Striking and sophisticated, the Ridge Street Home stands out as totally unique—even more so when you spot unexpected design features built specifically for a charmingly toothy pair of pet mini pigs named Pickle and Professor Sprout.
“We love the look of old homes but wanted to make it our own with some modern twists—think classic brick exterior, but with dark black trim and interiors,” reveals Max DiNatale, who shares the contemporary cottage marked by Tudor-inspired elements with partner JM Hoskinson. “We set out to build something that looked timeless, like it could have been on the street for decades, but that also fit our needs.”
Those needs included carving out spaces perfect for beloved family members, like Pickle and Professor Sprout, that balanced comfort and beauty seamlessly. In fact, one of the homeowners’ favorite spots inside the handsome, dark-hued living room is a cozy “pig nook” beneath the open staircase. In addition to elegant arches, moody colors, and an oversized “Hobbit-like” front door, the couple had a ramp installed for the mini pigs to come and go easily and added a wash station to the laundry room.
Pig-Friendly Home Features
“Black was a key factor in our design choices. We chose to color-drench the living room, so even the ceiling is black,” adds DiNatale, who tapped Kimberly Haynes of KDH Designs to help select the deep blues, greens, and warm metallic details that add character and contrast. “People are shocked that they suddenly love black interiors when they see our home. That happens when you have great natural lighting, big windows, and wall paneling that bring a more traditional look to modern dark color choices.”
The 3-bed, 2.5-bath home was completed in 2023 by Truitt Construction, and Palmetto Property Solutions recently transformed the backyard into an English country-style garden to create a lush haven of flowers and shade trees. The view from the street, however, might be the most enchanting feature to Max and JM. “We love the chimney in the front of our home that has ivy growing up it—it’s a beautiful green in the summer, and a deep red in the fall,” Hoskinson says.
