It is easy to fill a house with furniture and personal items, or perhaps to hang drapes or wallpaper in a room to give it an added personal touch. It is difficult to take basic interior design and add another layer of customization that will flow seamlessly throughout the space. It goes beyond paint, carpet and furniture in a room. It requires skill, a deep knowledge of design and an incredible attention to detail, no matter how minute it seems.
Lee W. Robinson has created a masterpiece with his latest home project in Louisville, Kentucky. Upon first glance of this home, it is majestic, located on a beautiful historic piece of property surrounded by woods near the Ohio River.
This Kentucky home was designed by Lee W. Robinson. Image: Lee W. Robinson Company
Upon entering the front door, the sight line is focused directly ahead to the magnificent view of the backyard. The room is large and airy, with your attention captured by the cool colors of silver, gray, celadon and white in this color palette. The color scheme is decidedly neutral, but the use of multiple textures adds an overlay of modern elegance. Further attention is required in each room, allowing the viewer to absorb all that was intended in the creation of the space.
A clean, crisp and elegant foyer features gray and white marble floors and celedon and silver leaf chevron wallpaper by Mary McDonald. The effect makes the entire room light and reflective.
A view from the front door takes the eye directly to the large arched windows in the back of the house, showing the beautiful land outside.
Robinson custom designed this floor, using gray and white rather than the classic black and white marble. He wanted to create a more modern look with the muted colors.
The staircase curves upward in grand fashion along the wall. The chandelier is restrained and graceful in appearance.
The eagle table by Thom Filicia is a Georgian-inspired piece. The eagle was formerly gold, and Thom painted it the muted gray.
Look closely at the decorative pieces on the end of each rail on the staircase. They are actually antique salt and pepper shakers.
This mirror is a Queen Anne design with églomisé background. Églomisé is where paint or silver leaf is applied to the back of the glass to give it a unique look. The chair has a Mary McDonald python fabric.
The hallway that transects the living room and the foyer is a mirror image, literally. On opposing ends of the long hallway are antique mirrors accompanied by alabaster urns. The gray and white marble floor from the foyer is continued through this space, as is the wallpaper, offering a concentrated look at both, while also acting as a smooth transition between rooms.
Antique mirrors are at either end of this long hallway, accompanied by alabaster urns that light up, creating a dramatic effect at night.
Antique mirrors are on either end of this long hallway. Lead rosettes were hand glued to the mirror squares.
The marble floor is custom designed. Robinson used nickel schluter strips between the marble to create a shiny accent. Schluter strips are used while laying ceramic and stone tile and then removed. Robinson left them in as a design element.
The nickel square in the center was created by a local jeweler.
Just off the foyer is a large dining room that’s unassuming at first glance, but actually has many latent details. There are many ways to add additional seating that are not noticeable at first. This large table has leaves that pull out for additional dining possibilities. Notable in this room are the two custom-made banquette chairs that are along the wall. Smaller tables can be pulled up to these chairs to offer a cozy booth for guests, with additional chairs added to the other side of the table. Another subtle detail is the mirror-backed wainscoting around the lower half of the chair rail, also custom designed. The mirrored backing creates the illusion of space and gives off light to the entire room.
The dining room is grand and made even grander by the creative additional seating. Muted grays enhance the room.
There are two custom banquettes in the dining room designed by Robinson. Tables are pulled up to make a cozy nook for extra seating.
Drapes in the dining room have individual tassel finishes.
The dining room wallpaper is custom made by Stark of silver leaf. It is made to resemble unfolded origami.
Julep cups from over the years are on display in the dining room. Note the mirror-backed wainscoting around the room that was custom designed by Robinson.
Adjacent to the dining room is a small but grand butler’s pantry. Robinson designed the cabinetry to best profile the beautiful serving pieces. This room is completely functional, with a sink and additional oven.
The butler’s pantry off the dining room is an alcove of natural light with a front-facing window.
The butler’s pantry showcases beautiful serving pieces and china with custom cabinetry.
Custom-made cabinet doors
Beautiful china and serving pieces
The living room is a great mix of old and new, with the owner’s antiques passed down in the family joined with modern furniture. Across the top of the room is mirror-backed crown molding, reminiscent of the mirror-backed wainscoting in the dining room. While the room is painted a neutral cream color, the fabrics are accentuated with aqua and coral, making for a bright and sunny space.
Aqua and coral punctuate this light and sunny room.
Quatrefoil chair by Suzanne Kasler in aqua with coral accents
Mixing of chinoiserie fabric with Greek key in similar colors ties everything together.
The living room blends new modern furniture with family antiques in a seamless way.
The heart of the house is always the kitchen, and in this case, the great room. This white sparkling kitchen has gray nailhead stools at the island, and the gray color segues neatly into the great room with the sofa. Pops of yellow are found throughout this space, from the fresh flowers in the kitchen to the drapes in the great room. Also prevalent and pervasive is the Greek key pattern, which is found throughout the house and picked up in various places. There is a living area in the great room as well as another cozy table for dining.
Sparkling white kitchen with gray nailhead stools at the kitchen island
The view into the great room showcases the large wall of bookcases, a fireplace and seating. The ceilings are all raised with exposed beams throughout.
This is the view back toward the kitchen showing the gray sofa, gray carpet and pops of yellow on the window treatments. There is no lack of light in this area, with windows in the ceiling as well.
Yellow Greek key fabric added to the bottom of the sofa brings in the color and the design that is layered through the entire room and home.
Greek key continued on the arms of the chair
View to the informal dining area
The homeowners love wine and wanted a great bar in their house for all of their entertaining needs. They created an indoor wine cellar and bar all in one space and all behind glass, showcasing their magnificent collection. As true Kentuckians, their bourbon selection is top notch as well.
View of the impressive wine cellar selection
Intricate glass handles to the wine cellar
The cellar is filled with wonderful wines.
Lower cabinets are custom designed with nailheads that were attached by hand to the lacquer cabinets. The upper cabinets are all stainless steel.
This is wallpaper made to look like reclaimed wood.
The powder room located off the main hallway is a jewel box, layered with fine details and ornate decor. Robinson has made what is just a vanity and mirror into a work of art. Directly on the wall behind the vanity is a large mirror. He placed another decorative mirror on top of the large mirror, adding depth and light to the small space. Around the vanity are luxurious fabric treatments, making the room cozy and contained as well. The color palette of celadon and gray with Greek key designs is continued in this room.
The bathroom vanity is made into its own vignette with multiple textures and layers.
Hanging a mirror … on top of a larger mirror.
Side mirror drapes are shagreeen fabric with chain link edges.
We saved the best room for last: the study. With the house full of a neutral and elegant color palette, this room breaks from the continuum. It is a spectacular vision in navy. The navy paint was custom made (and Robinson’s secret) to look like navy patent leather. The navy velvet sofa and other fabrics all blend together in a sensory fusion that is completely luxurious. Gold accents and furniture by Celerie Kemble complete the look. This is a room perfect for retreating with a book or a glass of wine (from the wine cellar), all day if possible.
The signature room of the house is this study, painted in a custom-made navy paint. Image: Lee W. Robinson Company.
Bookcases here are by Celerie Kemble.
The vibrance of the navy patent leather shine of the walls blends with the velvet navy couch.
The Lee W. Robinson Company is located at 211 Clover Lane, Louisville, KY 40207. You can reach him by phone at 502-895-1401 or via email at [email protected].
All photography (unless otherwise noted) by Christine Mueller Photography.
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