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Home for the Holidays



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Story by Angela Reeves | Photography by Alan Hudson

Laura Lee Childers, an independent designer and owner of Laura Lee Interior Design, had the privilege of helping Donna Kay and Chris Minnich design, build and furnish their custom home in Olde Stone. Laura Lee’s focus is new construction, and she loves working with clients from the early stages of planning and drawing with an architect and seeing it through construction and ending with furnishings and interior touches. “Every inch of this home was custom, truly from paper to ground. We worked together with the architect, who also ended up over seeing the build,” said Laura. “It was so much fun!”

Donna Kay knew what she was looking for with a simple and clean feel yet adding a more modern touch than their previous home and allowed for creative freedom by the architect and Laura Lee. “She was true to her vision from beginning to end, and we ended with an absolutely amazing home!” said Laura. The common theme was black and white...very classic. Every room, including five bedrooms, was given some variety of black and white. With six bathrooms, finding different versions of black and white tile became a little difficult, but they were able to add splashes of gray or navy and each took on a life of their own!

From conception to completion, this was a long project, packed with so many amazing details: The front doors and foyer sconces are two stunning touches and the timbers and unique floating steps through all three levels are truly one of a kind. To possibly top it all, the view from the master tub is breathtaking.

As soon as Thanksgiving is over, it seems like every weekend and some weeknights the Minnichs have something festive going on at their home, in past years inviting family and friends for the holiday and enjoying hosting neighborhood gatherings. Although that will be different this year, the Christmas music, lights, and smell of pine around the house will keep them in the spirit!

Donna Kay’s decorations are modern but inviting. “I want it to feel festive, without being over the top,” she said. On one tree every year she uses decorations the girls have made or collected from school, friend exchanges, camp, or special events throughout the year. The girl’s bedrooms decorations are reflective of their own personalities or what they are interested in that year, which is a special touch they enjoy. No matter what the Christmas decor throughout the house is, they have their own unique tree.

BUILDER: Graf Studio
TILE: Just Tile It
TILE WORK: Just Tile It and Blue Grass Tile Works
CABINETS: Bluegrass Cabinets
CABINETRY: Creative Wood Design
LIGHTING: Winlectric/Bowling Green Home Furnishings
PLUMBING: Winnelson
FURNISHINGS: Bowling Green Home Furnishings
WINDOW TREATMENTS: Drapery Nation
INTERIOR DESIGN AND WALLPAPER: Laura Lee Interior Design

You can learn more about Laura Lee Interior Design at www.lauraleeid.com, and follow her on Instagram @lauraleechilders and Facebook @lauraleeid.

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