FLEXIBLE FLOORPLAN, NATURAL LIGHT

A modern home in Penn Valley got a total makeover that makes use of open spaces and large windows.

After leaving the city in 2011, Paul and Lauren Lipowicz bought and renovated a classic stone stucco Colonial house in Bala Cynwyd. While it was a great home, they were itchy to start another project.

“We wanted something with flexibility in the floor plan and more natural light,” said Paul, who works alongside Lauren, both real estate agents at Compass in Ardmore.

In late 2014, Paul discovered the perfect house in Penn Valley. Lauren wasn’t quite so sure.

“I was terrified, but I let Paul take the lead,” she said. “And I am so beyond grateful I did.”

Though they loved the modern style of the new home’s exterior, the interior was dated with a rickety spiral staircase, not at all suitable for their daughters, who were toddlers at the time. Their vision included gutting it to renovate it into a home that fit their family’s needs.

“It’s unusual to find a contemporary house in a neighborhood setting on a flat lot,” said Paul. “To find one in this area was rare so we had to jump on the opportunity.”

And Lauren was thrilled to be back in Penn Valley, where she was raised.

“It’s an amazing neighborhood, with a little bit more architectural diversity,” she said. “It’s also really central and a convenient jumping off point for our real estate practice.”

The couple spent a year renovating: replacing the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems; windows; and insulation and putting cedar shingles and white stucco on the home’s exterior.

The job turned out to be much more involved than they anticipated.

“In retrospect, it probably would have made more sense and been cheaper to tear the house down and start over from scratch,” said Paul.

In the end, they created a 4,100-square-foot, four-bedroom, 3½-bathroom house. The home has a large enclosed sunroom, an open floor plan for the kitchen and living area, and an attached garage.

During the pandemic, the couple created two offices on the first floor, taking space from the large open living area. Their kids — Reese, 13, and Sydney, 10 — tend to do homework at the expansive kitchen island.

Though neither Paul nor Lauren is an avid cook, they do spend a lot of time in the kitchen, eating, hanging out, and entertaining friends. An induction stove sits within the roughly 5-by-11-foot island. Putting the stove there made sense, as most of the kitchen’s back wall included large windows, Paul said.

“It’s an induction cook top so there’s no concern about heat or anyone getting hurt, and we liked the look of it, sleek and streamlined,” he said.

The couple brought in Benjamin and Brittany Hakimfar from Far Studio in Bryn Mawr to help with the décor. An eclectic mix of contemporary, custom, and vintage pieces from a variety of periods, create a layered feel that is rich in texture and color and feels both warm, yet elevated, said Brittany, cofounder and principal of Far Studio.

“We wanted a home that was great for entertaining, hosting work events, and working from home, but also where they could raise their two girls and all sit together on the couch at night to watch TV,” Brittany said.

The 10-foot custom, salvaged wood dining table has acrylic legs, and the dining chairs are in the style of French furniture maker Pierre Jeanneret, upholstered in a durable, brown velvet that looks luxurious and is also practical and cleanable.

The sunroom includes floor-to-ceiling windows with a southeastern exposure, welcoming in bright light all day. The focal point is the ceiling light, an original Noguchi Akari paper lantern that was both iconic and oversized in a room with very high ceilings, said Brittany. The piece can be seen down the long hall.

Outdoors, the family enjoys lounging in their built-in pool that fits perfectly into the bend of the L-shaped home. That’s Lauren’s favorite hang-out spot, whether she’s with friends and family or she’s sunning solo.

Laidback family time is important to the Lipowiczes, who enjoy cozying up on the couch and watching TV with their kids and mixed breed dog Nellie, 7.

“Being comfortable is a top priority, both for us, and for anyone visiting,” Lauren said. “Life throws a lot of curveballs at you, and I want my kids, friends, and family to know my door is always open.”

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