The owners of this new home say the wooded lot was the selling point when they decided to build in Centerville’s Saddle Creek neighborhood. The husband says he wanted an abundance of trees and a lawn to cut—and he got exactly that and more.
A design with personal touches
The couple worked with Rhoads Estate Homes and interior designer Marlene Orendorf, an in-house subcontractor and owner of Orendorf Interior Design, to build the single story home with a walk-out lower level on the forested lot.
Moving from a traditional two-story Colonial-style home, their new design aesthetic was a mix of Craftsman and transitional elements. “They wanted something softer and more relaxed,” says Orendorf.
The open concept was deliberate, as the owners wanted to be able to see the entire first floor from the foyer. “We really wanted the house to feel large; they did some wonderful work with the ceiling to bring depth and height and grandness to the entry and great room,” says the husband.
Before they began construction, the crew removed some of the trees to allow for additional backyard space. Unbeknownst to the husband, the builders kept a large stump from a locust tree and surprised him with a custom-made desk for his home office, utilizing the wood as the base and finishing it with an amoeba-style glass top. In keeping with a Craftsman theme, the builders installed barn doors as the entry into his office. To personalize the doors, Albrecht Wood Interiors used the owner’s fly-fishing rods for handles.
Flowing open floor plan
To make the space feel cohesive and to conform with the transitional design style, hickory wood floors were installed throughout the home. “The floor has a bit more interest and distressing than engineered floors,” Orendorf says. “The reclaimed wood is probably the thing that sets their house apart.”
Built-in shelves flank the gas fireplace, which is the focal point of the great room. The linear look of the fireplace, surrounded by cut travertine ledgestone, is a popular trend. Plus, it gives the room the texture that the couple desired, as well as the Craftsman look. A discreet, recessed television is viewable from the kitchen, while the leather and fabric furniture and new area rugs pull the whole room together.
Adjacent to the great room resides the kitchen, featuring custom maple cabinetry painted cream with a taupe glaze. Antique silver hardware with a black glaze and bubbled glass-front cabinet doors with interior lighting add a touch of shine against the neutral setting.
Perhaps the focal point is the custom range hood, made entirely of wood and decorated in a basketweave pattern, giving the room additional texture. The black island, which complements the veining seen in the granite countertops, features a matching basketweave pattern on either side. Wavy, slightly irregular subway tile was used for the backsplash. “I love the way it plays with the light and has a little movement,” says Orendorf.
“The house looks beautiful. The homeowners were able to move in and use a lot of what they had, which is nice. By adding a few new pieces here and there, we were able to refresh their décor,” adds Orendorf.
The homeowner is equally pleased. “To work with a crew as professional and as creative and as pleasant to be around as Rhoads made for a great experience,” he says. “We are so blessed we have an opportunity to live in a home like this.”
RESOURCES Residential designer Gay Mercer Designs, LLC; Builder Rhoads Estate Homes, LLC; Kitchen designer, cabinetry and barn door Albrecht Wood Interiors; Bathroom designer C.K. Kitchen & Bath Design, LLC; Landscaping Grandma’s Gardens; Interior designer and window treatments Orendorf Interior Design; Brick exterior Snyder Brick & Block; Kibler Masonry; Lighting Factory Lighting; Painting Koogler Painting; Rugs Bockrath Flooring & Rugs; Flooring Tuscarora Wood Midwest, LLC; Windows Eagle Windows; Fireplace Dayton Fireplace Systems; Fireplace stone Florida Tile; Kitchen countertops Dark Star Marble & Granite; Kitchen backsplash Hamilton Parker, Madden Tile; Tile installation Madden Tile; Sinks and faucets Kohler; Moen, Centerville Winsupply; Appliances Appliance Gallery; Electric Prestige Electric
Article by Hilary Daninhirsch/Photos by Dawn M. Smith
Article originally appeared in Housetrends Dayton – December 2019