built-ins at virtually every turn, a screened-in porch, sunroom, art gallery and library. There is also a delightful swimming pool, which you can view in the garden story on page 16, as well as a dock on the lake and even a bar room that is home to a full-size shuffleboard table, custom English bar and fireplace.
Finally, it is also important to mention that Walter and Mary Emily are avid art collectors, with original works on display by Salvador Dali, Chagall and Stephen Rolfe Powell, among others. Walter himself is also an accomplished artist and sculptor, who enjoys working with his hands as much as he appreciates maneuvering in the business realm, and a variety of his works can be found on display throughout the home, including paintings and bronze sculptures.
“It was truly wonderful to work with such fair and honest people who allowed us to do what we do best,” Ayres concluded. “We have worked hard to build a team of dependable people who really care, and we realize that all the talent and gifts in the world don’t matter if you don’t also have integrity and a strong work ethic.”
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3 In this view, a spacious hallway opens to an art gallery on the left and a screened-in porch to the right, while an impressive 27-foot runner works to ground the space. A blown glass piece by the late Stephen Rolfe Powell can be seen perched atop a table in the gallery, while the marble sculpture visible here was found by the couple in Florida.
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4 Wide-plank Brazilian cherry flooring shines in the bright, cheerful kitchen, which looks out over the front of the home and features custom cabinetry handcrafted by Richard Campbell. A butcherblock island countertop sits atop distressed black custom cabinets, complementing the warm, cozy look and feel of the space, which also boasts granite perimeter countertops, GE Monogram appliances, a large enameled farmhouse apron sink, a custom range hood and a handmade cabinet to the left with a distinct antique feel.
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5 The formal dining room is at once both grand and approachable, with a painting on the easel to the left that was completed by Walter Gross while he was still in high school, as well as elegant custom woodworking, a classic wallcovering and thoughtful touches throughout. The timeless furniture is from Clairebourne Antiques and a blown glass sculpture centerpiece by Stephen Rolfe Powell is also visible here, while original works by Salvador Dali and Chagall lie just out of view behind the columns. 6 Situated just to the right of the foyer, the bright cheerful sunroom has a distinct French country feel, offering views of both the lake and pool. It opens to the screened-in porch and is complete with a gas fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows and a striking poplar ceiling. 7 The library is where Walter Gross loves to spend much of his free time, where gorgeous lake views and an impressive collection of artifacts captivate. These include sculptures, paintings, books and many other collectibles gathered over the years, along with several bronze pieces cast by Walter, who enjoys participating in classes on the subject at Miami University.
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-Charlie Ayres, Ayres Custom Homes
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8 Situated just off the library, the bar room boasts a gorgeous coffered ceiling and offers the perfect place to relax and have fun, with a shuffleboard table, old English-style bar (not pictured), fireplace and custom built-ins crafted by Barber Cabinet Company to showcase the homeowners’ impressive seashell collection. The two original Hinckley chairs were found at Suff’s Furniture and work nicely with the various antiques, artwork and floor coverings from Grace Rug Gallery to complete the look. 9 A study in elegance, the second-floor master bedroom suite offers ample space for reading and relaxation. Custom touches include a trey ceiling with recessed lighting and a striking imported fireplace that serves as a majestic focal point. 10 Monogrammed custom window treatments and upholstery was carefully handcrafted by Becky McKee at The Finishing Touch in Frankfort for the en-suite master bath, which also features marble countertops on the “his and hers” vanity and separate dressing table, which were both custom made by Barber Cabinet Company.
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11 This guest room was designed for Walter Gross’s daughter to use whenever she comes to stay and is beautifully appointed with silk rugs, custom window treatments and gorgeous furniture from Clairebourne Antiques.
HOME CREDITS
Builder: Ayres Custom Homes Antiques: Clairebourne Antiques
Custom Cabinetry: Richard Campbell
Stone Mason: Charles Dewar
Flooring: Building Supply of Stafford, KY
Windows: Marvin
Appliances: GE Monogram
Floor Coverings: Grace Rug Gallery
Window Treatments & Upholstery: The Finishing Touch; Nancy May Interiors; Brenda Pruitt Interiors
Furniture & Accessories: Suff’s Furniture
Landscape Design & Installation: Sparks Enterprises
Landscape Architect: Tom Nieman, PhD, FASLA
Tropicals, Plantings, Care & Maintenance: Pemberton’s Greenhouses
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