Behind the Design: Transforming Swansboro Lane | Part 1
An inside look at what a full-service interior design project actually involves, from the first conversation to the finished room.
Historic Home Design & Remodel in Chapel Hill
Step into the story of a 1890s Chapel Hill, NC home, affectionately dubbed Windy Ridge Rd, where layers of history meet thoughtfully modernized design. TEW Design Studio was honored to breathe new life into this historic home–preserving its character while introducing elevated updates that reflect how families live today. This project is a quiet testament to how intentional design can respect the past without getting stuck in it.
Our Client’s Design Goals
This renovation was not about erasing the past–it was about honoring it. The project aimed to:
- Make the kitchen more inviting and practical
- Improve the downstairs utility areas for better day-to-day use
- Redesign the primary bathroom to reflect the home’s character with a more cohesive look
- Use enduring, high-quality materials that bring the home into the present without losing its story
Our team worked closely to interpret these goals with care and creativity–pulling design cues from the existing architecture while letting the homeowner’s personal style shine.
A Home with Stories to Tell
Originally constructed in the late 1890s, this two-story, T-plan home wasn’t occupied until around 1905. Local tradition suggests that J.B. Mills–associated with a nearby Queen Anne home named in his honor–may have once lived here, though records remain sparse.
What we do know is that the home was full of character from the start. Even now, so many of its original architectural features remain, including:
- Overhanging eaves with cornice returns
- Scalloped sawnwork and rouch-arched ventilators
- Two-over-two sash windows
- Original sawn and turned woodwork is still intact on both the front and rear elevations
- Two interior brick chimneys with corbelled caps
- A rare triple-passageway frame barn behind the home
In the mid-1990s, the house was moved to its current location–split down the middle and reassembled like a giant historical jigsaw puzzle. Along the way, a kitchen and two bathrooms were added. Necessary? Absolutely. Seamless? Not even close.
The disconnection between the original structure and the newer additions was obvious–visually, spatially, and emotionally. Our job was to bring harmony back to the home. We needed to modernize the layout, yes, but we also wanted to restore the spirit of the place: its warmth, its craft, and the sense of story embedded in every detail.
That’s where the design journey began.
What We Inherited: The Original Layout & Character
While many historic renovations focus on cosmetic upgrades, this project called for more than surface-level solutions. The goal? To rework key areas of the home–like the kitchen, mudroom, and bathrooms–so they not only looked beautiful but functioned for the way the homeowners live now.
The home’s floor plan posed some challenges (as many 19th-century layouts do), but our team approached the space with a respect for its roots and a determination to make it more liveable without compromising charm.
First Floor
On the main level, our team was tasked with resolving a few long-standing frustrations. While the footprint stayed largely intact, the kitchen, laundry, and mudroom were reimagined to feel more considered and cohesive. Circulation between these spaces was clarified–no more unnecessary nooks and crannies.
Before
Without erasing the charm of the original home, we introduced quiet improvements that make everyday routines smoother and more intuitive. Durable materials and smart storage solutions help these hardworking zones do their job–without stealing the spotlight from the home’s architectural presence.
After
Second Floor
Upstairs, we focused on creating continuity. The original primary bathroom didn’t feel connected to the rest of the home–it lacked warmth and intention found elsewhere. Our goal was to redesign this space in a way that felt natural, like it had always belonged.
Before
Drawing inspiration from the home’s original detailing, we layered in materials and finishes that reflect its history, while still introducing a level of polish the space hadn’t seen before. The end result is an elegant blend: something enduring, yet quietly updated–perfectly in tune with the spirit of the home.
After
Reworking the Flow Without Losing the Soul
We introduced durable materials that felt at home in the space, but brought a fresh perspective:
- A redesigned kitchen layout that improved flow while maintaining a sense of architectural continuity
- Updated primary bathroom with finishes that echo the home’s original warmth
- A reimagined downstairs bath, mudroom, and laundry area–quietly efficient but rich with design detail
We kept the original bones wherever possible, weaving in clean lines, timeless textures, and subtle pops of interest that didn’t overshadow the craftsmanship already present.
The Home Today: Quietly Sophisticated, Unmistakably Historic
The result is a home that still feels like itself–just a version more aligned with today. Historic woodwork remains intact, architectural quirks are celebrated, and each updated space feels harmonious with the next.
In a town as storied as Chapel Hill, we’re proud to have played a part in writing a new chapter for this century-old home. To see the full project, visit the Windy Ridge Rd. portfolio page here.
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