Search results for "Inventory" in Home Design Ideas

IAX is responsible for designing and staging the kitchen of this home. We selected flooring, cabinets, countertops, backsplash, appliances, lighting, and hardware. We then styled this space with decor from our eclectic inventory of trendy and rare items.

Staging a home for sale or for a major transition is a strange in-between state. You are still living in the space, but you are also preparing it to impress strangers, support showings, and remain functional until the final move-out day. That tension between “home” and “product” is where storage quietly becomes one of your smartest tools. Used well, storage lets you reduce clutter, protect important items, and create the kind of rooms that photograph beautifully and feel calm when buyers walk through the door.
A staged move is rarely just about shifting boxes from one address to another. It is about managing timing, presentation, and stress at the same time. When storage is built into the plan from day one, the entire process feels less rushed and more strategic. Rooms open up gradually, essentials stay accessible, and you never feel like you are drowning in half-packed chaos. Understanding how to use storage as a staging partner, not just a place to dump excess stuff, is what turns a messy transition into a controlled, professional-looking move.
Why Storage Is the Backbone of Every Staged Move
Visual space is emotional space. When every surface is covered, and every corner is full, buyers feel crowded before they have even evaluated the layout. Storage gives you a way to pull back without making drastic decisions about what to keep or donate. Seasonal décor, bulky furniture, duplicate items, archives, and personal collections can be moved out early, so the home reads cleaner and more open while still feeling lived-in. That balance between warmth and simplicity is exactly what good staging tries to achieve.
In more complex situations, such as live-work properties or home offices, storage becomes even more important. You may need to keep a business running while also presenting a polished environment to viewers. Partnering with local movers in Boston makes it easier to shift equipment, files, and nonessential pieces into storage in phases, so work can continue while the visible areas of the property stay controlled and presentable.
How Staging and Storage Work Together to Control Visual Impact
Staging works best when every object in a room has a clear purpose. A sofa frames a conversation. A table suggests gathering. A lamp softens the mood. Everything else that is not essential to that story competes for attention. Storage supports staging by giving you a clean staging bench off-site, where nonessential items can wait without being constantly shuffled between rooms or piled into overstuffed closets.
The art lies in deciding what stays and what goes. Family photos, extensive collections, excess seating, and rarely used appliances often move into storage first. What remains should be enough to show scale, comfort, and function without revealing the full weight of daily life. Commercial properties go through a similar filtering process. Extra desks, surplus equipment, outdated signage, and inactive files often move out early so the active workspace feels lean, efficient, and future-ready before a relocation supported by commercial movers takes place.
Strategic Timing of Storage before the Actual Move
The worst time to think about storage is when boxes are already stacked in the hallway. In a staged move, storage decisions ideally begin as soon as you know the property will be listed or the space will be transitioned. That might be a month or more before the main moving date. Starting early gives you time to sort, label, and prioritize instead of throwing things together in a panic.
An early storage phase also helps you test how the home feels with less in it. You may discover that removing a few large pieces transforms a cramped room into an open, inviting space. For commercial spaces, early storage lets operations continue with fewer interruptions. Departments can send nonessential items out in waves. When the main relocation comes, much of the excess is already safely stored, and what remains is easier for a commercial movers Boston team to handle with speed and care.
The Emotional Psychology behind Letting Storage Hold Your Belongings
Letting belongings leave the house ahead of you can feel unsettling. There is always a quiet fear that once something is out of sight, it will be forgotten, damaged, or harder to reclaim. That is why some people resist using storage even when they know it would make the staging process easier. Acknowledging that emotion instead of dismissing it helps you plan more honestly and avoids last-minute regret.
The reality is that good storage is not a black hole; it is a temporary pause. When items are packed thoughtfully, labeled clearly, and placed in an environment you trust, they become easier to manage than when they are tucked into random cupboards or stacked in spare rooms. For many people, living with fewer visible possessions during staging actually reduces tension. The home feels lighter and easier to maintain. Businesses notice the same effect when storage removes outdated equipment and clutter from the floor. The workspace looks more focused, and staff can concentrate on current tasks instead of navigating around accumulated history.
Protecting Assets While They Live in Storage
Sending belongings into storage is only a good idea if they come back in the same or better condition. That is where quality control matters. Furniture, textiles, electronics, files, and artwork each have different vulnerabilities. Moisture, temperature swings, dust, and rough handling can all damage them in ways that only become obvious later. Choosing the right type of storage and packing accordingly is central to the genius of using storage as part of a staged move rather than as a desperate overflow container.
Climate-controlled units, padded wrapping, elevated pallets, careful stacking, and clearly marked boxes all reduce risk. The goal is to handle items fewer times, not more. When storage is integrated into the move plan, belongings can travel directly from the home to storage and later from storage to the new address with minimal extra movement. Many owners coordinate those transfers through a well trusted movers in Boston, so the same team that moves items out early also manages their final delivery, preserving continuity and accountability.
How Storage Reduces Risk during Multi-Phase Moves
Few staged moves happen in a single clean step. There are often gaps between listing and selling, between selling and closing, between closing and final move-out. If renovations, inspections, or office reconfigurations are involved, the timeline becomes even more layered. Storage absorbs those gaps, so you are not forced to live among towers of boxes or stack equipment in hallways waiting for the next phase.
By treating storage as a flexible middle ground, you can move things out gradually while still having access when needed. For example, archived files can go first, followed by seasonal décor, then surplus furniture. As each stage ends, fewer items remain to be shifted on the final date. This phased approach reduces the risk of rushed, late-night packing sessions, careless stacking, and damaged items. It also makes it easier for commercial moving crews to work efficiently because they are handling a manageable volume of goods at each phase rather than everything at once.
Using Storage to Maintain Clean Show-Ready Conditions
One of the hardest parts of staging is keeping the property consistently show-ready. Every viewing becomes its own small event. Floors need to be cleared, surfaces wiped, and personal items tucked away. When too many belongings remain in the home, each showing takes a heavy amount of effort. Storage cuts that workload dramatically by taking nonessentials completely off the stage.
With fewer items to move and hide, maintaining a neutral, inviting look becomes much more realistic. You are not scrambling to stuff things into closets or push items under the bed. Instead, the home sits closer to show condition all the time, and the final touches before a viewing are minimal. In commercial environments, using storage helps maintain a professional appearance for clients and staff, even while the space is being prepared for a larger transition. Active tools and furniture stay in play, while inactive pieces quietly support the future from storage.
Storage as a Strategic Tool in Business Relocation Planning
For businesses, storage is more than a convenience; it is part of risk management. Office relocations and staged commercial moves have to juggle lease deadlines, equipment deliveries, IT cutovers, and staffing realities. Trying to shift everything in one move often results in downtime, lost files, and strained teams. Storage turns the move into a series of controlled steps instead of a single disruptive jump.
Unused furniture, archived documents, and non-critical inventory can be moved into storage weeks ahead of the main relocation. As the new space becomes ready, items can move out of storage and directly into position. This reduces double-handling and keeps the old and new locations from filling with half-unpacked material. A business that coordinates these flows with professional commercial movers in Boston usually experiences smoother transitions, because storage is treated as a working part of the operational plan rather than a leftover problem.
The Hidden Cost Benefits of Proper Storage Planning
On paper, storage looks like an extra expense. In reality, poorly managed moves cost far more. When everything is rushed into boxes at the last minute, items are damaged, misplaced, or transported multiple times. Extra labor hours, emergency packing supplies, replacement furniture, and extended timelines quickly outweigh the cost of well-used storage. Staging without storage also tends to keep homes and offices crowded longer, which can hurt impressions and, in the case of a sale, influence offers.
When storage is integrated from the beginning, you minimize waste. You handle items fewer times, you know where things are, and you avoid paying people to shift the same objects repeatedly. Staged homes that look better often sell faster or draw stronger interest, which helps recover investment on the back end. Businesses benefit from less downtime, safer handling of equipment, and predictable work schedules. Those gains are why many clients prefer partnering with a commercial moving company in Boston that understands storage as a cost-control tool, not just a place to park overflow.
Conclusion
The true genius of using storage during a staged home move is that it quietly rewrites the rules of transition. Instead of treating space as something that must absorb every box and belonging until the last possible moment, you treat storage as a flexible extension of the home or office. This shift in thinking opens rooms, clears sightlines, and makes every phase of the move more intentional. Staging becomes easier, maintenance becomes lighter, and the stress of living in a half-moved environment drops noticeably. When storage is chosen carefully, used early, and coordinated with the overall moving plan, it protects both physical assets and emotional energy. Buyers and visitors see a calm, collected space. You experience a less chaotic path from “here” to “there.” Whether you are selling a home, repositioning a business, or managing a complex phased relocation, storage can turn a disruptive event into a managed, almost elegant process.
For people who want that level of control and care during a staged move, Stairhopper movers have built a strong reputation by treating storage, timing, and transport as parts of one connected strategy. Their team is known for listening closely, planning around real-life constraints, and moving both residential and commercial clients through transitions with calm, steady execution. They approach every project as a partnership, aligning storage use, staging needs, and final delivery so that what matters most arrives safely, on schedule, and with as little disruption as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When should I arrange storage for a staged home move?
Ideally, four to six weeks before listing or transition, so clearing, packing, and staging can happen gradually without rushed decisions or last-minute stress.
Q2. Is climate-controlled storage necessary for staged moves?
It is highly recommended for wood furniture, electronics, artwork, and documents, since temperature and humidity swings can quietly damage materials over time.
Q3. How does storage help keep a home show-ready?
By moving nonessential items off-site, daily tidying becomes simpler, and each room can stay closer to a staged condition between viewings or inspections.
Q4. Can storage reduce the length of the final moving day?
Yes. When many items are moved into storage in advance, the final moving day focuses on essentials, which shortens timelines and reduces physical and mental strain.
Q5. Is storage useful for short-term business relocations?
Even in short relocations, storage helps prevent overcrowded offices and allows departments to move in phases without interrupting everyday operations.
Q6. How do I decide what should go into storage first?
Start with rarely used items, seasonal décor, surplus furniture, and archived materials, then work toward pieces that are visually distracting or make rooms feel cramped.
Q7. Will using storage make it harder to find things later?
Not if packing and labeling are done carefully. Clear categories, room-based labels, and simple inventories make stored items easier to locate than when scattered at home.
Q8. Does storage still make sense if my move happens in one day?
Yes, because staging and preparation begin well before that day. Storage keeps the home functional and attractive during the weeks leading up to the final move.

White Quartz Island Countertops and Perimeter
White Quartz Island Bar Countertops beautifully selected with a grey base offsetting the grey floors. In addition to white baseboards and trim. On the kitchen perimeter the white quartz perfectly pops off the light oak cabinets. With the addition of the grey quartz composite undermount sink and stainless steel appliances tie all the elements nicely together. This is a kitchen that welcomes family and friends and leaves you feeling light hearted with cool greys and warm cabinets. Anyone would enjoy a glass of tea or a warm cup of coffee at the bar in this kitchen.
Quartz countertops and grey quartz composite sink complete in Client Project kitchen Renovation ~ Thank you for sharing!
Bar Island Options
Additional ideas and selections for bar tops and islands include mixing various surfaces. Such as, wood and stone or granite and quartz. Adding cooktops, kitchen sinks, or various prep sinks that may include a trough design that doubles as keeping beverages cold. Bar Islands provide that extra space to gather together or just overall added workspace for prepping and serving meals from such as this white quartz island bar shown.
Quartz Slab Yard Available
When it comes to stone, there is no substitute for viewing full slabs of quartz. You will be able to view our inventory of quartz or granite at our local slab yard. French Creek Designers can arrange client viewing of stone slabs.
Get unbeatable prices with our No Waste Program Stone Countertops. The No Waste Program features a selection of granite we keep in stock. Having a large countertop selection inventory on hand. This allows us to only charge for the square footage you need, with no additional transportation costs.
In addition, to the full slabs remember to peruse through the remnants for those smaller projects such as tabletops, small vanity countertops, mantels and hearths. Many great finds for stone projects.
Find the right local pro for your project

Angled ceilings are common in rooms above a garage. Have a closet designer work with you on the best way to utilize the space with your inventory and maximize your resale value. Different materials can be used based on inventory and costs.
http://closetsstorageandmore.com

Photo: Sarah Seung-McFarland © 2016 Houzz
Eclectic home design photo in Philadelphia
Eclectic home design photo in Philadelphia

An automated wine inventory control system keeps track of what and how much you drink. Yikes! Photo by Split Second Photography
Example of an arts and crafts wine cellar design in Toronto
Example of an arts and crafts wine cellar design in Toronto

Sandalwood Granite Hearth
Sandalwood Granite hearth is the material of choice for this client’s fireplace. Granite hearth details include a full radius and full bullnose edge with a slight overhang. This DIY fireplace renovation was beautifully designed and implemented by the clients. French Creek Designs was chosen for the selection of granite for their hearth from the many remnants available at available slab yard. Adding the wood mantle to offset the wood fireplace is a bonus in addition to the decor.
Sandalwood Granite Hearth complete in Client Project Fireplace Renovation ~ Thank you for sharing! As a result, Client Testimony “French Creek did a fantastic job in the size and shape of the stone. It’s beautiful! Thank you!”
Hearth Materials of Choice
In addition, to granite selections available is quartz and wood hearths. French Creek Designs home improvement designers work with various local artisans for wood hearths and mantels in addition to Grothouse which offers wood in 60+ wood species, and 30 edge profiles.
Granite Slab Yard Available
When it comes to stone, there is no substitute for viewing full slabs granite. You will be able to view our inventory of granite at our local slab yard. Alternatively, French Creek Designs can arrange client viewing of stone slabs.
Get unbeatable prices with our No Waste Program Stone Countertops. The No Waste Program features a selection of granite we keep in stock. Having a large countertop selection inventory on hand. This allows us to only charge for the square footage you need, with no additional transportation costs.
In addition, to the full slabs remember to peruse through the remnants for those smaller projects such as tabletops, small vanity countertops, mantels and hearths. Many great finds such as the sandalwood granite hearth as seen in this fireplace renovation.

Sandalwood Granite Hearth
Sandalwood Granite hearth is the material of choice for this client’s fireplace. Granite hearth details include a full radius and full bullnose edge with a slight overhang. This DIY fireplace renovation was beautifully designed and implemented by the clients. French Creek Designs was chosen for the selection of granite for their hearth from the many remnants available at available slab yard. Adding the wood mantle to offset the wood fireplace is a bonus in addition to the decor.
Sandalwood Granite Hearth complete in Client Project Fireplace Renovation ~ Thank you for sharing! As a result, Client Testimony “French Creek did a fantastic job in the size and shape of the stone. It’s beautiful! Thank you!”
Hearth Materials of Choice
In addition, to granite selections available is quartz and wood hearths. French Creek Designs home improvement designers work with various local artisans for wood hearths and mantels in addition to Grothouse which offers wood in 60+ wood species, and 30 edge profiles.
Granite Slab Yard Available
When it comes to stone, there is no substitute for viewing full slabs granite. You will be able to view our inventory of granite at our local slab yard. Alternatively, French Creek Designs can arrange client viewing of stone slabs.
Get unbeatable prices with our No Waste Program Stone Countertops. The No Waste Program features a selection of granite we keep in stock. Having a large countertop selection inventory on hand. This allows us to only charge for the square footage you need, with no additional transportation costs.
In addition, to the full slabs remember to peruse through the remnants for those smaller projects such as tabletops, small vanity countertops, mantels and hearths. Many great finds such as the sandalwood granite hearth as seen in this fireplace renovation.

Reclaimed Wooden Beams For Sale
We have a large number of reclaimed beams in stock and available at our location in Houston, ready to view and purchase. These unique wooden beams can be shipped anywhere in the continental United States. This includes fireplace mantels, range hood options, columns, and other decorative pieces.
Below are a few examples of the inventory in our yard. If we don’t have the specific size and style of wooden beam in our inventory that your project requires, we can source what you need.
Wooden Beams
Although we’re known for creating what’s underfoot, we will gladly apply our expertise overhead and elsewhere in the form of wooden beams, columns, and mantels. With extensive resources, Schenck & Company can locate the material that’s ideal for your decor, then apply our tested techniques to enhance the character of the wood and create the look you desire. From sleek, smooth surfaced timbers to weathered faces that have been around for centuries, antique beams can establish the character of a room, creating instant history. History compatible with the floor, and with the story you want to tell.
We also have a good selection of beams that are available immediately as shown. Please contact us. We look forward to discussing your project’s needs.

Although we’re known for creating what’s underfoot, we will gladly apply our expertise overhead and elsewhere in the form of wooden beams, columns, and mantels. With extensive resources, Schenck & Company can locate the material that’s ideal for your decor, then apply our tested techniques to enhance the character of the wood and create the look you desire. From sleek, smooth surfaced timbers to weathered faces that have been around for centuries, antique beams can establish the character of a room, creating instant history. History compatible with the floor, and with the story you want to tell.
We also have a good selection of beams that are available immediately as shown. Please contact us. We look forward to discussing your project’s needs.
http://www.schenckandcompany.com/products/wooden-beams/
Reclaimed Wooden Beams For Sale
We have a large number of reclaimed beams in stock and available at our location in Houston, ready to view and purchase. These unique wooden beams can be shipped anywhere in the continental United States. This includes fireplace mantels, range hood options, columns, and other decorative pieces.
Included in this project are a few examples of the inventory in our yard. If we don’t have the specific size and style of wooden beam in our inventory that your project requires, we can source what you need.

We love wandering the shelves of inventory and trying to guess the pattern just by the edges. Call to make an appointment to come walk through and check out our vast selection of patterns and inventory for yourself! Here is LEOPARD in Brown. We have another colorway available in this pattern. Contact your local rep or our mill for more information & head to our link!

Sandalwood Granite Hearth
Sandalwood Granite hearth is the material of choice for this client’s fireplace. Granite hearth details include a full radius and full bullnose edge with a slight overhang. This DIY fireplace renovation was beautifully designed and implemented by the clients. French Creek Designs was chosen for the selection of granite for their hearth from the many remnants available at available slab yard. Adding the wood mantle to offset the wood fireplace is a bonus in addition to the decor.
Sandalwood Granite Hearth complete in Client Project Fireplace Renovation ~ Thank you for sharing! As a result, Client Testimony “French Creek did a fantastic job in the size and shape of the stone. It’s beautiful! Thank you!”
Hearth Materials of Choice
In addition, to granite selections available is quartz and wood hearths. French Creek Designs home improvement designers work with various local artisans for wood hearths and mantels in addition to Grothouse which offers wood in 60+ wood species, and 30 edge profiles.
Granite Slab Yard Available
When it comes to stone, there is no substitute for viewing full slabs granite. You will be able to view our inventory of granite at our local slab yard. Alternatively, French Creek Designs can arrange client viewing of stone slabs.
Get unbeatable prices with our No Waste Program Stone Countertops. The No Waste Program features a selection of granite we keep in stock. Having a large countertop selection inventory on hand. This allows us to only charge for the square footage you need, with no additional transportation costs.
In addition, to the full slabs remember to peruse through the remnants for those smaller projects such as tabletops, small vanity countertops, mantels and hearths. Many great finds such as the sandalwood granite hearth as seen in this fireplace renovation.

Sandalwood Granite Hearth
Sandalwood Granite hearth is the material of choice for this client’s fireplace. Granite hearth details include a full radius and full bullnose edge with a slight overhang. This DIY fireplace renovation was beautifully designed and implemented by the clients. French Creek Designs was chosen for the selection of granite for their hearth from the many remnants available at available slab yard. Adding the wood mantle to offset the wood fireplace is a bonus in addition to the decor.
Sandalwood Granite Hearth complete in Client Project Fireplace Renovation ~ Thank you for sharing! As a result, Client Testimony “French Creek did a fantastic job in the size and shape of the stone. It’s beautiful! Thank you!”
Hearth Materials of Choice
In addition, to granite selections available is quartz and wood hearths. French Creek Designs home improvement designers work with various local artisans for wood hearths and mantels in addition to Grothouse which offers wood in 60+ wood species, and 30 edge profiles.
Granite Slab Yard Available
When it comes to stone, there is no substitute for viewing full slabs granite. You will be able to view our inventory of granite at our local slab yard. Alternatively, French Creek Designs can arrange client viewing of stone slabs.
Get unbeatable prices with our No Waste Program Stone Countertops. The No Waste Program features a selection of granite we keep in stock. Having a large countertop selection inventory on hand. This allows us to only charge for the square footage you need, with no additional transportation costs.
In addition, to the full slabs remember to peruse through the remnants for those smaller projects such as tabletops, small vanity countertops, mantels and hearths. Many great finds such as the sandalwood granite hearth as seen in this fireplace renovation.

Lingenfelter Custom Homes, LLC is showcasing their latest spec house located at 6920 Chestnut Ridge Drive Argyle, TX 76226..
This home is approximately 4,000 sf. It is a four bedroom, three and one-half bath house with a three-car garage. It has: WoodWorx custom cabinets, beautiful quartz counter tops, GE Cafe appliances, extensive usage of mohawk engineered hardwood flooring, vaulted ceilings with wood beams and wood ceiling treatments, upgraded tile packages, upgraded trim packages, upgraded gutters with round downspouts, Kohler plumbing and bath accessories, lots of storage and built-ins, and a full AV Prewire. It also includes a two-tier media room with a wet bar, a huge laundry room, oversized his and her closets, and large front and rear patios.
The home features fully encapsulated foam walls and rafters, tankless water heaters, Trane HVAC variable speed HVAC system, echobee thermostats, upgraded LED lighting packages, and Anderson Windows. Following Lingenfelter Custom Homes high standards for energy efficient homes, this home boasts a very energy efficient HERS score of 53 which is significantly better than the HERS rating standard score of 100.
In addition to offering inventory homes, Lingenfelter Custom Homes specializes in custom homes designed with specific needs of the client in mind. These homes can be built on the customers lots or on one of Lingenfelter Custom Homes inventory lots.
“Very few builders in our price range offer a true custom experience for their clients” said Lingenfelter Custom Homes President, Adam Lingenfelter. Lingenfelter Custom Homes builds homes starting at 700k to over 5 million dollars with their average homes around 1.2 million. They build all over North DFW with most of their homes being within 30 minutes of their office in Flower Mound.
You can find out more about Lingenfelter Custom Homes by visiting their website at www.lingenfeltercustomhomes.com or by going to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lingenfeltercustomhomes/. For further information or to schedule an appointment please contact Lingenfelter Custom Homes at 972-410-4141.
This Home of the Week is presented by the Dallas Builders Association. For information on the Association please visit www.dallasbuilders.com.

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had.
End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success!
ohn Granen.

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had.
End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success!
John Granen.

In the early 50s, Herbert and Ruth Weiss attended a lecture by Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius hosted by MIT. They were fascinated by Gropius’ description of the ‘Five Fields’ community of 60 houses he and his firm, The Architect’s Collaborative (TAC), were designing in Lexington, MA. The Weiss’ fell in love with Gropius’ vision for a grouping of 60 modern houses to be arrayed around eight acres of common land that would include a community pool and playground. They soon had one of their own.The original, TAC-designed house was a single-slope design with a modest footprint of 800 square feet. Several years later, the Weiss’ commissioned modernist architect Henry Hoover to add a living room wing and new entry to the house. Hoover’s design included a wall of glass which opens to a charming pond carved into the outcropping of granite ledge.
After living in the house for 65 years, the Weiss’ sold the house to our client, who asked us to design a renovation that would respect the integrity of the vintage modern architecture. Our design focused on reorienting the kitchen, opening it up to the family room. The bedroom wing was redesigned to create a principal bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Interior finishes were edited to create a more fluid relationship between the original TAC home and Hoover’s addition. We worked closely with the builder, Patriot Custom Homes, to install Solar electric panels married to an efficient heat pump heating and cooling system. These updates integrate modern touches and high efficiency into a striking piece of architectural history.
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