Refined Living: A Sophisticated and Timeless House Design

This house is a beautiful blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. The traditional architecture includes stone flooring, plaster walls, thick coffered ceilings, graceful groin vaults, and arched doorways. However, it also features modern elements like black steel-frame windows, organic curves, and rich jewel tones. Designer Marie Flanigan describes it as a Mediterranean-inspired project with contemporary details that creates a striking juxtaposition in the home. Owner Ira Lieber wanted to combine old-world warmth with modern elegance, as opposed to the sleek, minimalistic, ultra-modern homes of today.

Bliss Studio’s table perfectly complements the limestone flooring, adding a touch of classic elegance. Murphy Mears Architects have created a space that blends traditional elements with modern living, resulting in a design that is both simple and ornate, layered but uncluttered, and airy yet dynamic. Interior designer Flanigan explains that the design captures the essence of the architecture, which highlights the indoor-outdoor connections and stunning views through steel-frame windows. The play of light and shadows that accentuate the groin vaults and other structural details are emphasized to highlight the home’s natural beauty.

At the Round Top Antiques Fair, an oversized oil painting with abstract designs was found that perfectly complements the marble fireplace in the formal living room. Flanigan and Sydney Manning, the design associates, opted for a light and airy feel by allowing ample natural light to enter through the tall windows. White draperies are discreetly layered to the side, harmonizing with the serene pearl-colored plaster walls. The limestone floors feature intricately designed carpets in patinaed fossil green and beige instead of the usual black and white. The new curved sofa in the formal living room is covered in luxurious merlot-hued velvet, which looks stunning against the black marble fireplace. In the family room, a 1940s Asian screen starts a chic design conversation with brass-based armchairs that exude glamour.

The family room boasts a blend of vintage and contemporary pieces, such as the elegant tall tufted velvet chair. Flanigan reveals that the inspiration for this new piece came from the homeowner’s love for a modern sofa and chair. The unique aspect of working in design is that every client brings a fresh perspective and appreciation for beauty that we may not have discovered on our own, adds Flanigan. Rather than using an antique Chinese screen as a conventional room divider, the team decided to hang it as art, which perfectly suited the aesthetic of the homeowner who adores texture and patterns. By incorporating a diverse range of materials, textures, and styles, they were able to create a space that blends ornate details with simplicity, giving it that collected-over-time feel. Manning notes that the design team managed to provide the homeowner with authentic materials that he craves.

According to Flanigan, the library’s flooring was the starting point of its design. To achieve a captivating look, Flanigan and Manning used a basket-weave pattern with two types of wood. The black bookcases added to the room’s allure.

The designers aimed to bring nature’s beauty indoors, taking inspiration from outdoor scenery. Manning explained that they preferred to add color in a subtle way. They opted for neutral shades from the paint box of stone and wood to create a serene background, enhanced by jewel tones such as green, blue, rust, and eggplant.

Wood played a significant role in the design, with various tones used throughout the room. The library showcased the grandeur of dark-stained and black-painted wood, while the breakfast table and kitchen barstools featured lighter wood tones.

Flanigan expresses her fondness for the kitchen as her favorite spot in the house. She particularly admires the kitchen’s stunning design elements, which include a vintage travertine marble range surround that resembles a hearth. The kitchen boasts an impressive variety of textures and colors that come together to create a cohesive and sophisticated look. Flanigan describes how the stone surround and mirrored hood contrast beautifully with the islands’ texture and color. Similarly, the warmth of the wood cabinets pairs nicely with the powder-coated islands. The range backsplash’s mirror finish adds more light to the area, perfectly accentuating the homeowner’s prized copper cookware.

The designer, Sydney Manning, added a touch of sultry attitude to the groin-vault bar by incorporating a gilded pendant and brass fixtures, complemented by a slab Negro Marquina marble backsplash. The beauty of patina is evident throughout the home, and it’s one of the many elements that Manning admires.

The relaxed dining area is illuminated by the natural sunlight flowing in from the courtyard. The space is furnished with an elegant oak table, adorned with linen-covered chairs, a gold-leafed wrought-iron chandelier, and a charming antique horse painting.

The dining room boasts a charming mix of styles, according to Flanigan, thanks to the work of architect Murphy Mears. While the house itself is steeped in classic design, the cloudlike ceiling structure provides a whimsical touch. To balance the space, the team added draperies for privacy and softness, and a recessed Brutalist-inspired chandelier made from steel and glass. The juxtaposition of these elements against the sheer drapery is particularly striking. To complement the mix of styles, traditional French armchairs sit alongside a cherry-stained table and a custom chandelier from Spike Lighting.

The master suite of Julie Soefer’s home pays homage to the past, but in a unique way. The homeowner’s love for old movies inspired interior designers Manning and Flanigan to incorporate elements from Casablanca into the design of the doors leading to the room. These doors feature neoclassical panels reminiscent of those found in Rick’s Café Américain. Additionally, the bed is inspired by shelter furniture and creates a cozy cocoon-like feeling. Dark-stained panels and ebony fabrics provide texture and warmth, while a tufted bench adds a pop of color in a gemstone hue.

In the master bathroom, a blend of different elements creates a stunning ambiance. The flooring features reclaimed marble, while an antique gilded mirror hangs on the wall. A custom-made tub, combining copper and antique nickel finishes, adds to the luxurious feel of the space. The designer, Manning, has a fondness for metals that develop an appealing patina over time. This effect is evident throughout the house and adds to its charm. Flanigan’s expertise in combining various materials is also showcased in the custom William Holland tub.

The master bath boasts a beautiful combination of wood-and-stone vanities, which are perfectly complemented by the use of reclaimed antique marble.

The guest quarters are given a touch of dreamy softness with the addition of billowy drapery panels.

In the powder room, a unique touch was added with the use of hand-painted tiles as wainscoting. The room also features a beautiful hand-carved stone sink.