Southern Sensibility

A traditionally inspired home with modern twists

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Andrew Kung

As someone who bristles at the notion that many modern brides eschew china registry as passé, the owner of this condominium overlooking a picturesque stretch of the Monon Trail makes no apologies about her classic tastes. The condominium development is unique to the city, and just like the interior design of the four-story corner unit, there is nothing cookie-cutter about it. “I choose to live more formally than most, even when my children were young,” said the wife.

Standing outside the walled courtyard at the front entrance, one can hear the sound of falling water coming from inside the landscaped sanctuary. Further defining the exterior are Juliette balconies, an upper-level terrace, and black-and-white-striped awnings on the fourth-floor tower. A curving stairway leads to the front door, where a smiling Buddha statue provides a hint of the homeowners’ passion for Chinoiserie.

The multi-level residence provides an ideal delineation for the homeowner’s personal and business interests. The first level contains garage space for four and an office with a separate entrance off the courtyard. Entering into the living room on the second floor, the homeowner’s eclectic tastes are immediately apparent. “My eye goes to the traditional, but I enjoy the mix,” said the wife. Tailored yet whimsical, the space has an intentional Southern bent that calls to mind interiors one might find in Birmingham, Atlanta, or New Orleans. A distressed red pagoda chandelier with antiqued mirror accents pops against the blue/green wall color. Luxurious fringe on the striped silk drapery puddles on the floor.

A distressed red pagoda chandelier with antiqued mirror accents pops against the blue/green wall color of the formal living room. The room’s accoutrements illustrate the homeowner’s love of color and mixing the traditional furniture with contemporary accents.

A professed lover of color, the wife is also a passionate collector of vintage silver and china. “I collect, display, and use the pieces non-stop.” Fortunately for her, her husband espouses her Southern-inspired philosophies. “He was one of four boys who grew up in a home where the family dressed for dinner every night, and the chivalrous side remains,” she said.

It comes as no surprise then that one of the homeowners’ favorite rooms is the cozy study. With a dramatic gilt and painted ceiling, one might expect to see such a room in the French Quarter. The ceiling detail was one of the attributes that convinced the couple to purchase the home. A pair of etchings hanging on the wall opposite the fireplace was a gift from a friend and is of special significance to the husband. Antique Rosenthal porcelain plates and platters collected by the wife hearken to her husband’s affinity for sport fishing.

The homeowners’ favorite room is the study. The dramatic gilt and painted ceiling was one of the attributes that originally sold the couple on the home.

Seasoned entertainers, the wife says that she has five dinner parties in her repertoire that can be staged from her compact but well-equipped kitchen. The same Thibaut wallpaper (“Marco Polo” pattern from the Great Estates collection) found in the kitchen extends to the walls of the light-filled breakfast room.

The same Tibaut wallpaper (‘Marco Polo’ pattern from the Great Estates collection) found in the kitchen extends to the walls of the light-filled breakfast room.

Similar in color to the living room, the master bedroom is a study in serenity. A collector of blue and white porcelain since she was in her 20s, a portion of her trove is displayed on a circular pedestal table on one side of the bed. The bed itself is a family heirloom; the husband has been sleeping in it since he was a young boy. The wife jokes that one of the secrets to the success of their 30-year marriage has been managing to co-exist in peaceful slumber in the undersized bed (tall overnight guests have a similar dilemma sleeping in an antique bed in one of the guest’s rooms).

The focal point of a comfortable guest room is an assemblage of vintage plates mounted on the wall above the antique bed.

As one ascends to the upper levels, the wall color transitions to a color reminiscent of an elephant’s hide. A stair runner with golden stars on a black background and a dramatic black and white awning-style paint treatment at the apex of the ceiling serve as exclamation points to the playfully chic styling and add a bit of edge to the traditional pieces of the décor.

As one ascends to the upper levels, the wall color transitions to a color reminiscent of an elephant’s hide. A dramatic black and white paint treatment at the apex of the ceiling adds a bit of edge to the traditional décor.

Two sets of outdoor spaces – one walled terrace off the kitchen in the rear and a fourth floor patio in front partially shaded by an awning – provide distinct views of the park-like setting and provide ample opportunity for al fresco entertaining.

The walled courtyard at the front entrance is a landscaped sanctuary. French doors lead to a home office.

The wife points out that in each room throughout the residence there are pieces that “have a remarkable connection and history.” A talented perfectionist, she is not afraid to bide her time to acquire pieces that will add the right je ne sais quoi to make a room feel complete. “I like to live in a place for years to get it right."