6 minute read
Family Ties
A designing mother-daughter duo lend a fresh perspective to a historic cottage
Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Eric Williams
“I call it her little jewel box,” said interior designer Susan Moloney of Moloney-Smith & Associates of the charming Frederic Morgan cottage she co-renovated and designed in collaboration with her daughter and business associate, Alix Rice.
The hilltop cottage-style home, built by Frederic Morgan in 1932 features a small courtyard garden.
Although there had been significant alterations to the home since it was built in 1932, Rice was drawn to the charming two-bedroom hilltop home for myriad reasons. Before the duo did any further modifications, Moloney searched Morgan’s archives at the University of Louisville’s Bridwell Art Library and was able to locate his original plans for the home. Among her discoveries were that some of the changes, including the removal of the original second-floor bathroom to create an open foyer, may have been designed by another local architectural icon, Stratton Hammon. After reviewing the plans, Rice decided to restore the second floor back to its original. “The idea of such a major renovation – putting a ceiling back in from the inside – made me feel a bit over my head, and so I relied on my mother’s expertise,” said Rice.
While the two definitely share similar design sensibilities, Rice’s extensive art background, both academic and applied, lends a unique perspective to her home’s continental-style interior, beginning in the foyer, where her eclectic art collection includes pieces from British photographer Dylan Tomas to a drawing from a modern art master. Even after restoring the ceiling, a window above the landing that splits the full run of stairs provides ample natural light.
To the left, a barrel-vaulted guest suite is located in what was originally a garage – an alteration made years ago. A near reproduction of her bedroom in New York City, the airy space boasts shuttered windows, Oushak rug, a skirted dressing table, a Susan Moloney custom linen headboard, and Mulberry wallpaper in the bathroom.
A barrel-vaulted guest suite is located in what was originally the garage. The airy space boasts shuttered windows, an Oushak rug, a skirted dressing table, and a Susan Moloney custom linen headboard.
Considering the diminutive scale of the home’s other rooms, the living room is quite ample. With built-in bookcases flanking the doorway to the dining room on one end and a bay window seat set off by silk draperies on the other, the space contains a highly personalized mix of art and antiques, all displayed with a deft hand. A major selling point for Rice was the original pine-paneled walls, though they caused a bit of unease when she first moved in. “I would hear ‘pop, pop, pop’ all night, and it made me wonder if someone was breaking in until I realized that it was the change in temperature causing the wood to expand and contract,” she recalled. The strong horizontal lines of the cream-colored paneling provide just enough visual interest without detracting from the diverse assemblage of artwork.
Moloney found the American antique mantel in North Carolina with Rice in mind and had it restored after receiving the go-ahead from her daughter. Hanging above the mantel is a lively oil pastel painting by WB Tompson, given to Rice by Moloney for her birthday. Rice had first discovered Tompson’s work at the Gallery on Greene in Key West. This particular piece, depicting a scene from New York City, holds particular emphasis for her as she received it prior to moving to The Big Apple. “Right before I move I try to find something that correlates with that part of my life,” she explained.
Interior designer Susan Moloney found the American antique mantel in North Carolina. Hanging above it is a lively oil pastel painting by WB Tompson, purchased from the Gallery on Greene in Key West.
Dating to the early 1900s, a chair positioned near the fireplace sports its original crewelwork upholstery, which appears nearly new despite its age. Opposite, a pair of Hepplewhite chairs boast lively tangerine upholstered seats. A table to one side of the slipcovered sofa holds an 18th-century French burner converted for use as a lamp.
Overlooking the rear garden, the narrow dining room embodies Rice’s personal style of mixing up old and new. Structural Fortuny-clad shades adorning lamps on the sideboard are from Venice. “We have a group of little ladies that custom-craft them for us,” explained Moloney. A rustic corner cabinet with a blue-green painted interior holds a collection of china. Six antique Queen Anne continental chairs with ocelot-patterned upholstery from Clarence House surround the rustic table.
Overlooking the rear garden, the narrow dining room embodies Rice’s personal style of mixing up old and new. Six antique Queen Anne continental chairs with ocelot-patterned upholstery from Clarence House surround the rustic table.
The incredibly charming but super compact kitchen suits Rice’s needs just fine, considering the years she spent living in New York City, where every inch of real estate comes at a premium. Relocating the kitchen from a larger adjacent room to the butler’s pantry allowed her to add a cozy study. With all of the appliances artfully hidden behind cabinetry faux finished by Mary Margaret Trinkle of Monarch Studio, the space would be nearly indiscernible as a kitchen were it not for the four-burner gas cooktop. A French potting table is used as a prep island, with gleaming copper pots displayed underneath.
The compact kitchen was relocated from a larger space to the butler’s pantry. All of the appliances are artfully hidden behind cabinetry faux finished by Mary Margaret Trinkle of Monarch Studio. A French potting table is used as a prep island.
Inspired by the color of the library in the home of Moloney’s grandparents, the deep green walls of the study create a comforting atmosphere and an interesting departure from the luminosity in adjacent rooms. Distressed leather armchairs provide a comfortable vantage point for surveying the varied oil paintings of dogs that adorn the walls. A zebra rug is layered over sisal near the leather-topped desk.
Located in what was once the kitchen the deep green color of the study was inspired by the library in the home of Moloney’s grandparents. Distressed leather armchairs provide a comfortable vantage point for surveying the varied oil paintings of dogs that adorn the walls. A zebra rug is layered over sisal near the leather-topped desk.
Antique flour sacks that have been stitched together comprise the stair runner leading to the second-floor master suite, which encompasses the entire floor. “It’s my sanctuary,” said Rice. Her years spent working in galleries and collecting are reflected in the array of highly personal artworks selected for this personal haven. A large piece of text art by Marlene McCarty hangs near the top of the stairway along with a collection of photographs by Dylan Tomas. Hanging over the bed is a trio of paintings gifted to Rice by artist Josh Smith.
Antique flour sacks that have been stitched together comprise the stair runner leading to the second floor master suite.
A study in simplicity, the suite has a calming effect. At the top of the stairs is a comfortable sitting area oriented around the fireplace. An iron bed faces a row of dormers that overlook the garden and surrounding neighborhood. The timelessness of the newly added master bath is in step with the home’s historic character without sacrificing modern creature comforts.
Hanging over the bed in the master suite are a trio of paintings gifted to Rice by artist Josh Smith.
From Morgan and Hammon to Moloney and Rice, the enduring legacy of this special home is undoubtedly its penchant for procuring prolific partnerships.
