Written by: Amy Diehl/Photos by: Joe Traina
Brilliant pops of color and luscious fabrics in stripes and patterns, plus close attention to detail, are the defining hallmarks of the beautiful LoScalzo residence located in Stillwater, a small private development of elegant homes situated in Odessa. This gorgeous lakefront villa features 8,565 square feet of living space with a total of 11,000 square feet under roof. In addition to both the latest in energy efficiency and smart home technology, as well as the finest craftsmanship, it’s the attention to detail and elegant finishes that complete this home.
Playful sense of style
With this stunning home built by The Fechtel Company as their canvas, interior designer Dee Marksberry of Gage-Martin Interiors worked closely with owners Miriam and Frank LoScalzo to make the home of their dreams come to life in this redecorating adventure. As so often happens, this design process started with a small project—selecting tile for the pool bath. This ultimately grew into an extensive decorating project defined by sheer elegance and super luxe fabrics. “It is truly a joyful collaboration.” Marksberry says. “Sometimes I feel I’m leading the way and often I feel I’m happily following Miriam. She really has an eye!”
For example, Miriam told Marksberry that she wanted to do something with their garage. One year later, the space now has custom wall-to-wall Habersham cabinets installed by the manufacturer, porcelain floors, walnut carriage doors, and a walnut coffered ceiling. “We wanted something different here,” says Frank. “We had always wanted Habersham cabinets, but didn’t want to tear up the kitchen, so we did the garage.”
“The master bedroom is defined by luxurious drapery in Pierre Frey velvet, Anichini bed linens and the show stopping sofa covered in Luigi Bevilacqua velvet tiger,” Marksberry explains. “It’s the finest fabric I have ever worked with.”
Attention has been lavished on the details in every aspect of the home. Carefully hand frescoed walls bring depth and texture to many of the spaces. The richness and luster of custom millwork can be found throughout the house from the custom-built cabinetry to the rich moldings. While the formal custom drapery and more traditional style of furniture found in this home point to a more conservative style, a playful sense of fun shows itself in the jewel tone fabrics, leopard print chair upholstery and host of other details that gradually reveal themselves upon closer inspection. But make no mistake, this is fun at the luxury level.
The master bath has a complete coffee bar and features custom cabinets and Edgar Berebi hardware with Swarovski crystals. Close attention to detail is evidenced by the fact that even the switch plates have been converted to Edgar Berebi custom plates. Schonbek crystal pendants and sconces add sparkle and glamour and cast a beautiful quality of light to this luxe bath.
Elegant style
With waterfront views of Mound Lake in the background, sunlight streams in the formal living room French doors. This room continues the pattern of rich fabrics setting the tone. “The living room is furnished with floor to ceiling Etamine silk custom drapery and Council tuxedo style sofa and chairs along with an EJ Victor French chair,” Marksberry says. Council end tables, a silk Persian rug and a dramatic Fine Art chandelier complete the room. The large limestone fireplace helps give the space a truly old world feel.
Frank’s library study features custom built-in wood cabinetry and coffered ceilings. It has a Council executive desk with Hancock & Moore chairs upholstered in sumptuous fabrics made by the renowned Italian fabric company Ardecora.
Situated on the walls of the gallery just outside the library are framed, original Presidential Christmas Cards from each of the 8 years the Reagans were in the White House.
It is easy to find a comfortable place to eat in this home. The kitchen features rich dark wood cabinetry around the perimeter, an olive green center work island, and an attached table and chairs for easy kitchen snacking. The only major change in this space was the adornment of the built-in refrigerator panels with carved Enkeboll onlays to add a sense of uniqueness to the space.
Nearby, overlooking the back yard is a casual dining area with seating for six. For more dressy events, this home also features a formal dining area with textured walls and a spectacular groin vaulted ceiling. The lush gold and purple upholstered chairs and drapery add a touch of bling to this space.
The guest room is where Miriam and Marksberry really got to play. While the walnut four-poster bed and small camelback loveseat are still in the more traditional style, the fabrics are anything but. The sofa at the foot of the bed sports a rich jewel-tone pink and purple striped silk fabric upholstery adorned with a pink tiger striped pillow. The bed has matching striped pillows and bed skirt.
Comfortable style
There are many comfortable places to sit and relax in this house. The family room adjacent to the kitchen is Frank’s favorite place in the house because, as an “audio video guy,” that is where he spends most of his time enjoying the state of the art system he had installed, from the comfort of his favorite lounger, freshly recovered in Hancock & Moore leather. The home also features a casual bonus room, and large theatre space. The theatre hosts a 92-inch projector for movie nights and was redone with a Council sofa clad in Scalamandre fabric and beautiful Murano glass lights to accent the space. Outside, the covered loggia, artfully sited in line with the formal pool, offers gracious covered outdoor dining and lounging options.
Enhancing the sense of heritage is the ornamental iron work found most prominently in the staircase of the home’s grand foyer. Designed specifically for this space, the elegant scrollwork of the railings features a playful pineapple pattern, the universal symbol of hospitality, repeated in the lacing curves and arches of the metal.
Adding an eye-catching touch of glamour, the foyer also has a Venetian Mirror by EJ Victor over a marble top French commode in crotch mahogany with satinwood borders and gold leaf detailing.
This lovely home is a fine example of old world elegance and charm with a great big dash of sparkle, color and fun. “Dee’s my co-conspirator,” Miriam says with laughter. “ I will say to her ‘are you sitting down?’ before I gave her my ideas. We had such fun! We just clicked.”
Resources: Builder: Jay Fechtel, The Fechtel Company; Interior designer: Dee Marksberry, Gage-Martin Interiors; Kitchen designer: Nancy Braamse, Olde World Cabinets; Lighting: Fine Art; Art: The Charles Harold Company; Furniture: EJ Victor; Council; Tomlinson; Hancock & Moore; Fabrics: Luigi Bevilacqua; Romo Black Edition; Ardecora; Custom rugs: AMS Imports; Window treatments: Karen Lockwood; Fireplace: François & Co.; Cabinet hardware and switch plates: Edgar Berebi; Tile: Decorum Tile & Stone; Natural stone: Europa Stone