the new historic
By Blake Miller; Photography by Brie Williams
This article appeared in the July/August 2026 issue of Home Design & Decor’s Charlotte edition.
Architect Ruard Veltman and designer Cindy Smith resurrect a crumbling relic, turning structural decay into a masterwork of modern preservation.
With crumbling chimneys, a detached porch, and persistent water leaks, the historic Dilworth property was a structural nightmare that would send most buyers running. Yet where others saw a cautionary tale, one visionary couple saw a blank architectural canvas. Recognizing the potential of the home, the couple knew that enlisting the right design team to head up the down-to-the-studs renovation would result in the stunning home they envisioned.
“This easily could have been a teardown,” says architect Ruard Veltman. “The exterior, the shell, how the home sits on the land—it all had value. That’s what we were retaining.” The disrepair, though, was more than the couple had anticipated. “It was a total gut remodel,” says designer Cindy Smith, who was tasked with pulling together the interior design of the home. “It needed all new floors, all new plumbing.”
Embracing the challenge, Veltman—with the help of designer Julia Wood with Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors—drafted plans that strike a delicate balance between historic Southern architecture and modern functionality, streamlining the layout to breathe new life into every corner. “Ruard is absolutely brilliant,” says Smith. “He took a structure on the brink of ruin and revolutionized the layout, giving us a stunning home that flows effortlessly.”
Once the structural groundwork was laid, Smith initiated a deeply collaborative design process with the homeowners, whose artistic sensibilities heavily influenced the decor. “They possess an immense passion for global travel, architecture, and music—including a formidable guitar collection,” says Smith, who also collaborated with her daughter-in-law, designer Heather Smith, on the project. “Their travels had taken them from Antarctica to Japan and Cuba, and yielded a spectacular photography collection that they wanted to thoughtfully showcase throughout the home.”
Embracing a monochromatic philosophy, Cindy and Heather opted for a neutral canvas layered with rich textures, ensuring the curated artwork and architectural details take center stage. “The goal was to respect the home’s traditional bones while injecting a modern soul,” Smith explains. “As a Los Angeles native, she wanted an interior with a bit of an edge. We let the architecture remain timeless, choosing instead to express her contemporary viewpoint through a bold curation of textiles so the artwork could be the focus.” The dining space finds its anchor within an elegant, arched niche, creating an intimate sanctuary complemented by a bespoke, large-scale banquette. Nearby, the marble-clad kitchen offers a subtle nod to opulence, featuring
a sleek gold metal accent inset into the stone.
Though the meticulous evolution spanned three years, both Veltman and Smith agree that the enduring result justifies every ounce of painstaking restoration. It was a Herculean task for the homeowners, but one that saved a piece of local history. “This project was an incredible undertaking,” Smith reflects. “Where most would have opted for demolition, they chose preservation, looking past the decay to find a diamond in the rough. Today, it stands not just as a stunning residence, but as a true anchor for the entire community.”