One might expect that the former home of a clergyman and his family would have a certain “grace” about it. But graciousness? Well, that’s another story. Several years ago, Muriel Farr and her late husband, Sims, purchased a modestly sized, historic 1929 cottage in Flat Rock that had been owned by Reverend John Wright, a minister at St. John in the Wilderness.
The Farrs, who had homes in New York City and Yeamen’s Hall in Charleston, had been looking for a getaway cottage, and this particular home was blessed with a nicely landscaped property, great potential…and many years of deferred maintenance.
“I had grave reservations about the house, but my husband, who was very strong-minded, loved the view outside,” recalls Mrs. Farr. “It wasn’t a lot of property, but he found it very peaceful. The house itself needed substantial renovation, however. We both agreed that we would like to keep the original footprint, but neither my husband nor I were very familiar with construction.” What they needed was some intervention…divine or otherwise.
As if in answer to their prayers, the couple was soon introduced to interior designer Alan Koenig, ASID and his partner, architect Brock Arms, AIA, by mutual friends. “My husband felt immediately that they were the ones to help us with the project,” Muriel says.
The designers began their process from the inside out, consulting with the Farrs to determine their aesthetic and functional requirements before laying out the floor plan. “No two projects that we have ever done look alike,” Arms explains. “We have no “signature.” We endeavor to solve our client’s problems — to address their personalities, their needs and their desires. Alan and I work as a team. We never start working drawings until we know where every piece of furniture is going.”
The Farrs’ requirements were fairly straightforward: clean, classic and uncluttered spaces, low maintenance and a visual focus on the gardens. Simple enough, but the existing structure did not lend itself easily to those imperatives. The house was a warren of small rooms, fronted by a rather modest two-windows-and-front-door façade and backed by a concrete porch with canvas awning and an unheated storage room. The second story, which had been the children’s sleeping loft, was accessible only by a ladder.
Arms and Koenig re-envisioned the rather pedestrian little house as a light-filled jewel box; accented by neo-classic architectural elements applied with a touch of restraint and an eye towards proportion. The structure maintains its unpretentious integrity while making subtle visual references to more palatial traditional Southern estates. “Grand gestures are fun,” notes Koenig, “but it’s wonderful to be gracious on a small scale.”
Working with Sam Riddle and Tim Tripp of Riddle Construction, the design team reconfigured the front of the house, moving the front entry to the far side and installing a bank of five fixed French doors in the living/family room that revealed a view of the front courtyard. A covered slate portico, accented by columns, replaced the simple brick steps to the front door. A tiny front bedroom was co-opted to create a generous foyer, illuminated by a bay window. A newly configured hallway leads to a petite, yet elegant powder room and extends further to a study/guestroom (complete with custom Murphy bed) and full guest bath.
At the rear of the house, the outdoor space was transformed with slate flooring, a permanent roof and columns to match the front entryway, creating a pavilion style terrace. A tall triptych of windows affords a pleasant vista of the terrace and rear garden from the living room area. Expanding out into the gardens, the kitchen and breakfast addition has the bright, open sensibility of an atrium, with a cathedral ceiling and bank of windows that overlooks the lawn. “This is one of my favorite spots in the house,” says Muriel, “I can sit and watch the hummingbirds at the feeders.”
The former loft now boasts a cozy master suite, with ample closets tucked under the dormers, a well-appointed en suite bath and, yes, a stairway. A half-wall surrounding the stairwell provides privacy while maintaining a sense of openness and connection to the lower floor.
Creating a sense of ease and relaxation was a key concern in choosing the home’s appointments. Koenig selected a soothing palette of cream, soft celadon and blue as the unifying hues, anchoring the main living spaces with ebonized hardwood floors that serve as an ideal backdrop for the exquisite oriental rugs.
“We had the benefit of having clients with a refined sensibility and eye for art,” notes Koenig. “Muriel and Sims did have a few things that they wanted to bring from their other residences, but most of the furnishings were acquired specifically for the house.” The interiors are a deft blend of polished woods, gentle curves and country charm; sophisticated without pretense. It is a mix that incorporates the exquisite elegance of Juparana Lorean granite countertops from the Stone Connection and the simple comfort of rustic, rush seated chairs.
The little cottage has been renewed and enlivened. Once somber, it is now light, airy, elegant and relaxed. It feels effortless…and absolutely divine.