ALEX KRASNOFF WANTED SOMETHING DIFFERENT, so she and her husband scooped up a lot on a quiet cul-de-sac and began planning their custom home. They enlisted the help of architect Charles Michael Frusterio out of Birmingham, Alabama, and builder Linnane Homes to bring their dream home to fruition. “I wanted it to be different,” says Krasnoff of the home’s architecture and interior design. “I didn’t want the house to feel like it was built in 2022. I wanted some of the Old World feel but I also wanted it to be really modern and contemporary.” To assist with the architectural plans and interior design, she called on designer Jacy Kelly to complete the home-build team.
“I fell in love with Alex the moment I met her,” Kelly says. “She’s so stylish and fun, very trusting and open minded, so I knew this would be a great project to work on.” The facade of the home was initially going to be white, but not one to follow the current trend, Krasnoff insisted on a black exterior—a German schmear over the brick giving the home a dramatic presence on the quiet street. “It was supposed to be a white exterior, but the entire neighborhood is white homes, so I said, ‘let’s go black and go the extreme opposite,’” Krasnoff says.
Inside, though, is where Krasnoff really wanted to focus her attention. “Jacy’s aesthetic is a lot of black and white, really edgy,” says the avid design lover. “But she also knew that I didn’t want to go quite that edgy. What she gathered from me was that I was really attracted to texture. As long as I had texture in different elements with some pops of color, I was happy.” For Kelly, it was a match made in heaven. “I love black and I would live in an all black house if I could,” laughs the designer. “To have a client who was on board with black was really fun. Black grounds everything, and it’s timeless. You can paint an accent wall whatever color and it won’t last. But black is perfectly neutral with different metals and shades of gray and white.”
With that in mind, Kelly began pulling together design schemes for every room, each featuring a black-and-white base layered with organic textures, wood and metallic finishes, and natural hues to keep things warm and welcoming. “Alex wanted it all,” Kelly says. “She wanted all of the cool lighting, all of the wallpapers, really cool art and furniture. She wanted it to be something that when people walked in they were blown away by the interior design.”
In the primary bedroom, Kelly painted the tongue-and-groove ceiling black and added a stunning black chandelier by Arteriors, resulting in a dramatic, moody feel. She set the tone for the home’s elevated style in the foyer where wallpaper by Jennifer Latimer doubles as artwork, creating a warm, inviting entry. One of the most alluring rooms is the scullery off the kitchen. There, floating brass and glass shelves sourced by the builder and a black backsplash from The Tile Shop combine to create a sophisticated bar area where the Krasnoffs can make drinks, gather, and entertain. Because entertaining was a priority for the Krasnoffs, every room needed to function seamlessly for intimate dinners with friends and family. “Alex wanted the family room to feel less like a traditional family room and more like a hip hotel lobby where people are drawn in and want to sit and take it all in,” Kelly says.
“This space is very central to the first floor of the house, so the goal was to layer-in unexpected textures and a little more color than the rest of the house. She wanted her friends to hang out there and have cocktails instead of standing around the kitchen island, which is what traditionally happens.” A pair of black-and-white chairs by Gabby encourage conversation and lounging, and pieces like the Arteriors chandelier draw the eye up and spark talk about its unique shape and design.
Every inch of the home was carefully considered, with Kelly wanting to create an interesting moment around every corner. A hallway leading from the dining room to the guest bedroom and bathroom features a chair from Noir, a giant hand that doubles as a piece of art. Coupled with an Arteriors chandelier and a mirror by Four Hands, this hallway could have been left untouched but instead become another conversation starter.
“Alex was an amazing client,” Kelly says. “She became a cheerleader for me when I was designing her home. I love the way this came together. I’m also really excited about this level of edgy design that’s coming to Fort Mill and Charlotte, that it’s not all Southern traditional.” For the Krasnoffs, it’s exactly what they envisioned when they first made the move. It’s something different from everything else. “Every time I drive up to my house, I have to pinch myself,” Krasnoff says. “It’s so insanely gorgeous and so different from anything else in the city. It’s exactly what we wanted.”