House Tours: Traditional Home with Southern Charm

Husband-and-wife team Craig and Kristen Cox had their work cut out for them when they purchased a worn 1926 Colonial duplex in Charlotte. The couple restored it to its single-family state -- and provided a 600-square foot addition. The result is a Southern charmer that remains true to its heritage, with plenty of modern updates.

"Our style has traditional leanings, but is more modern and unexpected than what you would typically see in a Colonial house," Kristen Cox says. Like many of the serene interior spaces she creates for her clients, this room begins with a neutral foundation and thoughtfully incorporates color -- here, orange and turquoise.

Rather than covering the entire surface in pattern, Kristen Cox upholstered only the backs of these slipper chairs in a bold tangerine-and-aqua-patterned fabric. "I use bold pattern sparingly so it doesn't overpower architecture and artwork," she says.

Built-in bookcases and furniture with classic lines reinforce the Cox's traditional style, while details like the translucent glass lamp add modern sparkle.

"We both love tradition, but with contemporary elements, unexpected colors, and lots of comfort," says Kristen Cox. Each of these styles makes itself known in the Cox's living room. A stately wood-and-granite fireplace is set off by a modern glass fire screen and a luminous mother-of-pearl pendant light.

In this grown-up study just off the living room, Kristen Cox used ruched silk upholstery and brown velvet cushions to take the stuffiness out of a pair of wingback chairs. A tortoiseshell lamp lends an academic air.

The Coxes chose a warm charcoal color for the kitchen walls. Kristen Cox says the handsome shade keeps the beaded board from appearing "too folksy." In this sun-drenched breakfast area, she paired a vintage dining table with reproduction bentwood chairs.

This walnut island is not only beautiful, it also packs storage punch. With a built-in wine refrigerator and an open bookcase, the Coxes have plenty of room to stash entertaining supplies without cluttering up their countertops.

"Great lighting is essential in every room," Kristen Cox says. "I often use lighting to create an element of surprise or edge in an otherwise straightforward room." She treasures these vintage wrought-iron pendants that dangle over the island. They've made an appearance in each of the three homes she has renovated.

Kristen Cox is known for her understated yet elegant window treatments. Here, she employs tea-stained linen Roman shades to infuse the kitchen with soft, natural light.

In the master bedroom, sophistication reigns. Even more so than the rest of the home, pattern in the couple's private quarters is restrained: Two bold pillows on the bed are all it takes to add spice to the palette. "A little goes a long way," Kristen Cox says of her approach to pattern.

Kristen Cox adopted a unique approach for the master bedroom windows. Rather than the standard two-panel treatment, she installed three drapery panels to create "another layer of interest and a pretty breeziness," she says.

Natural-stone mosaic tile adds elegance to the bathtub surround in the master bathroom.

Dual basins rest atop a traditional cabinet in the master bathroom. The large mirror is an antique. Emphasizing the importance of proper lighting, the Coxes installed overhead lamps and side sconces to enhance the quality of light in the room.

Craig and Kristen Cox fused their architecture and interior design backgrounds when it came to renovating their 1926 home. "We both derive great satisfaction from taking something dilapidated and transforming it into something beautiful. Working together, we knew we could do that here," Kristen Cox says.