After purchasing a fixer, closer to their favorite golf club and a great neighborhood, our client wanted to bring the comforts of their old home. With a full social life, this couple needed an impressive, spacious kitchen for entertaining, and an inviting bar area to welcome their friends after a day on the course, or an impromptu dinner with neighbors.
In our initial design discovery sessions, we loved the bones of the house, yet, we still needed to take the house down to the studs, update all the plumbing and electrical, new bathrooms, closets, cabinets, moldings. Most importantly, the house needed more natural light. Even with all the lights on, the house seemed dark and dreary during the day. We made a plan and worked together on this wonderful transformation.
Taking inspiration from American style, we aimed for a classic architectural style framed around antiques and Asian works of art collected over the years. Gilded frames with original paintings were close to our client’s heart and we made sure they were incorporated throughout the home for a unique style.
We began this renovation by raising the hallway ceiling 14 inches and adding skylights throughout the home, immediately creating a brighter atmosphere for visiting friends and family.
On the outside of the home, eaves were cut back and new larger windows and doors were installed to allow more natural light in. To open the spaces between the hallway and dining room, and removed large brick pillars that were bulky and outdated.
To further open up the kitchen floor space, we wanted a large island to gather, so we bumped out the house and added a new breakfast nook, one of our favorite additions to the home. Look like the addition was part of the original home. We sandblasted the ceiling, installed new lighting and drywalled between the beams to lighten it up. The family loves to gather for breakfast here in the mornings.
In the master bedroom, we sandblasted the ceilings to lighten the dark wood that overtook the room. As a final touch, to coax more of the morning light into the room, we added a breathtaking skylight.
In the oddly configured family room, we turned it into an intimate library and office. The bookcases are filled with family memories, awards, and all their favorite books. The desk is used often as the busy family hub.
All of the bathrooms were updated, but the master bathroom had the most improvements. Originally looking like a dark English pub, we removed all the wood paneling and adjusted the walls to accommodate a luxurious shower and freestanding bathtub, that now graciously sits in front of a new large window.
In the family room, we rebuilt the dated bar, adding more amenities and seating, showcasing one of the clients favorite photos of Arnold Palmer. The original fireplace could not fire a tv above, so we built up and out the fireplace, and gave it a traditional surround, reincorporating the client’s love of brick. Every half of an inch mattered in order to make this the focal point on game day. Extra bench seating was built between the posts, and even gives a little storage for blankets on chilly nights. Family and friends gather in this room for hours and have a blast hanging out.
The client is delighted with the results. The expanded, reconfigured living areas have proven welcoming to guests and comfortable for day-to-day living. With a much brighter, open space, they can relax in comfort and entertain their friends in style.
This couple finally has their dream home that fits their unique style and functions for their lifestyle.
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