Tranquil Transformation for a Craftsman

The living room quickly became the heart of the home and the place the couple prefers to spend the majority of their time. “I enjoy just sitting on my couch, reading, and looking out the window,” says Cindy. “My husband and I also love to use this space to drink coffee and tea and just spend time together. We’ve been married for 40 years, and now we’re just enjoying the fruits of our labor.”

Custom furnishings anchor the space, including plush, blue suede sofas layered with soft textiles and a rich leather ottoman. A floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace is a striking focal point, while a patterned rug ties the room’s palette together.

Shiplap, a recurring element throughout the home, adds subtle texture to the walls while a white, built-in shelving unit showcases meaningful décor and collected pieces. However, the couple’s favorite works of art – prominently displayed on the wall – showcase their appreciation for creativity and craftsmanship. “I think these pieces just fit perfectly,” Cindy explains. “They both incorporate nature and contribute to the overall theme of the home.” One painting, whimsically titled, “The Hummingbird Feeder,” features a llama adorned with a floral vine and hummingbirds. The other, a mixed-media piece, incorporates metal and papier mâché.

Just beyond, the kitchen offers a contrast to the home’s otherwise bright color scheme. Originally a galley kitchen with minimal storage, the space was reinvented into the kitchen of every cook’s dream. The new design leans into a bold, moody aesthetic with black cabinetry and appliances – grounded in warm wood accents and softened by white quartz countertops veined in gray.

“I always wanted a black kitchen,” Cindy says, “and I also wanted a huge island – so we have a 12-foot island. Now, when family comes, we have a lot of space to spread things out.”

The adjacent dining area echoes the kitchen’s dramatic tones, featuring black cabinetry, a farmhouse-style hutch, and coordinating chairs that create a cohesive, intimate gathering space.

Cindy recalls a particularly special Christmas spent in the newly renovated home. “It was the first time our family got together as married couples – our family was complete,” she says. “We loved spending Christmas up here. We don’t get together very much – my son’s in the Army, so he’s gone a lot – so that’s a really special memory.”

Designed with comfort and longevity in mind, the primary suite offers a restful retreat on the main level. The space introduces a calming variation of the home’s hues, with soft blue shiplap walls that shift the tone while maintaining a connection to nature. “We always wanted our room to be blue – it’s a really soft color,” Cindy explains. “We wanted everything else to stay a neutral because we’ve got so much nature around us, so we wanted that green to pop from behind – and it does.”

Layered with a white oak double vanity, dark gray countertop, matching arched mirrors, and a black-framed glass shower enclosure, the connecting primary bathroom blends modern farmhouse sensibilities with a hint of coastal ease.

Additional spaces like the mudroom and guest bathroom help round out the home’s story. These spaces, along with the home’s layered textures and nature-inspired details, demonstrate the thoughtful artisanship that transformed the Scheels’ home into the sanctuary they envisioned.

Suppliers:

Cabinetry: Wicked Wood Shop LLC

Counters: Gold Line Inc.

Custom install, custom painting, & trim: Sidecar Construction

Floors: Chattanooga Flooring Center

Interior designer: Kimberly Varner Interior Design

Lighting fixtures: Inline Lighting

Tile: Chattanooga Flooring Center; Apex Custom Tile