Kindred Spirits

The welcoming entrance to this Highlands, North Carolina, home belies its generous interior.

Old French herb-drying racks inspired the sweeping display of treasures above a Bungalow Classic sofa. The lumbar pillow is covered with hand-painted Holland & Sherry fabric.

A French-inspired portiere in dramatic green linen by Avant Garde hangs between the living room and sunroom. The otherwise classic space gets an unexpected twist through a whitewashed root table from B.D. Jeffries and an edgy, aubergine occasional chair by Mr. Brown London. A large, mixed-media painting of a hunting dog by Vivian Jendzio hangs above the stone fireplace.

he dining room’s refined-yet-rustic aesthetic is anchored in a custom farm table, hand-colored Lo Forti Fine Prints botanical prints and gothic-style iron chandelier by Dennis & Leen. 

Leather barstools have a prime perch at the marble-topped, half-circle kitchen bar. Charcoal-stained cabinets fitted with leaded mirror inserts reflect the lush treescape from the sunroom windows. 

An antique trumeau mirror and Holland MacRae iron lamps fashioned from old stair railings adorn a custom buffet from Tritter Feefer. A Holland MacRae armchair, upholstered in Brunschwig & Fils leopard needlepoint 20 years ago, sits beside

A guest room’s palette is inspired by patinaed shutters that hang behind end tables. Embroidered window fabric is from Thibaut and the patterned pillow fabric is from Jane Shelton.

The corner nook of a guest room features a Black Forest framed mirror over a writing desk and leather chair.

A guest room balances old and new with framed map etchings and a vintage English bamboo chest paired with a new metal starburst mirror. The zebra print on the lounge chair is from Kravet.

“Starting and finishing my day in relaxing colors and fabrics is a must,” says designer and homeowner Anne Erbesfield of the ethereal primary bedroom. The sage drapes and pillow fabric are Madeaux by Richard Smith, and the blanket was custom-made from an embroidered fabric by Barbara Barry for Kravet.

A lower-level guest room is airy and light-filled, with linens by Leitner and Peacock Alley.

Hand-colored hummingbird prints from Toby West Antiques in Cashiers flank the antique walnut armoire.

Leather swivel chairs by Lee Industries and a large sectional provide ample seating for conversation or watching a big game. The coffee table is made from an old door and has iron rivets and strapping. The window fabric is from Anna French, with linen trim and metal studs from Samuel & Sons.

Six acrylic-and-charcoal deer paintings by Carrie Penley hang behind a cafe table and mesh bistro chairs on the lower-level landing.

On the screened porch, the Summer Classics sectional is a welcoming conversation spot. Two old white shutters purchased from a side-of-the-road antiques stand flank the window to the kitchen.

The vaulted front screened porch is popular for early morning coffee and late afternoon cocktails. The sweeping stone fireplace features an interesting wood dovecote.

Anne Erbesfield and Cathleen Carrington are designers, business partners, sisters and best friends. For more than 30 years, they’ve worked together to create beautiful interiors for their clients in Atlanta, playing off each other’s design sensibilities and sense of fun. It’s not uncommon for one sister to visit the other’s home and stealthily rearrange decor to the delight of the other. This kindred design perspective and humor-forward approach has fortified their relationship beyond the typical bounds of sisterhood. “We’re best friends,” says Erbesfield.

And after a visit to the North Carolina High Country, Erbesfield found the perfect mountain retreat that was a short walk from the charming downtown, featured a spectacular view of Satulah Mountain and had plenty of extra space to host family and friends.

The designer wanted a vacation home that celebrated her love of travel, antiques and art, and with Carrington’s help, she deftly embellished spaces with an eclectic mix of treasured finds acquired over more than 30 years of European travel. “So much of the art and accessories have a travel story, some very funny to retell,” says Erbesfield.

In the living room, they turned a one-and-a-half story wall into a soaring composition, anchored by old French herb-drying racks. “They were covered in dirt and so expensive,” Erbesfield recalls with a laugh. “The shop owner said, ‘That’s French dirt, and you’re getting it
for free.’”

Antique etchings, tramp art frames, pewter, white pottery and architectural fragments also enrich the living room canvas, along with a number of contemporary accents like a whitewashed root cocktail table and aubergine occasional chair. “With an experienced eye, the mix of vintage with new complements both styles,” says Erbesfield of the sisters’ aptitude for amping up intrigue with edgy pieces.

For a splash of color, the duo applied a portiere in dramatic green linen between the living room and sunroom. “It creates a grand entrance, enhances the verdant scene outside and adds a softness,” says Erbesfield. The hue is echoed on Baker club chairs that have been re-covered many times and displayed in four different homes. “Repurposing pieces and collections gives them a fresh new perspective,” says Carrington.

White shiplap walls lend a crisp, cozy feel heightened by harmonious arrangements of antiques and accessories for an effect that feels like a welcome embrace. In the dining room, hand-colored Lo Forti Fine Prints botanical prints and other earthy elements—such as an antique terracotta urn filled with horns and a gothic-style iron chandelier—project a casual warmth.

Each bedroom has its own personality without being overtly themed. The primary bedroom is awash in an ethereal palette and balanced mix of old and new finds. “The walnut armoire is an antique from a buying trip to France 23 years ago,” says Erbesfield. “It’s been housed in Atlanta, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Highlands. It goes where I go.”

And with a rotating cast of beloved guests, the duo has hit the high mark in this Highlands home. Says Erbesfield, “Every person wants a welcoming home that says, ‘Come on in, you’ll like it here.’”

INTERIOR DESIGN Anne Erbesfield & Cathleen Carrington, Parker Design Associates, Inc. ARCHITECT George Smith LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Planters, (404) 261-6002; plantersgarden.com KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGNER Beth Barfield, Beth Barfield Designs