The Tronu Pennington House

Located in Winston Salem, Toni Tronu and Robert Pennington purchased their home in August of 2019. It was an "as is" purchase and many wonderful treasures remained in the home, including the original blueprints. They learned that it was the first house built in the neighborhood and that it was a one-time owner. It was clear that the previous owners loved each other very much, because someone in the relationship was supported in the decision to install an impressive amount of wallpaper. It was on the ceilings, on the walls, and their personal favorite- on the towel bars to match the walls. Even the curtains that had been left behind matched the wallpaper pattern. Thinking back the original interior could be compared to a Meow Wolf experience or a Wes Anderson film.

After taking some time to live in and understand the space, Toni and Robert met with Friend Design & Architecture to help bring their dreams to fruition. Friend renovated the heart of this mid-century ranch home to integrate with the charm of the rest of the home. The client, an established art curator, wanted the space to truly reflect their taste and energize the family. The construction of the project was completed in phases over the years with a design that sought to maximize efficiency, storage, and circulation. The first phase included master planning the space to consolidate entries, re-purpose underutilized space, and plan strategically with existing infrastructure. Through smart design, Friend was able to open up the kitchen to the dining room and its expansive views to the pond beyond, allowing much needed light to spill throughout the spaces. With a newborn on the way, bringing the laundry to the main living level was a priority. Friend’s creative use of space allowed the kitchen to connect to a well-lit laundry room and floor to ceiling pantry for much needed storage. The design truly restored the kitchen as the heart of this home and celebrated the beautiful union between the curated art and the architecture.

From Toni, “Friend had a vast knowledge of how the construction world works and they were able to ensure that our vision was manifested by creating clear specifications for the project. These plans are indispensable. I've done home renovations in the past where I felt a sense of "what if I had done this instead," this is definitely not one of those projects. Everyday I walk into this space I feel energized and excited by the true reflection of our taste. I'm proud that my dad and his best friend installed the backsplash and countertops, just as his dad did at his house. I'm excited to entertain people and inspired to hang artwork. It's exactly what Robert and I had envisioned for our forever home.”