A Wabi-Sabi Georgian Home in New Albany, Ohio

Led by Erin Hackett Nordholt of Hackett House Studio, the scope of the project included reworking portions of the first floor to better support the family’s everyday routines. The renovation added a new powder bath, a butler’s pantry, and a reimagined mudroom area that now includes a full bathroom, laundry room, and mudroom. With builder Ron Scott Design Build, photography by Amy Carruthers, and styling by Lauren Kelp, the finished home feels both elevated and deeply livable.

Design: Hackett House Studio | Photography: Amy Carruthers | Styling: Lauren Kelp

A Layered Approach to Style

Because the architecture of the home leaned traditional, Hackett House Studio approached the design with a careful balance of old and new. Rather than choosing one style direction, Erin blended the home’s Georgian character with sculptural, modern silhouettes and richly textured finishes. The result is a space that feels collected and personal, with rooms that move easily between classic structure and softer, more organic details.

In the family room, Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze wraps the space in a grounded, moody tone. The darker palette creates a sense of intimacy, while pieces like the curved CB2 sofa by Lawson-Fenning and artwork by Sali Swalla bring in a more modern point of view. The window treatments from The Shade Store add another layer of softness and depth. The client loved the idea of tone-on-tone in the living spaces, so Erin selected a cool gray velvet fabric for the drapes, keeping the room moody while still feeling nuanced and interesting.

A Powder Bath with Presence

One of the most memorable moments in the home is the new powder bath, which also happens to be Erin’s favorite part of the project. Beyond adding much-needed function to the first floor, the room became an opportunity to create a jewel-box moment within the home.

The walls are finished in Portola Roman Clay in Damascus, giving the space a soft, tactile quality that feels both refined and imperfect in the best way. Brizo faucets, Hudson Valley Lighting sconces, an Anthropologie mirror, and Mi & Gei towel rack and hardware complete the room, bringing together warm metals, sculptural forms, and a rich sense of texture.

Function, Reworked

While the project is full of beautiful design details, much of its success comes from the way the floor plan was reimagined. The renovation added practical spaces that now support the flow of daily life: a powder bath for guests, a butler’s pantry for storage and entertaining, and a more hardworking mudroom area with a full bathroom and laundry room.

In the butler’s pantry, Portola Roman Clay in Meritage adds depth and movement to the walls, while custom cabinetry in Sherwin-Williams Dark Auburn gives the room a rich, tailored feel. A glass and brass shelving unit from Brass Hardware brings in a more polished detail, making the space feel functional but still special.

The mudroom and guest bathroom continue the home’s textural palette with limestone floor tile from TileBar. In the guest bath, Bedrosians tile, Delta faucets, and In Common With sconces in Pistachio bring a fresh, considered quality to the space.

Refined Details Throughout

Throughout the home, the material selections help bridge the clients’ two styles. In the living room, a modern abstract marble coffee table from Four Hands pairs with accent chairs from Moe’s, while Calacatta Monet stone from Mont Surfaces adds natural movement and visual interest. In the kitchen, updated hardware from Signature Hardware creates a subtle but meaningful refresh.

Each choice feels intentional, from the roman clay walls to the velvet drapery, sculptural furniture, warm brass accents, and stone surfaces. Together, the details create a home that feels elevated without feeling overly formal, and modern without losing its connection to the architecture.

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