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Gut Instincts

Photography Julia LynnPhotos 14Issue July 2022
With home editor Jennifer Pattison Tuohy on sabbatical, we decided to bring back this Wagener Terrace transformation—from dark, dingy, and seriously outdated to a clean-lined, approachable design that remains relevant today.FRESH FACED: To camouflage brick patchwork and better blend the scallop detailing with the rest of the façade, homeowner Rachel Levkowicz had the exterior coated in Benjamin Moore’s “White Dove,” using Sherwin Williams’ “African Gray” as an accent hue. Other Side of the River constructed the property’s new walkway. “It’s one of my favorite things I added to the house,” says RachelALL TOGETHER NOW: To achieve an open floor plan, Solid Renovations removed three and a half walls from the ground floor. In the kitchen, handsome leather barstools from West Elm—tucked beneath a Calacatta Balena marble island and Pottery Barn globe pendants—offer comfy seating for guests.The kitchen flows into an open, airy entertaining space, which Rachel left free of furniture to allow for yoga sessions and late-night dance parties. There, antler-like staghorn ferns from Hyams Garden Center flank the window.HOME SWEET HOME: Rachel purchased the property in October 2016. Demolition began by late November, and the following April, she and her Irish setter, Sammy, moved in.OLD & NEW: The living room is filled with a mix of antiques (the area rug once belonged to Rachel’s grandparents), pieces purchased specifically for the space (like the GDC Home sectional and branch floor lamp from Celadon), and furnishings acquired over time.A friend of Rachel’s, Mike Moyer of Past to Present Décor, provided a wooden slab for the mantel.GATHER ’ROUND: Up to seven people can fit comfortably in the West Elm-clad dining nook. When hosting a large group, Rachel simply swaps this glass tabletop out for a larger version. Pottery Barn drapes, a chandelier from Carolina Lanterns & Lighting, plants from Hyams, and a bowl hand-thrown by Louisiana artist Craig McMillan finish off the space.Out back, a lounge set from World Market offers marsh-side seating beneath a canopy of established trees.LIGHTEN UP: Knocking down walls and adding two sets of French doors allowed natural light to flood the ground floor. (Below) Rachel often sets up shop in her office (the desk is from Pottery Barn; the armoire, Nadeau; and the rug is a family heirloom) or on the back deck.ABOVE & BEYOND: The second floor houses a relaxing master suite. Dimmable recessed lighting, comfy upholstered chairs from Celadon, and textural elements—cedar planks, a Past to Present Décor mirror made from salvaged wood, and exposed brick—amp up the space’s homey vibe. Pops of color via the Roman shades made with fabric from GDC Home, the teal bedside table from Nadeau, and vintage rugs enliven the design’s neutral palette.Gut Instincts OUTDOOR OASIS: Two sets of French doors and a sprawling wooden deck add appeal to the rear of the home. But Rachel’s work out back has just begun. “I’m going to have big garden beds on both sides of the yard and plant more trees,” she says. “The dream is to have a pool right in line with the patio.”DECKED OUT: Come summer, the backyard planters (the rust-hued one was ordered from Houzz) are rife with coleus, Rachel’s favorite flora.

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Gut Instincts: How a run-down 1950s brick cottage in Wagener Terrace was transformed into an open, airy sanctuary
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