grand slam home
D
Summer 2016
30
esigned with a young family in mind, this casually elegant residence hits a grand-slam home run for comfort, style and setting. The owners, a professional baseball player and his wife, worked closely with interior designer Andrea Kouts of The Mansion in Iowa City. From the wind-up — earliest planning stages — to the pitch — a turnkey home, Kouts helped the couple swing for the fence. The 6,300-square-foot home, built by Klosterman Construction, is tucked into a private retreat with great views. Kouts’ involvement began with helping the couple find potential lots and a builder. Her design expertise also guided them through the myriad of choices and decisions that had to be made along the way. “Homeowners can’t always visualize the size of a room from a blueprint, and how much furniture it will fit, for example,” she explains. Dark molasses-stained hardwood floors blend together the family room and kitchen. White floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, incorporating both fireplace and TV, makes a substantial statement in the living space. The subtly patterned custom rug by Davis & Davis anchors the chenille-upholstered sofas from Hickory Chair, while matching Ikat-clad Stanford wing chairs are cozy but stylish. Vivid and bright floral throw pillows bring in
welcome pops of color. “We also chose to do a huge ottoman rather than a cocktail table. You don’t have to worry about sharp edges with kids around, and you can put a big tray on it and it serves as a cocktail table,” Kouts says. Throughout the main level, a quietly sophisticated and soothing blue-green color palette plays off warm neutral walls and crisp white trim. “It’s a timeless color palette,” the interior designer notes “The blue-green seems so natural. The shades of blue and green may change, but are easily adapted using different accessories. It’s a pretty, classic look, not at all trendy.” The home’s overall sense of calm elegance comes from the homeowner’s choice of dining room furnishings. Clustered around the handsome dining room table, upholstered Baker side chairs are detailed with nailhead trim and ring pulls, and wing-backed host chairs from Lee strike a welcoming note. Underfoot is a delicately colored Safavieh rug with an almost archival appeal, and at the windows hang Kravet draperies in a contemporary motif. The mirrored three-door sideboard with weathered finish is from Modern History, and the chandelier, like most of the home’s lighting, brings in a little bling. The kitchen boasts two large islands, providing plenty of elbow room for meal