Designer Louise Johnson Adds Modern Touches to a Traditional South Carolina Home

When it came time to sell the property, the homeowners didn’t need to look very far for a potential buyer. “We discussed often how it was the perfect piece of property to own one day,” says Johnson’s wife, Louise, who was dating him at the time. “The home is situated on a neighborhood lake with beautiful views, and we could entertain easily here, inside and out. We knew the property was unusual for Spartanburg and that the opportunity to buy a property like this wouldn’t come around too often.” Without much hesitation, David purchased the home.

After getting married in 2002, the pair moved into the split-level home and even had two of their three children during the seven-year period they lived on the property. There were minor cosmetic updates but nothing as large in scope as a whole home renovation. It was during those seven years that the Johnsons discussed razing the home and starting anew. “David and I always knew we wanted to design a home together, as we both love architecture,” says Johnson, a designer. “We wanted something that was very classic. My design gravitates toward a mix of traditional and contemporary, but I love traditional architecture. I have fun with my interiors, but I like the bones to be traditional.”

Just as the couple was about to set the wheels in motion to raze the home, a work opportunity took the family to Augusta, Georgia. During their two years in Georgia, the couple eventually tore down the home and enlisted residential designer William Baker, who is well known for his traditional home designs, to draw the plans for their classic, white brick Georgian home. The starting point for the plans were simple: every space needed to revolve around the kitchen and provide sweeping views of the backyard lake. “Maximizing the lake views from the kitchen and owners’ en suite dictated the placement of everything,” says Johnson. The architectural details mirror the traditional facade of the home with classic crown molding, tall baseboards, a groin vault hallway, picture molding, and a dramatic curved staircase in the foyer. Extra-wide hallways that allow for standing and moving seamlessly from room to room were also needed to accommodate large gatherings of family and friends.

The interior design, though ultimately traditional, does boast modern touches. “I definitely like to push the boundaries in my interiors,” says Johnson of the bold doses of color and pattern. The couple’s artwork collection—including some that Johnson painted herself—inspired much of the interior design as well. The tension between the traditional architectural details and the contemporary artwork is apparent throughout, though it’s most apparent in the entry where the long, curved Southern staircase is complemented by an array of art. “I think a room has to be the right formula of color and lines, traditional and contemporary, and the foyer was the perfect place for that,” she says. In lieu of classic black-and-white checkered marble flooring, Louise opted for a twist on the traditional look and installed a gray limestone-and-white marble patterned floor.

The home’s traditional atmosphere is complete with its collection of antiques, family heirlooms, and timeless architectural details that highlight every wall and corner of the home. Coupled with Johnson’s penchant for sweeping strokes of color and pattern, the aesthetic works harmoniously. “I’m constantly inspired by design, fashion, travel, all the usual suspects,” she says. “I like interior design that peels back, layer after layer, revealing new things. And I think that’s what our home is. Every layer reveals something new and interesting.”