Wide Open Spaces in the Heart of Raleigh
Josh and Megan Smith have never shied away from adventure. While they share a love of the outdoors, they come to that love from vastly different landscapes. Megan grew up in sunny California where the boundary between life inside and out was blessedly blurry and Josh spent his childhood in Iowa taking full advantage when the weather gods offered sunshine and blue skies. Meeting in Chicago and embracing all things urban, they knew they eventually wanted to be rooted in a community that offered them a life with wide-open doors (almost) year round.
Their first pass at a house didn’t afford them the luxury of time to research neighborhoods as they had to buy it site unseen. It served them well for a number of years but when their son Calvin was born, the Smiths began to dream of a space that they could mold to their growing family’s needs and interests. Their search brought them to Paul Baggett, owner of Allure Homes in Raleigh, and a beautiful piece of property on St. Mary’s Street that was designed but not yet under construction. The timing was perfection.
For the next 9 months, the Smiths worked in partnership with Paul and the Allure team. For a builder, being fully open to and respectful of a collaborative process is decidedly not the easy path. It can create complexities and challenges that affect timelines as well as bottom lines but it is in this skillful mastery of the trade AND the respect for working in concert that produces a home with a soul.
When I arrived to see this stunning space, Josh, Megan, Calvin & the Smith’s four legged friend Tinsley welcomed me at the front door with generosity and warmth, much like the home they have built together. We immediately walk into the main living space which includes the kitchen, family room and outdoor area. I take a deep breath to take it all in. Not because it’s overwhelming in any way but because its graciousness allows me this time to pause. It encourages it with its openness, its gentleness.
From the living spaces, we move into Josh’s office. It balances sleek simplicity with playful polish, paying homage to his favorite band with an artful collection of Dave Matthews Band concert posters by artist Boyd Tinsley (for whom their pup is named). As we walk, I ask a bit about deadlines and headaches and Megan answers with vulnerability. “Yes, at times it was stressful, chaotic and even a little scary but Josh and I felt lucky every single day that we had the opportunity to build our dream home. We trusted Paul's vision and expertise. It was a lesson in letting go, but a good one - the house ended up a perfect blend of Paul's original plans and our touches. It felt organic.”
Calvin tires of our chatter fairly quickly and ascends the sleek iron staircase to far more important work in the playroom. From the iron doors to Josh’s study to the clever bar nook with its cassette tape wallpaper to the exercise room overlooking the lap pool, I can’t help but become wide-eyed at all the thoughtful talent that came together to create this space. David Kenoyer, Raleigh Reclaimed, Kate H. Designs, Van Horn Designs and many more; all part of a rock star symphony working in harmony with the Allure team to bring the best they have to give.
Finally, Calvin is given the green light to change into his swim suit and show me his pool. He is joy incarnate as he jumps and splashes and shares his excitement of what’s ahead in the coming year. He will be walking to kindergarten soon. And as if life couldn’t get any better, he’ll be coming home to this heavenly place.
