Annette Vitale had been eyeing a particular property in Fisherville for years. She drove past the sprawling estate numerous times and eventually got the opportunity to see its interior.
“About 12 years ago,” she told The Courier Journal, “me and my sisters … drove up to (it). There was a door open in the back, so we went in and took a tour of the property.”
Vitale said the whole house was full of junk, and there were leaks and mold everywhere. It had been vacant for several years.
“It was in just horrible condition,” she said, adding that she couldn’t afford to buy it then, anyway. But 10 years later, when Vitale was in the business of flipping houses, she spotted an open house sign in front of the property.
She went in to talk to the people there and learned that the owner was selling — but was looking to decide within 24 hours. She put in an offer and included a letter about her plans for the place.
Unlike other potential buyers, Vitale had no intention of knocking down the historic structure to make way for something new. Instead, she wanted to exercise her design and remodeling skills to bring the estate back to its former glory.
“(They) called 10 minutes later and said, ‘If you want it, the house is yours,’” Vitale recalled. “I started crying, (but) I don’t know if it was because I was happy or sad. I didn’t know what I was getting into.”
Made over and modernized
The home was a federal-style farmhouse in the 1800s and was later converted into a saddlebred farm in the 1980s. Today, it features pieces of its historical past throughout, with modern amenities woven into each room. Vitale spent three years renovating all 12,000 square feet of the home, plus its extensive outdoor area.
“We tried to keep in mind every little luxury that people would expect to have … in a place like this,” she said, “(but it still feels) homey and welcoming. It’s not ostentatious at all.”
In the entryway, the original fanlight window from the 1790s is still intact. The grand corridor features 200-year-old, hand-hewn beams, and the primary living area boasts its original federal-style flooring, mantels, banister, and trim.
While historical elements add unique touches to the property’s aesthetic, everything has been redone for practical, modern life. Heated flooring throughout each bathroom and the indoor entertainment area — as well as seven working fireplaces — offer ample warmth on cold, winter nights. Premium GE appliances, an electric vehicle charging station, and multiple decked-out entertainment areas provide everything needed to accommodate guests.
Snazzy speakeasy
The basement used to be nothing but storage space, and there was no easy access to the area. Vitale changed that, adding a staircase that leads to what is now a speakeasy-style bourbon and wine cellar.
“(It’s) one of my favorite spaces,” Vitale said, adding that the ceiling art is a whimsical play on Renaissance pictures. “George Washington has a martini glass, (and) Abraham Lincoln has a lollipop in his mouth. It’s just something interesting to look at on the ceiling.”
The space also features a huge piece of etched-glass art that was upstairs when Vitale purchased the property.
“That thing weighs (almost) 400 pounds,” she said of the art that depicts Greek mythology’s Leda and the Swan. “It’s 3/4-inch thick glass.”
Of course, the speakeasy isn’t just full of fun art; it’s fully functional, too. The space boasts a large bar with brand-new appliances, including a pizza oven.
Ducks and Derby City
Vitale incorporated nods to Louisville and the property’s former life as a saddlebred farm with equine touches throughout. There are also subtle duck accents woven in, giving attention to the home’s history. One such adornment sits outside.
“(The previous owner) built a miniature replica of the house and put it in the pond,” Vitale explained. “It was left in the garage, but I couldn’t restore it, (so) we built another.”
She added that the 30-foot replica is something that people in the area remember and recognize. It was referred to as the "duck house," so Vitale chose to honor its memory by renaming her property Mallard Hall.
“Staying connected to the property’s past was always front of mind,” she said. “It was both a challenge and a creative opportunity to ensure the integrity of (its) history and its vast transition over the past 200 years. … You’ll see glimpses of these connections throughout the home.”
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at [email protected] or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at [email protected].
nuts & bolts
Owner: Annette Vitale, who is a design, build, and renovate contractor and entrepreneur at AMV Enterprises, Inc.
Home: This is a 7-bed, 11-bath, 12,000-square-foot, federal-style estate in Fisherville. It was originally built in 1790, with additions made in 1980. It is available for rent via mallardhallky.com.
Distinctive elements: Gated, 10-acre historical estate; two-acre stocked fishing pond with with replica duck house; outdoor kitchen with heated saltwater pool and spa; outdoor entertainment area with bar, fireplace, and TV; pondside landing with entertainment patio; historic 1790s original entryway fanlight window; helipad; 6-car garage; electric vehicle charger; original federal-style flooring, mantels, bannister, and trim in primary living area; new 10 1/4-inch European French oak flooring in expanded areas of home; heated flooring throughout each bathroom and indoor entertainment area; seven working fireplaces; chef's kitchen with quartzite countertops and custom cabinetry; 7-foot-by-7-foot custom-designed, etched saddlebred windows; custom mural ceiling in parlor; butler’s pantry; working elevator; historic architectural doors in parlor; illuminated Greek sculpture Vanderbilt replica; grand corridor featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and 200-year-old, hand-hewn beams; private primary wing with separate bathroom and two-person steam shower, curb-less car wash shower with polished nickel fixtures, laundry room, dressing room with morning kitchen, and private balcony; speakeasy room with art collection on ceiling, full bar with premium GE appliances, theater area, and repurposed Leda & The Swan custom-etched window illuminated feature; separate, two-bedroom apartment living space with full kitchen, living area, and full bath; original accents repurposed throughout, including brick, outdoor wood and steel sculptures, shutters, and wood beams.
Applause! Applause! Special thanks to the owner’s family and friends: Tonya, Vinnie, Ren, Jeanene Vitale, Michael Hanks, Sophia Straub, Kim Prather, Debbie Schuler, Kim Raybourne, Tracy Leskauskas, and Kelly Dwyer; Jeffrey Greenberg, for his support and willingness to share his family’s history; Niki Zdanow of Stevi Lily Designs for her amazing creativity, support, and patience; GE Appliances, a Haier Company; Designs by Phia; Mark Smith of Smith Construction; Assured Electric; The Tile Shop; Crawford Entertainment; Andriots Paint & Flooring; Meridian Home Furnishings; Sterling Crate Home; Jim Chambers Architectural Products; Masonry & More; Garett Sanders; Juan Quinella; Renata Henson; Mees Tile; Highland Roofing; Devona Shakespeare; Architectural Salvage; BEK Lighting; Nicole and Tim George; Ellen Archer and Aly Strainer of Luxury Rentals Louisville.
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