An inefficient floor plan, old appliances, and dated, crumbling finishes made for a dramatic transformation. This 1920s home was both restored and updated at the same time with custom matched millwork, restored original flooring, revamped layout – including doing away with the former maid’s quarters – and locally quarried stone countertops.
Working closely with the homeowners, we gutted the entire kitchen, as well as the bathrooms, to create an efficient, modern, family-friendly space.
BEFORE, the kitchen, facing north.
AFTER, the kitchen, facing north. Custom millwork, restored original flooring, plus all new cabinets, appliances, electrical, walls, ceilings, tile, heating.
BEFORE, kitchen facing south. There was a full bathroom within the kitchen, and an awkward eat-in area just adjacent the formal dining room.
AFTER, kitchen, facing south-east. The full bath was turned into a half bath, and the kitchen was expanded. The extension area houses double-wall ovens, refrigerator, and what the homeowner calls the ‘baking nook.’
AFTER, kitchen facing south-west. New windows were installed to match the existing windows in the rest of the house, with custom matched millwork to replicate the original 1920s woodwork.
The countertops are from Ashfield, MA, and are local to the area. The peninsula provides an eat-in area perfect for quick breakfasts, or enjoying a glass of wine with the cook.
Southern, western and northern light graces this room, and now that the galley is one continuous space, the light can travel throughout the room all day long.
A bank of drawers beneath a 36″ gas cooktop gives these homeowners their ideal cooking space. And the custom backsplash tile work reflects an architectural motif found throughout the home, and the neighborhood.
Custom head-casings were built to finish off semi-custom cabinetry and give a more historic and built-in look.
The ‘baking nook’ provides ample space for baking, and cooling fresh goodies, without interrupting the flow of the cooking zone. Custom shelves provide display space, and a handy cookbook area.
This heater was salvaged from the original kitchen, and refitted for the rear of the kitchen. We enclosed it, and custom built a removable radiator cover.
Left, BEFORE: the maid’s staircase was both redundant and steep. Right, AFTER: the staircase was turned into a small butler’s pantry with lots of storage; upstairs, the floor was extended and a closet was installed.
The powder room boasts in-floor radiant heating, marble flooring, new window with custom-milled trim package, and new plumbing and lighting fixtures.
The master bathroom – formerly the maid’s bath – includes a custom shower, marble floors, pedestal sink and in-floor radiant heat.
Radiant floor heat, and all new everything to make this bath fit for the masters of the house (and not just the maid).
Custom built mirror frame disguises the medicine cabinet, and echoes the moulding throughout the home.
Working with the existing window and doorway, we updated all the millwork with custom replicas in poplar – the original wood used throughout the home – and painted it to match the rest of the trim package.
Left, BEFORE: the family bathroom was at least 20 years old. Right, AFTER: custom vanity cabinet, marble flooring, new plumbing fixtures and updated lighting update this space for a modern family.
The family bath features a custom built vanity with open storage, basket storage, butcher-block countertops, and a removable panel which hides the existing radiator.
Left, BEFORE: Poor use of space, and lack of counterspace. Right, AFTER: custom built shelves, scribed around existing plaster walls, expand storage and display options.
Custom shelves make the most of the space above the commode, and the built-in cabinet extends the counterspace from wall to wall.
Marble flooring, with custom pattern, features radiant floor heating, and custom baseboard trim.
BEFORE, family bath, facing west. An awkward layout, plus a decaying tub surround, required a bit of a face-lift.
AFTER, family bath, facing west. Leaving the plumbing in its original locations, we built a custom vanity, tiled the shower including custom niches for bath supplies, and installed a new cast-iron tub.
The custom carpentry gives the family bath plenty of room for each resident, and leaves space for toys, and bath time games to be hidden from view.
The curved sink encourages little ones to feel at home in this space, while the efficient cabinet even includes a space for magazines.
BEFORE, living room, fireplace, facing south.
AFTER, living room, fireplace, facing south-west. Newly refinished flooring, darkened with a custom stain, add a modern richness to this handsome space.
BEFORE, foyer, facing west.
AFTER, foyer, facing south-west. The floors on the entire first level were refinished, including the oak staircase and balustrade. All new paint on the walls and trim brighten and refresh the original details.
BEFORE, foyer, facing east, toward the living room.
AFTER, foyer, facing east, toward the living room. Rich brown floors visually expand the room, and create harmony uniting the tones throughout the space. New lighting finishes off the update.
AFTER, foyer, facing north-east. Fresh paint throughout, including the door, brings out the details of the original architecture.
Exterior porch stairs were re-built to reflect original railing details from 1920. Rich brown stain on porch and cedar stair treads extends the interior style to the exterior.
Updating this home included the side/kitchen entry, installing a custom medallion detail (matching existing one built in the 1920s), replacing the flooring with cedar decking, and custom railings and posts wrapped in cedar.
