Southern Grace: A Timeless Whole-Home Remodel

Christian and Jessica share the process of designing and remodeling this entire home to a Southern-Traditional style.

Recently, Pinnacle Remodel owner, Christian Raab, teamed up with Jessica—one of our interior designers—to walk through a whole-home transformation we completed for a family who wanted a Southern traditional look with modern functionality.

This remodel demonstrates how thoughtful design, clear communication, and skilled craftsmanship can turn a closed-in, dated house into a warm, elegant, and highly livable home.

Design Process: From Remote Collaboration to Real-World Results

Working with homeowners who don't live on the property requires a clear and structured process. We began with a design agreement that covered a complete design package and selection assistance. Key components of our process included:

• Detailed floor plans showing the new room locations and circulation.

• 3D renderings so the family could visualize the finished spaces before construction began.

• Centralized selection decisions handled with the design team to keep the project moving smoothly despite the distance.

Using renderings and coordinated selections made it possible for the clients to make confident choices without being on site for every decision.

Design Goals: Southern Traditional, Elevated

When I first spoke with the family, they described their style as “southern traditional.” To us, that meant emphasizing custom millwork, classic materials, and thoughtful built-ins while opening and brightening the living areas to suit modern family life.

Jessica led the interior direction, focusing on details that reinforce traditional character while keeping the design timeless and usable for everyday life.

Key design intentions

• Incorporate custom cabinetry and millwork for authentic traditional detail.

• Open the floor plan to improve sightlines and natural light.

• Use durable, classic materials—marble and quartz—for a timeless palette.

• Add modern comforts (like heated floors) that enhance daily living.

Kitchen Highlights

The kitchen was reconfigured to become the home’s focal point. Highlights include:

• A large, functional island providing workspace and seating for family life.

• Plentiful custom cabinetry for storage and refined millwork details.

• Full-height quartz used for countertops and an extended backsplash—an elegant, low-maintenance choice that reads timeless.

• A walnut butcher-block accent for warmth and contrast.

Opening the kitchen into the adjacent living areas dramatically changed how the home feels—moving it from closed-off and dark to bright and inviting.

Bathrooms, Master Suite, and Built-Ins

We continued the Southern Traditional language through the bathrooms and master suite with extensive built-ins and carefully selected materials:

• Custom vanity with walnut accents and marble surfaces.

• A corner shower with double shower heads for comfort and functionality.

• Heated flooring in key areas for everyday luxury.

• Extensive marble used selectively to elevate the overall finish palette.

• A custom built-in in the master bedroom sized precisely for the clients’ TV.

• A U-shaped closet layout behind the master built-in, providing organized his-and-her zones and a custom shoe display.

"The heated floor... made me a believer. It felt amazing."

Structural Challenge: Vaulting the Ceilings

One of the most impactful changes was opening the main living space by vaulting the ceilings. The existing home had low, eight-foot ceilings that contributed to a closed-in feeling. To gain the open, airy proportion the clients wanted, we needed to install a long engineered beam to carry the loads after removing interior walls.

That meant bringing a 35-foot engineered beam onto the site and lifting it into place—an operation that required careful planning and coordination. We could not pass the beam through the front door, so we removed a window to gain access, coordinated the crew, and set the beam nearly 16 feet in the air. That structural move transformed the sense of space and light in the home.

"My favorite part by far was vaulting the ceilings... we had to install a 35-foot engineered beam, and by far that's my favorite part."

Materials & Finishes

The material palette reinforced the Southern Traditional aesthetic while remaining practical for everyday life:

• Marble is used selectively across bathrooms and feature surfaces for classic elegance.

• Full-height quartz in the kitchen for durability and a clean, continuous look.

• Walnut butcher block and custom millwork to add warmth and craftsmanship.

• Heated floors to introduce modern comfort into classic spaces.

Client Experience & Project Outcome

The project delivered a dramatic change in layout, scale, and feel. The homeowners are very happy with the results, and our collaboration continues as we move into remodeling their basement. Their experience highlights several advantages of working with a full-service design-build remodeler:

• Consistent communication and decision-making, even when clients are out of town.

• Design clarity through floor plans and 3D renderings before construction begins.

• Execution that respects both aesthetic goals and structural realities.

How Pinnacle Approaches Projects Like This

At Pinnacle Remodel, we combine craftsmanship, integrity, and a client-first process. For whole-home remodels, that means:

• Starting with a thorough design agreement that defines the scope and selections.

• Using drawings and 3D visualizations to set clear expectations.

• Coordinating systems, structural work, and finishes so the end result is cohesive.

• Delivering durable, beautifully detailed solutions tailored to each family’s lifestyle.

Ready to Transform Your Home?

If you’re considering a whole-home remodel—or even a single-room transformation—we’d love to help you explore the possibilities. Our team can guide you through budgeting, design, and construction, and we’re experienced in coordinating projects for clients who live out of town. Contact Pinnacle Remodel to start the conversation and see how we can bring your vision to life.