Renovated Shady Lane house a tasteful blend of old and new

What could be more ideal for a couple of nature enthusiasts, busy physicians and parents of a toddler than a back yard that adjoins the University of Kentucky/Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Arboretum?

“We use the Arboretum a lot,” said Anna Kamp, a pediatrician who specializes in electrophysiology. “I think Eleanor was a week old when we had her out there in the pram pushing her and enjoying the nice weather.”

Before their 14-month-old daughter’s birth, Anna and her husband Ryan, a pulmonologist, logged hundreds of miles on the 100-acre state botanical garden’s winding trails.

“We would go over there daily. In the morning, we were out there early walking the dogs, and then in the evenings, too. The only thing that would keep us from walking would be a torrential downpour or snow.”

Move-in Ready

The Kamps bought the  2½-story house at 241 Shady Lane in 2011. They loved that it was move-in ready — previous owners had already updated the house — and that The Arboretum was a mere 30-second stroll from their back door.

Built in 1939, the 4,738-square-foot home in the Tahoma Terrace neighborhood had been a duplex. Each floor had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a covered porch.

About 10 years ago, previous owners who have remodeled several homes and still live in the neighborhood, converted it to a single-family residence.

“We were fortunate, because they did a really good job with renovating and decorating,” Ryan said.

On the main level, the cramped kitchen and dining area merged to accommodate a large Carrera marble-topped island with seating for five. The kitchen’s white cabinetry, black granite countertops and 18-inch ceramic tile floors pop against the room’s deep rust walls and ceiling.

French doors in the kitchen lead to the 10-foot-by-18-foot covered porch and provide views of the back yard and green space beyond.

“We’ve really enjoyed it,” Anna said. “If it’s warm outside, you can turn on the ceiling fan — and if it’s raining, you’re sheltered from that. We spend a lot of time out here.”

The array of color and texture in the smooth slate floor, tall brick corner pillars and the original curved limestone retaining wall keeps the space interesting, even in winter. Come spring, the property’s 100-year-old male ginkgo tree sprouts its unique fan-shaped leaves, which turn a vivid saffron yellow in fall.

The Kamps also credit the previous owners for making better use of some rooms and transforming others from ho-hum to extraordinary. On the main floor, for example, a bedroom that adjoined the kitchen became the new dining room.

With new fixtures, Travertine marble flooring and the skillful use of ceramic and glass tile, the bathroom is a thing of beauty. In the living room, a faux tin ceiling, hardwood floors, a masonry fireplace and crisp white dentil molding play off cool gray walls.

Tasteful blend

“This house is a nice blend of old and new,” Anna said. “It has the older architecture that we like, but it also has a modern kitchen and bathrooms. For a 1930s house, it has tons of closet space. You don’t see that a lot.”

The sophisticated vibe of the main floor flows throughout the house.

Upstairs, a spa-like en suite beckons from the spot where the second-floor apartment’s kitchen used to be. The owners’ suite bathroom features floor-to-ceiling tile walls and travertine floors.

“It’s contemporary, yet timeless,” Anna said. “They did a nice job of blending the styles.”

A flat-panel TV concealed behind a one-way mirror and a washer and dryer are housed in the owners’ closet, formerly a bedroom.

“You have a TV if you want it, but if you don’t, you just close the closet doors,” Anna said.

Her favorite room is the screened porch that’s situated directly above the covered porch located off the kitchen. Within earshot of Eleanor’s room, the space has a tree-house quality.

“You can sit out here and have your morning coffee or your evening cocktail and just look out over the Arboretum,” Anna said. “It’s very peaceful.”

Yet more pleasant surprises are found in the partially finished basement.

In addition to open space for storage and a second laundry area, it boasts a built-in 250-bottle wine rack. Exposed limestone foundation walls and a wood-paneled ceiling add to the “chic rustic” ambience.

Although the Kamps keep exercise equipment there, the attic is hardly gym-like.

“You used to be able to see the top of Commonwealth Stadium from here, but the trees have grown,” Ryan said.

Cooled by a ductless mini-split air conditioner, the space features hardwood floors, lots of windows, a bathroom with steam shower — and many potential uses.

“We’ve been spoiled here,” Anna said as she contemplated the family’s impending relocation to Columbus. “We’re looking for a house with a chef’s kitchen and good outdoor spaces that’s close to the city and to work. When we showed our Realtor pictures of this house, she said she could understand why we’re so picky.”

“Being on the Arboretum is the really special thing about this house,” Ryan added. “We know there’s no way we can find another one like this with this location.”

This story was originally published February 21, 2016 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Renovated Shady Lane house a tasteful blend of old and new."