Flipping The Script

Ken Lemm and Alec Michaelides’ home had already been through the Design Review Board process (committee that oversees all Serenbe building projects) when it was built in 2012, but they wanted to make it their own by doing an extensive renovation in 2018. Their original plans included painting the exterior white, but the DRB felt there were ample white farmhouses in the community.

Since the couple had envisioned a black and white theme for the inside and outside of the home, rather than find a new palette the decided to just flip the color scheme. This seemingly simple choice made all the difference. Their Grange farmhouse is now a dramatic Onyx Black with White Dove trim that stands out beautifully as you drive down Serenbe Lane.

ABOUT THEIR HOME

Size: 2,400 square feet

Bedroom/Bathrooms: 3 Bedrooms/2.5 Bathrooms

Year Built: 2012

Renovation Builder: Ricky Matthews, South Haven Builders

Renovation Designers: Ken Lemm & Alec Michaelides

Alec’s Favorite Spot: The screened-in side porch. “It’s the best place to hide.”

Ken’s Favorite Spot: Their glassed-in office, which was the original screened-in porch.

Both Love: Sitting on their front porch with their rescue boxers Cody and Roxy, and saying hello to neighbors walking by.

Alec and Ken, who also own the well-known landscape architecture firm Land Plus Associates, created an outdoor living space that feels both stylish and cozy. Perfect for warm weather entertaining! When renovating the home, one of their changes was turning a carport into a covered porch at the back of the house that now connects the home with their charming garden, making it perfect for entertaining. The garden design doesn’t stop in the backyard, the couple also completely redesigned every aspect of the front exterior landscaping from plantings to stonework and even the home’s front walkway.

The inside turned out just as gorgeous as the exterior. Kitchen cabinets painted the same Onyx Black by Benjamin Moore ares set against white subway tiles with contrasting black grout and white and grey quartz marble countertops. The open dining area has a large farm table surrounded by white upholstered chairs ready to host dinner party guests, and black railings on the staircase add a modern, eclectic touch. Then a framed walkway leads to the warm and inviting living room, filled with multiple textures and patterns that are perfectly combined.

The master bedroom deviates from the black and white theme and features white shiplap walls, white bedding, and white furniture, with sophisticated splashes of navy. The entire home is full of artwork, mostly by family members and friends. Serenbe resident artists can be found as well as watercolors by Alec’s father. Ken and Alec always wanted an art wall, so many of the pieces are in the stairwell landing salon style, making that a special spot

Ken and Alec discovered Serenbe when searching for a place with a diverse set of people and age groups yet still had a cohesive sense of community. They also thought they wanted somewhere quiet, but have pleasantly found themselves more outgoing and sociable in Serenbe. Alec is now on the DRB himself, helping guide the future of Serenbe’s aesthetic.

Photos of Ken Lemm and Alec Michaelides’ home by Tomas Espinoza. View all available Serenbe homes at SerenbeRealEstate.com.

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