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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 23, 2020
Despite initially dismissing a tired Fifties house, Sarah and Ken Loveday took another look and saw it could become the spacious family home they needed.
When Sarah Loveday and her husband Ken first saw a ‘soulless’ Fifties home in Leamington Spa, they dismissed it out of hand. ‘There wasn’t much I liked about the house – apart from the fact that it offered us the space that we needed,’ says Sarah, a brand designer and interiors stylist. ‘We told the estate agent we weren’t interested and the house soon sold. But then it came back on to the market.’ The estate agent persuaded Sarah to look again. ‘With some reluctance, we realised it was just what we needed,’ she says. ‘It was dull, plain and empty – but offered us plenty of space. Annie, our middle child, was just three weeks old at the time and we were desperate for more room.’ But the family faced an unexpected challenge when they moved in that almost put a stop to renovation plans. ‘The house was infested with rats,’ says Sarah. ‘It was horrendous. For the first nine months, we weren’t sure if we’d stay because we just couldn’t get rid of them. They were in the cavity space above the kitchen, the sitting room and the studio – knowing they were there was horrible. It wasn’t until they were gone that we felt we could start making the house ours.’ The first task was to widen the hallway, which Sarah describes as narrow and out of proportion to the rest of the house. ‘We had plenty of space in the sitting room, so we pushed that wall back. We also put in a new front door and added a chimney breast to the sitting room, which made a real difference as it gave the room a much-needed focal point.’ Working to a budget, the couple decided to postpone doing a full kitchen renovation, instead fitting new Shakerstyle cupboard fronts for a fresh look. ‘We didn’t start the loft until three years – and another baby – later,’ says Sarah. ‘The space was boarded and separated into two rooms joined by a narrow corridor, and there were windows, but nothing else. We did originally plan on putting two bedrooms upstairs but instead we moved a few walls around and turned one of the rooms into a large en suite.’ With the loft conversion finished, the children – Bella, now nine, Annie, seven, and Todd, five, had the space they needed – and Sarah and Ken had their own attic sanctuary to escape to. Downstairs, the sitting room is full of character and colour, with an eclectic, bohemian mix of vintage prints and artwork, cushions, rugs, antiques and treasures that fill the space with personality. ‘I adore textiles and antiques,’ says Sarah. ‘I like nothing more than scouring auction houses for pieces and picking up textiles on our travels to fill the house with – it gives it so much soul.’ As the house dates from the Fifties, Sarah has incorporated this era into her aesthetic by sourcing vintage furniture online and reupholstering mid-century chairs in bright fabrics. ‘Colour is such a joyful thing to have in your home,’ she says. ‘But I never want my interiors to feel too garish or contrived so I ground them with natural textures like jute and wood. ‘It’s been seven years since we moved in and it has taken time to get the house to a place where it feels like our home,’ Sarah continues. ‘It’s been a slow process and moving to a more modern house was definitely a compromise, but now we love the space we’ve created here.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 22, 2020
Pared-back design and a pretty palette of neutrals and pastels are the hallmarks of Rosemary and Justin Bickers’ serene home.
Striking a balance between minimalism and warmth is a tricky task for any homeowner, but add four small children into the mix and you’d be forgiven for giving up on style altogether and heading straight down the ‘practical’ route. This hasn’t been the case for Rosemary and Justin Bickers, who – over the past six years – have turned an unloved doer-upper into a beautiful haven for their family, which includes Alfie, seven, Tom, six, Daisy, four, and Dorothy, six months. ‘We had been searching for the right property for over a year,’ says Rosemary. ‘My late father had been hoping we’d stay close to my family home and he was delighted when we found a house just 10 doors down from it.’ Although the property was in need of a complete overhaul, Rosemary wasn’t fazed. She had grown up on the road and over the years had been in many of the neighbours’ houses, so had seen how they had been reworked. It also helped that Justin is an electrical contractor specialising in lighting solutions. The first room to be tackled was the kitchen. ‘It was really dated,’ says Rosemary. ‘It was going to be a big job, but we had to be practical and do it on a budget and in stages as there was so much more to be done in the house.’ New electrics and plumbing, plus replastering and repainting throughout were also on the to-do list. After careful planning and budgeting, it was decided that phase one would be to extend out at the back and into the side return to get a bigger kitchen and also a cloakroom. The old cabinetry was replaced with pale-grey, Shaker-style units that have a clean, crisp look, but also give the room character. Phase two of the downstairs renovation was knocking through to the garage to create a dining space and a family room, both of which are linked to the kitchen through large openings. The dining room also has floor-toceiling glazed doors that lead out to the garden. One area downstairs that hasn’t received Rosemary and Justin’s magic touch yet is the sitting room. ‘We decided to keep it as a traditional “best room”,’ says Rosemary. ‘We will get around to doing it up in the future, but it hasn’t been a priority so far.’ The children’s rooms and Rosemary and Justin’s own bedroom were phase three and all have been decorated in off-whites with pretty pastel accents for a serene feel. Rosemary also likes to buy original artwork to give each room personality. ‘Styling my home feeds my creativity,’ she says. ‘I also take a lot of inspiration from places we’ve visited or hotels we’ve stayed in. The Swan Hotel, nearby in Southwold, is one I love. And my mum is great with colour and has a good eye, so I’ll often ask for her advice. She’s also a lover of collecting ornaments – just like me!’ And are Rosemary and Justin happy with all they have achieved? ‘Definitely,’ says Rosemary. ‘The family room is my little hygge nest. It’s my favourite area of the house to sit while the children play and I’m feeding the baby. I also love our dining room. It’s where the family comes together to feast and to chat. Luckily, we all love our food. Simplicity and balance is what we wanted to achieve, and I think it’s what makes this home such a happy one.’
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 20, 2020
Allison Lindeman and her husband Oeyvind were determined to bring their cosy, minimalist take on Nordic design to their renovation plans.
Incorporating Scandinavian design into their Victorian semi in southwest London was a priority for American interior designer Allison Lindeman of Saltbox Interiors and her Norwegian husband Oeyvind. They wanted to create a huge, open-plan family living area that still felt ‘hyggelig’ – cosy and welcoming. ‘When we looked at houses, we struggled to find one that fitted the open-plan concept, as properties within our budget tended to have lots of rooms – a front room, dining room and separate kitchen. So we decided to go for a cheaper house that we could change to suit our lifestyle,’ says Allison. To build their dream living space, the couple knocked four rooms – the dining room, breakfast room, kitchen and conservatory – into one, and created a main living space with different zones. ‘There’s a TV and play area, a sitting area with a fireplace, a dining area and a kitchen,’ says Allison. The result is a light, minimalist and relaxed family space where children Piper, eight, Finn, six, and Kaia, four, can eat and play and where everyone gathers to spend time together. Allison’s love of Scandinavian design is evident throughout the house. Downstairs, walls are white, and there are plenty of industrial touches in keeping with the Scandi design aesthetic – metal stools, brick tiling, raw wood shelving and a handleless kitchen. Even the floor tiles in the downstairs hallway and bathroom have an industrial edge. ‘They’re ceramic, but meant to look like cement,’ says Allison. The clean lines of the living space are softened by cushions and rugs. ‘The risk with this type of design is that it can come across as cold if not done properly,’ says Allison. ‘But good Scandinavian design is layered and varied, using texture and materials to create depth and interest.’ Throughout the house, the couple’s much-loved art collection provides splashes of colour against the monochrome backdrop. Yellow rugs, cushions, throws and chairs throughout the house pull the design scheme together. Upstairs, Allison painted her en-suite bathroom a stunning, deep blue. ‘I am particularly proud of the en suite,’ she says. ‘We converted a bedroom to a bathroom when we redid the house and the room was so large that I experimented more with colour and played off the blue in our bedroom.’ Keeping the interior design practical was a major priority for Allison. ‘A house with small children needs to work for everyone without any stress that things will get ruined,’ she says. ‘Our Ikea dining table also serves as a craft area, painting workshop and glitter palace. The kids can make a mess and draw on the table without worry as it usually wipes clean, but if it doesn’t, I don’t stress. We used wipeable paint throughout the house and had lots of storage built in so we can tidy away all the toys and easily create a grown-up space for relaxing and entertaining in the evening. It’s the perfect family home.’
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 19, 2020
An eye for stylish vintage finds helped Esther Patterson turn her former design studio into a colourful and intriguing home.
Originally bought as a design studio for Esther Patterson’s bespoke lighting company Curiousa & Curiousa, this former malthouse in a Derbyshire village has, in a few years, gone from practical workplace to stylish home. Built in the 1800s, the property has been through various guises, but the unique style of the interior struck a chord with the couple. ‘My husband Paul and I were living across the road, but our studio space in this building gave us lots of options,’ says Esther. ‘Firstly, we had the idea of creating a small independent cinema, The Northern Lights Cinema. Then we realised that as our company grew, we would need another base for our lighting company, so the seed was sown to create a home for us and our son Gabriel, here above the cinema,’ says Esther. The couple were confident about making changes to the upstairs apartment. Despite being in a conservation area, the property wasn’t listed so the interior design was open to options. ‘The brick walls and beams were a beautiful feature to showcase,’ says Esther. ‘And we wanted to be able to stand at one end of the building and see all the way through, so decided on glazed walls made from Crittal windows to divide the open-plan space. The glass was sound-proofed and we put up curtains for privacy.’ Keeping the original floor was a priority but, with the cinema below, they needed to consider sound insulation once more. ‘We realised we needed to install new plumbing and electrics, so we raised the floor to allow for all of this,’ explains Esther. ‘And it was beneficial, as the varying levels divide the different areas.’ A pantry was fitted in behind the kitchen to house appliances and more storage. ‘I wanted somewhere I could just stash all the household stuff away,’ says Esther. ‘It is a godsend.’ With a good eye for reclaimed materials and vintage buys, Esther and Paul gave their home a bespoke look, which evolved naturally, enhanced with a selection of their own lighting. ‘I’m not one for finding solutions at the beginning of a project and have it all spot on,’ says Esther. ‘It was like creating a foundation for a home to develop on its own. It has grown as we’ve grown, which is why it feels so comfortable, reflecting exactly what we’re all about.’
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 18, 2020
When Gill Deriu and her husband Sanero bought a cottage in Ireland, they created a characterful family house with the coolest of kitchens.
When Gill and Sanero Deriu moved to Cork from Sardinia in 2008, they weren’t looking to buy a home. ‘We had been renting a house and had just started searching for another rental property with more space,’ says Gill. ‘But then a friend told us that this house was for sale. It was everything we had been looking for – a detached cottage with a big garden and an interesting layout. We loved it.’ The couple put in an offer, but were dismayed when their mortgage fell through. But Gill was determined not to lose the house. ‘I asked the owner if we could rent the property while our finances came together, and he agreed,’ says Gill. ‘I promised we’d look after it like our own. He kept it on the market, though, which was stressful as people kept coming to view the house and I thought we’d lose it.’ Eventually Gill and Sanero secured the mortgage they needed and the house was soon theirs. ‘I fell in love with the feel of the place. The front door opens onto the sitting room, and stairs run from there to the upstairs.’ Another selling point was the large garden, which offered plenty of space for the couple’s children, Elia, now 11, Jasper, nine, and Isa, five, to play. However, the property needed work. Walls were dry-lined upstairs and downstairs to get rid of damp, and outdoor drainage was put in. The couple converted a large bedroom into two smaller rooms, and turned the master en suite into a family bathroom. ‘We redecorated everywhere,’ says Gill, ‘and we did most of it ourselves.’ The kitchen needed an overhaul, but mindful of budget, the couple worked with the existing units. Gill replaced the wall cabinets with open shelving. ‘I painted the cupboards, and we put in an oak surface on the island. I also installed pendants – getting lighting right was important to me, as it’s so critical in creating atmosphere.’ The result is a large, contemporary kitchen-diner where the family gather and the couple can entertain. ‘Our kitchen has changed so much since we moved in,’ says Gill. ‘It makes the house feel bigger and gives us so much living space. I loved its light, airy feel from the beginning, but now it has more character and depth.’ Upstairs, tactile fabrics and muted colours help make the bedrooms feel soothing and peaceful. ‘We’ve kept the bedrooms tranquil by mixing up natural materials,’ says Gill. ‘In our room, there’s a lot of wood and we’ve added texture with natural linen.’ Downstairs, Gill’s eclectic taste and love of colour bring a modern, bohemian edge. ‘It’s definitely more colourful downstairs,’ she says. ‘The fabric, furniture and rugs make the sitting room cosy, but we’ve kept clutter to a minimum.’ And she adds it need not cost a fortune to add personality. ‘I love rummaging in second-hand shops. In fact, I think pre-loved finds add to the charm of a house. Charity shops are brilliant for finding picture frames – and art doesn’t have to be expensive. We’ve framed keepsakes and the children’s artwork – they all bring personality to our home.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 17, 2020
Relocating from Ireland to Scotland has given Claire Johnston the perfect opportunity to create a new home and business venture in one.
House-hunting while living in another country can be challenging, as Claire Johnston discovered when she moved from Ireland to Scotland in 2017. Her husband, Alistair, had already returned to his home city of Glasgow for work, while Claire stayed in Dublin. However, unsurprisingly, the couple wanted to be together full time. ‘We’d just finished renovating our beautiful Dublin house, so I was quite sad to leave,’ says Belfast-born Claire, who was able to continue her old job remotely. ‘Alistair and his brother viewed a few properties, then I flew over to see two of them myself.’ One property in particular got Claire excited about moving. ‘It was a three-bedroom ground-floor apartment within a converted period property,’ she says. ‘The lovely big driveway made a good first impression and the porch, too, but it was the period panelling and living room ceiling that really clinched it.’ The building had been split into two flats by a developer and it was a blank canvas with original floors, white walls and fireplaces. This suited Claire, who was planning to launch her business I Am Nomad – a ‘shop-curated home’, where all furniture, accessories and art would be for sale online and at open-house events. ‘I had the idea after visiting an apartment in New York where they did a similar thing,’ she says. Claire and Alistair have since furnished their home with a mixture of mid-century pieces and modern designs from Denmark and Amsterdam, alongside artwork and Turkish rugs. ‘Mid-century furniture lends itself to so many different styles,’ says Claire. ‘You can mix it with modern, traditional or retro pieces – anything goes.’ In the master bedroom, Claire has created a cocoon-like feel. ‘I’d always wanted to make one room really dark, including all the skirting boards and doors,’ she says. ‘I must have tried six or seven tester pots before getting the right shade. As there’s a large bay window and high ceilings, the room can take it.’ While Claire would love to have had a pantry by the back door, she couldn’t justify changing the developer’s units. Instead she decided a dramatic hand-painted wallpaper would add a touch of individuality. ‘I was worried I might get bored with it, as it’s such a statement,’ she says. ‘But I love it as much today as when it went up.’ Although it has taken her some time to feel settled, Claire has gradually fallen for the charms of Glasgow. ‘In some ways it reminds me of Belfast and I’ve found a talented community of creative people here,’ she says. With two of her open-house events already under her belt, Claire is planning another for August. ‘The only thing that isn’t for sale in my house is a writing bureau in the guest bedroom that belonged to my great grandfather,’ she says. ‘Living in a home where everything is for sale wouldn’t be for everyone, but when I can see that somebody loves something as much as I do, I don’t mind seeing it go to a good home.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 15, 2020
A wealth of original features keeps the character and charm of Bernie Rix’s converted barn alive.
Original stone walls, wooden beams and an inglenook fireplace all contribute to the rustic charm that led Bernie Rix and her husband Dave to fall head over heels for this characterful family home. ‘Before we’d even stepped inside, the beautiful features had won us over’, recalls Bernie. ‘The gable end windows, the waney-edge cladding and Blue Lias stone gave the barn that rural appeal we were looking for; something very different to the townhouse we were living in.’ Originally built around 1850, the barn had been converted into a dwelling in the early Seventies. The previous owners had renovated since then, but when Bernie and Dave moved in, in 2016, it was time for an update. ‘Luckily for us, the work carried out had been done to a very high standard using good-quality materials, including solid-oak flooring and a handmade kitchen with a flagstone floor,’ says Bernie. As well as cosmetic updates, work needed to be done on the electrics and woodworm in the loft. The overgrown garden was another project in itself, with Bernie and Dave working on it at weekends. The country-style kitchen was one of the main draws of the property. ‘Although it’s about 20 years old, the quality is fantastic and we love the Shaker style of the cabinetry,’ says Bernie. ‘We repainted the units and added a bespoke island as a focal point.’ Plus, the open flow of the kitchen, dining and sitting room also makes a great space for the family’s Labradors, Odie and Rolo, who have free rein of the downstairs. With no structural changes needed, Bernie was able to put her stamp on the interior not long after they moved in. ‘The previous decor was fairly neutral, which meant it was easy to look past the existing schemes and visualise what to do with each space,’ she says. ‘As our previous home was modern and the furniture we owned just wouldn’t sit right in a property of this age, we bought several pieces at Bonds Lifestyle, a local antiques and interiors emporium.’ Adding colour through soft furnishings has brought each room to life and Bernie has paid particular attention to the window dressings. ‘I run a soft furnishings business called Rix Interiors (@rixinteriors), so I have made all of the curtains, blinds and most of the cushions myself.’ With the dark wooden beams in nearly every room, Bernie has kept the walls light in colour to maintain an open feel. ‘I chose Farrow & Ball’s Skimming Stone for most of the interior walls, as it has a warm tone to it and creates a lovely contrast.’ Preserving the charm of the original barn was a priority for Bernie, so she has cleverly mixed traditional style with more modern touches. ‘Living in a historic property doesn’t mean you have to be restricted in your decorating choices,’ she says. ‘While I’ve given a nod to the original building, I’ve still made it our own and brought it up to date with splashes of colour and personal touches.’ With two grown-up children, Amy and Joe, and Bernie’s granddaughter, Ottilie, often staying, along with extended family, Bernie has made sure the whole space works for everyone. ‘Being able to spill over from the dining room into the cosy sitting room is perfect for entertaining large groups, particularly in winter when we can all gather round the log burner.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 14, 2020
A unexpected sign pointed designers Poppy Treffry and Justin Duance in the welcome direction of a striking and individual home.
When Poppy Treffry and Justine Duance decided to move, it was the call of the surf that lured them. The couple had been living in Penzance in Cornwall but looking out for properties in a nearby village for three years. Anything that caught their eye was usually above their budget. But a chance sighting on a coastal path walk led to an unexpected purchase. ‘It was a simple handpainted sign that read “barn for sale”,’ says Poppy. ‘When we tracked down the farmer owner and arranged to meet, it turned out to be his tractor shed.’ In fact, the last thing the couple had been looking for was a project. ‘We wanted a house that didn’t really need work to be done on it, but this was just too good to turn down,’ says Poppy. Luckily, help was at hand. Her father trained as a surveyor and builder and used to specialise in barn conversions, so he got right behind the renovation. The project also required the trust and patience of the farmer who allowed the couple to do all the preliminary drawings and planning application before they had even exchanged contracts. ‘It was quite risky,’ explains Poppy. ‘We put in a lot of work and investment over a period of about a year, but he was very understanding and we trusted him not to sell to anyone else.’ One of the big draws was the location – a peaceful and beautiful spot close to the beach. And from the start, the pair could see what this tractor shed could become. ‘At that first viewing, we walked around saying “bedrooms here, the bathroom there…”,’ says Poppy. ‘I’ve still got some of our sketches from that time and it’s pretty much how it turned out.’ The couple worked on the design together with Poppy’s father advising. ‘We weren’t allowed to knock down any walls and, in many ways, those constraints were a blessing. If we’d had carte blanche we would have needed an architect but, instead, we could just focus on getting the best from the available space,’ she says. They found inspiration on websites including Pinterest, and from architects such as Rural Design who build with industrial elements in the Scottish Isles. ‘We looked for similar styles and materials as our barn had timber-clad walls and a corrugated roof.’ In remodelling the structure, they used reclaimed materials where possible. The beams needed to support a new and heavier roof, which came from Par Docks and the China Clay Works; some of the internal doors were salvaged from a hotel in Fowey and Justin made the impressive copper front door himself, working with a local coppersmith at The Copper Works Newlyn. The interior is decorated in a mid-century modern style with touches of vintage and a few pops of colour. ‘I don’t really like lots of exposed stone or exposed wood,’ says Poppy. ‘I like touches of it here and there, and nothing too austere. We were always working towards a particular feel.’ Building from a shell has allowed them to install plenty of eco features. The heating and hot water are supplied by an air-source heat pump, there are solar panels and a ventilation system thatrecyclesthe airthrough the whole house, warming it in the process. With the property now complete, Poppy remarks on how surprisingly straightforward and smooth a process it has been. ‘It did take quite a long time and it was a bit surreal when we first moved in as it felt like such a big space to begin with, but now we’re properly settled.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 12, 2020
With her heart set on leaving the city, Melissa Jones took on more than she’d bargained for when she fell for a beautiful but run down Georgian house.
Following her dream of living in the countryside, Melissa Jones was convinced there had been a typing error on the estate agent details about the amount of land that came with the Georgian house she’d fallen in love with. ‘It said 60 acres, but I thought they meant six, so we drove out to see it, only to discover that it was correct,’ she says. ‘And the property included two areas of ancient woodland that would need specialist care.’ But Melissa and her partner, Jeremy Hewlett, weren’t deterred. ‘This was 13 years ago and we had two small children: Harry, now 18, and Ottilie, now 16, and we wanted to bring our family up in the country. We’re all horse-mad, so we were looking for somewhere with enough space for stables.’ Originally a farmhouse built in 1825, the property stands on a hill in Berkshire with views for miles across the Kennet valley. The couple soon realised that the house would need extensive renovation, a project that would take them many years. ‘It’s been a labour of love, restoring and extending the house, and learning how to look after the land, which hadn’t been managed for decades,’ says Melissa. ‘We’re only custodians really, and it’s important that the woodlands can be enjoyed by future generations.’ Having moved into the house in 2006, the couple took their time before embarking on any big changes to the interior. ‘There was only one bathroom upstairs, and the small kitchen was on the north side of the house. It was very dated, with dark colours everywhere,’ Melissa says. But, with the imminent birth of their youngest son Bear, now 12, the couple left any major building projects for several years, completing essential work only. ‘We were surprised that the house wasn’t listed, but this worked in our favour as there are fewer restrictions,’ says Melissa. The couple decided that the best option was a two-storey extension, which didn’t spoil the original façade, and the plans went through in 2013 without any problems. ‘This new addition has taken us from one bathroom to five, and from four bedrooms to six, so everyone has their own bedroom and we have two guest rooms.’ Downstairs, the new large open-plan kitchen is a light-filled space overlooking the garden and woods. Melissa hosts dinner parties and runs her business @thepopupkitchen1 here. ‘I’ve turned my passion for cooking, which was a hobby, into a catering business for private events,’ she says. Part of the new extension remained a shell for nearly a year after it was built, but the couple slowly put the whole look together, using inherited objects, auction and saleroom finds, and a few new pieces. They took care to find furniture that had the right proportions. ‘We have some large rooms, like the new kitchen where we wanted a huge table as we love entertaining. But other rooms in the old part of the house, such as the sitting room and the dining room, are on a smaller scale, so we wanted to make sure these spaces are inviting and welcoming,’ says Melissa. She aimed for a lived-in, always-been-there look, with plenty of natural materials, such as wood, wool and stone. ‘I absolutely don’t do contemporary style and bright colours. I like muted soft colours: greys, blues and pinks.’ When it came to the extensive grounds, a management plan was put in place for the ancient woodlands and they’ve been thinned and coppiced over the last six years. ‘This has dramatically increased the light, and encouraged wildlife,’ says Melissa. ‘It’s like Springwatch from the kitchen windows.’
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 10, 2020
From top to bottom, floor to ceiling, this home designed by Heather Garrett is magic… a few years in the making.
Designer Heather Garrett is no stranger to design challenges. So when her Internet entrepreneur clients called on her to redesign their newly purchased Tuscan style estate in Chapel Hill, she took on the project with gusto. “This young couple had a really relaxed approach to life, living with dogs and had a baby on the way,” Garrett says. “They purchased this fully furnished estate that was dripping with Tuscan style. Think heavy furniture, deep walls, and hanging tapestries. They wanted instead to be sunny, fresh, and chic, but in appropriate measure for the traditional architecture.” The couple both graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill but had since settled in Durham. With a new baby on the way, a travel-heavy work schedule for the husband, and a recent windfall, they both agreed that moving back to Chapel Hill would provide the peace of mind and way of life they were seeking. The home sits on the fairway of the Chapel Hill Country Club, and planning for a growing family this idyllic property was a perfect choice. The plans forthe nursery were under way in their current home, so when they decided to move, the clock was ticking to bring these plans up to speed in the new home and prepare for baby. “There was a chemistry there from the get-go with these people,” Garrett says. “And we grew together slowly on projects as we hit benchmarks that made it clear I really understood their needs. We have a great trust now.” Once the nursery was completed and their sweet baby boy was introduced into the world, they asked Garrett to get to work on the kitchen and living room so that they could spend time together as a family in those spaces. With the parents working from home and a family that loved the outdoors, enjoying a very casual lifestyle, Garrett’s goal was to create a home that transitioned seamlessly from work to play. Over the next three to four years, she was able to create a haven for this family of four, working room by room to perfect their living lifestyle – and ending, appropriately, with another nursery for their second baby—a girl.
“I think the practicalities of life are my biggest driver in creating good design for my clients,” Garrett explains. “I have two teenagers at home, and pets, and I am fascinated with how we’ve completely changed how we live in a certain room just over a period of a few years.” To that end, Garrett kept this philosophy in mind when planning the design for the master suite and master bath. The dark green walls, leather furniture, and formal sitting room were exchanged for a brighter, whiter look, a yoga space, and a play area in front of the fireplace to enjoy their children. The resulting bedroom was a true retreat with separate spaces for sleeping and relaxing. The master bath became spacious and bright with a Frenchchic vibe. “We pulled the shutters off the windows, painted the room white, and filled it with pale textiles - vintage linen, wool, and velvet,” Garrett says. “As for the master bath, we removed the vanity and cabinetry, reformatted the placement, and installed a large mirror in front of the window so that light could enter, but privacy was preserved.” As Garrett says, it’s safe to assume that you will never change your personality or patterns just to accommodate a newly decorated room in your home, so it’s best to plan it realistically, not ideally. In the case of her clients, formal living and dining rooms were nice in theory but impractical in lifestyle. They were replaced with a music room, complete with piano, and a moody, sophisticated entry and living space including a custom mural that whimsically winds its way up the staircase.
Heather Garrett may seem like a one-woman show, packing all the punch of a heavyweight designer in one tiny package, but she does have help from time to time. “Melonie St. John has sewn every custom piece I’ve ever made for fifteen years,” she credits. “She’s amazing and we have a secret language at this point. Her work is all over this project from pillows to window treatments.” Garrett also called on CAN Decorative Painting to touch nearly every surface in the home, because, as she says, “wall finishes and nuanced texture are such an important part of a finished look.” To round out the decor, Garrett shopped at Eliko Rugs, Oly Studio, and Lee Industries, as well as Julian Chichester, Made Goods, Eatman’s Carpet & Interiors, Trove, and of course, Target. “When in doubt, always arrange objects in odd numbers and heights; you can rarely go wrong that way!” At the end of the day, Garrett was able to transform a dark and heavily Italian-influenced home into a refreshing dose of modern, casual living that made her client’s new house a true home. This enterprising family is on their way to the next adventure, this time moving to Boulder, Colorado. So you can look for this gorgeous gem to be on the market in the very near future.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 09, 2020
According to Tammy Stringer and Rick Viola, parts of their home were dark, dated, and impractical for the way they lived. However, it was a house and neighborhood they loved and didn’t want to leave, so they called in Caren Bistany of Bistany Design to redesign the kitchen and master bathroom, blending a transitional style with existing traditional architecture. “The result feels softer, brighter, and more functional for how we use it,” Stringer says. By taking out features they never used such as a large garden tub and space-hogging columns in the master bath, Bistany, along with custom builder and renovation contractor Alair Homes Charlotte, transformed both dated spaces into modern rooms the homeowners love.
With the team chosen early in the process, Bistany’s detailed design work completed prior to construction, and Alair’s online system providing daily project updates, the homeowners say the project was completed on time and on budget. “It is always better to find solutions prior to beginning construction,” Duane Johns of Alair Homes says. “Allowances during construction are where projects can go sideways and off-budget. Our process, along with Bistany Design’s preconstruction attention, enabled us to eliminate issues prior to construction.” “Roger [Ketchum of Alair Homes] and Caren were finishing each other’s sentences during the bidding process,” Viola says. “Tammy and I could tell they already worked well together, which was key to our decision.”
The renovated kitchen blended ideas from each team member, including the homeowners. Viola, for example, came up with the solution of a false glass front on the slide-out pantry to the left of the refrigerator. It created symmetry for the glass front wine tower to the right of the refrigerator. Bistany, who specializes in designing custom cabinetry, suggested a custom French grey stain that reads slightly blue on the alder cabinets complemented by honed Azzure natural quartzite countertops. She also suggested a unique plaster finish on the vent hood, which Alair implemented successfully. Together, they found space to incorporate the homeowners’ art collection in the kitchen. Alair Homes removed dated half-columns and an unused bathtub, reworked door openings, and addressed structural and framing issues to implement Bistany’s design of a new upstairs master bathroom. His-and-hers vanities in a unique cross-room configuration, along with modification of his-and-hers closets and a triple-faucet shower system add functionality to a room with heated Blue Antoinette honed marble floors laid in a herringbone pattern. Custom patterned marble continues on the shower floor. Special touches include hotel-style lighted vanity mirrors and a custom Shakuff chandelier. “It’s so nice to work with a team where all members treat the project with the same level of care,” Bistany says. “The stress level for all parties goes down. It’s all about good communication.”
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 08, 2020
Design duo Kelley Lentini and Berkeley Minkhorst prove first impressions speak volumes.
When House of Nomad designers and partners Kelley Lentini and Berkeley Minkhorst took on the responsibility of designing the first floor of a new Myers Park house that was being built, their marching orders were simple: Create a unified look among currently disjointed showcase rooms while balancing the design desires of a young couple. They aimed to design a light and energetic interior in the otherwise traditional neighborhood. The formal living room is the first room visitors see and where Lentini and Minkhorst began to build a good first impression. Focusing on a feminine aesthetic, they added a triptych with a modern vibe, which incorporates all the colors of the room’s furnishings – shades of warm gray, taupe, white, brown, mauve, and cream.
“The art set the tone for the entire room,” Minkhorst says. “The brass frames tie in with the inlaid brass applique in the artwork as well as the brass-trimmed coffee table and other accessories in the room.” They added texture and interest with a white contemporary Loloi shag rug and exposed wooden arms on accent chairs. Brass is a recurring theme on the first floor and makes another appearance in a transitional gold-leafed hanging light fixture that serves as the crown of the dining room. It is offset by deep navy blue walls and velvet drapery, which continues the velvet theme first introduced in the formal living room. Nearby, a powder room receives a moody, dark floral wallpaper to contrast other linear elements on the main floor, including vertical, linear wallpaper in the butler’s pantry, vertical powder room sconces, and the vertical lines of the dining room light fixture.
“The wallpaper was an instant favorite of the wife,” Lentini says. “Its oversized flowers have tiny butterflies scattered around them. It’s so realistic.” The wallpaper introduces white into this room, which Lentini says is necessary for balancing the darker, more masculine elements in the house and keeping the spaces light and fresh. White lightens the mood in the casual living area, where a dark leather sofa, the husband’s choice, anchors the entire space. Bursts of aqua and cobalt blue antique Murano glass artwork mixed with vintage accessories are striking on the white painted built-in shelves and cabinetry surrounding the fireplace. The blue pieces connect the other downstairs rooms, which have blue walls or accessories in shades of blue, improving the flow through the entire space. One of the living room’s standout pieces is a white custom Tritter Feefer console table behind the sofa, whose design mimics the lines of the herringbone-laid tile inset in the fireplace. A piece of glass artwork from Darnell & Company on the console completes the cohesive look. Brass is introduced in this room with a pair of Restoration Hardware glass floor lamps accented with brass trim details. The casual living area is open to the all-white kitchen, so the design duo carefully considered the appropriate furnishings and lighting to complement both spaces. Dark wood tones, white, brass hanging lanterns, and mauve bar stools balance and marry both the casual and formal living rooms. “It’s all about balancing choices between light and dark so both the husband and wife have their likes taken into consideration,” Lentini says. “Our goal is to make interior design approachable and fun for people like this couple. Design should not be intimidating.”
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 07, 2020
A young Charlotte couple transforms a neutral palette into a lively, livable, and distinct home, unique to them.
When Caroline Trammell and her husband purchased their home in Myers Park, the clean, crisp palette of white walls and neutral decor was so appealing. It was tempting to leave well enough alone, but one look at the design boards created by Charlotte Lucas of Charlotte Lucas Interior Design and the pair couldn’t wait to get started. Of course, it helped that Lucas was a lifelong friend of the family, so her intuition on their style and needs were happily spot on. With a toddler running around and one on the way, the home had to be simultaneously functional, classy, and full of character. “The neutral palette made it easy to forget what interest color brings, but after seeing what Charlotte had planned, I wanted every room in the house full of bright, vibrant colors and patterns,” Trammell explains. Together, Trammell and Lucas agreed on a beautiful, inviting home that was still appropriate for children. Part of the design plan also included a renovation of the master bathroom, but within just a few months the home was ready for the young family to enjoy every day. Lucas’ design plan came together fairly easily. “I design best for people I know well,” she says. “Specifically for Caroline, I wanted her home to tell their story. They do a lot of ministry work in Africa, so I really wanted to turn the sitting room off the foyer into a fun, inviting jungle-inspired room.” Using the many treasures the Trammells brought home from Africa, Lucas mixed African print wallpaper, genuine zebra hides, woven baskets, and African swords with Trammell’s style requests, which included the modern velvet sofa and splashes of peacock blue with hints of blush. It’s one of Trammell’s favorite rooms. “The jungle room is so fun! I feel like I’m on vacation in some fabulous city,” she says. Lucas adds, “It’s so happy and so Caroline; you can’t go in there without wanting to sit and hang out.” The new, improved master bath is sophisticated, soft, and bright, designed around Miles Redd for Schumacher chinoiserie wallpaper, which was a favorite of Trammell’s. “I have to say, my bathroom is my favorite room,” Trammell admits. “It’s romantic and feminine. I love it.” With a few heirloom pieces refurbished and repurposed, the Trammells’ home is at once personal and stylish, new, and curated. The family dining room table found a home with modern chairs and a new sisal rug, layered underneath the heirloom antique oushak rug for depth. The pair of chairs and ottoman in the master bedroom sitting area belonged to Trammell’s parents but found new life with a little white paint and some gorgeous Kelly Wearstler fabric. Art pieces were carefully selected – some from Africa, some local, and even still, some personalized. The framed bird panel tucked into the book corner of the master bedroom, for example, echoes the de Gournay wallpaper style Trammell loves so much but is actually a hand-painted antique silk screen that Lucas had framed and hung. “Art is a great way to personalize a home,” Lucas offers. “Without art, there’s no story.” “Getting to know my clients is what creates successful projects. It goes beyond scale and down to the finishing touches with accessories,” Lucas explains. “It’s hard to go there after all the money is spent, which is why we try to include it in the budget, but it is what truly makes a house home-y. Without the layering of accessories, the home never feels quite finished.” Pulling locally from Slate Interiors, Darnell & Company, and their own inventory, in addition to all over the world, Charlotte Lucas Interior Design hand-selects every finishing piece according to their client’s style, interests, and needs. “We freehand it and do what feels right. But one thing is true: you can never have too many books.”
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 06, 2020
Inspired by her clients’ Manhattan loft, designer Lisa Sherry designed a modern, family-friendly home in a suburban setting.
When Max and Caci Jaeger were house hunting in Charlotte, every home they saw was immediately compared to their Tribeca loft in New York City. “We just absolutely loved our home in Manhattan,” Caci Jaeger says. “The loft was in an old building that had been retrofitted with old, large windows and high ceilings. We had this gorgeous all-white kitchen with Calacatta gold marble that was beautiful but also so efficient and functional. Our home was truly a sanctuary from the chaos of the city.” The transition from urban living to suburban life was already going to be a significant change for the family of five, so they didn’t want their new home in Charlotte to be a complete departure from what they’d grown to love. So when they came across a house in Myers Park designed by architect Greg Perry of Greg Perry Design, they were immediately drawn to the home’s tall ceilings, sleek but classic architectural details, and oversized windows, which allowed natural light to flood the living spaces. “We just fell in love with Greg’s design,” Jaeger says. “The home had so many of the characteristics that we loved about our loft.” The couple moved from Manhattan with very little in the way of furnishings and enlisted the help of designer Lisa Sherry of Lisa Sherry Interieurs to help bring their Tribeca loft vibe to their new quiet, suburban setting. “With classic architecture and all-white walls,” Sherry says, “the home was the perfect backdrop for my designs, which are often a mix of classic with modern. And knowing Caci liked more modern and urban versus traditional design helped me understand her design direction.” Starting with designs for the rooms that are most used and visible in the home, Sherry went to work creating a seamless aesthetic of clean, modern lines on an all-white canvas layered with lots of texture and neutral colors that flowed effortlessly from room to room. “I like for all my spaces to have a common thread, so all rooms relate to one another,” Sherry says. In the family room, Sherry had to work with a long, rectangular space, which she made more family- and entertaining-friendly by creating two separate areas: one for the adults and one for the kids. The neutral sectional serves as the anchor for the room while just behind the couch is a play area for the children defined by the navy-and-white graphic rug. To up the interest factor, Sherry layered throw pillows by John Robshaw in varying textures and muted hues while a cowhide and natural fiber rug add a dose of texture to the setting.
The nearby dining room, one of Jaeger’s favorites, doubles as a place to eat and also as an impromptu home office for the mom of three. “It’s such a special room because the room is flooded with natural light,” she says. To take advantage of the large bay window in the room, Sherry added a chaise lounge. “I love that there’s a piece of furniture in this room that’s not a dining chair or table,” she says of the addition. “It feels so glamorous.” A classic round dining table by Julian Chichester is instantly modernized with the all-white Bernhardt dining chairs. “I love how light and bright the space is and how clean and edited it feels with the symmetry of the sconces,” Sherry says. To complete the space, a glass chandelier from Pelle in Brooklyn, which the couple had purchased before moving, provides a modern edge to the classic decor. In keeping with the fresh, modern look, Sherry brought in a touch of color to the baby’s nursery and bathroom. The whimsical wallpaper by Hygge & West in the bathroom is a nod to the playful artwork by Minted above the crib in the adjacent nursery. “I love the larger scale of the pattern in the wallpaper and how it plays off the graphic, oversized artwork in the nursery,” Sherry says. “And who doesn’t love birds!” Though the Jaegers and Sherry are constantly tweaking things in the home, what Sherry was able to add is exactly what the couple wanted in their new home. “It’s already difficult to move to a new city without any friends,” Jaeger says. “So we wanted our home to immediately be that place that we felt comfortable and at ease as soon as we moved in. Lisa was so instrumental in our seamless transition to Charlotte. Lisa was able to hone in on my vision and really elevate it to a whole other level.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 03, 2020
When a house has great bones, it makes interior design that much easier. And having innovative designers with an amazing vision doesn’t hurt either. This Raleigh home got a dramatic makeover by The Warehouse’s multifunctional design team of Liles Dunnigan and Zandy Gammons, who played up the home’s many strengths. Longtime residents of Raleigh, the homeowners relocated within their home city, and they knew what they wanted: to brighten up the dark and dated home, creating a look that was fresh and sophisticated. This required gutting the kitchen and master bath, as well as aesthetic updates throughout every other room and along the exterior. Perhaps most importantly, it required playing up the home’s natural light and filling the interior with a wash of lighter colors.
“Because we had worked with the homeowners previously, there was a high level of trust there,” Dunnigan explains. “The home was older and needed extensive updating. But it had great bones and great architectural details.” As the heart of the home, the kitchen is inherently more functional than it was before, with a longer island that faces the proper direction and offers comfortable seating. The original dark wood countertops and heavy light fixture were replaced by glazed white cabinetry and a distinctive metallic fixture overhead. The meticulously placed window captures sunlight, while the Walker Zanger tile backsplash behind the range and under the hood picks up the serene gray-blue wall color, as well as the custom color on the island. Vibrant artwork adds panache to the walls. Though the homeowners considered an all-white kitchen, the designers advised against it. “A lot of times people say they want an all-white kitchen, but it ends up looking stark and cold,” Dunnigan explains.
The adjacent breakfast nook is neither stark nor cold. The homeowners had the mirror in their possession already, and the designers had it lacquered in a soft blue that mimics the tranquility of the walls. The drapery fabric features koi fish, contributing to the Asian-inspired feel running throughout the house. A beautiful pagoda lantern from Visual Comfort completes the look. The nearby study serves as a haven for the family to escape and read. Many of the books in the collection are treasured pieces. And the designers added accessories including pieces with dark metallic shine that contrast the white cabinetry and enhance the overall look of the library. The balance of light and dark is also evident in the spacious living room, with exposed dark wood beams in the ceiling juxtaposed against a large Barbara Barry light fixture that brightens the room in more ways than one. To compensate for the fact that this room was originally even darker than most of the others, the designers repeated the same serene blue from the breakfast nook, covered the ottoman in a bright Robert Allen animal print, and installed beautiful geometric draperies from Dogwood Fabrics consisting of blue and cream hues. Finally, the Stanton wool rug adds additional light and softness. Another Stanton rug graces the steps off the foyer – an entryway that underscores the home’s overall charm. “It’s an ode to a leopard print,” Gammons says of the rug. “The art is from ArtSource, and we added an oversized antique mirrored fixture that we felt would really brighten up the space. The homeowners also had an antique chest and mirror that we repurposed.” Off the foyer, gold-finished oversized light fixtures from Visual Comfort wink down upon the mahogany dining table. “We added chairs from Woodbridge Furniture out of High Point, as we like to use North Carolina furniture companies when we can,” Dunnigan says. A multi-colored geometric Kravet print fabric with tangerines and blues graces the chair seats. The tangerine is repeated in the graceful floral draperies. “That color is found in little pops throughout the house,” Gammons explains. “The room’s rug is indoor-outdoor. [The homeowner] has grandchildren and pets and likes to entertain. So you can spill grease or red wine on it, and it will come out.” Through careful adaptation of the existing space, the designers were able to create an indulgent retreat in the master bedroom. Originally two rooms, the bedroom is now a one-room, spacious getaway with the most natural light in the entire house. An inviting combination of soft white and restful blues defines the luxurious bedding and accessories. The seating area within the master bedroom, complete with a fireplace, encourages restful afternoons spent in absolute contentment. The bedroom’s sitting room has a rival, however. The patio and outdoor living area extend the length of the back of the house. The homeowners spend many a day lounging in this vibrant space, enjoying the outdoor television, the fireplace, and most of all, the time they have with their children and grandchildren. “You can see all the colors from inside the house,” Gammons says, “and we wanted to bring the colors out and have them flow into the exterior space.” Not to be forgotten, Tucker, the dog, finds sanctuary in the mudroom, which features a vintage rug, distinctive Thibaut fabric on the windows, and a dog bed that has been painted to match both. Despite its aesthetic appeal, “That room has many uses,” Gammons explains. “It’s a laundry room, drop zone, work zone, and the dog’s favorite place.”
Speaking of favorites, one of Gammons and Dunnigan’s favorite things is working together on home interiors like this one. “Most creative people enjoy having someone to bounce ideas off of,” Dunnigan says. “And for us, it’s a partnership and collaborative effort.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 02, 2020
A Badin lake beauty proves life is better where the living is easy.
What do we want? That was the question Cam and Jen Dyer mused with designer Anne Buresh on the banks of Badin Lake as they stared out across their new property, a peninsular stretch of waterfront heaven that would be the site of their future lake home. Having worked previously with the Dyers and now with the opportunity to start fresh on a new construction, Buresh drew on her knowledge and relationship with the family to open up a dialogue about their must-haves for the home. “Transparent communication is paramount to the process, from vision boarding and conceptualization to implementation. The key to the perfect design is determining a clear idea of the client’s needs then proceeding through a systematic process that provides both direction and shared expectations,” Buresh says. “That’s exactly what the Dyers and I accomplished.” The Dyers wanted to establish continuity between the home and property, seamlessly bringing the outdoors in to create an organic yet chic design that embodied the tranquility of the natural setting. Buresh’s mission was to create a space that embraced the casual and functional, as well as the contemporary luxe. “The design was all about balance, whether the family was entertaining friends, relaxing with family, or simply having kids in wet bathing suits running in and out,” Buresh says. And balance is the key element of the comprehensive design. While outdoor luxury living was a cornerstone element, a nature-inspired palette of grays, neutrals, greens, and blues were infused throughout the interior, reflecting the beauty of the outdoors inside. Buresh also used layers of textures and colors to soften the space without compromising the airy openness of the home. Likewise, custom-designed furniture allowed Buresh to accommodate Cam Dyer’s six-foot-eight-inch frame, providing ease of accessibility, and highly functional furniture without sacrificing the clean, contemporary aesthetic. Ample outdoor living areas effortlessly extend the home’s livable square footage, all with a picturesque backdrop of the pool and lake. Extra seating offers guests the opportunity to sit back and relax with a glass of wine on a poolside lounger, at the stone fire pit, or in one of the eight Adirondack-style rocking chairs that line the back patio. The clean, straight lines of the pool and furniture perfectly complement the linear detail of the bluestone patio stone pavers that coordinate with the pale blue patio ceiling, a nod to a traditional feature of Southern design. An adjacent screened porch boasts additional dining and sitting areas, complete with versatile swivel chairs that encourage conversation or aid relaxation next to the electric fire table while taking in a game on TV.
Buresh’s use of textures and subtle colors throughout the master suite echoes the cohesive design. Natural woven blinds are layered with soft blue window treatments in the bathroom to offer privacy while also adding a dash of color to accent the gray cabinetry and white marble. The bedroom, the Dyers personal sanctuary, is full of texture – from the upholstered headboard with nail-head trim to the textured silver gray bench to the classic, European damask linen curtains. In the kitchen and dining room, the portion of the home Buresh lovingly dubs “Grand Central,” the design centers not only on the balance between chic and casual but also focuses on accessibility and durability. The upscale farmhouse-inspired kitchen echoes the same subtle palette of the home but also includes a custom-designed Tritter Feefer farm table that comfortably seats a crowd. The table’s protective coating and the chairs’ faux ostrich fabric are both beautiful and easily maintained. Likewise, the custom, extra-long formal dining table seats up to sixteen and the nail-head dining chairs were selected to encourage lingering at the table long after a meal. Both tables were constructed one to two inches taller than average to give Cam Dyer a maximum amount of comfort and mobility. It was this attention to detail that made the unveiling of the finished product a day that neither the Dyers nor Buresh will soon forget. Buresh’s “reveal day” is never complete without a few homey touches like her signature bottle of wine and bowl of nuts on the table, which she says is an invitation to sit down and enjoy some Southern hospitality. “I honestly believe our living environments affect our physical and emotional well-being,” Buresh says. “That’s why my passion is creating a design that embodies the client’s needs—a haven where they can relax, put their feet up, and enjoy life.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Jan 01, 2020
A Charlotte-area couple builds a second home in which they can’t help but relax.
You won’t find a single basket of shells or miniature palm tree at this oceanfront Isle of Palms, S.C. vacation home. Yet, the minute you walk in, you know you’re at the very beachiest of beach houses. And it was designed that way. When a Charlotte-area couple decided to build a seaside escape, they went with their tried-and-true. They hired their long-time designer, David Smith of Custom Interiors, to bring their vision to life. Smith and the couple practically communicate telepathically. “We’ve worked together on many projects,” Smith says. “They trust me.” The trust runs so deep, in fact, that the pair told their architect, Herlong & Associates, to allow Smith leeway to make changes to the blueprints. “I’ve never had that happen,” Smith says. “The architect gave us a beautiful exterior and a basic interior layout based on the needs of the client. It was up to me to design the interiors.” “If the walls needed to be moved to accommodate the furnishings or open a space up or allow for better views, I had that freedom,” he continues. “I was able to design all the interior elements from the walls, handrails, lighting, tile, cabinetry, countertops, decorative beams, and furnishings – all with amazing support from the builder and architect. My clients let me roll with it.” Smith and his clients made the decision to have few walls on the main level. Beyond the extra-large foyer is what Smith describes as “one grand room”. “It stretches the full width of the house,” he says. “It contains the dining room, family room, kitchen, and even the butler’s pantry. Big, sliding doors give an uninterrupted view of the beach.” Also on the main level are two guest suites with private baths as well as a powder room. Lots of natural wood and light, creamy taupes, pale blues, soft browns, and grays – and a complete lack of visual clutter – provide a sedate backdrop for a vacation home meant to induce utter relaxation. Plenty of white space gives the furnishings and art room to breathe. And it reminds homeowners and guests that an oceanfront house is a place to let out a big exhale. As elegant as it is, the couple originally planned on something grander. At first, this house was conceived as the guesthouse. They planned to build it first and then use their land on the adjacent lot to build the main house. But Smith explains that the homeowners fell in love with its comfort, so they no longer needed the second build. “Even though it’s a sizable house, there’s an intimacy to it. It’s relaxing. They decided this was exactly what they wanted.” It’s easy to see why. Their architect designed what Smith calls a “Lowcountry farmhouse with a vintage Southern spin.” “It fits in with its seaside environment, but it doesn’t scream ‘beach house.’” It’s built in the Southern farmhouse vernacular – but with every upgrade imaginable. Yes, the front porch is there. But it’s oversized for outdoor living. A ground-level veranda has a luxurious living area and a dining table that seats eight. The interior, heavy on neutrals and pecky cypress, is designed to soothe – not excite. “One of my client’s only directives was that she wanted to see soft colors,” Smith says. “And that’s the palette I’m most comfortable working in. There’s nothing too bold or loud in this house. There’s nothing wrong with either of those, but this house was designed to be calm and quiet.
The owners have three adult sons and can’t help but dream of the grandkids they hope to welcome to the beach one day. Those future grandchildren were very much taken into consideration in the home’s design. The home’s second story has one guest suite and a showstopping bunk suite with four built-in beds and a boys’ bathroom and a girls’ bathroom. On the upper level there are two master suites with balconies overlooking the pool, landscaped backyard, and ocean beyond. An elevator provides easy transport from one level to the next. Smith managed to pull off the nifty trick of making a house both grand and down-to-earth. As sophisticated as it is, the house is alsowhat he calls “very casual and lived-in.” “This is not a hands-off atmosphere,” he declares. Wicker chairs at the oversized kitchen island, shiplap walls painted a creamy white, and a minimalist aesthetic all combine to make the home feel like a place you want to be barefoot. A beach house doesn’t need to have a beachy theme to remind owners and guests they’re at the shore. In the case of this classic oceanfront home, the wall of windows overlooking the sand and sea do the job quite nicely. The sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore and seagulls chirping overhead is its own kind of symphony.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 31, 2019
A circa-1927 home is transformed into an unexpectedly grand cottage on a hill in the heart of Myers Park.
It was time to go. The couple had been toying with the idea of moving to Myers Park from their Concord-area home to shorten their work commutes, and one particular home kept popping up during their search. “My husband kept showing it to me, and I just kept telling him, ‘No. It’s way too big; it costs too much’,” she says. It wasn’t until a family friend suggested they go look at the home “just to see,” that the couple finally scheduled a showing. “Literally, as soon as we walked in, I knew it was the one,” she says. Within hours, the couple put an offer on the home. After much back and forth, though, the homeowners eventually rejected the couple’s final negotiated offer. “At this point, we’d already sold our house, so we had to move into a hotel,” she explains. “Our heart was set on that home, and we didn’t have a plan B. But as I was packing my things, we got the call from our realtor that they wanted to know if we’d still honor our last offer.” The home, it seems, was meant to be theirs. While they loved the bones of the circa-1927 Colonial-style home, they knew that it would need updating. That renovation, though, would not take place until nine years later when their next door neighbor offered to sell the couple their home. “We were ecstatic,” she says. Tearing down the adjacent home would allow the couple to expand their existing home while also making room for the swimming pool the husband had dreamed of having in the backyard. “It was the perfect situation,” she says. “Tearing down that home would allow us the space we needed to do everything we wanted.” Not long after purchasing the adjacent home, the couple reached out to architect Frank Smith whose vision for the home was to maintain its stunning yet unassuming cottage curb appeal and seamlessly expand the home so that you could never tell where the original structure began and where the addition and renovation started. “We probably went through five or six drawings with Frank before we got to the point where we knew this renovation was exactly what we wanted,” she says.
To expand the kitchen from its original galley style and make room for the swimming pool and outdoor living area—both hers and his top priorities with the renovation, respectively—the footprint of the home needed to be reworked. The couple enlisted the help of designer Laura Archibald, who worked closely with Smith to redesign the existing home’s layout to better fit the homeowners’ needs. What was once the living room became the dining room while the former dining room was transformed into a library with a staircase that leads to the second floor. The original garage transitioned into the new master suite while the existing den remained as is. With the addition came a larger living room, new kitchen, and a threecar garage with a room above.
Though the renovation nearly doubled the square footage of the home, the ultimate goal was to design a home that was aesthetically appropriate for the neighborhood. Being a oneand-a-half-story home, it’s unassuming from the street. “People often don’t realize how large the home really is when you see it from the sidewalk,” the homeowner says. “And being that it’s situated on a hill, we really wanted to make sure we weren’t going vertical with our square footage.” Archibald helped create a comfortable interior with the use of a calm, soothing color palette of greys and neutrals. Though the homeowners ideally wanted to use most of their existing furniture and accessories, Archibald ultimately installed new pieces while seamlessly weaving in some of the older items from the home’s original design. In the dining room, Archibald kept the original dining room table but switched out the traditional chairs for more transitional ones by Charles Stewart in a Duralee fabric while the homeowners’ china cabinet was “the perfect size for that space, so we decided to keep it in the mix,” Archibald says. In the den, the designer reupholstered the existing oversize sofa in a Pindler fabric but then added a pair of new Charles Stewart armchairs. “It was really about elevating the look to a more transitional style with color and textures,” Archibald explains. “It was such a departure from what we were used to,” the homeowner says. “But it was exactly what we wanted, and Laura nailed it.” The one-time small galley kitchen was transformed into a stunning open-air room overlooking the den. Archibald and the homeowners worked closely on the design of the kitchen designing the custom cabinetry by Johnson Custom Cabinetry and choosing the finishes and appliances. Because of its proximity to a living space, Archibald wanted to make sure the kitchen table felt more like an extension of the den, so she added a metal-top table by Bernhardt she found at High Point market coupled with skirted upholstered dining chairs on the side facing the living space. Opposite, a simple custom-designed bench slides under the table leaving more room between the counters and dining area. Backless counter stools by Hickory Chair keep the view from the kitchen to the den open. “Laura was always spot on with her fabric choices and colors,” the homeowner says. “We loved everything she picked for us and how she also kept some of our pieces in the look.” Though the couple wasn’t planning to fall in love with this house when they first saw it in 2003, today—with the renovation and addition—they can’t imagine their home being anywhere else but here. “Frank and Laura and this team brought our dream to fruition,” the homeowner says. “I didn’t know it back then, but this was exactly what we needed and wanted.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 30, 2019
Cosentino’s new line is slim in stature, big on impact.
Countertops. Walls. Floors. Ceilings. Tabletops. The home’s many surfaces are an integral part of architecture and design, not just for their beauty but also for their functionality. With these surfaces facing the everyday wear-andtear of foot traffic, food prep, and hygiene rituals, it’s important that they also are durable and low maintenance. Cosentino specializes in collaborating with customers to create high-value, innovative surfaces that add beauty and brawn for a variety of applications. Their Silestone, Dekton, Sensa, and Natural Stone lines are the perfect solution for homeowners and designers looking to add style and substance with their surfaces. The Dekton line, available in thicknesses from 4 mm to 30 mm, is created through a sophisticated, innovative process that results in zero porosity and ultra-compaction, making it highly resistant to the elements with the size, lightness, and strength for an array of applications. Available in nearly sixty colors from nine collections, homeowners are sure to find the perfect hue for any home project. “Our amazing countertop and wall cladding products go beyond traditional residential use to also include extended applications such as commercial, cabinetry doors, indoor and outdoor furniture tops, and fire surrounds, to name a few,” Rudi Bruno, general manager of the Charlotte Cosentino Center, says. “Our newest addition, the Dekton Slim line, has brought an even greater depth to our offerings with the highest standards of quality and durability in an ultra-thin construction.” The Dekton Slim’s 4-mm thickness makes it extremely adaptable, offering homeowners and designers an unlimited amount of design implementations from a single product. Because it’s offered in a large, cut-to-size format with slabs measuring up to 126 inches by 56 inches, homeowners will find their surfaces more hygienic because of the need for fewer joints. Currently available in a broad palette of colors from Dekton’s natural and solid collections, homeowners can select surfaces that speak to their home’s personality, ones that blend seamlessly with their aesthetic, or bolder options that inspire conversation. The amount of customization offered by Dekton Slim ensures each application will be a uniquely beautiful and durable choice. Because of its moisture- and stainresistant properties, Dekton Slim is the ideal product for use in bathroom and kitchen applications. In bathrooms, where excessive humidity and exposure to household chemicals are certain, Dekton Slim offers the resilience needed to maintain a healthy, clean, and beautiful space—all with no more maintenance than a soft, wet cloth! Likewise, in the kitchen, where cleanliness and durability are an absolute necessity, Dekton Slim features low porosity and liquid absorption rates as well as a resistance to scratches, stains, and heat damage. “High-traffic and day-to-day use are no match for Dekton Slim. Homeowners love the freedom of being able to live in their home without the burden of high maintenance routines and upkeep,” Bruno says. “An additional advantage touted by our customers is the significant cost savings of going with a product line like Dekton Slim, which, because of its ultra-thin construction, generally results in less quantity of product needed in installations.” And for those looking to spice up other areas in their home, Dekton Slim’s ease of fabrication allows for its innovative use in cabinetry and furniture, featuring doors and tabletops that withstand household traffic and abuse without bumps, scratches, and stains. “With Dekton Slim, our customers’ dreams are limitless,” Bruno says.
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by Erdem Gorgun on Dec 28, 2019
Home design gets personal with custom cabinetry.
Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most utilized areas of the home. Long considered the “heart of the home,” the kitchen functions for meal prep, cooking, entertaining, family gathering, and completing homework. Today’s bathrooms meet more than just the basic needs; they can also be a sanctuary, where a long tub soak can restore peace and harmony. With the increasing demands on these spaces, the need for functional—as well as beautiful—design is a necessity. Custom cabinetry is the perfect solution, providing the ability to create designs that fit each unique space while maximizing storage capacity with personalized flair. Features such as layout and configuration, door style, color, and finish can be tailored to the homeowner’s specific tastes.
Anna Wilder, owner of DesignLoft, says customizations are only limited by space and budget. The company works with a variety of high-end manufacturers to accommodate every client’s needs at different price points and varying levels of customization. Color and finish are two of the most popular customization options offered to their clients. While each of their cabinet lines features multiple standard colors, custom color matching from any paint sample is available, and finishes come in matte, semigloss, high-gloss, or glazed. One cabinet line even offers a “velvet” finish with a unique texturized feel.
Securing an expert in the industry who can build on your vision with design experience and high-quality product lines is the most important step in making the space your own. “There are constantly new innovations in the kitchen and bath industry that our designers are always up to date on, as well as the latest trends in color and finish. Continuing education through the National Kitchen & Bath Association is just one way our designers stay informed. Although we focus on kitchens and baths, it is important to note that their knowledge also applies to other rooms where custom cabinetry is used, such as a bar area, laundry, mud, and family rooms,” Wilder says. “I equate it to going to a specialist rather than your general practitioner.” When considering custom cabinetry, the word “custom” literally means made-to-order for a particular client. Homeowners should do their homework, familiarizing themselves with product lines and understanding precisely what they’re getting for the money. “DesignLoft specializes in meeting our customers wherever they are in the process, whether they’re just getting started or are working with a set of plans. We strive always to create a space that gives the client everything they are looking for and functions to meet their family dynamics. Our goal is to truly provide a custom experience and product for our clients.