In 1997, Jay Magee purchased the Arch Swank-designed Midcentury Modern at 5433 Ledgestone Drive. It had good bones and a lot of potential. He took that potential and ran.
Magee hired architect Paul Jankowski to help him create the minimalist space of his dreams. The two did such an incredible job it’s as if this house was always meant to be bright, open, simple and sparse. Obviously, an incredible partnership came out of that chance hire.
The two now co-create under the Modern Living moniker and they claim this house as the OG, the original, and where it all began.
Truthfully Timeless
Keep in mind that was back in 1996. The two have been creating stunning works of art ever since. Currently, they have three townhomes at the corner of Henderson and Manett, but that’s for another day.
Let’s focus on the fact that this remodel was done in the 1990s. That’s right, in the era of chunky granite, endless beige and faux finishes, this timeless design emerged. I mean, REALLY.
Magee pointed out that Ledgestone lives like a private resort.
“There are no neighbors on three sides.” And all four sides are surrounded by privacy fencing. The stain on the backyard fence was selected “to look like bark, so it would almost blend in.”
Swimming in Natural Light
The white front white wall adds a contemporary look to an already modern home. The result of all this privacy? There are no coverings on the windows so natural light floods in beautifully. And there’s basically no need for lighting because there are also four skylights throughout. (Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know it gets dark at night, but hello, moonlight.)
This house was designed for indoor-outdoor living and every room has a door that leads outside to one of four outdoor living areas.
Follow the right crushed granite path and you’ll end up in the artist studio, which Magee causally mentions as a bonus room. It’s a whole building with a ductless AC and an opportunity to escape anytime you need.
Our final stop on the tour of amazingness that is this house, is the kitchen. Magee pointed out what he called a wall of dish storage on one side. He said this home has no shortage of hidden storage which for a house built in 1956 is – to quote David Rose – simply the best. Guess what else Magee told us? That big, long extended shelf over the sink? That was designed for those green apples. Pop of color till I die. Fabulous. Love it.
This Midcentury Modern at 5433 Ledgestone Dr. is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, extra open airy 2,426-square-foot ranch listed by Audrey Lero of Keller Williams for $850,000.
