ALYSSA ROSENHECK
When a client wished to refresh their home with a new aesthetic that still preserves comfort and functionality, Amanda Swaringen of Carolina Design Associates was able to bring on the wow factor and consistency.
Natural light was the focal point of this project, a 5,000-square-foot home with one primary suite, three guest bedrooms with ensuite baths, home office, bonus room, and outdoor area.
“My client transitioned from a former traditional style home with painted white cabinets, marble countertops, red oak floors, heavy trim work moldings, 10-foot ceilings, and more to a cleaner lined style flooded with natural light,” Swaringen says. “This home has an open floor plan, large glass windows, 11-foot ceilings, wide plank floors, slab cabinetry, warmth in stained cabinets, leathered quartzite countertops, minimal trim work, high gloss finishes, and more modern lighting. Natural light in a home is important because it often brings the outside inside.”
The new design is nothing short of brilliant and stunning, captivating guests as soon as they walk in the door.
The foyer entry is a ‘wow factor’ statement. Walking through the front door, I created the bumped wall in the foyer to be a lighting focal point. The flooring is practical: porcelain large textured tiles from Walker Zanger. This was a great option to transition from the exterior limestone to the interior,” Swaringen says. “The porcelain tiles flow into the hallway, into the powder room, and laundry room. The focal wall has Dekton slabs installed, with a glamorous statement light fixture from Ochre lighting. The foyer closet is a flush hidden door, touch latch to not distract the eye from the hanging foyer lights.
Moving on to the living room, there are several design elements that speak to the feel of the rest of the house.
“The staircase alone is an architectural vision. It’s a monorail staircase with thick floating treads, stained to match the hardwood flooring. The substitution of glass in place of traditional balusters gave the staircase an open and more contemporary feel. The bar has functional, artistic doors that are a focal point from anywhere in the open living/dining area,” Swaringen says. “I created the asymmetrical wall niche for the TV and floating shelves. Dark grasscloth on the back wall and gloss floating cabinetry for storage under the TV to give an edge to this space. The rug was a statement piece that we had made from Couture Knots Rugs. This perfectly-sized rug added depth, design, and color to the space. The pouf cocktail table was one of our favorite pieces we found at R Hughes in Atlanta. It added curved lines to soften the room.”
Graced with consistency and beauty, the powder room leaves a strong impression.
“It is what I would call a statement powder room. It’s truly a custom design for this space. It’s bold and exquisite in materials. My client asked for a unique, one-of-a-kind statement bathroom. It’s practical and stunning,” says Swaringen. “Another request from the client was to not look into a powder room and see a toilet. I added a frosted glass door separating the sink area from the water closet room. My two favorite elements of this room are the striking polished undermount sink and the hanging pendant lights. Also, the subtle metallic in the wallpaper warms the space.”
These rooms are just the tip of the iceberg to this home’s magnificence. It truly embodies the variety of ways that light can be maximized through a space, from translucent glass railing to the custom use of light as both a functional need and art installation.