Third Time's a Charm

Interior Designer Ron Wolz lends a contemporary take on classic design for a comfortably chic family home

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Eric Williams

“We actually looked at this house on three separate occasions when it was listed for sale by three different owners,” said the wife of their classically styled, family-sized home in the Lime Kiln area. “While I loved it the first time, our children were small, and I was concerned about the swimming pool. The second time, someone else beat us to it. The third time we acted fast because we knew it was the house for us.”

Interior designer Ron Wolz of Bittners was selected by the homeowners for his characteristic fresh and youthful interpretation of traditional interior design, which allows the residence to exude a casual elegance that perfectly suits the home's structure and the lifestyle of its occupants.

A rug from Fran Jasper in the entryway establishes the color story found throughout the home, which is softer than the homeowners’ previous residence. On the walls is a large-scale damask print paper from Zoffany. Wallpaper with an architectural print also from Zoffany was chosen for the powder room between the entry hall and study.

At the end of the long hall near the doors leading to the covered terrace and pool area is a transitional-style center hall table that adds a more youthful feeling to the space. A regency-inspired runner was selected for the stairs to complement the existing black-and-white tiled floor. A Bittners’ made bench with hand-painted details is located near the terminus of the stairs.

Bridging the transition from the living room to the outdoor terrace is a breezeway with regency-inspired built-in mahogany cabinetry and a wet bar, designed and installed by Atteberry Smith. The damask wallpaper in the hallway is from Zoffany.

The Tiffany-blue hue that forms the base of the color scheme in the dining room is of particular affinity to the wife. An Oushak rug, also from Fran Jasper, ties in the yellow colors from the entry. The exquisite dining table was custom made by the custom woodwork shop at Bittners. Lovely embroidered linen from Cowtan & Tout was selected for the drapery. The chandelier is antique American.

In the dining room, an Oushak rug from Fran Jasper ties in the yellow colors from the entry. The dining table was made by the custom woodwork shop at Bittners. The embroidered linen is from Cowtan & Tout and the chandelier is antique American.

Opposite the dining room is the husband’s favored retreat: a cozy study with faux bois painted walls. The clubby appeal is played up with sumptuous fabrics from Ralph Lauren including wool plaid drapery, mohair velvet on the ottoman, and a paisley pheasant print on the William and Mary chair. Though it seems counterintuitive, overscaled bird prints on the walls actually make the room seem bigger, as well as adding a bit of drama.

Faux bois walls in the study add to the room’s cozy appeal. Wool plaid drapery, mohair velvet on the ottoman, and a paisley pheasant print on the William and Mary chair are all from Ralph Lauren.

Verdant garden and pool views from the windows in the living room were the impetus for its design. Wolz selected coastal-inspired colors with judicious use of the unexpected – orange upholstery on the French chair, a Zebra print ottoman, and a Lucite side table – to give the room a “sense of now,” to quote the designer.

Subtle details abound, such as the monogrammed slipcover with a dressmaker’s pleated skirt on the Martha Washington chair and the Cowtan & Tout drapery with scalloped banding. “It adds just a bit more luxury, like having a couture piece of clothing,” said Wolz. The designer found the Martin Rollins pastoral scene hanging over the fireplace at B. Deemer Gallery. The Oushak carpet from Anabel’s Oriental Rugs unites all of the room’s elements.

Subtle details abound in the living room, such as the monogrammed slipcover with a dressmaker’s pleated skirt on the Martha Washington chair and the Cowtan & Tout drapery with scalloped banding. The designer found the Martin Rollins pastoral scene hanging over the fireplace at B. Deemer Gallery. The Oushak carpet is from Anabel’s Oriental Rugs.

Bridging the transition from the living room to the outdoor terrace is a breezeway with regency-inspired built-in mahogany cabinetry and a wet bar designed by Atteberry Smith. Fine detailing continues with the nickel hardware on the cabinets and raised trim ceiling. The ceiling detail is carried over to the covered terrace, which boasts a gourmand’s outdoor kitchen with Wolf appliances. A stone balustrade marks the perimeter of the pool deck and stairs that lead to the lower lawn. The outdoor furnishings were purchased from Digs Home and Garden and pick up on motifs from the interior, such as Greek key and ikat prints.

The raised trim detail on the ceiling on the terrace is a detail carried over from the interior. Furnishings from Digs Home & Garden.

In executing the project, which also involved major renovations to the kitchen and related areas at the rear of the home, Wolz worked closely with kitchen designer Ken Fromme of Atteberry Smith, builder Mike Pfeifer and architect Tim Winters. “Ken’s attention to detail was phenomenal,” said Wolz. The expansive space boasts many accoutrements, including a furniture style armoire that conceals the refrigerator. Wolz bought the architectural relic above the cooktop at auction to complement the marble subway tile backsplash and to lend a sense of antiquity to the newly constructed space. Also adding a sense of history are the reclaimed hickory hardwood floors from Pace-Brown Company. When a trio of distinct materials – stainless steel, Calcutta oro marble and mahogany – were proposed for the kitchen island, the wife was hesitant about proceeding. “Thinking about it kept me up at night. I was afraid it would look like a madras print, but after it was installed, I loved it,” said the wife.

Ken Fromme of Atteberry Smith designed the expansive kitchen. A furniture style armoire conceals the refrigerator. Interior designer Ron Wolz bought the architectural relic above the cooktop at auction to complement the marble subway tile backsplash and to lend a sense of antiquity to the newly constructed space. Floors are reclaimed hickory hardwood from the Pace-Brown Company.

The kitchen is open to a cozy hearth room whose seating area is anchored by an Egyptian rug from Fran Jasper that the homeowners’ brought from their previous residence. Drapery made with printed linen from Schumacher plays down the rug’s vibrancy while bridging the colors. The herringbone sofa is Hickory Chair, while the ikat linen on the wing chair is Lee Jofa. Built-in bookcases flank the fireplace; its limestone and wood surround adds a feeling of old-world elegance.

The seating area in the family room is anchored by an Egyptian rug from Fran Jasper. Drapery is made with printed linen from Schumacher. The herringbone sofa is Hickory Chair, while the ikat linen on the wing chair is Lee Jofa.

“On Point,” a printed cotton toile hunt scene by Brunschwig & Fils used for the wallcovering was the starting point for the breakfast room. Wolz likes its casual elegance and the atmosphere it creates for this cozy family space. Leather chairs with brass nailheads add ruggedness.

“On Point,” a printed cotton toile hunt scene by Brunschwig & Fils used for the wallcovering was the starting point for the breakfast room.

In the rear stair hall Wolz selected a Brunschwig & Fils wall covering that mimics limestone to draw the eye up. With a plethora of built-ins for the trappings that accompany children and pets, this is a hardworking area that offers a place for everything and keeps the clutter from propagating elsewhere.

Thunderous footprints down the stairs announce the arrival of the children and their friends. The kitchen cabinets open and shut before the boisterous crowd settles on stools around the island or on the comfortable sofa in the hearth room. The old adage is certainly true for these patient homeowners: good things do come to those who wait.