Cherished antiques blend with modern patterns and subtle pops of color in this interior design project for a Foxcroft family.
by Cathy Martin | photographs by Laura Sumrak
Incorporating family heirlooms was a must for this homeowner, a mother of two teens, when designing her new Foxcroft home. But the home, built in 1975, needed a little refresh.
“The house was a much-loved family home in a great neighborhood that offered everything we were looking for and more,” the homeowner says. “Mostly, we aimed to brighten the interior and refine some of the dated finishes.”
The family adored their previous home in Myers Park, but as their daughters were getting older, they needed more space. The homeowner was immediately drawn to the home’s classic Tudor exterior, abundance of natural light and large yard.
“We were excited to give it a refresh and make it our own.” On the recommendation of a family member, they tapped Ken Linton of Linton LLC to handle the renovation.
“Built-in cabinets and moldings were removed, textured walls were smoothed, lighting and plumbing fixtures were updated,” the homeowner says. The couple also expanded the primary suite by eliminating one of the bedrooms.
When it was time to select lighting, they turned to Shadie Copeland of Shadie Copeland Interiors. Prior to launching her interior-design business in 2018, Copeland had worked for architectural lighting-design firms.
“I wanted our new light fixtures to be cohesive in style, finish and scale, so that’s where Shadie came in,” the homeowner says. The designer’s role grew as it became time to select the decor and soft finishes for the home.
The homeowner had inherited many pieces of furniture and art from her grandparents, which had been sitting in storage.
“Now that we had more space, it was important to me to try and utilize some of these cherished family heirlooms,” she says. “To my delight, Shadie was enthusiastically willing to do that. She took old sofas and chairs and updated them with beautiful fabrics and thoughtful details.”
Copeland worked hand in hand with the homeowner in designing the space.
“My job is to create a space that’s a reflection of the homeowners,” Copeland says. “She’s incredibly elegant. She has a really great sense of style — just very timeless,” she says in describing her client, who sought a soft palette with a few bold moments throughout.
“[Copeland] took our interior from ‘safe’ to a much more interesting and stylish level,” the homeowner says. “She easily combines old with new, polish with texture, color with pattern, creativity with professionalism.” SP
Featured image: In the living room, draperies with a funky, watercolor-inspired pattern and shades of mauve, lavender and gold set the tone for the design. “What I love about this space the most is we have this beautiful antique rug but then we pulled in these more modern and fun fabrics,” designer Shadie Copeland says.
In the entry hall, antique chairs were reupholstered in an embroidered velvet fabric. The antique rug is a family heirloom; the hourglass table is by Bunny Williams.
The painting over the fireplace is by local artist Margot Whitley. Striped tone-on-tone wallpaper adds subtle interest. “The living room is formal but comfortable,” says the homeowner. “Shadie blended antiques with new pieces perfectly.”
In the family room, a painting by Lauren Reddick from Art House Charlotte provides a focal point for the long, narrow space.
Vintage Brighton pavilion chairs surround a game table in the family room. Completing the vignette is a Hector Finch pendant, a trio of small landscape paintings and playful pillows with a chinoiserie design.
In the breakfast room, antique chairs were recovered and painted a deep teal green by Renew Charlotte. The chandelier had been in the dining room but worked well in the space, which has taller ceilings. An easy-to-clean indoor-outdoor rug was a practical choice for the busy area.
In the kitchen, it was all about making the most of the space we had,” the homeowner says. The window over the sink was enlarged and a coffee bar was added. The island, finished with a waterfall edge, was extended to comfortably seat four.
“Sagimai,” a printed grasscloth wallpaper by Scalamandre, creates a soothing backdrop in the dining room. The chairs and table are by Jonathan Charles. A side table with a custom table skirt provides needed storage without taking up too much space. The chandelier is “Vivian” by Visual Comfort, and the mirror is from Granville.
The lighted dining-room hutch by Century provides an elegant storage solution for family treasures. Copeland styled the cabinet with crystal and silver that would otherwise be in storage. “It makes me so happy to see it all on display every time I walk by,” the homeowner says.
“Bright and happy” is how the homeowner describes her daughter’s bedroom. “We used a really bold Schumacher pattern on the bed as the base of the room,” Copeland says. After designing the custom bed, she repeated the design on custom cornice boards, which are covered in a light herringbone fabric. The Pindler fabric was also used for the draperies and on the upholstered bench. Lavender Visual Comfort lamps and a semi-flush-mount ceiling fixture from Colleen and Company add a finishing touch.
Chinoiserie-inspired wallpaper, black sconces and a painted ceiling make a bold statement in the powder room.
A slim daybed fits the narrow space in front of the window, dressed with draperies in a feather pattern.
In the closet of the primary suite, playful needlepoint pillows — made by the homeowner — add a pop of color and whimsy.
A custom Caracole bed is flanked by nightstands by Modern History. The ceiling fixture is from Visual Comfort.
In the spa-like primary bath, sheer panels behind linen draperies ensure privacy year-round.
A pass-through space between the primary bedroom and bathroom is adorned with House of Harris “Fauna” wallpaper panels.
