Undaunted by the legacy of the Thurmond and Lucy Hanes Chatham House in Winston-Salem, designer Mary Hannon Reid refined the century-old home with fun flourishes.
The two-year renovation was an act of loving stewardship for Mary Hannon, whose penchant for architectural details attracted her to the abode with good bones as well as bells and whistles that would make anyone swoon.
Mary Hannon and her husband liked the historic aspect of the dwelling, built in 1925 during Prohibition by the namesake wealthy textile magnates. “When I say it had great bones, I mean right down to the brass switch plates for all of the light fixtures,” she says. Original glass and brass doorknobs awaited her in the basement, along with kitchen cabinet latches and other hardware.
As a designer, Mary Hannon is known for her use of lively color and modern, often local, artwork. While she didn’t shy away from those tenets, she respected the home’s scale and architectural elements, mixing vintage items with contemporary ones throughout. The large dining area features pink dupioni silk draperies, a classic floral chintz chair fabric, and a new French-style chandelier that makes a statement while paying homage to the timeless look of the house.
Spacious bedrooms with high ceilings required the same treatment, with unexpected modern furniture lightening up what could have been heavy, cavernous spaces. The 1920s bathroom tile and fixtures were left untouched. “They were classic,” Mary Hannon explains.
From the outset, Mary Hannon knew the project would be a major undertaking and was pleased with the outcome. “[It’s] a very family-friendly, welcoming home that preserves the spirit of the people who built it, as well as the architecture,” she says.
Find the full “Polishing the Past” feature in our July/August 2022 issue.
Photography by John O’Hagan
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