We’re back with another house-crashing visit from our recent road trip through Charlotte, North Carolina. You may have already seen a sneak peek of the stunning kitchen, and now we’re here to fill in the rest. This family couldn’t have been kinder, and their fully transformed 1960s brick ranch is utterly charming—inside and out.
They completed an impressive renovation, and to show the full story we included before photos so you can see how much Kristen, Stan, and their son Davis have changed the place. (Fun fact: much of the work was finished just days before Davis was born—he spent a lot of the renovation time cozy in the belly.) The little one and our Clara hit it off right away, which only made the visit sweeter.
From the sneak peek, a few details to note: the oversized lantern above the island is by Troy Lighting, the vent hood is a GE Profile 36″ island hood, and the butcher block countertop came from Locust Lumber just outside of Charlotte. These thoughtful choices help give the kitchen a warm, custom feeling without feeling overdone.
When we arrived, the family greeted us with a lovely spread—nuts, chocolate, icy grapefruit drinks, and animal crackers for the kids. We resisted diving in immediately so we could photograph the island before it became a snack zone. (Once the snacks came out, the island looked like a kid-friendly battlefield of crumpled napkins, a few matchbox cars, and empty glasses.)
We hustled to snap photos, then gave in to the treats. The kitchen opens into a comfortable family room, a change that makes the whole main living area feel much more connected. The before-and-after images are striking: what used to be a compartmentalized kitchen with a small door is now a bright, open space with a wide opening that completely changes the flow of the house.
The family room is calm and inviting, layered with textures and furnishings that don’t try to match everything but instead play nicely together. A patterned rug—handed down from Stan’s parents—grounds the space, and a worn leather chair from the Mitchell Gold outlet in Hickory, North Carolina, adds handsome character. Kristen recovered an older chair in a navy geometric fabric that complements the room, and a red side table was revived from a secondhand find by spraying it in a True Red and finishing it with a high-gloss spray for a lacquered look.
Paint made a huge difference in other areas too. Paneling in one room was brightened with primer and paint, following a simple tutorial for painting wood paneling, and the result is a room that feels much lighter and fresher. The widened opening to the kitchen also contributes enormously to the updated layout.
We also viewed several rooms that are still works in progress. A sweet guest room is coming together with matching headboards passed down from family, cheerful West Elm pillows, and a rug from Crate & Barrel—pieces that create a welcoming and comfortable sleeping space.
Davis’ nursery was full of playful, DIY-friendly ideas. Kristen made curtains from a lively Duralee fabric and layered another small-scale pattern for a pillow and a covered drum shade. The result is joyful and cohesive without feeling overly themed. A set of painted canvases adds a handmade touch; the same look could be recreated by printing animal silhouettes, tracing them on canvas, and painting around the shapes in varied tones. The felt mobile over the crib tied everything together and worked beautifully with the animal-themed fabrics and framed baby photos.
Throughout the home, small but intentional choices—textile mixing, hand-me-downs updated with fresh fabric and paint, and a few standout fixtures—create a relaxed, polished atmosphere. Our favorite details? The magnificent lantern above the kitchen island, the fabric-covered lampshade in the nursery, and the navy chair paired with the red end table in the family room. Each element feels personal and approachable.
Thanks to Kristen, Stan, and sweet little Davis for welcoming us into their Charlotte ranch and letting us share the photos. This home is a wonderful example of how thoughtful updates, a mix of old and new pieces, and a few DIY projects can transform a midcentury house into a warm, modern family home.
P.S. We also caught Bridesmaids recently—hilarious movie, great costumes, and some seriously enviable dress choices in the rivalry scenes. Anyone else notice the heart-shaped earring detail?