A playful renovation of the Fairmount Carriage House

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Anessa and Taylor Foxwell are not afraid of a project. In fact, when their home in Fishtown became too small, they set out to find a specimen – something rare that they could make their own. (To say they have a vision is an understatement.) They found her in a 19th-century Fairmount carriage house. “We love the high ceilings and the width,” says Anessa.

Her first call was to Kenny Grono, co-owner of the Philadelphia design and construction firm Buckminster Green. He had renovated their previous home and his team — including interior designer Kristie Rosado — was excited to outfit the empty space. The work was large: a pilot’s house was converted into a large room; Bedrooms, bathrooms and a play area (with a slide!) were built for their three children; a kitchen, closets, two staircases – the list goes on.

But the scope of the project didn’t distract the Foxwells from their mantra that good design can be full of joy. The result is a study in how to combine pattern and pigment with intelligent architecture: every room or corner in this renovation of the Fairmount carriage house offers a delightful surprise.

The kitchen

“I had a light green kitchen, a red kitchen and I wanted a purple one,” says Anessa.

The cement tiles she found from Thatcher Studio helped make the exact cabinet color choice. Rule-breaking details – like mismatched chairs – tie everything together.

The main bathroom

Clé’s blue and white cement tiles feel like an ocean wave. The Foxwells followed the pattern by extending it to the shower walls. The custom walnut vanity comes from local manufacturer Edgewood Made.

For me, wallpaper and tiles are like art, so let’s choose those first and then move on.” -Anessa Foxwell

The children’s room

Heart-patterned wallpaper from Kerri Rosenthal and house-framed beds from West Elm Kids add whimsical but not babyish elements.

The top floor

The spiral staircase that led to a small pilot house was replaced with a custom-made staircase. Nature-inspired wallpaper, Anthropologie lounge chairs, a desk, and a mint wet bar make the space ideal for working and entertaining.

Published as “Fun House” in the October 2024 issue of Philadelphia Magazine.