The combination of architectural detail and interior design creates a stunning backdrop for this home in Old Cotswold.
It’s the little things in life, some say, that truly make it worth living. In architecture, while nothing is exactly “little,” the same concept is true: thoughtful details can create an environment truly worth living in. This collaborative build in old Cotswold for homeowner Tom Wilson is proof of concept.
The home sits on three-quarters of an acre, which is what drew Wilson to the lot, but that was quickly eclipsed by the in-process plans for a home designed by architect Greg Perry and built by Vernon Knight of Knight Residential Group. “The home’s exterior and floor plans were essentially fully designed when I took over the project,” recalls Wilson. “But I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. That’s what was so amazing. I was able to just focus on interiors like cabinet design, architectural trim decisions, paint colors, and finishes.”
What began as a spec home for Knight Residential ended as a clean, moody, cozy, and architecturally detailed home for Wilson. “Vernon had requested an innovative design that was still transitional,” says Perry. “We incorporated varied swooping roof lines, large window and door expanses, and hidden window dormers, all while maintaining symmetry.”
The exterior, however, tells a fraction of the story, where the interiors, designed by Layton Campbell of J. Layton Interiors, complete the plot. “The architecture of the home really shines and makes it feel custom—my study with honeycomb trim ceiling detail being a great example—but the art and the interiors make this home feel personal,” says Wilson.
Of course, it wasn’t as seamless as Campbell stepping in and making magic happen; there was a little give-and-take with the homeowner. “Tom really wanted a white brick exterior with black windows, and on the way with him to show me an example, I counted seventeen other homes just like it in the nearby area,” recalls Campbell. “I really wanted his home to be more unique for him, and so we settled on a German schmear for the exterior finish.” Inside, Campbell expanded Wilson’s comfort zone again, pulling him beyond the too-cool all gray-and-white look he envisioned to a warmer palette by weaving in wood, deeper tones, layered lighting, and pops of color via his art collection.
“As neutral as Tom was envisioning for his home originally, I was so delightfully surprised with his colorful choices in art,” says Campbell. With fine art pieces from Hidell Brooks Gallery and artwork Wilson discovered in Raleigh—and even a commissioned piece by Carmen Guedez in the living room—the collection “brings life to some of the quiet moments,” Campbell says.
On the exterior, expansive windows with no adornments impart generous light to the sophisticated interiors. “The architecture of this home reflects the overall setting—a traditional Charlotte neighborhood that is currently experiencing growth and change,” says Perry. “To the outside world, great design respects the immediate environment while also challenging it to forward-thinking design.”
Ultimately, though, it’s the combination of exteriors and interiors that create stunning results. “Bad architecture cannot be remedied with pretty interiors; it’s the combination that makes jaws drop,” says Campbell. “When I take clients to shop for art, for example, it’s a passionate buy. All the layers tell a story, but you don’t get the personal connection until they choose artwork. When you love your art, whoever visits your home has a glimpse into your soul.”
