A Mid-Century Modern home in the Huntington hills lets the outdoors in and offers spectacular views of nature’s four distinct seasons.
By Dawn Nolan
HQ 90 | SUMMER 2015
For Don and Becky Ray, their hilltop Huntington home offers the best of both worlds – a serene, wooded location that is close to nature and a free flowing, comfortable design ideal for social gatherings with friends and family.
“There are roughly six acres around us,” Becky says. “We like the privacy, but we’re also close to our friends and entertain frequently.”
The residence, built by Dean and Dean Architects in 1972, is reminiscent of a Mid-Century Modern design. It was originally a seasonal retirement home for local businessman H.D. “Dutch” Miller and his wife, Betty Ann.
“He called it Winterview,” Don says.
The Rays purchased the property from the Miller family and moved from the city’s Southside in 1998.
“We can still see our old street,” Don says. “You get the feeling that you’re way out, but you’re really only two minutes from everybody else.”
The scenic outlooks, from which the home’s name was derived, were a major draw for the couple, though they enjoy them year round, not just in the cold weather months.
“We really like it in the spring and fall, though it is pretty in the winter, too,” Becky says. “All of the views are spectacular.”
Two miles from Ritter Park, the home also fits with the Rays’ active hobbies and “fresh air lifestyle.”
“We are very outdoorsy people,” Becky says. “We enjoy riding bikes, walking, gardening.”
Upon entering the Rays’ home, most initially notice the European-made, custom-designed front doors, a remnant from the previous owners.
“They’re textured hardwood, with brass pulls, and made in Belgium,” Don explains. “People think they are just spectacular.”
“We love them, too,” Becky says. “They are beautiful and simply exquisite.”
According to Don, the majority of the home’s structures were specially made.
“Almost everything is custom,” he says. “The grates in the fireplace, the faucets. Replacing them would be a downgrade.”
The home’s three sides of floor-to-ceiling windows, which offer a close-up view of the property’s natural surroundings, might be its most striking feature.
“With all of the glass, you feel like you’re outside. In the spring and fall, we can open the doors and windows on all sides of the house and practically be inside and outside at the same time,” Don explains. “Most people change the color of their walls or hang pictures. Our environment changes every day.”
“There’s a lot of wildlife – deer, birds, butterflies – around,” Becky adds. “You can hear and see them from every room.”
Over the years, the Rays have made a few additions to the home, including an extended deck, where the couple likes to take in views of the city lights while surrounded by a canopy of trees. They also added a screen porch, one of Becky’s favorite areas and a perfect place to watch the sunrise. New walkways connect the screen porch to a brick patio.
“From the screen porch to the deck and patio, there are lots of places to read and just relax,” Don says.
The rest of the house, much of which is visible from the Rays’ spacious, central dining room, includes an entryway with parquet hardwood flooring and a water fountain crafted by an artisan in Evergreen, Colorado; a cozy den; a well-organized kitchen and stocked pantry; three bedrooms, each with their own bath and outdoor entrance; two half-baths; and a downstairs family area.
A few changes have also been made outside. There’s a garden shed that was constructed by the Rays’ family and friends and designed to match their home. It services six small gardens where Becky and Don have planted hostas, ferns and other perennials, as well as a few annuals.
“Gardening is a hobby for both of us when we’re not playing golf, biking, traveling or hiking with our dog Max,” Becky says.
Don and Becky agree that it’s the home’s well-executed design – which includes open rooms, long hallways and casual conversation areas – that make entertaining effortless and enjoyable.
“We have a lot of houseguests,” Don says. “People like to come and stay.”
“Our friends think we run a B&B because it is so easy to have company,” Becky jokes.
That company often includes the Rays’ three sons, two daughters-in-law and four grandkids.
“When they visit, the grandkids like to watch the cars cross the bridge over the Ohio River,” Don says.
“They also love to hike and play in our woods,” Becky adds. “Papa [Don] even built a trail around the perimeter, complete with a trailhead.”
As for the décor, Don and Becky keep things simple and tasteful with mementos from their travels and comfortable, classic pieces from local furniture manufacturer MacKenzie-Dow Fine Furniture.
“We’re not big decorators, but every room has something that we love about it,” Becky says. “It’s also functional. We really use it.”
“It’s not a grand house,” Don says. “It’s just a nice house in the woods.”
