Kelly Cooper has deep roots in Brunswick County. A West Brunswick High School graduate who started at Union Elementary (and was the first-ever Teen Miss Brunswick County), this area has shaped her and her family. It is no surprise, then, that when Kelly decorates her home, history and legacy play a big role.

Kelly has two burning passions: her family and interior design. When Kelly and her husband, Marshall, built their dream home on the Brunswick River, she let both of her passions inform her design decisions. The result is a beautiful home that artfully pairs comfort with class. With their three children – Rylee (16), Griffin (10) and Graeson (5) – the Coopers have created a home that showcases what they love alongside their family history.

“I want my house to be chic but also warm and inviting,” Kelly explained of her vision for their home. “My girlfriend tells me that I am the only person she knows that could pair camouflage with pearls and I love that! I want people to walk in and say ‘wow,’ but I also want them to kick their shoes off and get comfy on the couch.”

Kelly’s family has lived in Brunswick County for five generations. Her grandfather was a developer in the region, putting his touch on places such as Lockwood Folly and Sea Trail. The seahorses that sat on her grandfather’s shelves in his Sea Trail office ever since Kelly can remember are now showcased in the Cooper’s living room.

In the living room, Kelly integrated her grandmother’s round, glass, gold-trimmed side-table, styling it with her own personal mementos. The dining room table was also her grandmother’s, built in Sanford, North Carolina, which Kelly paired with new dining room chairs.

“I have such a respect for the legacy of family and of pieces that have memories,” Kelly said. “One of the keys to me is keeping a part of history and family in my home.”

Building their new home was not a smooth path. When Marshall’s job moved the family closer to Wilmington, the Coopers looked high and low for the perfect fit but nothing seemed right. Eventually, through a happenstance, they found their current lot and started house plans. They sold their Ocean Isle Beach home and moved into a condo in Sea Trail, intending to stay for about nine months while construction happened.

Sadly, Kelly’s father was diagnosed at the same time with terminal cancer and died just two months after the Coopers moved into the condo. As tending to family and her mother then became Kelly’s primary task, the Coopers stayed in the condo for nearly three years.

When they finally moved to their new home earlier this year, the Coopers were incredibly grateful for space to spread out and the light, airy design. Scott Lechtrecker with Ocean 3 Design helped them get every last detail right; Venture Homes executed the vision successfully. The love and thought that went into the home shows.

And at the holidays, Kelly really gets to shine!

“We have a new home this Christmas, so I wanted a new fresh design. I love decorating for any holiday because it is a chance for me to be hands-on with design. It is a nostalgic time for me, and I absolutely love it.”

Her Christmas decorations are playful yet mature. Lights twinkle, classic red trucks peek out from garland, and little surprises catch your eye wherever you look.

As 2018 comes to a close, Kelly looks forward to a future in their new house full of possibilities. An entrepreneur at heart (Kelly has owned three successful local businesses), she is dreaming about starting her own business again, one that capitalizes on her passion for design. 

But until then, at least for the holidays, she is going to be with her kids and husband.

“I love this so much. I just want to snuggle with my family on the couch, watch a good movie, and enjoy this time of year.”

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