When Sari and Justin Kaplan came to designer Susan Hill, they wanted help making their 80s traditional home off Providence Road both contemporary and family-friendly.
“We are multigenerational south Floridians who recently relocated to Charlotte,” Sari says. “We wanted our home to reflect the excitement of our new city while still paying homage to our deep roots in Miami. It was also important to us that the color scheme and esthetics flow between spaces to create a sense of connectivity given our home’s open floor plan.”
To accomplish that, Hill knew she would be drawing on her expertise in commercial design.
The living room features a great room with two-story ceilings, French doors topped by an oversized window, an angular fireplace wall, and columns that were dated but structurally necessary.
“I had architects in school who taught us you take care of the jewelry box first, which is the structure,” says Hill, who has worked hand-in-hand with builders to design more than 200 model homes, sales centers, and design centers. “Whatever the client is looking for, I’m going to make sure it comes together architecturally.”
That started with the living room fireplace, which the Kaplans wanted to provide a “wow moment” for extended family and guests.
Hill gutted the colonial mantle and installed a porcelain monolithic surround that coordinated with the dark molding of the windows. She chose a 5-by-8 foot floor mirror from Four Hands rather than artwork to install over the fireplace.
“The antique mirror does a beautiful job of filling that space without being a piece of art that immediately draws your eye to it," she says. "I didn't want the fireplace to get lost.”
The Kaplans wanted to incorporate a 6-by-8-foot black and white piece of original art, which Hill hung on the opposite wall. She balanced its linear form with the curved edges of the couch, chaise lounge and the custom-made circular tables she chose rather than a bulky rectangular coffee table.
“I always try to create a balance of masculine and feminine in a space,” she says. “If I didn't pull curves in in some way, it was going to feel very harsh.”
She also gutted the existing wet bar, which was a 1980s throwback with white cabinets, mirrored backsplash and glass shelves. “It looked like it came out of the disco era,” she says.
Hill reimagined the bar with Dewey rift sawn oak cabinetry, a dual beverage fridge, with one side for wine and one for serve-yourself children’s drinks, and a Bedrosian Mikado backsplash tile. The matte finish keeps the backsplash from overpowering the beauty of the white oak.
The Kaplans wanted the dining room to feel set off from the living room, so Hill used Flint by Benjamin Moore to define the room, modernize its look and complement the living room couch. She continued the paint color onto the molding and columns to update the room and frame an eye-popping Lindsay Cole Prickly Pear Alta wallpaper. The Galahad large blue chandelier from Currey & Company, made of wrought iron and recycled glass, hangs over a curvilinear table.
Dining tables throughout the home provide both style and substance for a family with two children under 5. The dining room chairs, as well as bar stools and chairs in the kitchen and family room, have wipeable surfaces. Upholstered chairs and even the family room rug—custom-made from A. Hoke—are made with performance fabrics.
The family room features the 100-inch Sylvie Sofa from Rowe, a must for Matt, who wanted a place to stretch out after work. The Canadel dining table expands to seat 18 guests, which was a priority for a couple with a large extended family.
“Susan truly surprised us by incorporating our own contemporary artwork with personal items, including finger paintings from our children,” Sari says. “We love sitting in the family room and seeing both museum quality art and our children’s own creations as if they always belonged together.”
In the primary bedroom, Hill incorporated a desk for Sari, a working mom who needed a place to access her computer while children play close by. And at the foot of their custom-made bed, Hill added the oversized Jasper Ottoman from Interior Define, a great landing spot for children. She added the Levi Swivel chair from Four Hands near the window, allowing a view of the backyard pool.
Hill was able to combine comfort and functionality, while mixing in both modern and traditional elements to give the couple a cohesive new home.
“Susan exceeded our expectations in all respects,” Sari says.
“I always try to create a balance of masculine and feminine in a space,” she says. “If I didn't pull curves in in some way, it was going to feel very harsh.”