Living large in a small space
By Colin Perkins |
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The space may be small - but it certainly tells big tales. It's a home with every single one of its 455 square feet strategically filled, with each item holding its own unique meaning and sense of history.
The apartment itself is within a retrofitted 1920's carriage house. "At one point there would have been horses and carriages on the ground floor and the carriage drivers and the caretaker of the horses lived in the space where the apartment is today," said resident Scott Hanratty. This unique home sits within the Woodland Park section of Columbus - an area which fittingly is one of Columbus' tiniest treasures. "It's a really small area between Old Town East and Bexley. It's where all the largest mansions in the city used to be and a lot of the buildings have great character."
Hanratty is the store manager at the Short North boutique Collier West, as well as the operator of his own private music studio, which offers bassoon lessons. Following an extensive musical education and seven years as a member of a Texas-based symphony orchestra, Hanratty decided it was time to return to Ohio.
"I'm a Midwest person," he said. "I love Columbus. I feel like people here are very sophisticated, and it's a small town feel in a medium-sized city."
Upon returning, Hanratty located his current home and set to work personalizing it to his decorating preference - a style he calls "vintage industrial."
For example, Hanratty designed and constructed the sofa table himself. "I found the wood at Columbus Architectural Salvage - which is an amazing store that everyone should go to. Then I collaborated with Fortin Ironworks. I sketched what I wanted it to look like and they put it all together."
"I love nature," he continued. It's a simple preference that informs his entire living space - from the striking stuffed pheasant overlooking the living area, to the rehabilitated garden lattices adorning the wall, to the pair of naturally-shed deer antlers that Hanratty found near Hocking Hills.
Photo: Christopher Atwood
Hanratty also has a collection of vintage tool chests scattered throughout the apartment. These items, which Hanratty finds at various antique malls, hold special meaning for him. "I love the idea of old tool boxes. Because this guy worked his entire life probably with all of his tools in this toolbox, and to think of the things that he might have created," he said. "Having them here is my way of showing respect to the gentlemen that owned them before me."
Decorate on a Budget
One of Hanratty's design secrets is to cut costs wherever possible. "I have been really lucky to find a lot of great things and the place came to together for a very reasonable price," he explained. "I always try to either find something that is very inexpensive or make it myself." He indicated the thick section of marble slab he converted into a makeshift countertop bar. "That was a garage sale find for one dollar," he pointed out.
Another decorating principle that Hanratty holds himself to is the support of local artists and merchants. Aside from Collier West and Columbus Architectural Salvage, he frequents the Grandview Mercantile Company and antique shops throughout the city. On the walls are various pieces of original art, including a favorite by Columbus artist Sarah Weinstock.
But the key to making it all work for Hanratty seems to lie in his ability to remain open to the world - and his belief that art is everywhere. This concept is best captured by the framed vellum sketch on his bathroom wall, which wasn't found at an art show or in a Short North gallery, but instead created from a random drawing left behind by an unknown person on a piece of cardboard outside Collier West.
Loving Everything
Working with such a compressed space presents its own array of challenges. But even amongst the challenges, Hanratty chooses to find a positive spin: "The challenge of a space this size is that you have to love every single thing you bring through the door. Sometimes it takes longer to find the right piece. It took me almost a year to find a couch that I really like. But I was willing to wait until I found the perfect item to bring into the house. But it makes you find restraint. And really, loving every single thing in your home becomes more of an advantage," Hanratty explained. "It's an ongoing project. Someday I may get tired of the wicker chair in the corner - and that goes out and something else comes in."
Originally Published: May 1, 2009
