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Michael Ward and David Taylor aren't just homeowners; they're caretakers. It may be due in part to Ward's career as an architect, but the couple genuinely respects their Belmont home, from making structural and energy-saving improvements to personally caring for its gardens and greenery.
'We're very respectful of the folks who were here before us,” says Taylor. 'In that regard, you have a sense it will be someone else's home at some point, so you want to leave it better than you found it.”
More than 20 years ago, before meeting Taylor, Ward was living elsewhere on Belmont Blvd. and had fallen in love with the fun, eclectic neighborhood. But he's always found their current home intriguing. So when the 1920s property went on the market, he made an offer, despite it being a condemned house.
In reviving the property, Ward started simple: plumbing, electricity, and yard work. After the purchase in 1992, they turned the then-three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom duplex into a single-family home. They lived in the original 2,000-square-foot bungalow until about 10 years ago, when they began expanding it. The first additions were the den and master bedroom, and a few years later, an underground pool. Right off the den, there's a peaceful little lounge room that leads to the pool and garden.
'The goal was to make the most of all the wonderful urban aspects of it, but at the same time, the covert privacy,” Ward says.
Both men are passionate about artTaylor is a part-time potterand the interior design reflects this. The den is mostly decorated with pottery, some of which is Taylor's own. But the most distinguished feature of the room is the fireplace that's surrounded by small handcrafted tiles. In different shades of blue and green, they tie together similar colors throughout the room, especially those in a newly acquired painting of an old car above the mantel.
Next to the den is an open kitchen area with an island and dark green granite countertops. The cabinets, made of quarter-sawn oak, somewhat embellish the period of the home since almost everything else is more modern. There are few original structures, however, such as the unique open stairwell that's partially in the kitchen. Throughout the home, all floors are either hardwood or tile. The newer master suite, which made this a four-bedroom house, is no exception. The master bathroom has blue limestone with a mosaic matte, and the bedroom has hardwood. There are also multiple windows, creating an airy space.
the studio
About four years ago, construction began on the last addition to the house: a pottery studio in the backyard. Now, the building doubles as a workplace for Taylor and an entertaining space. Since Taylor is part of several organizations, they often host charity or political events. Their most recent was a garden party for Congressman Jim Cooper, which brought in about 150 guests.
It's always been important to Ward to have an open, accessible home with a layout and design that appeal to both the residents and their guests. When it comes to design, he has a unique method: Find something you love, maybe a piece of art, and adapt the rest of the room to it.
As for layout, Ward says: 'To me, the outside of the housethe views and backdropsare even part of the inside. It's not by accident that the pottery space is set up so you literally look into the studio from the dining room. That's really important to me as an architect, to see the details of the house from several perspectives while inside the house.”
Each room in the home flows naturally into the next, and there's a strong connection between the inside and outsideexactly as Ward intended.
Allard Ward Architects, 1618 16th Ave. S., #100, 615-345-1010; allardward.com