Tour an Empty-Nest Couple’s Bright Modern-Farmhouse-Style Home
Watch and read how a designer found on Houzz used gray marble, white shiplap and oak cabinetry to create a timeless look
Mitchell Parker
July 12, 2022
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
This empty-nest couple wanted to strip their San Jose, California, home of its boring and bland finishes, expand the footprint and lighten the look with a modern farmhouse style that balanced their diverging tastes — she prefers a soft, gentle style; he likes something with a rough, Western flair.
The couple searched for designers on Houzz and found Carmit Oron. Oron, who used Houzz Pro software to manage the project, leaned on beautiful gray marble that looks like soapstone, using five slabs of it for countertops in the kitchen, main bathroom, outdoor kitchen and other spaces. White oak cabinetry and white shiplap also tie the rooms of the home together and create the updated traditional look the owners were craving.
The couple searched for designers on Houzz and found Carmit Oron. Oron, who used Houzz Pro software to manage the project, leaned on beautiful gray marble that looks like soapstone, using five slabs of it for countertops in the kitchen, main bathroom, outdoor kitchen and other spaces. White oak cabinetry and white shiplap also tie the rooms of the home together and create the updated traditional look the owners were craving.
“After” photos by Vivian Johnson
House at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple and their dog
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 4,000 square feet (372 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Designer: Carmit Oron Interior Design
Before: The couple have lived in the 1970s home for 30 years and last remodeled it when they moved in. During the major remodel, they had the roof ripped off and two additions added — one in the front and one in the back to expand the kitchen. They also updated all of the electricity, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows, doors and roof. And they replaced all the furniture, tile and flooring, as well as most of the art and other decorative pieces.
In the former kitchen, shown here, a mostly brown palette gave the space low energy. “She wanted it to feel more up to date, bright and inviting,” Oron says. “And she asked for a lot of storage places she had been missing before.”
The U-shaped layout left only enough room for a narrow island and closed the kitchen off from the dining room on the other side of the refrigerator wall on the left.
Watch now: Go inside this modern-farmhouse-style home on Houzz TV
House at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple and their dog
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 4,000 square feet (372 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Designer: Carmit Oron Interior Design
Before: The couple have lived in the 1970s home for 30 years and last remodeled it when they moved in. During the major remodel, they had the roof ripped off and two additions added — one in the front and one in the back to expand the kitchen. They also updated all of the electricity, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows, doors and roof. And they replaced all the furniture, tile and flooring, as well as most of the art and other decorative pieces.
In the former kitchen, shown here, a mostly brown palette gave the space low energy. “She wanted it to feel more up to date, bright and inviting,” Oron says. “And she asked for a lot of storage places she had been missing before.”
The U-shaped layout left only enough room for a narrow island and closed the kitchen off from the dining room on the other side of the refrigerator wall on the left.
Watch now: Go inside this modern-farmhouse-style home on Houzz TV
After: Oron pushed the kitchen out 2 feet on the sink wall to expand the footprint and create an L-shaped layout open to the dining room. This allowed for a larger island that seats four. She also raised the ceiling to 9 feet.
Find a kitchen designer near you
Find a kitchen designer near you
At the start of the project, Oron bought five slabs of gray Pietra del Cardoso marble, which she says looks similar to soapstone and became the jumping-off point for the subsequent material selections. It’s used for the countertops in the kitchen, primary bathroom, home bar, laundry room and outdoor kitchen area. “It’s rich and deep,” Oron says.
An ogee edge detail on the countertops, along with polished nickel faucets and wide-plank engineered flooring give traditional elements to the space.
White perimeter cabinets and Calacatta marble mosaic backsplash tile create a bright backdrop. A white oak island base in a natural finish, wood details and brass light fixtures and hardware add warmth. These finishes repeat throughout the home, creating a cohesive look and feel from room to room.
Watch now: Tour more of this kitchen in the latest episode of Houzz TV
An ogee edge detail on the countertops, along with polished nickel faucets and wide-plank engineered flooring give traditional elements to the space.
White perimeter cabinets and Calacatta marble mosaic backsplash tile create a bright backdrop. A white oak island base in a natural finish, wood details and brass light fixtures and hardware add warmth. These finishes repeat throughout the home, creating a cohesive look and feel from room to room.
Watch now: Tour more of this kitchen in the latest episode of Houzz TV
Before: The former bathroom was pretty and functional, but it struck one color note. Plus, it had a Tuscan style the owners wanted to update.
After: Oron stripped the finishes and removed the arch over the tub to create a lighter look, which she emphasized with Calacatta marble slabs around the tub.
Pietra del Cardoso marble countertops, oak vanities, polished nickel faucets and brass lighting echo the look of the kitchen. White shiplap walls give a modern farmhouse look. The flooring is Calacatta marble mosaic tile.
10 Bathroom Design Features Pros Always Recommend
10 Bathroom Design Features Pros Always Recommend
Handmade ceramic tile with a crackle finish in a light taupe color covers the shower walls.
Watch now: Step inside this updated transitional home
Watch now: Step inside this updated transitional home
Before: The home has a living room and a family room, and the couple decided to each spearhead the design of one. The wife worked on the living room, shown here. She wanted to update the shag carpet, add storage and create a soft, inviting look.
After: Oron responded with gentle arches, one at the entrance and two over new built-in storage areas. She painted everything white and brought in shiplap paneling to back the open shelves in the arched storage areas.
A vintage-style rug on new engineered wood flooring supports gently rounded furniture and a stone-and-reclaimed wood coffee table that nods to the kitchen finishes. “It’s welcoming and homey in a very comfortable way,” Oron says.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
A vintage-style rug on new engineered wood flooring supports gently rounded furniture and a stone-and-reclaimed wood coffee table that nods to the kitchen finishes. “It’s welcoming and homey in a very comfortable way,” Oron says.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Before: The husband oversaw updates to the family room, shown here. One main request was keeping the original wood-burning fireplace insert.
After: Oron gave the room a fresh coat of white paint, added built-in storage with oil-rubbed bronze mesh fronts and updated the fireplace with a dark limestone surround and hearth.
The husband rode horses on a cattle farm for more than 60 years. “He’s quite the cowboy, you could say,” Oron says. To bring some of his personality into the space, Oron designed a stand to display the saddle he used for years. Two hand-drawn artworks depicting horse riders hang above it.
Oron significantly expanded the back deck, giving the couple lots of space for dining, entertaining and lounging. A built-in kitchenette features the same Pietra del Cardoso marble countertops used in the home. The new kitchen window opens to create a pass-through to a bar top.
Oron had the exterior painted a light taupe color and added limestone to the front addition to create a welcoming look that sets the tone for the interiors. “I wanted to create a fun, inviting space for all their friends and their family to be in,” she says.
Watch now: Tour this modern-farmhouse-style home and get more details on Houzz TV
Shop now: Browse a curated collection of bestselling kitchen and dining furniture
More on Houzz
Tour more homes
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Watch now: Tour this modern-farmhouse-style home and get more details on Houzz TV
Shop now: Browse a curated collection of bestselling kitchen and dining furniture
More on Houzz
Tour more homes
Hire a local design pro
Shop for your home
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Wow! What amazing updates! Love the views outside also. Spectacular!
Love the feel of this house - so welcoming and calming, not to mention beautiful. My only caveat is the marble slabs. How were they treated to prevent etching from acid based foods and drink? Would they be hard to maintain?
I fell in love at the front doors!