My Houzz: New England Add-On Provides Privacy, Views
A Massachusetts couple gets increased lounge space, improved views of the backyard and much-needed privacy with a home addition
Joanne Palmisano, author of Salvage Secrets, Transforming Reclaimed Material Into Design Concepts, September 2011, with W.W. Norton (New York * London). Her book is listed in Architectural Digest Magazine, Holiday Gift Giving Guide as well as great reviews from HGTV, Fine Homebuilding Magazine, Apartment Therapy and many more.
She is a project contributor for DIY NETWORK and a guest blogger for Houzz, Goodwill, Daily Basics, Rejuvenation, and of course, has her own popular blog, http://www.salvagesecretsblog.com. Joanne's design work has won regional and national awards. She also is a stylist for magazines and catalogs, including This Old House Magazine.
Joanne Palmisano, author of Salvage Secrets, Transforming Reclaimed Material... More »
Sandwiched on a suburban lot, Susan and Ben Bernhard craved privacy. The couple could see into their neighbor's home, and their lush backyard was visible only by peering through a small kitchen window from a narrow porch on their traditional colonial Massachusetts home.
"We wanted more usable living space but didn't want to duplicate spaces we already had," says Susan. To get the privacy and functionality they needed, the couple worked with designer and builder Dan Memont of Design Dynamics. Memont designed a multifaceted "cityscape" addition allowing for privacy and a smooth indoor-outdoor flow. By using strategically placed windows and doors, the redesign lets the Bernhards enjoy open views of the backyard without peeking into their neighbor's home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Susan and Ben Bernhard
Location: Arlington, Massachusetts
Size: 2,500 square feet total; addition is 400 square feet
"We wanted more usable living space but didn't want to duplicate spaces we already had," says Susan. To get the privacy and functionality they needed, the couple worked with designer and builder Dan Memont of Design Dynamics. Memont designed a multifaceted "cityscape" addition allowing for privacy and a smooth indoor-outdoor flow. By using strategically placed windows and doors, the redesign lets the Bernhards enjoy open views of the backyard without peeking into their neighbor's home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Susan and Ben Bernhard
Location: Arlington, Massachusetts
Size: 2,500 square feet total; addition is 400 square feet
AFTER: This shot from the back of the house shows the rear addition. Each interior space has its own roof. Instead of cramming everything under a single roof, Memont was able to design each room in the size and location it required, with plenty of room to grow.
The result is a private escape overlooking a lush backyard. The three roofs appear far less monolithic than the previous flat-face single roof. The first floor was dug into the hill of the site, allowing even the tall master bathroom roof to appear smaller from the outside.
The result is a private escape overlooking a lush backyard. The three roofs appear far less monolithic than the previous flat-face single roof. The first floor was dug into the hill of the site, allowing even the tall master bathroom roof to appear smaller from the outside.
BEFORE: This picture shows the original rear exterior of the home and backyard. In the initial phases of design, Susan and Ben envisioned a basic box added to the back of their house, but they decided to go with a more dynamic, curved shape.
The design plan focused on the outdoor patio and lawn, and creating a transition from the new kitchen and living area. Opening up the kitchen to the lounge area became a driving force to the new layout, and about 400 extra square feet of space was added to the first floor. Susan says, "We wanted a place to drink our coffee in the morning, like a Starbucks lounge."
Whether the homeowners are inside or outside, they feel much more a part of nature, and privacy is no longer an issue.
Whether the homeowners are inside or outside, they feel much more a part of nature, and privacy is no longer an issue.
It was important to the couple that the new addition would give their typical square facade dimension and depth. The curve of their new lounge space opens up to the conical roof — a suitable addition to the classic exterior.
Bar and loveseat: Arhaus Furniture; leather chairs: Pottery Barn; fan: Brescia, Casablanca
Bar and loveseat: Arhaus Furniture; leather chairs: Pottery Barn; fan: Brescia, Casablanca
The new, open kitchen is ideal for socializing when entertaining guests. "Before, our kitchen was on the other side of the house from the living area and so small that we couldn't even put serving bowls on the table," Susan says. A new French door entry faces away from the neighbors.
Kitchen sink: Orca, Franke; dishwasher: Bosch; copper bar sink, faucet: Belle Forêt; kitchen lighting: Murray Feiss
Kitchen sink: Orca, Franke; dishwasher: Bosch; copper bar sink, faucet: Belle Forêt; kitchen lighting: Murray Feiss
Susan and Ben spent a lot of time searching online for lighting fixtures and cabinetry for their upstairs master bathroom. Most products worked out; what they didn't use they sold on Craigslist. The vanity was intentionally installed on the right wall with no windows since their neighbor's home is just a few feet away.
Paint: Benjamin Moore
Paint: Benjamin Moore
The shower details are more than just a pretty design. Due to a zoning consideration, the corner isn't 90 degrees. To highlight it, angled marble shelves provide an artful storage solution.
Houzz call: Have you "bumped out" your space? Show us your addition and it could be featured on Houzz!
Houzz call: Have you "bumped out" your space? Show us your addition and it could be featured on Houzz!
I'm not faulting the homeowners here. Their requests were reasonable, and they're not architects. And what they wanted could have been accomplished with respect for the exterior architecture. What I want to know is why all architects (apparently) think that historic buildings should be polluted with whatever the architect's favorite design style is, however badly that fits with the rest of the house. What - you didn't like how they did it originally, so it's OK to ruin it? What is that?
Maybe this is a harsh comment assuming it's going to be read by the homeowners, but America's patrimony of historic buildings cannot be replaced once it's gone. No more 19th-century homes are being built. Let's respect the ones we have.
The paint color of the exterior is. It's Benjamin Moore
Sparrow.
The trim color is Cashmere and white.
The interior is Richmond Gold and
Greenfield Pumpkin in the kitchen and lounge.
The bathroom is Wisteria (100% on
walls and 10% on ceiling).
Thanks!
Thanks everyone for the great commentary and discussion!
Thanks!
dan@designdynamics-llc.com