Archive for November, 2011

» Project Finished Elmhurst

Friday, November 4th, 2011

 

This project was recently finished in Elmhurst. The entire first floor of this 1950’s home was gutted. The goal was to create an open floor plan, and replace the dated kitchen and expand the kitchen. Several walls were removed to accomplish the new kitchen layout, and create a view to the backyard from the family room. The exterior kitchen entry which blocked half of the driveway was removed and relocated. Some of the features include new hardwood floors, additional windows in the kitchen, a new door to the backyard, soapstone counters and backsplash, and new recessed lights throughout.

This project is typical of what we are seeing lately. Projects are staying within the footprint of the existing home. Most of the time there is space within the home available, the floor plan just needs to be thoughtfully reconfigured in a way that reflects the needs and lifestyle of the homeowner. This home  originally had a very small kitchen with rooms isolated from each other. It was easily adapted to typical modern requirements of a spacious kitchen and visual connections to other parts of the home, while still maintaining and developing the traditional details.

» Project Finished LaGrange

Friday, November 4th, 2011

 

 

Recently this project in Lagrange was finished. The program involved a complete interior remodel and updating. At the start of the project the home consisted of a first floor of rooms mostly separated from each other, and a limited second floor that was tucked under sloping roof rafters. Both floors were completely gutted, new openings were made on the first floor to create an open floor plan and better connections between the kitchen, dining and family rooms. On the second floor a larger dormer was added to accommodate a master bath and more usable space for the second bedroom. In other space tucked under roof rafters, a dormer was added to create a third bedroom. The master suite received a  new bathroom with a walk in shower and two large skylights to let in natural light and a view of the mature trees.  Spray foam insulation with a high R value was added so that the current roof structure could be left in place and current enegy and insulation codes could be met. This project is a great example of what can be done within the existing foot print of a home, without any site work or additional foundations, the existing back yard was maintained, and the cost of remodeling was efficient.