TEXT Jasmine Bible + PHOTOGRAPHY by Chelsea Lane Photography
When you love your neighborhood, but your house is less than inspiring, what can you do? For an Asheville, NC, family of four, the answer was hiring interior designer Liz Hackett of Liz Hackett Interiors to completely reimagine the space. With years of interior design experience and a deep understanding of the construction process, the family trusted Hackett to bring their home out of the 1990s and into the modern era.
BEFORE:
“The bones of the house were dated. No matter what furnishings could be put into the space, the architectural style of the home was still stuck in the 1990s,” shares Hackett. A segmented, choppy floor plan was reconfigured
to be open and functional by adjusting the layout of the kitchen and mudroom. “A well-designed space needs to be beautiful, inviting, and most of all liveable,” she explains. “That was a guiding principle of the project. Nothing could be too fussy or untouchable.”
Starting in the kitchen, the owner’s request was clear—she wanted something pretty. A bright white space that she would love for years to come. The existing kitchen was completely gutted, removing the dark wood cabinets in favor of custom white cabinetry that extends to the ceiling. The center island was removed, and replaced by a peninsula with a dramatic waterfall edge in quartz.“When you want the beauty of marble, but don’t want the upkeep, quartz is a great option,” says Hackett.
Shiplap painted in Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore brings a textural punch to the front of the peninsula. A champagne bronze faucet by Brizo matches the hardware by Lew’s Hardware, an inexpensive option for a brushed brass finish. The brass is carried through to the light fixtures in the kitchen and eating area, both by Visual Comfort.
In the living room, the space was completely transformed by lowering the ceilings. “The ceiling had weird angles and screamed 1990s,” shares Hackett.
BEFORE:
By lowering and leveling the ceiling to one flat plane, the overall space actually feels larger and less disjointed.
The newly designed fireplace became the focal point with detailed trim, brass sconces, and a patterned black and white tile. “The homeowner fell in love with this pricey tile, so we used it in a space that was visually impactful, but stayed affordable given the small square footage needed,” says Hackett.
For the furnishings, the owners trusted Hackett’s simple, classic, and clutter-free signature style. A comfortable sectional in a dark navy performance fabric with a herringbone stitch grounds the space. The coffee table from World Market brings in a touch of brass and the rounded edges pair nicely with the sectional. The black rattan chair, nesting tables, and round mirror on the mantle are from one of our favorite Asheville design stores, Dwellings.
Hackett’s advice for choosing pieces for your own home? Stick with the classics that you will love forever, and don’t worry about finding the “perfect” piece. She explains, “There is always more than one good choice. Don’t be overwhelmed—find something that you love and hopefully you’ll love it forever.”
To connect with Hackett, visit lizhackettinteriors.com
We shared this story with you in our Spring/Summer 2020 Issue of NEST Magazine. To view the full issue, click here.