Chevy Chase home built in unique architectural style

When Joy Minner had a vision of her new Kentucky home, it was one she’d brought to life before.

She and her family moved to the Bluegrass State in 2012 from Birmingham, and while searching the Lexington area, they couldn’t find exactly what they longed for in a home. Minner said they kept driving by a lot on Indian Mound Road, which had a house positioned far back on the property. They made an offer, and it was theirs — but they tore the existing dwelling down.

And they decided to construct a house they’d built once before.

“It’s a funny story. We had this almost-identical house built in Birmingham almost two years (prior).We loved it,” she said.

They situated their new house further up on the lot, granting them a more spacious front and backyard.

At a little over 6,700 square feet, the home is a bit of a standout in the iconic Chevy Chase neighborhood. Built in an English Tudor style, it seems to be the only one of its kind in the area, although it was very popular in Birmingham. The exterior of the new house was constructed with a mix of timber, brick and stone, the latter shipped in from the same supplier they used when building their Alabama home. The Minners did have Kentucky in mind, though, when adding in custom details.

“The floors actually came out of an old barn in Kentucky, and we have a mantle in our main living area that was a custom Maker’s Mark Distillery reclaimed-wood mantle,” Minner said.

Those unique materials continue throughout the interior, including antique heart pine wide-plank floors and that Alabama stone on their living room fireplace.

“We have really pretty woodwork in here, in the main living area. We have exposed beams, and really high ceilings in all of the rooms. There are 10-foot ceilings on the first floor,” she said.

One of the family’s favorite spots to come together is around the outdoor fireplace on the side porch.

“We love to do pizza on the patio on Friday nights, and roast s’mores with the kids. It’s a fun little area to hang out and see the neighbors and the kids riding their bikes (down the street),” Minner said.

Their love of gathering translated into wide open spaces conducive to hosting friends and family.

“We like to entertain, so we really liked the open floorplan,” she said. “We spend a ton of time in our kitchen. We call it the keeping room. We have a farm-style table that we use for breakfast and dinner. It has a big window seat in it. With our family being big, we slide all the kids in there. It’s kind of nice to look out and see what’s going on.”

That space flows between the kitchen, a sitting area around a double-sided fireplace, and the table beneath the window that overlooks the picturesque neighborhood.

Minner said the area residents get together for block parties, a yearly Derby party, and other family-friendly events—many of which were modified this year due to COVID-19.

“It’s a great area. Our street is so fun,” she said. “We’ve really enjoyed living on the street. We’ve been here seven years, and that’s the longest we’ve been anywhere. That should tell you something.”

On the weekends, they’ve enjoyed walking to the nearby restaurants, like Suggins and The Bridge. She also said that it’s been great living two blocks from Ecton Park for her three boys, who each played there in Little League.

And when the weather isn’t ideal for walks and outdoor baseball, they head down to the basement, a sprawling space where her husband built indoor batting cages.

“The kids have ridden their bikes down there in these Kentucky winters when you can’t go out. We exercise down there. It’s been a place where we play in the winter, so that’s been nice,” Minner said.

Those times spent together — no matter the room — has made their house, built in the style they brought with them from Alabama, a home.

“We love to build a fire and turn on a football game or have family movie night or game night, and that’s usually how we spend Friday or Saturday night. We’ve definitely made some fond memories here doing those things,” she said.

This story was originally published October 5, 2020 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Chevy Chase home built in unique architectural style."