Colonial Revived
Rick and Mo Mitchell’s hands-on renovation Written by Bridget Williams Photography by Eric Williams
As part of the renovation, the L-shaped home became a “U” with the addition of a master suite with his and her bathrooms and a second garage.
There are doers and those who like to have things done for them. Rick and Mo Mitchell fall squarely into the first category. Having lived in some of Louisville’s most notable and historic homes, this dynamic duo relishes in a “hands-on” approach to putting their personal touch on each. Their current residence, a 1940s-era Colonial Revival style, sits on an enviable five and a half acres with some 200 feet of frontage on Harrods Creek. Desiring a smaller residence than their previous home in Glenview, John Stough of Kentucky Select directed them to several “tiny houses” that would require less upkeep. Pulling up to the L-shaped home, nestled into the mature trees at the end of a cul-de-sac, they knew that they were on to something. Charming as it was, Rick was sold as soon as he spied the original heart pine floors. 68 slmag.net
Soon after closing, the couple called in architect Tim Winters, who set about drafting plans that would allow the home to function in a manner that best suited the Mitchells’ lifestyle. The “L” became a “U” with the addition of a master suite with his and her bathrooms, as well as a second garage. The courtyard created by the new footprint provided an ideal site for placement of a formal garden; Rick and Mo provided more than 200 photographs and pages torn from magazines to landscape designer (and Executive Director of Yew Dell Gardens) Paul Cappiello to serve as inspiration. Located behind the painted custom-built open lattice fence is a simple but elegant arrangement of carefully manicured hedged boxwoods in raised brick planter beds separated by pea gravel paths. Three new patios were added, comprised when possible of flagstone moved from other areas during the renovation.
