Looking Up

Written By Megin Potter

Photos by Randall Perry Photography

A Victorian home renovation affords classic comfort by tying together the old with the new.

Victorian homes are loaded with lots of detailed woodwork and odd-shaped spaces, so to the modern family, they tend to feel more regal, than comfortable, more elegant, than easy to live in.

When Colleen Coleman, Principal Interior Designer of CMC Design Studio LLC, was brought in as the interior designer on the remodel project in 2018, substantial reconstruction on the property had already been underway by Courtney Enterprises, as directed by the homeowner’s architect, Phinney Design Group.

“The architects did a beautiful job redesigning the space. My job was to take those spaces and bring them back to life,” she said.

Uprooting the Kitchen

Originally built in 1883, the now six-bedroom, five-bath, 4,439 sq. ft. home has been preserved in a way that makes sense for Colleen’s clients, John and Michelle.

“In listening to my clients and working through what is important to them, they are the ones who design their spaces, I am the one who facilitates their dream into a reality!”

Previous owners had used the building as both a private residence and a dentist’s office. Two additions were built on in the early 1900s, moving the kitchen each time.

Now, the kitchen has been returned to the center of the house, making it convenient for entertaining, as is the impressive butler’s pantry that leads up to it, housing Michelle’s large collection of dishware.

True Blue

Queen Victoria herself would’ve likely approved of the Oval Room Blue paint chosen for the cabinetry, a hue selected from the Farrow & Ball Collection.

It’s a color Colleen knew her clients would appreciate, as is the library ladder that Michelle dreamed of installing in her kitchen one day.

“It was a simple request that set the tone for the whole kitchen,” said Colleen.

“The ladder can be easily rolled to reach the high storage or display cabinets, even down the hallway to the den where an additional rail was installed!”

To retain the essence of a Victorian kitchen, the modern refrigerator was hidden behind panels, disguised as French cabinet doors with three lower drawers.

Celestial Ceilings

Throughout the first floor of this three-story home, the ceilings take center stage.

In the kitchen, a metal beam is hidden within a circular display of coffers. Colleen created the ceiling detail by combining three different heights of beams to create a sphere unbroken above the semi-formal dining area of the home.

The substantial brass light fixture above the table carries the eye upward without appearing too heavy or impeding the view of the garden beyond.

Replicating History

Historical homes are filled with the history of past occupants.

Colleen played off some of these historical elements, as in the new vent hood above the kitchen range, which mirrors the lines of the vintage fireplace insert in the semi-formal dining area.

The kitchen windows were designed by Colleen and manufactured by Marvin Windows. By replicating the ratio of the historical parlor windows, they appear as if they are original to the home, accurately enough to have been approved by the Design Review Commission of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Using the same ratio, Colleen designed the upper glass fronted kitchen cabinet and butler pantry doors.

They also synchronize with the windows in the game room. Here, Colleen secured an authentic gaming table which once resided at the Saratoga Casino, taking center stage while being surrounded by chairs that will keep you playing for hours!

A watercolor of the Casino (not shown), purchased at Minnie Bolster’s estate sale, overlooks the table that once dwelt within.

The wonderfully refurbished wainscot, originally a dark oak, was dismantled by the builders and skillfully remastered within the kitchen and butler’s pantry (as were the columns framing the fireplace in the den). They fit so naturally into their new location, it’s as if they’d always been there.

Do No Harm to the Charm

The golden rule to a historical renovation is to make mindful choices.

When working in a home that’s been changed significantly by past inhabitants, a remodel can often turn into a "remuddle.”

Rather than trying to erase the past, Colleen capitalized on the elements each owner brought to the home.

The once golden-topped, faux-painted Corinthian columns were painted white instead of being removed altogether. Likewise, the layers of crown molding were painted to blend in with the tray ceilings (that were added to incorporate plumbing and electrical components), allowing your eye to focus on the updated light fixtures surrounded quietly by the home’s old-world charm.

Purposeful Design

Also in the parlor, the soothing symmetry of the ceiling is accentuated by the gracefully installed custom drapery and cornice boards. Majestically, they weave in and out of the window seat area, reflecting the columns at the entry to the room.

In the adjoining music room, the cornice boards gently move to the sound of a symphony being played. Colleen said she found inspiration in researching famous opera houses throughout the country and in Europe.

Color and pattern have a huge part to play in the front stairway, where the large, modern floral printed wallcovering by Thibaut carries in the darker greens and charcoals from the exterior of the home. It also serves to lighten up the entry in an effort to retain the original dark oak, patinaed wainscot and staircase.

Crafting Comfort

Without sacrificing its past, this Victorian is now a very personal reflection of the current homeowners.

“It was very dark. It had a neat look, but, boy, was it dark! We were concerned that even after the renovation, the Victorian wasn't going to feel like a comfy, cozy home," said John.

"With all the design choices that Colleen helped with, the feel has totally changed - it has become a very comfortable and beautiful home."