Architecture News

Brooklyn Decker and Andy Roddick embarked on an ambitious journey to revitalize a 1960s Georgian-style home in Charlotte, North Carolina. What began as a house in considerable disrepair—with caved-in rooms and water damage—was transformed into a welcoming and stylish residence that perfectly blends its historic Southern character with the practical needs of a modern family. The couple’s vision was to respect the home’s original grandeur while infusing it with personal touches and functionality suitable for their two young children. This extensive renovation involved significant architectural and interior design changes, resulting in a residence that feels both timeless and contemporary, reflecting Decker’s growing expertise in interior decoration.

Their approach to the renovation focused on balancing preservation with innovation. They meticulously restored original features like dental crown molding and classic brickwork, while simultaneously undertaking a full structural overhaul to improve lighting and open up previously cramped spaces. The final design is a testament to their commitment to creating a home that is elegant yet livable, with each room telling a story of thoughtful curation and personal flair. The home now stands as a harmonious blend of old and new, offering a comfortable and vibrant environment for the family, filled with color, vintage finds, and bespoke elements that speak to their unique style and journey.

From Dilapidated Gem to Dream Family Home

Brooklyn Decker and Andy Roddick’s journey to transform their Charlotte, North Carolina, residence was far from an instant attraction. Upon their first encounter with the 1960s Georgian-style house, it presented a formidable challenge: water damage, a collapsed room, and a general state of dilapidation. However, beyond the obvious disrepair, the couple recognized the inherent potential in its classic proportions and desirable location within their favored neighborhood. Initially, it was Roddick who championed the house, seeing past its current state to its future promise. Soon after, Decker, with her roots in nearby Matthews, embraced the opportunity to meticulously restore a true Carolina home, focusing on preserving its traditional elements like dental crown molding and original brickwork. This project represented a new chapter for the couple, an exciting venture into rehabilitating a historic property with significant “old Southern bones” after numerous previous moves, marking a desire to establish a lasting family sanctuary.

The extensive renovation was a comprehensive undertaking, going far beyond superficial repairs. The couple, experienced in home renovations but never on this scale, were only the second owners of the 1964-built property. Addressing critical issues such as leaking ceilings and sagging floors was merely the beginning. A complete gut renovation was necessary to reconfigure the layout, which was initially a maze of confined spaces. The goal was to create an airy, light-filled environment conducive to family life, merging the house’s inherent grandeur with the practical demands of raising young children. Collaborating with Ruard Veltman Architecture for the architectural design and Stanwick Dunham for contracting, they meticulously reshaped the nearly 7,000-square-foot structure. Their work aimed to celebrate the home’s heritage without being confined by the past, ensuring it felt both respectful of its origins and entirely suitable for a modern family’s daily life, embodying a true blend of historical elegance and contemporary functionality.

A Symphony of Style: Blending Heritage with Modern Living

The transformation of Brooklyn Decker and Andy Roddick’s home is perhaps most strikingly evident in its gracious entryway, which underwent a significant metamorphosis from its original stark and formal design. Previously featuring a carpeted staircase that curved dramatically against black and white tiles, the space was reimagined to exude warmth and openness. The solution involved squaring off the staircase and enveloping the entire area in rich walnut paneling. This architectural decision not only allowed natural sunlight to cascade down from the second floor but also showcased exquisite millwork, creating an inviting and luminous atmosphere. Decker’s vision was to craft a space that appeared to predate their arrival, imbued with a humble yet sophisticated material palette, achieving a sense of timeless elegance and understated charm that immediately greets visitors.

Beyond the structural elements, Decker, who has cultivated her own interior design practice over the past six years, spearheaded the home’s aesthetic direction. Her brief was to honor the Georgian influence while updating the overall look to be both cozy and refined. She achieved this through a thoughtful application of color, incorporating muted greens (her signature hue), reds, blues, and yellows. The walls were adorned with wallpapers featuring natural motifs like leaves and rivers, while vintage patterned rugs softened the extensive wood floors, adding texture and warmth. Decker describes the initial style as a blend of “old English meets early Georgian meets Shaker.” However, as their children grew, their input became increasingly vital, leading to an evolving design that now includes “explosive color” largely inspired and dictated by the kids. This dynamic approach ensures the home remains a vibrant, personal, and ever-evolving reflection of the family’s life, effortlessly marrying historic character with modern, family-centric charm.

Transforming your dining area into a space of both practicality and charm goes beyond the soft glow of candles. Thoughtful lighting design, integrating your personal dining style, existing furniture, room layout, and budget, is crucial. The choices are diverse, from elegant pendant lamps and grand chandeliers to discrete flush mounts and subtle wall sconces, each requiring careful consideration of bulb types to achieve the perfect effect.

Lighting, it turns out, is an intricate art, and we've gathered brilliant concepts from leading interior designers nationwide. Despite the complexities involved, contemporary lighting can evoke a sense of romance as profound as traditional candlelight. Mike Shively of En Masse Architecture and Design highlights, "The evolving design landscape allows for more intricate layers and inventive approaches to how lighting can define a room. Both illumination and comfort are now synonymous with luxury, irrespective of their cost." From experimenting with varied pendant heights to selecting fixtures in unique materials like a striking yellow gold chain-mail or polished gunmetal, designers emphasize rethinking conventional finishes to introduce a modern flair. Integrating can lighting, especially dimmable versions, offers a sleek, minimalist approach, while reviving antique fixtures by rewiring them can infuse a space with character and history, often serving as inspiration for other metallic elements in a design scheme. Furthermore, embracing alabaster stone for its warm, diffused light provides a touch of natural elegance, each piece uniquely veined.

When deciding on the perfect dining room illumination, consider several practical aspects. For those aiming to avoid permanent overhead installations, an arc floor lamp offers a flexible and stylish alternative, positioning light directly over the table without the need for hardwiring. The proportional relationship between your chosen light fixture and your dining table is also key; a harmonious balance prevents the space from feeling overwhelmed or underlit. Customizing lampshades, perhaps with reflective linings for downward light or perforated designs for a starry effect, can dramatically alter a fixture's impact. Incorporating dimmer switches is essential for controlling brightness, allowing you to create a warm, inviting atmosphere reminiscent of candlelight. Moreover, supplementing main lighting with sconces or floor lamps enhances the room's versatility and coziness, especially as natural light diminishes. Finally, paying close attention to bulb selection—opting for warm white, cool, or bright lights, and considering energy-efficient LED options—ensures the desired ambiance and functionality for any occasion.

By embracing these sophisticated lighting strategies, you not only illuminate your dining space but also imbue it with a captivating atmosphere, fostering moments of warmth, connection, and joy. A well-lit dining room is more than just functional; it's a testament to refined living and thoughtful design.