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Modern Matter Blog
Inside Modern Matter Co-Founder Lee Woodard’s Home in Virginia Beach
Designing a Beautiful, Family-Focused Home
Lee Woodard knows that a beautiful home also has to keep up with real life. As co-founder of Modern Matter and part of a family with five teenagers, Lee approached her recent renovation with a focus on comfort, character, and the way her family actually lives.
Inspired by her Virginia roots and life near the beach, the home pairs blue hues, natural materials, and an easy sense of polish with distinctive Modern Matter hardware. Solid brass Bamboo Cabinet Hardware brings sculptural detail to the kitchen and wet bar, while the Maddison and Cosmos bath collections add elegance and continuity to the home’s more intimate spaces.
We sat down with Lee to talk about her personal style, designing for a busy family of seven, the influence of Virginia Beach, and the thoughtful details that make her home feel collected, welcoming, and entirely her own.
Q: Your home feels polished but still easy and welcoming. How would you describe your personal style, and has it changed over the years?
A: I'd describe my style as timeless, collected, and livable. I love mixing traditional and modern pieces, natural materials, and details that have character. Over the years, I've become less focused on everything matching and more interested in creating a home that reflects our family. With five teenagers and two dogs, I've learned that homes—and the things in them—are meant to be lived in, not just looked at. I wanted spaces where family and friends naturally gather, relax, and enjoy being together.
Q: You grew up in Richmond and have now raised your family near the beach. How has living in Virginia Beach influenced the colors, materials, or overall feeling of your home?
A: Living near the water has definitely influenced my style, but in a subtle way. I gravitate toward blues, natural textures, and light-filled spaces that feel calm and relaxed. I wanted our home to capture that peaceful feeling without feeling overly coastal.
Q: You designed this home for a large family of seven. How did your family's routines, personalities, and needs shape the renovation?
A: Every decision started with how our family actually lives. We wanted a home where everyone naturally gravitates toward one another—whether it's cooking in the kitchen, relaxing on the screened porch, or gathering by the fire to watch a movie—but that never feels crowded. Those are the moments we designed for. The goal was to create a house that feels welcoming, comfortable, and full of life.
Q: The kitchen is often the heart of a busy family home. What did you want yours to feel like, and what mattered most when you were designing it?
A: The kitchen is my favorite room in the house, and where I spend most of my time, so I wanted it to be a place I genuinely enjoy spending time every day. I filled it with things I love, designed it to take advantage of the natural light, and made sure I could enjoy the views of the greenery outside. It needed to function beautifully for our family, but I also wanted it to be a room that felt peaceful and inspiring—whether I'm cooking, working, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee while everyone comes and goes.
Q: You chose Modern Matter's Bamboo Collection for both the kitchen and wet bar. What first drew you to the collection, and why did it feel right for these spaces?
A: I've always loved the Bamboo Collection because it's classic, elegant, and never feels trendy. The collection has beautiful sculptural details that add warmth and personality without overwhelming the space. It's actually the one thing I get the most compliments on in my kitchen. People notice it immediately, and it always starts a conversation. It felt like the perfect choice for both the kitchen and the wet bar.
Q: The wet bar connects beautifully to the kitchen and living room, while having its own personality. Did you have entertaining in mind when you designed it, and how does your family use the space?
A: I actually didn't realize how much we'd use it. It has become one of those spaces everyone naturally gravitates toward when we're entertaining, but it's just as much a part of our everyday life. Whether it's coffee in the morning, serving drinks when friends stop by, or setting out food for family gatherings, it's constantly being used. I love that it feels connected to the kitchen while still having its own personality.
Q: Powder rooms are the perfect place to have a little fun. What inspired yours, and what made the Maddison Towel Ring and Toilet Paper Holder, paired with Dogwood Pulls, the right finishing touches?
A: I think powder rooms are the perfect place to do something unexpected. I fell in love with the Thibaut wallpaper, and it really became the inspiration for the entire room. The Maddison Bath Collection was the perfect complement—it feels like jewelry for the space without competing with the wallpaper. Paired with the Dogwood Pulls, everything came together in a way that feels elegant, layered, and a little unexpected.
Q: In the primary bathroom, you paired Clementine Collection with the Cosmos Bath Collection. How did you bring the two collections together, and what is your favorite part of the finished space?
A: The Clementine Collection and the Cosmos Bath Collection complement each other beautifully because they share the same attention to detail without feeling overly matched. Together they create a space that feels calm, elegant, and relaxing—which is exactly what I wanted.
Q: Every home has a few details that tell its story. What are some of your favorite pieces, rooms, artwork, or design moments throughout the house?
A: One of my favorite things about our home is how much natural light fills the rooms. Keeping the walls fairly neutral allows the artwork, family photographs, antiques, and newer pieces to become the focus without feeling overwhelming. It was important to me that our home feel comfortable and welcoming while also reflecting who we are. I can tell you the story behind almost every piece of furniture or piece of art in our home. Each one reminds us of a place, a person, or a moment in our lives, and together they tell our family's story.
Q: How do you balance beautiful interiors with five children, two large dogs, and the realities of everyday family life?
A: I've learned that a beautiful home should be lived in, not preserved. Between five teenagers, Rebel and Lucy Lu, and a steady stream of family and friends, our house gets a lot of use—and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd much rather have a house full of life than one that's always picture-perfect.
Q: Modern Matter recently expanded its bath hardware collection. Now that you are living with the new pieces in your own home, what do you love most about them?
A: What I've noticed most is how seamlessly they fit into our daily lives. They feel substantial, beautifully made, and every finish has held up incredibly well. The collections complement the rest of the home without calling attention to themselves, which is exactly what I hoped for. They're one of those details you appreciate more and more over time.
A: What do you think the right hardware adds to a room beyond function?
Q: I've always called hardware the jewelry of the home because it's often the detail that gives a room its personality. It can make cabinetry feel custom, reinforce the architecture, or introduce a subtle layer of character. It's usually one of the last decisions you make, but it has one of the biggest impacts.
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