What began as a desire to create a screened porch with a fireplace expanded to a whole-house refresh. The home had a ranch house feel, and the clients wanted to transition to something more timeless, classic, local—something that felt more like a cottage. Refinements came in the form of implementing a traditional and sophisticated color palette, discarding heavy cabinet frames and replacing with lighter, full-height cabinets with glass fronts, installing new appliances and a farmhouse sink.

The original double-hung window at the kitchen sink was replaced with a new casement window bumped out 6 inches to make a deeper sill. The bay window was replaced with a picture window, simplifying the space and bringing more light. Two antique screen doors were used in the project to fortify the project’s colonial vibe: one at the expanded pantry, the other for the screened porch.

Other updates include new wood gable siding, darker painted ceiling beams, and updated fireplace mantle surround.

The bathroom was improved with an antique tub, antique mirror, shell sink, and new plumbing pictures. The clients wanted the vanity to look more like a piece of furniture; clean lines contrast nicely with ornate pulls and fixtures.

The screened porch is in many ways the jewel of the project, allowing our clients to watch TV and relax by a fire in what amounts to a cozy outdoor room. The space provides our clients with the perfect opportunity to enjoy their handiwork, as they are avid gardeners. Rustic materials in the fireplace, flu, and flooring impart an honest, local feeling, a sense of place. In the end it feels as if the porch had always been there.