May 2024 Issue
I shared a sweet and peaceful moment with a family of deer grazing in the front lawn, as I pulled into Beth's long gravel driveway. The exterior reminded me of my parent's 1990's "cape cod in the country" home. It had the same welcoming feeling too. My mind drew curious to know what was behind the front door that sits on a big wrap around porch, so I parked the car and headed inside. Immediately, I was astonished to see how Beth and John put their sophisticated vintage style on this home, showing us there's more style to a house than its exterior.
MEET THE HOME OWNER:
I am so excited to be bringing 'The Home Tour Blog' into 2024 under a new name, 'The Art of Making Home' and knew just the person to unveil the first blog back. Come tour designer and vintage huntress, Beth Clarke's home tucked away in wooded neighborhood on the outskirts of central North Carolina. Beth is a pro thrifter and offers sourcing, interior design and vintage wares on her online shop spacehavenhome.com
What made you select this home near Greensboro, North Carolina?
Our home is just north of Greensboro in the more rural town of Summerfield. We were relocating from TX and went under contract on the house before seeing it in person. It checked all the major boxes for us on paper; good school district, 4 bedrooms, on a big lot, pool, and privacy. When we came to see it in person, we fell in love with the wooded neighborhood and the land. And the double-sided fireplace. It definitely wasn’t turn-key and needed a lot of work. I preferred that because we were able to negotiate the price on the house when everything else in the area was selling above ask, and it gave us the opportunity to update the interior to meet our style and needs.
What’s the biggest differences from this home to your last home?
The lot! I really loved our last home and I put a lot of sweat equity into making it our own, but it was in a neighborhood where your neighbors could hear you whispering in your backyard. We knew when we moved to NC, we wanted to have more space and more privacy. When we no longer need to worry about school districts, we’d love to move further out into the country and be surrounded by acres of land in all directions, maybe with a pond. That’s the dream.
What do you love most about this home?
When we purchased the home, there was an entry vestibule and then you’d turn to enter the living room that was dropped 6 inches from the rest of the house. I just couldn’t see our kids running around and playing in spaces that were so sectioned off from each other, so we removed two walls and widened the kitchen opening to create better flow. We also raised the living room floor to make it flush with the rest of the house. Now our kids can run like wild animals through the house and it’s perfect. It’s loud (very loud) but they have space to be kids and I cherish that. I get a lump in my throat when I think about no longer hearing the kids charging down the hall, running through the living room, playing around and making obscene amounts of noise.
What is your design philosophy?
I don’t know if I have a philosophy, at least not one that I consciously adhere to. If we’re talking about how I design my own spaces, I’d say the most important thing I try to do is take risks. I love to experiment with different colors, shapes, textures, weird art, funky objects, etc. I don’t over think or worry about whether one thing is going to go perfectly with another. I buy what I like because I’m confident that if something is filtered through my lens, then I will find a place for it that works within my space.
That said, I am constantly moving things around and switching things up to get a room or vignette just right. There’s a lot of trial and error involved with design and styling, but I think ultimately it comes down to pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and taking risks. That’s what can take a design from good to great. And don’t get me wrong, I’ve missed the mark in my own space many times, but that’s OK! All the mistakes just sharpen my eye that much more and make me better at what I do.
Now, if you’re talking about how I design for clients then I have to have a slightly different approach. I’m more intentional and have to consider their personal style, and how I can combine it with my own to create a space that works for them. The first thing I consider is what they need out of their space, and how they’ll use it. Do they need it to feel captivating and eclectic to spark creativity, or do they need a calming and serene space to lounge with the family and unwind? There’s a little less risk taking when working with clients, unless they’re up for it!
What was your biggest challenge with creating this home?
Since I’m a teensy bit obsessed with vintage (who among us isn’t) I think the biggest challenge has been spending the time to find the right pieces that work within our budget. Curating a home with vintage pieces takes time! It doesn’t happen overnight unless you have buckets of money and can just go on 1stdibs and buy everything. We’ve been in our house for 3 years and I think I’m just about content with each room now. Almost. Our two bathrooms are an eyesore and must be tackled at some point.
Honestly, one of my biggest challenges right now is just looking at the seashell sink every day and wanting to rip it out of the wall. It’s on the hit list, but other less exciting but more important updates have taken priority (plumbing, septic tank, HVAC, dead trees allover the place, etc) But I want to renovate our primary bath this year.
Who or what do you pull your inspiration from?
I wish I could say “my travels” like so many designers say, but I haven’t traveled to too many
places yet! Until I can travel to Italy, France, Japan, Sweden, Mexico City, Australia, etc., I’ll
have to get my inspiration from local vendors, seeing how they visually merchandise product.
I’m lucky to live so close to High Point so I get to go to market and see some incredible vendors with the best curation and styling of incredible pieces. I also get inspiration from designers, vendors and content creators on Instagram and Pinterest. And I’m not too proud to admit that I watch practically every single design tv show there is. Design books are also a must. It’s design books that opened my eyes to how important and exciting design can be!
Why is creating a beautiful home important to you?
I heard a saying recently and it stuck with me because it’s so simple and so true - good design is good for you. Put plainly, I feel better when I’m in beautiful spaces. That’s certainly not a groundbreaking realization. I think most of us feel better in well-designed spaces, it’s just that “beauty” is different for everyone. I need my home to not only be a place of comfort and warmth, but also inspiration and a hub for creativity. I like abstract shapes and bold colors (in moderation) because they keep things interesting, and I need that to feel content.
I also hope that my kids appreciate growing up in a space that I have thoughtfully designed and curated. I like to think that when they’re adults they can look back on their childhood and remember growing up in a beautiful space, or as beautiful as I can make it. They’ll probably also remember the endless d.i.y. and construction projects, but Rome wasn’t built in a day!
What is your process when selecting your
pieces?
The first thing I consider when looking at furniture or home decor is shape. A piece obviously has to function as well, but if the form isn’t right then it’s not going to work. If the shape is compelling, then I consider the texture. I recently saw a vase and loved the shape, but it had a finish that reminded me of diseased leaves with all those tiny bumps and it was a no. If the shape and texture are right, then I’ll consider the color.
For me the hierarchy of the main design elements is shape, then texture, then color. In most cases, color can be changed with stain or paint, but shape is what it is. And usually, texture is permanent as well depending on the piece. This isn’t a rule I follow all the time but it’s how my brain dissects pieces.
How do you decide what to keep vs. what to sell?
A while ago I decided I would only sell pieces that I would have in my own home, so it’s
actually gotten much harder to decide! But ultimately it comes down to space. I can’t keep it all, so I keep the pieces that fit within my space. That said, I have a shed full of stuff I haven’t listed for sale yet because MAYBE I’ll use those pieces one day. I’m not the most decisive reseller…
As a pro thrifter and vintage reseller, what tip can you share for those sourcing secondhand?
Go to your local thrift and antique/vintage stores as often as possible. The good pieces get snatched up quickly, and sellers usually bring in new product every week so even though you might strike out one week, if you go back the next there might be something great! I’d also recommend going into the booths that don’t look good at first glance. I’ve found some awesome pieces tucked away in a corner, surrounded by a bunch of not-so-great pieces. That’s part of the “hunt.” My last bit of advice is to check online (i.e. Instagram sellers, Etsy, Chairish, 1stdibs, facebookmarketplace, etc) I think about 50% of my pieces come from online sellers. Just be sure to check the measurements when buying online! One time I bought a stool thinking I could use it as a side table. It was 12” tall.
What are your favorite shops to source from?
Local: The Red Collection on Mill St, The Farmer’s Wife, 214 Modern, Chelsea on Green, Still
Grimey (for vintage clothing), Design Archives Emporium (clothing and décor)
Online: Etsy (sooo many great sellers from around the world), Chairish, Instagram sellers (too
many to list), Crate and Barrel does some great collabs, FacebookMarketPlace
What is your favorite space in your home?
Our living room is my favorite space because it’s the first room you see when you enter the house and I think it’s pretty impactful. It reflects my style and is an area where I’m constantly experimenting with different arrangements, art, décor, etc. It has a vaulted ceiling and gets a lot of natural light so it feels large even though the room itself isn’t huge. A lot of my favorite pieces are in that space so it makes me happy. It’s also where my family gathers to watch movies and hang out so it’s a good mix of form and function.
What is your favorite piece(s) in your home?
Oh my gosh, I don’t even know if I can answer this question! Right now, I think it’s a large
pastel drawing I got at a local winery. My family and I took a day trip to the area and stumbled upon this winery so we stopped in for a drink. The kids were running around in the grass and John and I were just hanging out, and I looked to the side of the building and saw a huge framed drawing hanging up on the wall of a small covered patio, covered in dust. It caught my eye so I asked if it was for sale, and it was! The owner is a painter, and this piece was by his mentor. They had it hanging outside in the elements, so I like to think that I rescued it. It’s hanging in our living room now and I love it not just because it’s beautiful, but also because it reminds me of a really relaxing and lovely day I had with my family.
Describe your go-to Friday night in Greensboro?
I’m lame and don’t go out very often, so I don’t know if I’m the one to give good advice when it comes to local eateries and bars but Greensboro does have some pretty good options. We like Green Valley Grill for the ambience, Lemon Indian Cuisine for a good curry, 1618 Midtown is great for cocktails and food, and we want to try the new bar The Quarter downtown but last time we went it was packed and we are long past our days of cramming into packed bars.
If your house was a drink, what would it be?
Whiskey sour made with egg whites because that’s my favorite drink but also because it takes a bit of time to make but is worth it, like a well curated home.
As we bring this home tour to an end, do you have any advice for anyone wanting to create a home they love?
Home needs to provide different things for different people at different phases in their lives (i.e. excitement, inspiration, respite, quiet, simplicity, etc), so it’s not the same for everyone.
However, in general I’d say ignore trends and don’t overthink things.With home
trends, the amount we see on Instagram and TikTok is never ending and can be devoid of personal character. I think because my work involves looking at a lot of images for inspiration, I tend to see the same trends again and again and again. It becomes a homogeneous scroll of spaces that all look the same because everyone is capitalizing on the trend of the moment, but I don’t think that results in a space that’s interesting or that you’ll love. I mean, different strokes for different folks, but trends are fleeting and I’d think you want your home to be a place that reflects your unique personality and life.
Now don’t get me wrong, I had checkered pillows, am here for the chrome trend, and have just purchased a lacquered credenza, so not all trends are bad, but I think if you focus too much on making sure your home is “trendy” then it’s going to fall flat. Mix things up and bring in pieces that reflect who you are and make you smile. One simple way to do that is to buy art that you love. Don’t worry about what other people will think about it. If you love it, it’s a yes. Art can transform a space and can be a reflection of your personal style and taste. And it’s easy to move around so you can switch things up when you want!
Mix It Up!
A well sourced home has both new and old, as seen in Beth’s living room.
If you’d like to shop Beth’s home, check out some of her sources below.
Lighting:
Ceiling light – Empire Chandelier from Burkedecor.com
Vintage Table Lamp – JimandJensVintage
Vintage Floor Lamp – Thrifted
Vintage Wall Light – Atomic Flat
Rug:
SoHo Rug in Navy Blue from Rugs.com
Furniture:
Armchair pair – facebookmarketplace
Black armchair – facebookmarketplace
Coffee Table – Badlands Vintage on Instagram
Sofa – Colton Mid-Century Tan Leather Sofa
Vintage wood bench – Marquisdemod purchased at 214 Modern
Vintage Sih'de tables – Thrifted
Corner huttch – From a local antique shop no longer in business ☹
Drapery:
Amazon – Twopages Pinch Pleat Faux Linen (84” x 96”) in Khaki Yellow
Accessories in Corner Hutch:
Curly carved wooden sculpture – Phillips Collection on Chairish
Travertine Bookends – TallyLiving
Studio pottery – TandemAntiques at 214 Modern
Antique terracotta olive jar – I can’t remember, but there are hundreds of similar pieces on Etsy
Small Antique Clay Bowl – CasaPatina
Thank you so much for supporting and reading this home tour! I’m so excited to show you more on ‘The Art of Making’. Make sure you’re following Beth at @spacehavenhome to keep up with her and her vintage shop and home. Follow me at @cameronrenfrow for all things home.
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