In recent years, Brian Midkiff’s job has required moving his family around the country, but packing up this time was a challenge for his wife, Tobie, and their two daughters. The Midkiffs had just finished a massive renovation of their home that resulted in Tobie’s dream kitchen. Nonetheless, they went searching for a home in their new Southern location.

Even though they had gutted the kitchens in their last four homes, this time was different. “We were looking for a house that would fit our family needs but did not require a lot of improvements. Yet, we wanted one we could put our mark on,” Tobie says. And they found one—a 1930s classic with beautiful bones. It even had enough room for a cozy sitting area where Tobie could hang the girls’ framed artwork.