Tour of Homes: Atherton Carriage House

It may be hard to imagine that this stunning, spacious home was once simply a carriage house for the Arden estate. This beautiful structure served to house Jersey cattle, horses, Packard cars and the family’s chauffeurs until its renovation in 1952 – it was even featured in Carriage Houses of Louisville Since then, The Aetherton Carriage House has served as a private residence – and it is currently for sale.

The property has been lovingly updated by an industry-leading architect and designer to mix modern convenience while honoring its history. The unique character of the home’s exterior is mirrored throughout the design with geometrically-inspired elements; from the original exposed beams to the limestone fireplace in the living room, the home perfectly marries is past and a more contemporary outlook.

The home’s numerous windows bring tons of character and natural lighting. The arched windows in the formal sitting room are an absolute showstopper, and one of the home’s most interesting architectural elements. Upstairs, the primary suite is a light, bright sanctuary. The multi-level sitting area features large built-ins and a cozy reading loft. The glass doors were originally in the Seelbach Hotel. Also on the second floor is a kids’ bunk room and play area, as well as a spare bedroom.

As an interesting counter balance to that lightness, the mudroom, spare bedroom and portions of the office area are painted with deep jewel tones that pick up on the colors of the exterior. This anchors the interior as a part of the stunning whole.

photos by Tim Furlong, Jr.

The spacious eat-in kitchen effortlessly blends the home’s beautiful history and its future. The clean, contemporary lines are offset by materials inspired by nature. Dual islands and abundant counter space offer room for entertaining, cooking and celebrating as a family. Top-of-the-line Thermador stainless steel appliances are a chef’s dream, offering all the “wishlist” qualities a buyer in 2023 would want.

The windowed prep area connects to the dining room. Just off of the kitchen, the formal sitting area offers access to the outdoor veranda overlooking the sweeping backyard, which backs up to a large tract of land that is protected by a conservation easement.

did you know?

Peter Lee Aetherton (18621939) was a Louisville-based businessman, property developer, investor and politician. A fourth-generation whiskey distiller, the “Father of the Jackson Highway” was a vocal opponent of prohibition. Aetherton ran the Seelbach Realty Company, which owned and leased the Seelbach Hotel at the time.