Global Hippie Chic
Photography: Timothy Thimmes
Sometimes I feel like a crayon box exploded in my house,” laughs Julie Arenson. “I wonder if I’ve gone too far? But when I look around, I realize that somehow it all works. Especially for us. I just couldn’t wimp out. I had to go big!”
The truth is, the color and heart of this 6,000-square-foot home overlooking Old Town matches the “go big” attitude of newlyweds Julie and Todd Arenson. Both have an inherent sense of “carpe diem” that’s led them through many creative outlets in their lives.
Both from Pittsburgh, each went their separate ways at approximately the same time. Julie’s background is in design. She worked for a company in Philadelphia that designed the plantings and flower arrangements for commercial spaces. And after a short time repping for Armani Eyewear, she co-designed an eco-friendly line of eyewear called “Eyewood.”
Julie’s passion is the thrill of the hunt, whether it be a flea market or a vintage clothing store. “I spent a lot of time in Vermont and Connecticut,” she says, “where the antique stores and flea markets are packed every weekend. I also studied historic preservation planning at Penn State. I’ve always been drawn to old architecture … that’s how I ended up in Philadelphia. Philly has some of the best.” Julie’s passion for art was inspired by Philadelphia’s “Saloon” restaurant. “Owner Richard Santore and his brother Charlie are responsible for one of the most impressive collections of art and architectural antiques one could ever hope to enjoy in a restaurant setting,” says Julie.
For 15 years, Todd was a partner in the successful local apparel company, Tsunami. But his passion was always building things. “My dad was a kitchen and bathroom remodeling contractor. He would encourage me to help him on the weekends.
Through osmosis, I learned a lot. While at Tsunami for 15 years, I had more fun building the booths for the shows than I did running the business.”
In 1993, Todd bought his first Park City house on Park Avenue — a “fixer-upper,” to say the least. “I’d always wanted to buy a house, tear it apart and put it back together. So I gutted it and began my first major renovation project. I remember friends coming over and seeing the demolition and telling me later they’d said to each other, ‘Oh, he’s screwed.’” Since selling Tsunami in 2002, Todd has built or remodeled eight homes in Park City for either himself or clients. The most fun, though, he says, is now getting to build homes with Julie. “You don’t have to be accountable to anybody but yourself when building your own home. You get to experiment and try new materials and concepts.”
Coming together, both in life and in their dream of creating a unique and comfortable home seemed like a match destined to be. “It was bizarre,” says Julie. “Todd and I grew up in the same place. He turns left to go West. I turn right to go East. We meet here in Park City decades later. We find out we’re both from Pittsburgh and the rest is history. The next thing I know we are digging through each other’s treasures, only to discover that we have both been collecting antiques from opposite ends of the country … rusted railroad lanterns, vintage wooden painting ladders, wagon wheels …
I guess that’s what happens when you grow up drinking the same water!”
“Julie had been saving magazine clippings of home elements she liked for years,” reveals Todd. “Out of curiosity, I sifted through her pages and realized we were both admiring the same types of design elements. I had built several rustic-styled homes, but realized my tastes and ideas were changing. I wanted something brighter, more contemporary and industrial looking.”
So where did the Arensons net out? They describe their home, awash with color, art and light, as “global hippie chic with a sense of humor” — a stimulating yet comfortable mix of cozy living spaces within a large structure.
Much of the home has an urban loft feel. “I love the brick,” says Julie. “It reminds me of the East. The metal structural elements and glass work well to give our home the overall look we wanted. But it was a real challenge to make certain the space didn’t feel cold and overly masculine. When the bones of your house feel modern, but you don’t want the interior to look like “The Jetsons,” what do you do?” Julie’s answer to herself? “Make it funky. Make it colorful, whimsical and fun.”
“I just let her loose on this project,” laughs Todd. “That way I can blame it all on her. In the beginning, I said we needed to keep one foot in the ‘mountain style.’ But then I realized that the house was taking on a life of its own and we just went with it.”
“I’ve been a color junkie since I was a kid,” explains Julie. “And with the brief length of our summers, color is short-lived in our landscape, so the interior had to alive with color. It also became apparent that the weight of the heavy building elements, combined with the volume of space, demanded bold, gutsy color for balance.”
“When we started blending our collectables together with the global theme, it all began to fall into place,” says Todd. “I love the mix of textures. We enjoy combining the influences of all the pieces we love … from East Coast flea market finds to Moroccan wall sconces and a beaded African king’s hat … somehow it all works.”
Julie’s favorite “room” is the outdoor courtyard. She designed an elaborate winding creek with two waterfalls that cascade into a fish pond. “The creeks run through the patio area, so that you can stick your toes in,” Julie muses. “This really is the best spot in the house. At night, with the fire going and the stars, especially bright up here … we feel blessed.”
“Our home isn’t finished yet,” says Julie. “I hope it never is. I love the process.” “You should be able to walk into your house at the end of the day and decompress,” says Todd. “This house does that for me.”
Park City Magazine editor Kristen Gould Case looks forward to writing these home tour articles, because it gives her an excuse to peek around other people’s beautiful and inspired abodes.
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