Step Right Up

The foyer, with its pine ceiling, chandelier, and interior brick arch, underscores the house's charming regional character. Designer Connie Smith Howard and assistant Jessica Gilmore achieved a wonderful balance of comfort and style. "The building materials dictated a warm palette," says Connie. "The golds in the pine floors, the green of the window frames, and the reds in the brick are where we started."

Ben incorporated some of the architectural elements that homeowners love most about his designs. "It's always a nice feature to open the front door and see all the way through the house," he explains. "I like to avoid narrow hallways, use taller door openings, and try to get windows on two walls of a room to let in more light."

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