Past Meets Present in a Timeless Abingdon Renovation

Under the design direction of Farris Ann Crace, an Abingdon home nods to its past as it embraces the future.

Exterior view of large stucco home in  Abingdon
Photos by Jean Allsopp // Styling by Kathleen Varner

“We wanted to bring our home into the here and now—to make it feel more current but also respectful of the past with a curated blend of the old and new,” says Mary Wyatt Crenshaw when talking about the design hopes for she and husband Jay’s 1992 French-style Abingdon home. Mary and Jay were merging their families, bringing everyone together in a house that already held a lot of memories, so it was imperative that the design honor those treasured moments while getting an update for their next chapter. 

To help with this vision, Mary enlisted interior designer Farris Ann Crace, who was quick to align with the couple’s goals, appreciate what was already there, and offer a path to move them forward. The custom, French-inspired home had compelling curb appeal and a good floor plan, but the interiors had not been updated in 20 years. “We didn’t need more space. We just wanted to rework what we had,” says Mary. “We especially wanted the kitchen to embrace the backyard and pool and to be more functional.”

The designer replaced the foyer’s green granite floors with classic tumbled black-and-white marble—a timeless choice that felt original to the French-style home. The tableau includes a Lee Industries bench through Circa Interiors, a David Iatesta table, and Urban Electric sconces. Painting by Wellon Bridgers.
The home’s original kitchen was updated with steel windows and doors from Bessemer Glass that welcome the verdant backyard and pool views. A seating island instead of a traditional table makes better use of the space. Revised finishes, including marble and granite from Triton Stone Group, a new color palette, and contemporary overhead light fixtures, give the kitchen modern appeal. 

Since updating the kitchen was top priority—and the biggest renovation endeavor—the Crenshaws called the home’s original architect, George Israel with Israel & Associates, and invited him back for a second take, with Farris Ann weighing in on flow and finishes. The original design included an L-shaped island with all the appliances grouped together.

“It was hard to maneuver around without everyone feeling crowded and bumping into each other, especially when we were at capacity,” says Mary of the now-combined family of seven (plus extended family and friends). The solution was two stylish islands—one for prep and one for dining and other activities like homework and art projects. To make the connection to the back of the home, the architect and designer replaced the kitchen’s existing windows with a series of large steel ones and French doors. 

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To celebrate the new indoor/outdoor reveal, Mary decided to depart from the more expected white kitchen. The solution? Farrow & Ball’s “Studio Green” for the cabinet color and trim to impart a more sophisticated, chic vibe. “The reimagined kitchen also called out for some refined but slightly edgy additions, so we used more contemporary light fixtures and brass hardware,” says Farris Ann. “And the chairs are polished but still highly functional because we upholstered them in performance velvet.”

The adjoining dining room took color cues from the kitchen and showcased Farris Ann’s prowess in balancing the masculine and feminine elements throughout the downstairs. The original, ornate crystal chandelier was kept while updates included Phillip Jeffries grasscloth wallpaper with rivet detailing, plush green velvet dining room chairs, and a custom Michael Morrow buffet. 


“I we found balance in the design—the interiors are refined but approachable and classic with notes of modernity.” — Farris Ann Crace, designer

For the family room, the layout was top of mind. “It’s not that large, so my main request was to be able to sit as many people as possible to watch football and to celebrate Christmas while also being cozy enough when it’s just the four of us hanging out,” says Mary. To accomplish that goal, Farris Ann created two areas—one for large gatherings and the other more intimate. 

The family room needed to contract or expand depending on the number at home, so Farris Ann created two separate seating areas with multiple options to perch. In this one, she included a custom neutral O. Henry House sectional, club chairs in shades of blue, and a plaid Elizabeth Eakins rug. A collection of framed garden landscape prints provides additional pattern.
Opposite the sectional, Farris Ann situated a sofa upholstered in a Zak & Fox green velvet met with a pair of easy-to-rearrange coffee tables. A painting by Jennifer Gibbs from Design Supply unites the room’s blue and green hues.

Everything is pulled together color-wise with a subtle plaid rug, window panels in a Holland & Sherry floral motif fabric, and a large oil painting by Jennifer Gibbs. “Farris Ann really understood how we wanted our house to live in this stage of our life and beyond,” says Mary. “It’s refined but comfortable for every day—and it has that desired timeless quality for making memories.”

Jay’s children are grown but Mary’s two are still at home, so making them feel comfortable in an already-established house was important. To bring the kids into the fold, Mary and Farris Ann included them on the design for their bedrooms and baths. Blue was the unifying color in this one, while pink was first choice opposite.

Resources

Interior design: Farris Ann Crace, Farris Ann Interiors; Architect: George Israel, Israel & Associates; Builder: Brooke Russell, Russell Building; Landscape design: Gary Mitchell Select artwork: Design Supply

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