When longtime clients came to designer Beth Keim about their newest home, it was easy to get giddy about the project. “I’ve known the homeowners for some time, and I know what their taste and style is,” Keim explains. “They pretty much let me run with a plan, and for me, that type of project is the absolute most fun.”
Keim came up with a design plan for the whole home. “Even if we can’t do the whole house at once, it’s best to plan for the whole house so that a cohesive look is in place when the time comes for other spaces,” Keim says. The homeowners wanted to stay in the Myers Park area and found a perfect newly constructed home to purchase. Since it was brand new, structurally there were no changes to be made and every focus could be turned to designing the inside beautifully. “We touched everything but the floors,” Keim recalls. “Paint, wallpapers, rugs, fixtures — you name it.” With a plan in place, Keim got to work on the homeowners’ one directive — “It can’t be fussy or high maintenance; it has to be very livable.”
With such flexibility, Keim was able to have some fun with the design, using eight different wallpapers from brands like Osborne & Little, Phillip Jeffries, and Harlequin. “People get scared of wallpaper, but it’s one of my favorite elements in design. It’s not as permanent as people fear it is,” Keim says. “It’s perfect for big walls, accent walls and can even save you from purchasing a ton of art, because the paper itself can be a focal piece.”
Keim even upholstered some French doors that lead into an office for extra privacy. “The living room leading into the office is one of my favorite parts of the house,” Keim admits. “It’s such a wow-factor when you walk in, and the upholstered doors are just yummy.” In the breakfast nook, Keim swapped the traditional chairs for a banquette and added a “killer light fixture” for added interest. Using accessories from some of her favorite Charlotte spots like Slate Interiors and Costwold Marketplace, Keim was able to round out the design with some truly unique pieces. “When you need to quickly accessorize with pieces that are unique or one-of-a-kind, I love to buy from local shops. Online stores tend to be too trendy, and you see the same pieces over and over.”
Over three short months, the design came together, and while the homeowners were on vacation in the summer, Keim was able to install everything so they would have a completely new look when they arrived home. The homeowners couldn’t be happier, saying they’re thrilled with the finished product. “We absolutely love everything about Beth’s design, but our open kitchen and den is by far the favorite,” they gush. “The kitchen is the hub of our family, and we love having the open space. It opens up to our backyard where there is a constant rotation of neighborhood kids playing.”
When asked what her rule of thumb is when designing a home, Keim is quick to say she doesn’t have one — she is a self-proclaimed rule breaker. She can, however, offer a few trade secrets. “My advice is to splurge on custom runners in hallways and foyers,” Keim advises. “The standard runner sizes are just too small to really make an impact in the space.” She also suggests layering patterns, textures, and colors for a genuinely personal look, and of course, hiring a professional to help with the daunting task of decorating a home.