Interesting interior

From the outside of the house at 1549 Lexington Avenue, you would never guess that the interior is a work of art. This home has location as a primary asset since it's in the Alma Schrader school district and adjoins Cherokee Park.

But imagination and creativity turned the home's interior into a masterpiece. While the exterior is simple -- a gray frame home, nicely landscaped with a two-car garage that is camouflaged to blend in with the rest of the house -- inside, it's a different story.

Natural light calmly envelopes much of this home through large casement-style picture windows in both the front and back of the house. The foyer includes a modern crystal and brass chandelier-style fixture that is perfect for the space. That light is effectively diffused throughout by a light color palette. The living room is defined by whites of many shades, with black being used sparingly as a contrast color. The furniture, walls, custom drapery, every element of the room, works together to bring about a feeling of artistic freedom.

An open design concept melds the living and dining rooms together. The dining room is particularly interesting because of the large picture window at its rear, bringing in volumes of natural light, and then magnifying that light with a large mirror on the ceiling from which the dining room light fixture hangs. A subtle animal print border has been chosen to hang at eye level on the walls, giving a nice contrast to the pale color palette that has been chosen for the room.

The kitchen has a white ceramic floor, also with a large casement picture window overlooking the back yard's in-ground pool area. Oak cabinets with a light countertop and modern, jet black appliances contrast nicely with each other. The appliances include a smooth-top range/oven with a microwave built in above, electric dishwasher and side-by-side refrigerator with indoor drink and ice dispenser. A double sink area has a white ceramic tile backsplash, making it both attractive and very practical.

A surprise awaits on the home's top level. A family room there includes a most unusual mantle, which was built on an angle as if turned on its corner. White solid wood beams cross the cathedral ceiling. A large sliding glass door leads to a deck that matches the house's gray frame, and overlooks the home's pool and wooded lot behind it. An upstairs room includes a large bedroom area and a vanity area. The custom cabinetry is finished with modern, geometric brass pulls. The bath area includes Italian marble style floors and a step-in shower with full glass and brass sliding doors. A large walk-in closet is also part of this suite area.

The downstairs of this tri-level home includes a room that could serve as an office, an extra bedroom or hobby room. A downstairs bedroom has been decorated with a sage green wall color, a full length mirror and a mirrored light switch.

The main level bath includes Italian-style marble floor and a gold finish wall color. The tub/shower includes a handheld shower massage.

A bedroom, which could be used as the master bedroom, has large casement windows, two ceiling fans, plush white carpeting and two large closets with folding doors.

The lowest level of the home includes a large family room or exercise room. Its wall color is a soft, buttery yellow with crisp, white baseboards. The area includes a small kitchenette with double stainless steel sinks and a refrigerator with in-door drink and ice dispenser.

A yellow room is currently being used as a tanning room, but could also be used as another bedroom or hobby room. A laundry room with plenty of shelving space is also located on the lower level.

traddle@semissourian.com