Part of this effort included finding ways to bring in more natural light. “As you come into the house, there’s these beautiful windows in the front, and they left those original to the home,” she said. “We immediately knew that we wanted to tear out the wall that was (there). We pulled everything out — it was a half wall blocking 50% of the light coming in.”
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The wall was replaced with a custom screen, crafted of white oak and cherry plugs.
“We did a really hefty job of mixing cherry and white oak throughout the house,” Officer added. “We tried to limit the number of (wood) species, in keeping with the midcentury design.”
Custom creations
Like the screen along the staircase, the lights in the hallway were also custom made — though that wasn’t part of Officer’s original plan.
“When we went into COVID(-19),” she explained, “the resources that we used were shut down.” Her team had ordered four very specific lights for the Cincinnati home’s hallway, but when it seemed as though they’d never arrive, the Natalie O Design crew made other arrangements.
“We took the image of the light we had specified for the hallway, and we called Kristen Falkirk," she said.
Falkrik, a ceramic tilemaker in Southern Indiana, hand threw the lights on her potter’s wheel, then developed them in multiple colors.
“When the supply chain issues rendered our initial selection absent of ever arriving, Kristen … stepped in and improved upon the initial intent,” Officer said.
Adroit artisans
Falkrik is one of several Louisville-area artists and artisans that now have their work on display in the Hillis-Skipper’s house.
“The most important part of this home, for us, was being able to showcase local and regional artists,” Officer said. “Without them, my work becomes a complete snore. There’s no flavor — it’s like making a dish without spices.”
Other locally created or modified pieces in the home include a diptych in the entry by Louisville artist Letitia Quesenberry, a lime slurry finish on the curved brick and limestone fireplace by Classic Finishes in Bellemeade and tile selections by Louisville Tile.
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“We … have been incredibly thankful for the tranquility, connection to nature and creative inspiration of it all,” Hillis-Skipper said. “Another big favorite aspect is the degree to which so many skilled and madly talented artists and craftspeople have touched this home … From the beautiful white oak cabinetry to the custom ceramic lighting in the hallway, to the art hanging on the walls and the stonework outside, we adore every ounce of creative energy in our home.”
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com .
nuts & bolts Owners : Dr. Robert Skipper Jr. and Karen Hillis-Skipper. Dr. Skipper is a philosophy of science professor at the University of Cincinnati, and Hillis-Skipper is a self-employed consumer behaviorist and strategist for Fortune 100 brands. Also in the home is the couple’s daughter Ella, 14.
Home : This is a 3-bed, 3-bath, 2,500-square-foot midcentury home that was built in 1954 by father-and-son architects Earl and Druce Henn in Cincinnati.
Distinctive elements : Home is exacted in its location to be submerged into the landscape; angles are articulated to capture optimal rays of light; home is reminiscent of the Greenberg, or Dousman Wisconsin, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the same year; wide eaves and extensive glazing wrap around the backside of the home; renovated to work with existing architecture and increase natural light streams.
Applause! Applause! From Natalie Officer, of Natalie O Designs: Robert and Karen for their faith during the process; partnership of The Drawing Dept Architect Firm and the very skilled contractor Kent Dugan; interior design, screens and entry inspired by the Natalie O Design team and its drafting team of S&S; Classic Finishes for the outstanding revival of the curved brick and limestone fireplace with a lime slurry finish; Kristen Falkirk for her collaboration with the NOD team to create a series of hand-thrown ceramic lights for a very long and dynamic hallway; entry diptych by Louisville artist Letitia Quesenberry, who was most recently shown at Quappi gallery; amber resin piece by the front door by Brent Dedas, formerly of Germantown, Louisville, and known internationally for his work; portrait art, paint at the entry of the master suite, and yam and egg paintings in the kitchen by Riley Holloway, who is a Dallas-based artist; ceramic vessel by Malene Barnett, the creator of the BAD Guild (Black Artist + Designers Guild); and tile selection from Louisville Tile.
