From the road, Lauren and Jim Hedde’s East Greenwich home reveals little of what lies beyond it: 42 acres of mature woods, quiet privacy, and the feeling of a country retreat, all within a few miles of Main Street. For the Heddes and their three children, it offered an unusually appealing balance – a private, pastoral setting paired with the convenience of schools, shops, and restaurants nearby. More than simply a house on a large property, it was an opportunity.
Jim grew up on a hobby farm in Pennsylvania and had long imagined giving his own children an experience rooted in the land. For Lauren, the property’s natural beauty made that dream tangible, while the contemporary ranch itself presented an equally compelling possibility: a thoughtfully built home with the architectural bones of a modern retreat, but enough of a blank slate to be shaped around the family’s own aesthetic.
The Heddes have lived here since 2019, raising their children alongside their dogs. The relationship between the house and its setting became an essential part of the design from the very beginning. Vaulted ceilings draw the eye upward, generous windows flood the interiors with natural light, and original hardwood floors provide a layer of warmth beneath the home’s more contemporary architecture. Rather than competing with the woods outside, the interiors were conceived to complement them, bringing the same sense of warmth, natural texture, and understated beauty indoors.
The heart of the transformation was the kitchen. The original layout presented a particular challenge. Doors from the kitchen led directly to the bathroom and laundry room. Rather than relocate the plumbing and appliances, the family worked with the Warwick design/build firm RIKB Design Build to rethink the arrangement. A wall of cabinetry and a pocket door now create a single, streamlined entry to both spaces, concealing the less glamorous functions of the home while preserving their convenience. The renovation also opened sight lines among the kitchen, dining room, den, and living room, creating a stronger connection between the spaces without sacrificing their individual identities.
Elsewhere, the Heddes were all about texture and detail. The den features additional molding, a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf and a dedicated firewood closet, bringing the tactile quality of wood into the room. The mudroom continues the theme with woodwork and a porcelain floor whose herringbone pattern disguises the inevitable dirt and stains brought in from muddy shoes and paws.
The powder room offers a more playful departure. Inspired by one the couple had admired, it features sage-green cabinetry and striped wallpaper, a small but memorable burst of color visible through a peek-a-boo view from the kitchen. That element of surprise plays a role throughout the house. The Heddes deliberately avoid a look that feels overly coordinated or newly installed. Lauren’s advice for creating that feeling is simple: “Surround yourself with what you love – things that are warm and inviting, photos of favorite memories, and gifts and heirlooms from people who matter to you.”
Perhaps the home’s greatest luxury, however, is the view. There is a continuous visual thread through the main living spaces, allowing the family to experience the property’s changing moods throughout the day and across the seasons. The home’s most successful elements are not necessarily the newest or most striking, but the ones that carry meaning: a family heirloom, something discovered at a local antique shop, flowers from the garden, a well-loved object with a story behind it. Layered together, those details transform a beautifully built house into something far more personal – a place that reflects the people who live there and the landscape they have chosen to call home.
Lauren Hedde describes her home’s aesthetic as influenced by classic New England, Ralph Lauren, and the interior sets of filmmaker Nancy Meyers. Her decorating approach blends seasonal flowers, antique shop treasures, and cherished family heirlooms with “a few newer items that bring in a touch of elegance and sometimes a hint of farmhouse.” When sourcing pieces, her go-to businesses include Mike’s Estate Services in West Warwick, RE Antiques, and McKay’s Furniture, both in North Kingstown. For landscaping and plantings, the Heddes turn to East Greenwich–based The Gardeness, run by Natalie Dennen – who also co-owns Providence’s Bayberry Garden restaurant in the Innovation District alongside her husband, Tom.
Looking for a fall day trip? Head to East Greenwich. Rhode Island’s 8th oldest town is cited as the birthplace of the US Navy, is filled with history, and offers inventive shopping and dining options. On November 28, don’t miss the Small Business Saturday edition of the monthly Main Street Stroll (12-4pm). Learn more at EastGreenwichChamber.com
Based in Warwick, this family-owned, full-service residential remodeler is renowned for their nationally award-winning work. Visit the RIKB 3,000-square-foot showroom for full-size displays of the latest trends in appliances, countertops, cabinetry hardware, tile, plumbing, lighting, and inspiration. Learn more at RIKB.com
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