Good Design is in the Details
ABOUT TO EMBARK ON BUILDING THEIR FIRST HOUSE, BUFFALONIANS STEVE AND BREANNA APPROACHED MIR INTERIOR DESIGNER ERIN RADETICH WITH A VISION.
The couple enjoys visiting Europe, in particular Paris, and they wanted to incorporate some of that old-world charm into their new home.
It was also important for the architectural style to fit in amongst the older homes that line the streets of the popular Buffalo neighborhood.
What the homeowners and Erin achieved together is a modern home that reflects classic features of European architecture.
“We wanted to capture the beauty and timelessness of European interiors while layering in a sense of contemporary sophistication,” Erin said. Together, they achieved this by paying close attention to every detail.
Millwork and Architectural Design
Tone-on-tone picture frame wall molding and crown molding create a classic elegance from the moment you step off the front portico into the grand foyer. This refinement is continued throughout the house using subtle details such as the delicate beadwork on the built-in custom cabinetry. “The cabinetry feels very elevated and intentional in each room,” Erin said.
“It’s traditional in a fresh way, not heavy. We wanted an element of lightness.”
From the size and placement of the bushings on the iron balusters that line the staircase to the height of the arched doorways, Erin left nothing to chance.
Lighting
The purposeful use of natural and manufactured light is essential in any space. “Lighting to me is so important,” Erin said. “It changes the way a room feels, and elevates a space.”
Foregoing functional incandescent lighting, Erin chose unique light fixtures for each room. “It was important to me that there was a story with how the lighting made sense in the home so that the pieces, although they are all so different, spoke to each other,” Erin said.
In the foyer, a custom hand-blown Italian Murano glass chandelier greets guests in grand fashion. The kitchen features genuine antique Parisian lamp post globes, positioned over the island. In the dining room, a chandelier, that looks like branches of a cherry tree with crystal flowers, softly illuminates the space. Vintage Maison Baguès sconces in the second-floor hallway create a grand reception to the primary bedroom. In every space, including the closet in the primary bedroom, the lighting defines the space and sets the mood.
COLOR AND TEXTURE
The use of color, texture, and pattern was also intentional. “We kept the white consistent throughout the common areas but balanced it with creamy tones, as seen in the breezeway, mudroom, and guest bath,” Erin said. “We didn’t want to entirely shy away from color either and called the pantry, with its high-gloss paint, ‘the jewel box of the home.’” The cabinets are painted with Benjamin Moore River Blue. In the mudroom, vestibule, and breezeway, the style is casual with a BelgianFlemish countryside inspiration. The cabinetry is utilitarian, the walls are limewashed, and the flooring is patina-distressed travertine and marble. This area of the home is functional space designed with the homeowners’ two dogs, Piper (pictured in the dog wash) and Chablis (pictured in the primary bathroom), in mind.
And then, there is the library. “It was important that the brightness of the white paint used throughout was contrasted with darker, moodier spaces,” Erin said. The library accomplishes this with Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart on the walls and ceiling. The homeowners like the coziness of the space to enjoy a glass of wine and read a good book — especially on cold winter nights.
The powder room off the study is equally intense with its Roman clay-textured walls that highlight the brass fixtures and marble floating sink. “Plumbing and hardware are unlacquered brass and polished nickel, both chosen for their beautiful patina and warmth as they age over time,” Erin explained. “Selecting items and finishes that are timeless was always considered.”
Decor Details
There’s nothing more timeless than marble, which is exquisitely displayed in the primary and guest bathrooms. Sitting atop a marble floor, a free-standing stainless steel bathtub in the primary bath exudes Parisian influence, while the adjacent walk-in shower looks like a Roman spa. Meanwhile, the guest bath evokes understated elegance.
The Lacanche range from France is what makes the kitchen. A gift from Breanna’s mother, the homeowners designed the kitchen around it. “In my mind, it is a piece of art,” Breanna said.
In keeping with the Parisian aesthetic, Erin also integrated a lot of natural elements into the design such as the flower arrangements by Wildroot Floral, and clay pottery by The Olivier. Many of the furnishings are also sourced locally, such as the kitchen stools and chairs in the living room and library from CooCoou27.
“I can’t say she brought my vision to life enough,” Breanna said about Erin. “We still can’t believe we live here.”