Renovating a historic Charlottesville home has become a labor of love for Natalie and Matt Nichols, who saw a white Georgian house behind Farmington Country Club and envisioned a multi‑generational residence.
From Shell to Structure
The Nichols couple, both originally from Richmond and longtime affiliates of the University of Virginia, chose the property after a prior project with designers Lisa Sokol and Sarah Johnson. Natalie said they knew instantly that this was the house for them, describing the connection they felt when they saw it. The house, however, required a complete gut‑rehab.
Designers Sokol and Johnson stripped the building down to the studs, removing every wall and floor to expose a blank canvas. Architect Leigh Boyes and builder Michael Boyes—married to each other—took on the structural overhaul, a partnership the designers noted was a first for them. This collaboration allowed ideas to shift quickly, with sketches for cabinetry, millwork, and kitchen layouts flowing back and forth while the Boyes team reworked the framing.
One of the most striking changes was moving the staircase to a double‑height entry framed by bold black‑and‑white flooring. The new stairwell creates an immediate sense of arrival and sets a tone that balances historic reverence with contemporary interpretation.
Design Details and Material Choices
The ground floor now features a series of interconnected rooms that retain distinct identities yet feel cohesive. Repeating octagonal motifs appear in both millwork and painted floors, while a single shade of “British Racing Green” runs through the space, providing continuity without dictating the palette.
Interior elements were sourced from trips spanning Washington, D.C., Palm Beach, and even Charleston. The couple’s Florida home provided a logistical base for gathering pieces, though not every selection proceeded without debate. Sokol recalled that they would visit show‑rooms and have these funny arguments, noting that disagreements over British prints eventually gave way to a shared language.
Describing her aesthetic as “granny chic,” Sokol blends antiques with modern pieces. The living room showcases Soane brass étagères holding Staffordshire figurines, blue‑and‑white porcelain, and first‑edition books. A collection of Chinese snuff bottles, discovered serendipitously in Charleston, adds an unexpected layer of global intrigue.
In practice, the renovation means the Nichols will host gatherings that feel rooted in history while offering modern comforts. The careful placement of antiques alongside new furniture creates a backdrop where family stories can evolve, and the house itself becomes a living archive for future generations, as they create new memories in their historic home.
Exterior and Setting Integration
The grounds flow naturally from the interior, reinforcing the owners’ desire for a home that could “look as if you couldn’t quite place it, whether it was built 200 years ago or yesterday,” according to Sokol.
The project, spanning nearly three years, has turned a faded Georgian shell into a residence that feels ready to host generations to come, where they can enjoy the beauty of their summer garden and other outdoor spaces.
