Architecture & Architects

Warm Touches

To keep sight lines clear between the dining and family areas, no wall cabinets were hung above the islands. A vintage-style, 63-square-foot walk-in pantry holds the Nances' everyday dishes and groceries. A built-in refrigerator-freezer and a pair of wall ovens flank the opening to the pantry, and the sink and dishwasher are on the opposite exterior wall. The window above the sink provides a view of the home's rear-facing covered porch. Identical doors lead to the 242-square-foot porch from both the dining room and great-room areas.

A hallway off the front entry leads to a laundry room and a mudroom that connects to a three-car garage. The garage's placement at a 90-degree angle and, on the other side of the driveway, the placement of the "springhouse," a replica of a structure originally built over a creek and used for cold storage, give the entrance a sense of privacy. "The springhouse serves as a kind of garden shed," Gary says. "It houses all the lawn-care equipment."

The home's décor, created in part by interior designer Cheryl Schneider, adds the finishing touches to the house. Earthy reds, golds, greens, and coppers complement the pine floors and cabinetry and the brick and stone hearths. "The front shed, the entryway, and all the furnishings were selected for comfort and convenience," Nancy says. "We are not pretentious people. Our goal was to create a comfortable place to live and relax every day."

Better Homes and Gardens

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