Leigh Jones is no stranger to this historic Burlington, North Carolina, home—or to the family who lives in it. “I have worked with the last four or five people who have lived in this house, so I’m very familiar with it—and this is the third home I’ve done for the current owners, Suzanne and Garrick Smith,” says the principal designer at The Very Thing, a home décor shop and design studio in the heart of Burlington. Built in 1932, the classic Georgian home appears to be a traditional charmer. However, just beyond its façade, the residence exudes a bit of modern flair with contemporary finds and an abundance of color.
Upon moving into the house, the Smiths elected not to update the footprint or build any additions. Instead, the couple used furnishings, paint, and décor to make it their own. “They are great stewards of this house,” Jones says of her clients, who did opt to renovate and modernize the kitchen and add an outdoor fireplace to the 85-year-old home.
Suzanne, who has raised three daughters and now spends her days writing her blog, “Crazy Blonde Life,” takes an active role in the home’s continuously evolving design. She collects magazine clippings of favorites fabrics, finds additional pieces to incorporate, or moves furniture into a new formation for a quick refresh. “Suzanne is daring, and she likes color,” Jones says. “She has a passion for a bold palette, as well as an array of patterns.” For example, the sun-room features berry-toned floral draperies mixed with a graphic black-and-white-striped rug and a gold geometric-print ottoman. “The house also has a lived-in feel because they really live here,” Jones adds. She points out the comfortable sofas and chairs, as well as the meaningful artwork found throughout the home.
Aside from the modern elements, Jones notes that the sprawling house had many rooms to fill, so she had to be smart about the selections. “We made a lot of pieces they already owned work in the home. And because Suzanne is unafraid to try something different, there are many unpredictable spaces.” The dining room, which features a French Zuber wallcovering on an accent wall alongside a light blue ceiling and dark teal trim, illustrates this sense of whimsical style. “I like darker trim,” Jones says. “Historically, people used deeper colors for their trim, so this is also a nod to that.”
To add a layer of holiday cheer, Lyn Moser, owner of Burlington-based Special Arrangements, dressed the home for the season. Moser has not only worked with the Smiths on their Christmas décor for many years, she also has helped with birthdays, special occasions, and their daughters’ weddings. Knowing the couple’s style preferences well, she kept greenery as the focus and added a bit of color in the form of amaryllises, ornaments, and ribbons. “We knew we wanted to keep it simple but really pretty,” Jones says of the overarching idea that she and Suzanne conveyed to Moser. The greenery begins on the exterior of the home, where Suzanne traditionally places fresh wreaths on the windows and along the outdoor gathering spots. Inside, the look carries into the common spaces for a concerted and delightfully festive appearance.
As is typical of most historic homes, the rooms in the house are small, so the Smiths have just one Christmas tree. “We all go to the same farm every year to cut our family tree,” Suzanne says. “I collect bright but traditional Christopher Radko ornaments. I use these, along with homemade ornaments we’ve created through the years, to decorate” The result is a colorful yet classic centerpiece that reflects the family’s style—much like the home itself.
