Local look at a ‘Southern Living’ house

Not everyone comes away from an estate sale with a house. But, then again, not everyone is Grayson and Lindsey Cheek. The 1928 Forest Hills home had only two previous owners and retained an outdated layout with a small dining room, a servants’ kitchen and closed-in back porch — which doesn’t exactly fit with the way coastal families live today. This couple, though, was prepared for the challenge.

“I’ve moved 35 times,” said Lindsey Cheek, an interior designer and owner of the local boutique Gathered. “I’m familiar with renovations and comfortable on a construction site.” And Grayson Cheek, an attorney, spent his free time helping workers by removing radiators and doing frame and trim work. The couple worked with Wilmington-based The Pioneer Group on the nine-month project and moved into the space in January 2017. Their impressive work updating this stylish Colonial home landed them in Southern Living.

That’s not to say, though, that the project was easy. Initial plans had to be changed when, well, the house didn’t cooperate. Thoughts of a metal roof, expanded front porch and a garage apparently didn’t sit well with the stately home.

“She was not happy,” Lindsey said.

“Once we all got on the same page, there were no more problems,” Grayson said.

“We tried to be respectful of the architecture,” Lindsey said. “I would say my style is more modern and mid-century but that would just not go with this house.”

The Cheeks did try to stay true to the home’s history while making it work for their lifestyle. That included opening the space between the entryway, dining room and kitchen. They converted the dining area to a light-filled living space that opens to a completely updated kitchen. The family converted what was the living room and sun porch into a master suite, complete with the original fireplace, as well as a tub and a double shower.

They added more family space by rebuilding the back porch, which now has lots of seating, a dining table, and looks out over a massive oak tree and a pool. Upstairs, there are rooms for the kids, Tilley-Gray and Maines, a shared children’s bathroom, a guest room, and a playroom. Throughout the home, Cheek made sure that the furnishings were kid friendly, such as easy-to-clean vinyl wallpaper and using sturdy Sunbrella fabrics.

For a family used to moving and renovating, the Cheeks plan to be in this one for a while. Even though they do miss the projects, Grayson said. Still, more is on their wish list — including rehabbing the backyard (and uncovering a bocce court), finishing the third floor, and perhaps adding a fireplace to the living room. Beyond that, they are eyeing a place on the beach down the road, he said.

Gathering tips from Lindsey Cheek’s design aesthetic

One of Lindsey Cheek’s strengths as a designer is through her years working on renovations and new home constructions. “I can see a diamond in the rough,” she said. And she knows how to make the most of a space. Many of the things she loves are in her boutique Gathered on Wrightsville Avenue, which also houses her design studio. Here, she shares some of her suggestions.

Adapt to a coastal vibe

“I work with clients who often move here from somewhere else,” she said. “They often have dark furniture and dark colors that don’t really work with our aesthetic.” Southeastern North Carolina loves a light, layered look.

Look for good structure

Good bones in a home are worth a lot, Cheek said. It’s a much less expensive fix to update and modernize finishes than restructure a house. Her advice for home buyers is to measure. “Make sure it fits how you will live in the space.”

Make the layout work for you

That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a room that was designed for a particular purpose. Cheek wasn’t afraid to rearrange the layout of their Forest Hills home. “Use the space so it functions for you,” she said.

Don’t rush the process

“I took my time to curate the look,” Cheek said of her home. “We had a bounce house in here for six months.” The kids could play while she found just the right pieces.

Bold touches

Cheek loves to add drama and interest by choosing the right accessories. Throughout her home, look for unique light fixtures and a creative use of color and pattern

Keep what you love

“I think a lot of people have old, inherited furniture they feel obligated to keep,” she said. “Be discerning.” Don’t keep those pieces that aren’t special to you.