TRANSITIONAL AN ARCHITECT RESURRECTS FADED GLORY FROM THE 1920S.
An architect or an interior designer has to be exceptionally inventive and sensitive to period styles to take an aging, 16-room house and give it a fancy new face. At first glance, this home in Tulsa’s Bryn Rose area, near Utica Square, resembled little more than a square box. At least, that’s how Tulsa architect Tim Yardy felt when he first encountered the distressed property. The appearance offered little hope of representing the three R’s of interior design – renovation, renewal and revival – much less the compliment of being called a beautiful, inviting showplace. Yardy chose to see beyond the house’s condition. He focused on an overall revival of every space to give faded glory a new look of sophisticated elegance. Part of Yardy’s design repertoire is based on his being a native Englishman. Growing up in a country that loves its ornate castles and cherishes pomp and circumstance is an inherent part of Yardy’s creativity. Every space in the house inspired his respect for its historical authenticity that could be redesigned for modern times. Such a daunting project was nothing new to Yardy. He had almost completely gutted an older Tulsa property, which he turned into his contemporary home. His personal residence is a striking conversation piece featuring multiple layers of design drama. In this vintage home, Yardy wanted to maintain its stellar 1929 features – the roofline and exquisite, interior crown moulding. Both were significant parts of houses in that era. With sophisticated additions that make a first and lasting impression, Yardy brought the house into the 21st century and gave it the classic, luxurious look that the owner desired. Period architectural details also enhance some of the windows overlooking what Yardy described as “a tight lot. That was one of the numerous challenges, especially building a new pool in a very confined space,” he says. He added floor-to-ceiling glass panels in several areas. These created an unusual, contemporary look overlooking a landscaped back lawn with that modern pool. To complement the subtle, refreshing color palette of crisp whites and soft grays – Yardy’s favorite color theme – he paired contemporary trims with historical details. Those whispers of 1930s design trends assume an upscale, contemporary look.
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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JULY 2018
Photos by Scott Johnson, Hawks Photography