This mid-century modern home has been given much love over the course of its life. It is the owners’ one and only. They have lived here for nearly three decades; it was their first marital home, where they raised their family, and where they now reside as empty nesters with their pets. Rather than move, they decided to reimagine their beloved home for the next chapter of their lives, transforming it into a warm, light-filled forever home designed around the way they live now.
Set on an exceptionally large, wooded lot with expansive views, the original home did little to capitalize on its surroundings. The entry opened into a dim hallway, the floor plan felt fragmented, and the living spaces were disconnected from the patio and backyard. The redesign focused on opening the home from front to back, creating a sense of spatial continuity, and making the landscape an integral part of the interior experience.
The locations of the kitchen and dining room were swapped to position the kitchen at the heart of the home, overlooking the backyard and connecting directly to the living area, as well as to the patio, grill, and outdoor dining areas. A dropped ceiling was removed and the existing great room vault extended over the kitchen, uniting the spaces into one generous, light-filled gathering area designed equally for everyday living and entertaining friends and family.
Because the home is compact, every square foot was carefully considered. Removing one set of basement stairs created a more generous entry experience and expanded the living space, while a slatted wood screen subtly defines the spaces without blocking light or enclosing the room. The existing fireplace remained in place but was transformed into a true centerpiece. Scalloped limestone tiles wrap the fireplace wall and continue into the hallway, turning what was once a framed, punched opening into a sculptural architectural volume.
At its heart, the design is a reflection of love: for the home, for family, and for the life the owners have built here. The result is intimate and deeply personal, yet feels considerably larger, brighter, and more connected to its setting. Thoughtful spatial moves, natural materials, and a refined mid-century sensibility give the home a renewed sense of ease—honoring what has been while creating a place to be lived in and loved for decades to come.
