Even from the outside, it's easy to imagine Jay Gatsby hosting soirées at this Denver home. With an easy Art Deco elegance, the filigree wrought-iron balconettes, the ornately carved limestone frieze framing the front door, and the formal front steps all conjure images of limousines rolling up for a night of cocktails and dancing. It comes as no surprise, then, to learn that the interior was indeed inspired by F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, a novel steeped in decadent glamour.
The home is located in the Denver Country Club, a designated Historic Landmark District whose pre-1940s homes were designed by renowned local architects. Tudor- and Mediterranean-style buildings mingle with “Denver Squares” – named for their boxy shapes and distinctive formal rooms – on lots shaded by century-old trees. This particular residence was built in 1941, says interior designer Danielle Wallinger, founder of Studio D, which renovated the home for a couple and their two Italian water dogs. “The architecture is best described as Italian Renaissance revival,” she says. She was brought on board after previously designing a contemporary home for the owners. “When they decided to sell that property and discovered this one, we were immediately struck by the contrast in architectural style, and excited by the opportunity to flex a very different design muscle.”
While the home’s exterior boasted spectacular original details, the interior Wallinger encountered failed to match that grandeur. “The layout was disjointed, the finishes were dark and dated, and several overly lively murals dominated the spaces,” she remembers. Her goal was to pay homage to the home’s Italian influences, but to filter these through a modern lens. “Imagine the chicest European boutique hotel, layered with history, character, and timeless style, then envision it seamlessly paired with every modern comfort and convenience – that’s the essence of this project,” she says.
As well as the glamour of The Great Gatsby and the Art Deco era, Wallinger took inspiration from hotels such as La Réserve in Paris and The Portrait in Milan. “The new interior strikes a balance between bold, masculine features, such as the sculpted oak staircase, and refined, feminine details, like the three-dimensional floral wallpaper mural in the dining room,” she says. “Just as the wrought-iron balconettes soften the stone façade, these delicate gestures bring a sense of grace and harmony to the rooms.”
Because the home has protected status, changes to the layout were restricted – something Wallinger viewed as an opportunity. “One significant challenge was the lack of alignment throughout – the front door and the opening to the salon were off-centre, and three different ceiling heights in the entrance alone created a sense of visual dissonance,” she explains. “Rather than fight these inconsistencies, we embraced them, introducing offset arches and staggered grid patterns to create a cohesive design language. The entrance hall’s floor pattern became the catalyst for this approach, setting the tone for the home’s rhythm and movement. In essence, the guiding principle was that there were no rules – every irregularity became an opportunity for dynamic, purposeful design.”
The aforementioned inlaid marble floor, with its gleaming brass trims, was inspired by a marble table by designer Lara Bohinc – one of many similar references scattered throughout. The dining room, which has a red lacquered ceiling and a sparkling beaded Collier pendant by Visual Comfort, consciously echoes the flamboyance of LA decorator Kelly Wearstler. “In the clients’ previous home, the palette was very neutral, but this house was calling for something different – it felt like a jewel box,” says Wallinger. “The MJ Atelier wallpaper was the cornerstone of the room – we knew it was meant for the space from the start,” she adds of the whimsical mural that adorns one wall. Adjoining the dining space is a cosy lounge with a red velvet banquette and a ceiling covered in hand-marbled silk by LA studio Rule of Three. “The finishes are reminiscent of a glamorous bygone era – each one was thoughtfully selected to remain authentic to the period when the home was built, while evoking a sense of timeless grandeur and refinement.”
The home’s main living space is a materially rich salon that incorporates a mirrored cocktail bar – a dream for entertaining guests. Here, the layered decor is anchored by two custom olive-green velvet couches, designed by Studio D and arranged back-to-back as if to invite intimate gossip. A painterly custom rug adds softness underfoot, and a glittering crystal Chiara chandelier by RH catches the light, accentuating antiqued mirror details. This room’s look was informed by nightlife hotspots such as the Castell Rooftop Lounge in New York and The Surf Club, a 1930s icon in Miami.
Even functional spaces are transformed into visual feasts. The kitchen features mirrored lacquered cabinets and a golden brass sink, while the principal bathroom has a Hollywood-worthy freestanding marble tub (there’s also an onyx-clad spa with a sauna on the basement floor). Upstairs, there are five bedrooms: the principal suite boasts a custom ochre velvet headboard that conceals wardrobe space behind it, a glossy Venetian-plaster ceiling, and seamless, wall-to-wall sheer curtains that gently filter sunlight. “Balancing bold architectural elements with soft, luminous details makes this home luxurious yet liveable,” its designer concludes. @studiod_drw
Photo: Kylie Fitts - 转载自：AD(admiddleeast)
- 图片@AD(admiddleeast)
- 国家：美国
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- 翻译：序赞网
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