The Mallard House

How a designer gave this new build in North Carolina a life reflective of its owners.

While the terms “family compound” and “new build” don’t always go together, in the case of this North Carolina home, affectionately known as The Mallard House, they do. “They had this acreage in the family for generations and lived in a different home on the property for years while they schemed on this one,” says interior designer Kate Haynes of Noble Studio. With adult children and several grandchildren, Allen and Lorie, who split their time between a few residences, were looking to create a special place for the whole family to enjoy. “They knew in this season of life that their main residence needed to be a place their entire flock could feel at home,” Kate says.

entryway with built-in storage cabinets and woven baskets — Form Plus Function. This entry is all about function and beauty. “We took the space and tweaked it to make these oversized mossy-green storage cubbies on one side,” Kate says. “As the homeowners are running in and out all day from outdoor activities, they wanted a super casual kick-off-your-boots side to the room as well.”

green secondary living room with a view to trees and lake in Mallard House — All Tucked In. As sort of a secondary living room, this smaller space is a comfortable nook for the homeowners to read and relax in. “We wrapped the room in a deep green, no-nonsense faux grasscloth, and we love a sofa tucked into a deep window, so we did that here as well,” Kate says.

Crafting a Home

Lorie discovered Kate as a designer unintentionally. It was one of those “I thought you were someone else” moments that in the end turned out for the best. “She considered it a very happy accident because the spirit of the house she dreamt of was really in alignment with our work,” Kate says. When Kate joined the project early in the process, one of her biggest priorities was to create a space that was reflective of the homeowners, their differences as individuals and the lifestyle they’ve created as a couple. “Allen and Lorie have an unpretentious approach to living a really good life, even though that means different things to each of them,” Kate says.

wide angle view of Mallard House kitchen with built-in hood and exposed wood beam — Range Hood Creativity. An extension of the main living area, the soft taupe cabinets and quartzite counters continue the neutral aesthetic of the rest of the room. “The plaster range hood that climbs up beyond the wood beams helps to bring things into proportion, helping the kitchen not to feel dwarfed by the vastness of the space,” Kate explains.

dining room with Arteriors modern chandelier and exposed wood beams in Mallard House — Dramatic Dining. The dramatic chandelier from Arteriors paired with massive wood beams make the dining room feel grand and magnificent.

kitchen with teal cabinetry and pocket door — Practically Perfect. “Small, hardworking spaces like this can be such a highlight,” Kate says of the moody and dark pantry where she successfully integrated a dark wall, trim and shiplap. “It also connected two main halls in the house, and I love that it is a room that can be flowed straight through or shut off if messy.” The mini antlers above the door are a nod to Allen’s love of the outdoors.

kitchen with white cabinetry and yellow wallpaper in Mallard House

powder room with gold scones and beadboard in Mallard House — All in the Details. The eye-catching gold sconces from Nickey Kehoe are a whimsical and elegant detail in this guest bathroom.

To create that balance, it was important that the home incorporate natural and organic elements, while maintaining a sense of balance and refinement throughout. “We spent a lot of time thinking about the interior finishes and millwork details that would create a rustic, rural, timeless base for us to build upon,” Kate says. “Allen had found massive aged-wood beams for the main living space from a family friend’s hundred-plus-year-old barn, raw wood planking in the half bath from another family wood pile and a walnut-edge piece to use as a bench from yet another family source.” Pieces like these, paired with limestone pavers and rustic wood flooring, create a grounded sense of history and home in the entirely new structure.

guest room with two bedframes upholstered in apple pattern block print. — Sleepover Haven. “We fell in love with this block-print fabric and wanted to use it in a substantial way,” Kate says of the matching upholstered bed frames. Paired with striped neutral wallpaper and matching trim, this guest bedroom, perfect for the grandkids, feels whimsical and fun.

green grasscloth wallpaper and duck figurine in The Mallard House desk

bedroom with green dresser and green bedding and apple patterns on bedframe upholstery — Enviously Fun. “We wanted to keep whimsy in the mix with a fresh, bright green dresser and antique chair and mirror moment across the room,” Kate explains.

Moody Meets Bright

Another element at play in the home is the contrast between light and dark. “That was really the balance we were going for as a direct nod to the differences between Lorie and Allen,” Kate says. “Some rooms are filled with rich, saturated, earthy warm tones, while others are allowed to be more ethereal and brighter.” A reading room that doubles as a secondary living space is wrapped in a deep-green faux grasscloth, while the main living space is airy and white. The powder room, one of Kate’s favorites, features a bold and whimsical wallpaper along with the moody wood planking, while other bathrooms are muted with softer colored tiles and warm neutral tones.

his and her sinks in Mallard House primary bathroom with rounded wood door — Softening Up. “We felt strongly about adding warmth with an arched wood door between the custom vanities and an antique hand-knotted rug,” Kate says. The natural textures were crucial to balance the stark elegance of the marble.

powder room with marble sink and vintage botanical style wallpaper

master bathroom with separate shower and tub and his and her sinks in the Mallard House — His and Hers. While Lorie originally envisioned this room with a bold floral wallpaper, Allen had hopes that it would be wood-clad. “We took both and married them together,” Kate says. “We fitted it out with a modern feeling light fixture off to the side, a custom-made washstand and a marble sink.”

The heart of the home is the grand main living space with the living room, dining room and kitchen all incorporated into one space. The high ceilings, rustic wood beams, statement-making chandelier and stone fireplace create the feeling of being in a great hall. “The ceiling heights are grand, but the warmth of those beams and light fixtures that are suspended at a more human scale help to ground the room quite a bit,” Kate explains. Bright and neutral upholstery also help the space feel comfortable and rustic.

A Balance of Interests

Some of the final touches throughout the home are sourced and inspired by Allen’s hobby of duck decoy collecting—a habit that Lorie playfully endures.
“Although she’s supportive of Allen’s passion for all things Great Outdoors, she also wanted to feel represented, so the goal was to make sure there was a balance of comfortable refinement woven throughout their home,” Kate says. The decoys made specific, tasteful and wife-approved appearances throughout the home, including in the powder room wallpaper. “When people make it easy to know who they are it makes it easier to craft a beautiful, personal narrative around the most important things,” Kate says. With Allen’s love of all things outdoors and Lorie’s sense of proper beauty with a touch of irreverence, the home is like them: a stunning combination of strength, beauty and quirks.

high vaulted wood ceiling and view to woods in peaceful bedroom — Warmth of Wood. The high ceilings in the primary bedroom carry the more grand feelings of the main living space, while the warm tones of the natural beams leave you feeling relaxed and comfortable. “We were obsessed with this wood ceiling; the tall, upholstered headboard and the incredible drapes made from a favorite Zak and Fox fabric,” Kate says.

built-in soaking tub with view to trees in Mallard House — Tub-Time View. In the primary bathroom, the bathtub is cozily placed in a nook with a view of the outdoors. Elegant marble and an arched shelf elevate the space. “The Calacatta marble here was the star of the show,” Kate says.

bedroom with green and beige bedding and block print apple bedframe

duck blue tile in Mallard House bathroom

shower with teal tile and dark mustard damask curtain — For the Wee Ones. Located just off the playroom, this is the bathroom most frequently used by the grandkids. “Since it’s a kids’ space, we wanted to bring a little bit of color into play with this serene, watery green-blue tile,” Kate says. “The saffron block-print shower curtain adds a touch of caramelly warmth.”

credenza with woven fronts and framed photo of apple tree in Mallard House play area

playroom with a view in the Mallard House — Kidsplay. This cozy room is a playroom for the grandkids. “The request here was that it be a comfortable spot for Lorie to rock a baby and overlook the pond while other kids play, so we nestled the sofa in the window,” Kate says.

If you love the Mallard House, then check out this Toronto Farm Cottage and this seaside renovation. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration!