When Jennifer and Troy Felts purchased their first home on Maryland Avenue in Charlotte, it may not have been THE one, but they could imagine possibilities. And after calling in the realtor, the contractor and designer Sarah Catherine Norkum, the couple felt they could proceed with confidence. It became THE one.
Over the course of three years, the Felts worked closely with Sarah Catherine to tear down walls, opening up the closed off layout to create a flow to the home that made sense. “The home was super choppy,” explains Sarah Catherine. “We spent a lot of time figuring out a floor plan that worked for them.” The biggest focus was on the front room and the living room.
“We dropped down the raised fireplace in the living room and ripped out the built-in shelving, adding a more modern custom built-in,” says Sarah Catherine. The master bedroom was remodeled to include hardwood floors, an upholstered barn door to the bathroom, and the addition of another window to frame the bed. Troy worked on the upstairs guest bathroom, putting in all new fixtures, a new vanity and tile work. “My client’s style has evolved considerably over the three years,” says Sarah Catherine. “Some of my designs were a little out of their comfort zone, but now they’re much more willing to step outside the box.”
When asked which is her favorite room, Sarah Catherine admits it’s the front living room. “It’s edgy, sophisticated and eclectic. I can envision some fantastic entertaining in the evenings.”