Designing with Purpose: A Resident-Led Community in Charlottesville

Wilson Lee Interiors is honored to be part of the Sixth Street redevelopment in Charlottesville, Virginia-a transformative, resident-led community. We were contracted to provide the interior design for this multifamily development, which recently broke ground, working alongside the architectural team led by Grimm + Parker.

We are thrilled to see months of thoughtful planning begin to take shape.

What makes this effort so special is the heart behind it: the residents themselves. Over the course of six months, my team and I spent countless hours meeting with members of the community, hearing their stories, and gathering their input. Their feedback directly shaped our design schematics, ensuring the final outcome reflects their needs, preferences, and aspirations.

The shared spaces within the community were designed with both function and dignity in mind. These include a business center, community room, activity room, game room, and youth activity room. In addition, we created interiors for the leasing offices, building staff areas, and instructional rooms that will support ongoing programming and day-to-day operations. Each space is infused with the same level of design intention and refinement that we bring to our luxury residential work. Our goal was to create environments that feel welcoming, supportive, and beautiful.

Personally, this work carries deep meaning for me. As a designer who spent part of my childhood living in affordable housing with my grandmother, I feel a close connection to this community-centered redevelopment. It was important to me that residents not only receive functional, comfortable environments, but also experience the emotional nourishment that thoughtful design can provide.

At Wilson Lee Interiors, our design philosophy centers around Clarity, Balance, and Beauty®

• Clarity ensures that each space has a defined purpose, with layouts that support ease of movement and intuitive use.

• Balance brings harmony to materials, colors, and proportions, creating spaces that feel grounded and cohesive.

• Beauty elevates the experience, using layers of texture, pattern, color, and natural elements to create warmth and resonance.

Throughout this community, we selected finishes, materials, and furnishings that reflect these principles. Rich wood tones, soft textures, and vibrant accents are paired with clean, timeless lines to create a look that is both rooted and uplifting.

The redevelopment includes both apartment-style homes and townhomes. We were responsible for specifying all finished materials throughout the residential units as well. From cabinetry and flooring to hardware and paint, every detail was chosen with care to support resident comfort and pride of place.

It has been an honor to contribute to this community-focused effort—an initiative rooted in collaboration, care, and design excellence. For me and my team, this work is about more than interiors. It is about creating environments where people feel supported, seen, and at home.

We look forward to the completion of construction and the full installation of the common area furniture, fixtures, and equipment, as the vision developed with residents and partners continues to take shape.