There’s no place like a 5,000-square-foot home: Simple addition explodes into major project for Galligans

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Anthony Malone, of Anthony Malone Remodeling, stands at the rear of Mike and Rhonda Galligan’s home on Harrison Ferry mountain. A plan to add an extra bath grew into a 3,000-square-foot expansion. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

How did a minor remodeling project originally intended to add an extra bath turn into a 3,000-square-foot addition to a 2,000-square-foot home on Harrison Ferry mountain?

For Mike and Rhonda Galligan, it was pretty easy actually. According to the Galligan’s contractor, Anthony Malone of Anthony Malone Remodeling, it just grew as they went along. The couple started out just wanting an extra bath with a whirlpool tub.

“But after they got into the design phase, one thing kind of led to another and we ended up here,” Malone said.

Once under way, the Galligans decided they wanted to give their home a French cottage look. They also wanted to use materials from around the area whenever possible to give the home a regional feel.

“A lot of the stone came from Crab Orchard,” Malone said. This includes beautifully shaded natural stone that was used for a see-through fireplace which rises some 18 feet and provides an impressive centerpiece for the entranceway and living room.

The stone floor in the entrance area and through about 1,200 square feet of the home also came from Crab Orchard.

“We had it square cut to make it look French cottage,” Malone said.

Much of the rest of the home flooring is natural hardwood designed to integrate with the natural stone and still maintain the French cottage theme. But like most everything else in the home, this hardwood flooring has its own unique style.

“It’s wide-plank flooring, around 12 inches,” Malone said, “and it was all put down with square nails to make it look old-timey.”

Another unusual feature is the lofty ceiling height through a good deal of the home which helps to give it a majestic, soaring look.

“It’s got a 12-foot ceiling height in most of the home,” Malone said, “and in some areas, 18-foot ceilings.”

Since the addition started out as just an extra bath, the “more is better” theme seems to have been followed. The master bath has a whirlpool tub, his and her showers, a steam shower, and yet another see-through fireplace which opens into both the master bedroom and the shower area, allowing for a cozy bath in front of an open fire.

This room, like much of the house, has access to one of the most dramatic features – the spectacular view off Harrison Ferry mountain which includes McMinnville and much of the valley surrounding it. To take advantage of the view, the home also features 1,200 square feet of deck area, ideal for outdoor entertaining.

“At night when the lights come on, it looks like a large ballroom floor,” Malone said. “And the lights look like they’re dancing across. It’s really amazing.”

The expansion has taken around 18 months and has turned the existing 2,000-square-foot home into an over 5,000-square-foot showplace. Once a few finishing touches are applied, Malone said the couple should be able to move into their truly spectacular new mountainside home in around two weeks.

Anyone interested in planning their own expansion, or any other kind of remodeling, should stop by the Home Show this weekend at McMinnville Civic Center. A special Home Show section is available inside today’s edition.