25 Jan 2015 Treating hearts in the 501

by RaeLynn Callaway
Mike Kemp photos

Having a heart for the 501 and treating hearts in the 501 is something Don and Molly Steely have been doing for years. Both grew up in the 501 and have called Conway their home for the last 16 years.

“Living in Conway is such a blessing,” Molly said. “We immediately felt at home in this wonderful community.”

The Steelys have lived in their home for five years and two years ago decided to design an addition. The original plan had the bonus room off the master bedroom. With three teenagers, the Steelys knew this wasn’t going to work.

“We wanted a self-contained TV/game room for the kid’s with access to the pool and a covered outdoor living area to entertain,” Molly said. “It was very important to us that the addition fit with the style of the home and look as if it was always there.”

With the help of Kevin Rowell and Ritchie Hambuchen, that is exactly what they attained. It worked out perfectly that the existing pool was off to the far left of the yard. They came straight off the kitchen with the covered porch, adding the outdoor living area with fireplace, and off the current living room with the TV/game room for the kids. Molly didn’t want to lose her existing kitchen window, so they left it open into the kid’s kitchen.

“It has worked out wonderfully having an extra sink, dishwasher and ice maker,” Molly said. “I also love that I now have a great place to display my dad’s Alpine Village Collection from Dept. 56 and that I ended up with a courtyard area that transitions the addition from the original house.”

Don and Molly also decided to update their kitchen. They painted the existing golden oak cabinets, added a crushed glass backsplash and new flooring. “The kitchen already had beautiful granite countertops, a unique U-shaped island and a copper vent a hood,” Molly said. “With the painted cabinets, new hardware and new light fixtures, we just gave it a brighter, updated look.”