Walking into the two-story entryway visitors are greeted by a dazzling black and white marble floor and a walk-in fireplace feature. A sparkling chandelier hangs in the center of the room drawing the eyes upward to admire the wood paneled walls, coffered ceilings and dual staircases leading to the second and third floors. An elevator provides easy access to the upper levels and is tucked away near the staircase on the right providing an extra measure of convenience for guests.
The rich colors of the den room comfort the soul and feature both a bar and library and a fantastic drop down projector and screen perfect for entertaining on game day. Cozy up in front of the fireplace with one of the many literature choices while sipping on your beverage of choice from the convenient fully stocked bar just steps away. Deep wood paneling throughout the room creates the den people dream of and the modern addition of the projector updates the classic image of a den and bar room beautifully. The woodwork in the house is by Stanford Wood while Randy Walker provided electrical elements.
“The Grand Room was my wife’s answer to the Sistine Chapel,” Bloomfield explains and it features 24 feet tall ceilings, exquisite natural lighting and treasures from both around the globe and closer to the home. An emperor’s robe in an ornate gold frame is displayed above one of the entry doors into the room while the beauty of a 180-year-old piano Bloomfield restored beckons admiration from visitors. The piano was collected at an estate auction (the Bloomfield’s love scavenging for antiques) in Shelbyville that they attended on a whim. With a bid just one dollar over the asking price, the piano found a new home at Bloomfield Manor and completes the feeling of a formal parlor found out of an Austen novel. The portraits of Bloomfield’s grandchildren adorn the walls in shining gold frames and match the 24 karat gold, tortoise shell and brass clock displayed on the mantle constructed by Marie Antoinette’s clockmaker.
The kitchen is commercial grade with a drool-worthy butler’s pantry fully equipped for cooks and catering teams to prepare delicious dishes talked about for years to come. Stainless steel appliances including a Viking six burner gas range with pasta faucet, refrigerators, microwaves and ovens are evenly distributed throughout this bright and inviting space while a large island provides ample room for food prep and enjoyment. Custom cream-colored cabinets and black and white granite countertops give this kitchen a flourish of the French countryside and confirm this space as the perfect spot to prepare cuisine for entertaining guests of for serving large parties.
Two dining rooms adjacent to the kitchen invite guests to sit, dine and enjoy their time at Bloomfield Manor. Mr. Bloomfield fondly recounts a favorite memory when “we had 250 people here on New Year’s Eve of 2000 as sort of a coming out party for the house.” Since this epic first introduction to entertaining, the manor has hosted a various assortment of events including fundraisers for charities, business functions, weddings and parties, each imprinting a special fondness on Mr. Bloomfield. The main dining room “was probably why we built the house,” laughs Bloomfield because the table situated here now can seat eight to 26 people when fully extended. Emerald green fabric lines the walls in the grand dining hall creating a feeling of lushness and relaxation for diners and admirers alike. Two magnificent chandeliers rest above either side of the table while candelabras grace the top of the table casting a romantic light on the room.
When you enter the expansive master suite on the first floor, immediately a tranquil feeling washes over you. Outfitted with lounge chairs, armchairs and a king size four-poster bed, it’s difficult not to imagine drifting off to dreamland in this extremely welcoming space. Bloomfield instructed me to cast my sight to the focal piece of the room: an ornate carving on the ceiling and to my surprise, another drop down projector began to emerge while it’s counterpart (the screen) simultaneously began to descend from the ceiling in front of the fireplace. Convenient and elegant, this feature is a must-have in homes of today.
Moving into the perfect his and hers master bath, marble flooring sparkles as the light from the wall sconces and chandelier illuminate the many features of the space. Dual sinks flank a lady’s powder station opposite a claw foot tub. The bath also houses a walk in steam shower with massage feature and leads to the closet room where you will be delighted to find a “his” and “her” closet just past a coffee station added for enjoyment in the morning.
The property sits secluded on 11 pristine acres featuring exquisite formal gardens which won the coveted Merit Award ‘Landscape Design Achievement’, a croquet garden, two pool houses with finished kitchens frame the gorgeous pool equipped with spirited fountains and a charming playhouse cottage sits on the lawn nearby.
The architecture on the property was contributed by Hugh Bennett of Bennett Associates Architects in addition to Michael Knowles is the stunning architecture.
The interior design work is by Mrs. Bloomfield and Lannie Cornett and to which Bloomfield explains, “Most everything in the house was selected by my wife, except the statues.” Gorgeous bronze statues from the collection of artist Victor Salmones speckle both the interior and exterior and it is easy to get lost gazing at the exuberantly posed, beautifully crafted works of art on the lawn and throughout the manor. One of Bloomfield’s favorite is that of three forearms from three ladies sitting atop the bar in the den as it welcomes friends and family to come in and linger awhile. Designed specifically after 17th century country homes, this property serves as a personal castle for the owner and his family and is truly fit for royalty.
The architecture on the property was contributed by Hugh Bennett of Bennett Associates Architects in addition to Michael Knowles is the stunning architecture.
The interior design work is by Mrs. Bloomfield and Lannie Cornett and to which Bloomfield explains, “Most everything in the house was selected by my wife, except the statues.” Gorgeous bronze statues from the collection of artist Victor Salmones speckle both the interior and exterior and it is easy to get lost gazing at the exuberantly posed, beautifully crafted works of art on the lawn and throughout the manor. One of Bloomfield’s favorite is that of three forearms from three ladies sitting atop the bar in the den as it welcomes friends and family to come in and linger awhile. Designed specifically after 17th century country homes, this property serves as a personal castle for the owner and his family and is truly fit for royalty.
