WHEN COUPLE Cindy and Darrel Wells found the home that checked all of their must-have boxes in the heart of Greensboro’s coveted historic Fisher Park, their dream of city living finally seemed within reach. The bones of the property offered great potential, which could only be realized with a total renovation. While the home offered a private courtyard open to the main living area, an established greenspace with trees, and convenient access to downtown dining and entertainment, it lacked the character and sophistication signature to the neighborhood. But Cindy’s artist-trained eye saw the possibilities of what could be with the removal of a few walls, the connection of the outdoor terrace to livable square footage, and a total renovation of the ever-important kitchen and primary bathroom.
When the Wells’s contractor, Pat Parr of Classic Construction, referred them to Emma Legg and Sydney Foley of Kindred Interior Studios, they knew they’d found designers who not only embraced their vision but also had specific ideas on how to execute it.
“The home needed creativity, especially in regards to the layout, where, as Cindy would say, we needed to ‘harvest’ every square inch,” says Legg. “They were downsizing from a much larger home and we were challenged to accommodate a lot of amenities in a small footprint.”
Nowhere was this creativity put to the test more than in the kitchen, where Kindred was tasked with incorporating necessary functions and modern features into a limited space. The addition of an oversized island, an expansive pantry, and ample cabinetry lent both form and function to the room. Layered textures and diverse materials including leathered quartzite, rift sawn oak, and reeded glass created dynamic visual cues that lead the eye to neighboring spaces.
Because the longest side of the home is a shared wall with no windows, the biggest challenge Kindred faced was capturing more natural light. They eliminated walls between the kitchen, dining room, and den, and added four additional windows, significantly increasing the flow of natural light throughout the back of the house. Likewise, the windowless owner’s bath’s wet room gained a transom to increase light flow-through. Walls on the main level were painted white and mirrors were added to increase reflectivity while dimmable LED cans, decorative sconces, and pendants were layered in for secondary lighting The multi-dimensional design is a fusion of old and new, incorporating various textures, architectural details, and warmer tones emphasizing the homeowners’ modern tastes in conjunction with a selection of family heirlooms. The Wells’s most beloved piece—an antique corner cabinet—finds dramatic contrast with edgy black glass pocket doors.
An aged chest paired with Cindy’s grandmother’s mirror becomes an anchor point for the powder room, playing off the space’s new marble floor and brass accents. Modern elements juxtaposed with natural materials such as the rift sawn oak on the range hood, pantries, and mantle, along with incorporated organic items like the sculptural dining room chandelier and quartzite countertops soften the clean lines. Cindy’s artwork is integrated throughout the design, with one of her larger works on prominent display on the custom fireplace wall in the den.
“Kindred took our design to the next level, creating more light in the home, much better space utilization, and more visual interest,” says Wells. “Many favorite elements from our prior home are now merged into our new, more cohesive space, and we love the eclectic nature of our home.” “The project was a true partnership between designer and client,” says Foley. “The Wellses were hands-on, and we helped them curate a modern design that reflects both of their styles while incorporating beloved heirloom pieces.