BROOKE COLE will not shy away from a challenge. The Charlotte-based interior designer launched her career in the demanding, fast-paced world of fashion prior to opening her own eponymous design firm. Since then, she has made it her business to help others through the often difficult task of renovating a space.
“I have always believed that the process of creating a home is about expanding a person’s heart,” says Cole. So when she was approached by one particular homeowner who not only recently lost her husband but also has a child who suffers from a rare disease, Cole was confident that she could deliver the ask: a functional yet fashion-forward space for a newly single mom and a very special young boy.
“My client wanted to create an amazing space where she could entertain friends and escape from the stressors of everyday life,” says Cole, who collaborated with Kareena Gray of Alair Homes on the project. “She wanted the home to be a showstopper in a lot of ways, but also comfortable and conducive to her son, who suffers from Dravet Syndrome.” Because her son requires around-the-clock care, the first task was to reconfigure the home’s layout to better utilize the space. The owner’s suite was relocated to the second floor to give her client a larger space of her own, while the previous owner’s en suite on the first floor was transformed into the son’s living quarters. Cole outfitted the space with custom-built cabinetry to accommodate his medical equipment and decorated in deep, dark blues to create a cozy sleeping environment.
Once the reconfiguration was complete, it was time to revamp the decor. The homeowner asked Cole to incorporate purple and butterflies—hopeful symbols of the Dravet Syndrome Foundation—along with lots of color. To that end, the living room’s cast-stone fireplace is accented with a custom butterfly screen, and butterflies can also be found in the primary bath and other parts of the home. And while the choice of color palette is glamorous and sophisticated, the client doesn’t have to worry about spills or sticky little hands thanks to the sofa’s child-friendly performance velvet.
Likewise, the finishes in the stylish breakfast nook can stand up to plenty of toy race cars. In addition to color choice and floor plans, all of the lighting decisions contributed to the home’s new vibe. “I always tell my clients to splurge on the light fixtures,” says Cole. “The kids and pets can’t reach them.” Stunning chandeliers and streamlined pendants are conversation starters, while the soft ambient lighting installed beneath the bathroom vanities and downstairs cabinetry provides a sense of calm and peacefulness
when night falls.
The result is a bespoke sanctuary that is high-impact yet family-friendly. “It was so rewarding to create a custom space where a child with special needs could thrive,” says Cole, whose other goal was to curate a place where her client could open her heart again. The home is now symbolic of rebirth and hope—just like those butterflies.