Renovations to this home in Governors Village transformed it into a bright, cheerful abode, perfect for a lively family of five.
By Geelea Seaford Shipton | Photography by John Michael Simpson
The bright, sunny entryway of the Governors Village home that Lara Casey Isaacson and Dr. Ari Isaacson share with their children Grace, 13, Josh, 9, and Sarah, 8, and cats, Butterscotch and Birdie, looks very different than it did when they purchased it in 2013. The four-bedroom, three-bath cottage-style home on a cul-de-sac has been transformed into a bright, blooming and peaceful oasis, perfect for raising children and entertaining family and friends.
LEFT The bright entryway has welcomed many friends and family over the years, and the Isaacsons have made cherished bonds with their Governors Village neighbors, too.
RIGHT Lara and Ari have nurtured a love of music with their kids.
The Isaacsons reimagined every inch of the space to create a home that is perfectly suited to their family’s needs. Their love for cooking, gardening and living a healthy lifestyle takes center stage in the kitchen – their most challenging renovation to date. What Lara describes as a “full overhaul” was completed in 2024, and included an unexpected remediation of black mold that extended their construction time by several weeks. The new kitchen design, created through Lara’s vision and Raleigh-based custom builder Texas Trim and Paint, provides more natural light, modern cookware, a 13-foot island perfect for meals and homework and everyone’s favorite space: the beautifully designed and multi- functional pantry. With its custom arched natural wood door and tile backsplash, the elevated pantry also includes a nod to Lara’s family history with artwork from her grandfather’s time in the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The home’s light and airy decor is inspired by the natural beauty of North Carolina’s mountains and coast, and includes family heirlooms like handmade quilts that have been passed down through many generations. Lara loves to include handmade fresh flower arrangements year-round in order to add color, fragrance and flair to the home.
LEFT Grace practices her music lessons on an antique upright piano that once belonged to her paternal grandfather.
RIGHT No matter the season, Lara fills the home with fresh flowers, citrus trees and natural woven accessories to bring the outdoors in.
Another of the Isaacsons’ bold renovation decisions was to transform the garage into a functional yet beautiful gym equipped with a sauna, elliptical and weights for mom and dad, and a climbing rope and Nugget play sofa for the children. To further maximize the space, the Isaacsons store their neatly organized “garage things” behind neutral Roman shades.
LEFT Josh takes advantage of the family’s renovated home gym, the most used room in the house, to release some energy and have fun, too.
RIGHT The aesthetic in Lara’s office loft matches her personality – cheerful, inspiring and optimistic. The motivational speaker has helped thousands of people find joy in everyday life, invest time in things that matter and “choose purpose over perfect.”
Upstairs, the Isaacsons turned an empty closet that once stored the hot water heater into a spacious and vibrant office and loft for Lara, who is an author and entrepreneur. It also includes a homeschool classroom for the children with a library of colorfully arranged books and a desk area that inspires creativity and learning.
LEFT Sewing is one of the many ways the Isaacson children express their creativity and learn useful life skills. The garden has also become a playground for the senses, where they grow tomatoes and squash.
RIGHT Beyond the sewing table, bookshelves line the classsroom walls and keep homeschool supplies, arts, crafts and books tidy and organized.
The exterior of the home also received some upgrades over the years, including a fresh coat of white paint with natural wood accents and 40-foot-long raised garden beds planted with heirloom bulbs handed down from Lara’s great-great-grandmother. On the side of the home, the Isaacsons turned a sliver of space into a zen-like courtyard complete with an outdoor teak shower, lounge area and olive and citrus trees. An espalier of blooming jasmine climbs up the Mediterranean-style stucco wall, which is a favorite hangout spot for Butterscotch, the family’s red tabby cat. The family intends to extend their gardening space to include additional beds and space for the children to expand their love of growing fresh vegetables, herbs and flowering plants.
The Isaacsons treasure their family-friendly Chatham County community and its proximity to Jordan Lake, the Parker Preserve hiking trail, the local library and the Carrboro Farmers Market.
LEFT The front porch daybed swing is a welcoming gathering spot for siblings Josh, Sarah and Grace, as well as friends and neighbors who often drop by for a visit.
RIGHT Butterscotch migrates throughout the house each day in search of the sunniest spot to lounge – including the planters in the courtyard.
Lara says the family is currently on a “renovation pause” while they enjoy the new and improved spaces they have created for themselves. “We love our neighbors and the diversity in our community,” Lara says. “Our goal was to create a lovely peaceful home that is safe and comfortable for us and our children, and I think we succeeded.”
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