Story by Lindsay Hughes
Photography by Ben Finch, Finch Photo
Stacy Jacobi has renovated, designed and lived in dozens of homes, but her latest project feels different. After purchasing the home with her husband, David, last year, Stacy approached the renovation with the goal to create a beautiful place where their family could gather and their five grandchildren would always feel at home. The house marks Stacy’s sixth project in the neighborhood including four that she and David have lived in there. Her history of moving from one project to another might suggest another move is eventually on the horizon, but Stacy says this time she plans to stay. “I love this neighborhood,” she says. “I really feel like this is where we are meant to be.”
Stacy reconfigured portions of the existing floor plan to make the house function better for her family. Rather than designing around convention, she considered how they actually live, entertain and spend time together. One of the most significant changes involved converting a portion of the garage into a butler’s pantry. The addition provides storage for Stacy’s extensive collection of dishes, something that plays a role in one of her favorite family traditions. She often lets her granddaughter select the plates for family meals and help set the table. “I love making those little things special for them,” Stacy says.
Other spaces were reconsidered entirely. The former living room became the dining room, providing more space for the family to gather around the table. Custom built-ins by woodworking specialist Mark Blair add storage and display space while giving the room a sense of permanence. A reading room was created at the back of the house as a quieter retreat and a new pool extends the family’s gathering spaces outdoors. The second floor belongs in many ways to the grandchildren. Stacy created dedicated rooms for the boys and girls along with a playroom, giving the five grandchildren spaces that feel like their own. “I want them to walk in and know there is a place here for them,” she says. “More than anything, I want them to feel happy and loved when they are at our house.”
That desire to create welcoming spaces has roots that reach far beyond Stacy’s years of renovating homes. Stacy was 10 years old when her childhood home burned down. She watched as the house and her possessions were destroyed, an experience that shaped her relationship with material things and her desire to create beauty around her. “My childhood was ugly in a lot of ways, so I think I always wanted to make my surroundings beautiful,” she says. Even as a child, Stacy rearranged furniture and decorated whatever spaces she could. Growing up on a farm gave her some unconventional places to experiment. At one point, even a horse trailer became an outlet for her creativity.
Those early experiences also taught her not to become overly attached to possessions or houses. That perspective helps explain how someone can renovate 25 homes and remain willing to move on when the next opportunity presents itself. “If someone comes into my house and loves it, I’m usually happy to sell it to them,” Stacy says. “I don’t have a hard time letting go. Then I get excited about what I can do next.”
Design eventually became a significant part of Stacy’s life, though she never pursued formal training. She holds a degree in English and built a successful career in real estate. Her approach to interiors developed through experience, instinct and a willingness to trust what appeals to her rather than follow established rules. “I just know what looks good to me,” she says. “I’m not afraid to break the rules.” That freedom has carried Stacy through dozens of projects. Her current home reflects that experience, but its success is measured less by the number of renovations completed than by the people who now fill its rooms. After years of creating, renovating and moving on, Stacy has designed a home centered on what has mattered to her all along, giving the people she loves a beautiful place to gather.