Tour a North Carolina Ranch Filled With Global, Contemporary Design

Defined by rolling hills, fantastic beaches and a sky that seems to go on forever, North Carolina is also one of the nation’s largest banking hubs. That makes it a natural place to find someone like Marie Cox. An accomplished executive and one of the few female VPs in banking, her Raleigh home is the perfect blend of comfort and culture, all presented with Marie’s eye for beautiful details and a remarkable art collection.

Six years ago, when Marie found this 1,720 square foot ranch home, it wasn’t in the worst shape. It just wasn’t in the best. “The previous owners had done some updating to sell the home,” she recalls, “but it really hadn’t been touched and it was a rental so all materials were subpar.” Despite that, her renovations have made the home into a true gem, beginning with the living room. The jet black fireplace stands out as the literal center of the room amid a sea of calm and soothing neutrals.

Marie’s living room is designed to do more than show off her fireplace. It’s also one of the home’s main showcases of her impressive collection of objets d’art. “I keep most walls white because I’m a huge art lover,” she says. “And I included art and found objects in my design to add interest.”

“My main living area is open concept,” Marie explains, “so I wanted everything to flow very well from one area to the next.” As the living room opens up to include Marie’s kitchen and dining room, creating a collective feel between the spaces was a simple matter of maintaining the wall color while letting the unique features in each space define them. The rustic cabinetry and stainless steel characterize the kitchen on the one hand, while the art and modern lighting distinguish the dining room.

Marie describes her home’s aesthetic as, “eclectic and modern with a layered, global feel.” This eye-catching bar area encapsulates all of that in one small space. Classic kitchen elements like the freestanding shelves and stainless steel range hood are paired with cute, modern features like the felt, pink bar stools. On the outer wall, one of Marie’s prized paintings adorns the wall, grounding the airy space in a sophisticated and soulful cultural perspective. “My heritage and my love for my people are what stand out the most in my home,” she says. “When you walk in this house you know that Black people live here.”

Art, and its ability to make a direct and powerful cultural statement, is the centerpiece of this home. The highlight of Marie’s collection is the assortment of masks that make up the dining room gallery wall. “The masks on my diaspora wall are my favorite pieces in my home,” she explains. “Art doesn’t always have to be expensive, but you should surround yourself with the pieces you adore. This wall lets me feel connected to my roots and gives me peace.”

This home office at the edge of the living room is an ideal space for getting things done. Though small in size, it gets a full complement of art from a gallery wall mix of framed and sculpted pieces. “My house is smaller than what I think people assume,” she’s muses, “but I’m not about huge McMansions. I’m about ‘less house, more home.’”

Marie first moved into this home with her three kids and their dog. Today, with only one of the kids still at home, she’s put the extra space to good use. This fully stocked fitness room is a must-have for anyone looking to stay healthy at home, and has quickly become one of the most frequented areas. “My gym is my favorite room in my home,” she confesses. “It’s fun and functional at the same time.” With a stationary bike, weight bench, punching bag and plenty of room for working out, who needs membership fees?

Marie’s guest bedroom is the perfect moment of tranquility to offer weary guests. The pink and white color palette, headlined by the colorful feature wall behind the bed, is at once energizing and relaxing. Adding wood slats to create pattern on the main wall was a brilliant DIY, giving unexpected texture and depth to the room while playing with the similar patterns of the rug.

Marie’s bedroom is just as cozy as the guest room, and even more relaxed. Works of art and family photos mix well on the walls and tables in the room. Life at home is all about simple pleasures, and Marie has that covered with a stylish and colorful tray — the ideal choice for breakfast in bed and a little light reading.

Great design has no boundaries, and in this home, design doesn’t stop at the door. Marie’s outdoor area is just as elegant as her living room. The large geometric rug, long benches and a collection of small tables offer a stylish place to enjoy the outdoors. Best of all, culture remains at the forefront even in the outdoor space with a mud cloth throw blanket and amazing outdoor wall art. “I feel like there wasn’t really a hard area to design,” she says. “The hardest thing was to work within my budget, because everything I want is expensive,” she laughs.