The Art of the Mix: Classic Meets Modern in a Charlotte Home.
Interior designer Lisa Sherry's latest home tour takes us inside Charlotte home with gracious architecture, sculptural furnishings and contemporary art.
October14, 2026
Classic or modern? My response: Why must I choose?
The world of design is full of passionate and often competing points of view. Minimalism versus maximalism. Traditional and contemporary face off. Relaxed or polished? And so it goes. Everyone has a point of view, myself included. But while my design aesthetic is distinctive, I'm not one for rigid rules or prescribed formulas. In fact, I find that some of the most interesting spaces emerge when seemingly opposing styles come together. The magic is in the tension.
Case in point: this Charlotte home, where well-bred classic architecture lives in happy harmony with a distinctly modern point of view. The homeowners, a family of four new to Charlotte, were ready for a fresh perspective. The house itself? Beautiful bones, gracious proportions and classic architectural details. No bulldozers required.
Together with my clients, I shaped a clear design brief: embrace the home's classic DNA while introducing a modern sensibility through furniture, textiles, lighting, rugs and art. Honor the past; make room for the unexpected. Come inside. I’ll show you how it all came together.
MAKE AN ENTRANCE
Step through the front door of this Charlotte, North Carolina, home and the conversation begins. The architecture speaks volumes. Beautiful millwork, wood paneling and chair rails frame a gracefully curved staircase.
Rather than compete with these elements, I honored the home's lineage while introducing something fresh. At the center of the foyer, a sculptural Mr. Brown London library table in whitewashed oak features brass bands accenting the pedestal base. Two contemporary Verellen benches complete the modern composition.
And then there's the floor show. The animal-print stair runner is original to the home and provides a wonderful point of inspiration. I picked up the thread with custom wool area rugs, introducing a modern, shibori-inspired pattern that elevate the entire space. Graphic and full of movement, the rugs add an unexpected edge to the classic architecture.
The welcome is warm. The point of view is clear. And there's more to come.
RESPECT THE ARCHITECTURE. REWRITE THE EXPERIENCE.
This dining room plays beautifully against type. And all by design.
Consider the backdrop. Original mirrored paneling reflects light and lends depth to the room. Traditional moldings and French doors with brass fittings speak to the home's architectural heritage. Dark, wide-plank floors with a matte finish ground the space. Classic elegance, beautifully intact.
The furniture tells an unexpected story. I chose a Julian Chichester pedestal table with a hand-pounded metal base. It’s organic and textural, completed with an elegantly slender elliptical tabletop. Three-legged armchairs introduce another intriguing silhouette, while an elaborate contemporary chandelier brings a touch of theater overhead.
The dining room is pure modern, with a little old-world soul.
SIMPLE SYMMETRIES
Symmetry is a classic design principle. And a thoroughly modern one, too. I love the sense of order symmetry and thoughtful pairings bring to a room, but that doesn't mean everything needs to line up perfectly.
This living room has all the makings of a traditional gathering space: fireplace, tall ceilings, crown moldings, stately shuttered windows. I worked with the room's natural symmetry, anchoring the seating arrangement with a pair of low-slung Verellen sofas upholstered in a sultry brown wool bouclé. A pair of modern wing chairs face off. Plenty of luxuriously textured pillows and a throw invite you to settle in.
The pairings continue, but with subtle shifts. Sculptural gesso accent tables speak to one another across the room, while a playful ottoman cozies up to the round lattice-base coffee table. A tonal rug with an irregular pattern adds rhythm.
This room is full of life and meaningful detail. My favorite moment? The fireplace mantel, free of ornamentation. In my world, not every surface needs an accessory.Sometimes the most confident design decision is knowing when to pause and let a space breathe.
ART HISTORY
By now, you're in sync with this home's classic grace notes. The moldings, shuttered windows and nuanced neutral palette provide a beautiful backdrop. But in the family room, art takes center stage.
A colorful, larger-than-life portrait from the homeowners' personal collection brings new energy to the space. Bold, graphic and wonderfully expressive, the acrylic portrait changes the entire mood of the room. And makes it personal.
Of course, this is a family gathering place, first and foremost. A generous, room-for-all custom sectional anchors the room, inviting everyone to settle in. My lighting choices are actually another layer of art. The tall, asymmetrical floor lamp is a sculptural statement with a graceful, sweeping silhouette.
Across the room, a petite table lamp offers a quieter counterpoint. Overhead, a linear chandelier with tubular arms adds one more graphic gesture.
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NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL
Nature doesn't take sides in the classic versus modern debate. It simply is. Ever-changing with the seasons, yet timeless. Always relevant. And always my favorite design backdrop.
Outdoor living is an integral part of this Charlotte home, with a pool and pool house that extend the living experience well beyond the interior walls. Surrounded by lush greenery, the pool house is a modern retreat with all the comforts of home. The furnishings are decidedly indoor-inspired, with generous upholstered seating that brings living room comfort and sophistication poolside. Add mood lighting and a big-screen TV, and the space is equally inviting for a quiet afternoon or a gathering of family and friends.
The architecture is clean-lined, the furnishings relaxed and the connection to nature ever present. It's a beautiful balance of creature comforts and the great outdoors.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
One of the great pleasures of my work is that I'm always learning. After 25 years in interior design, I know what I love and have a strong point of view. But experience has also taught me to stay curious, question my assumptions and leave room for surprise.
For me, the greatest satisfaction comes when the last detail is in place and I turn the home over to my clients. The design work is done. Now comes the best part. Living beautifully.
PHOTOGRAPHER: CHRIS EDWARDS