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The
utilization of creative space planning and
resolution of architectural anomalies resulted
in the transformation of this formerly “plain
Jane” house into a beautiful swan. The house not
only beckons from the street but, once entered,
the renovations and additions to the living
space resolves all the pre-existing functional
inadequacies. Proof is in the continued
satisfaction of the homeowner and their family.
The homeowners wanted to completely update
and expand their 1970’s style “contemporary
Tudor” home. ULRICH, INC. had successfully
remodeled the kitchen several years earlier and
their wish was to complete what would become a
total house remodel.
The first order of business was to improve
the home’s “curb appeal.” This was first
accomplished by addressing the roofline, the
most unflattering aspect of the exterior, as
well as accentuating the front entrance to draw
visitors in. Two gables were constructed; one
which projected beyond the front entrance to
create a columned portico and the other was
built above the existing living room window
making it more pronounced and visible. The small
hip roof was changed to match the new gables and
siding was changed from brick veneer to cultured
stone, providing more interest, both visual and
tactile.
The second, yet equal, thrust of the project
was to create a new addition that would offer a
library/study and pool bathroom on the first
floor; a playroom/guest bedroom and bathroom in
the expanded basement and additional
bedroom/bathroom suite for their daughter. This
addition would serve two purposes: first, to
provide the interior space for the
aforementioned uses and second, to balance the
house from the exterior. A turret was
incorporated in the design to provide visual
accent and very comfortable seating space on the
first and second floors.
The third, and final, aspect of the
renovation required reconfiguring the original
areas of the second floor as well as part of the
first floor. The new floorplan relocated the
powder room, moved the laundry to the second
floor, incorporated a bedroom/bathroom for the
housekeeper, re-designed and renovated the
master bedroom/bathroom suite as well as
remodeled their son’s bedroom/bathroom.
Relocating the laundry to the second floor
allowed the space it formerly occupied to be
reconfigured into a mud room entry, providing a
buffer between the garage entrance and the
remainder of the first floor. Building the new
library/study/family room allowed the dining
room to be relocated to what was formerly the
family room. The former dining room is now
utilized as the den/TV room unifying the new
addition and existing space into a total family
gathering area. |
