They wanted something old, something with charm and character, and, by definition, something that was not new construction.
But after looking for nearly twelve months for an older home, this Winston-Salem couple gave up on their vision of an older home filled with intricate architectural details. “We decided that maybe we had to build new after all,” says the homeowner.
To their delight, they soon discovered that new construction did not preclude character. In fact, when the couple enlisted the help of architect Gregory Koester and designer Allan Chapman, they were amazed to see that their from-the-ground-up home in the Buena Vista neighborhood could easily boast all the same architectural details they’d come to know and love in the early twentieth-century homes inhabiting the Winston-Salem area. “Who knew that we could infuse the home with everything we loved in the historic older homes you see here?” says the homeowner.
Their new Georgian home with white brick exterior was the catalyst for the interior design, which Chapman managed. “The wife had grown up in a very formal home, so she really appreciated that formality of a traditional home,” explains Chapman. “The architectural details were so important to them, as was not having a massive, open floor plan. They liked having more separation between rooms so they’d feel warm and cozier versus vast and stark.” Decorative detail on the glass of the front door set the tone for what’s inside: subtle but impactful millwork, archways, and herringbone hardwood floors throughout the home. “The architect was great about varying the ceiling height of each room and creating these seamless transitions from space to space via the architectural details so that there’s movement and a flow to the home.”
The interiors complement the traditional details, but Chapman “had to really bridge the gap between the formal and traditional the clients wanted with the functionality and comfortability of everyday life with a growing family,” he explains. “She had a very grand vision for the home and really appreciated that, but she also realized the need to be practical.” Adds the homeowner, “We wanted a traditional look, but a little bit more updated. We wanted a lot of color and everything to feel light and bright and open.”
Existing pieces of furniture were recovered in gold silk or damask, but in the foyer, a settee received a makeover with a soft blue velvet by Pindler topped with a printed linen pillow, instantly injecting new life into the older piece. “It’s still a very traditional piece of furniture, but it suddenly feels more casual and fun with new upholstery,” says Chapman, who steered away from heavy, dark, and sometimes abrasive silks or wool blends to keep things light and soft to the touch.
Though it took nearly a year to decide to pivot and build new, the couple is ecstatic with how their home turned out. “I’m not very good at expressing what I want, so Allan did a great job reading between the lines,” says the homeowner. For Chapman, the coupling of traditional architectural details with updated finishes and fabrics made all the difference. “It has the bones of a traditional home, but it has interiors that are classic and timeless. That will live on for them for a very long time.”
