Text by Bethany Adams
There isn’t a room in Kim Corretti’s home that doesn’t bear the touch of a friend or family member. In fact, the home was built three years ago by Kim’s father, a retired builder who also helped to inspire the love of French style that can be encountered inside. Featuring an open-concept layout that creates a flow from the kitchen to living area and onto the patio, the home combines antique warmth with a modern flair—all wrapped up in memories.
“In my [previous] home, I had several antiques,” Kim says, “and I wanted to mix my antiques with some things that were more stylish.” Working with interior designer Dana Holcombe of Holcombe Interior Design, Kim mixed her collection of antiques with pieces that provide a touch of updated style and sunny, spring-ready shades. In the living area, a bold blue couch tops an Oriental rug, and the French doors are framed by drapes decorated with a contemporary pattern.
The juxtaposition of traditional lines and contemporary design is best highlighted in the kitchen, where classic white surfaces are paired with rich blues and the Italian tile backsplash complements the chinoiserie on the countertop. Acrylic chairs offer an unobscured view of the island painted a deep blue, which draws out the tones of the toile curtains in the breakfast area.
Kim’s love of antiques stems from an affinity for vintage style and an interest in the history of the pieces she buys. “I like the mystery of that,” she says. “And I think that they bring a warmth to the house.” From the bar in the dining room that features a honeyed finish and detailed carving to the upholstered headboard in the master bedroom, it’s clear that Kim enjoys scouring antiques markets and auctions for pieces, and she often does so with her sister.
Complementing the antiques, Kim’s master bedroom is draped in romantic French elegance—an influence that’s the result of trips to Europe with her sister and father. “He’s originally from Italy,” she says of her father, noting that their family has roots in a village near Lake Maggiore. “We visited several different homes and castles. . . . So, that’s really what inspired me is his influence of taking us over and introducing us to the European culture.”
Paired with an arched French armoire, an antique crib originally bought for her niece sits beneath the glow of a window dressed in Austrian shades given to her by her sister. The crib was a discovery made while Kim’s niece was searching for an antique sofa. “I, at the time, did not have grandchildren, but my niece was expecting, and I told them that they should try to get the crib because it was so unique,” she says. Now, the piece sits in Kim’s master bedroom, ever ready for visits from her new grandchild.
Kim integrated the design’s European influence into her garden space as well, planting jasmine vines against the brick wall with a diamond-patterned trellis. A concrete table surrounded by French outdoor chairs is topped with a potted tree that was a housewarming gift from a friend. “I love to entertain with my girlfriends,” Kim says, noting that the space is a favorite of hers. “I’ve got several bird feeders out there so I can sit on the patio and watch the birds.”
Built by family, inspired by history, and furnished with gifts from loved ones, the home features diverse styles laced together by the common thread of precious memories. It’s the perfect place for reminiscing—and creating new memories—with friends and family, or simply for enjoying a cup of coffee and watching the birds.
