Slideshow: Details make the difference
Harry and Maura Phillips’ home in Riverview hearkens the expression “God is in the details.”
In this case, the eye for detail is that of Mrs. Phillips and her sister, interior designer Margo Estrada, of Branford, Conn.
They planned the continual space of the dining area, family room and kitchen to provide a feeling of openness. The space is surrounded by windows.
“The idea was, everywhere you turn you could see the river,” said Mrs. Phillips. “We felt like it needed to blend with the outdoors, and yet we still wanted to achieve a certain amount of elegance.” Architectural changes were made to capitalize on the view; a wall separating the kitchen and living space was removed. They eschewed window treatments, making the water part of the décor.
“The location was very inspiring for the house,” said Ms. Estrada, who designed coffered ceilings for the family room. “I laid it out on the floor with two-by-fours,” she said, “and the next day (Mr. Phillips) had someone in there doing it.”
Ms. Estrada appreciated her brother-in-law’s trust as she and Mrs. Phillips explored ideas. “We all supported each other,” she said. “There was harmony.”
The family room’s serene hues were inspired by a trip to Nantucket Island, Mass. “Those are my roots,” said Mrs. Phillips, who owns the Chattanooga Water Taxi and Fat Cat Ferry with her husband. “My husband is a Southerner, but he spent some time in New England and fell in love with it.”
The Phillips home is a trove of finds combined with family history. “I’ve just been hunting my whole life,” Mrs. Phillips said. “I hunt for treasures.”
One treasure is an aquapainted armoire that once belonged to Mrs. Phillips’ mother. “It is probably my most cherished piece of furniture in here, just because it was hers,” she said.
Contrasting the family room’s seaside tone, the kitchen is sharp black and white, with bursts of color. The design was inspired by the movie “Something’s Gotta Give.”
“It’s my favorite kitchen and favorite movie in the entire world,” Mrs. Phillips said.
The countertops are black honed granite, while an island is topped with honed white marble. Teal tapers in black candlesticks stand next to an iron grated urn full of green apples.
Bright color abounds in 13-year-old Savannah Phillips’ room — a retro-meets-modern teen haven.
“My mom told me that her best friend in third grade had a hot pink and orange shag rug,” Savannah said. Indeed, hot pink and orange permeate the space. Even her iPod is hot pink.
Above the bed, bright orange floral patterns pop out from a pink wall, all painted freehand by artist Linda Parham, with whom the Phillipses worked when they owned StoneFort Inn on East 10th Street.
Savannah’s white desk once belonged to her maternal grandmother.
The color scheme is kept tasteful with hardwood floors and plenty of natural light. “I love having windows,” Savannah said. “I don’t sleep late like my brother.”
Her brother, 14-year-old Harry Phillips IV, lives in a room that reflects his love of sports and boats. An antique lacrosse stick hangs on the royal blue wall, along with a life preserver and old canoe paddles. A loft provides private space for hanging out with friends. On the wall is a 1987 America’s Cup poster. Mrs. Phillips was working as a marketing coordinator for America’s Cup when she and Mr. Phillips met in 1986.
On a Friday afternoon, Savannah and Jan Johnston, also 13, play “Rock Band,” Jan drumming as Savannah sings, her voice bouncing off the walls of the movie room.
The family bought movie theater seats and screen at an auction. The floor has leopard carpeting, and the ceilings are Chinese tiles. “I hated them,” Mrs. Phillips said. “And then when we got them on the ceiling, I loved them.”
The notion of “home is where the heart is” pervades even the smallest spaces. A Moet Chandon label is painted on the tiny wine cellar’s floor. The dating — Vintage 2006 — reflects the year the Phillipses moved into their house.
“It’s a happy place,” Mrs. Phillip said. “That pretty much says it all, right there.”
Holly Leber is a reporter and columnist for the Life section. She has worked at the Times Free Press since March 2008. Holly covers “everything but the kitchen sink" when it comes to features: the arts, young adults, classical music, art, fitness, home, gardening and food. She writes the popular and sometimes-controversial column Love and Other Indoor Sports. Holly calls both New York City and Saratoga Springs, NY home. She earned a bachelor of arts ...
