Home hunting altered more towards window-shopping for designer Taylor Hill– a minimum of when it concerned the 1920s Greenville, South Carolina, cottage she purchased with her husband, Durham. It was the original windows that hooked the designer (who holds a master’s degree in historical conservation) on the 2,000-square-foot gem. With one eye on the past and the other on the present, she homed in on a plan that fits the couple now while enabling for modifications in the future. She calls it “adaptive style,” and it’s a term that could just as easily explain her design. With thoughtful renovations and an extensive collection of art and antiques, Hill developed a home that’s layered, meaningful, and primed for its next chapter.
Highlight Existing Elements
The lure of the original windows drew Hill here from the start, so restoring them to their former splendor was a primary focus. Brightening up the front exterior and darkening the window frames added a fresh viewpoint while assisting the historical details actually stand out.
Set Modern With Traditional
When Hill spotted the 18th-century English hutch, she had to have it, but finding a dining table that played perfectly with it proved to be an obstacle. “Brown wood or vintage pieces have a credibility for sensation stuffy and extremely official,” she says. “I truly believe that antiques have the most success when integrated with more recent accents in the exact same space.” She ultimately found an initial 1960s Eero Saarinen tulip table in an upscale-furniture consignment store and knew it had the modern style needed to contrast with the hutch. Even the scuffs and scratches on the base were a benefit for Hill, who enjoys furniture that’s had a previous life.
Know When To Save
Rather of ripping out the cabinets, Hill added new drawer and cabinet faces and painted the walls Farrow & Ball’s Cornforth White (No. 228) to rejuvenate the cooking area. A wood backsplash provided more savings, plus it functions as a canvas for another jewel from her art collection. “A great deal of individuals think you should not have precious things in the kitchen area, however that’s where you invest the majority of your time,” she states.
Choose Flexible Furnishings
The coffee table, an English coal cart, was one of Hill’s first antique purchases. And while Hill states it’s still in sound shape, she’ll have no qualms about reupholstering when it begins to show its age.
Welcome The Hidden Potential
The small dresser in the main bedroom was painted black when Hill discovered it at a roadside antiques store. A hint of burled wood peeking out from a scratch in the paint was all the incentive she required to bring the piece home and strip it herself. “It doesn’t take a great deal of ability, simply some effort,” she adds.
Lean On Soothing Hues
To produce an extra-restful environment, she enveloped the suite in a warm gray paint, Farrow & Ball’s Cornforth White. Complementary neutrals (like white bed linen) and simple patterns support the chill vibes.
Keep It Grounded
The smart property owner had the trim and vanity in the restroom painted a deep chocolate brown to keep the pink wallpaper from appearing too fussy. “It included this depth and richness that I most likely wouldn’t have been able to attain if I had done a typical white trim,” she states. For the mirror, Hill repurposed an old frame from a regional store.