Date:  November 1, 2024  |   Story: Kathryn O'Shea-Evans  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Hope Johnstone  |  

Designer Casey Sarkin looks to New York City as her inspiration for this Fayetteville family’s home reno

Casey Sarkin had an unexpected muse when she began working on this “very suburban, Dallas-style” home for her longtime clients: the storied, century-old brownstones of Brooklyn, New York. “I’ve known this couple for probably 20 years,” the Fayetteville-based designer recalls. “When our kids were little, they had hired me to come and remodel the house.” However, life got in the way—as life does—and the remodel never quite happened. “They recently came back and said, Okay, I know we’ve lived here a lifetime, but now we’re ready to make it our own,” Casey says.

The resulting interiors are proof that good things come to those who wait. This family had long sought a home that would finally reflect their collected, worldly aesthetic, and the full-throttle remodel allowed for just the personalization they craved. “They wanted it to feel more like them, but a little more ‘city,’” Casey recalls. “We went in and looked at it as a clean slate, and ended up gutting it and re-imagining it in a floor plan that was more of a New York style.” Among their many improvements: reconfiguring the upstairs bedrooms, closets and bathrooms; moving the staircase from the back to the front of the house; and completely reinventing the kitchen.

At about 5,500 square feet, the revamped home is larger than many big city brownstones, with plenty of room for aesthetic play. The new entrance hall is a showstopper, with “a paneled, curved baluster that flows up the stairs,” which Casey notes gives the house a more historic feel. Archways bring architectural detail into the main living space, while a diverse color palette—including inky charcoal blacks and gleaming woods—prevent the interior from reading as too sterile or suburban. “We wanted to bring in a moody feel with all the textures,” the designer says. The results are, as Jay-Z might put it: what dreams are made of.

Above: In the reimagined foyer, arched detailing and frame molding supplies an aura of history, while a midcentury modern-inspired wall sconce keeps the look current.

“We wanted to bring in a moody feel with all the textures.”
—Casey Sarkin, designer

Kitchen Confidence
The reimagined kitchen is a warm and welcoming hub for the homeowners, who love to cook. Here, Casey incorporated darker, more playful tones, from the countertops (pink quartzite on the island and soapstone on the perimeter) to the rich walnut cabinetry. A fluted backsplash tile by Ann Sacks adds subtle texture while echoing the curves found in other areas of the house. “That tile adds an accent without being too loud,” Casey says.

Personalized Pantry
What was a staircase in the home’s former iteration was reworked into a roomy walk-in pantry. The extra storage comes in handy for a kitchen with few upper cabinets and keeps open shelving above the drink station tidy, while the doors blend seamlessly with the rest of the room’s cabinetry.

A round table surrounded by sculptural chairs is particularly welcoming in the breakfast nook; this one is visually anchored by the woven light fixture overhead.

Living Easy
In the living room, cozy furnishings form a space to gather for conversation or watch TV. The steel fireplace surround is a custom creation by UDI Inc. meant to mimic bronze. “That was a nod to another earth element and more warmth, and something a little bit modern and not expected,” Casey says.

Dining Details
An intricately detailed Indian table was the starting point of the dining room’s design. Casey and her clients were also inspired to give the room a library-like feel, hence the built-ins that display collections and books. “These clients are doctors who occasionally work from home and want to use the space for more than just dining,” the designer adds. Near the doorway to the entry, a marble-topped bar invites guests to mix a drink.

“We used textural wallpaper and employed more saturated colors, like the ochre on the chairs, for vibrance. These homeowners really enjoy color.”
—Casey Sarkin, designer

Sitting Pretty
In the sitting space off the primary bedroom, Casey brought in texture aplenty—see the rope-accented chairs, cowhide rug, and tone-on-tone draperies—upon request of the client. “It’s very sparse because while they love color and they love their particular pieces, they don’t like clutter,” the designer says. A mix of silk and mohair pillows soften the linear bed, and marble lamps bring a timeless touch to the bedside tables.

Bathing Beauty
Just as you would “try before you buy” a sofa, sit-testing a soaking tub is vital. “We take every client to the actual plumbing fixture store, and they get in all the tubs,” Casey says. “People always think they want these enormous soaking tubs, but we’re like, Okay, get in it and now try to stop yourself from floating away.” Intricate tile flooring carries up the wall for subtle interest while a tower of cabinetry built to look like a furniture piece provides storage without sacrificing the room’s streamlined aesthetic.

Design Resources
Contractor Tim McMahon, Tim McMahon Building Company Interior design Casey Sarkin, Casey Sarkin Interior Design Accessories Casey Sarkin Home Appliances Metro Appliances & More Cabinetry Collins Custom Cabinets Countertops Elite Granite and Pacific Shore Stones Fireplace UDI Inc. Fixtures Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery Flooring Wood Floor Gallery Hardware Hearth & Home Tile (Bathroom) Tom January Floors Wallpaper (installation) Steve Herrin Window coverings Callista’s Creations