The Canopy House
primary residence
When my clients reached out, they were raising three young children and keeping busy lives in a Biltmore Forest home built about 30 years ago. The house was in great shape, but it was dated, and it didn't reflect who they were.
They wanted it to feel calm and stylish, with a mostly neutral palette carried by blues and greens. It also had to hold up to a young family that lives big in their home. Above all, they wanted the house to feel cohesive. That started in the foyer, with a forest mural that set the vision every other room was designed around.
The catch was that nothing was coming out. All of the existing cabinetry and millwork was staying, so the change had to come from everything around it.
We worked through most of the house: the foyer, study, dining room, family room, living room, and media room, plus the primary bedroom and bath, with a light refresh in the kitchen. Every room got new furnishings and rugs, new lighting went in throughout, we sprinkled in wallpaper and brought in new art along the way.
The forest mural wallpaper in the foyer is where it all begins. Its neutral tones give the house a calm starting point, and the blues and greens build from there as you move through the rooms. Wallpaper in the other spaces adds texture and style. Since the millwork was staying, I treated it as the backbone of the design instead of something to work around. New lighting brought each room forward without changing its bones.
With three young kids, everything had to be durable. I chose fabrics that can take everyday family life, and finishes like shagreen and burl that suit the traditional architecture while feeling current. The house is calm and polished now, and it holds up to real life with young kids.
The Work
"Working with Jennifer on our new home build was an absolute pleasure. Her expertise truly elevated our space. From understanding our vision to offering creative solutions, she guided us every step of the way. The end result surpassed our expectations, and we couldn't be happier with the ambiance she helped create."
- jolie s.
