3 “When we originally bought the house, we thought we’d enlarge the master to add a bath and laundry room,” said Cole. “We decided to live in the home awhile before we tackled that, and the longer we lived here, the more we liked what we had.” Instead of enlarging the master, Cole switched the master to a smaller bedroom that allowed for an ensuite bathroom. The smaller bedroom was not an issue for the couple. “We sleep in the bedroom, live in the living area,” she explained. After four months of living in the home, Cole moved forward with other planned renovations. Working with contractor Brad Anderson of Mike Anderson Wallcovering, the laundry room was moved upstairs near the garage from an unfinished basement. “We gutted and redid both baths; pulled up carpet and refinished the beautiful hardwood floors underneath and tiled the den,” she said. “It can be more of a challenge to work with the space you have, but we achieved the flow of the house we wanted without another addition.” Cole liked the mid-century vibe of the house, “But I didn’t want a home full of that decor.” Nods to the style are evident in the lighting and mirror over the fireplace. “Neutral palettes are nice and soothing, but they are not me. I enveloped the house in color using a mix of fabrics and patterns, that’s what makes me happy. Plaid lets you tie lots of color together throughout a home.”
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While living in Atlanta, Ga., Cole worked in insurance and earned an MBA from Georgia State University. By the time she moved to Louisville 13 years ago, she decided to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Interior Design from Sullivan University. “Coming from Atlanta, I felt Louisville needed a store that sold unique finishing touches.” With that focus in the six years since she first opened her store, Cole has moved locations and doubled her retail space where she sells accessories, upholstery and furniture as well as works with clients on interior design projects. “My mantra is: At Robin’s Nest Interiors, we believe your home should reflect who you are, how you live and be filled with beautiful things you love.” In her own home, Cole has achieved that mantra. “For our stage of life, our home is just perfect.”
Kentucky Homes & Gardens • Jul/Aug 2018 • 39