Historic meets modern inside this renovated 1800s Victorian home in Cherokee Triangle

Sarah Mattingly and Ben Botkins knew they wanted to live in the Highlands and were set on finding a home that could be customized to fit their needs.

"We owned a hotel and a lot of other businesses in the (area), our kids go to school in the Highlands, (and) we love Cherokee Park," Mattingly told The Courier Journal. "It was very important to us to be in that neighborhood, (but) we wanted something that we could make our own."

Pieces of the past

Three years ago, the couple found a Victorian home in Cherokee Triangle that had been converted into a duplex. The 1800s abode still had its distinct historical exterior and solid bones, but to create the best space to accommodate their family, Mattingly and Botkins opted to completely gut its interior.

"We took out everything — the electric, the plumbing, the … plaster," Mattingly recalled. "(We brought it down to) nothing (except for) whatever studs were left. We made it our own."

Seeing as the house is in a historic neighborhood, there wasn't much they could do to modify the exterior — even though Mattingly initially planned to paint it a different color.

"It was bright green when we bought it, and that was the first thing we thought I'd want to change," she said, "but I grew to love it."

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They kept the main exterior paint color, only swapping out the formerly neon green trim for a deeper green hue with berry accents. Mattingly adds that they felt it was important for the house to stay true to its 1800s roots as much as possible. They sourced an 1895 fireplace from Architectural Salvage, incorporated period-appropriate furniture pieces wherever possible, and had Victorian wallpaper hand painted in the front room. Mattingly and Botkins also managed to restore the original pine flooring, which had been stained a burgundy wine hue by previous owners.

"We (also) had all of the door handles cleaned," Mattingly said. "They were black (when we purchased the house), and when we got them back, they were brass. We kept (any) historical fixtures that were left in the house. … We (also) had all of the decorative trim made new based on what was original to the house."

Modern modifications

Though Mattingly has a deep appreciation for history, she loves modern architecture, too. In addition to restoring the duplex to a single-family home, she and Botkins also removed the second staircase at the back of the house to make room for the floor-to-ceiling glass addition that is their new dining room.

"Jeff Rawlins (of Architectural Artisans) was our architect," Mattingly said. "He really helped us make sense of the space. It was kind of overwhelming; it was so chopped up."

With a black ceiling and a full view of the backyard, the dining room is now a modern and unique area that blends in seamlessly with the rest of the rooms.

"(It’s) the most visually exciting space (in the house)," Mattingly exclaimed. "You don’t expect that when you walk into a Victorian home."

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The kitchen boasts a bevy of modern updates as well. Anchored by a large quartzite island, it also features all new appliances and locally made, white oak cabinetry.

Love for Louisville

Various nods to Derby City’s artists and retailers are sprinkled throughout the couple's property. The dining room chairs were a find from Blue Ocean Traders, 1455 S. 7th St.; while the credenza, living room chairs, entryway bench, and other décor were sourced from no direction home, 2509 Grinstead Drive. Mattingly and Botkins also own several pieces by local artist Russel Hulsey; he is the husband of Shelley Hulsey, who painted their Victorian wallpaper.

Outside, there are one-of-a-kind stadium chairs next to the basketball court. When the old Cardinal Stadium was torn down in 2019, Mattingly and Botkins picked up eight of the old chairs and brought them to their then-home.

"We picked the numbers of the ages our kids were when we got them … 4 and 7 [years old]," Mattingly said. Now ages 8 and 11, their children River and Finn — along with the family's four-year-old Golden Retriever mix, Judy, and their 1-year-old bearded dragon, Beardie — enjoy the seats at their completely renovated Victorian abode.

"We have a family, so I wanted (this house) to feel cozy and lived in," Mattingly said. "(It’s) a space that works for all of us."

Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.

nuts & bolts

Owners: Sarah Mattingly and Ben Botkins. They are real estate redevelopers and co-owners of The Bellwether Hotel. Also in the home are their children River (8) and Finn (11); as well as 4-year-old Golden Retriever mix Judy, and 1-year-old bearded dragon Beardie.

Home: This is a 4-bed, 3-and-a-half-bath, 4,200-square-foot, Victorian home in Cherokee Triangle that was built in 1897.

Distinctive elements: Period-appropriate exterior paint colors, fireplace, hand-painted wallpaper, and furniture; floor-to-ceiling glass dining room addition; quartzite countertops; white oak cabinetry; original wood flooring.

Applause! Applause! Architect Jeff Rawlins of Architectural Artisans; artist Shelley Hulsey; and master carpenters Jake Botkins and Brandon Blair of First Cut.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Historic meets modern inside 1800s Victorian home in Cherokee Triangle