By Christina Davenport Photography by Philip Slowiak
When Susan and Tom Flanagan set out to build their charming craftsman home, they had two main priorities – convenience and community. With their previous home being three stories, the Flanagans knew they wanted all of their main living spaces on one floor, and with nine grandkids, they also needed the spaces to function for not just them, but their family as well. The result is a chic yet effortless home that is outfitted with all the creature comforts one could ask for.
Susan and Tom Flanagan
The front porch runs nearly the length of the home and is set off by four tapered columns, the top of which sports a creamy white color that comprises the majority of the home’s façade. Natural stone rounds out the base of the porch and columns and is repeated in the chimney stack that juts out from the steeply pitched roof. White shake siding covers the second story exterior and offers up a subtle change in texture.
After passing through the oversized front door, visitors are welcomed with a fun and luxurious zebra print rug that bisects the home’s more formal spaces. To the right, a sitting room accommodates eight and is the perfect spot to enjoy pre-dinner drinks with family or catch up on some reading.
A foundation of neutrals is set with two beige couches, a pair of ottomans, and two light wooden end tables. Layered on top are several muted colors that emerge from throw pillows, table lamps, and a large piece of abstract artwork. The subtle blue-gray color of the room ties the space together, and several other elements – such as a silver chandelier and fireplace with marble surround – provide added sophistication while maintaining approachability.
“I wanted our entire home to be really light and bright,” explains Susan. “I tried to keep most of our home very neutral and add color through textiles and other accents, but this room and the formal dining room are an exception. I wanted something a little more different and bold.” – Susan Flanagan
A short hallway takes guests past a powder room and to the home’s kitchen where the bright and airy aesthetic that the Flanagans love is in full force. “Even though I love color, there’s just something timeless about white cabinets. They never really go out of style,” says Susan.
The overlay shaker cabinetry is painted a milky white to match the remainder of the Swiss Coffee kitchen and great room. Brushed brass hardware and a brass overhead pendant light pull the warmth from the hardwood floors upward, and a suite of stainless-steel appliances contribute to the room’s mixed metals.
White-washed wood and rattan barstools add yet another texture to the space while pulling the room’s accent colors together. Calcutta gold quartz counters top the island and run along the perimeter, as well as comprise the backsplash.
To the right, a glass-top table is surrounded by six cane chairs and offers up a more casual dining experience. Floral drapery adds a fun flair, and several pieces of chinoiserie help double down on the energetic atmosphere.
Open to the kitchen is the home’s great room. A gray upholstered sofa commands the room and partially encapsulates a tufted leather coffee table. Sculptural elements and warm accents dot the space, and a fireplace surrounded by the same stone found on the home’s exterior is a cozy addition.
“One thing we knew we really wanted when building this house was a lot of fireplaces,” says Susan. “We almost have one in every room. I find them so relaxing, and we start a fire nearly every night.”
Geometric euro-pleated curtains offer another spirited pattern to the mix, and an identical shape is found in the mirrored sideboard resting along the opposite wall. Natural light streams in from the room’s vaulted windows supplementing the two-tiered, candle-style chandelier.
Off of the great room is the Flanagans’ master suite. Here several geometric patterns found in the bedding, a wall mirror, and a set of table lamps offer a subtle contrast to the animal print area rug. Creams, beiges, and pale blues create a tranquil environment, which carries over to the ensuite.
Off of the great room is the Flanagans’ master suite. Here several geometric patterns found in the bedding, a wall mirror, and a set of table lamps offer a subtle contrast to the animal print area rug. Creams, beiges, and pale blues create a tranquil environment, which carries over to the ensuite.
A his-and-hers, furniture-style vanity stretches from one wall to another and boasts plenty of storage. The opposite side of the room, however, trades the rich wood tones for a light marble-style tile. A glass shower is situated next to a footless soaking tub, which reinforces the motif for the Flanagan home – rest and relaxation.
Whether it’s through neutral tones, a well-thought-out floor plan, or an array of fireplaces, guests and family alike are meant to feel at ease.
“We built this home hoping it would become a gathering place that everyone enjoys coming to,” says Susan. “At the end of the day, we just want a comfortable home that is used and lived in and filled with things that make us happy.” -Susan Flanagan
