The homeowner knows what she likes when she sees it. “It’s one of those things where if I see something that’s beautiful, I’ll find a way to work it into my home,” she says. Which is exactly the design approach the homeowners took when it came to the interior design of their Eastover home.
Despite the homeowner’s eye for design, the circa-1964 brick Colonial’s awkward floorplan continued to pose a problem. “The bones of the home were stunning: high ceilings, beautiful windows and light, and the most amazing moldings,” close friend and interior designer Nicole Mooney says. “But, like many homes of its time, the rooms were somewhat compartmentalized, and the flow was not ideal. The kitchen was still set in the 1970s, and the entire backside of the first floor lacked outdoor access.”
After living in the home for two years, learning its nuances and developing a firm list of things they wanted to update, the homeowners enlisted Mooney, architect Kent Lineberger, and builder John Bourgeois of Bourgeois McGinn Builders to design a plan that would not only open up the main floor but also extend the living space to the outdoors through an extensive covered porch. In addition, Lineberger was tasked with creating mainfloor access to the backyard, which had been a constant issue.
“We needed to open up these dead-end spaces and create a flow from side to side across the back of the house so that they could enjoy the views of the backyard while also having enough space to entertain family,” Lineberger says. The backyard slopes steeply down the back of the lot, so Lineberger designed an outdoor living space that cantilevers off the back of the house, giving the feel of a mountain home tucked high into the trees. Hidden outdoor heaters, a large dining table for extended family gatherings, and a lounge space with ample seating by the fire created more living space, a plus for the homeowners, who entertain frequently.
The kitchen, which once had Formica counters and a fauxbrick linoleum floor, was transformed into a stunning, all-white space anchored by the handmade Urban Archaeology tile backsplash, which is layered up to the ceiling. “I’d seen a kitchen designed by Robert Couturier in a magazine,” the homeowner says, “and I just fell in love with it.” A custom hood by Mudwerks complements the Caesarstone counter, custom cabinetry, and pair of pendants from Ann-Morris, Inc.
Though the homeowner has a great sense of personal style, she knew she could use some help from a professional like Mooney. The homeowner “has impeccable taste in both fashion and interior design,” Mooney says. “When she asked for my help, I couldn’t have been more excited. I knew between our like-minded design styles and attention to detail, the entire project would be a ton of fun and extremely rewarding.” With a fresh layout and open floor plan, Mooney was able to help add layers of details and refine areas of the home. “She has a great eye for design, and several rooms like the living room, dining room, and sitting rooms were already well designed. Seeing her design style in those rooms definitely provided me with inspiration throughout the process. Plus, the home’s original millwork was incredible.”
Mooney went to work in the den, which was wrapped in wood paneling. “As much as I love a lacquered den, painting the paneling here was not even a consideration,” Mooney says. “The reddish-brown wood had this warmness to it, making it the ideal backdrop for layering furnishings, textiles, and artwork. I love the way this room came together and how it ties in beautifully with the kitchen.”
Bourgeois added a new doorway to the outdoor living space. “John matched the wood and stain, and it looked like it’d been there forever,” the homeowner says. The Anke Schofield artwork over the fireplace was commissioned through Hidell Brooks Gallery and served as the inspiration for the rest of the room’s interior design.
The powder room, which had been reworked during the renovation—“It was excessively large,” Lineberger says—is one where the homeowner displayed her style. “That tile is one of my favorite things,” she says of the Kelly Wearstler selection she found at Ann Sacks. “I thought it would make that room so much fun.” A Cole & Son wallpaper and a mirror by Bunny Williams Home make the powder room playful and elegant.
Though the home’s interiors are considered complete, “the home is constantly evolving,” the homeowner says. “I’ve had to curb myself a little with buying anything new,” she laughs. “But if I see something I love, I’ll find a way to work it into my home’s interior design somehow.”