Claire Thompson, a Mississippi-based designer and president of her namesake company, has completely reimagined an old lakefront home in Madison, Mississippi, turning it into a warm, modern sanctuary that still has Southern comfort.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom home underwent a complete renovation that included a 600-square-foot expansion, creating an elevated space. and There is plenty of room for a family of five. Claire shares her design approach, which includes lowering the ceiling to increase the area above, while creating a cozier, more intimate atmosphere on the ground floor.
Take a peek at the gorgeous transformation of this lakeside home.
1. Treat dated details as a blank canvas
Previous courtesy of Claire Thompson
Rather than dwelling on what went wrong (which is understandable) do not have In this ‘Before’ photo), Claire approached this home with a fresh perspective. “We didn’t care about the old details at all. We knew the house was a clean slate, and we were so excited!” That mindset allowed the team to immediately start rethinking the layout and aesthetic, rather than trying to “fix” the past.
2. The double-height living room has become a cozy base…
Andrew Welch Photos
One of the boldest and smartest moves was to transform the overwhelming double-height living space into something warm, inviting and inviting, and convert the extra space above it into a children’s space.
Andrew Welch Photos
“Everyone instantly said yes! The double-height living space felt a bit overwhelming and lacking in character. Lowering the ceilings created a really warm and inviting living room experience,” says Claire.
…new space for children above
Andrew Welch Photos
They converted the upper space into a patterned sleeping room and playroom. “The design added square footage for both.” and It’s a feature that every household can benefit from,” says Claire.
3. They used marble to make a statement
Andrew Welch Photos
If there’s one thing that stands out about this house, it’s the use of stone as a storytelling element. It doesn’t overwhelm the space, instead creating an eye-catching moment that looks more like art than material.
From the Calacatta Viola in the kitchen to the Breccia Capraia in the fireplace and the Calacatta Vali in the public bath, each material moment adds plenty of drama.
Andrew Welch Photos
“A few months before we started this project, I went to Dallas and saw Aria’s Viola slab and completely fell in love with it. In the layout of the house, the stones work well with each other and tie the whole house together without feeling redundant.”
All marble is sourced from Aria Stone Gallery, anchoring key spaces with rich veining and depth.
4. The combination of materials keeps it minimal and warm
Andrew Welch Photos
Minimalism can easily become cold, but not here. Claire balanced sophisticated finishes, such as large marble floors on the main floor, with softer elements, such as the staircase and white oak on the upper floors. In the master bathroom, curtains add warmth and style.
5. Designing livability from the beginning
Andrew Welch Photos
This is not the kind of house you’d be afraid to sit in. “We made sure everything was approachable, using furniture and textiles that were cozy and inviting, and making sure none of the seating elements looked expensive.”
Clean-lined Italian-made items and custom upholstery bring sophistication, but nothing is off-limits. It is a space designed not only to be viewed, but also to be used.
6. Made of durable materials, it can be used by the whole family (without sacrificing style)
Andrew Welch Photos
With three young children, durability was essential, but so was playfulness. From the walls to the windows to the bedding, these patterns and patterned moments feel both whimsical and elevated.
Andrew Welch Photos
“We chose durable rugs and textiles for the furniture,” Claire says. “We were also obsessed with marble. There’s nothing better than letting a natural material go its own way.” It’s a refreshing perspective. Rather than avoiding materials like marble, the design incorporates how materials evolve over time.
7. Add personality with lighting and textiles
Andrew Welch Photos
To soften the architecture and add visual interest, Claire layered sculptural lighting from Apparatus and Urban Electric, and playful wallpapers and textiles from Schumacher, especially in the children’s spaces.
These details add just the right amount of personality without making the home look too serious.
Andrew Welch Photos
This home manages to strike the surprisingly difficult balance of being modern but not cold, upscale but not unruly, and family friendly without compromising its design integrity. By focusing on natural materials and prioritizing what the home actually looks like, aliveClaire has created a space that is as comfortable as it looks. This is actually the end goal.
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