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.

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.

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.

With the new floor plan established, the homeowners called on interior designer Lee Robinson of the Lee W. Robinson Company to help them convey a feeling of bucolic gentility throughout the interior. With the exception of the treasured heart pine floors, everything is new. A textural straw-colored grass cloth paper graces the foyer and stair hall. Just inside the door is a small hallway that leads to a half bath and a fully-equipped butler’s pantry. Once the home’s original kitchen, the compact space boasts 100-year-old heart pine floors that Rick selected to complement the existing wood flooring elsewhere. The existing cabinets were painted black, and granite countertops and stainless steel appliances were added. An original built-in corner cabinet with glass doors is used to store china. In keeping with the theme, the wall covering sports images of a foxhunt.

A stone and brick hearth is the focal point of the breakfast room, which separates the new kitchen addition from the butler’s pantry. Robinson steered the couple in their selection of a painted beadboard wall covering (also repeated on the kitchen walls) and anchored the seating area with a bound sisal rug. French doors separate this room from Mo’s home office, which served as the previous owners’ master bedroom.

As a couple who enjoys cooking, the Mitchells were very involved in the design and layout of the spacious kitchen. A vaulted ceiling and two sets of French doors lead to a flagstone patio and herb garden enclosed by the same open lattice fence as found in the front. Tommy Goodman spent an entire summer building the fence, even calling in his wife and son as needed to help out. Once it was installed, Mo took on the backbreaking work of painting all of it. Chippendale teak furniture on the patio is centered in front of a towering stone fireplace. Rick built the raised planting beds from cedar; walkways between the beds are bluestone repurposed from a portion of the driveway that was moved.

The dining room and living rooms remain in their original locations. For the former, Robinson selected a matching hunt-style red toile for the wallpaper and drapery. The latter displays an impressive collection of family and found antiques. “When I first saw the [living] room I was surprised by how large it was,” said Mo. “We were concerned that our antiques would be too formal, but Lee helped us with creative furniture placement and the room really came together.” Mo rolled up her sleeves once again in this room, where she painted the backs of the built-in bookcases black.

Arguably the most dramatic room, in terms of visual impact and transformation, is what the Mitchells’ call “the green room.” In its previous life, it was a haphazardly enclosed screened porch with a flagstone floor and a pair of eight-pane arched windows between the sets of French doors; the previous owners had replaced the windowpanes with mirrors. The Mitchells presented Robinson with a photograph of a room in an old English home torn from a magazine and asked him to recreate that feeling in this room. To their amazement, he immediately set about sketching the moldings, built-ins, and fireplace. He added mirrored transoms above doors and selected a deeply saturated green color for the walls. Chris Duffy was responsible for the patinated finish. A number of design elements - from the horn chandelier to the zebra hide rug – create the feeling of a refined sportsmen’s retreat.

Winters helped create the feeling of a private sanctuary in the master wing by creating a small vestibule with doors that close off the area from the rest of the home. Pocket doors separate Rick’s home office from the bedroom. Spring green faux bois wallpaper and bright white bead board on the vaulted ceiling in the bedroom invigorate the light-filled space.

His and her bathrooms were at the top of the “must-have” list prior to the start of the renovation and each reflects distinct design sensibilities. Carerra marble and pink and green toile wallpaper define her bath, while stone floors inspired by the men’s bathroom in the lobby of the Cloister on Sea Island, one of Rick’s favorite resorts, set the tone for his.

On the second floor are two large bedroom suites that are surprising in size for a home of this era. Thankfully so as the couple spent most of their time there during construction. Duffy created a sky blue strie-type effect in one of the rooms that boasted a closet so large they were able to carve a small workout room out of it. The second guest bedroom holds a pair of twin beds, as well as Mo’s hope that someday she might find grandchildren jumping up and down on them. A sure sign, no doubt, that this home is a keeper.