A ranch’s second remodel hits all the right notes for hosting, rustic beauty and sophistication.
Design: Sunday House
Contractor: Randy Baker, CDC Northwest
Wallpaper: Manolo Walls
Photography: Kaitlin Green
Joanne and Bob Smets had other plans for the next stage of life. But when an extensive home search yielded little that suited them, they decided instead to stay put on an acreage near Wilsonville and redo their main living spaces — again.
“We love how peaceful it is, and the proximity to town can’t be beat,” says Joanne.
The couple found a great partner in designers Noelle Harvey and Kari Voegele of Sunday House, a woman-led firm creating bespoke interior design for classic, timeless appeal. Together they were were able to transform their home of 26 years into a haven for a family’s three generations.
The property the Smets live on and where they raised their children has much to recommend it. Altogether, it encompasses 5 acres nestled in the woods near a suburb of Portland, an on-site horse barn, a meandering driveway and a view overlooking a pasture. The Smets had already remodeled it once in 1998, incorporating the era’s typical granite countertops and maple cabinets, though they left a formal dining room. That first remodel even added tresses, with the thought that they would eventually raise the ceilings on the property’s low-slung roofline to bring in more light.
The overall goal was to open everything up — so that wherever one stands in the main living areas, the view is actually viewable. Harvey and Voegele got to work creating a new design for the slice-of-heaven property, focusing mostly on the kitchen and pantry to make the home more livable and enjoyable for hosting and gathering.
“We undid much of what they did on the first remodel,” says Harvey of Sunday House.
They started with the slab — inspired by the one at the home of food influencer Chrissy Teigen. Iron fixtures, seeded glass in the pendants, artwork — all of it added texture and age to the overall aesthetic.
“The owner loved the slab — the warmth of it, the way it goes up the wall,” Harvey says. “And she loved the glam and luxurious elements that could be paired well with more rustic elements that fit the property.”
Next the designers suggested the white oak for the cabinets, which comes with imperfections that add to the timeless warmth and lived-in feel of the home. Then came the range hood, which adds texture with a trim piece of the cabinet tone. The hood becomes a focal point but not outlandishly so.
“We wanted it all to pull back and have it be beautiful and interesting but not overpowering,” Harvey says.
Along the way, the choices in the kitchen were tailored to the couple’s love of hosting and deep ties to their family. The client came with the desired fridge and freezer, as well as the wine fridge, from Standard TV & Appliance. The designers then added a prep sink, pantry storage, and a nice big countertop that wraps the entire pantry for the Crock-Pots and other appliances so they can have them off to the side. Lastly, they added a framed digital screen near the sink that functions as a television or can be used to display art.
“This couple is a really fun time,” Harvey says. “The hosting ability had to be through the roof.”
In the living room, the designers retooled the home’s fireplace to create something striking yet understated, and styled the living room using new and existing furniture and elements. They also redesigned the patio for better indoor-outdoor flow and introduced more windows to improve the connection between the two.
“With the open floor plan and sliding doors, we could now see more of the view from not just outside but inside as well,” homeowner Joanne Smets says. “I now have a different perspective since changing the window placement.”
“The kitchen is so much bigger, and the double oven makes cooking enjoyable, not just a chore,” Joanne says. With the new space, the owners’ grown children come over once a week to prepare a meal for the couple and hang out.
“They are fabulous cooks,” Joanne says.
Brown No Longer Down
For years designers and consumers shunned the palette’s earthier colors in favor of blacks, whites and grays. No longer. Brown is now taking the spotlight in interiors — from warm taupes to deep mahoganies. Here’s why:
Brown Is Natural
The color’s connection to nature makes it a perfect partner for wooden furniture, leather upholstery and stone elements.
Brown Plays Well With Neutrals
Brown works beautifully with a range of neutral colors, bringing warmth to gray, beige and white, while also providing a striking contrast when paired with bolder colors.
Brown Harmonizes With Texture
Plush brown-velvet cushions, woven jute rugs and sleek leather finishes can create a dynamic visual and tactile experience.
