3 ring style

When Rebecca Worple says “Send in the clowns,” she’s not crooning song lyrics. As owners of the circa-1840s Italianate house that was built as the winter headquarters for John Robinson’s Circus (the largest circus of its day), Rebecca and her husband, Doug, an ad agency owner, have indeed had occasion to send in the clowns.

Last spring, for instance. Fifteen Ringling Brothers performers visited the Worples’ Terrace Park, Ohio, home (address: One Circus Place) to perform for 200 elementary school kids. Jugglers, a Brazilian dance team, and, of course, clowns all got into the act. The children, including the Worples’ own kids, Emma, 9, and Owen, 6, were riveted. “Children love the circus, and I love children, which makes this the perfect house for me,” observes Rebecca, a children’s photographer who works from her studio on the home’s third floor.

Design:
Betty Murdock, Betty Murdock Interiors, 3603 Center St., Cincinnati, OH 45227; 513/561-5060.

Photographs by John Bessler
Text by Candace Ord Manroe

Sources:
Rose-colored chairs (#825): Taylor King, 828/632-7731.
Chair fabric (#F1190-28 by Designers Guild): Osborne & Little, 212/751-3333, trade only.
Ottoman: Century Furniture, 800/852-5552.
Ottoman fabric (“Farandole’’ #4549/04 by Manuel Canovas): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900), trade only.
Floral pillow (#ML556): Osborne & Little, 212/751-3333, trade only.
Sisal rug (“Natura’’/Seagrass): Stark Carpet Corp., 212/751-9000, trade only.
Mantels: original to house.
Fireplace surround (“Off White’’ #6896-1): Porter Paints, 800/332-6270.
Bowl on mantel: Betty Murdock Interiors and Erin Oblinger, 513/321-0900.
Gold tables: Worlds Away, 901/529-0844.
Floor lamp (Barley Twist Floor Lamp #4043): Busbin, 704/374-0536, busbin.com.
Drapery (#LCF40781F): Ralph Lauren, 888/475-7674.
Trim (#M29943/inj): Brimar Inc., 800/274-1205, trade only.
Aqua pillow: Jim Thompson, 800/262-0336, trade only.