{Indianapolis Finest} slmag.net Sep/Oct 2015 fifteen dollars
A HOME IN THE HILLS Denise Hargett puts family frst in a Meridian Hills remodel Written by Neil Charles Photography by Andrew Kung We are standing on the back patio of this stylish Meridian Hills home, admiring the half acre of impossibly green (it has been a wet summer), perfectly manicured lawn, enjoying the gentle breeze wafting through mature trees that line the garden s perimeter. Birdsong fills the air, accompanied by the rhythmic hammering of roofers, the steady drone of power tools and the shouts of builders hard at work. Tis bucolic corner of town is undergoing a transformation. Traditional cottages and bungalows are making way for more imposing, high-concept dwellings; stately pleasure domes that better refect the status and wherewithal of their owners. Te owner, oral surgeon Denise Hargett, is one of a growing number of professionals who, having moved to the suburbs earlier in life to enjoy the space and relative tranquility, are now moving back to take advantage of the maturing urban scene. As a family with two kids - Isaac, 13, and Erin, 10 - at Te Orchard School, the move enabled them to live close to their place of education. In Meridian Hills, where both lots and homes are modestly proportioned by comparison with their suburban counterparts, space is always an issue, and needs to be approached with ingenuity if life is to proceed unencumbered by clutter. 72 slmag.net
A study in white the sitting room, topped of with a Baccarat chandelier, ofers both simplicity and elegance. slmag.net 73
Colorful upholstery and the warm glow of the sunroom s Restoration Hardware hearth counterbalance the stone elements to create a welcoming gathering place. Built in 2006, the home was already quite modern when the Hargett family moved in last year. It was actually in decent shape, but just not my style, says Hargett Te outside was very traditional with white shutters. Tere was only so much I could do with that, so it s not exactly what I want, but the inside is much more important. Working with Steve Gray Renovations, Gary Nance Design and Anne Brooks of Butternut Hill Design, the task of turning an ordinary, albeit modern, domicile into an extension of her lifestyle began with the main foor. Taking it down to the studs, walls were removed or relocated and rooms were repurposed with the goal of creating a fowing, welcoming atmosphere. Designer Anne Brooks, who had worked with Hargett and her late husband, Tom, on projects since his post-college days, recalls that the experience was a particularly harmonious one: Denise is extremely enjoyable to work with. She knows exactly what she doesn t like, which makes it easy, because you know what not to bring to her. But then sometimes you can just call and say: You have to have this. Tere was never any disagreement between any of us. Te kitchen became the focus of the ground foor, as befts one who likes to cook and entertain. Tis is a masterpiece of a space, a combination of understated beauty and jaw-dropping practicality. I cannot think of a home cook who would not give a body part or two to play in this kitchen for an evening. Not surprisingly, it was designed by Italians, who excel at this kind of thing. Te owner tells us: I was in Chicago and came across Minotti Cucine; I absolutely loved their stuf. Modulnova cabinets and Miele appliances. My last kitchen was white marble, so I m loving this. Te entire creation was designed and built in Italy, then shipped to the home and installed. Tat might sound pretty straightforward, but Steve Gray explains that it was no mean feat to get everything to work out frst time: It was a lot of work to get all the design elements right. Te measurements had to be correct. We couldn t aford any mistakes because everything had to be shipped across the ocean, and it would be very expensive to ship it back. 74 slmag.net
Sleek design in the entryway, anchored by a stunning staircase, sets a sophisticated tone that carries throughout the home. Te thermal window panes in the customized front door protect privacy while allowing for light to radiate in and out. Te billiard room s gray tones exude cool comfort. Te back patio ofers a relaxing vantage point to overlook the lawn s forested perimeter. slmag.net 75
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Italian kitchen design frm Minotti Cucine custom built Hargett s kitchen, which features Modulnova cabinets and Miele appliances. slmag.net 77
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A one-of-a-kind freplace stands of a work of art on its own and sets the stage to support Hargett s extensive art collection. slmag.net 79
80 slmag.net Te powder room design evolved around the vessel sink and Kohler faucet.
An open foor plan in the bathroom channels a zen aesthetic, eschewing clutter in favor of the essential elements, such as the Japanese soaking tub. Te quality of craftsmanship is all too evident. Te builder continues: The kitchen cabinets are wood with eight layers of lacquer. Te hardware and the fxtures are of an exceptional quality. I really like the design, because it is contemporary and everything has its place, and there s no clutter on the countertops. Te drawers have built-in dividers, which force you to organize. Throughout the home, design elements are strong, but functionality comes first. The master bathroom is designed to be as user-friendly and stress-free as possible, down to the power outlets in the drawers, enabling the owner to dry her hair without having to step across the room to do so. A Japanese toilet has all the bells and whistles while the shower and bath area is an exemplar of utilitarian luxury. Te room was entirely remodeled to create a spa-like feel, the entire space being constructed as a wet area. There is a slight slope to the floor, which takes water to a drainage system at the edge of the room. For the trim the designers used a concrete material to match the foor, so everything could get wet without the usual issues associated with wood trim. Te entire foor is heated all the way through into the shower, a feature Hargett puts to good use, even in the summer months. Amidst the practicality and functionalism of the home, there are many elements of beauty for its own sake. Te front door is a good example. It is simple yet perfect. Made from two diferent kinds of glass, it was based upon a something Hargett had found online. When Gray explains it, however, it turns out that there is a practical element behind the design after all: She found a picture of doors that she loved. We made the glass from two diferent selections then had them put together as a thermal pane so it could be used an exterior window. Wherever one turns in this fascinating home, form meets function harmoniously and seamlessly. It s not often a critic gets to say that. sl slmag.net 81
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