Story by Amelia Bowen
Photography by Kristen Mayfield
Nearly 8,000 square feet leaves plenty of room to make a statement. At 1211 Drakes Ridge, however, the most memorable moments are often found in the details. A watercolor landscape stretches across the walls of a serene primary bedroom. Rich plaid envelops a hidden bourbon room. Seventeen different wallpapers appear throughout the home, ranging from sophisticated and subdued to playfully unexpected. Elsewhere, natural stone, warm woodwork, saturated earth tones and carefully repeated architectural details quietly connect one space to the next. Located within Olde Stone, the expansive custom home was brought to life through a close collaboration between homeowners, builder David Akins of Akins Construction, interior designer Tara Coomer of Coomer & Co. and architect Kelly Schlenker. From the earliest floor plans through the final furnishings, the team approached the home not simply as a collection of beautiful rooms but as one complete story. “We want every room to have its own identity and personality while still feeling like it belongs to the same story,” Tara says. That balance became particularly important in a home of this scale. The homeowners wanted something classic with flair and personality, with plenty of room to entertain while remaining comfortable, functional and livable. Tara describes the result with a phrase Coomer & Co. returns to often: “livable lux.” “There was never a central inspiration as much as there was a feeling of warmth and comfortability,” she says. “We wanted to create spaces that while looking high end also felt as though you could really put your feet up.” For David, whose Akins Construction has been building custom homes since 1999, bringing that vision to life meant balancing the many moving pieces behind a nearly 8,000-squarefoot custom home. Coordinating subcontractors, suppliers, specialty features and intricate details required careful communication and scheduling throughout construction. “Working closely with architect Kelly Schlenker, Coomer & Co. and the homeowners throughout the construction process helped bring the design to life and the collaboration among the entire team was an important part of the project’s success,” David says. The great room and adjoining kitchen offer perhaps the clearest expression of that collaboration. Soaring ceilings give the living space its dramatic scale, while custom-designed beams and brackets extend onto the walls to bring warmth and intimacy to the room. A custom sofa from Bowling Green Home Furnishings faces the fireplace, while swivel chairs allow conversation to flow easily between the living and kitchen spaces. In the kitchen, beauty had to work just as hard as function. Coomer & Co. collaborated with Creative Wood Designs on cabinetry that gives everyday essentials a designated place while maintaining a clean visual line. An oversized island is softened by subtle curves and Calacatta Avalon natural stone from Sugar Grove Marble provides the movement and elegance of marble with greater durability for daily use. Behind the scenes, the adjoining scullery allows the main kitchen to remain polished while the more utilitarian necessities are tucked away. Even details that appear effortless required extensive planning. The kitchen beams were adjusted so the island pendants could be integrated directly into them and positioned precisely over the island. “What may appear to be a simple architectural detail actually required careful planning, coordination and collaboration between multiple trades,” Tara says. “There are countless decisions like this throughout a home, each requiring thought, problem-solving and an understanding of how one element affects another.” That attention continues into the quieter corners of the house. The primary bedroom pairs a romantic canopy bed with a watercolor landscape mural wrapping the room in a soft, resort-like atmosphere. A handpainted mural by Heather Morrison transforms the elevator vestibule into an artistic moment of its own. In the craft room, butterfly wallpaper introduces whimsy, while a floral pattern completely envelops an upstairs guest bedroom. Color appears confidently throughout but rarely loudly. Tara describes the palette as colorful but muted, using sophisticated tones and earth-based jewel colors to give the home personality while maintaining cohesion. In a bar just off the foyer, an arresting auburn creates a saturated, intimate atmosphere. A floating onyx countertop in the powder room provides another unexpected design moment. Then there are the spaces that reveal just how personal a custom home can become. A hidden bourbon room wrapped in dark plaid wallpaper offers a masculine, intimate retreat. Downstairs, a golf simulator, fitness room and lounge introduce spaces designed specifically around the homeowners’ lifestyle. The lounge takes on what Tara describes as a cooler, “swankier” personality, while a custom wood feature in the fitness room coordinates with wood elements appearing elsewhere in the home. For David, the study is a particular favorite. Its coffered wood ceiling, beams, detailed wall treatments and built-in cabinetry showcase the craftsmanship that defines the project. “While the study stands out to me for its craftsmanship, every room in the home has its own unique characteristics and details that make it special,” he says. The same thoughtfulness extends beyond the walls. Stone used on the outdoor fireplace repeats the material found on the front exterior and foyer accent wall, while a stained tongue-and-groove ceiling echoes wood details inside. Furnishings transform the outdoor areas into true living spaces rather than an afterthought, creating what Tara envisioned as an elevated place for dining, lounging and gathering. “Our goal with the outdoor living spaces was to create a seamless extension of the home’s interior,” Tara says. “Ultimately, we wanted these spaces to evoke the feeling of being away on vacation while enjoying all the comforts of home.” Approximately 95 percent of the furnishings throughout the residence were sourced through Bowling Green Home Furnishings, allowing Coomer & Co. to carry the design vision through the final layers of furniture and accessories. But for Tara, the finished home is ultimately the product of something less tangible than any individual selection. Trust. From the homeowners allowing the team creative freedom to the ongoing collaboration among designer, architect, builder and tradespeople, that trust made room for ideas to evolve throughout construction. Some spaces were even discovered and put to use during the framing stage. “I think this home is a wonderful example of what can happen when there is a shared vision and genuine trust between the homeowner, designer and entire construction team,” Tara says. Visitors had the opportunity to experience the completed home during Parade of Homes, where Tara repeatedly heard a response that affirmed what the team had set out to achieve: despite its scale and sophistication, the house felt cozy. For David, it is that combination of individuality, craftsmanship and thoughtful design that makes 1211 Drakes Ridge stand out beyond its square footage or impressive list of amenities For Tara, it comes back to the story. “The fact that each space feels like its own,” she says, “all while being a part of the universe that is the house as a whole.”
VENDOR & SPONSOR LIST
Builder: Akins Construction Inc.
Exterior
Roof: Professional Exteriors
Masonry & Accents: Lee Masonry
Siding: Jiles Ritchie / Professional Exteriors
Windows & Doors: Pella Windows
Porches & Sidewalks: Brad Perry / Lindell Crete Construction
Exterior Lighting: Hearth Appliance Sales / St. James Lighting
Exterior Roller Shades: Kentucky Shade & Screen
Outdoor Furniture: Bowling Green Home Furnishings
Landscape Architecture: K Wisdom Designs/Consulting
Landscaping, Irrigation & Sod: Custom Cut / Mark Booth
Interior
Elevator: Transitions
Flooring: Just Tile It
Hardwood Installation: Sullivan Hardwood Flooring
Ceramic Tile: Just Tile It
Paint: Sherwin-Williams
Wallcovering Installation: Jeff Whitson
Interior Doors: Wholesale Hardwoods
Door Hardware: EMTEK / Wholesale Hardwoods
Interior Trim: Wholesale Hardwoods / Innovative Construction
Interior Rails: James Chaney / Wrought Iron Concepts
Cabinetry: Creative Wood Designs
Countertops: Sugar Grove Marble
Appliances & Plumbing Fixtures: Ferguson Home
Interior Lighting: Winlectric
Shower Enclosures & Mirrors: Kentucky Mirror & Glass
Fireplaces: Hearth Appliance Sales
Custom Living Room Fireplace: Jeff Osborne Design
Closets: Creative Wood Designs / Innovative Construction
Audio/Video & Home Theater: Bluegrass Audio
Golf Simulator: TrackMan
Window Treatments: Drapery Nation
Custom Mural & Art: Heather Morrison
Furniture: Bowling Green Home Furnishings
Interior Design: Tara Coomer / Coomer & Co. Interior Design
Architecture: Kelly Schlenker, AIA / Flourish Architecture & Design PLLC