High atop Town Mountain began a complete transformation of a once garishly colored and furnished 6,400 Square Foot Georgian Estate. The project commenced with initial exterior paint consultations and swiftly turned to a complete strip down and start again remodel. While the exterior paint was going up, the homeowners tackled the lower level on their own. Simultaneously, we began building the design boards for the upper two levels, layering fabrics and wallpapers into a strategic plan of transformation that would be our foundation for color and flow. Once complete, the color palette of interior paints followed. Trims and walls recolored and painted, floors resurfaced to their deserved luster, two fireplaces completely demoed and redesigned in limestone, kitchen surrounding cabinetry painted out, a new island designed and stoned, bathrooms 100% demoed for new beginnings. The Rosehill project encompassed complete design of both interior and exterior lighting, rugs, drapery and shades, master bath and powder rooms layouts, tile and furnishings, furniture, decoratives and art. Timeless, classic style was set in place to accurately marry the essence of the exterior architecture of the home. The center entry hall’s Oleander wallcovering from Lee Jofa set the tone, all elements built around this starting point. Being true to the architecture, yet desiring to soften the formality of its bones, the homeowners goal was to create a casual sanctuary for this mountain retreat. We looked to accomplish this through relaxed, clean hip furniture styling and the integration of natural and organic materials and textures. A Shagreen surfaced coffee table , Stark sisal area rugs, bone patterned mirrors, seaglass and urchin bone chandeliers, Hartmann & Forbes cork office wallcoverings and woven and reeded window shades, unfinished distressed natural leather game table chairs, geodes as decoratives, all play a part in delivering this environment. Wallcovering and drapery selection clearly impacted the moods and tone within in this home, from paper in halls and baths to the master bedroom, drapery spills in the living and dining rooms, pattern and texture took this project to another level.

Project Date: 2016-2017
Cover Story on Bath Feature - Carolina Home + Garden - Fall 2016 

Entitled "Bold New World, bold re-do for a Grove Park home”, the Evelyn Place Project was published in the Summer of 2016 in Carolina Home + Garden. Engaged initially for exterior paint selections, it was a key priority for these homeowners to sensitively ID color reflective of its noteworthy 1926 build history. This objective was met, teaming in total, color, lighting, and entry hardware.

The Project expanded to the interiors, posing an exceedingly different potential for color and aesthetics. Crossing this entry threshold might just as well be likened to time traveling, passing thru a narrow short hallway which opens to a matrix of rounded archways, a crossroad for color. The perfect opportunity to present itself as these owners art collections present with a blaze of color; chartreuse, teals, plums. Eyelyn Place became a project about color, in both paint and paper form, connecting art to the space, canvas to the walls. Pattern in bold abstract geometric wallcoverings took the walls of the Living and Dining Spaces. Creative liberty to railroad the living room wallpaper delivered design with an intentionally horizontal graphic, stretching these room walls to their optimal width. Bold Bookroom Red Farrow & Ball paint filled the wide entry crossroad. Venetian Plaster tinted with teal floods the ceiling of the sunroom, creating the illusion of a pool in the sky, the homeowners whim and dream.

The project added quiet yet elegant pewter silk crepe de chine drapery, a soft influence to contrast color. Decorative velvet pillows and a clean chrome table lamp were added to the clients mid century furnishings.
Kitchen renno included the redesign of the center island and side wall counter workstations, Labordorite Big Blue stone surfaces, and a cabinetry repaint completed the space.

The master bedroom project incorporated a whimsical focal wall in a Harlequin paper, a rich Oriole Mill throw for the bed, the move of her mothers painting from an upper hall to the master to be enjoyed daily.
Essential to this site: Placement of the clients artwork at onset, the essential inspiration to every element.

Project Date: 2012- 2015 / Ongoing Working on Second home Published Feature Story - Carolina Home + Garden - Summer 2016 

A classic new build nestled in the foothills of Black Mountain, the Chesire Village Project was aimed to provide a fresh transitional surrounding to embrace the homeowners acquired antiques and fine art. The intimate footprint of the retreat, offering 360 degree views of all key living spaces, called for the sensitive color balancing of design elements. This open floor plan demanded connectivity of rug, drapery and art elements with distinguishable character created to separate each space by function. Vertical height intentionally exaggerated within the upper levels loft with Harlequin’s Demeter Stripe wallcovering and again mimicked in the grand oversized center ottoman with Travers Andulaca’s Velvet. Glorious Cowtan & Tout, Schumacher and Lee Jofa fabrics spill to the floor in drapery, while Zoffany and Pierre Frey’s velvets warm the homes upholstery. The homeowners collections of Asian paste porcelains in reds and greens provided the initial inspiration for Lord Thornbill to artfully anchor the dining room.

Glass and crystal were consistently repeated in both lighting and decorative Blenko vases to provide solid pavers for mood and tone throughout the home. Master Bedroom initiatives play to Asian whites in Alabaster, coral, shell and embroideries that sensually bring calm to days end.

Project Date: 2012- 2013 

The Sheppard home, transforming the 19th century President’s residence for Weaverville College into a 7,000 plus square foot gentleman’s country estate, complete with riding stables, barns, pool, and a showcase garage of collectible cars and motorcycles.

Tonia and Alan Sheppard had their hands full, they were deep into a historic renovation that would add over 6,000 square feet to an original blueprint.
They had solid plans, and the walls were going up, tile and floors were going down. Every piece of furniture they owned was in storage, had been for a year plus. It would be my job to edit, sort thru, place and augment the extensive collections of two of the biggest collectors ever, Tonia and Alan Sheppard of Alan’s Pawns Shops. And so it began, not knowing what to expect would come thru the doors as the vans delivered it back to the structure that finally had walls. I began the thumbs up, thumbs down, take it away process. We had the beginnings of a home. The design process took form. Tonia had seen my work at The Home Show setups, she was certain we were a match, she wanted soft finishes in drapery, window treatments, color and furnishings. The project encompassed 17 rooms for design, inclusive of the exterior porch, pool and garage environments within the main home. Window treatment fabrications marked the way, becoming the foundation stones of the initial design boards, secondary layering fabrics for seating and pillows followed.

Fabric selections were made with careful consideration for the whimsy of art collections the homeowners owned, from merry go round horses, African safari rugs and hides, rodeo, antique iron beds, glass, porcelain, art, and collectibles, all pre placed. Paint color for the interiors followed. Antique and newly loomed rugs and runners were selected with Togar Rugs. Lighting, furnishings, and occasional seating all selected to augment current possessions. Bedroom designs within this home incorporated extensive bedding details, local Oriole Mill matelasse’s, custom duvets and pillows. Extensive art collections were all locally framed in collaboration with Blackbird Frame and Art.

Project Date: 2011 – 2013
Cover Story and Published Feature - Carolina Home + Garden - Spring 2013 

The Urban Penthouse Project began at onset with a mission to design a final home product in entirety. The start up canvas solely provided wood flooring, kitchen & bath cabinetry, granite counter surfaces, and kitchen appliances. Working long distance with the homeowner whom had a home base in Chicago, power design sessions on scheduled visits to Asheville provided the best opportunity to work closely. Traveling to ADAC and various trade showrooms together were crucial to provide visuals for furniture and textile selection for the project in short windows of time.

The client began the start up for design with one simple source of inspiration, the request to incorporate Elizabeth Eakins rugs into the project. The design and planning of these rugs were a project on their own, requiring selection of 52 yarn colors to incorporate within their intricate floral/vine patterning, their custom borders and central motifs planned for the individual spaces where they would finally land. Initial samples in hand, we began the journey.

The soft scope of the Urban Penthouse project included custom Larsen drapery and pillows, Baker framed Bergamo upholstery in sofas, lounge and dining chairs, and layered bedding design.
The hard scope incorporated case goods from Neirmann Weeks, Baker, a glorious barley twist four poster bed and bedsides from Dessin Fournir, and many one of a kind antiques purchased though Brunks Auctions and Darnell & Company. Exterior balcony seating from Janus & Cie were connected to garden urns from Mecox. A custom designed bluestone balcony floor commissioned with Marc Archambaut of Hammerhead Stoneworks mimicked the clean sweeping lines of the balcony irons and added the sweet twist of local art. Lighting selections incorporated the noteworthy Lille chandelier from Neirmann Weeks to showcase the dining table, their rock crystal chandelier highlit in the master bedroom, a Myran Allan polished clear glass ball ceiling mount dances with light in the entry foyer, Fine Art Lighting selections for living and bedroom wall sconces, and an innocuous Venetian glass pendant to drift above the yoga room. Limestone bath and shower tiling, a glass kitchen backsplash,

a pair of marble fireplace surrounds and mantels as well as built in cabinetry for both the living and yoga rooms were all KWL designs.
The semi precious gilt mirror over the living room mantel features a show from within television, a vented frame partnered on with Blackbird Frame & Art. Homeowner commissioned artwork by Wendy Whitson graces the penthouse, all framed by KWL Design.

This project goaled a clean, timeless urban chic vibe, one we are proud to stand behind.

Project Date: 2009-2011
Cover Story and Published Feature - Carolina Home + Garden - Spring 2010 

Initially, the Durham Project began with a somewhat simple request to design drapery for the homeowners new master bedroom. Upon initial meet, one would be quick to summize that this was not just any average home, but rather a unique new modern build of Robin Woodward of Blue Ridge Energy Systems. As well, it was the new home of Mignon Durham, prior Chairman of the Penland School of Crafts, a home both blasting and boasting the talents of local artists in myriads of mediums. Identifying potential fabrication options that would have courage and strength to stand tall amid this House of Art, was clearly a novel project for any textile specialist. When amidst a world where color is abound, the decision clearly must be to work with neutrals that enhance the art they surround and only to layer in color that enhances the art they frame. The drapery win led to bedding, reupholstery of a side chair, and the rehang of her bedroom art collections. So, as it began, it continued.
The scope of the final Durham Project incorporated the balance of the home. Living room and office furniture were designed with a new layout to enhance comfort and conversation. Organic textural neutrals from Lee Jofa, Zinc, Bergamo and Weitzner provided the canvas for colorful collectibles introducing soft weaves and serpentine patterns. A sculpted Tibetan Foo Dog linen velvet from Clarence House was treated as art on an adjoining footstool, just as brightly colored decorative pillows are added to the lounge chairs as jewelry.
Art collections were rehung and rebalanced for impact, local framing added to enhance where needed. Design work continues to embellish the home into 2018.

Project Date: 2013- 2014 / Ongoing
Published Feature Story - Carolina Home + Garden - Winter 2014