Step inside this stunning renovated Federal Georgian-style home, stone cabin in Jefferson County

Lennie Omalza
·4 min read

Don Wenzel and Ron Darnell have renovated multiple historic homes. Their latest project — and current residence — is an 1845 Federal Georgian abode in eastern Jefferson County.

“When this (house) became available, we … couldn’t believe it,” Wenzel told The Courier Journal, adding that the property includes 13 acres of land — a rare find in eastern Jefferson County.

“As we (looked toward) retirement,” he added, “we (needed) a place where we (could) really invest and grow, and groom, and renovate, and work with the property. This really provides us the opportunity to do that.”

For art and entertaining

The home of Don Wenzel & Ron Darnell in eastern Jefferson County. This Federal Georgian house was built in 1845 and sits on a 14-acre property with the original Edward Tyler stone house, circa 1783; a stone spring house from the late 1700s; a pond; a barn; a 1700s stone outdoor fireplace area; and a garage complex. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wenzel added that he and Darnell love to entertain, and their spacious house and surrounding grounds provide the perfect place for welcoming guests.

“The front entrance is 54 feet long, from the front door to the threshold,” Wenzel said. “Basically, what you have is a four-square times two. You’ll see four rooms of exactly the same proportion on top of one another — each with a fireplace.”

A two-story addition was built onto the back of the house at some point, but it was later replaced with a one-story extension sometime in the 1960s. The fully finished space is now a seamless part of the home’s 4,600 square feet, which still features quite a few original features.

Library in the home of Don Wenzel & Ron Darnell in eastern Jefferson County. This Federal Georgian house was built in 1845 and sits on a 14-acre property with the original Edward Tyler stone house, circa 1783; a stone spring house from the late 1700s; a pond; a barn; a 1700s stone outdoor fireplace area; and a garage complex. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“All moldings are original,” Wenzel said, “all floors, doors, windows. We saved every original element. It’s a very, almost shaker-esque, clean look — so you can put modern art in here, and it doesn’t feel displaced.”

He added that the heartbeat of the house is their art collection, which is more than just paintings and pictures on walls.

“(That includes) furniture and furnishings,” he explained, “because a couple of pieces of furniture are really art.”

Mindful modifications

The home of Don Wenzel & Ron Darnell in eastern Jefferson County. This Federal Georgian house was built in 1845 and sits on a 14-acre property with the original Edward Tyler stone house, circa 1783; a stone spring house from the late 1700s; a pond; a barn; a 1700s stone outdoor fireplace area; and a garage complex. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Because Wenzel and Darnell are only the property’s fourth owners, the home has been well maintained — and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s.

“We didn’t have to do tons to the house,” Darnell said, explaining that the only major renovation was the kitchen.

“(It) was a complete, to-the-studs gut,” Wenzel said. The completely revamped space — designed by Darnell, who is the chef of the house — now boasts an oversized island and premium appliances.

Kitchen in the home of Don Wenzel & Ron Darnell in eastern Jefferson County. This Federal Georgian house was built in 1845 and sits on a 14-acre property with the original Edward Tyler stone house, circa 1783; a stone spring house from the late 1700s; a pond; a barn; a 1700s stone outdoor fireplace area; and a garage complex. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Aside from the kitchen, most of the changes made to the home were cosmetic. Upstairs, however, Wenzel and Darnell did a bit of remodeling so they could make use of the terrace.

“When we bought it, you had no access,” Wenzel explained. “The door was so far gone.”

Following the exacting standards of the Kentucky Heritage Council, they repaired and refreshed the space. It is now easily accessible and offers sweeping views of the front of the property, which includes white oaks, yellow poplars, maples, and other heirloom trees.

“(We) just love this little spot,” Wenzel exclaimed. “It really feels like you’re in Paris or something. Very European.”

Historical significance

Ensuite bathroom off of the main bedroom in the home of Don Wenzel & Ron Darnell in eastern Jefferson County. This Federal Georgian house was built in 1845 and sits on a 14-acre property with the original Edward Tyler stone house, circa 1783; a stone spring house from the late 1700s; a pond; a barn; a 1700s stone outdoor fireplace area; and a garage complex. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

While the main house itself is a historical marvel, the vast property also boasts a 2,000-square-foot barn, a 1700s limestone spring house, and what is known as the Edward Tyler stone house, which dates back to 1783. Like the main house, the stone house is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Everything about the house’s structural elements — from the poplar flooring to the stone walls — are original.

“All this stone was quarried on the property behind the barn,” Wenzel said, adding that the quarry is still there. In fact, he continues to utilize stone from it to build walls, pathways, and more. Most recently, he used some of the material to create a stone terrace around an original fireplace out back that has been standing since the 1700s.

“We have taken this place to heart and completely transformed (it, while) respecting the original design,” Wenzel said. “We love it. We have a deep passion for historical renovation.”

Second floor of a guest cabin behind the home of Don Wenzel & Ron Darnell in eastern Jefferson County. This Federal Georgian house was built in 1845 and sits on a 14-acre property with the original Edward Tyler stone house, circa 1783; a stone spring house from the late 1700s; a pond; a barn; a 1700s stone outdoor fireplace area; and a garage complex. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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: Don Wenzel and Ron Darnell. They are the owners of Rockdale Farming and Business Ventures, LLC. Also in the home is their English Setter, Finch, and their Westie, Cody.

Home: This is a 4-bed, 4-bath, 4,600-square-foot, Federal Georgian-style home in eastern Jefferson County. It was built in 1845. The 640-square-foot stone cabin on the property was built in 1783.

Distinctive elements: Both the main house and cabin are Listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the main house features 12-foot ceilings, eight fireplaces, a 54-foot entry foyer, and original bald cypress floors, molding, and doors and windows; the stone cabin features original poplar floors and 23-inch-thick solid limestone walls from limestone quarried on the property; 13-acre property features a 2,000-square-foot barn, a pond, a 1700s limestone spring house, an outdoor fireplace from the 1700s, extensive natural limestone outcroppings, and original limestone quarry.

Applause! Applause! Mark Klemenz Construction LLC; Matt Harrod Electric LLC; Platypus Plumbing; Don Cunningham at DC Kitchens; Urban One, LLC (Charles Cash, architect); Stiver's Heating and Air; Martin Flooring Co, Inc.; Zoller Drywall; Larry at Advanced Quality Tile; Coffman's Chimney; Closet Factory; Mary Kay at Chenoweth Appliances.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Couple renovates Federal Georgian-style home in Jefferson County