home feature
W
hen Cathy and Greg Hankins of Germantown wanted to update the look of their Pickwick Lake house to better fit their lifestyle they turned to Dena Pratt, a designer with Ethan Allen.
learned that the Hankins's oldest son would be married in the home the following May, only six months away. The homeowners aimed to have the renovation completed in time for the wedding. Fortunately, Ethan Allen Furnishings, primarily made in Hickory Mills, NC, produced wonderful results well within the time frame.
The couple bought a 35-square-foot oil painting from famed Memphis artist Paul Edelstein. The vivid colors and ethereal feel of the piece helped to set the tone for the entire home. When the house was originally built, the architects positioned it to take advantage of the beauty of its surroundings; it spreads out from a large center great room that rises three floors to a domed crow’s nest. An octagon shape anchors the southern end of the home, affording the best possible view. Breathtaking vistas in all the main rooms of the house allowed Pratt to draw unique design inspiration.
Pratt found effective assistance in Chad Holman, the manager of the Cordova Ethan Allen store. “This was such an amazing project and I couldn’t have done it without Holman, who was instrumental in the finishing touches and personal service,” says Pratt. “Driving down to Pickwick several times a month was such a wonderful way to go to work! I loved seeing this home come to life each day and I felt the excitement of my clients, who wanted to have everything ready for their guests.”
She says, “I drew my inspiration for the design and decor from [the home’s] expansive views of Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River beyond. I wanted to blend the natural beauty of the secluded point the home enjoys with casual luxury.” Pratt loved the panoramic views from the octagonal shaped rooms in the home: the crow’s nest, the keeping room, and the bedroom of David, the Hankins’s youngest son. During Pratt’s first meeting with the family in November of 2014 she
32 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2016
The in-depth project included completely refurnishing six large bedrooms, the great room, two family rooms, a game room, a home theater and a very large wrap-around porch. Crews repainted the entire interior, installed new flooring and removed a columned wall to expand the view from the kitchen, bar and breakfast room. The biggest challenge this home posed was its massive expanse of wood finishes. An extensive banister wrapped the great room and sweeping