Houzz Tour: Rustic-Modern Style in the Blue Ridge Mountains
A design-build firm gives a contemporary 1970s home a chic update that’s kid- and dog-friendly
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, this 1970s split-level had great bones, but its finishes were dark and dated. A busy working mom purchased it to make a fresh start with her two young boys. She contacted design-build firm Circle Design Studio to help plan and execute the remodel.
Front Entry
Floating between the walk-out basement and the main level, the front entry level contains the foyer and the formal living room. Right inside the door are two of the home’s original 1970s architectural features: the stone veneer that continues from the exterior to some interior walls and around the large central fireplace, and the large expanse of windows.
The designer replaced a clunky wooden stair railing with a steel cable railing to open it up. The stairs down lead to the walk-out basement, which contains a mudroom entry off the garage, a bonus room, storage and a guest suite. Several stairs up lead to the open-concept main level, which contains the family’s three bedrooms.
Find a local design-build firm on Houzz
Floating between the walk-out basement and the main level, the front entry level contains the foyer and the formal living room. Right inside the door are two of the home’s original 1970s architectural features: the stone veneer that continues from the exterior to some interior walls and around the large central fireplace, and the large expanse of windows.
The designer replaced a clunky wooden stair railing with a steel cable railing to open it up. The stairs down lead to the walk-out basement, which contains a mudroom entry off the garage, a bonus room, storage and a guest suite. Several stairs up lead to the open-concept main level, which contains the family’s three bedrooms.
Find a local design-build firm on Houzz
Living Room for Quiet Time
The living room gives visitors their first glimpse at the home’s cohesive style, which balances mountain rustic and modern — rugged stone toned down by calm and warm beige walls, and a clean-lined yet lived-in look. “The stone provided plenty of architectural texture, so we got rid of the low-quality wood paneled walls and textured ceilings, then brought texture in through the furnishings,” Dorlini says.
“We had to go as durable as possible for her two little boys and two dogs, so we chose fabrics that were either stain-resistant or could hide dirt well,” she says. “And leather will get a patina that looks better the more it’s beaten up — ‘distressed’ is a great finish when you have young children.”
Throughout this level, Dorlini also installed tile that stands up to heavy traffic, dirt and dogs. For the rug, she went with 100 percent wool, which, she says, is easy to clean and will hold up for a long time.
Shop for a leather sofa on Houzz
The living room gives visitors their first glimpse at the home’s cohesive style, which balances mountain rustic and modern — rugged stone toned down by calm and warm beige walls, and a clean-lined yet lived-in look. “The stone provided plenty of architectural texture, so we got rid of the low-quality wood paneled walls and textured ceilings, then brought texture in through the furnishings,” Dorlini says.
“We had to go as durable as possible for her two little boys and two dogs, so we chose fabrics that were either stain-resistant or could hide dirt well,” she says. “And leather will get a patina that looks better the more it’s beaten up — ‘distressed’ is a great finish when you have young children.”
Throughout this level, Dorlini also installed tile that stands up to heavy traffic, dirt and dogs. For the rug, she went with 100 percent wool, which, she says, is easy to clean and will hold up for a long time.
Shop for a leather sofa on Houzz
The homeowner originally thought that she would put a TV in the living room but decided instead to have it be a space for reading and other quiet pursuits. With an open concept, a TV’s noise would have carried throughout the public spaces. “TVs are becoming obsolete anyway. She knew if her kids wanted to watch a cartoon, they would just find one on Netflix and watch it on their tablets,” Dorlini says.
5 Questions to Ask Before Committing to an Open Floor Plan
5 Questions to Ask Before Committing to an Open Floor Plan
Great Room for Family Time
Upstairs, the large stone fireplace provides a focal point in the great room. The beams and log holder are original; they were restained during the remodel. Again, durable furniture rules — the distressed leather-and-metal armchairs and a coffee table composed of end-grain wood pieces will only get better with wear and tear.
Hire a fireplace pro
Upstairs, the large stone fireplace provides a focal point in the great room. The beams and log holder are original; they were restained during the remodel. Again, durable furniture rules — the distressed leather-and-metal armchairs and a coffee table composed of end-grain wood pieces will only get better with wear and tear.
Hire a fireplace pro
This space is open to the newly configured kitchen and dining room. Dorlini recommended oil-rubbed bronze for most of the light fixtures and hardware to maintain the mountain rustic-modern vibe. Elements like the coffee table and the armchair bases pick up that finish.
A peninsula used to cut off the kitchen at the spot where the open shelves are now. The space beyond it was part of the dining room and was so empty that Dorlini dubbed it “the dance hall.”
She replaced the peninsula with a large island that extends into that once empty space. The island has a nice eat-in spot at one end. The other side is packed with storage, including pullout drawers and a cabinet specially outfitted for a stand mixer.
Kitchen Fix: Where to Stash the Stand Mixer
She replaced the peninsula with a large island that extends into that once empty space. The island has a nice eat-in spot at one end. The other side is packed with storage, including pullout drawers and a cabinet specially outfitted for a stand mixer.
Kitchen Fix: Where to Stash the Stand Mixer
The kitchen’s earthy finishes continue the rustic-modern style. The hammered copper sink, wood accents and oil-rubbed bronze on the faucet, lighting and hardware add rustic patinas, while the white cabinets and white quartz counters keep things feeling clean and bright.
“For the backsplash, my client knew she wanted something light but didn’t want typical white subway tile with dark grout. Instead we went for a warm gray porcelain backsplash with light grout,” Dorlini says. The backsplash adds shine and picks up the subtle marblelike veining in the countertops.
Countertop quartz: Marrara, Wilsonart
Browse copper kitchen sinks in the Houzz Shop
“For the backsplash, my client knew she wanted something light but didn’t want typical white subway tile with dark grout. Instead we went for a warm gray porcelain backsplash with light grout,” Dorlini says. The backsplash adds shine and picks up the subtle marblelike veining in the countertops.
Countertop quartz: Marrara, Wilsonart
Browse copper kitchen sinks in the Houzz Shop
The designer concentrated the larger appliances, including two wall ovens and the refrigerator (hidden behind panel fronts), and the pantry storage along one wall. “I’m finding that a lot of my clients think they want a walk-in pantry when we start but later realize that this is often a waste of space. When they opt for the pullouts in cabinets conveniently located like they are here, they find they are really glad they did,” Dorlini says.
In the dining room, an industrial-inspired design befits young boys who will be coloring, spilling and playing with Play-Doh here. Her client kept the pottery Dorlini used for staging and plans to arrange it like this when she’s entertaining adults. But for the most part, the table is more geared toward the boys’ activities.
A hallway to the left of the mirror leads to the family’s bedrooms. “One of the main reasons my client was drawn to this home was so that she and her sons would all have their bedrooms close together,” Dorlini says.
Shop for a farmhouse-style linear chandelier
A hallway to the left of the mirror leads to the family’s bedrooms. “One of the main reasons my client was drawn to this home was so that she and her sons would all have their bedrooms close together,” Dorlini says.
Shop for a farmhouse-style linear chandelier
Pair of Hardworking Mudrooms
Just past the double ovens in the previous photo is the laundry room. It used to have a half bath next to it, but the homeowner decided she would rather have her guests use a full bath in the bedroom wing so that she could have a bigger laundry room. Now there is space for folding and hanging clothes, as well as a closet for coats and additional storage.
A door from the driveway allows entry through this room, which makes it a second mudroom. This is convenient because when the kids are working hard at putting the “mud” in “mudroom,” they can strip down right here, and their mother can throw their clothing or team uniforms right into the sink or washer.
Just past the double ovens in the previous photo is the laundry room. It used to have a half bath next to it, but the homeowner decided she would rather have her guests use a full bath in the bedroom wing so that she could have a bigger laundry room. Now there is space for folding and hanging clothes, as well as a closet for coats and additional storage.
A door from the driveway allows entry through this room, which makes it a second mudroom. This is convenient because when the kids are working hard at putting the “mud” in “mudroom,” they can strip down right here, and their mother can throw their clothing or team uniforms right into the sink or washer.
Speaking of mudrooms, this is the main mudroom on the lower level, located off the garage entry. It has a tile floor that can stand up to the boys and dogs, and plenty of space for each family member to organize shoes, hats, coats and bags.
How to Design a Marvelous Mudroom
How to Design a Marvelous Mudroom
Soothing Master Suite
The master bedroom has large glass sliding doors that lead out to a deck. And I know how you Houzz users worry about privacy — they weren’t up in time for the photo shoot, but Dorlini installed blackout and light-filtering solar shades. She gave her client a comfy reading chair and loads of cozy textures through the bedding, accessories, wood furniture and rug.
The master bedroom has large glass sliding doors that lead out to a deck. And I know how you Houzz users worry about privacy — they weren’t up in time for the photo shoot, but Dorlini installed blackout and light-filtering solar shades. She gave her client a comfy reading chair and loads of cozy textures through the bedding, accessories, wood furniture and rug.
The layout of the master bathroom remained the same, but everything else had to go. Dorlini maintained the rustic-modern vibe in here but elevated and differentiated it with satin nickel accents and painted cabinetry.
The shower surround is a porcelain tile that recalls the look and texture of local bluestone. A clear glass enclosure keeps the room feeling open and light.
Playful Boy’s Bedroom
This boy’s room has plenty of durable furniture. Dorlini brought in bold colors via the bedding, rug, Eames desk chair and accessories.
This boy’s room has plenty of durable furniture. Dorlini brought in bold colors via the bedding, rug, Eames desk chair and accessories.
The space enjoys some of the fabulous 1970s contemporary architectural elements that had the homeowner at hello: great window composition and a vaulted ceiling.
A large bookshelf gives the boy plenty of space to store and display his favorite toys, books and photos.
Bath for Kids and Guests
When the homeowner decided to get rid of the half bath, she knew that guests would be using her boys’ shared bathroom instead, and Dorlini planned accordingly. “We stayed away from cutesy on the finishes, instead bringing in playful touches with accessories like the sailboats,” she says.
The balance of the reclaimed-wood mirror frames and the white Shaker-style cabinets brings in the rustic-modern look. The quartz countertops with a stonelike pattern and the wood-effect porcelain flooring add earthy touches.
“Installing lots of storage was really important in here — she needed lots of space to put their things away so guests would not trip over bath toys,” Dorlini says. In particular, the mom taught her sons to stash their toothbrushes in the countertop cabinet after they are done brushing their teeth.
Takeaways
Read about other remodeled homes
Browse photos of modern mountain-style spaces
Hire a design pro
Shop for home products
When the homeowner decided to get rid of the half bath, she knew that guests would be using her boys’ shared bathroom instead, and Dorlini planned accordingly. “We stayed away from cutesy on the finishes, instead bringing in playful touches with accessories like the sailboats,” she says.
The balance of the reclaimed-wood mirror frames and the white Shaker-style cabinets brings in the rustic-modern look. The quartz countertops with a stonelike pattern and the wood-effect porcelain flooring add earthy touches.
“Installing lots of storage was really important in here — she needed lots of space to put their things away so guests would not trip over bath toys,” Dorlini says. In particular, the mom taught her sons to stash their toothbrushes in the countertop cabinet after they are done brushing their teeth.
Takeaways
- Draw inspiration from your home’s original architecture and surroundings.
- Tone down everything around a strong architectural element like stone veneer to make it stand out rather than to compete with it.
- If you have little ones, remember that distressed finishes will only get better with wear and tear.
- Think about how you and your family watch TV these days and whether you need one.
- Talk to your designer about how much space a walk-in pantry really has to offer. It may not be the best use of space.
Read about other remodeled homes
Browse photos of modern mountain-style spaces
Hire a design pro
Shop for home products
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A single mom, her two young sons and their two dogs
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Size: 3,400 square feet (316 square meters); four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Designer: Theresa Dorlini of Circle Design Studio
Circle’s principal designer, Theresa Dorlini, asked the homeowner to collect photos of spaces she liked on Houzz and discuss what she liked about each photo. It became apparent that the client favored a mountain rustic-modern look with industrial touches. Dorlini then guided her toward an earthy, handcrafted palette that would work well with the home’s existing stone walls and strong wood accents.
Here’s a look at the exterior. Dorlini and her team replaced damaged siding on the left side with Hardie board, installed a new door with glass panes, replaced all the windows and cleaned up overgrown landscaping. Inside, the project included down-to-the-studs remodels of the kitchen and bathrooms. Throughout the house, they replaced flooring, ripped out low-quality wood paneling and substituted drywall, smoothed out textured ceilings and replaced light fixtures.
Since the homeowner was starting from scratch, she needed new furnishings and finishes that could stand up to wear and tear from her sons and the family’s two dogs.