Antique Chic

Interior Designer Matthew Carter creates enviable living spaces both inside & out

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Eric Williams

The bane of many homeowners is the tradeoff between in-town conveniences at the expense of privacy and a bit of wiggle room. This home, with its enviable location off Chinoe Road, truly has the best of both worlds: the ease of neighborhood living and a gracious home surrounded by a supremely enviable, lushly landscaped lot that allows the homeowner to feel as though they are part of a world to their own.

Interior designer Matthew Carter was tasked with creating the design scheme for the interiors of the 1940s era home and an adjacent newly built pool house. From the onset, he was given plenty of raw materials to work with. “[The homeowner] came to the table with a lot of great things and a great sense of her own personal style,” said Carter.

A series of antique Oushak rugs cover the floors of the entry hall.

A brick walkway leads to a pediment supported by ionic columns. To the left, a screened porch is concealed within the mature landscaping. Plantings are carefully executed and boast leafy magnolia trees, laurel bushes, and stands of Victoria Blue salvia. A unique Drivable Grass paving system nearly makes the motor court indiscernible from the rest of the landscape.

The faux bois wallcovering in the entry hall is cut in 24” squares and installed in a checkerboard-like pattern. The antique Ikat is from Jayne Thompson antiques.

Usability and comfort were important considerations throughout the interior design process, as well as a desire to have the end result reflect the homeowner’s personality. According to Carter, he and the homeowner “share a love of clean, classic-looking backgrounds that make antiques look modern.” It is a job so well done, in fact, that the casual observer may not realize that all of the furnishings are either antique or vintage, as they look perfectly au courant in their chic surroundings and complemented by the homeowners outstanding and eclectic art collection.

“We used a nice mix of high and low, including found items, to keep the look more approachable,” added Carter.

A vignette in the entry hall sets the scene for what is to follow. Above the classic wainscoting is a unique contemporary faux bois wall covering made from 24” squares installed in a checkerboard pattern that spans the length of the hall. A contemporary painting in bold colors depicts a man on his steed. On the center hall table, tomes covering a variety of topics surround a papier-mâche figure found at the Marche Au Puces in Paris. Underneath is a pair of stools with delicate needlepoint upholstery; their delicate colors mimic those found underfoot in one of several antique rugs that fill the space.

The wonderful old papier mache’ figure on the entry hall table was found at the Marche Au Puces in Paris.

Eclectic styling can also be found in the cherry paneled library. A silk and wool Tibetan rug anchors the room. Above the sofa is a lively painting depicting the original “Ocean’s 11” cast. The “rat pack” era is also called to mind in the lines of a tray table with slim chrome legs and sunny yellow leather top. The coffee table hints at Middle Eastern styling, while a hexagonal wood table with intricate inlays of mother-of-pearl next to a tufted leather armchair is most decidedly Moroccan.

The soothing living room is a study in serenity. Upholstery in creamy linen and silk velvet matches the color of the walls. Accent pillows are Fortuny. A large monochromatic painting hangs above the sofa. The coffee table is fashioned from an antique European door displaying great character and patina. Pale blue silk drapery with grey arrowroot shades give presence to the tall windows. Muted hues are also found in an antique Sultanabad layered over a bound sisal carpet.

Painted cabinetry in cream on the upper cabinets and black on the lower is found in the spacious cook’s kitchen. Stainless steel open shelving, mounted on a wall of mosaic tile from Ann Sacks that surrounds the range with steel back splash, keeps plates and other serving pieces within easy reach. The spacious island is topped with reclaimed walnut.

The spacious island top in the kitchen is fashioned from reclaimed walnut. Mosaic tiles from Ann Sacks surround the cooktop.

Carter took an antique European door with great character and patina and placed it within a simple Parsons style table to create a unique coffee table. An antique Sultanabad over sisal anchors the seating area. The living room fireplace features a commanding painting of a peace sign from the client’s collection.

Pale blue silk curtains with grey arrow root shades give a great presence to the tall windows in the living room. The round table and chairs are from Belle Maison Antiques.

Drapery hardware in the dining room is custom made to bow out from the wall, adding an additional dimension to the glazed linen stripe drapery. Silver leaf tea paper covers the ceiling and creates a wonderful reflective quality when dining by candlelight. Antique velvet and burlap cover the dining chairs.

Drapery hardware in the dining room is custom made and bows out from the wall creating additional dimension to the glazed linen stripe curtains. The round table with saber legs is from Rose Tarlow- Melrose House. Silver leaf tea paper applied to the ceiling creates a wonderful reflective quality at night.

During temperate weather, there is no shortage of options for relaxing or entertaining in the out-of-doors. The sound of falling watering coming from spray jets integrated into the raised limestone pool deck drowns out nearby street noise. A tree swing beckons from beneath the canopy of a towering mature shade tree that anchors a verdant lawn to the left of the pool. Lounge chairs and seating areas are strategically placed around the pool to accommodate varied desires for sun or shade. Closer to the home, a teak sectional with steely colored upholstered cushions surround a built-in fire pit.

Interior Designer Matt Carter selected Italian inspired Janus Et Cie furniture covered simply in white outdoor fabrics for the chic pool house.

At the opposite end is the yard’s pièce de résistance: a pool house with a rolling roofline that calls to mind the thatched storybook cottages found in the English countryside. The same stone seen on its façade is also found on the fire pit and privacy wall. Sliding shutter doors open to reveal a chic living room. Carter selected Italian-inspired furnishings from Janus Et Cie for the main seating area. The building also contains a full kitchen with copper countertops and stainless steel appliances, a dining area with a concrete table that accommodates 10, as well as a full bath.

Even when enjoying the best of both worlds, this home still presents its own unique conundrums. Take dinner in the dining room or al fresco? We should all be so fortunate!