Jul 22, 2020 - Real Estate

See inside Axios Charlotte’s 2020 Home of the Year

Brianna Crane

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With five young children and a love for hosting, the couple who owns Agenda’s 2020 Home of the Year wanted modern design in a space that’s still functional and comfortable.

The family bought the Lake Norman house in 2018 and spent eight months renovating and planning with interior designer Beth Keim of Lucy and Company.

At nearly 7,000 square feet, the Cornelius home has seven bedrooms and high-end finishes throughout. With a crisp color palette of black, white, gold, and brown, the space feels luxurious yet cozy.

Keim says the home’s look is inspired by her personal mountain house and office, with simple colors, lots of texture, and dramatic focal points throughout.

“The homeowner pretty much let me do what I wanted in the house. It’s very much my own style and what I love to do,” Keim says. “Her only request was a double-sized couch, which is hysterical.”

From the oversized living room sectional to the T-shaped eat-in kitchen island, it’s obvious this lakefront house was designed as a true family home with plenty of space to gather.

Home Breakdown

The home: 6,900 square feet, 7 beds, 4 full and 2 half baths

Scope of the project: The kitchen was completely gutted, and the once-vaulted living room was closed-in to add two more bedrooms upstairs. It took eight months to complete, and Keim had just 24 hours to install the finishing touches and pull to design together before the family moved in.

Other contributors: 2dash1 and Tim and David Furr of Corbin Homes.

2020Home of the Year front — The home was built in the 1980s, and the family bought the house two years ago. The renovation took eight months and wrapped up fall 2019.

The front door, stair banister, and dining room table (to the right of the entry) was a collaborative design between Keim and Jacob Wolfe and Tuan Le of 2dash1. Keim opted for white oak herringbone flooring and black and white tile on the stairs for a modern, funky introduction into the home.

2020 Home of the Year dining room — The custom dining table can fit up to 10 people around it. The real statement of the room is the full-wall textured display. The homeowner and Keim both wanted a focal point here, so Keim came up with this carved, geometric accent wall, installed by the builder’s team.

2020 Home of the Year office — The office is to the left of the entry with a wood-burning fireplace, leather reading lounge chair, and space for a desk.

2020 Home of the Year living room — The main living room was originally vaulted. The builders closed it in and added wood beams to tie in the home’s neutral color scheme. Most of the furniture in the house was custom designed by Keim and manufactured in High Point.

With a family of seven, plus a love for hosting, comfort was an important part of the design.

“I wanted a couch that was almost a bed,” says the homeowner, who wishes to remain anonymous.

So, Keim created a custom leather sectional in the main living area, and another giant U-shaped sectional in the basement, another favorite hangout spot.

In addition to the living area (with the U-shaped custom sectional) the basement also has a sauna, gym area, kitchen, pool table, and racquetball court. It opens to the pool deck which has oversized lounge chairs, a pool (with a waterfall and basketball hoop), and views of Lake Norman.

The dining room is another precious spot in the house with a custom dining table and a textured wall Keim and the owners immediately fell in love with. Keim says she’s most proud of this room; it establishes the tone for the rest of the house in terms of design as well as shows how the family values gathering and togetherness.