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A vision transforms a Flemingsburg business
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By LAURA RAINS Staff Writer
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FLEMINGSBURG -- Even with all the bat droppings and stuff stored on the second floor, Kathy Macht had a vision for what it could be.
The beams in the ceiling, charred from a fire many years ago, gave her the idea.
"I knew I wanted the second floor that would be our home to be one big open space," she said. "The only room that is enclosed is the bathroom."
Kathy and her husband, Ken, moved to Flemingsburg from Florida in 2005. The Old Tobacco Factory on Electric Avenue seemed perfect, even if only Kathy could envision the way it looks today.
"Kathy had the vision," he said. "For me it was more of a hallucination."
After two hurricanes struck Vero Beach, Fla. in three weeks' time in 2004, the Machts thought it was time to redefine their idea of "paradise."
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| Ken and Kathy Macht have turned the second floor of the Old Tobacco Factory into a big city-style loft. The Machts have converted the downstairs into an art studio and gallery, Banana Tree Studios.
Photos by Laura Rains |
Ken, originally from Newport, suggested they begin their search in Kentucky. It was suggested to them to visit Fleming County and it didn't take long for the couple to make up their mind.
Kathy immediately loved the picturesque county and both she and her husband were drawn to its people.
The Machts were not only looking for a place to live, but also a place to open an art gallery to showcase their works and the works of local artists.
"This building is perfect for both," said Ken.
With the first floor being the location for their studio and art gallery, Banana Tree Studios, the second floor needed an incredible amount of work before the couple could call it "home."
Kathy likens the experience to that of a child on Christmas morning.
"I said 'oh my gosh, here it is.'"
The couple closed on their home in Vero Beach in June, 2005 and headed north.
"We lived in our camper parked out front until it was livable," said Ken.
Kathy wanted the open feeling of a big city loft. With the beams on the 12-foot ceilings as her guide, Kathy defined the living areas with their belongings.
A foyer, living room, bedroom and sitting area, dining room, kitchen and eat-in dining area and office make up the second floor. The bathroom is the only enclosed space, complete with a claw foot tub they brought with them from Florida.
Heating and air conditioning were added and the duct work was left exposed to enhance the loft feel.
"This is my New York loft without all the traffic," said Kathy.
The floor is made from wood taken from an 1810 Augusta, home that was torn down.
Many of the large windows had broken panes when they purchased the building but they were a strong selling point for Kathy.
"I love the natural lighting here," she said. "Even on gray days it feels cozy."
Kathy knew she wanted old barn siding in the kitchen. A ladder from an old barn on the Woodie Fryman farm in Fleming County serves as her pot rack over the island in the kitchen. Ken used pegs from an old barn on Fryman's farm to fashion hardware on the lower kitchen cabinets. Wooden crates attached to the wall are used as the upper cabinets.
"It's great," said Kathy. "If I need more cabinet space, I go find another crate."
The island counter top is the last thing left to do in the kitchen.
Kathy wants Ken, who is a ceramic artist, to make the tiles for the island's top. She then plans to paint the flowers of Kentucky on the tiles.
Kathy has decorated their home with many of their own works. One of her large paintings is the focal point in the dining room.
The painting has a very special meaning for her. Her father was a professional photographer and the painting was done from one of his black and white photographs.
Ken's love of history is evident throughout their home. His collection of pottery fills an étagère in the living room. Some of the interesting pieces are hundreds of years old.
One piece from the City of David just outside Jerusalem is estimated to be 3,000 years old. Another small piece from Greece dates back to 500 B.C. Ken says the tiny urn was used at funerals where mourners passed the urn from one to another to catch their tears and then poured them over the deceased.
In his office are also several framed original pieces of history including an autograph of Henry Clay, a 1711 copy of the English newspaper The Spectator, an 1864 New York Times telling of General Sherman's march through Georgia and the Royal seal of King George III.
"I have a fascination with history," he said. "The things I have collected give fascinating insight into the manners, morals and customs of that particular time in history."
Since moving to Flemingsburg a few months ago, Ken and Kathy have concentrated on learning the history of Fleming County. The Machts got a map from the Fleming County Chamber of Commerce and say they have traveled just about every road in the county.
It was the beautiful rolling landscape that initially attracted the Machts to Fleming County, but it's the people that made them want to stay.
"I think some of the greatest people in the world are right here in Fleming County," said Ken.
Contact Laura Rains at Laura.Rains@lee.net or by phone at 606-564-9091, ext. 275 |
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