Elegance defined

Elegance defined
The bosbous home is a formal yet functional showpiece

By AMY SIEWERT

July 2009

It’s all in the details when it comes to John and Patricia Bosbous’s Elm Grove home.

And it’s no wonder, considering the couple spent a considerable amount of time in the planning process with Kingsway Home and Anne Francois of Collaborative Design.

"The architectural detail that was added really enhances the elegance of the home," says Francois. All the niches in the house were very challenging."

The special touches are seen everywhere from the triple crown molding to the ceiling-high cabinets in the kitchen.

*Grand Style* The living room boasts a grand yet comfortable ambiance with the cherry wood, plush carpet and comfortable furniture. "My inspiration for this room was the Pabst Mansion," says Patricia Bosbous. Custom woodwork hides a built-in TV and bar area. "I wanted it all to be hidden so it still appeared formal," she says. "We wanted it to be a very usable home, but still feel formal when someone walked in." The crisscross beams on the ceiling add interest to the room. Francois suggested adding crown molding around the beams to warm it up. The double knockdown finish on the ceiling gives it additional texture. "The effects of the different lighting techniques add to the ambiance," says Francois. In addition to the table lamps, there are lights on the beams and cabinets, and accent lighting for the art work. The fabrics on the furniture are elegant but usable on a daily basis.
	*Form and Function* While the kitchen has a formal feel, it is still very functional. "We wanted to incorporate the dining room into the kitchen," says Patricia Bosbous. "In our old house we used our formal dining room once a year and we wanted to use it every day." *A formal appearance to the space was a must for Bosbous, who did not want to be looking at a working kitchen while entertaining guests.* Therefore, a wood facade covers the refrigerator and finishing touches such as the coved cabinetry above the cabinets and large crown dental molding were added. "I wanted to bring in the Old World flavor," she says. Posts were also incorporated into the corner of the cabinets giving it a more ornate look. *The cherry cabinets, custom built by Kitchen Kraft in New Berlin, extend the ceiling. "I thought it made it look more grand," Bosbous says.* *"The cabinets are anchored and not floating with a high ceiling," adds Francois.*
*Splash of Color* *"That is the more casual side of the house, so we thought we would do something more colorful and fun," Bosbous says of the hallway’s artwork.* *"The whole thing about design is to mix different concepts," says Francois. "And I had thought that was not possible."* *The organic feel of the glass blends well with the area it is displayed.*
	*A Touch of Hemmingway* The morning room is adjacent to the kitchen and has a myriad of floor-to-ceiling windows that provide plenty of sunlight. Dramatic linen window treatments with bamboo blinds and iron drapery rods, along with the curved couch and stuffed chairs, create a relaxed environment. A triple-framed shadow box houses the wall-mounted television.

This story ran in the July 2009 issue of: