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Photography by Craig Wasilewski. Frances Koncilja told us she thinks we all have a fantasy to build the perfect home. We couldn’t agree more. The picturesque entrance of Frances Koncilja’s palatial home offers just a hint of the more than 12,000 square feet of Tuscan-inspired architecture and ambiance inside. Instead of vineyards however, the secluded Polo Reserve boasts clean-shaven polo fields and drop-dead gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains. After locating the perfect homesite, Koncilja moved her family into a loft downtown and began the crazy process of building a house from the ground up. The result is one of the area’s most striking homes. In photo: The grape arbor is situated on the east side of the home, looking toward the horse trail, the cottonwoods, and cooley lake. the deck continues around the south side of the house with a view of the polo fields and the mountains.
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The stonework on the outside of the house is a custom blend of colors and textures created by Mike Anderson of Environmental Materials. Koncilja’s architect on this project was Greg Cook of G.D. Cook and Associates.
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The centerpiece of the two-story library is the painting by Carrie Fell, which served as the cover art for the 2004 Polo Denver Classic. Koncilja acquired the original piece at the event auction — “I actually had to outbid a couple of my friends.” The ironwork on the spiral staircase is by Bill Eckhart of Creations in Metal. The furniture in this room is from Howard Lorton Galleries and Kacey Fine Furniture. The custom paneling features an oil-rubbed finish. Koncilja is a collector of Oriental rugs, and The one here is a Hunting Kashmiri Bidjar, a rare Persian weave.
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The piano is a full grand Yamaha Disklavier. The elephant occasional tables are from the now defunct pacific rim. The artwork hanging above the couch is a mixed media piece by Atlanta artist Lucinda Carlstrom made of silk and Japanese paper with gold and bronze leaf. on the floor is a silk carpet of Kerman design that was hand-knotted in Pakistan.
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The dining room table and chairs are from Henredon. The chandelier is a hand-forged rusted iron work from Italy. The light fixture hangs from a ceiling painted by muralist Julie Inman designed to put diners in mind of a Tuscan sunset. on the wall hangs a leather tapestry selected by Koncilja for its complementary colors. on the floor is an antique, hand-knotted Persian tribal Bakhtiari Haris rug from Iran.
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The two-sided custom-cast fireplace with inserts of Rossa Verona marble is by Rita Henry of Distinctive Mantle Designs and gives warmth to both the dining room and the library. The artwork above the mantle is from the Horchow Collection, and the candle sconce is from city floral.
