Period, with an Exclamation Point

Imbued with joie de vivre, interior designer Glenda Yascone’s ever-evolving Old Louisville home is a bold labor of love.

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Andrew Kung

On the drive to church each weekend with her family as a young girl, Glenda Yascone remembers being particularly drawn to a handsome three-story brick home in Old Louisville, which at that time was serving as an out-in-the-open brothel. “The ladies would be out on the second-floor balcony advertising their services,” she recalled with a chuckle.

As a child with a keen interest in architecture, interior design, and property management, Glenda was undoubtedly born into the right family. She remarked that her grandmother owned no less than 23 properties. With her stepfather’s encouragement, Glenda would share her thoughts about design and renovation decisions related to the family’s real estate portfolio. “My stepfather taught me the importance of editing, in terms of both your personal style and in interiors,” said Glenda. She added that his advice persists in the form of a plethora of mirrors in her current home so that with every glance, you can adjust an ensemble accordingly. In addition to working as an interior designer under the umbrella of Yascone Enterprises, Glenda and her three daughters—Faith, Joy, and Love— own and manage 11 Airbnb properties.

Homeowner and Interior Designer Glenda Yascone

Glenda acquired the home she shares with her husband Richard two decades ago; at the time, her father told her she was making a big mistake. Although the interior had been stripped of most of its original woodwork and fireplace mantels and subdivided into five apartments, Glenda wasn't deterred and purchased the 3,400-square-foot home. She beams with pride, recalling the "attagirl" from her father to recognize her tenacity and tireless work ethic related to the project.

Cozy seating areas take advantage of landscaped areas on all four sides of the home. On the right side is what Glenda refers to as “the frog sanctuary.” With seating for two and a smattering of polliwog statuary, rumor has it that a dating couple who spends time here will get married in short order. “I can’t tell you how many times at parties they’ll be a line of couples waiting their turn to have a seat there,” Glenda explained.

Each of the bushes and trees planted in the front yard bears the name of a loved one. However, the backyard sanctuary is where Glenda finds her true refuge. Enclosed on two sides by a tall brick wall with a two-story carriage house at the rear, at the end of a long day, Glenda said she needs just five minutes in the space before the weight of the day slowly lifts from her shoulders. The sound of water from both a koi pond and a trio of lion fountains lining the perimeter of a lap pool erase the sounds of the city. “We can’t always wait for a vacation, so it’s important to create something that provides a sense of escape at home,” said Glenda of one of her overarching interior design principles.

Walking through the front door, you immediately know you’ve entered the home of a consummate collector. Cut glass, polished silver, delicate china, candelabras, and even teddy bears are part of the treasure trove that intermingles with period antiques. Textured plaster walls and trim boast iridescent paint that is particularly stunning at night. Glenda is a lover of holiday decorating, and hints of seasonal sparkle that stay up year-round reflect her illuminating personality.

A breakfast nook, sauna room, and family room are newer additions to the Victorian-era home. In addition to the handsome built-in cabinetry and marble floor, what’s most noticeable about the family room are its seven polished brass chandeliers with crystal baubles. The reason, Glenda explains, is that she always wanted a ballroom, so all she has to do is remove the furniture and voilà, there’s plenty of room for dancing the night away.

This article serves as a swan song of sorts for this phase of the home’s life as Glenda is just weeks away from embarking on a significant renovation that will double the size of the kitchen, among other upgrades. What isn’t changing is her advocating for Old Louisville living, evidenced by her purchase and renovation of several homes in the area. Once a house goes up for sale on her street, you’ll likely find her picking up trash to ensure everything looks tip-top for potential buyers, making it easy to understand why her daughters call her “Glenda the Good”!