“Heidi’s specialty is pulling it all together,” says homeowner Jen Grossman. Built in 2011, Jen's house already had the framing for luxury— just look at those vaulted ceilings! It was the décor, then, that needed a sophisticated reboot capable of capturing the homeowner’s affinity for classic European design.
Heidi started in the living room, with the two alder wood bookcases on either side of the fireplace. The original honey colored built-ins were “too rustic,” says Heidi, who commissioned Nettie White – owner of Nettie White Interiors – to hand-paint a faux finish that kick started a totally new design scheme employing plenty of gorgeous accessories: urns, candles, cherub statues, antique trunks and wall sconces, too, overflowing with decorative dried hops flowers.
Jen was the one who found that incredible mirror over the fireplace, along with the large-scale tapestry hung on the opposite wall. “She definitely has an eye for design,” Heidi points out, explaining that a muted palette is the base for statement pieces like Jen's custom Marge Carson sofa, a chic take on a traditional Victorian settee with a curved pearl-embroidered silk back and deep velvet cushions.
Hartwig reupholstered two of Jen's pre-existing bergere chairs next, trading taupe chenille for something more scrumptious: a German fabric carrying a cut-velvet damask pattern that jived with the homeowner’s vintage Turkish-style area rug. “Trying to work with pieces you love can be difficult,” admits Jen, pointing to an antique daybed from New Orleans. Heidi incorporated the chaise lounge into her overarching design scheme by incorporating a beautiful velvet pillow with a crystal medallion.
The living room opens to a veranda with stunning stone walls that Jen had pictured as the backdrop for intimate fireside dinners and cocktail parties. But nobody ever used the space! To make Jen's vision a reality, she moved the homeowner’s poolside furniture (from Restoration Hardware) to the veranda, where Heidi hung leather lattice tapestry, a clever alternative to traditional outdoor iron art. Notice how the candleholders vary in height? Those little differences add almost as much visual interest as flame-free Luminara outdoor candles hand painted by Nettie White. All in all, we were amazed by how a series of small-but-smart design decisions took a stunning house to the next level.
Resources
Designer: Heidi Hartwig, Fabulous Finds, 314-852-0876
Builder: Minton Homes, 314-266-5857
Architect: William D. Cover Architect, 636-458-6767
Built-in cabinetry refinishing: Nettie White Interiors, 314-780-6195
Veranda furniture: Restoration Hardware
