The Keefes’ home is a story of design in motion, refined over 20 years and counting
By Sharon Kinsella | Photography by John Michael Simpson
The first thing you notice when approaching the Keefe residence – tucked into a quiet subdivision that abuts the Johnston Mill Nature Preserve in northern Chapel Hill – isn’t the house itself. It’s the sidewalk. The gently curving path more resembles a trail than your typical suburban walkway, weaving homes together through generous stretches of green space. Right away, the walkway hints at what the residents value: time outdoors and a deep respect for nature.
Few embody that sensibility more than New York City native Caren Gadigian Keefe. The businessperson and entrepreneur moved to Chapel Hill in 2001 with her husband, Dr. Rich Keefe, and their two children, Austin Keefe and Victoria Keefe, when Rich accepted a research position at Duke University. The couple was drawn to the neighborhood for its distinct character – in contrast to the more uniform developments closer to town, it was designed with privacy, spacious wooded lots and a commitment to preserving the natural landscape.
The Keefes were among the first to build in the neighborhood and constructed a 4,300-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom home. “A lot of builders present you with an empty box that’s not very functional,” Caren explains. “So there were a lot of things we had to do over the years to make this house really ours.” She’s worked closely with contractor Robert Harndon to make thoughtful updates that have gradually transformed the home – reimagining rooms and repurposing spaces to better suit the family’s needs. “You can see the bones of the house are older,” Caren says, “but many rooms feel more contemporary because I’ve added or removed walls. I’m big on that.”
The most recent transformation in 2023 focused on improving the functionality of the kitchen and creating a seamless flow to the outdoors. Caren worked with Kaylor Russell, senior designer at Kitchen & Bath Galleries in Chapel Hill, to double its usable space without altering the footprint, adding a farmhouse sink beneath a new expanse of windows, upgrading the appliances, installing Omega custom cabinetry and expanding the island into a large central feature.
Caren also worked closely with Max Hugo Interior Design in Durham to enclose the adjacent screened-in porch, transforming it into a luminous sitting room where a wall of windows floods the room with natural light and opens it to the backyard. “I didn’t put screens in because I wanted it to sparkle,” Caren says. Sliding doors open out onto a durable porcelain deck that flows seamlessly into the landscaped yard – a space Caren calls her “pride and joy.” She’s nurtured it with care for the two-plus decades they’ve lived in the home. “It was all brush when we got here,” she recalls. “I wish I had a ‘before’ picture.”
Today, the backyard is a sprawling secluded oasis, thoughtfully designed with the help of Durham’s Old North State Landscape Development to evoke a grounded sense of calm. Stone footpaths wind through a series of garden vignettes: a tidy, rectangular swimming pool ideal for summer afternoons; a tree-lined path leading to the rear gate with a stone bench for morning coffee or quiet meditation; and a larger seating area anchored by a stone fireplace, perfect for cozy gatherings in cooler months. Nearby, a bubbling fountain and small pond add a soothing soundtrack to the environment.
A diverse mix of plants – weeping cypress, jasmine, magnolias, bamboo, maples and more – surround and subtly define each area of the yard. Sculptures, pots and planters peek through the foliage and fill in the gaps, adding texture and personality. Though the entire yard is enclosed, you’d hardly know it; dense, lush greenery hides the deer fencing, giving the garden a sense of openness and ease. As Caren points out which plants have been relocated over time, it becomes clear that nothing in the landscape is accidental. Every detail has been carefully considered and placed with intention.
“I’m really a frustrated landscape architect at heart,” Caren says. She describes the entire process as piecemeal and organic, shaped slowly over time. “Sometimes you have to sit with a space and let it speak to you.” It’s a philosophy that extends to the indoor spaces as well. “If I had drawn up plans all at once, it would have never looked like this. I don’t think it would have flowed the same way.”
The influence of nature is evident throughout the home’s interior. “I want to feel like I’m outside,” she says. Soft greens and blues flow through the rooms – colors Caren connects to the Earth and water. The living room walls are painted sea salt green, a shade inspired by the coast near the couple’s residence in Naples, Florida. In the primary bedroom, sandy tones and grasscloth wallpaper create a quiet, beach-inspired retreat.
Caren treats the designers she hires as creative partners, guiding each decision with clarity and conviction. Her home is layered with deeply personal details and bespoke pieces that reflect her passions: travel, music, art and horses. There’s a custom Murano glass chandelier from Raleigh-based Louise Gaskill Company, Japanese roof tiles, a didgeridoo from Australia and watercolor paintings she bought on the streets of Paris. “I enjoy it, I really do,” she says of the design process. “I enjoy making spaces feel beautiful.” She points out a striking mirror in what was once a playroom for her kids – now ages 27 and 31 – and casually remarks, “That was a vision I had.” Even the cabinetry and doors are custom: white oak in the primary suite, a walnut barn-style office door by Mark Todd of Hill Country Woodworks and built-ins designed by Nancy Roscigno and Karen Caira. Every decision reflects not only Caren’s taste, but also the joys of imagination, reinvention and shaping a space over time.
Caren and Rich’s Chapel Hill home reflects 20-plus years of renovation and deeply personal design – but for Caren, it’s never truly finished. “I always see things I can fix or do better. So that’s part of my problem,” she says with a smile. Every corner of the house and garden is a testament to her vision and hands-on approach: layered, personal and always evolving. With a clear eye and a deep connection to the landscape, Caren continues to refine a home that’s both functional and imbued with meaning.
