We’ll be back in May.

When they left last January to winter in Arizona, GunkelmanFlesher’s clients had every confidence that their beautiful Colonial home would be in good hands with Principal Tom Gunkelman and Design Associate Karen McKay. They had, after all, been turning to the firm for their designing needs for almost 40 years.

That kind of longevity and loyalty instills confidence on both sides of the partnership. The longstanding clients knew they could trust Tom and his team to perfectly execute their comprehensive remodel. And the GF team knew their clients’ tastes and style with such certitude that they could confidently complete the job even with the clients far from home.

Top to Bottom

To make the project even more exciting, the homeowners wanted a 10-room, top-to-bottom renovation of their home, which had been in the family since it was built in 1942. While Tom and his team had orchestrated smaller remodels over the years for the client, as well as doing the interiors of their lake home in Minnesota and their winter home in Arizona, their primary residence had not undergone a major renovation for almost 30 years.

“They felt they should bring the house up to date. It’s a beautiful home with great bones.  The detail, woodwork and moldings are exquisite. And the proportions of the house are so grandly done,” said Tom. From an interior design perspective, however, their tastes had changed. So, it was decided that almost everything would be replaced, refinished or redone. That included the draperies, carpet, wall coverings and everything in between.

The most extensive changes were reflected in the living room: two antique chairs were redone, the piano refinished, and two new custom cabinets, a new sofa, two chairs done in Fortuny fabric, and a teacart were added.

“The teacart was the design of our own Andrew Flesher.  Initially the clients thought they could live without it, but I told them ‘You’ve got to have it,’” Tom explained. They finally deferred to Tom’s judgment and are thrilled they did. The teacart is now one of their favorite pieces.

A Colorful Change of Taste

The clients’ palate preferences also changed since their last remodel.  Their previous palate skewed decidedly blue, but they were ready to move on to new horizons. So the tonality of the main level of the home was inspired by more, monochromatic natural hues – especially greens and browns.  

The heather-toned custom carpet on the main floor is a subtlety elegant canvass for the new and/or revitalized furnishings. In one area, the GF team employed an interesting technique to integrate the carpet design used in the den. It was adapted into a square pattern design and used in the entry to the living room to give it a unique look and feel, while providing aesthetic continuity.

A marked color shift occurs once you’ve ascended the stairs, though. The master bedroom is suffused with soft chartreuse - accented with a gold sunflower wall design.

Down the hall, it’s a different story in the upstairs guest rooms. One features blues and natural tones, with French blue toile drapery. Another guest room is an effusion of color with soft yellow walls, deep berry colored fabrics with a brightly colored floral spreads that pull the room together.

“You can do just a little, and change a room a lot.”

The dining room featured a number of pieces from the previous design.  A great-grandmother’s antique oriental rug and many of the existing furnishings would remain. So, the GF team created a completely different experience by using a hand-painted, Asian-themed wall covering by Paul Montgomery.

“The dining room wallpaper is very special,” Karen said. “The antique furnishings and rug are constants, so that one change in that room had to be dramatic. It shows you can do just a little, and change a room a lot.”

Another little change that made a big difference occurred in the den. By replacing the existing shutters with cottage shutters featuring larger blades, they were able to allow in much more light. This, too, made a significant difference in the look and feel of the room.

Artful Design

The homeowners have an impressive international art collection they have amassed from their travels. Some of their most prized artworks, however, are the four photographs by their son that now hang on either side of their living room fireplace. An accomplished artist in his own right, their son has gained a following for his distinctive photographic approach and edgy style.  In fact, one of his photos of the World Trade Towers hangs in GF’s NY office.

Elegantly Comfortable

Tom characterizes the home as “elegantly comfortable.” “We used rich, rich fabrics. But they’re not so elegant that you are afraid to sit on them.  There is a very comfortable feel throughout the house – which perfectly reflects the people living there. They are very down-to-earth people.”

When they returned from Arizona in mid-May, the project had already been done for almost a month.  Tom said they walked in and were, to coin a term, “pleasantly flabbergasted.”  (And not just because the project was completed ahead of schedule and within budget.)

“One of the best projects I’ve done.”

Tom has many favorite aspects of the redesign, but he is most proud of the totality of the project. From editing the existing accessories to redecorating the house top to bottom, the outcome is exactly as he had envisioned.

That’s not a happy accident, either. It comes from an impeccable sense of style, an amazing team of collaborators and, perhaps most importantly, an affinity with his clients that has been honed over many years.

In fact, Tom calls the renovation: “One of the best projects I’ve ever done,” And, for someone with a portfolio that spans more than 50 years, that’s really saying something.