Woodleaf

Southern Living, Aug 2001 by Belden, Derick, Clavell, Alicia K

OUR IDEA HOUSE NEAR WINSTON-SALEM IS DESIGNED TO SUIT A FAMILY WITH A BUSY LIFESTYLE.

The silence of empty pastures is giving way to the laughter of children as the new community of Kinderton begins to take shape. Home to our Woodleaf Idea House, Kinderton welcomes families with front porches, planned parks, and traditional Southern architecture.

Woodleaf lies just 10 miles west of Winston-Salem, yet it's worlds away from the bustle of city life. The home's strong, rich, yet comfortable inflections promise to lull you like a soft Carolina accent. "This is a home for today's new family," says architect Don Evans. "It offers great flexibility and provides spaces that are absolutely convertible as the family grows."

The home's exterior, a neutral palette of taupe with darker khaki accents, takes a modern approach to traditional design. The two-story front facade is inspired by folk Victorian farmhouses, which dot the North Carolina countryside. Beyond the front door, the house expands upon the site much like the family inside will-ordered, but with a sense of spontaneity.

Exterior materials made from recycled plastics, fibrous cement, PVC, and fiberglass were chosen for durability and ease. "These materials will really give you a lifetime of low to no maintenance," says builder Dick Egloff.

Inside, rooms are open and comfortable, yet bedrooms and private spaces are tucked away, providing a surprise at almost every turn. "This home works so well because it promises a cozy central living space while creating privacy for individual family members," says interior designer Linda Knight Carr. The interiors are a mixture of formal and fun; playful reminders throughout prove this home is designed with children in mind.

CASUAL ELEGANCE

Inside the front door, a welcoming foyer opens to the light-filled dining and family rooms beyond. Don and Dick used simple tapered columns to keep the space open but provide separation between living and dining spaces.

Linda mixed antiques with new furniture to blend different generations. "The dining room is somewhat French," she says, "with a reproduction cherry table, terra-cotta and cream color scheme, an antique French bench at the table, and new upholstered chairs elsewhere." Her combination represents a fun alternative to standard seating and shows that new and old can be mixed. A pair of gilded brackets serves as an elegant perch for prized paintings.

FAMILY SPACE

The family room is at the heart of the house. The comfortable space centers around the fireplace with built-ins on either side for entertainment equipment or personal collectibles. Standard white cabinets, topped with a collection of pond boats, were treated with a raw umber glaze to warm the neutral tone of the room.

"We used an ottoman as a cocktail table for additional seating," Linda says, "and to provide a softer surface for children toddling around." The chenille fabric sofa and chairs furnish sink-in seating. High-traffic areas can be home to antique pieces as well as new furniture. Here, several antique tables enrich a soft new sofa and chairs.

NEW TAKE ON A CLASSIC FEATURE

"We didn't want to get rid of the garage, but we did want to get rid of the garage door," says Don. The classic porte-cochere, located to the left of the house, ends at the third garage. By pulling the third garage space forward and connecting it to the porte-cochere, Don created covered access to the garage, minimized the street impact of the garage door, and provided an enclosed play area for the kids. "This is a great place to keep kids from playing in the street," says Dick. "The layout creates a level surface for games and sports, surrounded by natural garden areas to soften it," he adds. "The angle of the house also makes it easy to keep your eye on the children from the kitchen," says Don.

COOKING UP IDEAS

"Rich-colored granite and medium-stained cabinetry create a space that is linked to the family room," says Linda. What at first glance looks like tumbled marble on the backsplash is actually a faux finish. The faux tile coordinates with the granite countertops and provides an easy and inexpensive way to change the look of your kitchen.

Rather than a hefty cabinet island, Linda used an iron base with a pine top to visually open the room. Because cabinetry covers most walls, a lattice-patterned wallpaper decorates the ceiling. Protected from direct sunlight, fingerprints, and spills, paper on the ceiling will last longer than on a wall. A faucet by the stove (top, right) lets the cook conveniently add water to a simmering stew.

The breakfast room connects the family room to the kitchen and offers views of a screened porch and pond beyond. A bay window nook is home to a round breakfast table.

Just behind the kitchen is a useful rear foyer. "This area was designed to be a dropoff zone for kids when they come into the house," says Don.

ROOM TO ROMP

Nestled on the second floor with access to its own deck, the children's retreat feels somewhat like a tree house. Linda combined the durable with the comfortable to create a space for children, located only a balcony away from the heart of the home. Linda suggests placing a playroom near the home's hub, yet far enough away to keep clutter out of sight. In this children's retreat she used fabrics that won't show dirt and spills. A substantial pine coffee table is the perfect height for kids to pull up child-size chairs. A desk and kitchenette on one side of the room makes this a getaway for family members of all ages.