Vision is not something everyone comes by naturally. Fortunately, it’s second nature to Cindy and Charles Falk. When they discovered this 1952 University Park Colonial Revival 18 years ago, they knew exactly what it needed. They also knew it was going to be highly livable. The couple that sold the house had owned it twice. That says all you need to know about the livability of this home.
Cindy is a recently retired interior designer, so having a vision was innate. “I’m accustomed to looking past the obvious to the potential,” she said. “We knew the bones and character were there.”
“It was orange brick and not a good orange,” Charles said. It also had the original aluminum windows. But the architectural style was the selling point. We have loved the flexibility of the rooms. Almost all of them have more than one door to go in and out. The center hall plan facilitates that. It’s amazing how well it flows even though it’s not an open floor plan.”
Before moving into their University Park Colonial Revival, the Falks redid the floors and changed the fireplace surround, swapping out funky green tiled marble for classic black. The woodwork was typical 1950s, very sterile, with no detail.
“There were baseboards,” Cindy said. “That’s about it. We added, trim, molding and finishes to suit the architecture of the exterior and take the house to a higher level.”
They also wanted to stay as period-perfect as possible. To create that authentic look of an original 1700’s house they stuck to classic historic colors. “We hired a muralist to paint the Italian landscape in the dining room,” Cindy said. “We love the sense of space. It’s like dining al fresco!”
The Falks tour as many museum homes as possible when they travel. They have taken a lot of inspiration from American Colonial homes in Virginia and from 18th-century Scottish architect Robert Adams. The library, in particular, follows his concept of balance and symmetry.
The Falks attention to detail caused a bit of a kerfuffle at the Canadian border. “The plaster ordered for ornamentation on the library ceiling was tied up in customs, “Charles said. ” They thought it was cocaine!”
The Falks hard work paid off beautifully. Not only is this home move-in ready, but it’s also received an honorary designation from the Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society.
Coldwell Banker’s Hanne Sagalowsky has this perfectly updated University Park Colonial Revival listed for $1.385 million.
