Text by Holly Seng
Desiring to be closer to their children and grandchildren, these empty nesters moved from Tampa, Florida, to an elegant English Tudor-style home in Greenville, South Carolina. The structure boasted great bones, but its interiors—which hadn’t received much attention in recent years—needed extensive work. Interior designer Caroline Brackett, principal and owner of Caroline Brackett Studio of Design, was more than up for the challenge.
“We changed a lot of the interior footprint of the house while maintaining the integrity of the original architecture,” says Caroline. Throughout these changes, the architecture remained the primary inspiration point for the design choices—guided by the homeowners’ collectibles and Caroline’s affinity for bringing a fresh take to traditional style. The result is an aesthetic that feels both visually impressive and welcoming. “We’re really good at having classic roots in our design, but it never looks stuffy or too traditional,” Caroline says.
Tackling the living room’s long rectangular shape, Caroline arranged the furnishings to create two distinct areas that would still flow seamlessly as one room. A round table sits atop an heirloom rug passed down from the husband’s family while the wife’s Imari bowl displays a beautiful orchid. Lending an unexpected modern touch, stools covered in animal print offer guests a casual place to perch.
A fireplace flanked by two built-ins painted Mouse’s Back by Farrow & Ball serves as the focal point for the cozy seating area. Caroline mentions layering as being an essential element to Southern style and opted to cover the four chairs in a delightful blue-and-white buffalo check pattern that pairs nicely with the solid sofa.
Across the entry hall, the dining room—undeniably the home’s showstopper—features a custom mural hand-painted on wallpaper. “We fully customized it to the room,” says Caroline, noting that openings for windows and doors were details considered in designing the mural. However, it was the stunning blue material selected for the draperies that solidified the color palette. Rich wood furnishings warm up the space while white host chairs and upholstered side chairs keep things from feeling too formal. The chandelier, a piece the homeowners brought from their previous home, adds a glamorous final flourish.
Previously a patio, the new kitchen is ideal for entertaining, as it can comfortably accommodate the extended family. Natural light floods through expansive windows while quartzite countertops and cabinets coated with Benjamin Moore’s White Dove further contribute to the light and airy aesthetic. A rustic beam adds warmth as it speaks to the Tudor influence of the home. Caroline recommends mixing in at least two metal finishes when updating a kitchen, like she did here using polished nickel for the sink fixtures and unlacquered brass for the cabinet hardware. “I think it makes it more interesting to have two different finishes in a kitchen versus having it all be the same,” she says.
The former kitchen was converted into a breakfast nook nestled within the bay window. Oil paintings of the homeowners’ grandchildren dress up the walls while a sky-blue lantern adds an unexpected panache. A treasured quilt that’s been in the homeowners’ family for years was framed and hangs on the opposite wall. Traditional chintz pillows and a pair of leather recliners highlight the pattern and earth tones of the quilt.
Upstairs, the primary bedroom embraces a soft and soothing palette with pattern limited to the euro and bolster pillows. The adjoining bathroom was completely gutted and transformed into a spa-like oasis—complete with a freestanding tub, luxurious shower, and double vanity. A vintage rug adds a dash of warmth to the all-white space.
A classic color combination, blue and white make their reappearance in the guest bedroom, where Caroline utilized scale to maximize visual impact while maintaining a cohesive look. Antique French twin-size beds are given a new lease on life, and sky-blue trim embellishes the white walls for a room packed with personality.
Creativity is sure to flourish in the playroom, where a fun wallpaper envelops the space as it makes the most of the home’s unique rooflines. “In this case, doing the wallpaper everywhere makes it feel larger because, if you just did walls that were horizontal, it was going to feel choppy,” says Caroline. “Having that uniform pattern everywhere helped it feel larger.” Closets were converted into reading nooks and feature custom cushions in the same grassy hue used for the trim, doors, and built-in storage.
Starting with a traditional base, Caroline incorporated layers of Southern style, along with the homeowners’ personal tastes and cherished collections, for a sentimental space that exudes timeless charm.
