GOLDEN YEARS
By Brandy Woods Snow; Photography by Aura Marzouk Lake
This article appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of Home Design & Decor’s Triangle edition.
A historic Raleigh icon finds its next golden age.
Lifelong Raleigh residents Mary and William Forbes, along with their son Philip, share a deep appreciation for the city’s history and a natural inclination toward preservation. So when they discovered a stately Federal Revival home in the heart of Raleigh’s historic district, they immediately recognized it as something rare.
“Homes like this don’t come along very often, especially with the scale and architectural presence this one has,” Philip Forbes says. “The moment we walked through the front door, we could feel the history in the space. At the same time, it was clear the house was ready for a new chapter, and we wanted to honor the home’s history while creating something vibrant and immersive for today.”
Built near the turn of the twentieth century, the home carries a rich and storied past. Its lineage includes distinguished doctors, civic leaders, and even an ice baron who once presided over the region’s cold storage industry. Over the years, it has also served as a cultural touchstone, hosting gatherings like the Cosmo Book Club and the 1981 ASID Designer Showhouse. Now known as the 1893 House, it enters a new chapter under the care of the Forbes family, who, through a word-of-mouth introduction, enlisted designer Tula Summerford to reimagine its next era.
“We wanted to honor the home’s historic architecture while reimagining it with a sense of luxury and ease,” Summerford says. “The goal was to create a space that felt timeless, layered, and resonant rather than trend driven.”
What followed was a two-year down-to-the-studs restoration that transformed the 4,800-square-foot, four-bedroom home into one of downtown Raleigh’s most coveted short-term rental and event destinations. Knowing the home would serve as a rental space informed decisions on finishes and durability, but the central challenge was toeing the line between beauty and function. Original fireplace mantles, trim, moldings, and floors were preserved wherever possible; where disrepair demanded otherwise, details were reconstructed with fidelity to the home’s bones.
Throughout the home, color and pattern are applied with intention—navy velvet, dusty rose, and richly layered wallpapers create a sense of depth, while antiques and vintage pieces ground each room in history. The owner’s suite evokes a quiet, European serenity, while each guest room unfolds with its own distinct mood.
The undeniable focal point, however, is the Champagne Room: a jewel-box with hand-applied silver-leaf ceilings, Belgravia Décor wallpaper, an antique Murano glass chandelier, and a custom curved bar in blush-toned quartz that softly glows from beneath at the touch of a switch. “We were able to preserve and reconstruct the details of the home we loved so much,” Summerford says. “The result is a study in the marriage of classic architectural detailing with the warmth and comfort of modern living.”
The Forbeses are thrilled with the outcome and the way people react when they first walk in. “The finished home feels like a celebration of the house itself,” Forbes says. “The spaces are dramatic and memorable while also being warm and inviting. The home is a place where design, history, and experience all come together in a way that feels special.”