Ed wanted to create a cozy urban space that offered flexibility and plenty of opportunity for entertaining family and friends. Throughout the 972 square-foot condo located at the corner of Woodland and E. High, functionality is married with modern aesthetics and family heirlooms.
One can imagine parties and conversation as lively as the furnishings in the great room. Guests will appreciate Ed’s skillful use of color and texture, mixing brighter hues like aqua and tangerine with sleek, neutral furnishings. Ed has also done a great job integrating modern furnishings with antiques. “The older furnishings have been in my family for years, and are special to me.” Ed grew up in Anchorage, just outside of Louisville, and has lived in Lexington since 1993.
An ornately carved antique organ is the showpiece of the room. It is bordered on either side by delightful overstuffed armchairs with a pattern of tropical birds. The aqua lacquered coffee table, chrome and glass end tables, and large wall mounted sculpture keep the eye moving about the room. The far end of the wall offers a wonderful view with floor-to-ceiling windows.
A cozy sitting area is located just off the kitchen, evoking images of warm conversations over coffee or tea. The crisp combination of black, white, and teal is effortlessly coordinated between the painted vases, wall-mounted china hutch, twin armchairs, pillows, and throw rug. The harmony of the graphic pattern on the chairs and vases and the floral pattern on the dinnerware and rug demonstrate that no detail goes unnoticed in Ed’s vision.
The masculine, streamlined kitchen features plenty of space for food preparation, coordinating granite countertops and backsplash, dark stained cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances from Pieratt’s.
Ed used the space above the cabinets to display an eclectic mix of antiques, curios, and two oversized wooden letters spelling his name. He also hung decorative signage in complimentary colors bearing the mottos “Work hard and Be Nice” and “The early bird gets the worm.” The countertops feature an integrated dual basin stainless steel sink, and Ed has added a dash of artistic flair to the space with abstract chrome sculptures from Global Views.
The masculine style of the kitchen is revisited in the modern bath. A large ebony-framed mirror is hung over an attractive dual-sink vanity accented in black granite and dark cabinetry. To balance the color scheme, Ed added neutral-toned tiles in the walk-in shower and a cream-colored shag rug. A chrome pop art sculpture of a Boston terrier lends a playful touch.
In the master suite, Ed opted for a more subdued color scheme, trading the bright colors for a monochromatic palette with a pair of tomato red throw pillows for balance. A Moorish-patterned area rug catches the eye, while two glossy end tables with coordinating lamps pull the relaxing room together. Double doors lead to a fabulous outdoor entertaining area, accented with a bold hounds tooth rug and casual outdoor furnishings. “It was important for me to tie the interior and exterior together,” he said. “The building itself is very sleek, with strong lines, but if you look outside, you’ll see homes that are a hundred years old. That’s what downtown is about –blending old and new.”
Ed suggests arranging furniture into conversation areas throughout the home. In his home there are four defined conversation areas, each set off by a different area rug.
The sitting area next to the window is perfect for a mid-morning cup of coffee, while the cozy hearth area is best for an evening glass of wine with a friend.
And finally, the outdoor space is great for warm nights under the stars before tucking into bed. •