An Enduring Colonial Creation

The Morelock Home

By Christina Davenport
Photography by Ali Atchley/Creative Revolver

 

Years before building their extraordinary colonial home, Ashlan and Davis Morelock could be found spending weekends and breaks at their quaint cabin in the woods. The Morelocks are the proud owners of roughly 150 acres of land, and the wooded property has been in Davis’ family since the late 1930s.

“We had two young children, and we knew that our previous home was not where we wanted to stay,” explains Ashlan. “We built a cabin on the farm in 2015 and we really enjoyed spending time here on the weekends, so we decided that we wanted to build our forever home here before our children grew up.”

Even though the Morelocks badly wanted to have a home where they could enjoy the pristine natural setting as family, they were also careful not to rush the process.
“Since this was going to be our forever home, we really wanted to take the time to make sure we had it right,” says Ashlan. “We spent years thinking about and designing it. We would come home from work and sit around the kitchen table after dinner. Davis would sketch rooms out, and we would have a conversation and tweak things until we felt we had it right.”

The end result is a striking colonial home that serves as a respite from the outside world and offers all who enter an immediate sense of serenity.

After passing through a foyer, guests find themselves in the heart of the Morelock home. Windows and sliding glass doors can be found on nearly every wall, and their presence creates a space flooded with natural light. A picture frame TV is a design-forward choice and is situated above a gas fireplace. A stone base and marble surround work in harmony with a detailed mantel, which is flanked with built-ins that are punctuated with personal mementoes. A Chesterfield sofa and several armchairs provide plenty of seating, and the entire living vignette flows effortlessly into the dining space.
“One of our main goals when designing the home was to make sure the spaces were versatile and worked for our family,” says Davis. “Especially with the price of building materials, we didn’t want any wasted space. We wanted to make sure we used every room in our home on a daily basis.”

 

Couch overlooking dining room

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Keeping with the open concept is the home’s kitchen and corresponding butler’s pantry. White inset cabinetry offers a timeless approach, and marble countertops are the perfect complement. A drink station on the far side of the room keeps guests out of the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, and the butler’s pantry features sensible muddy green cabinetry. A prep sink, second dishwasher, and warming drawer are a party prepper’s dream and allow the mess that comes with making a nice home-cooked meal for friends and family to remain out of sight out of mind. Select stainless-steel appliances are paired with chrome hardware and fixtures for a sleek and streamlined look.

 

back kitchen

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“It feels a little special to wake up in the morning and see such a pretty view.”
– Davis Morelock

 

master seating

 

Following the white oak hardwoods past the living room takes visitors to the master suite, which has been designed not just for rest, but also relaxation. A threshold in front of a king-size bed allows access to a small nook complete with a sofa, display shelf, and other creature comforts.
“I really wanted this area, so we ended up doing a bit of a smaller bedroom to accommodate it. I think it turned out really well,” says Ashlan. “I use this space when I feel like I need a moment to myself, and I read and work back here a fair amount.”
But the space isn’t entirely defined by function. It’s also beautiful too.

 

Master Suite

 

“I really love the windows in this area, and it’s the only place in the entire home where we elected to use casement windows,” adds Davis. “It feels a little special to wake up in the morning and see such a pretty view.”

 

The ensuite is yet another beloved space by the Morelock duo. After living in a smaller 1970s home with small closets and a laundry area that was several flights away from the master, Ashlan and Davis knew the bathroom was one space in which they needed to maximize efficiency. Now, his-and-hers vanities are taken a step further with separate walk-in closets, and a washer and dryer hidden around the corner makes doing laundry a breeze. Much like the kitchen, this space is outfitted with marble counters and tile, and chrome accents flow freely.

 

master bath

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When the weather is cooperating, however, you won’t find the Morelock family inside – and with good reason. A 16-foot sliding glass door off of the main living space provides access to an outdoor oasis. Numerous seating options offer both form and function, and a mudroom is also accessible from this area. A stately staircase leads to a sparkling pool, which is always a welcome treat on a hot summer day.

 

patio

 

“The back of the home looks quite a bit different from the front, but we still tried to keep with the colonial style,” explains Ashlan. “We spent a lot of time making sure the columns were just right and were the proper size, and we also painted the ceilings a haint blue.”

 

Mud room

 

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Everywhere you turn within the Morelock home, functionality mingles with a calm but classic design. Add to that architecture and finishes that have been influenced by a bygone era, and the end result is a charming residence that is perfect for raising a family.

 

Morelock Family

Davis and Ashlan Morelock

 

“When we approached the design and build of this house, we were not only thinking about what our family needs right now, but also what we would need in the future,” says Ashlan. “We had a big picture in mind, but the end goal was simple – design a home that we love.” 

-Ashlan Morelock

 

Colonial home front

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