THE ICING
By Brandy Woods Snow; Photography by Heather Ison; Styling by Kendra Surface
This article appeared in the January/February 2026 issue of Home Design & Decor’s Charlotte edition.
A From gallery walls to gathered antiques, this Charlotte home tells a story of artful living.
Tucked along a quiet, brick-lined lane in Charlotte’s Berkeley Grove neighborhood is a Williamsburg-style treasure that instantly felt like home the moment Jenna snd Bill Schmitt stumbled upon it.
The 1980s residence charmed them with its timeless symmetry, gracious scale, and nearly an acre and a half of lush grounds—a dream setting for their two young children to roam.
“We were drawn to the home’s classic exterior, abundant yard, and close proximity to our kids’ school,” Jenna says. “It was clearly a much-loved family home that offered everything we were looking for, though we knew the interior would need a major refresh.”
On a referral, the Schmitts called designer Shadie Copeland, who is known for transforming spaces through layered design rich in color, texture, and light. “The Schmitts wanted a home that felt like them and was beautiful, family friendly, and refined,” Copeland says. “Jenna has an incredible eye, so our first meeting was all about mood boards, textures, and palettes that reflected her love of warm color, pattern, and vintage finds. The art would become the icing on the cake.”
Over the course of several years, the couple collaborated with Copeland to thoughtfully reimagine their 4,800-square-foot residence, one room at a time. The home’s architecture offered an enviable foundation: a graceful flow, soaring ceilings, and impeccably scaled spaces. Yet its west-facing orientation left the interiors craving light. With her background in lighting design, Copeland transformed the atmosphere by replacing nearly every fixture, layering illumination to infuse warmth, depth, and a subtle gallery-like glow for the family’s growing art collection. Vintage rugs became her muse, their rich hues and textures setting the tone for each space and weaving a sense of continuity throughout the home.
The redesign began in the family room, where Copeland turned a once-dark expanse of dated shelving into a luminous focal point—layering art, sculpture, and delicate lighting to create depth and intrigue. From there, the home unfolds with an easy rhythm. In the entryway, stunning contemporary art plays against classic architectural details, hinting at the dialogue between old and new that defines the interiors. The music room, inspired by Bill’s wish for a family piano, strikes a soulful chord with its mix of antiques, vintage textiles, and bold artwork. Across the hall, a moody painting anchors the dining room in quiet sophistication. Each space tells its own story, yet together they compose a harmonious whole—elegant, expressive, and deeply personal.
Art is woven into nearly every corner of the Schmitt home, giving each room a sense of personality and presence. From vivid statement pieces above the fireplaces to layered collections of sculpture and paintings in the family room, the art serves as both anchor and inspiration. “We curated every piece intentionally,” says Copeland. “I sourced much of the art and antiques locally, bringing in pieces from galleries and shops so Jenna and Bill could live with them for a few days. I want my clients to experience how a painting feels in their everyday life because when art resonates, it changes the entire atmosphere of a home.”
The Schmitts couldn’t be more delighted with the result. “Shadie masterfully balanced my husband’s classic sensibilities with my love of color and eclectic art,” Jenna says. “Every room feels intentional yet effortless—collected, personal, and unmistakably ours.”