Kemp | Norfolk, Va

Built in 1902, this Mowbray Arch home in Norfolk, Virginia tells a story of history, preservation, and personal passion. Our clients, both young doctors with active children, were determined to honor the home’s architectural legacy while making it a comfortable place for family life. As true purists, they approached the project with an extraordinary dedication to authenticity. Every detail was considered, from period hardware and antique lighting to carefully selected document wall coverings that echo the era of the home’s construction.

Antiques play a central role in the design, not only grounding the interiors in history but also reflecting the couple’s appreciation for collecting. Their personal pieces, layered with new finds, add warmth and a sense of continuity throughout the house. The result is a residence that feels both timeless and deeply personal—an elegant reflection of the past, thoughtfully restored for the present, and ready to be lived in fully by the next generation.

Kitchen with white cabinetry, black countertops, wooden chairs, and a black island with a glass vase and fruit bowl.
A kitchen with white cabinets, glass-fronted upper cabinets displaying glassware and dishes, a black countertop, and a backsplash with white tiles. There is a large white ceiling light, a vase with greenery, and some decorative items on the counterto
An elegant green bar cabinet with glass-fronted upper doors filled with bottles, gold knobs, surrounded by gold and brown patterned wallpaper. The lower part features a black countertop with various bottles, glasses, and decorative items, including a
A green bar cabinet with glass doors and gold handles, displaying bottles of alcohol, shot glasses, and decorative items in a room with patterned wallpaper and wooden flooring.
A spacious kitchen with white cabinetry, a central island with a black countertop, and wooden chairs. Two large pendant lights hang above the island. There are windows with beige valances, and a wooden range hood over the stove. The countertops have
Kitchen with white cabinets, black countertops, a double sink with chrome faucets, a small black bowl with limes, some cookbooks, and a beige rug on wood flooring.