A historic home is always one of my favorite types of projects, especially when my clients want to update the house with a mix of old and new. So when a client brought me in to revamp a 1937 home in Winston-Salem, NC, I couldn’t wait to get started. She is completely unafraid of color, and wanted to push the boundaries with pattern and style. The result is a house filled with gorgeous art and bold hues, one that I’m thrilled was also featured in the most recent issue of Southern Home magazine. Let’s take a tour through these fabulous rooms.

The entry to the home definitely gives you a hint of what you’ll see throughout the interiors - a mix of fabulous patterns and unique design elements that tell a story. One thing my client was very clear about is that she wanted light fixtures that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. The vintage brass fixture you see here definitely fit the plan, and it looks striking against that blue ceiling.

In the formal living room, you can see that mix of stunning antiques and modern pieces that are a signature look for this home. We searched for a vintage rug, too, but couldn’t find the right look. So we designed this custom rug to tie in the color palette for the space. You can see the beautiful result below, as well as two of my favorite lamps with shades that complement the botanical art.

Bold and saturated colors add a vibrant look to the great room, which was a later addition to the home. We also brought in several unusual designs to add modern touches, like the cocktail table with lucite legs, and a side table with a corona of crystals around the top.

The dining room below is one of my favorite rooms in the house. It really encapsulates the style of the home, and my client’s personality! We started with the beautiful Schumacher wallcovering designed by Miles Redd, who is also known for his love of color. We highlighted that gorgeous blue in the wallpaper with the upholstered chairs and the drapery. The pelmets at the top of the windows add that little touch of whimsy that my client loves.

This space also showcases how the perfect mix of old and new can create a fresh new look. We used the light fixture to bring it all together - it is a modern piece that uses vintage Murano glass as its center. It has that color and personality that was so important to my client.

For the principal bedroom, my client requested a palette that would offer a cozy and cocoon-like feeling. I used a dark blue grasscloth that created that restful vibe, but also added a lot of texture. We were lucky to have some fabulous antiques to work with in this room, including a settee that originally belonged to my client’s grandmother. We gave it new life with an emerald fabric and a patterned bench seat.

Warm brass and bold modern art add the perfect finishing touches to this chic space.

In the kitchen, we kept the timeless style in place. Working in pops of color on the open shelves and adding original art give it a fresher style. A patterned rug injects some color into an otherwise classically neutral space.

Thanks for taking the tour with me! How is your home’s personality? Does it fit you and your family? If your house needs a makeover, we’d love to talk to you. Just give my team a call!

All the best,

Kara

Home Tour: Colorful Historic Home