Childhood, the experts say, is what shapes our taste as adults, and Barry Dixon readily admits this holds true for him. Raised in a gracious Southern manor and historic residences around the world, he grew up with tall ceilings, sweeping staircases, wide moldings, claw-foot tubs, and fireplaces in nearly every room. The romance of traditional architecture with its proper scale and proportion never left him, and when he came across an old Edwardian manor for sale in the Virginia countryside, it was like coming back home.
A quick google search leads me to believe Barry has since sold this spectacular home, but given how stunning every inch of this home is, I bet that was not an easy decision. This is about as elegant and layered and full of history as it gets.
With offices in California and Massachusetts, Katie Martinez Design respects a space’s history and architecture while incorporating timeless design elements. For the 1740 Ripley Residence, the firm led a full renovation and expansion, collaborating with the owners to introduce rich layers of colour and pattern. They sourced primarily vintage and handcrafted pieces and designed the cabinetry, bathrooms and finishes with thoughtful attention to detail.
Photography by Sian Richards.
The Washington, Connecticut Farmhouse, built in 1783, underwent a meticulous restoration to preserve its historic character. Carefully dismantled and reassembled, the structure was updated with energy-efficient systems while maintaining original features like three staircases and reclaimed oak floors. A modest kitchen addition complemented the historic design, while the restored brick chimney and period details created a warm, layered interior blending antiques with vintage and contemporary furnishings. By Elizabeth Roberts Architects.
Architect Stan Dixon created this spectacular home on Kiawah Island, South Carolina for his interior designer friend Jackye Lanham. It is relaxed and casual but with touches of elegance and grandeur, and was designed to have carriage house vibes as if it had been there since the 1700s. Elements such as Gothic Revival-style arched doors, windows and shutters, charcoal-gray limestone blocks floors, rough-hewn wood plank floorboards, the neutral palette and lots of antiques really make this home classic, traditional and timeless. Photos: Eric Piasecki.
“A city pied-a-terre situated in a beautiful and historic Edwardian building, overlooking lush gardens with a backdrop of Table Mountain. A pale envelope showcases a collection of antiques and textiles.”
Victoria Court by Cape Town-based interior design firm Gregory Mellor Design.
Photography by Elsa Young.