When Megan and Kevin Pierson first partnered with Rufty Homes, they weren’t just building a structure — they were building a future. What began as a “no ordinary barn” for their two teenage sons and visiting family evolved into a multi-phase vision for a legacy property: a place where their boys could grow, return, and one day bring their own families back home.
A few years later, that vision has fully come to life with the completion of their custom-designed main residence, a refined, highly personalized home that blends sophisticated architecture, elevated interiors, and seamless indoor-outdoor living — all carefully crafted to reflect how the Piersons live, host, and connect.
From the very beginning, the plan was always twofold.
“We knew both the barn and the house were going to be big projects,” Megan shared. “With two teenage sons, time was of the essence. The barn was really focused on them — the batting cage, the gym, a cool hangout space — and guest space for our family. We wanted to put our full energy into that first, take a breather, and then come back refreshed and ready for the house.”
That phased approach allowed the Piersons to fully engage in every design decision without feeling rushed — something they credit as a major factor in how successful the final home turned out.
Set on 52 acres of rolling North Carolina landscape, the Pierson home is designed around connection — to the land, to family, and to guests.
“Our outdoor space is huge for us,” Kevin explained. “We love how the living room, kitchen, and dining area open straight into the screened-in porch and outdoor kitchen. That’s where we spend our time every day.”
Large sliding glass doors dissolve the boundary between indoors and out, creating a natural flow to the pool, lazy river, and sunken fire pit lounge. The home was carefully positioned to achieve a true “infinity view,” where water, land, and sky align from the moment you walk through the front door.
“They made a couple of small tweaks to the home’s position — just a few feet — to get the elevation exactly right,” Megan said. “The way the pool, pond, and porch all line up now… they nailed it.”
For the second phase, the Piersons once again partnered with Southern Studio Interior Design, led by Kayla Boyle and Vicky Serany. The collaboration was deeply hands-on, detailed, and highly personal.
“They are incredibly involved and super organized,” Kayla shared. “They sent us a full Google Doc of inspiration images — even the boys had their own ideas. Ethan had a very specific vision for his bathroom and a hidden game room inside his bedroom.”
The design team worked closely with the family to ensure the home felt cohesive with the barn, while clearly elevating the aesthetic.
“The exterior finishes, the dark metals, the stains — those all coordinate,” Kayla explained. “But the main house is much more refined. Megan was very clear from the beginning: this was going to be more elevated, more detailed, and more elaborate.”
Some of the most memorable features of the home were driven by how the Piersons like to entertain friends, family, and guests.
“They love hosting,” Vicky said. “The scullery was a huge priority — and that backsplash tile became legendary. It was discontinued, and we tracked it down from four different locations across the country. Boxes arrived cracked, pieces came in slowly, but we pieced it together because Megan said, ‘I would still love to have that tile.’”
Other standout spaces include:
“That’s what truly custom means,” Megan said. “They didn’t say, ‘We’ve never done this before.’ They said, ‘Let’s figure it out together.’”
Throughout the build, the Piersons worked closely with Rufty Homes’ project manager, Brett — a partnership they describe as transformational.
“He built it like it was his house,” Kevin said. “There were times he fixed things we never would have noticed. One time, our shelving was off by an eighth of an inch on one side. He had it torn out and rebuilt. That level of care is rare.”
Clear communication and problem-solving became a defining part of the experience.
“With my job, I travel a lot,” Megan added. “Being kept in the loop — always knowing what was happening — that meant everything. There was never a moment of wondering.”
Today, the Pierson home is exactly what they envisioned: a gathering place.
“Our sons and their friends are here all the time,” Megan laughed. “They play basketball, ping pong, watch football, sleep in the loft — it’s always full.”
From hosting annual Christmas parties to summer nights by the pool and lazy river, the home is designed to bring people together.
“One of our son’s friends stayed an entire weekend and said, ‘Thanks for letting us basically live here,’” Kevin said. “That’s what we wanted — a place people love coming back to.”
For the Piersons, the difference was in the details — and in the care.
“A lot of people say they build custom homes,” Megan reflected. “But Rufty actually designs and builds from scratch. They ask how you live, how you host, how you want to feel in your home. They truly care — and you feel that in every part of the process.”
What started as a barn for two growing boys has become a fully realized family estate — a home designed not just for today, but for generations to return to.
And for the Piersons, that was always the goal.
Experience a thoughtfully refined approach to custom home building with a friendly team devoted to achieving your dreams. With Rufty Homes, you’re assured of a gracious, tailored home building experience defined by distinctive beauty, timeless value and pure joy.
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