ART & SOUL

Willful whimsy makes a historic farmhouse feel forever young

Written by Bridget Williams/ Photography by Andrew Kung

From the outside, the simple 1840s colonial farmhouse displays all the classic hallmarks that make the style so endearing. Rolling fields tamed by black four-board horse fencing surround the home, while mature trees dapple the lawn and courtyards with sunlight. Ivy creeps up the painted white brick exterior. Once inside, the home becomes even more beguiling thanks to interior designer Ellen Wilson and the curatorial eye of the homeowner, who has carefully assembled a highly personal collection of art and antiques that pay homage to her family’s interests and heritage.

The helical staircase was a later addition to the 1840s colonial-style farmhouse.

Part of a larger family farm, portions of which date to the late 1700s, the home has been carefully expanded over the years so as not to undermine its authenticity. Te elegant, yet somewhat austere foyer, defined by a helical staircase, belies the visual treats that lie within the adjacent rooms.

A parlor directly accessed from the foyer is arguably the most traditional room in the home in terms of art and furnishings, with many of the pieces acquired as wedding presents or lovingly passed on from one generation to the next. Stacked near pieces of Staffordshire on the mantel are various arrowheads and scrapers discovered while walking the property over the years. Common among all of the rooms is a dose of whimsy to varying degrees, and this room is no exception. Wilson chose a lively, largescale printed drapery from Designer’s Guild in a sunny yellow hue to keep the room from feeling too staid.

A parlor directly accessed from the foyer is arguably the most traditional room in the home in terms of art and furnishings, with many of the pieces acquired as wedding presents or lovingly passed on from one generation to the next. Designer’s Guild drapery.

In the adjacent music room, a K Kawai baby grand player piano serves as the focal point. A doorway leads to an enclosed sun porch that has been reconfigured for use as a billiards room. Capriciousness literally takes flight with a blown glass “balloon” appearing to float in one corner above a large stoneware pig near the door that leads to an exterior brick courtyard.

Originally linked to the home by a covered, but not enclosed, breezeway, the now-closed space is one of the homeowner’s favorites, full of natural light and treasured pieces. A pair of pillow-filled window bench seats covered with fabric by Pierre Frey provides an ideal vantage point for surveying the eclectic artwork and objets d’art that present a diverse and worldly scope of interest. A bar concealed behind folding, louvered doors is further enlivened by chinoiserie wallpaper. A figural sculpture, entitled “You Ain’t the Boss of Me,” holds particular sentimentality as it once held court near her late mother’s front door.

A pair of pillow-filled window bench seats covered with fabric by Pierre Frey in the enclosed breezeway provide an ideal vantage point for surveying the eclectic artwork and objets d’art that present a diverse and worldly scope of interest.

The chic study represented a highly personal transformation for the homeowner. Formerly her late husband's domain, the homeowner waited well over a decade to change the room's overtly masculine style to one that better suited her tastes while retaining aspects that pay homage to his legacy. Deep red grasscloth walls and a wall of built-ins were painted a neutral bone-colored shade, and the traditional Oriental rug was swapped for a bound sisal rug topped by a faux zebra hide. Fortuny fabric was selected for the window shade and the accent pillows on the armchairs, which boast an upbeat print from Osborne & Little. A formal painting depicting her late husband dressed in hunt attire astride his horse hanging above the metal seems perfectly in step with a contemporary work of art by Kentucky artist Marjorie Guyon.

Connected to the rest of the home via a long hallway lined with family photographs, the aptly dubbed “pool room” provides enviable vistas of the swimming pool and perennial flowerbeds. The room’s soaring ceilings are defined by rough-hewn beams and fanciful walls painted by Ellen Skidmore, complete with falling leaves and a lonesome dove that appears to be perched on one of the beams. A veritable cabinet of curiosities, the room holds wire art by Steve Martin of New Orleans; a pair of antique doors affixed to a beam that hails from the stall of legendary racehorse Alydar and used to embellish one wall; a large mixed-media painting by Nicole Charbonnet that belonged to the homeowner’s mother; a triptych by Elizabeth Foley; and various roping and polo saddles, including an antique wicker child’s saddle.

Above the fireplace in the "pool room" is a painting by Andre Pater.

‘Walking’ above the doorway in the dining room is comprised of small human figures cut out of the bodywork of old cars by Cuban artist Damián Aquiles. A photograph of a cattle drive by Louisville-based photographer Ross Gordon hangs over the sideboard.

A friendly specter is purported to inhabit the second floor, and with her children grown, the homeowner has been working with Wilson to reclaim their former rooms on the second floor as proper guest bedrooms that would soothe even the most restless spirit. A landing at the top of the stairs looks out over the front motor court and separates a pair of large bedrooms. One of the rooms, outfitted with child-sized furniture that belonged to the homeowner’s mother and grandmother, is a little girl’s dream. The vintage pieces, which include a recamier, slipper chair and pair of shelf canopy beds, have been given a modern facelift with vibrant fabrics from Designer’s Guild. The black and chartreuse drapery can be bustled to keep it a safe distance from the radiant heat source. Among the homeowner’s favorite rooms, gazing at the diminutive chairs always brings a smile to her face.

One of the second floor guestrooms is outfitted with both adult and child-sized furniture that belonged to the homeowner’s mother. Te vintage pieces have been given a modern facelift with vibrant fabrics from Designer’s Guild.

It is understandable why a peaceful spirit would choose to linger in this home, as positive, palpable energy emanates from its old soul and the treasures contained therein. “It has been a wonderful home to raise my family in,” said the homeowner.