Every home in a storybook setting deserves equally enchanting interiors. So when a young family moved into a house nestled on an idyllic wooded lot spanning more than four acres in Williams Creek, Indiana, they knew it needed a renovation. “It felt like a time warp,” says interior designer Amy Knerr, who was brought on to give the Georgian-style residence a welcoming yet sophisticated upgrade.
Previously remodeled in 1987, the property suffered from a nonsensical layout, oversize scale, and “cosmetic craziness” marked by layers of heavy upholstery, explains Knerr, who founded Of Place Studio. The worst offender: a terra-cotta kitchen with brownish granite and one long, wide island. “I’d never seen anything so big, honestly,” Knerr says.
To maximize flow without losing prep space, Knerr installed a double island in the kitchen. On the same floor, the couple’s request for a main level primary bedroom called for transforming a screened-in porch and building a small addition. Nearby, a portion of the massive home office was carved out to create a sizable primary bath. Architectural details throughout nod to the original era of the venerable 1936 home. In the living room, hand-hewn wood beams and a variety of seating ensure that what once felt like a chilly, high-ceilinged banquet hall is now a cozy hub for family game nights and gatherings with friends.
From there, Knerr selected natural materials to drive the muted color palette in the 7,500-square-foot, five-bedroom, house. Custom walnut kitchen cabinets and white oak vanities have a quiet warmth; Calacatta marble counters add an element of drama. “Natural stone is a living art piece in your home, so it’s really special when you find and use beautiful ones,” she says. The kids’ rooms are drenched in soothing hues—a mellow purple, a soft blue—that balance excitement and enduring appeal.
A mix of new, vintage, and heirloom pieces fill the house. Exceptional lighting, like the Roman and Williams pendant in the breakfast nook, ties it all together. “You can sort of get away with other more budget-friendly items if you invest in lighting,” Knerr says. “It makes all the difference.” And it’s the perfect way to give each room its happy ending.
Living Room
Anchored by an Indiana limestone mantel, the multipurpose space exudes comfort. Credenza and dining chairs: Lawson- Fenning. Curtains: Dedar. Game table: Nickey Kehoe. Rug: Armadillo. Lamp: Victoria Morris. Wall art: McKenzie Dove.
Den
The office doubles as a serene hangout where the vinyl record collection is kept. Sofa: custom, Community MFG. Chairs and side table: Four Hands. Lamp: Visual Comfort & Co. Coffee table and rug: vintage.
Kitchen
The double islands maximize prep space. Cabinetry, hardware, and pendants (white): Devol. Stools: Black Creek Mercantile & Trading Co. Faucet: Brizo. Lamp: Dumais Made. Backsplash, counters: Calacatta marble.
Breakfast Nook
The custom banquette, upholstered in Perennials fabric, is “an intimate spot in a big kitchen,” says designer Amy Knerr. Pendant: Roman and Williams. Paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore. Table and chairs: vintage.
Dining Room
“We wanted this space to feel like a big, inviting hug,” says Knerr. An heirloom hutch from the client’s mother was refinished for the space. Chandelier: The Urban Electric Co. Wallcovering: Phillip Jeffries. Paint: Iron Ore, Sherwin-Williams. Chairs: Crate & Barrel, in Pierre Frey fabric. Curtains: Brook Perdigon Textiles. Rug: Armadillo.
Primary Bedroom
The bouclé bedcover and shams from Principal’s Daughter encourage endless relaxation. Nightstands: Crate & Barrel. Sconces: Lumfardo. Rug: Armadillo. Side table: Häti Home. Lamp: Zara Home.
Bunk Room
“We needed a space for [the kids’] friends to come by and have the ultimate sleepover,” Knerr says. Paint: Summer Shower, Benjamin Moore. Sconces: Schoolhouse. Bedding: Garnet Hill. Rug: Serena & Lily.
Daughter’s Bedroom
A built-in bed and integrated storage, painted in Benjamin Moore Muskoka Dusk, creates space for play in a tiny room. Bedding: Parachute. Sconce: Visual Comfort & Co. Hardware: Devol. Rug: Crate & Barrel.
Primary Bathroom
Honed limestone flooring from Zia Tile is practical but not clinical. Bathtub: Kohler. Fixtures: Brizo. Sconces: The Urban Electric Co.
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