How To Channel Contemporary Classicism With Your Interior Design Choices

The space has been transformed by Architrave Interior Design to retain and enhance its ancient spirit through wallcoverings, rich materials and decorative painting

Overlooking the picturesque Ashley River on the East Coast of the US, the lively South of Broad Historic District in downtown Charleston offers up many architectural marvels.

The area is best known for Rainbow Row, which features several restored 19th-century homes that attract attention with their vibrant, pastel façades. Within a nearby building, a two-bedroom apartment distinguishes itself with grand ceilings and large, steel windows.

The architecture is neoclassical in style and dates back to 1922, designed by the late American architect David Hyer. In fact, the property is a recipient of the esteemed Carolopolis Award from the Preservation Society of Charleston; formerly known as the Andrew B. Murray Vocational School, the building underwent a transformative journey back in 2002 and now houses 27 upscale apartments.

Showcasing South Carolina’s distinctive architecture, the historic landmark was the first vocational school of the city and embodies the rich heritage of the region.

Filled with a lifelong collection of colourful modern art and European antiques, the apartment has been entirely revamped by Architrave Interior Design to preserve its old character while inviting a new personality.

A citrus colour palette of greens and yellows brings a refreshing touch while other design elements gracefully honour tradition – wallcoverings, hand-painted and inspired by 18th-century European pieces, and high-quality materials like silk, wool and cotton.

“We kept the colour palette bright and citrusy. I think the juxtaposition of the client’s antiques and their modern art with the apartment’s architecture and industrial-style windows created an unexpected mix of elements,” explains Moe Draz, founder of Architrave Interior Design. “The architecture of the building itself andthe homeowners’ personal art and furniture collection really inspired and guided the design.”

To ensure the perfect balance between history and the contemporary updates, the designers used antique lighting and traditional materials such as marble, Venetian plaster, myriad wallcoverings and decorative painting techniques. The apartment, initially completely empty and white, preserves its ancient spirit. “We kept the proportions of the rooms the same while also elevating the interior surfaces with a variety of wallcoverings, decorative wall finishes and a variety of flooring treatments and materials.”

The stately entryway coupled with the remarkable art collection recalls a traditional Parisian pied-à-terre. In the gallery hall, a yellow paper-backed silk wallcovering by Gracie Studio keeps the space cheery and bright while also providing an ideal background for the artwork. “We really wanted to capitalise on the beautiful proportions of the space and feature our clients’ collection of art and antiques,” Moe adds. “I think in this case, the art helped inform the design and colour palette. The finished space is a true reflection of the client’s personality and their lifelong collections.”

The breakfast room features another 18th-century-inspired chinoiserie landscape mural by Gracie Studio, customised to reflect the South Carolina Lowcountry landscape with citrus trees and pink azalea bushes.

The sun room sports a chartreuse yellow grasscloth, chosen for its organic texture and bright colour, while the powder room stands out with its Bird and Thistle-patterned wallpaper by Brunschwig & Fils, which is based on an 18th-century English textile originally printed in red on cream cotton. For the library, the Architrave team chose a chevron-pattern woven paper that is reminiscent of a tweed menswear fabric, to provide a rich background. The master bedroom derives its character from a classic English damask wallpaper by Zoffany, which also complements the large, painted bed.

When approaching any project, Moe’s underlying design philosophy is one that consistently ensures success time after time: “I always strive to strike the right balance of intuition, simplicity and authenticity to ultimately deliver a finished product that our clients will love and feel comfortable living in”.

“I always strive to strike the right balance of intuition, simplicity and authenticity”

Moe Draz

Images courtesy of : Photography by Katie Charlotte

From Harper’s Bazaar Interiors’ Summer 2024 issue