When Cate and Lathem from GordonDunning arrived at their new clients’ residence, they didn’t realize they would be designing a home they were already deeply connected to. The abode, they soon discovered, once belonged to Cate Dunning’s great-great-grandfather. (There’s even a photograph in the bathroom of her great-great-grandfather and her grandmother standing in front of the house.) The mix of old and new appreciation for the place presented a unique opportunity to furnish and renovate a home they all cherished.
Cate and Lathem refreshed half of the 3,000-square-foot sprawl, focusing on the dining room, living room, and bathroom. The homeowners, a young family of three, appreciate old homes with good bones. They wanted to stay true to the dwelling’s historic feel while adding a youthful flair. The designers did just that by blending in colors, patterns, and pieces to suit their clients’ styles.
Tour the entire residence below.
Dining Room
The dining room has a lovely traditional feel. It’s fresh yet vintage, complete with new and antique furnishings, updated lighting, newly painted blue walls, and refinished hardwood flooring. The chandeliers and chairs offer a cozy, eclectic vibe, while playful patterns on the curtains and the rug add unexpected pizzazz. The client is an experienced equestrian, so Cate and Lathem utilized her equestrian trophies for a gallery wall to complete the room.
Drapery fabric: Katie Ridder. China hutches: Chairish. Chandelier: Circa Lighting with vintage shades. Dining table: Woodbridge.
Living Room
Cate and Lathem transformed the living room into the center of attention for the whole family to enjoy. Blue decor adds continuity to the dining room, while gorgeous lamps bounce light off the white tiling and shelving surrounding the fireplace. The designers preserved the home’s traditional feel through their art and decor choices, sourcing antique equestrian prints on the walls from a beloved vendor at the Scott Antique Market. The duo also commissioned the marsh scene above the fireplace to commemorate the clients’ southern coastal memories.
Bathroom
Think: “Winston Churchill but with a cup of coffee instead of bourbon,” Cate and Lathem note as their vision for the bathroom overhaul. They balanced richness and freshness by beautifully combining regal green tones and gold accents against warm deep brown cabinetry. Pairing antique decor with contemporary fixtures also added a touch of novelty.
This stunning finished bathroom required a complete gut reno. The inconvenient layout wasn’t salvageable, so the designers re-imagined the space and delivered a functional bathroom with an elegant freestanding tub.
Plumbing: Kingston Brass. Lighting: Circa Lighting. Tile: Fireclay Tile. Artwork: Jane Ingols. Hardware: House of Antique Hardware. Towels: Weezie.
