Inspire Me!: January 2016

Friday, January 8, 2016

A Seamless & Classic Renovation

A friend and her family recently moved back into their home after a long renovation. From the beginning, this two story brick colonial had great bones. However, the rooms were a bit small, and it was hard to fit extended family and friends into any space to entertain easily. In addition, this home (and its owners) were just itching for a first floor master and a larger updated kitchen.

One of the greatest challenges in renovations is how to make the new blend in with the old. The word every architect, designer and homeowner strives for is SEAMLESS. A prime example of this is when original ceiling heights are lower and the newer ones seek greater heights. In this home, the 8' original heights needed to transition to 9' new heights. With the clever collaboration between the owners and architect, a plan was hatched to widened the hallways and doorways to give the appearance of a taller ceiling height in the original spaces as they moved into the newer ones. It worked! The final result is, indeed, seamless.

Here is a peak inside this beautiful home.

The front door changed from a single to double doors. The hallways and doorways widened and created a much larger feel for a more inviting entrance.

My friend also chose custom wool ribbed runners for her foyer and three adjoining hallways furthering a seamless transition.

Expanded living room. Great for entertaining.

The use of a white, cream and natural palette gave an consistent openness to the home.

Long, wide hallways off the main foyer create a bigger more open space.

A new custom family room, kitchen and porch.

Another great space for entertaining and enjoying family.

This porch is simply wonderful in every way.

Kitchen and breakfast nook.

Clean lines in lovely kitchen. The custom hood sets the tone.

The butler's pantry sits off the kitchen where everything is easily accessed.

Love the half bath - the wallpaper, the vanity, everything!

A view from the back hallway.

I love that the owner paid attention to the details of the front door. It is a wonderful place to splurge!

About vanCollier

Established in 1995, vanCollier began as an antique and interior design firm. With backgrounds in art history, fine arts and decorative arts, vanCollier marries old world elegance with contemporary design. The married couple behind this firm-on-the-rise is Beth and Chris Collier, who work together on their wide range of projects domestically and abroad. Their philosophy: Use traditional influences to create sophisticated and approachable environments. Says Beth, "Rooms should be masculine and feminine while conveying both traditional and eccentric details."

To contact Beth, email her at vancollier@suddenlink.net

About Eatman's Carpets and Interiors

Eatman's Carpets and Interiors is my family's business. My grandfather, Bill Eatman, opened its doors in 1957 in Downtown Raleigh as a design studio/upholstery workroom selling high end fabrics, wool carpeting, and wallpaper. My father, Woody Eatman, the current president, followed in his father's footsteps joining the family business after school. Years later, with her Design degree in hand, my mother was hired as a designer by Eatman's. My Dad and my Mom fell in love and married. Over time, Eatman's became a innovator in the world of flooring creating computer systems specifically for the industry as well as adding to the business a supply and installation divisions. Fast-forwarding through my arrival and my sister's, the business is now a hybrid of the past and the present. We continue to be a leading supplier of carpets residentially and commercially, and we continue to expand into the world of interior design with new fabric, furniture and lighting lines. But more than all that, it is where our family hangs its hat. It is, in every sense of the word, a labor of great love.