FLORAL DREAM
By Brandy Woods Snow; Photography by Dustin & Susie Peck; Styled by Kendra Surface
This article appeared in the May/June 2024 issue of Home Design & Decor’s Charlotte edition.
CLASSIC MEETS MODERN IN A HISTORIC DILWORTH HOME
More than a decade ago, Stefano and Joya Pavesi fell in love with historic Dilworth. When they found a century-old single-story home with a full walk-up attic, they knew that with time and a keen sense of direction, they could soften and enhance the flow of the house into a warm, welcoming home for their growing family.
“We needed an interior designer with an eye for architectural details, and when I saw Susan’s work featured in a magazine, I knew she was the one to bring our vision to life,” Joya says
For Susan Hill, owner of Susan Hill Interior Design, the home was a blank slate of possibilities that needed TLC and a vision. “There was a tremendous amount of potential in the center hallway to make a first impression impact as you enter the home,” Hill says. “We also reclaimed space by taking the roof off, and while we stuck with most of the structure on the first floor, we did implement some additional framing plans there to increase functionality and ease of traffic flow. It all worked together to make this older home feel more expansive and livable.”
To embrace the European-inspired ambiance of a French villa, the Pavesis requested that all doorways be raised to arches and softened with the removal of the casings. They also wanted a specialty treatment on the walls in the center hallway to add texture and interest, so Hill designed a reeded wall with hidden doors for maximum impact upon entry.
Joya wanted her love of gardening to be a central theme in the home’s design. As such, much of the home’s lighting was inspired by nature, from the flush-mount floral fixture from Anthropologie in the home’s drop zone to the dining room’s chandelier, evocative of weathered flowers and foliage. Even the butterfly sconces installed upstairs evoke nature. The main powder room is a celebration of all things gardening, featuring bold botanical wallpaper, brass bird knobs on the vanity, and a chandelier that Joya describes as an “ode to a bird’s nest.”
Color is another common motif threaded throughout the design. “Joya loves blue, so we implemented a varying palette of muted blue hues in the home,” says Hill. “I think of blue as a neutral color, and it built a great foundation on which to pull in pops of more vibrant colors without becoming too busy.” From the richer, saturated shade in the kids’ drop zone to the barely-there pale hue of the entertainment center, Joya’s love of blue is apparent and is echoed and built upon in other design aspects. The hand-painted tiles in the laundry room pull on rich blue tones while the home’s vibrant bouquet of rugs, pillows, accessories, and art impart dramatic pops of color. The watercolor wallpaper in the kids’ space creates a fun play environment.
The final design is a study in classic-meets-modern with a touch of posh. The powder room’s fresh botanical wallpaper pairs with a classic vanity and marble countertop. Cleaved-face limestone tiles turn the traditional dining room fireplace into a soft, modern focal point. Bi-hinge doors at the top of the staircase, intricate millwork, and statement lighting create impact.
We preserved the historical elements of the home but also introduced classic architectural features that gave a nod to the influences of European homes while also increasing storage and functionality for a busy family of four,” Hill says.“
This renovation was a labor of love and time, and we are so proud of the result,” Joya says. “I wake up happy every day in this home.”