Our English Country Remodel project is my own personal home. We found it after searching for a house in Fort Mill just after the pandemic when real estate was still being sold in a day. After finally resorting to facebook messaging homeowners in my targeted neighborhood to ask if I could buy their house, I finally got a “yes” after several “no” responses. I loved the house and even better, it needed a full remodel!
Our previous home, including all furnishings, art, rugs and even bedding had just sold in less than 36 hours. The decision to sell was an easy one since developers were purchasing all the land surrounding our house on Lake Wylie with plans for a high density development with clubhouse and marina directly across a small cove from my house. Since I was ready to move closer to my office, my grandkids and the city, I took advantage of the seller’s market at that time and quickly sold my home and almost all of its contents.
It was exciting to start with a blank slate but also daunting! The house we purchased had a Tudor exterior, making the decision on interior style an obvious one. English country would be the style direction, perfect for a history buff who loves old things and authentic decor and who also loves a modern take on classic looks. In the year I spent overseeing the home’s renovation I was also designing the new interior with only a few items to start with. Since I wanted unique, interesting and somewhat historically-minded art that couldn’t be purchased from my usual sources, I began the hunt for just the right items.
The directive for my own house required a mix of traditional and modern furnishings, English in style, with a mix of both antiques and modern pieces in each room. English textiles, lots of leather and antique Turkish rugs in warm colors would create warm, cozy spaces. For wall decor, a lively mix of unique and varied artwork on warm white walls would create a cohesive flow throughout the entire house. Follow along here for a tour of art and wall decor in every room, most of which was purchased in the past year.
STAIRCASE – Antique portraits from local and online shops along with antique sconces create a strong English look. Not shown is a modern mixed media piece by Dennis Campay.
FOYER, FRONT – I used a modern mixed media piece by Dennis Campay in a small space by the front door. It strikes a balance with antique portraits and rustic stag mounts in the space.
STUDY – I found this vintage Asian screen at a local shop and made it the starting point for the study. The modern library table by Hickory Chair and VC lighting keep things fresh.
FOYER, BACK – In this space I used a vintage Baker sideboard (one of the few items I didn’t sell with my previous home) with an ornate mirror and old family photos. I added antique NC pottery to mix things up.
DINING ROOM – A large original landscape by France Jodoin is flanked by a pair of small antique silhouettes. Antique seascape oil paintings (one shown here) blend nicely with the Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper.
DINING ROOM/HALLWAY – I used several antique oil seascape paintings around the room, all blending well with the Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper. A large Renaissance canvas can be seen in the hallway.
HALLWAY TO KITCHEN – In the hallway between kitchen and dining room I added a built-in china cabinet full of Spode Blue Italian. I used antique family documents on the wall above an air return.
POWDER ROOM – An original watercolor by Johnny Wine at left has been a favorite for years. It looks great here with a modern mirror by Arteriors and VC sconces on Schumacher wallpaper.
LIVING ROOM – Here I used a new traditional English-inspired equine painting over the fireplace. It mixes well with a large original abstract by Andy Braitman and antique maps (not shown here).
LIVING ROOM – I went on a hunt for antique maps, framing them in sleek modern frames. Not shown is a large abstract by Andy Braitman and a pair of small antique oil paintings.
LIVING ROOM – This large original abstract by Andy Braitman hangs over a walnut cabinet by Hickory Chair. The canvas adds a warm, modern touch to the more traditional art in the room.
LIVING ROOM – A pair of small original oils, one a seascape and one a portrait, fills a small wall in the Living Room. I highlighted both with a small bronze picture light by Visual Comfort.
KEEPING ROOM – I found the c. 1900 bird study collage done at a Winthrop children’s summer camp many years ago. I had it repaired and reframed using the original wavy glass.
KITCHEN – An antique pastoral cow painting, reframed in a small gilded frame, and an antique English platter hang over the stove. A pine plate rack holds Woodland china by Spode.
KITCHEN – This view of the kitchen shows more antique brown transferware platters. They hang on a section of wall that was previously covered by angled cabinets which were removed.
BREAKFAST ROOM – A pair of original watercolors of buildings at Historic Brattonsville are by Jim Camann. Purchased at a fundraiser, I had them deckled and framed for this particular spot.
SUNROOM – I found a large book of wildlife prints by James Leland Lockhart at a local antique shop and had my favorites framed. They cover the only wall available for art in the octagonal sunroom.
LAUNDRY ROOM – This original oil on linen by a Lowcountry artist was in the foyer of my previous home. It’s now perfectly at home in the new laundry room hanging over the tall wainscoting.
MAIN BEDROOM – This ocatagonal room has little wall space for art. I fell in love with four c. 1820 English cow prints from a local antique shop and had them reframed. The original oil painting above the bed is from the same shop.
MAIN BATHROOM – A new floral print by Lillian August brings a warm touch to the cool blue-green vanity color and ties in the antique Turkish rug. Sleek polished nickel mirrors and lighting add lovely sheen.
OFFICE – A pair of old English hunting prints and an oversized Audubon wild turkey print join small stag mounts for a masculine, rustic look. Thibaut grasscloth in deep green covers the walls.
GUEST ROOM – Instead of placing art above the bed we used a pair of antique hunting prints behind an antique desk and chair. Not shown is a large English equine canvas over the dresser.
BOYS’ ROOM – A pair of English naval prints from an antique shop is perfect over the Lee beds slipcovered in a navy pinstripe. A whimsical golf print is propped on the antique desk/nightstand.
GIRL’S ROOM – Four antique French equine prints flank a four-poster bed. I used painted nightstands and colorful plaid bedding by Ralph Lauren for a traditional yet fresh preppy look.
GUEST BATH – The guest bath has an old oil portrait found at a local antiques shop. The red in the subject’s dress and small antique Turkish rug warm the space.
BOYS’ BATH – The boys’ bath stays with the British theme with a pair of soldier prints on each side of the vanity. Other artwork not shown is of old navy vessels.
GIRL’S BATH – The girl’s bath has an Italian art poster and a portrait found in a local antique shop. We used coral accents to tie in the adjoining bedroom.
