Southern Living Idea House

The magazine’s first Idea House in Kentucky presents timelessly evolved inspiration

By Sarah Carter Levitch Photos by Kathryn Harrington For the past 30+ years, Southern Living magazine has designed and constructed an “Idea House” in various states throughout America. “Made to inspire people that are considering building or remodeling, or for people who love houses and love going to see inspirational types of design, both interior and exterior,” noted builder Jimmy King, co-owner of Artisan Signature Homes. The house is open to the public for tours and available to purchase, with or without the furniture. The Idea House was built in our old Kentucky home, right here in Louisville, for the first time. Artisan Signature Homes, based in Louisville, collaborated with a team put together by Southern Living: Brandon Ingram, the architect from Atlanta, Sarah Bartholomew, the interior designer from Nashville and Josh Myers, the landscape architect from Louisville. Together, their goal was “to build a new home with an old feel. We wanted the design to be timeless. As far as the floor plan and the interior, we wanted it to flow well, something liveable.” Located in The Breakers at Prospect, a new community, the property serves panoramic views of the Ohio River, a classical feel with a mix of Colonial and Greek Revival design and a spacious atmosphere at a little over 5,000 square feet. The interior reveals the designers’ attention to detail. As King mentioned, “one of the best interior features is the level of detail of the trim work. Oversized trim work, six-piece crown molding, lots of wood planking, all the trim work is hand brushed to give it an old feel. We did hand-painted floors in addition to white oak hardwood floors throughout.”