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Mill House The Modern dwellings

ARCHITECTURE OF DAVIDSON HOME RETAINS ROOTS IN TOWN HISTORY

by Bek Mitchell-Kidd photography by Ken Noblezada

here’s always something happening in Davidson, but an entire house rolling down the street isn’t something you’d normally expect to see. The 90-year-old former mill home was traveling from its original location of Delburg Street two miles down the road to Dogwood Lane.

“The most memorable part of the move was when the house went by the Brickhouse Tavern’s outdoor patio,” says Rodney Graham, builder and owner of John Marshall Custom Homes, T

Interior design for the home takes its inspiration from European cottages, Scandinavian lake houses, early 20th century Southern homes, and California beach bungalows.

Builder Rodney Graham added a front porch to the home after its move to Dogwood Lane.

Inc. “This was pre-COVID-19 of course, and there were a lot of jokes by patrons remarking that they didn’t realize they’d been drinking so much. It’s not every day you see a house drive by.” Moving a mill home to the spot on Dogwood Lane wasn’t in the original plans, though. “I actually had a contract to build a much larger, new home on the Dogwood Lane lot, but opted to move the mill house over because it seemed to be a better fit. It was also appealing to save a historic home rather than tear it down,” says Graham. “I believe the mill house is a perfect fit for this corner lot, and the neighbors who have reached out seem to agree. It looks like it has always been there.”

According to town history, The Delburg Cotton Mill originally opened in Davidson in 1907 and the surrounding mill village housed around 300 people in its heyday. The mill closed in 1947 and now houses offices and the aforementioned Brickhouse Tavern.

A myriad of design inspiration

After the move, Graham partnered with interior designer, Mary Alice Mitchell, owner and lead designer at Blackwell Interiors. Mitchell brought a mixture of design elements to the home drawing inspiration from European cottages, Scandinavian lake houses, early 20th century Southern homes, and California beach bungalows.

Working together, Graham and Mitchell

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The bathrooms have a clean and modern design while featuring streamlined design features that give a nod to the architectural styles of the 1930s.

were able to keep much of the original roofing, siding, flooring, and most of the framing, which was in great shape. Bumping out the walls increased the square footage from 1,000 to 1,225 square feet, but it was the decision to vault the ceilings that really maximized the space of the tiny-esque home.

“Without question the decision to vault the ceilings, and support the roof with large beams, was the most impactful design decision. It really opened up the house, and created the opportunity for a loft, and the beams and plank ceiling create a stunning visual effect,” says Graham.

“The loft was a huge selling point for me,” says Joe Noto, a 16-year Lake Norman resident who purchased the home. “The higher ceiling added light and airiness making it feel like a much bigger house. My youngest daughter loves the loft for hanging out and she even sleeps up there sometimes.”

The home is an open concept. When you walk in the front door you can see straight back to other side of the house where the master bedroom is located. “Conversely, I can just see through the front door window when lying in bed. It’s nice having so many windows in the house. I love all the light,” says Noto.

The kitchen is a great illustration of how to do a lot with a little. Graham and Mitchell made smart use of the space, with a nod to the past in an area clearly crafted with the conveniences of today. The cabinetry in the kitchen perimeter is recessed. The exterior wall was bumped out approximately two feet, and the refrigerator and pantry sit in what was originally one of the bedrooms.

Mitchell kept the color palette to white, blue, and grey, bringing out warmth with touches of wood, polished nickel, and brass. The beams are whitewash which helps maintain a cozy cottage feel.

An essential add-on

One thing Graham knew he would be adding, even before the move, was a front porch. “Front porches bring you out to the front of the house where you can interact with your neighbors and pedestrians, as opposed to backyard decks that can keep you isolated.” Noto adds that the front porch makes the house feel bigger, saying, “With the COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing, more folks are taking walks. Saying hello to my new neighbors from the beautiful front porch as they walk by has been really nice.”

A native dogwood tree was added by the front porch. “Its understated beauty nestles in perfectly with the neighborhood on Dogwood Lane,” says Noto. “Just like this house.”

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