When empty nesters Chandra and Eric Bergeson purchased a property they had always admired in Salt Lake City’s St. Mary’s neighborhood, there was no question about the type of home they’d build on it. “I’ve always been drawn to older homes,” says Chandra, who has an affinity for classic American architecture and design. And while she knew the age-old look she wanted, Chandra had no idea how to create the traditional charm she desired. “That’s where Hillary came in; she knew how to get us there,” says Chandra, nodding to designer Hillary Taylor. 

Stone selected from states located along the Pioneer Trail clad the central part of the home’s exterior. Stone masons interspersed the “Emigration Trail Mix” stone in a similar manner to Pennsylvania Dutch homes and executed early 19th century pointing. Landscape design by Kappus Landscape. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Impressively thick walls, a custom newel post, raised paneling and courtyard views charm the historically scaled entry hall. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Design by Hillary Taylor
The living room’s antique mirror reflects a plein air landscape by Michael Chamberlain. Restored Greek Revival cornice moldings perform as brackets that display the owners’ collection of Rose Medallion pieces. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.

Taylor instantly understood the Bergesons’ attraction to the expansive property, ideal for the yard-loving couple. The designer also envisioned the historic style Chandra craved. “We thought about what might have been built here at the base of Emigration Canyon if the early pioneers had the funds to build a home when they arrived in Salt Lake,” Taylor says. Sheenlisted architect Jon Jang and Evergreene Construction’s Chris Nielson to help design and build a traditional home based on Greek Revival design. “It was the dominant style of residential architecture from 1820-1850, and we thought it would provide a traditional framework that would give the property structure,” Taylor explains. 

Design by Hillary Taylor
Taylor wanted to reference the home’s exterior and retain some of the elements of a neoclassical space in the dining room, so she included antiques as well as heirloom-quality reproductions. A Susan Harter wallpaper creates the look and feel of a period-appropriate mural. The chairs and chandelier are from Dennis & Leen. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
A daughter’s bee drawing hangs in a mudroom grounded by bluestone floors. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.

Keeping in mind the clients’ desire for a light-filled, time-honored home, the team conjured a residence that is primarily one-room deep. This think-thin concept floods each room with air and light, while providing front-and-back views and access. “Because I am constantly looking outside and am so affected by natural light and air, this design was perfect for me,” Chandra says. The one-room-deep approach also affects the way an interior lives. “Because you walk through rooms rather than down hallways connecting them, you are constantly experiencing the spaces rather than simply gazing into them,” Taylor explains. 

Design by Hillary Taylor
A beamed vaulted ceiling, relaxed furnishings and tongue-and-groove planks infuse the family room with comfort and style. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Design by Hillary Taylor
The spacious reading room is a favorite hang-out that connects the home’s upper-level bedrooms. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Designed by Jon Jang, Eric’s office boasts a coffered ceiling and handsome paneling, all finely crafted in pine by Joe Pinegar. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Design by Hillary Taylor
The entry, dining and living rooms compose a beautiful enfilade offering alluring views through the spaces’ aligned openings. Handsome, period-inspired molding frames each doorway. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.

The proof is on view from the moment guests open the front door. They immediately see through the entrance hall to French doors that open to the back patio and a magnificent landscape created by Kappus Landscape’s Simriti Schwobe. “That view is my favorite ahhh moment,” Chandra exclaims. The welcoming entrance hall also introduces the timeless style and Greek Revival details that elevate the entire décor. Thick weighty walls, generous moldings, raised paneling and a custom newel post designed by Jang “deftly speak to solidity and age,” Taylor says. So too do the scraped, wide planked Richard Marshall floors.

Design by Hillary Taylor
Embroidered in England, the Colefax and Fowler silk curtains drape the bedroom window in elegance. The Stark carpeting is from Regency Royale. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Design by Hillary Taylor
In the primary bedroom, paneled walls painted Glidden’s Limoges Blue provide a soothing backdrop for a Dennis & Leen Louis XVI style tester bed, American Sheffield silver chandelier and Krieger-Ricks custom mirrors. Bed linens by Leontine. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Rich marble, stately paneling and exquisitely tailored shades dress the timeless primary bathroom. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.

The main level is U-shaped and frames a courtyard behind the home. There are the living and dining rooms that boast front-and-back views of the property and flank the entry on opposite sides. The elegant dining room leads to an expansive kitchen, charming breakfast room, combined laundry/sewing room and a relaxed family room on one side of the home. On the other, the refined living room connects to Eric’s paneled office linking to a luxurious primary suite. “The main level is perfect for the couple’s day-to-day living,” Hillary Taylor says. A second story includes a large sitting area surrounded by four bedroom suites, one for each of the Bergesons’ grown children and their families during visits.

Design by Hillary Taylor
In the kitchen and breakfast room, reclaimed beams and tongue-and-groove ceilings create the desired impression that this portion of the home is an aged add-on to the original stone structure. “This is the heart of the home, and everything is meant to be warm and inviting,” Taylor says. The cabinetry is by Premier Woodwork and Design, the range is by Lacanche, the light is by Avrett and the floors are by Richard Marshall. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Design by Hillary Taylor
In the breakfast room, voluminous curtains dress the windows and doors opening to the courtyard and gardens. Traditional American Windsor chairs and a Louis XVI reproduction banquette surround the casual wood table. The curtain and banquette fabric is from Schumacher, and the light is from Visual Comfort. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Design by Hillary Taylor
Taylor dressed up the working pantry with honed Nero Marquina marble, starred wallpaper, rift-sawn oak cabinets and customized star rosette hardware. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.

The compelling décor is marked by Taylor’s signature combination of new and old furnishings, exquisite textiles, masterful tailoring and luxurious layering. In the tony dining room, for example, a crystal chandelier and luscious Lee Jofa curtains shimmer against a stunning Susan Harter Mural wallpaper. “It’s so beautiful to walk through and spend time there,” Chandra says. In contrast, the family room is laid-back, featuring reclaimed beams, layered rugs team and rich textures that infuse comfort and a put-your-feet-up style. “This is a gathering space that opens onto all of the outdoor spaces,” Taylor explains. The designer personalized the interior at every turn, even pulling colors from a family portrait to create the décor’s palette. “It’s very gentle and warm, and it ties the rooms together,” she says. 

A large pool sparkles among the lush landscape. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.
Design by Hillary Taylor
“I wanted to add some clean lines to a very traditional design, so we had a solid piece of granite carved for the water feature and had custom pavers made for its base,” says Schwobe. Large Tobiosho Japanese maples flourish in custom copper planters designed “to scale down the house and break up its face,” she adds. Photo by Lindsay Salazar.

Stately symmetry and Ionic columns may make guests stand a little straighter when they approach the front door, but postures ease the moment they step inside. Chandra would have it no other way. “I’m an informal person, and it’s important that people feel comfortable inside my home,” she explains. Thanks to Taylor and the talented team who created the impressive residence, comfort is just one of many delights Eric and Chandra—as well as their family and friends—enjoy in the couple’s new forever home.  

Hillary Taylor
Hillary Taylor, principal of Hillary Taylor Interiors. Photo by Heather Nan.

For more design by Hillary Taylor, click here.

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Brad Mee
Brad Mee
Brad Mee is the Editor-in-Chief of Utah Style & Design Magazine.

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