Home Feature: Home & Haven
Story by Allison Razic
Photography by Muamer Razic
When the homeowners purchased their home more than a decade ago, they knew it would be a place that grew with them. From the beginning their vision was clear: make thoughtful updates over time that would reflect not just their style but the way their family lived day to day.
The journey began outdoors. In 2021 they decided to add a pool—a project that was meant to mark the start of years of enjoyment. But just weeks after completion disaster struck when a sinkhole opened beneath the pool, forcing them to rebuild from scratch. What should have been a quick project stretched into another year, teaching them patience and resilience along the way.
Once the pool was complete the homeowners set their sights on something even more ambitious: a pool and guesthouse with a pavilion. “We have family that comes in and stays with us so we love having a separate place for them to stay and that we can entertain in,” the homeowners explained. Designed as a multipurpose retreat, the new space includes guest accommodations, a home gym and a half bath with direct access from the pool—a practical touch that keeps wet feet from tracking through the main house.
With the pool and guesthouse finished attention shifted back to the heart of the home. The goal this time: breathe new life into the main living spaces—the kitchen, living room, mudroom and powder room. For this renovation they partnered with Katie Zimmerman Interiors who helped guide the vision. “We wanted the space to be warm and inviting while also being bright and airy and keeping with the original design of the home,” says Zimmerman. “So, we went for a transitional style for the space.”
To create better flow in the kitchen the team made bold changes, relocating the pantry to the former powder room location and shifting the powder room elsewhere. The result opened up the kitchen, making it both more spacious and more functional. When Zimmerman brought the homeowners to view stone slabs they were instantly drawn to a striking natural stone. It quickly became the design’s centerpiece, carried seamlessly from the kitchen countertops to the living room fireplace—a unifying detail that gives the two spaces a harmonious feel.
The mudroom also got a smart update. “They had open lockers in their drop zone which tend to always look messy,” Zimmerman explains. “So, we built locker cabinets to allow for more storage space while still allowing it to look clean and polished.” The new design hides everyday clutter while keeping the function intact, proving that style and practicality can work hand in hand.
For the homeowners the renovation isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about creating a home that makes daily life easier and hosting family more enjoyable. Looking ahead they are already planning their next projects with the owner’s suite bath and closet on the horizon.
A special thanks to these vendors:
Interior Design and Contracting: Zimmerman Interiors
Countertops: Sugar Grove Marble
Cabinets: Creative Wood Designs
Hardwood floors: The Hardwood Company
Tile: Tile Trends
Electrician: Buck Electric
Fireplace: Bowling Green Fireplace and Grill
Poolhouse : Tom Goodworth Construction
