At home with Gary Johnson
When Gary Johnson purchased his near-northside home out of foreclosure in 2000, it was nearly gutted inside and the basement held three truckloads’ worth of debris.
But it did have one advantage: Not much demolition work had to be done before renovations could begin.
“You could see out through the roof,” Johnson said. “All of the parts for the main stair were in the basement, and the sun porch had caved in.”
Built in 1922, the home is located in what might be one of Indianapolis’ earliest subdivisions. Adjacent houses are similar in style and floorplan. All are two stories with detached garages. From Johnson’s windows, he can see nearby homes undergoing renovations.
Keepers and do-overs
Because the stairway was in pieces, Johnson had to live on the main floor throughout renovations. He was able to salvage and refinish most of the original hardwood floors and rebuild the living room’s fireplace surround. He also rebuilt the south-facing enclosed porch, which is warmed naturally by the sun.
“The front entry floor was covered with 4-inch bath tile that was quite slick,” he said. “It was four years before I could get to that project.”
Johnson drew on his design skills to resolve several renovation problems. For example, plaster throughout the home originally was heavily textured, and the main-floor guest bathroom retained that detail. Rather than removing it, he upholstered the walls with blue and white koi-print fabric.
On the second floor, Johnson kept three of the original four bedrooms, sacrificing one to expand the master suite. The renovated retreat now features a sitting area and a stunning bathroom with a glass-walled shower.
One guest room retains the original textured walls; another has chocolate-colored walls and a paneled bath. All of the bathrooms are outfitted with heated tile floors.
Outside, Johnson installed a koi pond and created lush grounds surrounded by Bradford pear trees. In the fall, the leaves turn a rich reddish brown — a nice complement to the home’s brick exterior. On winter days, birds flock to the yard to feast on the trees’ tiny fruit.
Designer’s dream
Johnson owns Surroundings, an interior design studio in Broad Ripple that specializes in continental antique furniture. His expertise is evident throughout the brick home. In creating his own surroundings, Johnson selected antique pieces that complement the soothing color scheme.
“I work with color all day,” he said. “I love color, [but] at home I’m comfortable with neutral, blue and white.”
A pair of chairs in the living room has an interesting provenance: They came from the Savannah, Ga., home that served as the setting for the best-selling book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” He also furnished the room with a French half-round armoire.
In the foyer, a French grandfather clock greets visitors — but it’s not just any clock. The circa-1780 conversation-starter belonged to the Neiman family. That’s Neiman as in Neiman Marcus, the upscale department store founded in 1907. Johnson at one time lived in Maine, next door to members of the Neiman family. He purchased the clock and other items from his neighbor’s estate sale. Apparently, the younger Neimans didn’t care for French antiques.
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