Family time and design traditions have always been important to Marshall and Matt Rigby. When the couple relocated to Marshall’s hometown of Richmond, Virginia, after living in New Orleans and New York, they looked to local designer Janie Molster to help them settle into a fitting new home. “Marshall and I have a lot in common, and we hit it off immediately,” recalls Molster. After that successful collaboration, it wasn’t long before the Rigbys turned again to Molster, this time for a more ambitious renovation of a classically inspired 1920s home that was long on character and charm but hardly designed for the way modern young families live.
Although the previous owners had remodeled the house in the ‘80s, Molster took it to the next level, first refining the floor plan by taking down walls and opening up spaces. “Rooms arranged with a circular flow and multiple connections are best for both entertaining and daily activities,” she explains. “We always try to eliminate ‘dead ends’ when updating an older home.” Framed openings and archways embellished with ornate molding enhance these connections, allowing new components to feel integral to the original structure.
To maintain the home’s sophisticated architecture, Molster incorporated authentic finishes and chose furniture with an acquired look. “When we started out, Marshall was inclined toward English antiques, while Matt, who is originally from New Orleans, had a more Continental approach,” says the designer. “Over the years, they’ve expanded their horizons to include Scandinavian and Italian pieces. And best of all, they are both open to elements of surprise, as seen in their eclectic mix.”
Throughout the house, spaces tend to be tranquil and relatively neutral with one visual punch of color or an unexpected piece of furniture or a work of art. In the family room, bright green midcentury swivel chairs are as exuberant as they are surprising. “Diverse styles of furniture happily coexist when the scale and proportions are correct,” explains Molster.
In keeping with the home’s overall sense of timelessness, the designer captures an equally appealing mood in decorating for the holidays, starting with the covered front porch. Lanterns flanking the archway are festooned with magnolia, cedar, and boxwoods. Molster emphasizes the importance of this first impression. “It’s that moment when guests ring the bell and wait for the door to open,” she explains. And once inside, they are welcomed into a foyer that includes an intimate conversation nook. “Comfortable seating and a focal point ensure the space will be more than just a place for visitors to pass through,” Molster says.
For the interiors, she continues the use of native plants and greenery with drooping swags of fresh cedars, boxwoods garlands, and magnolia branches. Multiple wreaths hang from windows, furniture, and mirrors. “The great thing about using native greenery is that more cuttings from the yard are always at hand to refresh arrangements and garlands,” says Molster.
Although the home offers an overall consistent flow of holiday décor, each room boasts one individualized, eye-catching feature that reflects the color palette of the space and is in keeping with its scale. Blues and greens combine with oversize snowflakes on a festive tree in the family room, while a loose arrangement of flowers, lemons, limes, oranges, berries, and greenery spills over onto the dining room table. Such focal pieces mix well with antiques, comfy upholstered pieces, and layers of textures, setting the stage for family and friends to delight in the joys of the season.
