The MALLARD House

How a designer gave this new build in North Carolina a life reflective of its owners.

- LAUREN DARCANGELO

BARN FINDS. Airy and bright, the stunning main living space features neutral tones and plenty of natural light. "The beams in the main room were sourced from a family friend's barn and were a driving factor in the design, along with the sturdy, rustic vibes from the stone fireplace," Kate says. "We also designed the oversized, tall built-ins next to the gorgeous stone fireplace to make the scale of the room feel good."

ABOVE ALL TUCKED IN. As sort of a secondary living room, this smaller space is a comfortable nook for the homeowners to read and relax in. "We wrapped the room in a deep green, no-nonsense faux grasscloth, and we love a sofa tucked into a deep window, so we did that here as well," Kate says.

OPPOSITE FORM PLUS FUNCTION. This entry is all about function and beauty. "We took the space and tweaked it to make these oversized mossy-green storage cubbies on one side," Kate says. "As the homeowners are running in and out all day from outdoor activities, they wanted a super casual kick-off-your-boots side to the room as well."

While the terms "family compound" and "new build" don't always go together, in the unique case of this North Carolina home, they do. "They had this acreage in the family for generations and lived in a different home on the property for years while they schemed on this one," says interior designer Kate Haynes of Noble Studio. With adult children and several grandchildren, Allen and Lorie, who split their time between a few residences, were looking to create a special place for the whole family to enjoy. "They knew in this season of life that their main residence needed to be a place their entire flock could feel at home," Kate says.