Anyone who purchases a home built in the 1880s must have a good dose of respect for the story that has been unfolding within its walls for nearly 150 years. Fortunately, the Columbus neighborhood of German Village happens to have a slew of homeowners who have the honor of carrying on this community’s rich traditions.
One such homeowner, Meghan Carey, is a devotee of the area. These brick-paved streets have been her home for several years, as she moved from one address to another within the community. This is where she met her husband Michael (at Lindy’s) and where she is raising her two young sons.
“I love the walkability, character, charm, and especially the people,” Carey says. “There’s a wonderful variety here, we’re not all in the same box.”
Interior re-design
The uniformity of the village’s red-brick exteriors, wrought iron fencing and tree-lined streets are an undoubtable draw for Carey and others who live here or visit the area. But as an interior designer and owner of City Park Interiors, it’s inside one of these homes, where she had fun putting her own stamp.
“I wanted the home to be happy, open and fresh, but honor the traditional,” she says. Previous owners had converted what had been a connected, side-by-side two-family home to a single residence. But a staircase running right through the center of the home, dissecting living spaces, remained. It was the suggestion of architect Andy Melaragno, to move the staircase. That was a game changer.
“Moving that staircase was really huge,” says Carey. “Before the front two rooms were unusable. It was like walking through a tunnel to get through to the back of the home.”
During the extensive remodel, the interior of the home was almost completely gutted. New windows and new flooring were installed. The load-bearing brick wall, which originally separated the two units, still stands but is now painted a soft gray.
While renovation efforts were underway, the couple rented a house right around the corner. “The house sat vacant for six to nine months while we were working on plans,” Carey says.
Working with Andy Melaragno along with Todd Schmidt and the team at Renovations Unlimited, the decision was made to add eight feet to the upper floor to allow for the reconfiguration of three smaller bedrooms. Now this floor features four bedrooms with a primary suite moving from the back of the home to the front.
On the main floor, a larger addition addressed many of the homeowners’ concerns. “We wanted a nice big kitchen,” Carey says. We wanted a mudroom and a big walk-in closet. Storage was key. We really wanted to maximize that.”
Good timing
Construction concluded in December of 2019, shortly before the effects of Covid-19 would change how the remodeling industry—and the world—would function. Fortunately, Meghan, Michael, and their infant son, had a haven of just under 3000 square feet where they could isolate and grow accustomed to their new family dynamics.
While supply chain issues would delay getting many of the interior furnishings in place, the home now had a footprint that functioned beautifully for the young family.
“We wanted it to feel warm and cozy when you walk in the front door,” Carey says. “The entry serves as an open walkway to the rest of the house.”
A wall that previously held what Carey says were “useless built-ins” has been replaced with gray-painted woodworking that serves multiple functions including display shelving and drawers for much needed storage. “There are mittens and hockey gear in those drawers,” she says.
In between is an upholstered banquette that serves as a handy spot for removing shoes, or on occasion listening to Michael as he tickles the ivories. Renovation plans reserved this specific spot for the baby grand piano Meghan gave him for a recent birthday.
On the other side of the original brick wall is a formal living room. While many of her clients might want to see patterns and colors match a bit more than she does, Carey has no issue mixing geometric, floral, solid and textured fabrics. The overall take of this room shows the designer’s penchant for “wanting the space to feel collected.” This is a space where she gravitates to on those rare occasions of alone time.
Between the living room and the kitchen, stands a dining room. “I wanted an actual formal dining room,” Carey says. “Not a lot of people are doing dining rooms anymore, which I understand, but find a bit sad.” To make gatherings more inviting and encourage guests to linger, the designer selected a 72-inch round table and comfortable seating for six.
On the opposite side of the wall, still in the footprint of the original existing space, is the striking new staircase, which makes the traffic pattern make so much more sense. And just down the hall is a half bath decked out in gold and blue geometric Schumacher wallpaper.
“A powder room is always a good place to have fun with design choices,” says Carey.
The back of the home, which includes a breakfast nook, kitchen, great room and living area, is a light-filled space. In a similar fashion as in other rooms of the home, a dramatic light fixture hangs from the center of this room’s ceiling.
“Ten-foot ceilings allow for larger fixtures,” Carey says. “I prefer to use statement lighting over can lighting anytime I can.” Also, as it is in other rooms of this home, formal drapery panels flank the large windows and French doors.
“I love drapes, I think they soften the room,” Carey says. “And I like using pattern.”
Pops of color
While most of the furniture, cabinetry, woodwork, and window treatments stick to a neutral palette of soft beiges, warm grays and caramels, carefully selected pieces of art add inviting bold splashes in each room.
“Art is my way of bringing color into the house,” Carey says.
Even in the back courtyard, the furnishings adorn elegant white slipcovers. But here the art comes in the form of ivy-covered fencing, rows of arbor vitae, and overflowing containers of annuals and succulents.
This inviting space is a favorite warm weather hangout for the young men of the house. It was enlarged once an existing garage was torn down and a new one was built closer to the rear alley.
And when the mood strikes for the family to step out, it’s an easy walk to dinner at one of the community’s many fine restaurants, or a stroll through nearby Schiller Park—creating family traditions in this community that happens to be steeped in tradition.
RESOURCES Architect Andy Melaragno Interior design Meghan Carey, City Park Interiors, ASID Contractor Renovations Unlimited Lighting Island, Ralph Lauren; formal living room, Currey and Co; breakfast area, Kelly Wesler; all from Visual Comfort Window treatments Custom fabric, Schumacher Artwork Art Access Gallery Art framing Longenbaker Custom Framing Tile Classico Tile and Hamilton Parker Appliances Thermador, Jack’s Appliance
Article by Karen Bradner | Photos by Dale Clark / Arc Pictures
Article originally appeared in July 2024