True blue
April 30, 2021
Designer Inna Kovalinskiy creates a relaxed, inviting space to showcase vintage WWII memorabilia.
In this sitting room for a family with young children, the homeowners had two priorities: They sought a quiet space to enjoy adult conversation, as well as a place to display items from their extensive collection of World War II memorabilia. The couple, who recently moved to Charlotte from California, had previously traveled across Europe, attending reenactments and collecting artifacts along the way.
“They wanted a creative way to showcase it,” says interior designer Inna Kovalinskiy, who launched Kovalinskiy Design with her contractor husband, Vitaliy, after renovating and designing their own Mint Hill home several years ago. The space, originally intended as a formal dining room, is one of the first areas guests see as they enter the home, so Kovalinskiy wanted it to make an elegant first impression. White walls were painted a deep blue, with a large vintage decommissioned flag serving as a focal point. In the center of the room is a vintage Lineberry factory cart the homeowner converted to a coffee table. Kovalinskiy added custom molding and built-ins for those treasured collectibles, along with valances and draperies in a classic ticking pattern. Modern elements like the sculptural glass chandelier and a new rug with a vintage appearance pull the design together.
“We wanted it to feel appropriate to that time period but still feel modern,” the designer says. “Part of our design is we want to create spaces that age well.” In this case, the result is a stylish space with a well-worn, timeless feel. SP
— Cathy Martin
