A Charlotte Home Bathed in Light, Texture, and Modern Romance
Tour a Charlotte, NC home designed by Ro House Studio, featuring clean lines, soft curves, and a stunning marble-adorned kitchen. Image: Laura Sumrak
At first glance, this Charlotte new-build feels polished and timeless, with clean architectural lines and a warm, welcoming presence. But beyond the thoughtfully tailored façade lies a home with a story that evolved mid-design and ultimately became richer because of it. (We’re particularly fond of the hidden pantry!) And thanks to Hill Rondero, founder and creative force behind Ro House Studio, the end result is exactly what you want a “new” home to feel like: layered, lived-in, and quietly brimming with personality.
Known for effortlessly blending history and modernity with layered textures, depth, and a subtle sense of whimsy, Hill took on this project early in the process, collaborating closely with the client and builder to shape the home from the ground up.
“This project came with a fun backstory,” Hill says. “Claudia, my original client, was referred to us by her sister Vickie (one of our past clients), whose home we fully renovated just six houses down in the same neighborhood.”
As the story goes, Claudia purchased the lot from luxury home builder Simonini, and Ro House Studio jumped right in. “We made updates to the interior floor plan, tweaked the exterior façade, developed a landscape plan, and designed a custom pool,” Hill explains. “We also handled all the selections throughout the home — from Emtek door hardware to Kohler plumbing fixtures — making sure every detail felt cohesive and intentional.”
Construction began in July 2023, but during the two-year build, family circumstances underwent significant changes. “During that time, Claudia decided not to move to Charlotte after all,” Hill shares. “Since her father was funding the build, and Vickie and her family already lived nearby, he decided to take over the home.”
As a result, the finished house became home to Vickie and her family. “Vickie ended up selling her house down the street and moving into this one, renting it from her dad until her family relocates to Florida in a few years,” Hill says.
Rather than requiring a complete design reset, the transition allowed Hill to thoughtfully reinterpret familiar pieces in a brand-new setting. “Most of the furniture and art came from Vickie’s previous home, which we had also designed,” she says. “But with a new layout, we approached her pieces like a design library — mixing and matching them in new ways to give the space a fresh perspective.”
To complement those existing elements, “we added a few key new items, like dining room furniture and island stools, to better fit the new layout.”
That careful balance of old and new is evident throughout the home, which features five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms. The overall feel is layered and elevated, but never too precious. It’s designed to support the needs of a busy blended family of five.
The kitchen is one of the home’s most visually striking spaces, thanks to its marble-wrapped surfaces and refined layout. “The original floor plan had the island oriented sideways to what it currently is,” Hill explains. “Reconfiguring it made a huge difference in both flow and function.”
Marble was selected for the countertops and backsplash, bringing both drama and timeless appeal to the heart of the home.
One of the kitchen’s most distinctive features is tucked discreetly out of sight. “One of our favorite features is the hidden pantry access, which is concealed behind custom cabinetry,” Hill says. “It’s a detail that took some problem-solving but was worth it.” Inside, custom iron shelving adds both structure and visual interest.
Along the refrigerator wall, custom iron-and-glass upper cabinets (crafted by a local metalworker) add lightness and architectural detail. According to Hill, these layered elements help prevent the space from feeling overly heavy with cabinetry while still delivering ample storage.
Another space that received attention during the design process is the primary bathroom. “This project definitely had some thoughtful design moments that took time to get just right, and those details now truly shine,” Hill says. “We spent a lot of time refining the primary bathroom, and it’s easily one of the standout spaces in the home.”
The foundation of the room is a honed, diamond-pattern marble floor that lends a sense of quiet elegance. A custom metal shower enclosure, also created in collaboration with a local metalworker, introduces an architectural edge, while a chandelier suspended above the tub adds a soft, unexpected element.
“The chandelier above the tub is the final touch; it instantly elevates the room into a serene, spa-like retreat,” Hill says. “Our client has called it her favorite room in the house, and we totally agree.”
Throughout the home, details like hardware and plumbing finishes provide continuity, while custom drapery from The Shade Store softens each room and adds a tailored finish. These thoughtfully layered choices reinforce a sense of cohesion from space to space.
“These carefully layered details are what give the home its personality — elevated but completely livable,” Hill says.
Completed in 2025 after approximately two years of design and construction, the home stands as a testament to thoughtful collaboration, adaptability, and the value of allowing a design to evolve alongside the people who will live in it.
What began as a new build tailored to one vision ultimately became something even more personal … a home that honors its past, embraces its present, and is ready for whatever comes next.
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Lead Nashville Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.