Sometimes when you are pushed by limitations and break all the “rules”, magical things happen in a space. The space in this adorable (detail-packed) Tudor home started with a small kitchen that had seven doorways, 4 windows, several closets and a poorly functioning powder room crammed under a stairwell. The space was re-imagined to open the kitchen out onto a precious manicured backyard to create an indoor/ outdoor kitchen and also give room to add a full bathroom to service an aging-in-place parent. The first “rule” thrown out the window was in the use of color. You will hear to only use light monochromatic color schemes to make the space look larger. To the contrary, the use of Mouser Ebony black cabinetry and Big Chill black appliances with bold Brushed Brass trims was chosen and creates interest and charm in what could have been a bland and uninteresting room. The space was packed with textures in the white wall tile, wood tones brought in through the hardwood floors, bar stools and insides of glass fronted wall cabinets. Diresco Concrete-look countertops with chunky mitered apron edges add an aged, yet modern look to the space. Contrasting this with brass light fixtures […]

The transformation of this little cottage by the creek was a work of love. The community in which it sits is where this family, a dad and his 2 sons spend their summer. The original structure built in c.1898 consisted of one main room and a porch built on nothing more than an old tent platform. When we set out to reconfigure, remodel and restore this charming space, we quickly figured out that not much had changed in about 100 years. The timeframe was tight, the budget was flexible but small, yet the journey from rotting boards, sagging floors and squishy walls was astounding.   This project was about summer living in a cottage snuggled up next the woods.  We had to make it functional and easy to live in.   The most significant enhancement was the redo and opening up of the kitchen to the original one room cottage. What was previously a small door leading to the kitchen became a giant opening that matches the opening to the porch directly across the room. One huge living space that extends from the front porch to the rear of the kitchen was created. We painted the dark wood walls a welcoming cream and added shiplap to […]

The existing kitchen in this historic home was a dark and crowded 60 sq. ft. kitchen. You could almost wash dishes at the sink, stir a pot on the stove and get milk out of the fridge all at one time! Right off of this kitchen was a fairly large kitchen table area that under-utilized the space. We needed to make the total 185 sq. ft. space work as one large kitchen. In order to take advantage of the total space, we closed off a side window in the eating area (that was a view of the side driveway and neighbor’s house). That created wall space to accommodate appliances and enlarged the work triangle. We moved a radiator to open up the entry into the dining room to allow space for an island and seating there. In opening the ceiling to eliminate the ceiling height changes from one area to the other, major damage to the porch above the old kitchen was found and all new framing had to be built. Since we closed off a side window, we opened the sink window up as much as possible to let light in and to have a view of their beautiful […]

Driving up to this home for the first time was exciting. From the outside, it has immeasurable amounts of charm. The step angle of the slate roof “had me at hello.” Walking into the foyer, its vast open space with winding iron railing up the staircase, made me feel like a princess. I wanted to walk down the stairs and pretend like I lived a life of 100 years gone past. When you enter a home that makes your insides ache with respect for the craftsmans and trades of those who created its architecture, doubt creeps in. I know on paper I am more than qualified, but as humans we have that little voice inside that says “can I do this?” Can I make this kitchen worthy of the great home in which it resides? If you scroll to the before pictures below you might understand my relief when I rounded the corner and took my first look at what I might be dealing with. I thought “well I can certainly only make it better!” The kitchen was dated with 1980’s finishes, not living up to the glory of the rest of the house. The layout wasn’t functional, was cramped […]

“Oh my goodness how do we make the ceiling work?” I am pretty sure that is the first thought that came to mind when I walked into this space for the first time.   Here lives a young active family with a kitchen disconnected from the rest of the house – not going to work!  You had zero sight line to the family room. From the other direction you could not see their fantastic outdoor living space from the main part of the house.  It didn’t feel young, or bright or comfortable. The solution was simple, actually.  We opened up the corner of the kitchen that faced the family room and adjusted a doorway to the back hall.  We filled in the ceiling and painted it all a creamy white.  We designed a huge wood top island for the family to eat and do homework.  The wood makes the vastness of the island so much more warm and inviting.  The inset kitchen cabinets and classic, marble waterjet back splash invite you in from the front of the house now.  We used a large piece of reclaimed wood for the dining table and hid as many appliances as possible. The effect […]