When we first walked into this house we were struck by the contrasting perspective of a relatively large house that felt small because it had many small and dark rooms. The homeowners told us that their top priorities were to open up these spaces and let in more light to reveal a lodge inspired look. They hoped to make their home’s layout more functional for how they live and entertain.
The kitchen, dining, and living area were closed off from each other with a central load-bearing wall. We took out this tall wall and opened up the space, thereby adding architectural interest and creating a great room. The removal of the bearing wall required reframing of the exposed structural members of the existing skylights to accommodate the vaulted and wood-paneled ceiling. Posts were incorporated into the cabinetry to minimize their visual disruption of the space. One post was partially concealed with wine storage and additional cabinetry, while the other was integrated into a breakfast bar.
Many Andersen wooden windows were added, including some higher windows in the gable, to let in more natural light and to capture the view of the tree- studded upward sloping backyard. A small sunroom had been on this end of the house, however, ironically it was rather dark. The new wall of windows illuminates the entire interior of the great room with natural light and transformed the sunroom into the homeowner’s favorite room in the house.
Existing tile that had been installed zealously by the previous owners was roto-hammered out to make way for new Monocibec- Domus Aurea Porcelain 20×20 tile in both the sunroom and kitchen, and Kentwood Originals, Natural Maple Country Hardwood flooring elsewhere. Salmon colored Corian was replaced with Quantra “Truffle” quartz countertops. An eating bar is great for entertaining and for quick family meals on the go. New maple custom cabinetry was stained to match the existing cabinetry in the home to achieve a cohesive whole. A Kraus sink, Bosch range, Thermador hood, and GE dishwasher are the work horses of the kitchen.
A woodstove was replaced with a Heat N Glo Fireplace in Graphite w/ a clear face front and Cronin Rust Multicolor stone surround. The homeowners and their children all love to read and they find their new cozy seating area around the fireplace the perfect place to sit with a good book.
Sometimes we come across a home with great “bones” and potential to become so much more than it is. This house revealed itself to be architecturally beautiful, whereby opening up the space and adding windows allows the play of light to dance on the newly finished surfaces. This design, that included an abundance of cabinetry for storage, generous counter space for food prep and entertaining, and natural lighting for reading and other activities, transformed previously disjointed spaces into a lodge inspired home for the whole family to enjoy!