Nara Skipper has always loved the charm of a Southern ranch. A delightful one just down the street from her sister’s Deering Oaks home had always caught her eye, so when her sister called one day to let them know it was going on the market, the Skippers immediately booked a showing. While the couple was hesitant to move from their home just a few miles away, the moment they walked inside, their minds were made up. “It immediately felt like home,” says Skipper. “The sellers received several offers that day, but Jeff and I included a letter about wanting our children to grow up just doors down from their cousins.” The letter worked, and soon the house was theirs.
At first, their family of five made the three-bedroom footprint work, the sons sharing a bedroom and the daughter’s room becoming a makeshift guest space as needed. Adding another bedroom and a guest room was in the long-term plans before their boys reached their teen years, but when Covid hit, the Skippers found themselves setting up offices in closets and corners. Their renovation needs became immediate, and the must-have list grew to also include an office, a lounge, and a kid-friendly bonus room. “Jeff was ready for a renovation long before I was,” laughs Skipper. “I hated the idea of it, terrified of pulling apart the ranch home I loved and making it lose its charm, but we needed the square footage.”
They hired Meredith Beregovski of Georgia Street Design to help accomplish their goal of adding functionality without sacrificing the home’s original charm. Skipper adds, “I loved Meredith’s style. When we spoke over the phone, it felt like talking with a friend, and I trusted her vision. She worked hard to keep the look of a ranch while adding the needed square footage.” Beregovski was prepared for the challenge. “This was a down-to-the-studs renovation, and I came in to a set of plans with a blank canvas for the design,” the designer says. “Stylistically, the homeowners wanted depth and character with long-term livability that represented their close-knit family. They are very fashion-driven, so the final design exhibits a unique funk that blends several styles into one cohesive aesthetic.”
The kitchen moved from the front to the back of the home for privacy and easier flow to accommodate cooking, gathering, and entertaining. The aesthetic is organic but polished, with stained cabinetry, natural stone floors, a marble backsplash, and brass-accented lighting emphasizing the subtle blending of organic and elegance. A two-story barrel ceiling harnesses natural light from the windows overlooking the back porch. An expansive island with a large walnut chopping block and extra-wide walking spaces allows for easy entertaining and gathering while cooking and eating.
The kitchen flows seamlessly into the family room, which was kept neutral to connect the more dramatic stylings of the sunroom, dining room, and powder room. The family room also features custom-designed bookcases that showcase the family’s extensive library, creating a relaxation haven. A moody color-drenched palette, floor-to-ceiling windows, modern lines, and a dramatic checkerboard floor give the sunroom a sophisticated edge. The dining room’s deep mauve tone, expressed in two tones of Schumacher grasscloth applied to the walls and ceiling, echoes the rich plum of the vintage Murano glass chandelier. The dining chairs, plush and comfortable, add functionality, formal enough for entertaining and casual enough for daily homework.
The personality of each family member shines in their respective bedroom. The owner’s bedroom is bright, clean, and effortless with an organic, no-fuss aesthetic meant to feel like a retreat—an ambiance shared with the owner’s bath, where dark blue shower tiles and natural stone give the space a private, spa-like feel. From the love of animals to sports teams, the kids’ personal spaces bring their own interests to life in the design, with colorful aesthetics and the added functionality of extra storage and sleeping accommodations for fun overnights. A communal bonus room, perfect for hangouts and movie-watching, connects the kids’ rooms and features a playful Schumacher wallpaper and bright pops of color.
“We were able to give each room the personality of the person occupying the space while creating shared areas that felt comfortable and accessible for everyday living but also elevated enough to host any event,” Beregovski says.
Skipper says the design’s attention to detail truly creates flow and accessibility for entertaining. “Meredith helped us create charm and warmth in our home with a medley of layers, textures, art, wallpaper, and lighting,” says Skipper. “People walk into our house and say they feel at home, and that’s exactly what I wanted.”
