A Home & Willow Project Spotlight: A Dream In the Making

We’d like to introduce you to an Indianapolis-area couple who have lived in their home for 35 years. They were more than ready for a change, wanting more space and an opportunity to break free from their current, compartmentalized closed floor plan. While contemplating a move, though, they realized they already lived in their dream home… They just needed to bring their vision of what it could be to life.

Fortunately for these Home & Willow clients, veteran designer Kimberly Curry specializes in transforming “what could be” into fully actualized, and stunning, spaces.

The Before

This property is unique; nestled in a beautiful spot with 360° treeline views, it juts out over the Mud Creek. Ideal for the nature-loving couple, the sweeping, panoramic vistas convinced them to stay put. The house, though, was a typical 1980s/1990s-era build, with separate and distinct rooms.

It’s easy to picture – because we’ve all been in this house before. Many times. You walk into the entry, facing a wall with a central staircase leading up, dining room to the right, den to the left. Traversing down the hall brings you to the family room on the left and small kitchen to the right.  Each room was contained, compartmentalized, and disconnected from both each other and from the clients’ overall goal.

The couple wanted to expand and open the space to create better, more organic, flow. With such an exquisite exterior, they wanted an interior that was as inspiring and in-tune with its surroundings.

We had a big project ahead of us.

“It Takes a Village”

Any project, and especially one of this magnitude, requires a team effort. As Kimberly says, “It takes a village.” These clients started with their builder, Carrington Homes and architect Gary Nance, drawing up plans and working through the initial phases to clarify the vision and scope. Home & Willow had worked with Carrington on the 2022 Home-a-Rama at Chatham Hills, and we are continuing this relationship by collaborating on projects like this. Kimberly came into the process early, adding her design expertise and experience to the team.

It takes a village – and a process to ensure the villagers are working seamlessly towards a common goal. Kimberly says, “Carrington has a great team.” Sandy Sykes “was a key element; she was the glue that held everything together, helping with communication between their builders, all their tradespeople, the client, and me.” It made for a great partnership and a smooth process. Team firmly glued together, we could start to bring the dream to fruition.

This would involve gutting the house, blowing out the backside, opening up staircases, adding additional square footage to the upper and lower levels, building a new two-story carriage house, and integrating indoor/outdoor spaces. As we said… A big project!

The Process

To achieve the vision, we needed to bring the house down  to the bare bones. This can “gut” owners, who despite their vision, find it difficult to see their home – one in which they’d lived for decades – dismantled. But they were prepared (and they made the wise decision to live elsewhere during this phase). Remember, none of this “just happens”;  each step involves careful planning, a streamlined, constant flow of communication… and so many meetings!

During preliminary meetings, Kimberly prepared ideas, concepts, and even colors, pulling together all the elements and assembling them into a “keynote.” Through drawings and renderings of cabinetry, floor finishes, tile, lighting, stone, plumbing fixtures, and more, she was able to walk the clients through each and every space so they could see it before it actually took shape.

One of the most important aspects of the project, though, was building a relationship. Kimberly says, “It’s a very personal thing we do. It takes getting to know the client.” This couple is “outdoorsy”. They’re active. They like simple things and don’t like a lot of clutter. They wanted one room to flow into the next, clean lines, all natural, organic elements.” Listening, and intuition, play a big role.

And, Oh, That After!

Settled once again in their home, these Home & Willow clients were ecstatic with the results.

So was Kimberly: “It’s better than Christmas!”

“The space,” she explains, “Is just really warm. The light, the warmth of the wood, the stone, the ability to open up [the] space with doors that slide completely into the walls….” The list of features working perfectly in concert goes on and on.

Deserving mention is the beautiful light-finished oak flooring used throughout the living space, as well as in the den’s built-ins and French doors. This opens up the space and creates a sense of cozy cohesion, while the sueded texture and darker gunmetal knots add that organic touch the homeowners wanted. Kimberly also brought the exterior stone inside, integrating it into columns and other elements, bringing indoors in tune with outdoors.

Kimberly opted for a lighter neutral color palette for the main home with strategically-chosen contrasts. In the kitchen, for example, the quartz countertops extend across the entire length of the home’s backside. From countertop to ceiling is all windows. “You really feel like you’re standing cantilever over the space,” Kimberly says. She included a darker soapstone on the coffee bar, and the center island has a darker finish, complementing the light bisque color of the painted cabinetry. Globe-style glass lights with gold accents provide a sophisticated finish.

Throughout the home, Kimberly integrated beautifully antiqued, light-washed oriental rugs, boucles, and other soft, sumptuous textures in soft mustards, creams, grays, and blues. The feeling that these elements – and others, including gold-accented alabaster light fixtures with natural shades and textured, hand-screened wallpapers in the den and powder room  – evoke is one of warmth. Of being home.

The Carriage House

The tour continues! The team installed a glass breezeway with double French doors on each side. One set takes you to the driveway, and the other to the patio/courtyard… which leads to the carriage house. This charming two-story “second home” features a main level with kitchenette, full bath, living space, fireplace, and floating staircase. Perfect for relaxing and entertaining.

Upstairs, in the space appropriated as an office, the beautiful ceiling line and cupola compete for attention – but it’s the expansive deck that steals the show. Kimberly says, “It’s literally a treehouse!” Taking full advantage of those 360° wooded views, it truly feels as if your childhood dream of living in a treehouse has finally come true!

Throughout the carriage house, Kimberly utilized the same beautiful light oak and chose a rich gray blue for depth and added “wow” factor. And, as in the main home, all of the doors recess completely into the walls so there is no barrier between the happy occupants and the outdoors, the light, and the views.

A Dream Come True

Our clients found themselves in a stunning location with a house that no longer fit their needs and desires. Working with Carrington, Gary Nance, and Home & Willow’s Kimberly Curry, they were able to transform it into their dream home.

“It’s my favorite thing to actually see [a project] come to fruition and see how delighted the client is, how happy they are with their space. ‘We never could have done this without you and your vision’ is the highest compliment you can be paid.”

While landscaping work is ongoing (Kimberly lent her expertise here as well, helping with selections to ensure indoors and out flow seamlessly), our clients are happily ensconced in their “new” home. We could not be more thrilled for them.

Home & Willow Design is excited to work with you, and your builder, to help you achieve the same type of life-changing results that we’ve highlighted here. To discuss your project, connect with our team.