Classic Decorating You'll Love Forever

This house featured in HGTV Magazine looks great right now — and it will look great years from now, too. See what this North Carolina family did to create a home that'll never go out of style.

By: Jennifer Berno DeCleene

From: HGTV Magazine

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Annie Schlechter

Staying Power

Some designers pride themselves on creating trendy, of-the-moment spaces. But Caroline Brackett, an interior designer in Charlotte, N.C., set out to do the exact opposite. "I wanted to love my house for a long time to come," she says. "I'd hate to look around in three years and say, ‘That's so dated!'" Peek inside her 1952 four-bedroom home and you’ll see that every room has a traditional vibe, but that's not to say it's boring. And Caroline isn’t opposed to a mini makeover every now and then. As she says, "Once you have the basics right, it's easier, and a lot less expensive, to make little changes."

From: HGTV Magazine

Dining Room

Formal mixed with casual stands the test of time. A rustic zinc-top trestle table is surrounded by velvet-covered chairs and skirted seats at the head. The blown-glass chandelier is a classic — it could live in a bedroom or a living room, too.

From: HGTV Magazine

Living Room

"A sofa frame that can be re-covered over and over and an antique rug are worthwhile investments that will last forever," says Caroline. For a furniture setup that always works, put a pair of matching armchairs facing the sofa, with a rectangular coffee table in between. The windows are covered with her go-to treatment: solid panels and a box-pleat valance with a band.

From: HGTV Magazine

Kitchen

Caroline made a few changes in the kitchen, but she stopped short of replacing the raised-panel cabinets, since the shape is so classic. Instead, she just painted them ivory and replaced the knobs. Her new counters are polished granite, and the backsplash is marble subway tile. She also added an island with upholstered stools that scoot under the overhang.

From: HGTV Magazine

Dining Area

Just off the kitchen sits a pedestal table where the kids do crafts and the family eats dinner. For seating, a pair of wooden wishbone chairs from Pottery Barn face a curved settee upholstered in metallic vinyl for easy wipe-downs.

From: HGTV Magazine

Family Room

Such a big sectional would be expensive to re-cover, so Caroline had hers made in thick herringbone chenille that can stand up to constant use. For the heavily trafficked room, she chose stain-resistant wall-to-wall seagrass, plus a small Persian rug that's an easy swap-out. Bamboo shades cover the windows and glass doors. The built-in shelves are painted Iron Gate by Benjamin Moore.

From: HGTV Magazine

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom is centered around a cream-colored upholstered sleigh bed that can be reupholstered down the road. "I'm imagining velvet one day," says Caroline. The orange wing chair is one of the most versatile pieces in the house: It's already lived in three different rooms. Neutral silk curtain panels can stay in place even if the paint color changes. Wall color: Pebble Creek by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Son's Room

"I try not to be too ‘theme-y' in kids' rooms because they outgrow things so fast," says Caroline. When her son, Fin, wanted an airplane room, she compromised with easy trade-outs, like a vintage wooden propeller and a jet-pattern quilt. Wall color: Hudson Bay by Benjamin Moore

From: HGTV Magazine

Daughter’s Room

Josie's room has a daybed version of her parents' upholstered sleigh bed. The tree on the wall is an elaborate decal, which can be peeled off when it's overstayed its welcome.

From: HGTV Magazine

Classic Decorating You'll Love Forever

Related To:

Shop This Look

Staying Power

Dining Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Dining Area

Family Room

Master Bedroom

Son's Room

Daughter’s Room

A Classic Spin on Quirky Decorating 11 Photos

Decorating Therapy 12 Photos

Decorated by Mom With Love 9 Photos

Creative New Decorating Ideas 16 Photos

Smart Shopping and Decorating Ideas 22 Photos

Mother/Daughter Decorating 9 Photos

Related Pages