BLISSFUL BLUE
After living in their renovated 1960s ranch for a while, Anne Hammett and her husband, Joel, decided they needed a designated laundry room and mudroom in their home. “We really needed a proper entry to our home,” says Hammett of Anne Pearson Design. The addition resulted in two clean, cheerful spaces that are often a second thought in the design process. “The laundry room always seems to get neglected,” Hammett says. “But we’re in there so often that it needs to be designed with as much thoughtfulness as you would a powder room or home office.”
What She Did
ADDED INTEREST
In lieu of paint, Hammett added the Schumacher wallpaper to the laundry room, while the fabric in the same pattern was used on the Roman shade in the adjacent mudroom. The mudroom features classic shiplap on the walls, an architectural detail the designer chose instead of wallpaper or paint.
EMBRACED COLOR
“I’m drawn to color palettes of blues and greens,” Hammett says. “So it was a natural choice to paint the cabinets in the laundry room this soft blue. It also complements the wallpaper, which was truly the springboard for the whole design.” Hammett accented with gold hardware pulls.
KEPT IT CLEAN
In high-traffic utilitarian spaces, easy-to-clean and maintain is key. Hammett chose the subtle hexagon tile from Renaissance Tile for the flooring not only because of the subtle detail it provides in both spaces but also because it’s low maintenance.
Meet the Designer
ANNE HAMMETT
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THIS SPACE?
“In the laundry room, I love the color of the cabinets and the wallpaper. It’s a utilitarian space, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty. In the mudroom, I love the practicality of it. All of the clutter is hidden behind the pretty custom lockers.”
WHY DOES THIS SPACE WORK SO WELL?
“It added so much storage that our house was lacking. We desperately needed a space to fold clothes, hang clothes to dry, etc. All of the extra cabinetry gives us more storage.The mudroom gave us a space toput our bags, shoes, iPads. There are charging stations in each locker,with a shelf, so you never see cords and phones sitting onthe counters.”
WHAT IS IT ABOUT LAUNDRY ROOM AND MUDROOM DESIGN THAT EXCITES YOU MOST?
“Both ofthese spaces are utilitarian, so they’re used on a daily basis, but that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice beauty. Adding color onthe cabinets orthe cut-out detail on the top of the mudroom cabinets are custom elements one can add without adding a lot of extra cost.”
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR LAUNDRY ROOM AND MUDROOM DESIGN?
“Don’t neglect the laundry room. You’re going to be in it a lot, so invest in nice cabinets and,when in doubt,use wallpaper. It can instantly transform a space.
SIMPLIFIED STYLE
Angie Persson was ready for an update. Though she and her husband, Anders, had renovated the kitchen in their Myers Park home years earlier, the space was in need of a refresh, says the designer. “The finishes and the color palette really needed to be updated,” says Persson of the brown granite countertops, cream-colored cabinets, and silver hardware throughout. The couple, who also have a home in Sweden, fell in love with the simplicity of their European home’s kitchen. “I don’t like a lot of fussy things, so I love that our home in Sweden is all white and clean, which is what I wanted in our kitchen here in Charlotte.”
What She Did
STREAMLINED DETAILS
The custom cabinetry Persson had installed during the first renovation featured traditional column details. To achieve a more contemporary look, Persson removed the detailing, resulting in a clean, modern look for the cabinetry.
EMBRACED MARBLE
Despite its tendency to stain, Persson wanted a large, honed marble island to replace the existing brown granite counters. “You can’t go wrong with the look of marble,” she says. “Marble is a soft surface, and you must accept that it will not stay perfect if you choose it. But marble is classic. The patina and wear and tear give it personality and tell a story.”
ADDED WARMTH
Though Persson wanted an allwhite kitchen, she also knew she needed to warm the space, so she added a wooden counter at the built-in bar. “I love a lot of texture, and we had a lot of marble already, so wood made sense.” She also added satin brass hardware and a faucet from Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath to help warm up the space.
Meet the Designer
ANGIE PERSSON
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THIS SPACE?
“Although the kitchen feels light and airy, it’s alsowarm and welcoming. I used warm whites, darkwood finishes, mixed metals, marble, contemporary lighting, and vintage pieces for an eclectic overall aesthetic that complements the rest of our house.”
WHY DOES THIS SPACE WORK SO WELL FOR YOU?
“The layout is practical and works for our family. We try to have dinner as a family most nights, and the eat-in kitchen is perfect.”
WHAT IS IT ABOUT KITCHEN DESIGN THAT EXCITES YOU MOST?
“Kitchens require the basics, yet we can be creative with materials we use to achieve the overall look. Lighting and hardware excite us the most.Currently, our favorite is anything with Lucite and aged brass.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPLURGE FOR THE KITCHEN?
“We splurged on the marble backsplash. I wanted a seamless look, andwith large slabs of marble, it did just that. I also love the faucet.I ordered itin unlacquered brass so that as it aged,the patina would look like something you would see in a pub in England.”
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR KITCHEN DESIGN?
“Use materials that fit your lifestyle and personality. For example, if you prefer perfection, don’t choose marble and unlacquered brass!”
MODERN OASIS
Extra time at home might have been the inspiration Charlotte Lucas needed for updating the master bedroom in her Eastover home. “I think everyone loves a ‘glow up’ in their home every now and then, but especially this year, people are realizing the importance of home and are taking steps to make it a place that truly sparks joy—myself included!” says the designer of adding the scenic wallpaper from House of Harris, the line that she and her designer sister Liz Carroll created. “While I always invest in pieces that stand the test of time, I am definitely in the camp of periodically updating art, changing wallpaper, or experimenting with a new paint color, as these things can fully transform an old, familiar space, giving it new life and energy.”
What She Did
MIXED IN PATTERN
“My bedroom, much like most of my designs, incorporates multiple patterns—for example, scenic wallpaper plus geometric drapes— that many would not think to combine. I never shy away from mixing pattern and color in unexpected ways,” she says. Lucas balances the pattern with a handful of neutrals to “offset all the action!”
ADDED PERSONAL TOUCHES
“Personal touches, like sweet artwork from my children, framed photos of my family, and meaningful hand-me-downs also fill the room, keeping me reminded of, and grateful for, the most important things in life,” she says.
MADE IT SYMMETRICAL
Flanking the king bed, which is “just about the only neutral part of this space,” are two matching army-green bedside tables and statement lamps, with a pink sofa at the base of the bed providing symmetry to the space, which is peaceful and restful to the eyes.
Meet the Designer
CHARLOTTE LUCAS
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THIS SPACE?
“I love the hidden side porch off the side of the bedroom. It’s a very Charleston feel to have a second-floor porch and the perfect place to enjoy a moment of quiet in the morning or to unwind in the evening.”
WHY DOES THIS SPACE WORK SO WELL FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?
“It’s right next doorto my son’s room, where he and my daughter typically sleep together every night. But because it’s in such close proximity to the little ones, it allows for the inevitable post bad-dream snuggles but still feels private and far enough removed from the rest of the home, where all the entertaining and action go down.”
WHAT IS IT ABOUT BEDROOM DESIGN THAT EXCITES YOU MOST?
“Travel and comfort are two things I love most in this world, so it’s exciting for me to attempt to create spaces that feel like both. There’s nothing better than a cozy hotel bed, and my philosophy is, ‘Why not have that at home?’”
FAVORITE BEDROOM SPLURGE
“Wallpaper! It’s a spacious room with nooks and crannies throughout, so getting all the walls and the closet doors covered in this beautiful paper definitely added up, but it was totally worth it!”