Easy Elegance

A view of the house at dusk showing the new garage, connected by a porte cochere, to the contemporary house. Warm lights illuminate the house from within.
A walkway to the main entrance and porte cochere is adorned with plantings and landscape lights.
The porte cochere and breezeway, a series of roofed forms is articulated by heavy steel columns and beams.
A clean connection detail between steel beams and column under the roof of the porte cochere. A sculptural rain chain elegantly carries water away from the gutters.
A lower level patio is shaded by an upper level balcony, connected by an open-riser steel staircase.
An open-riser steel staircase with wood treads descends from the deck into the green yard.
A contemporary kitchen with numerous windows, skylights, dark cabinetry, marble countertops and black window trim.
An open and bright dining space, adjacent to the kitchen, with coffered ceiling and built-in central cabinetry.
A staircase, in the center of the vaulted-ceiling space, descends to the lower level.
Large sliding doors connect the living room to the deck. Dark wood floor-to-ceiling built-ins with a linear gas fireplace create an elegant and timeless living space.
Large windows and skylights illuminate the primary bathroom fitted with double vanities and custom dark wood cabinetry.
Custom floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in the primary bathroom adds an element of drama and functionality to the space.
A large walk-in primary closet lined with built-in storage. A large central window illuminates a seating area.
A generous pantry with clean, white built-in storage, wine racks, cabinetry and counter space.
Large glass doors open onto a open patio at dusk.
Wildflowers and shrubs line the entrance to the house which glows from within at dusk.

Chatham County, NC

General Contractor: Distinctive Remodeling

Photos: Marilyn Peryer

Located among idyllic North Carolina horse pastures, this quirky existing house was in need of a large-scale transformation. With the goal of enjoying many peaceful years of retirement here, the program called for a new garage, gardening workshop, porte cochere, courtyard and deck, along with expansions and renovations to the kitchen, family room and owner’s suite. The garage, gardening workshop and porte cochere act as an extension of the house into the landscape, providing functional exterior spaces and a sense of welcoming. A favorite feature is the exterior open-riser steel staircase which has become a sculptural element in the garden. The whole-house interior renovations aim to make the house more contemporary, accessible, and spacious. The owners had clear aesthetic preferences, leading to sophisticated material selections and sleek interior finishes. Energy efficiency was achieved through a tighter building envelope and the installation of solar panels.

A contemporary kitchen with numerous windows, skylights, dark cabinetry, marble countertops and black window trim.
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BEFORE

After

AFTER

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BEFORE

After

AFTER

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BEFORE

A lower level patio is shaded by an upper level balcony, connected by an open-riser steel staircase.

AFTER