Going for Baroque

Interior Designer Julie O’Brien transforms a spacious, but nondescript home on Geist Reservoir into an artful showplace full of joie de vivre.

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Eric Williams

Homes of distinction line the shore of the Geist Reservoir. The one that caught the eye of Steve Cage, founder, and chairman of Stratosphere Quality and RPMcollection.com, was certainly enviable for its spacious lot and wooded view across the water, but architecturally it was in need of emphasis and detail. Enter interior designer Julie O’Brien of the Julie O’Brien Design Group, who was tasked with creating a feeling of greater architectural prominence, as well as adding rooms to suit the need for casual family space.

In French Baroque architecture, the corps de logis of a manor house contains the entry and the grandest and finest rooms. O’Brien employed this principle to rework the approach and entrance to the home. Whereas one previously entered through an ordinary front door and directly into a cavernous formal living room, one is now greeted with landscaped planting beds leading to a balustraded front verandah and an impressive limestone frontispiece topped with a mansard-style roof. Spiral topiaries in front of round windows are placed on either side of the archway leading to the front door.

A plaster groin vault ceiling dotted with a trio of bronze lanterns from Dennis & Leen delineates a long gallery-style hall from the formal living room. Underfoot is a unique application of stone with glass mosaic tile inlay. “We had to make the living room a bit smaller, but now the home has the feeling of entering something special,” said O’Brien. The room has a subtle circular theme, played out via the custom-made, ornate overmantle piece on one end of the room and a trio of circular windows with backlit alabaster above the entrance to the dining room on the opposite side. Additional architectural intent was added with ceiling beams and coving, which are further enhanced with hand-stenciled details.

A plaster goin vault ceiling dotted with a trio of bronze lanterns from Dennis & Leen delineates the gallery-style entry hall from the formal living room. Laura Gordon faux painted the wall at the far end that extends down to the wine tasting room in the lower level. The chandelier at the top of the staircase is also Dennis & Leen. The console table is from Dessinfournir.

One is quick to note the abundance of art – both traditional and contemporary – found in every room. While featured artists hail from around the globe, O’Brien tries to source most items from local galleries, such as Ruschman Fine Art and Editions Limited. Also evident is O’Brien’s use of myriad patterns within the same room. A hallmark of her style, she is quick to admit that many clients are apprehensive when presented with so much stylistic diversity, but that they become quick converts following the install. In the living room, varied patterns in unifying colorways are played out in fine silk, velvet, and bouclé.

Silk rugs over original cypress flooring adorn the floor in both the living and dining rooms. The latter was purchased in New York City. Simultaneously traditional and forward-looking, the wallpaper in the dining room from the Etched Damask Collection by David Goldberg Design Corporation was prepared by abrading a tinted aluminum veneer through a pattern framework. A hand-rubbed translucent stain further enhances the large-scale print. Both the dining table and chandelier are from Niermann Weeks.

The formal living room has a subtle circular theme, played out via the custom-made, ornate overmantle piece on one end of the room and a trio of circular windows with backlit alabaster above the entrance to the dining room on the opposite side. The sofas are Donghia; matching armchairs are from Marge Carson; Nancy Corzine and A. Rudin lounge chairs; Nancy Corzine floor lamps; and, Dessinfournir painted armoire. The painting to the left of the fireplace is by Polish artist, Emil Polit.

The kitchen is a gourmand’s dream, with double islands, a trio of colored wood finishes, and topnotch appliances. The kitchen is open to a comfortable hearth room and eat-in area with million-dollar views of the pool, lawn, and lake. Stairs lead to a pair of guest rooms in the lower level.

Donghia chairs surround a Niermann Weeks table in the dining room. A painting by Emil Polit is framed by silver-leafed columns. The silk rug was purchased in New York City.

At the opposite end of the gallery hall from the kitchen, a small vestibule with an inlaid medallion in the wood floor separates the entrance to the master suite from a newly added wing. The open arms of “Lyric,” a five-foot limited edition polished bronze sculpture by Corbin Bronze, provides a welcoming entrée to the restful space.

Whereas physical modifications to the master bedroom were limited to the addition of built-ins on either side of the fireplace, the master bath was completely overhauled. O’Brien pointed out that the original space was very “choppy,” with a run-of-the-mill tub and shower combo. “We ‘dolled up’ the existing header over the tub and added columns to create a vignette for the new freestanding tub,” she explained. A unique curved door that nearly reaches the apex of the groin vault ceiling gives prominence to the double shower. A delicate Fortuny silk pendant lamp casts a flattering glow. A similar light fixture can be found above the sitting area in the bedroom. The vanities were custom-made with a hand-leafed finish; natural shell tiles frame the mirrors.

A delicate silk Fortuny pendant is centered in the soaring ceiling of the renovated master bath. O’Brien gave emphasis to an existing header by adding columns to create a vignette for the new freestanding tub.

An enviable amount of closet space – meticulously constructed of cherry wood – was gained during the renovation and is separated from the bath by a vestibule with a mirrored Niermann Weeks chandelier. A “secret” door in the closet leads directly to the new study, which is gradually becoming a repository of treasured personal and professional mementos. Crafted by Conceptual Kitchens & Millwork, the built-in cabinetry includes seeded glass in the upper cabinets to match that on the French doors that lead to the room.

Conceptual Kitchens & Millwork is responsible for the fine cabinetry in the study. The partner’s desk is from Ebanista; the desk lamp is from Baker; the wing chairs are by Dessinfournir, and the coffee table is from Dennis & Leen.

A gallery finished with antique mirrors from Niermann Weeks inset into wood paneling marks the transition point between the original home and the new addition. Built-in shelving on one wall holds a collection of books and collectibles. O’Brien is a master at selecting functional pieces that do double duty as works of art, such as theatrical Rose Tarlow Grisaille side chairs on either side of a chinoiserie-style Rose Tarlow console.

Limestone and polished travertine laid in a zigzag pattern à la Missoni are found at the base of the newly built stair hall. Overhead is an iron orb chandelier from Iron Works. Stairs lead up to a guest suite and a large playroom and down directly into the three-room spa.

A wine tasting room is tucked under the base of the floating staircase in the lower level.

Laura Gordon faux painted the wall that spans from the main floor to the lower level in the stair hall. “I gave her a basic idea of what I was looking for, and she created something that looks like a giant fine art canvas,” said O’Brien. Tucked under the base of the gently curving staircase is a cozy wine tasting area, O’Brien’s favorite “room” and reminiscent of a VIP hideaway in a chic nightclub. The area is distinguished by a contemporary sectional and a pair of glass baluster tables by Wicker Works in the style of iconic Eames stools.

O’Brien designed a columned vignette to define the climate-controlled wine cellar.

O’Brien designed a columned vignette to define the climate-controlled wine cellar. The style of the adjacent formal bar was designed around a preexisting mirror. The focal point of the comfortable seating area is a quatrefoil armoire with antique mirror insets from Niermann Weeks.

Circular ceiling detail and a mosaic tile floor medallion define the entrance to the newly added recreation rooms. Stacked stone disguises utilitarian support columns. The game room serves as a repository for an impressive collection of sports memorabilia – all neatly organized by O’Brien on custom shelving. Slate tiles accented by mosaic glass insets adorn the walls. Stairs lead down into a large theatre room, which also encompasses a casual bar and seating area. The screen is centered within a paneled wall; a large kidney-shaped sofa is positioned in front for optimal viewing. At the push of a button, shades in the adjacent game room can be lowered to enhance the picture.

Design influences in each of the rooms represent a Grand Tour of sorts, pulling from Asian, European, and contemporary influences. Common among them is a luminosity applied by O’Brien using a deft hand. From the obvious – silver and gold leaf accents on trim work and antique mirrors – to the subtle – iridescent threads woven into the upholstery on the dining chairs and tiny silver sequins sewn into the simple linen drapery in the bedroom – no detail was left unattended in this French-inspired home.