The tile roof, the large multi-pane windows with wooden trim, and the built-in pool remain untouched in this Ellinwood Way whole home remodel. The roof, with its tile finish, is integral to the Southwestern-inspired exterior and has weathered nearly two decades in Jackson’s dry foothill climate. The windows, trimmed in wood, are a defining feature on both stories, drawing sunlight deep into the great room and loft while framing views of mature pines and rocky slopes. The pool, with its fiberglass shell and natural rock landscaping, already links the covered patio and backyard, making it the outdoor heart of the property. Every other change in this plan is shaped around these three elements, which give this 3,166-square-foot, two-story home its sense of place and connection to its 1.67-acre lot.
This project plan is for the family living in this house, built in 2005 and recorded as updated/remodeled. The house sits on well-drained, very rocky loam with 3 to 16 percent slopes, according to the local soil survey. The main structure’s footprint is about 4,873 square feet, with no detached buildings within 25 meters. The lot, fenced at the back and featuring auto sprinklers, supports a large covered patio under a dark wood pergola, a fire pit, and a dog run. The ground-level layout allows the primary suite, kitchen, dining room, great room, and garage to open directly to the backyard and pool, while the upper floor holds bedrooms and a loft.
Connecting the kitchen, dining room, and great room
The kitchen’s island, pantry closet, granite and stone counters, and double ovens are already in place. The plan keeps the island but reorients it to face the great room and the tall windows, so the cook’s view is toward the backyard and pool rather than a wall. The kitchen’s plumbing is tied to public, metered water from the Jackson water district, with a shared septic system serving the property. Because Jackson property owners are responsible for their entire sewer lateral only if connected to the city main, and this house uses shared septic, the route and capacity of the existing system must be mapped before any drain is moved. City of Jackson sewer information
The kitchen, dining room, and great room currently read as distinct spaces, but the aim is to connect them visually and physically. Any wall between these rooms may support the upper floor, given the home’s two-story structure. If a partition carries floor framing, a structural beam or flush header must replace it. The ceiling line in the great room should remain as continuous as possible, but the framing above will dictate whether a flush or dropped beam is feasible.
The existing stone and tile flooring runs through much of the main level. Before blending these rooms, I will verify floor heights and transitions, since the property record lists both stone and tile underfoot. Where a single surface is possible, it will run from the kitchen through the great room; otherwise, a clean-edged transition at the kitchen boundary will be used. The goal is for gatherings to feel unified, not like three rooms joined by a new opening.
Comfort and function in the great room
The house is heated by a pellet stove, propane, and central HVAC, with ceiling fans aiding circulation. The pellet stove insert, one of two fireplaces, is a focal point in the great room and should remain accessible, with seating arranged to allow both warmth and movement. The HVAC supply and return locations must be checked to ensure the expanded space remains comfortable, especially as the open plan increases the area that needs even heating and cooling. The home’s 220-volt electric service and central cooling are assets, but any new appliances or lighting for the kitchen and great room must be coordinated with panel capacity and existing circuits.
The television will be placed on an interior wall, not in front of the large windows, to preserve daylight and views. The island’s seating faces the great room, inviting conversation and homework near the kitchen. A quieter reading or homework area will be set beyond the main cooking zone, reducing sound overlap between television and meal prep. The property’s dog run sits outside, but inside, a washable mat near the great room’s edge gives the family dog a spot close to daily life without blocking movement.
Lighting is layered: task lighting at the kitchen counters, pendants over the island, dimmable general fixtures for the great room, and focused lights for reading or homework. The plan is for a Tuesday evening when dinner, homework, and family time can all happen in the connected space, with each activity having its own comfortable corner.
Materials and the Jackson setting
The exterior’s warm stucco, wood trim, and stone and tile floors set the tone for interior finishes. I will use warm, restrained materials inside, echoing the earthy palette and natural textures already present. The pergola’s dark wood is reflected in interior accents, so the transition from covered patio to great room feels intentional. Published Jackson kitchen projects, such as the rustic Village Retreat, show a range of styles, but this home’s finishes already provide a strong material language. Published Jackson kitchen projects
The house’s scale, over 3,100 square feet, compared to Jackson’s median of 1,885, means furniture and lighting must be selected for these actual rooms, not a smaller template. Redfin Jackson sales data The lot’s size and wooded setting, with minimal flood risk (FEMA zone X) and moderate wildfire exposure, shape outdoor living choices, including drought-tolerant plantings around the pool and additional shading for the large windows to reduce heat gain in climate zone 12.
If your family lives in a house like this on Ellinwood Way and wants its rooms to work together while keeping the features that make it special, I invite you to reach out and talk through the plan.
