Traditional Southern Farmhouse Addition

She came to us with the challenge of transforming this dated ranch into a classic southern style farmhouse complete with covered porches and wood burning fireplaces.  She had dreams of hosting large parties as well as intimate family gatherings, requiring  a modern open concept layout alongside more secluded areas, all while preserving the traditional aesthetic that she desired. 

Having lived in a wide variety of homes around the country, there were some features this homeowner knew she wanted to incorporate into this major rebuild. We thoughtfully considered how to include those elements in the design while addressing several structural challenges, remaining within budget, and creating a final product that would be both stunning and practical.

Historic trim work, white oak flooring, and warm white walls provide the ideal backdrop for showcasing her treasured heirloom rugs and artwork. Incorporating numerous windows on every exterior wall possible, we were able to maximize natural light, and access panoramic views of the countryside, while allowing the fresh air to breeze through.  Multiple sets of French doors lead onto the expansive front veranda that wraps around the main living room. This deep, full-length porch is an inviting, shady spot to enjoy the outdoors.  The combination of these design features provided the framework to capture the vision she had for her home.

To identify cost-saving solutions, we closely analyzed the existing structure to see what could be salvaged.  The original foundation was adequately sized for adding a second story. This allowed us to minimally expand the existing footprint while still almost doubling the size of the house.

We kept the kitchen in its original location, but as a serious cook and avid baker, this homeowner needed professional style appliances, ample storage, and plenty of counter space. She asked that it be open to the living room and wide enough to accommodate a custom 15-foot-long farmhouse table.  We straightened the exterior walls to eliminate the unusable bump outs and odd angles so that we could achieve the desired layout and create her ideal country kitchen.

The original sunken sunroom had to be removed, but this presented the perfect opportunity to expand the living room and install a gorgeous double-sided fireplace and French doors.  The living room needed to be spacious enough for her Steinway piano without feeling cavernous. It also had to support the bulk of the second floor.  We utilized several recessed steel beams and headers to span the distances and worked with the engineers to ensure we had the necessary support without compromising on design.

A beautiful open staircase was high on her list, but she preferred it not to be the first thing to greet guests at the entryway.  Placing it at the back of the home, open to the living room, allowed it to be a lovely design feature and provided a very practical space for the kitchen’s walk-in pantry.

The original primary suite was in an area of the house where we were able to preserve the exterior walls and roof structure. With only minor adjustments to the interior walls, we transformed this space into a tucked-away guest suite, providing a lovely retreat for friends and family.

The attached garage was already perfectly situated at the back of the house, but we flipped the doors to the opposite side to allow a more natural entry for vehicles. This opened the original parking area off the back entry where there will eventually be a raised bed garden and pergola. It will be a beautiful sight from the bay windows in the dining room!

The second floor is divided into a spacious office and lounge space, a charming bunkroom designed especially for her grandchildren, and a lavish primary sanctuary.  It’s complete with a dreamy ensuite bath, an enviable walk-in closet space, and an inviting window seat perfect for relaxing. 

This project was an exciting challenge! We were happy to collaborate with the homeowner, fine-tuning the plans and sourcing the materials and selections that would result in the home of her dreams. When the project was completed, and we went to visit her home, it was one of those moments that served as a reminder of why we do what we do.  All the hard work, the small details, and many decisions brought about this amazing transformation.