For Charlotte dwellers looking to escape the daily bustle, the surrounding lake communities provide ideal locales for weekend residences. Found just a short drive from the Queen City, Lake Tillery has long been a favorite respite of homeowners Jennifer and Al Behr, who previously owned a house there in a quiet cove. Affording a slower pace than other Charlotte-area lakes, the destination eventually offered the couple the perfect opportunity to build right beside the water, such that weekends with their four young daughters can now be spent paddleboarding, fishing and wakeboarding. “Even though it’s only an hour from Charlotte, it feels like we’re retreating somewhere farther,” Jennifer notes.
Bolstering that sense of “being away from it all” was the duo the Behrs tapped for their interiors: Kelley Lentini and Berkeley Minkhorst of House of Nomad. The designers’ brand is as dynamic as it is well-traveled. “We’re known for our underlying aesthetic of ‘global modern,’ ” shares Minkhorst, who frequently jets off with Lentini to such diverse destinations as Mexico, Morocco, Bali and beyond. An expanded world view—and the collectibles they bring back from their far-flung excursions—directly impacts the international flair of their clients’ homes, including that of the Behrs. “It makes the biggest difference,” Minkhorst continues, “in giving your home a connection to something beyond the here and now.” In this case, the clients enthusiastically approved layered details and accessories that range from Turkish rugs and Italian tile to textural baskets from Oaxaca, Mexico—all of which serve as colorful accents and conversation starters in their new abode.
Joining the project from the ground up, the designers worked directly with general contractor Jeffrey Webb—suggesting tweaks to architectural plans drawn by residential designer Randy Barfield—to fully realize their clients’ vision for a vacation residence. Among the couple’s top priorities were a large bunk room similar to the one their family had enjoyed at their previous lake house, plus a sizeable screened porch, wood-burning fireplace and spaces that support ease of entertaining within a free-flowing layout.
Given the home’s lush location along the foothills of the Uwharrie Mountains, everyone wanted wood to play a starring role. Areas of focus included enhancing Barfield’s exposed cathedral ceilings with a mix of stained and white-painted beams, then complementing his concept with a streamlined wood range hood and arched double doors to the scullery. Throughout the entirety of the house, white oak floors play a unifying role. Still, “Although we were bringing the outside in, we didn’t want it to be overly rustic,” Lentini says. “The home has a casual feel, but we wanted to layer in sophistication, too.” Bold blue cabinetry in the kitchen and an even more saturated shade in the bunk room echo the hues of the watery vistas beyond the windows. Adds Lentini: “This house is surrounded by nature with an incredible view, so it was important to speak to that.”
Approaching each space with the aim of enhancing these foundational materials, the designers selected a mix of rounded and angular furnishings to bring balance and infuse personality. Curvy upholstery lends a contemporary foil to the home’s traditional structure, while a kinetic wallpaper in the breakfast area plays off recurring motifs of straight lines and natural colors, but still makes a statement via a contemporary pattern.
Layering is always a key step in the process for Lentini and Minkhorst, who enhanced the Behr residence using color, pattern and texture. The latter is especially evident in their selections of lighting; fixtures made of rattan and coconut shell mingle with vintage accessories and artisan ceramics—many acquired abroad—injecting tactility at every turn. “These one-of-a-kind pieces introduce a sense of depth that you just can’t get from sourcing all manufactured or new,” Minkhorst notes. While some designers shop from a tightly curated collection of brands, “Kelley and I are sourcing from thousands globally,” the designer continues. “It requires a little more effort, but for us, it’s all about the discovery behind what we find, about attempting to create something entirely unique.”
Although markedly different from their main residence in Charlotte, Jennifer and Al were ultimately won over by their designers’ light and modern approach. “I appreciate an eclectic mix, and Kelley and Berkeley shop from literally all over the world,” shares Jennifer, pointing to a few items that arrived slowly from Turkey. Still—much in the way of her family’s dream house by the lake—it turns out, good things are well worth the wait.
