WRITTEN BY Bek Mitchell-Kidd
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Summer Ennis
INTERIOR DESIGN BY Dwell by Cheryl
Charlotte-based designer Cheryl Luckett rose to the occasion for a longtime friend to take her recently purchased home from bachelor drab to fab. “My client and friend is a successful attorney and philanthropist with three busy kids; she wanted a space where they could all feel comfortable, entertain, and each have their own spaces to enjoy,” says Cheryl.
With family-friendly design in mind, Cheryl and her Dwell by Cheryl team focused on the dreamy principal suite and the main living and dining area. Cheryl kicked things off by creating a warm and cozy palette that is feminine and mutes the modern masculine style of the home.
The principal suite overflows with comfort and plush. There are a lot of curves and a noticeable absence of sharpness. Cheryl wrapped the room in Sherwin Williams blush “Likeable Sand” that plays well with the warm tone of the wood trim found throughout the home. “I wanted the space to scream luxury, sophistication, and femininity without being overtly girly,” says Cheryl.
A chaise lounge sits in a quiet corner by a striking reproduction photograph, “African Princess,” taken in Butiama, Tanzania, creating the perfect spot to read and relax. Nearby is a separate sitting area with a TV and a fireplace which features a curved vintage loveseat that Cheryl revamped.
The master bedroom connects to the “ladies lounge.” There’s plenty of seating, a desk, and another TV—no one needs to fight over the remote control in this house. There is also a lot of natural light.
Cheryl says, “Our strategy is always to add various types of light. The home was previously wired with an intricate lighting system of small hidden recessed lights. We strategically placed lighting in each space to add mood and task lighting throughout the home.”
There is access to a private porch from the bedroom. Given that the area is one of five separate outdoor living spaces, Cheryl was able to dedicate this area solely to relaxation, and she even managed to include an outdoor queen-sized bed. It’s large enough for the owner and her kids to pile in and is a haven for an afternoon nap.
A bar cart adds functionality for entertaining should the need arise to serve drinks and bites while overlooking the pool and grounds. Meanwhile, a sectional provides additional seating options and a pillowscape that dreams are made of: “I’m big on pattern mixing. We usually begin with a master print that everything else is derived from. The master print includes multiple colors and serves as a jumping off point for the entire pillow scheme. We vary the textures, prints, and scales to add variety, but retain continuity with color,” explains Cheryl.
At approximately 8,000 square feet, there are multiple transition points throughout the home. In the living and dining space the mixed tile and carpet flooring help with definition. Cheryl says, “With such a large and open space, we knew we needed to add as much color as possible. We opted for a teal sofa in the living room in a performance fabric for a healthy dose of color with the added bonus of durability.”
The mix of materials and colors acutely reflects the clients’ need for comfort and well-appointed style. The design is beautiful and elegant but also livable; Cheryl and her client have fashioned a home where you can tell there is a lot of love.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Southern Home describes Cheryl Luckett’s style as “opulence in reach” with “vintage treasures and ingenious restyles” as essential tools in her design kit. Cheryl believes her clients should dwell in a home they love; a place that gives them a sense of well-being both indoors and out. She describes her design aesthetic as sophisticated but approachable; easy and livable. Launched in 2012, Dwell by Cheryl continues to grow with clients raving about Cheryl’s ability to transform a space, as well as her professionalism and attention to detail.
Cheryl has been published in Traditional Home, Country Living, Southern Home, Charlotte Magazine, Charlotte Home Design, Decor, and Hoffman Media’s book Southern Spaces, to name a few. She is a seven-time recipient of the Best of Houzz Award for Design and Customer Satisfaction, one of the Black Interior Designers Network’s African American Top 20 Designers, and, in 2019, was named one of Charlotte’s Best Interior Designers by Charlotte Agenda. Cheryl currently serves as Design Ambassador for the Revolution Performance Fabrics brand and, in 2018, launched her first licensed product line, a five-piece upholstered furniture collection for Sylvester Alexander Fine Upholstery, called Belle by Cheryl Luckett.
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