A VIRGINIA HOME THAT HAS ONE FOOT IN THE PAST AND THE OTHER IN THE PRESENT

Renowned interior designer Darryl Carter, known for his distinctive approach to traditional design, collaborated with architect Anne Decker to craft a characterful and historically resonant home for a young family of five in Virginia. The project involved the construction of a Georgian Revival–style house, inspired by a 1920s reproduction of an 18th-century original. Over the course of two years, Carter and Decker seamlessly blended elements of the past with contemporary design to create a functional and timeless residence. The collaboration showcased Carter’s ability to harmoniously combine old and new aesthetics.

in an entry a grand freestanding curving staircase has natural wood steps, a white balustrade, and black bannisters, wood floor, an antique round table and a white leather cube

Darryl Carter and architect Anne Decker, both minimalists, collaborated seamlessly on the design of a Virginia home for a young family. The intellectual and aesthetic alignment between Carter and Decker was evident throughout the project. The careful attention to detail extended to the choice of a pea gravel driveway, creating a sensory experience with its shifting stones. The colors of the gravel were echoed inside the home, fostering a seamless transition between the interior and exterior. The predominantly off-white floors, gray marble in the primary bathroom, and black banisters on white stairs contributed to the home’s cohesive design.

in a white living room is a white sofa, two side chairs, a white cocktail table with books and candelabra, white sideboard, a grand piano, white chandelier with brass arms, a large artwork on back wall, white carpet

a living room with a white sofa, a cement and black steel cocktail table and a marble bust atop it, a leather wingback chair, a fireplace with a round artwork above, built in bookshelves, and a patterned rug

in a white dining room are two glass doors with an antique sculpture of the virgin and child against the wall between them, two geometric shaped white tables, three dining chairs with gray leather seats

in a corner of room with white walls is a console with curved black legs and a white marble top and a decorative mirror above, a white dining chair, and a floor to ceiling white tree sculpture with branches

in an entry a grand freestanding curving staircase has natural wood steps, a white balustrade, and black bannisters, wood floor, an antique round table and a white leather cube

between two windows sits a black four poster bed with white bedding and colorful pillows, white walls, a framed black and white photo, white carpet and a white cow hide rug, and an antique empire chair

The Virginia home designed by Darryl Carter and architect Anne Decker features a classic layout, with two wings branching off from a grand foyer and a central living room beyond. The wings house guest quarters, the primary suite, children’s rooms, the kitchen, dining room, and the family room. The symmetrical design imparts a sense of order, while Carter introduces unexpected decorative elements and juxtapositions that span various periods and materials. A glass solarium connects the main house to the garage, forming an L shape with historical influences and offering access to the landscaped grounds designed by landscape architect Lila Fendrick.

Darryl Carter’s Virginia home, designed in collaboration with architect Anne Decker, showcases Carter’s signature white walls that create a unifying backdrop for each room. Despite the apparent simplicity, the nuanced tonality of whites is carefully considered, creating a complex interplay with furniture and textiles. Carter, who transitioned from environmental law to interior design, brings a self-taught approach to his work, allowing for unconventional interpretations of tradition. In the dining room, a plaster tree extends from the walls, adding a twist to the conventional setting. Carter’s unconventional strategies aim to maintain a sense of calm while introducing multidimensional elements to the space.

In Darryl Carter’s Virginia home, the dining room features a unique table arrangement. A zigzag, serpentine table made of five pentagons, arranged like a jigsaw puzzle, sits across from a 19th-century French Madonna and Child sculpture. Carter aimed to create a dining space that encourages conversation and camaraderie, steering away from a traditional conference table. Throughout the home, Carter blends new and old elements, such as in the living room, where a high-gloss white ceiling reflects an eclectic mix of antique and contemporary furnishings. The neutral environment allows for a dynamic display of design elements.