This home holds a beautiful story of love, adoption, and the joy of an instant family. Mark and Rhonda Frentz had lived in his house for a few years, when suddenly what had been a huge house for two, instantly became too small for four. After some time dreaming of being a family, the Frentzes were thrown into the most wonderful chaos, adopting and bringing home their two new daughters Mackenzie and Miya.

Mark and Rhonda felt so blessed to be living this life they had imagined for so long. All they needed now was a house to match that dream. This project was such a joy. Aside from working with this sweet family, this renovation was the perfect example of how thoughtful design can transform a house into a home that truly works for the people who live in it. By focusing on how Mark and Rhonda use their space, we were able to make updates that not only fit their needs but also created a home that feels comfortable, functional, and just right for this beautiful new season of their lives.

BEFORE

Mark mentioned he grew up in a colonial home – so did I! The exterior didn’t need much work. All we needed to focus on enhancing those classic colonial details. We swapped out the blue shutters for black louvered ones, added a beautiful new front door, updated the lighting, and refreshed the landscaping. Just a few thoughtful changes made all the difference, giving the home a timeless, polished look that feels both fresh and familiar.

AFTER

SOURCES

Flag | Allegiance Flag Supply

Lights | Kichler

Shutters | Cornerstone

BEFORE

Since the staircase is the first thing you see when you walk through the front door, we wanted to make sure it felt fresh and welcoming. We started by sanding down the wood to soften those orange tones and bring out a more natural warmth. Then, we gave the railing a simple but impactful update by swapping the rounded balusters for squared-off ones.

Mackenzie and Miya are such talented artists, so we knew we wanted to showcase their work in a special way. Just outside their bedrooms at the top of the stairs felt like the perfect spot—a little gallery of their own. I reached out to Mark and Rhonda and asked them to send me a few of the girls’ favorite pieces. Then, I took them to Howse, a local retailer, where they scanned the artwork and printed it onto canvas. You could certainly frame the originals, but this gave their art a unique, elevated twist while still keeping that handmade, heartfelt feel.

Once we had the pieces, we arranged them in a collage-style gallery wall and added large accent lights above to make them shine. Now, every time the girls walk upstairs, they’re greeted by their own creativity—and I love that this space feels so personal and meaningful to their family.

AFTER

SOURCES

Picture Lighting | Kichler

Art | Frentz Girls Originals

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove

Stair Railing Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Drop Cloth

BEFORE

The family room had a large built-in around the fireplace that took up way too much room. We removed the cabinetry and replaced it with a stone fireplace with a wooden mantle. We sanded and refinished the floor here, like we did for the rest of the house.  Now, this space feels open, inviting, and perfectly balanced, with the fireplace as the heart of the home.

AFTER

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse

Lighting | Kichler

Fireplace Stone | Buechel Stone

Art | Juniper Print

Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove

BEFORE

The kitchen was a good size, but it wasn’t laid out to function at its best. There was an odd shaped island in the middle that the Frentz didn’t like for eating their meals. Reconfiguring it made  big difference. Since we closed up the wall that led to the old dining room, were were able to more than double the cabinet space.  

We chose a modern blue for the cabinets, pairing them with gold hardware to warm the space. New appliances, and a large white marble backsplash that matches the countertops, makes the kitchen bright and airy, and the new island is the perfect size for casual weeknight dinners.

AFTER

SOURCES

Sconces | West Elm

Pendant Lighting | West Elm

Cabinets | Premiere Wood Concepts

Cabinet Knobs | Top Knobs

Cabinet Pulls | Top Knobs

Gas Range | Forza

Hood Vent | Forza

Refrigerator | Forza

Dishwasher | Forza

Oven | Forza

Art | Buddy Whitlock

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Cabinet Paint Color | Farrow & Ball De Nimes

Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove

This room was originally a dining room, but since it wasn’t being used, Mark and Rhonda were willing  to transform it into a dedicated home office for Mark. Since we were removing the upstairs office he had been using, it was important to create a space that worked well for him—one that would be functional and inviting.

We went for a rich, moody library feel, complete with built-in shelves and detailed crown molding to add character. Dave built a beautiful wooden desk for Mark, which we placed right in the center of the room, creating a true workspace. And because family time is so important, we added two smaller desks within the built-ins—perfect little spots for Mackenzie and Miya to work on art projects while their dad works.

AFTER

SOURCES

Cabinets | Premiere Wood Concepts

Desk | Custom by Dave Marrs

Art | Shea Frakes

Wall & Cabinet Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Green Smoke

This was originally the playroom, but since the girls are getting older now, it wasn’t needed anymore. Mya loves foxes, so we wanted to bring in that woodland charm in a way that felt both whimsical and timeless. The wallpaper we found for this room is absolutely perfect—it adds just the right amount of magic and personality. To make the space even more special, Dave built beautiful custom nightstands, and we framed the doorway with that same playful rope-style trim we used in Mackenzie’s room.

Creating fun, unique spaces for kids is something we absolutely love to do. There’s nothing better than designing a room that feels like a little escape

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse

Ceiling Fan | Fanimation

Fox | The Gilded Thistle

Art | Juniper Print

Wallpaper | Spoonflower

Trim & Door Color | Color Matched to Wallpaper

The girls had been sharing this room but now that they’re growing up, the space is much too small for the both of them. The Frentzes decided to make this a room just for Mackenzie. Mackenzie told us she loves sharks are all sorts of sea animals so we decided to give her a beautiful, whimsical ocean-themed room. I brought in my friend Paige who is a muralist to paint an original piece on the ceiling so that when mackenzie is in bed she can look up and feel like she’s in the ocean. To tie the whole theme together, we carried that same ocean-inspired color onto the walls, added a unique wooden whale light fixture, and framed the door with whimsical rope-style trim.

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse

Mural | Buddy Whitlock

Floor Tile | Sherwin Williams Moody Blue

The existing bathroom was too small so we absorbed some of the office space that was next to it. Now that we had a larger bathroom to work with, we added a double sink vanity, in a serene blue color with modern gold hardware that plays nicely with the blue and white shower tile and the blue penny tile on the floor. Gold mirrors and delicate light fixtures keep the bathroom looking feminine and updated.

SOURCES

Lighting | Capital Lighting

Shower Tile | Bedrosians

Floor Tile | Bedrosians

Vanity | Premiere Wood Concepts

Vanity Knobs | Top Knobs

Vanity Pulls | Top Knobs

Art | Kelly Ventura

Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove

This bathroom was too small and not functional. To make the space work better, we added a large walk-in shower—now it feels like a spa retreat. We also brought in a classic white oak double-sink vanity for extra storage and balance. To give it a little extra charm, we bought a roll of caning and carefully cut it to size to add texture and interest to the vanity doors.

The biggest challenge with the main bedroom was the lack of closet space. So, we borrowed square footage from the adjoining office to create a large walk-in closet with plenty of built-ins and hanging space.

SOURCES

Mirror | Amazon

Sconces | Pottery Barn

Shower Tile | Daltile

Shower Floor Tile | Daltile

Cabinet Pulls | Top Knobs

Cabinet Knobs | Top Knobs

Art | Juniper Print

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Closet Cabinets | Premiere Wood Concepts

Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter