When John and Pam Carroll tore down their existing house in Kenwood in 2019 to build a new home, they were searching for simplicity and elegance. They wanted something classic and timeless yet fresh and now, both in terms of architecture and furnishings. The couple craved clean lines, light and airy furnishings, and an open layout that provided plenty of space for entertaining. They got all of that and more.
“The home turned out beautifully,” says Shannon Conley, designer with Designs on Madison. “We did a black and gold finish on a lot of the pieces in the main living space. The kitchen is a mix of cabinetry colors. Plus, there’s a huge black island and black framing on white cabinetry in the kitchen. That geared us towards a certain aesthetic.”
The window treatments in the great room are simple and sleek, in fabrics that closely match the wall color. “We were looking to get that texture and warmth in the space. It’s acoustically so nice because it absorbs some sound. They also frame the windows that provide a spectacular view,” explains Conley. “The window treatments are light in color, but they have a beautiful leading edge that is distinctive and helps pull in the color that is added to the space.”
Though she recognized the importance of keeping big pieces neutral, she delicately sprinkled in pops of color throughout the home.
“You’ve got to give people things to rest their eyes on,” says Conley, who not only infused artwork, textures and accessories into the home but also the right kind of lighting, which she calls “art all its own.”
Conley also incorporated rugs to add interest and flair. For instance, the study has a black grasscloth wall, complete with an artistic black-and-white photograph that sits behind the desk. The warm-colored rug with a black design that looks like paint poured on a canvas adds to the art of the space.
The owners – who entertain frequently – have three grown children, two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and a Golden Retriever, so they needed a home that was both comfortable and practical.
“Our kitchen designer, Kelly Fanta, did a fantastic job with the layout of the kitchen and the cabinetry in terms of determining the color scheme to delineate the kitchen area from the wet bar area, all of which share the same wall – something the homeowners were interested in getting out of the space,” Conley notes.
In the great room, the fireplace has a product on it called Dekton, a new ultracompact surface of Cosentino. A highly versatile and sturdy material composed of porcelain, glass and quartz, it can be cut thinner so that it can lay on a wall, taking the look of concrete or marble. The fireplace wall has grasscloth wallpaper, along with some floating cabinetry on either side of it.
“Again, we wanted to keep it simple and avoid built-in shelving where everything needed to be accessorized,” says Conley.
A bonus for outdoor entertaining: The home includes a covered deck with a built-in grill, table, sitting area and fireplace, with motorized screens that can be closed to keep the area bug-free.
Designs on Madison is located at 1743 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206. For more information, call 513.321.0545 or visit www.designsonmadison.com.