Winter Wainscot Lincoln, MA Builder: D.B. Schroeder & Co. Inc. Cabinetmaker: Walter Lane, LLC design: Tim Hess and Jeff Dearing for DSA Architects Interior Design Collaborator: Tricia Upton Interiors Photographer: Greg Premru Photo Stylist: Stephanie Rossi This project started small, with the clients’ desire to remodel the existing kitchen. When our analysis of the existing conditions revealed the extent to which the house’s many previous additions had failed to enrich each other or unify the whole, the scope of work bloomed to include extensive renovations throughout the first floor. We’ve sought to bring a cohesion and clarity to this already commodious house quite beautifully sited. Much of the design attention in this project was focused on meetings and overlaps. The autonomy and dignity of individual spaces was restored with the creation and use of interstitial spaces; the spaces between. The doorway between kitchen and dining becomes a display pantry and wet bar, the entry foyer is framed with a narrower opening, and the way to the Living Room is re-shaped with a paneled deep jamb. The story is recounted in the January / February 2013 edition of New England Home.

Natural Cleft Bluestone random pattern patio & walkway, LED mood lighting, landscape design & construction, masonry fire pit, seating wall and planter using cultured stone veneer, new composite deck installed wit water proofed understory, Bluestone steps, drainage installation, outdoor TV, cultured stone veneer on foundation walls of house

Winter Wainscot Lincoln, MA Builder: D.B. Schroeder & Co. Inc. Cabinetmaker: Walter Lane, LLC design: Tim Hess and Jeff Dearing for DSA Architects Interior Design Collaborator: Tricia Upton Interiors Photographer: Greg Premru Photo Stylist: Stephanie Rossi This project started small, with the clients’ desire to remodel the existing kitchen. When our analysis of the existing conditions revealed the extent to which the house’s many previous additions had failed to enrich each other or unify the whole, the scope of work bloomed to include extensive renovations throughout the first floor. We’ve sought to bring a cohesion and clarity to this already commodious house quite beautifully sited. Much of the design attention in this project was focused on meetings and overlaps. The autonomy and dignity of individual spaces was restored with the creation and use of interstitial spaces; the spaces between. The doorway between kitchen and dining becomes a display pantry and wet bar, the entry foyer is framed with a narrower opening, and the way to the Living Room is re-shaped with a paneled deep jamb. The story is recounted in the January / February 2013 edition of New England Home.

Create sufficient headroom. For most codes, 7-ft. 6-in. finished ceilings are the minimum. If that’s not what you have, you must either raise the house or lower the basement floor. Either approach is a big undertaking. Lowering the floor typically involves supporting the house, removing an existing slab, excavating, and augmenting or replacing all or part of the foundation and drainage system. Raising a house is a big project, too, but, in general, it’s the better strategy because it creates more height for windows, and thus allows more natural light to enter the space. If you also must replace a failing foundation (which requires supporting the house), then your choice is even clearer: Up she goes

The 800 square-foot guest cottage is located on the footprint of a slightly smaller original cottage that was built three generations ago. With a failing structural system, the existing cottage had a very low sloping roof, did not provide for a lot of natural light and was not energy efficient. Utilizing high performing windows, doors and insulation, a total transformation of the structure occurred. A combination of clapboard and shingle siding, with standout touches of modern elegance, welcomes guests to their cozy retreat. The cottage consists of the main living area, a small galley style kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom and sleeping loft above. The loft construction was a timber frame system utilizing recycled timbers from the Balsams Resort in northern New Hampshire. The stones for the front steps and hearth of the fireplace came from the existing cottage’s granite chimney. Stylistically, the design is a mix of both a “Cottage” style of architecture with some clean and simple “Tech” style features, such as the air-craft cable and metal railing system. The color red was used as a highlight feature, accentuated on the shed dormer window exterior frames, the vintage looking range, the sliding doors and other interior elements. Photographer: John Hession

Winter Wainscot Lincoln, MA Builder: D.B. Schroeder & Co. Inc. Cabinetmaker: Walter Lane, LLC design: Tim Hess and Jeff Dearing for DSA Architects Interior Design Collaborator: Tricia Upton Interiors Photographer: Greg Premru Photo Stylist: Stephanie Rossi This project started small, with the clients’ desire to remodel the existing kitchen. When our analysis of the existing conditions revealed the extent to which the house’s many previous additions had failed to enrich each other or unify the whole, the scope of work bloomed to include extensive renovations throughout the first floor. We’ve sought to bring a cohesion and clarity to this already commodious house quite beautifully sited. Much of the design attention in this project was focused on meetings and overlaps. The autonomy and dignity of individual spaces was restored with the creation and use of interstitial spaces; the spaces between. The doorway between kitchen and dining becomes a display pantry and wet bar, the entry foyer is framed with a narrower opening, and the way to the Living Room is re-shaped with a paneled deep jamb. The story is recounted in the January / February 2013 edition of New England Home.

This was a fun build and a delightful family to work and design with. The ladder is aesthetically pleasing and functional for their space, and also much safer than the previous loft access. The custom welded steel frame and alternating step support system combined with light colored, solid alder wood treads provide an open feel for the tight space.

The existing 1970’s kitchen contained once DIY painted cabinets with drop ceilings, poor lighting, inaccessible storage, failing appliances and an outdated floor plan. The client desired a new and improved kitchen designed for a cook which was not only functional but would beautifully integrate into the design style of the home. State of the art appliances, customized storage for all things cooking and entertaining, subtle latte colored cabinets with a contrasting island, and much improved lighting and ventilation came together to create the clients dream kitchen. Designing an Island layout was the key in the transformation from an outdated room to an outstanding reimagined kitchen.

The existing 1970’s kitchen contained once DIY painted cabinets with drop ceilings, poor lighting, inaccessible storage, failing appliances and an outdated floor plan. The client desired a new and improved kitchen designed for a cook which was not only functional but would beautifully integrate into the design style of the home. State of the art appliances, customized storage for all things cooking and entertaining, subtle latte colored cabinets with a contrasting island, and much improved lighting and ventilation came together to create the clients dream kitchen. Designing an Island layout was the key in the transformation from an outdated room to an outstanding reimagined kitchen.

The compact front landscape of this Sausaltio home underwent a major transformation. Much of the failing concrete retaining walls were removed to gain more patio space. Ledger stone veneer was installed on existing walls. A new built-in BBQ/grill with full range bluestone for counter tops, patio floor and stairs. I also designed a contemporary, stepped, horizontal redwood fence along both sides of the sloped driveway. Low water plantings including low light succulents such as Echeveria imbricata (hens and chicks), Sedum 'Angelina', Agave attenuate, were included in this contemporary facelift. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

The existing 1970’s kitchen contained once DIY painted cabinets with drop ceilings, poor lighting, inaccessible storage, failing appliances and an outdated floor plan. The client desired a new and improved kitchen designed for a cook which was not only functional but would beautifully integrate into the design style of the home. State of the art appliances, customized storage for all things cooking and entertaining, subtle latte colored cabinets with a contrasting island, and much improved lighting and ventilation came together to create the clients dream kitchen. Designing an Island layout was the key in the transformation from an outdated room to an outstanding reimagined kitchen.

The compact front landscape of this Sausaltio home underwent a major transformation. Much of the failing concrete retaining walls were removed to gain more patio space. Ledger stone veneer was installed on existing walls. A new built-in BBQ/grill with full range bluestone for counter tops, patio floor and stairs. I also designed a contemporary, stepped, horizontal redwood fence along both sides of the sloped driveway. Low water plantings including low light succulents were included in this contemporary facelift. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

This backyard for a townhouse in Manhattan’s West Village is made for entertaining and relaxation! Our re-design of the space included artificial turf to replace a failing lawn, updated plantings, overhead string lighting, and new lawn furniture. The existing plantings of boxwoods and birch trees, while healthy, were a little bland and boring looking, so we spiced up the plantings by adding more color, texture, and variety to the space. Our design plans included purple heuchera, gold hakone grass, creeping Jenny, rhododendrons, and a coral-bark maple tree. We picked a high-end, eco-friendly (petroleum free) artificial turf that looks exactly like real grass and is maintenance-free. It’s especially important to choose petroleum free turf for high traffic areas where children and pets may frequently come into contact with the turf. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

Winter Wainscot Lincoln, MA Builder: D.B. Schroeder & Co. Inc. Cabinetmaker: Walter Lane, LLC design: Tim Hess and Jeff Dearing for DSA Architects Interior Design Collaborator: Tricia Upton Interiors Photographer: Greg Premru Photo Stylist: Stephanie Rossi This project started small, with the clients’ desire to remodel the existing kitchen. When our analysis of the existing conditions revealed the extent to which the house’s many previous additions had failed to enrich each other or unify the whole, the scope of work bloomed to include extensive renovations throughout the first floor. We’ve sought to bring a cohesion and clarity to this already commodious house quite beautifully sited. Much of the design attention in this project was focused on meetings and overlaps. The autonomy and dignity of individual spaces was restored with the creation and use of interstitial spaces; the spaces between. The doorway between kitchen and dining becomes a display pantry and wet bar, the entry foyer is framed with a narrower opening, and the way to the Living Room is re-shaped with a paneled deep jamb. The story is recounted in the January / February 2013 edition of New England Home.

Example of a small classic 3/4 white tile and stone tile mosaic tile floor alcove shower design in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

Winter Wainscot Lincoln, MA Builder: D.B. Schroeder & Co. Inc. Cabinetmaker: Walter Lane, LLC design: Tim Hess and Jeff Dearing for DSA Architects Interior Design Collaborator: Tricia Upton Interiors Photographer: Greg Premru Photo Stylist: Stephanie Rossi This project started small, with the clients’ desire to remodel the existing kitchen. When our analysis of the existing conditions revealed the extent to which the house’s many previous additions had failed to enrich each other or unify the whole, the scope of work bloomed to include extensive renovations throughout the first floor. We’ve sought to bring a cohesion and clarity to this already commodious house quite beautifully sited. Much of the design attention in this project was focused on meetings and overlaps. The autonomy and dignity of individual spaces was restored with the creation and use of interstitial spaces; the spaces between. The doorway between kitchen and dining becomes a display pantry and wet bar, the entry foyer is framed with a narrower opening, and the way to the Living Room is re-shaped with a paneled deep jamb. The story is recounted in the January / February 2013 edition of New England Home.

Waystation is a new-build family home that replaces a dilapidated 1960’s modernist house in Kent. The existing house has some architectural merit but fails to respond to the family’s needs. The entrance level and bedrooms are disconnected from the living space which makes for torturous circulation and a lack of connection with the garden. After full evaluation, it has proved to be too expensive to adapt and repair the existing house. Starting from scratch gave us the opportunity to develop a detailed brief with our client, to create a warm and open family home that maximises the site’s potential and forms a meaningful connection to the garden. The design of the proposed house seeks to acknowledge the legacy of the existing with a clarity of form and elegant use of natural materials. The horizontal design respects the form and ethos of the existing house, with the timber cladding providing a warm and contemporary aesthetic. The upper and lower forms are proposed in a contrasting black render. The design concept seeks to create a building with a deliberately lightweight appearance which floats above the landscape and sits harmoniously in the wooded setting. The lower ground floor contains garage, entrance, guest rooms and ancillary spaces. The upper ground floor comprises the children’s bedrooms and the open plan living spaces which connect seamlessly to the outdoor terrace and garden. The master bedroom suite at first floor is orientated south and designed with an intimate terrace that enjoys panoramic views of the countryside. For the external spaces, the design intention is to create a sense of space and elegance, allowing light to penetrate the areas around the house but also to create a great sense of privacy and calm. Thus, architecture and landscape combine to create a place for the family to come together and enjoy. The house is scheduled to start on site late spring 2020.

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