When Allison and Dr. Marc Cromie married last year, they blended two homes full of furniture, artwork, and accessories that had been acquired throughout the years. “Marc said, ‘I want you to make this your home,’ so we merged everything together, and with the help of interior designer Jimmy Adams, developed an overarching design that would meet the needs of our big, new family in a creative way,” Allison says.
By Candice Graham | Photos by Med Dement
With the assistance of Jimmy Adams of Nell’s Home, Gifts, & Interior Design, what was once a dark interior is now a bright and flowing space. “Before, it was all leather and blue,” Marc explains. “Now the heavy feel has been lifted.” With a calm color palette and an easy flow from room to room, the interior is inviting and relaxing. As you enter the home, Italian Carrera marble floors from The Tile Store sweep the front entryway, which leads left to a serene dining room bordered with white columns. In the dining room, a large round dining table, a gift to Allison from her father, anchors the room, and a modernized crystal chandelier with a cream-colored drum shade hangs above. In the center of the dining table, graceful white orchids are potted in a blue and white china bowl packed with green moss. A painting by Costa of lakeside scenery hangs above the buffet table, adding an earthy touch to the space.
Allison and Dr. Marc Cromie with their children Hayden (14), Kali (13), Will (11), Ellie (8), and Ward (6)
Beyond the dining room is a great room where the family spends time together watching movies and football games. “This is where we can all fit – all seven of us,” Allison explains. The room’s neutral-colored furniture layers various textures – such as a gray ottoman paired with a skin rug – giving the area visual interest and dimension. Tall windows nearly reaching the ceiling offer a view of large pine trees. Draperies on either side of the windows add warmth to the room, as does an Italian Carrera marble fireplace with a gold sunburst mirror hanging above. A dark mahogany entertainment center matches a bar area on the opposite wall, which serves as a spot to entertain friends.
Oak hardwood floors with a custom gray stain lead the way into the kitchen and an informal dining area and TV room. A mix of metal, stone, and wood by Scarlett’s Cabinetry is used in the kitchen. The countertops and center island use the same marble found throughout the home. A custom metal range hood hangs over the stove, complementing counter-to-ceiling cabinetry with a white glazed finish. Two kitchen sinks provide plenty of functional space, and a smaller glass-front refrigerator houses drinks for the kids.
Pale, smoky glass tiles from The Tile Store reach the crown molding and add a subtle, serene
color pop.
Off the kitchen is an informal dining area with an antique mirrored light fixture hanging above. Cloth-covered chairs rest around a rectangular wooden plank table. A framed antique print of a thoroughbred horse hangs above the table as a nod to Allison’s love for horses, which she showed competitively when younger.
Connected to the kitchen is a second, smaller family room. Fresh white paint was added to the room’s brick wall, making the space feel brighter and more modern. Bright orange accents and framed family photos outfit the space, and a TV where the kids can watch cartoons hangs above the mantle. Lamps handed down from Allison’s mom help to cast a warm glow. “Making the home feel livable was a priority for us. I didn’t want a house where I’d tell my children not to sit on a chair,” she says.
The master bedroom is contemporary, yet comfortable with earthy tones accentuated by deep red accents. Woven wooden blinds add to the natural elements, and printed curtains hang on windows for added shade. A functional plush ottoman rests at the foot of the bed and serves as storage for blankets or extra throw pillows. Two tan chairs with nail head trim rest in front of the window with a small wooden table in between.
Connected to the master bedroom is the master bath, which is an area of tranquil elegance. The home’s Italian Carrera marble is used in various shapes and sizes in the bathroom. Gray bathroom cabinetry by Scarlett’s Cabinetry reaches the ceiling, offering ample storage space. A small flat screen TV hangs above a vanity area, and can be seen from a pristine freestanding white soaking tub. A glass shower takes up the corner space of the room with marble tiles visible from the outside. A sleek silver fan circulates air, creating a comfortable breeze in the room.
Outside, Allison’s mom’s green thumb was put to use. A gardener, her mom planted flowerpots and sculpted shrubbery, and she comes over often to maintain her work. In the front yard, a picturesque playhouse is set amidst green grass and a swing set is shaded by lush leafy trees, proving that from the outside in, the warmth and comfort of the Cromie home begins and ends with family.
