18 Dec 2015 A home in the woods

by Sonja J. Keith
Mike Kemp photos

Andrea and Jeff Woods have created a beautiful new home that reflects the family’s love and appreciation of the outdoors.

The couple, who drew on ideas that they have collected over the years, worked with interior designer Pam Hueston and builder Stewart McConnell to construct and create their home in the Spencer Mountain at the Lake neighborhood.

The couple and their two children have lived in the home, which is just under 4,000 square feet, since October 2014. “Stewart knew exactly what we wanted and let us do some creative things,” said Andrea, adding that Pam helped them with “just about everything,” making the experience easier for the busy couple.

Pam worked to create “a relaxing family retreat using natural and organic elements to allow the beauty of the natural surroundings to be highlighted.” She added that the family wanted clean and unfussy lines in their home, which features artwork that they have collected from their travels. “They love their collected paintings and wanted them highlighted.”

Andrea’s “dream space” in the home is situated next to the large kitchen which opens into the living room. The space is simple – four matching chairs situated next to windows to the beautiful outdoors behind the home. It is complemented by a rustic table.

“I wanted it to be a place to gather and have coffee or sit and play games,” Andrea said.

The home’s neutral color palette complements the wood and stone. “I used a punch of red in the great room to coordinate with the massive painting above the mantle that they purchased on a family vacation,” Pam said.

Another favorite in the home is the breezeway, which features an outdoor fireplace. It was inspired by a similar space in the HGTV Dream Home several years ago. “I think it turned out to be one of the best spaces in the house,” Jeff said.

For Pam, one of the special features in the home is the powder room. “Andrea and I had picked the piece of wood we used for the vanity,” she said. “I had so much fun designing this bath with the stacked stone wall.”

The home is built and designed to be open, according to Pam, who added that mirrors have been placed in the living room to reflect the light from the back of the home. The floor plan makes it perfect for entertaining, which the family enjoys. “The house works great for that,” Jeff said.

Andrea describes the new home as “a happy place.” Jeff calls it a sanctuary, adding that he is happy getting home every day. “I absolutely love it,” Andrea said. “It is so peaceful out here.”

“It was a sincere joy to work with the Woods Family,” Pam said. “Andrea has shared with me that she loves coming home to her ‘retreat’ after a busy day at the office. She feels relaxed and decompresses coming up to her new home in the woods.”