Sofia and Cliff Marzouka were exhausted. The then Miami-based family felt like they’d seen just about every home for sale in Raleigh, each one nice—but not perfect for their family of five. A sweeping sense of frustration came over the couple. “We felt a little defeated,” says Sofia. But just as they were about to leave their final neighborhood, a home caught their eye.
“I was a little nosy!” Sofia laughs of seeing the new- construction home. She went up to the door, asked the builder if she could peek inside, and, as luck would have it, the couple fell in love with what they saw. The home boasted an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, and floor- to-ceiling windows, creating a bright and airy vibe. The modern-leaning build and subtle design allowed natural light to do the work, creating a glowy space.
Although the home was sold, just down the street on a charming cul-de-sac sat a similar house featuring all of the same architectural details and finishes. The blank canvas was daunting to Sofia, who “didn’t want anything too modern or too traditional. I was looking for a combination,” she says. “I also wanted my home to feel warm and inviting.” Designer Kate Haynes was more than willing to find the balance and understood exactly what the Marzoukas were looking for: a timeless design in a comfortable family-oriented setting.
“Sofia wanted to create an inviting modern-traditional home with a nothing-is-too precious mentality and approachability that parallels their own warmth and personality,” says Haynes, who looked to a neutral color palette in varying textures for interest coupled with tailored lines for a more modern look. “We added in velvet and bubbly textures with cool rugs to create a lot of different layers.”
To keep the aesthetic timeless, Haynes seamlessly paired modern pieces with traditional elements throughout the home. Both Haynes’s and Sofia’s favorite room is the lounge. With a large white couch and matching chairs against gray-hued wallpaper, Haynes’s highlights contrast. “I love to bring in tension with a modern piece of art or chair, something with a very contemporary style,” she explains. “But placing it in a traditional setting, it completely changes the overall feel.”
Haynes also played up the open floor plan, allowing the clean, modern-leaning design to shine without feeling cold and unapproachable for the young, fun-loving family, who needed space for lots of easy movement and entertaining. “We gave them a home that felt intentionally neutral in color palette but interesting in form,” says Haynes. An abundance of natural light and greenery also add to the cozy feel. Haynes chose sectionals that could accommodate the family while the openness of the floor plan provides enough room for children to be free without feeling encumbered.
While the Marzoukas visited the home only five times over the course of the eighteen-month construction, they deeply trusted Haynes with bringing their vision to fruition. “Kate pulled me out of my comfort zone,” says Sofia. “I knew it was going to be great, but it surpassed my expectations.”
