This week I got an email from an eager client. She and her husband decided to stay put in their "starter home"—a colonial typical of many around here—rather than move, and they are looking for ways to reinvent their space.
This is my favorite type of project. I not only love this, I LIVE this. I couldn't wait to see the space and discuss the details.
The home is charming, but some rooms are too open (no true foyer) and some are too closed (the large dining room is closed off from the kitchen). Without making structural changes (otherwise I'd call in an architect) how could we shift the space to work?
We spent a few hours together, and discussed some compromises that might need to be made.
On the wish list:
• Renovating the kitchen top to bottom and creating an opening in the wall between kitchen and dining room to create a casual dining bar. The large dining room is under utilized. There will be plenty of space in this room to hang a flat screen television and have a cozy sectional to create a fully functional great room for this family of four. In the kitchen, the awkward location of the refrigerator, blocking the entry, will shift to a small dining alcove, where cabinetry and additional counter space will allow storage for small appliances and a snack prep zone for the kids. The new kitchen design will have plenty of counter space on each side of the stove, with ample storage in a full height cabinet (where the old refrigerator was). The sink will shift under a window, with a dishwasher adjacent. There is even enough space for a bank of drawers and upper cabinets on this wall, making it easy to unload the dishwasher.
A compromise? A south facing window in the alcove will need to be closed, and it was determined there is not sufficient space for a laundry room in this space as well.
• Turning an enclosed rear porch (now used as an office) into a jewel box of a formal dining room. Sliding doors (replace 1950's era windows) will lead to a deck the couple already planned on building and increase the southern exposure, bringing more light into the space. The cozy room (9x13) fits the couple's narrow, rustic table perfectly. With dramatic dark colors, new trim to match the original trim (instead of builder's grade cove moulding) and a sparkly chandelier, this space will be wonderful for intimate dinner parties. A mirror hanging in the existing dining room will reflect the setting sun.
A compromise? The entry to the powder room is in this space, but moving it would either leave the entry in the kitchen or mean the entire powder room needs to be redone. The door will be replaced with a mirrored french door. It's location is ideal for the family, and when entertaining, guests can be directed to the upstairs bath.
• Turning a tiny sunroom in the front of the house into an enclosed office off the formal living room. All that's needed to do here is to reframe a curved archway (this detail is not seen elsewhere) and add french doors to allow light in but create a distinct divide between the two rooms. The homeowner's own office furniture can be reused here, or low wood bookcases and a wood counter can be built in under the windows, budget permitting. The only compromise here is not having this space to store tons of toys!
• Reconfiguring the formal living room, whether simply with new furniture and floor plan changes or by adding a wall to divide the large open space to create a true entry. A compromise here might just be budgetary.
I am working on the proposal for the homeowner to discuss with her husband. This will give them a starting point when they meet with contractors to bid on the project. Once they determine what they can do, we will start the fun stuff, picking out colors, furnishings and finishes.
