FAMILY TIES

Interior designer Jacqueline Gilmore of Details brings her sister's dream home vision to life.

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Tony Bailey

Many of us have at least a general notion of what constitutes our dream home, either real or imagined; far fewer get to realize their powers of divination. So, when a realtor friend phoned the wife to say that a property she'd long pined for was on the market, she sprang into action. Boasting the exceptional bones of a Stratton Hammon design accentuated by a subsequent addition by architect Tim Winters, the homeowners had every intention of honoring both architects' work while infusing their youthful perspective, a whimsical mix of classic, couture, and clever.

Having grown up in a family involved in the interior design and construction business, the wife has a robust understanding of the process and her style. However, to get it just right, she called on someone who knows her best, her sister Jacqueline Gilmore of Details.

Reflective of their era, Stratton Hammon designs consist of segmented rooms for specific purposes. This "proper separation," as the wife calls it, is something she says appeals to her and that they've retained as the room-by-room renovation progresses. Also maintained are defining architectural elements, including transom windows and handsome trim work.

The mix of traditional and modern is introduced in the foyer, where a center hall tablescape incorporates classic blue and white porcelain and coffee table books covering myriad subjects. Surmounting an antique fauteuil armchair positioned near the entrance to the formal living room is a painting of a primate in posh attire, something the wife has owned for nearly two decades and shares in common with her sister's and parent's art collections.

Cheeky primate prints surmount an antique baronial-style chair in the foyer. Alberto two-tier gold leaf chandelier by Julie Neill.

The homeowners were married for a decade before their daughter was born, allowing them to travel frequently. As a result, art is a favorite souvenir, and an entire gallery-style wall is given over to their eclectic collection." It's a happy room," said the wife. Pale purple walls serve as the backdrop for furniture and accessories that are a beguiling mix of antique and modern, from the sculptural Cleo accent lamps by Kelly Wearstler atop the mantel to a pink shagreen upholstered ottoman cozied up to an antique chair passed down from the wife's grandmother, one of several family pieces in the home.

An antique chair is made modern with abstract upholstery and paired with a pink shagreen-upholstery footstool. The homeowners acquired several artworks on the gallery wall during their travels.

Proof that high design needn't be haughty look very closely at the room's sizeable white canvas hanging above a trestle table. Spurred on in small measure by liquid courage and using black lacquer paint and a mascara brush, the wife wrote, "You can't afford this" in one corner. Many years later, it still elicits smiles.

Two floor-to-ceiling summer windows separate the living room from a brick-floored sunporch. The porch's antique farmhouse table hails from the Paris flea market. Vintage Fortuny upholstery distinguishes French-style cane-back dining chairs. Kate Spade Leighton brass and glass sconces adorn the room's half pillars. Surrounding a vintage drum table procured from Arizona are comfy pieces upholstered in vintage tapestries.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the home, the built-ins of the study were refreshed with a coat of lacquered paint on the walls and ceiling, the color of which is perfectly suited to the equine-themed drapery from Osborne & Little. In addition, a reading nook was fashioned out of the room's closet, separated from one another via a full glass door to keep cozy from becoming claustrophobic. The study's Thomas O'Brien Osiris chandelier is a smaller version of the one in the family room.

Grounding the light-filled dining room is a Leopard Rose 2 rug from Stark; the feline feel repeats via the cat-eye shadows cast by a pair of Currey & Co. sconces mounted above a mirrored buffet. The room's sideboard is a vintage piece from Ralph Lauren, and the chandelier is from Niermann Weeks.

Grounding the light-filled dining room is a Leopard Rose 2 rug from Stark; the feline feel repeats via the cat-eye shadows cast by a pair of Currey & Co. sconces mounted above a mirrored buffet. The room's sideboard is a vintage piece from Ralph Lauren, and the chandelier is from Niermann Weeks.

The hub of family life, Jacqueline complemented the existing warm hues of the wood-paneled, double-height family room by selecting upholstery in leather and velvet, anchored by a Deerfield rug from stark.

A study in serenity, the focal point of the second-floor primary bedroom is the mantle, given a facelift by Classic Finishes, who dubbed the sleek sculptural finish "The Primrose." The bed's custom canopy with Schumacher trim is a treatment that Jacqueline said she'd wanted to do for a long time. Intermingled with the room's wheaten hues are ever-so-slight touches of blush that add warmth without going too "girly."Jacqueline layered on texture in this largely monochromatic space, including contrast welt on the armchairs and fringe on accent pillows of hand-painted Schumacher fabric.

The primary bath, taken down to the studs, presents the most contemporary face in the home. A tall walnut-reeded double vanity with brushed brass banding and a Carrara slab top is customdesigned and fabricated by Details to accommodate the husband's height. With an impermeable plaster treatment courtesy of Classic Finishes, the walls take on a sculptural quality and negate the need for tile on the shower walls, which would have cluttered the clean aesthetic. Leather-wrapped Arteriors sconces accentuate the custom mirrors. Brizo fixtures and heated floors add to the spa-like aura.

Richard Buckler designed the reeded walnut double vanity in the primary bath. Brizo fixtures, custom mirror and Arteriors sconces.

The previous closet allocated to the primary suite needed to be more robust for a more than 7,000-square-foot home. To maintain the original footprint, a den just down the hall from the primary bedroom was converted into a dream closet, designed by Richard Buckler, the wife's father, and custom-fabricated by the team at Details. Utilizing a mix of closed and glass-door cabinets, Richard created a place for everything, including a stacked washer and dryer, hampers, and drying racks to keep clutter at bay. "We like everything to look pretty," said Jacqueline. Illuminating the space above the antique mirror-topped island is a sculpted chandelier from AERIN, a piece Jacqueline had stashed away in her burgeoning idea file while she awaited the perfect placement.

Located near the primary suite, the nursery's design belies that this is the domain of a toddler. An acrylic crib visually floats beneath a celadon-colored ceiling. The room's oversized circular ottoman, sporting flocked velvet from Christian Lacroix for Osbourne & Little, and Samuel & Sons trim, is far superior to Miss Muffet's tuffet. Luxe details include drapery with tassels on each pleat and an on-trend accent pillow of Schumacher's Jokhang Tiger velvet. "I grew up knowing what great design means, and my daughter will too," said the wife.