Grandmillennial meets modern in this Matthews family home.
by Andrea Nordstrom Caughey | photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck
“A home should surround you with things you love. Developing a favorites list is the perfect launch point,” advises Fort Mill, South Carolina, interior designer Lynn Blackwell of Lynn Blackwell Design.
Blackwell’s revitalized Hicks family home in Matthews reflects just that alchemy of passions from homeowners Tim and Mandy. “Their wish list? A mix of natural, rustic woods; shades of purple; a moody, masculine feel; and traditional elements, too,” she says.
By contrast, their starting point was the opposite — a newish home with large, open spaces, straight lines, cool tones, light floors and walls, and silver metal accents.
Left: Burl-wood counter stools and seagrass pendants add warmth and texture in the kitchen. Right: The living room has become a favorite spot for the family to relax by the fire and for puzzles and games.
“Even though the house was only two years old, we wanted the design to feel timeless and collected,” says Mandy Hicks. “With two teen boys and a dog, we are an active family, and happiest in nature. We also love travel, especially the Caribbean, and Lynn incorporated all of this.”
Blackwell started by adding layers of color, texture and pattern, embracing a rich, yet serene palette accented with black and charcoal grays to ground each space.
“Next came warm, medium-toned woods for case goods and hues of green and purple in textiles and art,” the designer says. “Because using natural wood was such a priority, we incorporated it into nearly every room,” from a burl-wood chest in the foyer to a live-edge coffee table in the basement.
For added texture, Lynn also added pieces with caning in the foyer and dining room, natural materials for lighting, and other woods with a heavier grain.
“Texture in fabrics was essential, too — aged velvets for the great room sofa, dining room and primary bedroom chairs; nubby linen for the living room sofa; distressed leather on the great room and basement chairs; pebbled vinyl (for easy care) on kitchen counter stools, breakfast room chairs and the basement dining area banquette,” she says.
After discovering that Mandy craved “grandmillenial” touches, Blackwell paired these with modern elements. A few vintage standouts: antique transferware platters on the dining room wall, chinoiserie umbrella stand in the foyer, vintage pottery and books on shelves and tabletops, a vintage rattan floor urn full of antique canes in pretty woods, stacked antique creel baskets for a side table in the great room. “Abstract art happily melds with antique landscapes, botanicals and black-and-white sketches.”
Entertaining large groups was also essential. “We wanted cozy spaces for four, but also for the interiors to function for groups of 100, too,” Mandy says.
A charcoal oak bed adds texture in the primary bedroom, accented with shades of purple.
“While we use all of the rooms more than I expected, the most surprising has been the living room. We really wanted to make sure it was more than just a sitting room — an elevated space that was beautiful but also welcoming to our teen boys and their friends.” The space is filled with books, collected items, a cozy fireplace, and a game table for puzzles or mahjong. “It really has become a favorite spot for our family.”
It also echoes Mandy’s quest for durability and livability above all else. “My design mantra has always been ‘wipeable!’ Nothing can be off limits to family, pets and friends. Fabrics and textures must stand up to the way we live.” SP
