Three Sisters Make Home Renovation a Family Affair

After an extensive renovation spearheaded by Elizabeth Wells, Hogan and Covington’s oldest sister, the 4,600-square-foot structure was ready for its decorative do-over. Soft white walls swath interior spaces and offer a neutral counterpoint for eye-popping patterns in varying shades of blue from cerulean to cobalt. The hue also serves as a crisp, clean backdrop for an eclectic collection of art and antiques, including several pieces gifted by Hogan’s mother and acquired on buying trips with Covington.

“With High Point Market in our proverbial backyard, our buying trips were frequent and fruitful, and always included stops at the antiques malls and flea markets in the tiny towns along the way,” says Covington. “We would leave home with a very long list and return home with a very full car. I’ve even been known to drive back with a lamp in my lap just to squeeze it all in.”

The sisters also traveled to New York, Palm Beach, and Les Puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris, one of the world’s largest and most renowned flea markets. Each excursion yielded suitcases filled with cherished antiques and hearts filled with treasured memories. According to Covington, it is the centuries-old souvenirs juxtaposed with the twenty-first century appointments that keep the interiors looking light-hearted and fresh. In the living room, for example, a Lucite coffee table is paired with eighteenth-century commodes, while in the foyer an abstract portrait hangs above an antique Biedermeier chair. Beyond aesthetics, contemporary furniture with high-quality frames and performance-grade fabrics contribute to the functionality of the home and make it approachable and suitable for the not-so-tidy toddlers, teens, and four-legged friends who call it home.

“With my typical clients, I don’t get to look through that ‘unfiltered lens’ to see how the home functions beyond the installation phase,” says Covington. “That type of raw perspective can only come from working with a family member or close friend. Getting to experience firsthand how style and lifestyle intertwine in this home has been fun and rewarding for me not only as Blair’s designer, but as her sister, too.”