This simple ranch home near Bolin Forest in Carrboro presented several design challenges: the kitchen was closed off visually and functionally from the living and dining areas and an awkward cathedral space was gloomy and only seemed to emphasize the narrowness of the space.

One major design goal was to open up the kitchen to the living spaces and to create areas that were functionally connected while remaining visually distinct from each other. The second goal was to add a master bedroom suite. These goals were accomplished by pushing out a new gable into the back yard. The fall on the land allowed us to make the compact addition two stories with the master bedroom below and the living room above. Switching the direction of the cathedral ceiling towards the rear of the home enabled us to open it up to the sky and the wonderful view through the treetops to the north. To bring in more natural light, Solatubes were added in the living room.
 
The kitchen essentially stayed in the same place but was enlarged by pushing it out into the new space. Removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining areas made a dramatic difference in the relationship between the spaces. The kitchen is connected to the dining and living rooms with a seated bar area that has a reclaimed heart pine top. The new, airy kitchen has beautiful personal details like the locally made custom tile backsplash, concrete tile countertops  and display ledges made from recycled heart pine. The structural wall in the kitchen remained but we carved out niches for the owner’s clay houses. The dining room is defined with soffit and valence lighting and the yellow ceiling.

As the front door is also the everyday entry, built-in cabinets created efficient alcoves for a “mudroom” equipped with a bench, shoe cubbies and coat hooks and a mail sorting area with recycling bins underneath….even a cat door allows access to a hidden litter area closed off in the laundry closet.

The spectacular spiral staircase takes you down to the master bedroom that has radiant concrete floors and a lovely private patio. Adjacent to the bedroom, the master bathroom features concrete countertops, locally made cabinets, a large walk-in shower, separate soaking tub and lots of natural light.