ELEGANT EDIT
By Blake Miller; Photography by Brie Williams
This article appeared in the January/February 2026 issue of Home Design & Decor’s Charlotte edition.
Architect Ruard Veltman and designer Maggie Mardre showcase the art of editing a Georgian classic in the heart of Eastover.
The curb appeal was undeniable. Nestled well back from the street and framed by statuesque oak trees, the red-brick Georgian sat behind a sweep of velvety, manicured lawn that acted more like an invitation than a front yard.
The 1930s residence exuded a patina of character and quiet grandeur—its symmetry, charm, and old-world detailing impossible to ignore. Though the interiors were ready for a modern refresh, the future homeowners were captivated from the start. “It was just such a beautiful home and property,” the homeowner recalls. “There’s a timelessness to it—a sense that it’s been lovingly cared for. We simply needed the right team to help us make it our own.”
The couple turned to architect Ruard Veltman to reimagine the home’s interior flow, which felt more compartmentalized than they envisioned for modern living. “The house was one of Eastover’s architectural standouts,” Veltman notes. “Our goal was to honor its original character while thoughtfully refining and reshaping the spaces to better support the way the family lives today.”
Working in close collaboration with Whitlock Builders, Veltman drew plans that preserved the home’s early–twentieth century architectural integrity while introducing a more fluid, contemporary flow. The multilevel layout offered the kind of challenge he welcomes—an opportunity to weave modern livability into a historic framework. True to his signature approach, Veltman devised updates so harmonious and precise that the house appears untouched by time, its refined new lines and discreet modern gestures nearly imperceptible to the casual observer.
“There’s a certain snowball effect that inevitably arises in a renovation,” Veltman says of the project’s evolving scope. “Once you adjust the millwork, for example, you begin to wonder whether the windows should follow—and it continues from there. But when you walk clients through the details, they see how every element is interconnected, from the first floor all the way up to the fourth. Such was the case with this home.” One key undertaking was the creation of a primary staircase linking the first floor to the second and third levels. “There was a real disconnect between the main living spaces, the upstairs, and the basement—essentially, there was no true main stair,” Veltman explains. He designed a graceful new stairway that now stitches the floors together, bringing a sense of cohesion and continuity to the home’s vertical flow.
To further unify the architecture with the interiors, designer Maggie Mardre of Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors partnered closely with the homeowners to shape rooms that echoed the modern yet deeply comfortable way of living they envisioned. Her approach ensured that every space felt effortlessly aligned with the home’s refreshed architectural narrative. “I quickly noticed they were drawn to cleaner lines and more contemporary silhouettes,” Mardre says of the couple’s evolving aesthetic. “The clients preferred tonal palettes and a restrained use of pattern, so we layered in interest through texture—linens and velvets, hand-formed ceramics, warm woods.”
Very little made the transition from their previous home, aside from the formal dining table and a pair of chairs destined for the study. “We refinished and reupholstered a pair of exquisite Art Deco–style chairs passed down from the client’s parents,” she adds. “They bring such a sculptural, unexpected note to the room.”
Through thoughtful design and in-depth collaboration with the homeowners, Veltman and Mardre succeeded in reimagining the Georgian residence while honoring its storied architectural past. “All the elements we needed were already there,” Veltman reflects. “For me, the most gratifying part of a project is resolving the challenges—finding solutions that allow a home to feel both timeless and effortless. This house truly embodies that.”