With this kitchen needing an update, we took the opportunity to move things around slightly to greatly improve the flow of the kitchen. By moving the refrigerator to the dining room side, it increased the flow coming into the kitchen from the entryway significantly. We also moved the sink to be centered on the window, allowing us a creative storage solution at the end of the dishwasher for cookie sheets, trays or cutting boards. We also removed the very large soffits (nearly 2' high) and were able to gain additional storage by taking the cabinetry all the way to the ceiling. By adding heated floors in this kitchen, it helps make this a nice cozy space to cook in. Using white cabinetry and adding in extra can lighting this space now looks and feel larger, brighter and more open. The grey textured subway tile and dark gunmetal hardware adds a bit of fun to the space, along with some contrast against the white cabinetry and countertops.

This 1940’s Colonial style home in Boston’s Jamaica Plain had strong bones and rich character but lacked the space, modern conveniences, and storage that our clients desired. While they wished to retain the look of the exterior, as well as some of the home’s unique original features,, the kitchen and dining room needed to be reimagined in design, layout, and functionality. Key considerations were the compact size of the home and a smaller lot that didn’t give our client the flexibility of an addition. Without adding on to the existing floor plan, we needed to find a way to gain vital extra space in the kitchen, which, with walls enclosing it on all sides, was dark and disconnected from the rest of the house. Our design team coordinated with our client to reconfigure the space by opening up the wall between the dining room and the kitchen to add a few extra inches – just enough to create an open flow between the two rooms. With the removal of that wall, the formerly dark kitchen was flooded with the natural light coming from the existing dining room windows, making the entire space feel brighter and more cohesive. The original kitchen dated back to the mid-20th century and lacked, among other conveniences, a dishwasher, enough storage, or even countertop space for food prep. In redesigning the kitchen, we visually expanded the space by incorporating white upper cabinetry, open shelving, and white subway tiles extending from the backsplash to the ceiling. A new, larger window featuring a deep stone sill brought in even more light, and the appliances and apron sink were selected to retain the traditional look of the home while delivering modern functionality. Considering how our client would use this space, we focused on creating a purposeful workspace and storage, ensuring that there was ample countertop space and cabinetry between the sink and range. A multi-purpose cabinet and countertop which serves as a microwave station and food service area were added to the backside of the dining room wall, packing a lot of utility into a small space. Prior to this renovation, our client had painted the dining room in Mount Saint Anne by Benjamin Moore, a tranquil blue-gray that suited the room well and allowed the original built-in corner cabinetry to stand out, highlighting the home’s charm. With the newly opened floor plan extending into the kitchen, we selected a deep custom color for the base cabinets, Yorktowne Green by Benjamin Moore, to complement the dining room and pull all of the elements together in a cohesive space. This transformation was remarkable, both functionally and visually. The kitchen is now a bright and inviting space that flows seamlessly into the rest of the house. The homeowners are thrilled with the results, and the small changes we incorporated that made a big difference in the overall feel and functionality of the space.

With this kitchen needing an update, we took the opportunity to move things around slightly to greatly improve the flow of the kitchen. By moving the refrigerator to the dining room side, it increased the flow coming into the kitchen from the entryway significantly. We also moved the sink to be centered on the window, allowing us a creative storage solution at the end of the dishwasher for cookie sheets, trays or cutting boards. We also removed the very large soffits (nearly 2' high) and were able to gain additional storage by taking the cabinetry all the way to the ceiling. By adding heated floors in this kitchen, it helps make this a nice cozy space to cook in. Using white cabinetry and adding in extra can lighting this space now looks and feel larger, brighter and more open. The grey textured subway tile and dark gunmetal hardware adds a bit of fun to the space, along with some contrast against the white cabinetry and countertops.

The goal of this project was to have a modern kitchen with a country home elegance. In this example, we mix three essential ingredients for creating a country homestyle cooking space: modern features, rustic elements, and industrial-inspired accents. When blended just right, the result is a sophisticated kitchen that's also warm and inviting keeping the charm of an old country kitchen. There are no hard-set rules for modern farmhouse colors. However, a winning palette seen in many spaces combines pastels, black, and natural wood tones. We loved the original walnut floor and worked with earthy colours of light greens and coffee hues to make the kitchen inviting to an old farmhouse with all the functions of modern appliances. We were able to accomplish all the needs of the client’s project that started out as kitchen renovation. The project scope refocused to renovating the main floor living area, a new kitchen, updated laundry room and new powder room. The main floor kitchen space felt cramped due to a small dining room near the sliding doors. To gain space we started with a smaller foot print of the kitchen island and moved the dining area to the right of the island opening up the kitchen, gaining space with natural light flowing through the sliding doors. We removed the old dated popcorn ceilings and relocated the pot lights to give better lighting in areas that needed it and removed lights that didn’t need it. The end result is a country kitchen with character and charm.

The goal of this project was to have a modern kitchen with a country home elegance. In this example, we mix three essential ingredients for creating a country homestyle cooking space: modern features, rustic elements, and industrial-inspired accents. When blended just right, the result is a sophisticated kitchen that's also warm and inviting keeping the charm of an old country kitchen. There are no hard-set rules for modern farmhouse colors. However, a winning palette seen in many spaces combines pastels, black, and natural wood tones. We loved the original walnut floor and worked with earthy colours of light greens and coffee hues to make the kitchen inviting to an old farmhouse with all the functions of modern appliances. We were able to accomplish all the needs of the client’s project that started out as kitchen renovation. The project scope refocused to renovating the main floor living area, a new kitchen, updated laundry room and new powder room. The main floor kitchen space felt cramped due to a small dining room near the sliding doors. To gain space we started with a smaller foot print of the kitchen island and moved the dining area to the right of the island opening up the kitchen, gaining space with natural light flowing through the sliding doors. We removed the old dated popcorn ceilings and relocated the pot lights to give better lighting in areas that needed it and removed lights that didn’t need it. The end result is a country kitchen with character and charm.

The goal of this project was to have a modern kitchen with a country home elegance. In this example, we mix three essential ingredients for creating a country homestyle cooking space: modern features, rustic elements, and industrial-inspired accents. When blended just right, the result is a sophisticated kitchen that's also warm and inviting keeping the charm of an old country kitchen. There are no hard-set rules for modern farmhouse colors. However, a winning palette seen in many spaces combines pastels, black, and natural wood tones. We loved the original walnut floor and worked with earthy colours of light greens and coffee hues to make the kitchen inviting to an old farmhouse with all the functions of modern appliances. We were able to accomplish all the needs of the client’s project that started out as kitchen renovation. The project scope refocused to renovating the main floor living area, a new kitchen, updated laundry room and new powder room. The main floor kitchen space felt cramped due to a small dining room near the sliding doors. To gain space we started with a smaller foot print of the kitchen island and moved the dining area to the right of the island opening up the kitchen, gaining space with natural light flowing through the sliding doors. We removed the old dated popcorn ceilings and relocated the pot lights to give better lighting in areas that needed it and removed lights that didn’t need it. The end result is a country kitchen with character and charm.

With this kitchen needing an update, we took the opportunity to move things around slightly to greatly improve the flow of the kitchen. By moving the refrigerator to the dining room side, it increased the flow coming into the kitchen from the entryway significantly. We also moved the sink to be centered on the window, allowing us a creative storage solution at the end of the dishwasher for cookie sheets, trays or cutting boards. We also removed the very large soffits (nearly 2' high) and were able to gain additional storage by taking the cabinetry all the way to the ceiling. By adding heated floors in this kitchen, it helps make this a nice cozy space to cook in. Using white cabinetry and adding in extra can lighting this space now looks and feel larger, brighter and more open. The grey textured subway tile and dark gunmetal hardware adds a bit of fun to the space, along with some contrast against the white cabinetry and countertops.

KITCHEN RENOVATION  CURRENT CRAFTSMAN This client started off just being curious about our services - what we could do, and if we could even help her update her kitchen. She and her husband with their two teenage kids have lived in their home for several years without updating anything since the house was originally built. They didn’t quite have a budget in mind yet. They didn’t know their style, or even if they had one. Their timeline was simple, “as fast as you can so we’re not without a kitchen for very long” (usually what we hear for kitchen updates). After a very productive consultation: determining the scope of work and zeroing in on a budget, I was very excited to update this underwhelming space to something that is modern but timeless, something that is theirs. And, it was easy to see what type of design style they gravitated toward looking at the pieces they already own: Craftsman/Prairie Style. I left the meeting so excited to weave in yet another genre of design to my CDG portfolio! We circled in our contractor to discuss the changes they were looking to make and the scope of work that would be theirs. Then I was off to get designing: // Because the kitchen’s footprint and the defined breakfast space delineated by the bay, we kept the perimeter cabinetry as it was originally laid out. We updated these cabinets to a beautiful soft Alabaster White with a Barn Wood Glaze to highlight the simplicity of the shaker style doors. We added transom cabinets above the uppers, with only the back wall having seeded glass inserts to highlight some of their collectables. // The original shaped island was counter-productive (See what I did there?) in functionality and design. We squared this off to reduce some of the angles and gain more storage. We highlighted the new island with a contrasting oak cabinet in a dark finish, to pay our respects to the craftsman style, and topped with a concrete-like countertop as a nod to the Prairie Style, allowing the homeowners to gain two extra seats and a massive -uninterrupted- work surface. // The small section of cabinetry between the garage entry and fridge now is the perfect dump-station for mail, electronics, whatever is in their hands when they come into the house; and completely hidden by the refrigerator. // The disconnected cabinetry in the breakfast area makes for a great place to have a working office. Accessible from the kitchen or the adjacent great room, this is the perfect place for the kids to do their homework while mom and dad are putting together dinner. The base cabinets are built out for office-type storage: paper and pencil drawers, filing systems, and cord management. Additionally, the long counter provides a ton of worksurface to spread out. // The largest transformation was the pantry. We raised the height of the doorway and added huge custom designed bypass sliding barndoors. Finished with a dark stain to compliment the island and cut to inset 4 stained glass windows, typical of this style of design, and driving home the concept for the whole space. // They were desperate to replace their flooring with something extremely durable to flow throughout the kitchen and the whole main level. This beautiful new flooring is actually a textured LVT(!) Which allowed them to save on overall cost and extend the life of their new flooring purchase. // They loved their copper table, so we kept it and added new simple, mid-century modern chairs around it and a shiny new craftsman-style chandelier above. We added bright barstools in a burnt orange-red accent, and a bright woven rug to tie it all together. // Because the kitchen renovation was shaping up to be pretty spectacular, they decided they needed to now replace their ‘now-these-look-a-little-too-old’ upholstered seating in the neighboring great room with 2 new sofas. We found the perfect sage-y-grey fabric which we covered on sofa frames that have and exposed oak-wood base, which we finished in a warm weathered grey. // As every designer knows, a room isn’t finished until there’s something on the windows. Now that the new flooring was installed and every other room on the main level ‘seemed’ to be updated, we needed to update the window treatments in the dining, and great rooms to reflect their new design concept. I hope you find the ‘after’ photos refreshing (as refreshing as it was for me to work on something that’s not a “Farm House” style that’s saturating the industry right now!) This was such a fun project and a great collaboration with our contractor.

This 1940’s Colonial style home in Boston’s Jamaica Plain had strong bones and rich character but lacked the space, modern conveniences, and storage that our clients desired. While they wished to retain the look of the exterior, as well as some of the home’s unique original features,, the kitchen and dining room needed to be reimagined in design, layout, and functionality. Key considerations were the compact size of the home and a smaller lot that didn’t give our client the flexibility of an addition. Without adding on to the existing floor plan, we needed to find a way to gain vital extra space in the kitchen, which, with walls enclosing it on all sides, was dark and disconnected from the rest of the house. Our design team coordinated with our client to reconfigure the space by opening up the wall between the dining room and the kitchen to add a few extra inches – just enough to create an open flow between the two rooms. With the removal of that wall, the formerly dark kitchen was flooded with the natural light coming from the existing dining room windows, making the entire space feel brighter and more cohesive. The original kitchen dated back to the mid-20th century and lacked, among other conveniences, a dishwasher, enough storage, or even countertop space for food prep. In redesigning the kitchen, we visually expanded the space by incorporating white upper cabinetry, open shelving, and white subway tiles extending from the backsplash to the ceiling. A new, larger window featuring a deep stone sill brought in even more light, and the appliances and apron sink were selected to retain the traditional look of the home while delivering modern functionality. Considering how our client would use this space, we focused on creating a purposeful workspace and storage, ensuring that there was ample countertop space and cabinetry between the sink and range. A multi-purpose cabinet and countertop which serves as a microwave station and food service area were added to the backside of the dining room wall, packing a lot of utility into a small space. Prior to this renovation, our client had painted the dining room in Mount Saint Anne by Benjamin Moore, a tranquil blue-gray that suited the room well and allowed the original built-in corner cabinetry to stand out, highlighting the home’s charm. With the newly opened floor plan extending into the kitchen, we selected a deep custom color for the base cabinets, Yorktowne Green by Benjamin Moore, to complement the dining room and pull all of the elements together in a cohesive space. This transformation was remarkable, both functionally and visually. The kitchen is now a bright and inviting space that flows seamlessly into the rest of the house. The homeowners are thrilled with the results, and the small changes we incorporated that made a big difference in the overall feel and functionality of the space.

The Pros and Cons of Fix and Flip Real Estate Investment Last week, we covered The Pros and Cons of Buy and Hold Real Estate Investment for rental property investors. This week, we want to talk about the other most common type of real estate investment: “fix and flip.” The Appeal of House Flipping We all love the house flipping shows on HGTV and other reality channels. They’re great and they make the prospect of buying, renovating and flipping homes for big profits seem super sexy and fun. However, any experienced real estate investor will tell you it’s not quite as easy as they make it look. There’s a lot of work that goes into a successful fix and flip investment. The basic premise of a fix and flip investment is pretty simple. You buy a property, usually one that needs some work and is available at a great price. You renovate the property, making the necessary repairs and upgrades to maximize its resale value. Then, you sell the property on the open market for the highest possible price. You get in and out as quickly as possible. Full-time flippers will move from property to property or will have multiple properties being worked on at the same time. Rather than the “buy and hold” strategy where you keep the house while earning rental income and equity over time, you are looking for the quick sale to earn your profits. If you are going to explore house flipping—whether as a full-time career or just a side hustle—you will want to know exactly what you are getting into. That is why we are going to cover the pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment in this article. The Pros of Fix and Flip Here are some of the pros of fix and flip investing: Faster Return on Investment—The biggest appeal of fix and flip investing is that it gives you a quicker return on investment. Buy and hold will take you longer to see your ROI. House flipping allows you to see your full profit (hopefully) as soon as the house sells. The average house flip for an experienced investor is around six months. It may take longer for a first-timer who is just learning how to do certain things. Fairly Safe Investment—As long as you do all your projections and calculations carefully and avoid any major problems along the way, house flipping is a relatively safe investment strategy compared to something as turbulent as the stock market. Real estate markets are generally predictable and the short time frame of a flip helps you avoid losses if the property happens to depreciate over a longer period of time. Exciting—There is a reason why there are so many reality shows based around flipping and none based on buy and hold investing. It’s an exciting process to buy a home, gut it and completely renovate it. Then, you get the ultimate reward of selling it and collecting the profits—as long as you do things right. The Cons of Fix and Flip Here are some of the cons of fix and flip investing: Upfront Expenses—A house flip will require a lot of upfront expenses. We’re not only talking about financing the house itself, but all the renovation costs and other expenses involved in the flip. You are laying out all that money at the beginning and only seeing your returns when the property sells. This can create cash flow issues and stress if you fall being schedule or go above your initial budget. Taxes—House flips will usually create dramatic swings in income year over year, and that can increase your tax bill. You have to pace things correctly to take advantage of specific capital gains tax rules. Capital gains taxes are higher on any property owned less than a year, so you have to find that balance of how long you own any specific investment properties and how long it takes to complete the renovation and sale. Before you get too deep into fix and flip investing, you will want to talk with your tax advisor to make sure you have the right plan in place. Surprises—All real estate investment is susceptible to surprises. You don’t always know what lies behind the walls until you start the renovation process. You cannot plan for everything as a real estate investor, but you have to be prepared for anything. It is a good idea to add some wiggle room in your budget and overestimate your renovation expenses/timeline to cover any surprises that may come up. These are some of the biggest pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment. Of course, there are other things you need to know as an investor, so be sure and do your homework in order to get the most out of your investment portfolio. Both fix and flip and buy and hold strategies can be highly lucrative if you do things right. There are no wrong answers, but there are wrong ways of doing things if you truly want to be successful in this field. If you are looking for great investment properties to fix and flip, join the exclusive PropertyLark home buyers’ network. If you qualify, you’ll have access to our exclusive off-market deals and analytics tools that will help you identify the best investments and get the highest possible ROI. Fill out the contact form and questionnaire on the PropertyLark buyer’s site to apply!

LEED Certification Level: V4 Builder: BPC Green Builders, LLC Architect: Trillium Architects. The Taft School faculty home serves as a high performance residence and learning lab for students. The project also earned certification through ENERGY STAR, Indoor airPLUS, Water Sense, PHIUS, and Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Homes with Living Building Challenge Petal recognition pending. The project team was honored with third place in the 2014 Connecticut Zero Energy Home Challenge. Excluding the photovoltaic installation the HERS index was 33, and with the 13.1 kW the HERS index is -14. A year of utility bills show the home is producing more electricity than it uses. Located on a quiet street adjacent to campus the existing, historic home was deconstructed and materials donated or reused where possible. Challenged to find high efficiency windows that were historic commission acceptable, the team installed Klearwall awnings or casements over fixed glass (to mimic double hungs) with simulated divided lites (u-values as low as 0.13). A high solar heat gain coefficient (0.58) facilitates the passive solar gain for winter months, while well designed overhangs and a pergola shade summer sun. Double stud walls have 2¼” closed cell foam plus 8½” dense pack cellulose for a R-49 cavity. The exterior sheathing is R-6.6 Zip Wall System with taped seams to create the continuous air barrier. Inside the solid concrete foundation is 3” closed cell foam behind 2x4 stud walls and R-32 cellulose in the cavity. Prefabricated TJI joists frame the attic floor, an insulated “room” houses the heat recovery ventilator and ductwork, and blown in cellulose blankets it all in R-86. The house tested 0.6ACH50 proving the effectiveness of its air-tight envelope and attention to air sealing. Heating and cooling is provided by efficient air source heat pumps (9.2 HSPF, 16.5 SEER) and delivered by short duct runs which tested extremely tight. A heat pump water heater provides domestic hot water and an on-demand switch, with an occupancy sensor at each bath, ensures hot water is delivered fast and efficiently. Low flow fixtures are WaterSense certified, appliances are Energy Star labeled, and all LED lighting. A Zehnder Novus 300 (93.3% efficient) HRV supplies 112 cfm of continuous fresh air while using only 32 watts of power and running quietly. The homeowners control the mechanical ventilation through the intuitive wall-mounted control pad to shut off or increase the ventilation. Chemicals and contaminants were reduced by using low VOC and GreenGuard certified sealants, adhesives, primers, and paints. A walk-off matt at the side entry and hardwood floors help control dirt and dust. The granite front steps were salvaged and local stone used for the patio and stone walls. Storm water runoff from the roof, patio, and driveway is managed by the rain garden. The native landscaping is low maintenance, a community garden produces vegetables, and the chicken coop is powered by its own roof mounted PV panels. Taft School Director of Environmental Stewardship, Carly Borken has used the design and construction process as a teaching tool for her science classes. With access to the home monitoring system they can virtually access the residents’ consumption.

Open, light, and airy, this primary bath gained space and function. By removing unnecessary dust-catching ledges from the space, the client gained a smooth transitioning look that brings comfort to the bathroom. Adding a large skylight brings more natural light to the space and a door was added between the bedroom and bath for privacy and quiet for those still sleeping. Alder cabinets with a New World finish and beautiful quartz counter tops add to this perfectly contrasting design. A stripe design on the floor tile creates a timeless movement throughout the space and the shower is accented with a beautiful mosaic glass tile; Strata Obsidian from Arizona Tile. Brushed nickel finishes on the hardware and accessories keep the space timeless and flows perfectly with the warm grey tones in the space. The paint color on the walls is Kelly Moore Malibu Beige, the ceiling and all trim is Kelly Moore Swiss Coffee. Beautiful!

With this kitchen needing an update, we took the opportunity to move things around slightly to greatly improve the flow of the kitchen. By moving the refrigerator to the dining room side, it increased the flow coming into the kitchen from the entryway significantly. We also moved the sink to be centered on the window, allowing us a creative storage solution at the end of the dishwasher for cookie sheets, trays or cutting boards. We also removed the very large soffits (nearly 2' high) and were able to gain additional storage by taking the cabinetry all the way to the ceiling. By adding heated floors in this kitchen, it helps make this a nice cozy space to cook in. Using white cabinetry and adding in extra can lighting this space now looks and feel larger, brighter and more open. The grey textured subway tile and dark gunmetal hardware adds a bit of fun to the space, along with some contrast against the white cabinetry and countertops.

With two small children and a third on the way, the owners of an original eighteenth century Cape were quickly out-growing it, but they had no desire to move away from the Cape Cod home and location they loved. They simply needed a reconfigured layout and more space. Their goals included repurposing some existing rooms, adding a new kitchen/family area plus screen porch on the first level, and creating a master suite and roof deck with an outdoor shower on the second level, connected by a new stair. Our challenge was to improve the flow between existing spaces, and design the two-story addition without overwhelming the pint-sized original Cape. We took advantage of the lower grade at the rear of the property to step the first floor of the addition down two steps from the existing main level. This allowed us to align the second floor in the addition with the existing second floor, while gaining ceiling height in the new first-floor kitchen/family area. We composed a cross-gabled form for the addition to improve the second floor headroom, while maintaining the existing eave line. We then extended some existing shed dormers to gain headroom and enhance function. We also expanded the outdoor living area with privacy walls along the roof deck. New, larger, double–hung windows that match the lite configuration of the existing windows, along with new side-wall shingles and trim which resemble the existing exterior treatment help to tie the new addition to the old Cape. Though there’s no mistaking the new for the old, the two are simpatico. Katie Hutchison Studio collaborated with Geoffrey Koper Architect of Yarmouth Port, Mass. on the Yarmouth Port Antique Cape Renovation and Addition. Kitchen fit-out and interior finishes, fixtures, and furnishings by others. photo by Katie Hutchison

With two small children and a third on the way, the owners of an original eighteenth century Cape were quickly out-growing it, but they had no desire to move away from the Cape Cod home and location they loved. They simply needed a reconfigured layout and more space. Their goals included repurposing some existing rooms, adding a new kitchen/family area plus screen porch on the first level, and creating a master suite and roof deck with an outdoor shower on the second level, connected by a new stair. Our challenge was to improve the flow between existing spaces, and design the two-story addition without overwhelming the pint-sized original Cape. We took advantage of the lower grade at the rear of the property to step the first floor of the addition down two steps from the existing main level. This allowed us to align the second floor in the addition with the existing second floor, while gaining ceiling height in the new first-floor kitchen/family area. We composed a cross-gabled form for the addition to improve the second floor headroom, while maintaining the existing eave line. We then extended some existing shed dormers to gain headroom and enhance function. We also expanded the outdoor living area with privacy walls along the roof deck. New, larger, double–hung windows that match the lite configuration of the existing windows, along with new side-wall shingles and trim which resemble the existing exterior treatment help to tie the new addition to the old Cape. Though there’s no mistaking the new for the old, the two are simpatico. Katie Hutchison Studio collaborated with Geoffrey Koper Architect of Yarmouth Port, Mass. on the Yarmouth Port Antique Cape Renovation and Addition. Kitchen fit-out and interior finishes, fixtures, and furnishings by others. photo by Katie Hutchison

Open, light, and airy, this primary bath gained space and function. By removing unnecessary dust catching ledges from the space, the client gained a smooth transitioning look that brings comfort to the bathroom. Adding a large skylight brings more natural light to the space and a door was added between the bedroom and bath for privacy and quiet for those still sleeping. Alder cabinets with a New World finish and beautiful quartz counter tops add to this perfectly contrasting design. A stripe design on the floor tile creates a timeless movement throughout the space and the shower is accented with a beautiful mosaic glass tile; Strata Obsidian from Arizona Tile. Brushed nickel finishes on the hardware and accessories keep the space timeless and flows perfectly with the warm grey tones in the space. The paint color on the walls is Kelly Moore Malibu Beige, the ceiling and all trim is Kelly Moore Swiss Coffee. Beautiful!

With two small children and a third on the way, the owners of an original eighteenth century Cape were quickly out-growing it, but they had no desire to move away from the Cape Cod home and location they loved. They simply needed a reconfigured layout and more space. Their goals included repurposing some existing rooms, adding a new kitchen/family area plus screen porch on the first level, and creating a master suite and roof deck with an outdoor shower on the second level, connected by a new stair. Our challenge was to improve the flow between existing spaces, and design the two-story addition without overwhelming the pint-sized original Cape. We took advantage of the lower grade at the rear of the property to step the first floor of the addition down two steps from the existing main level. This allowed us to align the second floor in the addition with the existing second floor, while gaining ceiling height in the new first-floor kitchen/family area. We composed a cross-gabled form for the addition to improve the second floor headroom, while maintaining the existing eave line. We then extended some existing shed dormers to gain headroom and enhance function. We also expanded the outdoor living area with privacy walls along the roof deck. New, larger, double–hung windows that match the lite configuration of the existing windows, along with new side-wall shingles and trim which resemble the existing exterior treatment help to tie the new addition to the old Cape. Though there’s no mistaking the new for the old, the two are simpatico. Katie Hutchison Studio collaborated with Geoffrey Koper Architect of Yarmouth Port, Mass. on the Yarmouth Port Antique Cape Renovation and Addition. Kitchen fit-out and interior finishes, fixtures, and furnishings by others. photo by Katie Hutchison

The goal of this project was to have a modern kitchen with a country home elegance. In this example, we mix three essential ingredients for creating a country homestyle cooking space: modern features, rustic elements, and industrial-inspired accents. When blended just right, the result is a sophisticated kitchen that's also warm and inviting keeping the charm of an old country kitchen. There are no hard-set rules for modern farmhouse colors. However, a winning palette seen in many spaces combines pastels, black, and natural wood tones. We loved the original walnut floor and worked with earthy colours of light greens and coffee hues to make the kitchen inviting to an old farmhouse with all the functions of modern appliances. We were able to accomplish all the needs of the client’s project that started out as kitchen renovation. The project scope refocused to renovating the main floor living area, a new kitchen, updated laundry room and new powder room. The main floor kitchen space felt cramped due to a small dining room near the sliding doors. To gain space we started with a smaller foot print of the kitchen island and moved the dining area to the right of the island opening up the kitchen, gaining space with natural light flowing through the sliding doors. We removed the old dated popcorn ceilings and relocated the pot lights to give better lighting in areas that needed it and removed lights that didn’t need it. The end result is a country kitchen with character and charm.

The goal of this project was to have a modern kitchen with a country home elegance. In this example, we mix three essential ingredients for creating a country homestyle cooking space: modern features, rustic elements, and industrial-inspired accents. When blended just right, the result is a sophisticated kitchen that's also warm and inviting keeping the charm of an old country kitchen. There are no hard-set rules for modern farmhouse colors. However, a winning palette seen in many spaces combines pastels, black, and natural wood tones. We loved the original walnut floor and worked with earthy colours of light greens and coffee hues to make the kitchen inviting to an old farmhouse with all the functions of modern appliances. We were able to accomplish all the needs of the client’s project that started out as kitchen renovation. The project scope refocused to renovating the main floor living area, a new kitchen, updated laundry room and new powder room. The main floor kitchen space felt cramped due to a small dining room near the sliding doors. To gain space we started with a smaller foot print of the kitchen island and moved the dining area to the right of the island opening up the kitchen, gaining space with natural light flowing through the sliding doors. We removed the old dated popcorn ceilings and relocated the pot lights to give better lighting in areas that needed it and removed lights that didn’t need it. The end result is a country kitchen with character and charm.