Sycamore House

Bright and airy interior with open living room, dining and kitchen with large windows overlooking a wooded site
The house glows from within at dusk, surrounded by a lush garden and trees
A bright and cozy seating area with built-in bookshelves and a terra cotta tiled fireplace
A collage of two images of the living room showing the seating area surrounded by windows and the row of skylights that bring a peaceful glowing light into the space
A bright and clean kitchen with warm wood cabinets, open storage shelves and a large window over the sink. Double doors connect the kitchen to the screened porch.
A person walks down a hallway lined with windows and low built-in bookshelves
A simple yet sophisticated bedroom with a cozy seating area with corner windows and a door connecting the space to a porch
A collage of two photos of the bathroom showing the vanity with an above-counter sink, generous cabinets and unique blue tile floors
A cozy screened porch feels nestled among the trees with a covered deck connecting to the bedroom
The house's unique dark blue exterior and low ranch-style form allow it to blend in with its wooded surroundings
A view of an outdoor brick patio at dusk, with cozy seating under deep overhangs.

Chapel Hill, NC

General Contractor: Clark Poe – Clark Poe Construction

Photos: © Arsalan Abbasi

The desire for open-plan living, larger spaces, and extensive natural light led to the total transformation of a fifties ranch for a young family relocating to Chapel Hill. The existing envelope provided enough area to meet the family’s needs, but the building’s condition and layout called for a total rethinking and complete renovation. The new design addresses issues of adjacency, room size, circulation, natural light, storage, energy efficiency and deferred maintenance. The addition of windows and skylights, new decks, energy efficient systems, and a bold exterior color converted an outdated ranch into a home for 21st century living.

A panoramic view of the bright open living space with cathedral ceilings, built-in book shelves, warm wood floors and large windows
A cozy screened porch feels nestled among the trees with a covered deck connecting to the bedroom
The house glows from within at dusk, surrounded by a lush garden and trees