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.