Custom homes have changed a lot in the last 40 years. This 1980 original came to us with a cathedral oak kitchen, faux beams on the ceilings, floral print window treatments, and a blue shag covered spiral stair.
To make it comfortable for the new owners we changed the flow of the space by widening the opening to the dining room and sending all the wrought iron to the recycling bin. The sitting room got a new stair and closet and the living room was transformed by removing the clunky built-ins and replacing them with smaller, more functional polished cherry storage.
The removal of the false beams and the addition of a new hardwood floor made way for the beautiful brandy stained cherry beaded inset kitchen. A new coffee station was created which also houses a steam oven and microwave drawer. Quartzite countertops tie the main workspace together. The window and the sink below it were moved over for a better relationship to the new induction cooktop and separate oven, and the addition of a new wall mounted stainless hood made good ventilation possible for the first time.
Hardware and backsplash took a bit longer to accomplish, but the owner's intensive search for the right handmade tile and the perfect antique bronze hardware was more than worth it.
The best thing about the whole project has been the collaborative relationship we've formed with the owners. The house has been fitted to them like a finely tailored suit.