"Bright and Airy South Charlotte Home - Part 2"

I'm back to share with you the remainder of this beautiful Charlotte home.  It was such a pleasure helping our clients make their new retirement house a home.  We love how it turned out almost as much as they did.  If you haven't seen the first of this three part reveal, be sure to check out Bright and Airy South Charlotte Home - Part 1. 

So, Part 2 begins with the living room and the hub of this open concept home.  The clients were clear that they wanted cozy and livable but also cool and breezy.  Here's a look at the space just after the builder turned it over.  

Again, Classica Homes did a great job with the house, giving us a pretty but blank slate to work with.  Our plan included lots of neutrals with dashes of soft blues, teals and greens.  

Rendering by Jackie Ramdin

The clients also mentioned that they'd like to have some original artwork, so we discussed what they wanted and ended up commissioning a piece from one of my favorite abstract artists, Hello Allison.  

Sample Art from Hello Allison

Since the man of the house agreed to not put the t.v. over the fireplace (God Bless him), Allison's piece became the centerpiece for the living space.  

Mark of Baity's Custom Upholstery did another amazing job crafting custom ottomans and X-benches for the space.  He's so good at making our visions come to life. 

Additionally, this project was a treasure trove of Revolution Performance Fabrics.  We opted for them for the living room sofa and swivel chairs.  While the clients don't have small kids or pets, they love to entertain and actually live comfortable in their home.  I can totally relate.  Revolution provides such ease, even when you've opted for light colored upholstery. 

Directly off the living space is a beautiful porch.  What I love most are the collapsible glass doors that allow for a seamless transition from indoors to out. 

We carried the fresh color scheme into this spaces opting for outdoor furnishings from Ballard Designs and then upgrading the seating upholstery to Revolution's new outdoor fabric.  Wouldn't you just love to chill on this screened porch on a nice spring day? 

Finally, we were tasked with creating a retreat for the clients in their spacious Master Bedroom.  The lighting was pre-selected so we worked around it for the plan for the space.  

Again, light and airy with a touch of color was the order of the day here.  We centered around this custom upholstered bed designed by yours truly and skillfully crafted by Mark Baity.   We covered it in Revolution Performance Fabric and even used Revolution on the bedding as well.  I mean if you have the option to go for durable, stain-resistant, environment safe and beautiful, why wouldn't you? 

I sort of wish this post was "scratch and feel" because this bench by Sylvester Alexander furniture is the softest thing I've ever laid hands on.  

No Master is complete without a comfy seat and this Sam Moore swivel and matching ottoman were just perfect. 

We addressed the passthrough niche by adding a crystal light fixture and a beautiful Bernhardt mirror, making it the perfect place to check yourself before heading out for the day.

A little warmth, life and texture help to add interest in the space.  I love how the woven mirror hits at a vacation/island resort...it's a retreat after all. 

And of course, you know it's not my project without a little pattern play.  These Euro pillows and bolster finish things off so well. 

I could hang out it in this home all day.  There's something so welcoming about it.  It's pretty without being stuffy.  We happened to be stopping by one day when the clients were entertaining family and it literally warmed my heart to see everyone so relaxed and comfy.   That is the essence of why we do what we do.  

Believe it or not, that's not all.  There's one more space to share.  It has a bit of a different vibe and you'll understand why a little later.  

Until next time...

Photography by: Cam Richards Photography

"Bright and Airy South Charlotte Home- Part 1"

Every now and again, you have the opportunity to complete one of those projects that is so "you", that you don't want to leave when you're done.  This is one of those projects.  Early last year, I was contacted by a recently retired couple looking to relocate to Charlotte from the DMV area.  As native Carolinians they longed for the slower pace and milder weather down south.  They had decided on a Classica Homes property and were getting close to completion on their new-build.  Being new to the area, they realized that furnishing and decorating their home would be a tall order...that's where we came in.  

The couple was clear that they wanted a bright and airy vibe and we were able to pull together a design plan for their home that struck just the right note.  

Lots of soothing blues and greens to create a comfy livable environment, thanks to tons of Revolution Performance Fabrics. The color palette wasn't our typical flavor but it was so much fun playing with hues and pattern to create interest.  The project was a bit large for one blog post, so I'll be breaking it into two.  

Beginning with the entry, which was a late addition to the project, we addressed eight areas in the home.  The entry is an often overlooked area of the home but I encourage clients not to forget about it.  The entry sets the tone for what visitors can expect upon entering.  Nailing it is essential in my humble opinion. 

Entry

The art was the showstopper in this narrow entry.  We went with something that had a relaxed feel, but that was a nod to the client's culture and heritage.  We amped up the console with Addison Weeks hardware and upholstered vintage stools beneath. 

In the same way that entries are often overlooked, powder baths can also receive the cold shoulder when it comes to upgrading the home.  Remember, if your guests are staying for any length of time, they're likely hitting the powder bath.  Do yourself a favor and address it. 

The good news is these are small spaces so you can get major bang for your buck with wallpaper.  We went with this beautiful floral from York Wallcoverings and it immediately changed everything.  

In the kitchen, the homeowners had worked with the builder on finish selections, so we just needed to add a little color with accessories, floor coverings and stools.  

I love the clean and airy feel in this space.  The area provides a nice place to rest the eye since the adjacent spaces are filled with color.

In the dining area, it was wallpaper to the rescue once again.  This blue and green abstract floral from York Wallcoverings was just what the space needed.  We kept the furnishings casual with a whitewashed oak finish and gray faux bamboo chairs. The table expands to seat six, perfect for holidays and family gatherings.

When we're completing a dining room, we always inquire about China.  In this case, the client had wedding China that we used to build upon and created a beautiful table setting with the help of Replacements Ltd.  The client and I both loved the bird print salad plate that adds interest each setting.

 This home had such a fresh feeling about it.  We couldn't have loved it more.  Stay tuned for the remainder of this reveal.  Trust me, there's so much more to see! 

Until next time...

Photography by: Cam Richards Photography