Charlotte-based Cheryl Luckett brings a sense of vibrant color and personality to everything she creates, from interior design projects throughout the South to her own product collections, particularly her line of pieces for Wildwood. Her Southern roots give her an appreciation for both grandeur as well as hospitality, as she says, making for a unique combination of elements that is distinctly her own. We spoke with Cheryl about her evolution in the design world, how she sees herself as a “hunter and gatherer” of different styles for her clients, and how she develops her gorgeous products. See what she had to say below, and be sure to shop her curation of Chairish favorites.
First and foremost, how would you describe your personal style?
I lean pretty “new school” traditional. My aesthetic includes classic forms with a punch of color and personality. My signature is color and pattern; it comes in different styles but those two elements are always there.
How have your Southern roots influenced your design style?
I grew up in the Deep South, so I come from a place where there is an appreciation for formality and grandeur, but there is an equal appreciation for hospitality. This combination definitely informs my style. There is a welcoming nature about the spaces we create. They are beautiful but also very livable and that resonates with everyone.
You have a passion for fashion, inherited from your family’s involvement in the industry. How is this showcased in your work?
Growing up in a family of women who sewed meant spending lots of time at the fabric store, playing with notions and patterns and designing my own dresses as a kid. Those same dressmaker details are now part of my designs. Whether it’s a skirt, a fancy pleat, or a detail on a lamp, that influence always seems to surface.
You have mentioned that you “believe your clients should dwell in a home they love.” Can you tell us what you mean by that?
We don’t just create pretty spaces. We create the feeling of home. Welcoming, comforting, easy. When your home feels like that, you never want to leave! That’s what we create for our clients—spaces that feel like home. Spaces where they and their loved ones want to linger. Spaces that just feel good. Of course, aesthetics and functionality are key in our projects, but in a sense, they’re the means to an end. We specialize in using style and practicality as tools for creating the inviting, nurturing, restorative feeling of home our clients long for.
The Cheryl Luckett for Wildwood Collection is so beautiful. Tell us about how this collaboration came to life and what it means to you.
Since I was young, I’ve always understood the ability that lighting has to change the entire mood of a space. I can recall being tasked with cleaning the family room and after finishing, turning off all the overhead lights and instead turning on all the lamps. In my mind, that made things warm and cozy and it just felt good. It’s a belief that definitely spills over into my designs.
As a longtime admirer of Wildwood and a customer, I was thrilled when they reached out about the opportunity to partner to produce a collection of lighting, furnishings, and home decor. Much like my interior projects, this collection is inspired by my appreciation for classical design elements, a belief that our homes should reflect our culture, and a love of all things colorful. Honestly, it was a match made in heaven.
You describe yourself as a “hunter and a gatherer” who loves the thrill of finding one-of-a-kind pieces. What’s your personal philosophy when it comes to inserting vintage finds and antiques in your spaces?
Adding vintage elements is one of my go-to tactics for adding history and interest to a room. We work to create spaces that feel as if they were collected and curated over time, and when that’s not the case, vintage furnishings and decor can help to create that feeling.
On Chairish & Vintage Shopping…
What do you find most compelling about Chairish?
There is great value in creating a home that feels collected and meaningful. However, after beginning my career in design, it didn’t take me long to realize that not everyone has amassed a collection of unique and meaningful home furnishings and decor. Chairish allows me to find those special pieces that clients didn’t even know they needed. In the end, I’m able to curate things for a home that make it feel as if it were assembled over time, even if it wasn’t.
How does sustainability factor into your design choices and love of vintage?
It just makes good sense. While I’ve always had a love for vintage items, the “do good” element of knowing that I’m giving new life to something old and keeping it out of a landfill is a huge bonus.
Are there any dream vintage/antique “gets” you wish you could have?
One day I’m hoping to stumble upon anything made by Thomas Day. He was a free Black man and talented cabinet and furniture maker who produced beautiful furnishings and architectural elements. He was also from North Carolina, so I feel like this could increase my chances of one day acquiring a piece.
What are three of your favorite pieces on Chairish now?
I love this surrealist photograph by Fares Micue; this 1920’s Chinese Art Deco rug; and this secretary reproduction of Thomas Day.
Some Design Favorites…
Favorite way to create a statement-making moment in a room:
Bold drapery
Favorite decorating “cheap thrill:”
Antique goodies. The more obscure the location, the better the finds. I count on them for decorative items that add a special touch.
Favorite iconic piece of vintage design:
I’m a big-time textiles girl and love Pyne Hollyhock by Schumacher. I scored a 14-yard roll for less than $50 at a local flea market years ago.
Favorite paint color:
I love a good neutral paint. Because I typically layer on color and pattern in high doses, neutral walls usually appeal to me. I’m loving Accessible Beige and Shiitake from Sherwin Williams right now.
Favorite piece of decor in your home:
I love the Anderson banquette from the Cheryl Luckett collection for Sylvester Alexander. It lives in my kitchen and shaped the entire renovation of the space a couple of years ago.
Favorite designer or artist from the past you most often turn to for inspiration:
Romare Bearden
Favorite style icon:
Meghan Markle
Design destination every creative should visit at least once:
New Orleans
Best piece of career advice you’ve ever received:
Be careful not to let people who don’t matter too much, matter too much.
Some Lifestyle Favorites…
Favorite vacation destination:
Napa Valley
Favorite hotel that’s inspired your work while traveling:
Favorite restaurant:
Barrel and Fork, in Cornelius, North Carolina
Favorite small museum:
Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, Mississippi
Favorite podcast:
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow:
@sarahrichardson, @zapatas_cleaning_services, and @adamgrant
Favorite hostess (or thank you) gift:
It may be simplistic but a hand-written note will always top my list. There’s something really special about a well-written thank you, even to a hostess for a fabulous time had.
Favorite flower:
White peony
Favorite adult beverage:
Wine
Favorite way to unwind at home:
A long bubble bath
Favorite entertaining essential:
Give me all the charcuterie.
Lead image by Laura Sumrak
