A contemporary colonial in Myers Park
March 28, 2024
A Connecticut family moves to Charlotte and updates a traditional home with modern flair.
by Catherine Ruth Kelly | photographs by Laura Sumrak
When Dayna and Nick Sheehan and their two children relocated to Charlotte from Connecticut in 2021, they knew very little about the Queen City. They relied on recommendations from Nick’s business partner to check a few initial items off their list, including finding a house. The Sheehans felt very fortunate to have discovered an available home on one of the picturesque tree-lined streets of Myers Park.
“We now realize how lucky we were to get this house and be in this neighborhood, where a lot of homes are passed down within families,” Dayna Sheehan says. “Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming, and our kids can run out the front door and find a dozen friends to play with on the weekends.”
Left: A bold green vinyl grasscloth by Thibaut covers the dining-room walls. The light fixture is by Regina Andrews. Right: A custom metal hood by 2Dash1 is a focal point in the black-and-white kitchen. Visual Comfort “Agnes” pendants hang above the island.
The previous homeowners had lived in the whitewashed colonial-style house for more than 20 years. The home was in good condition, but the Sheehans knew they would need to make some updates.
“The prior owners raised three boys here and had taken care of this house so lovingly,” Sheehan says. “They kept meticulous records and kept the house in wonderful shape, but we needed to renovate some of the living spaces that hadn’t been updated in over 20 years.”
The Sheehans’ goal was to maintain the characteristics of the 1938 classic colonial architecture but refresh it with modern updates. Knight Residential Group oversaw the construction, and Dayna called on neighbor Shadie Copeland, a local interior designer, to assist with the finishing touches.
Left: Green velvet swivel chairs by Rowe surround a Worlds Away table in the study. The melange light fixture is by Visual Comfort. In the adjacent office, the chevron grasscloth wallpaper is by Thibaut. Middle: Schumacher’s Exotic Butterfly wallpaper makes a bold statement in the powder room, accented with soft green trim and an iron vanity that ties into the black kitchen accents. Right: Embroidered album covers by Charlotte artist Stephen Wilson (via Shain Gallery) adorn the hallway.
“Our first house was shabby chic, our second one had a beachy blue-and-white vibe. With this house, I wanted to embrace black and white and add pops of my favorite color green and lots of bold art,” Sheehan says. “Shadie kept everything cohesive because I was all over the place with my ideas.”
Copeland, originally from Aiken, S.C., honed her interior design skills working at architectural lighting and interior design firms in New York City and Denver before returning to the southeast and settling in Charlotte with her family in 2018.
“Dayna is very decisive and knows what she likes, she just needed help putting it all together,” Copeland says. “Once I fully grasped her design aesthetic, we clicked. She loves bold colors, so it was fun to bring these elements to the table.”
Left: Art of Stone honed the black-and-white leathered marble surrounding the family-room fireplace. Window treatments are a black ikat fabric by Thibaut. Right: Embroidered album covers by Charlotte artist Stephen Wilson (via Shain Gallery) adorn the hallway.
The black-and-white theme is most apparent in the freshly updated family room and kitchen. The black-and-white marble surround of the family-room fireplace, centered in the new built-in cabinetry, offers a commanding presence. Colorful pillows, art and accessories accent the communal space, which is where the family spends most of their time. The kitchen’s crisp white walls, black-and-white quartz countertops and black cabinetry are enhanced by sleek white pendants above the island and a pop of color via the raspberry Brunschwig & Fils fabric window shade.
Just around the corner, the dark, moody hues of the study and office are a striking contrast to the more exuberant palettes in the kitchen and family room. The walls are covered in a shimmering earth-toned grasscloth, accented by trim and cabinetry painted a deep purple. Plush green velvet chairs provide comfortable seating in the intimate space.
Left: The Sheehans vaulted the ceilings in the primary bedroom, creating a brighter, airier space. Dayna’s favorite color, emerald green, accents the room. Middle: The primary bathroom was updated with a new shower and bathtub. Right: Black-and-white cushions offer a comfortable resting place on the back porch swing.
“Dayna wanted this space to feel more sophisticated,” Copeland says. “The rich colors and varying textures that envelop the space create a cozy, swanky hideaway in the middle of their house.”
In the front of the house, the living room and dining room continue the vivid, polychromatic design theme that Sheehan had envisioned. Emerald green grasscloth swathes the dining room walls, complementing the green and pink jewel tones of the adjacent living-room furniture.
“It was a fun challenge to renovate this house and create a space that my family loves,” says Sheehan. “Shadie really embraced my ideas and let my personal style shine through.” SP
Featured image: In the living room, a photograph of album covers by artist Allyson Monson hangs above the sofa. Green velvet chairs are by Worlds Away and swivel ottomans are by Rowe.
