If 2020 brought us all one thing for sure, it was more time at home—and for many of us, a desire to refresh our spaces. We asked local design, build and real estate pros what improvements they’ve made to their own homes.
by Melissa Howsam

“We updated our bedroom! We added wallpaper, installed vintage lamps, built shelving around the closet door for all our books and had our craftsmen make us a bed. It’s starting to feel more like a retreat than a place to pile laundry!”

—Melody Ray & Billy Keck, Owners of Raleigh Reclaimed

 

 

 

 

“We’ve been focused on making our outdoor spaces as livable as possible. For our historic 1905 home, that has meant reinforcing joists and laying new pine floors for our front porch and cozying up the side porch with reclaimed brick and bluestone.”

—Van Fletcher, Broker/Realtor at Allen Tate Realtors

 

 

 

 

 

“We’d begun revamping our living room, but the pandemic changed our needs! We incorporated a window seat for reading, a sectional for watching movies and a console that doubles as a desk.”

—Cate Holcombe, Owner & Principal Designer at Cate Holcombe Interiors

 

 

 

 

“I’m renovating the basement to make an office: major waterproofing, plus putting in a bathroom, kitchenette and windows. My daughter Chelsea, a classical pianist who teaches virtual lessons, has been at home since she graduated in May. Her playing is beautiful, but the piano is right next to my current office.” 

—Alicia Hylton-Daniel, Interior Designer/General Contractor at Hylton Daniel Design + Construction

 

 

 

“My husband and I did a gut renovation on our second-floor bathroom— we changed out everything from the floor to the tub and all of the fixtures. We shaped the entire room around this cool trough sink, with brass fixtures to give the room an open, coastal feel. We’d been mentally planning this renovation for years—but staying at home made it more pertinent.”

—Victoria Ford, Founder of lifestyle blog PrepFord Wife