Photography by Caryn B. Davis Located in the Cornfield Point area of Old Saybrook along Long Island Sound, this project brought a classic, yet forgotten beach house back to life. Through a little detective work and some creative ingenuity, we restored and enhanced the exterior to it’s former glory and transformed the interior to a highly efficient and functional home all the while uplifting its quaint cottage charm. On the exterior, we recreated a wonderful, airy front porch with cozy bench seats that look out to the water. The white cedar shingle siding is pre-bleached with a subtle flair at the bottom and a delicate break at mid-elevation. The asphalt shingles are not only beautifully matched with the siding, but offer superior reflective qualities to dissipate the heat of the summer sun. On the interior, we joined the front seasonal porch with the family room to form a larger, open living and dining space with paneled walls and ceilings anchored by the original round stone fireplace. In the rear, we carefully crafted a galley kitchen and laundry space with an adjacent first floor master suite. The diminutive house and property posed multiple practical and regulatory challenges which were overcome by a strong team effort, due diligence, and a commitment to the process. John R. Schroeder, AIA is a professional design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and planning. We have over 30 years experience with projects of all types, sizes, and levels of complexity. Because we love what we do, we approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication. We are committed to the highest level of design and service on each and every project. We engage our clients in positive and rewarding collaborations. We strive to exceed expectations through our attention to detail, our understanding of the “big picture”, and our ability to effectively manage a team of design professionals, industry representatives, and building contractors. We carefully analyze budgets and project objectives to assist clients with wise fund allocation. We continually monitor and research advances in technology, materials, and construction methods, both sustainable and otherwise, to provide a responsible, well-suited, and cost effective product. Our design solutions are highly functional using both innovative and traditional approaches. Our aesthetic style is flexible and open, blending cues from client desires, building function, site context, and material properties, making each project unique, personalized, and enduring.

Photo Credit to Alex Lukey
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RUSTIC GLAM Time Frame: 5 Weeks // Budget: $16,000 // Design Fee: $1,250 After purchasing a new home in north Upland, this young couple enlisted me to help create a warm, relaxing environment in their living/dining space. They didn’t want anything too fussy or formal. They wanted a comfortable space to entertain, play cards and watch TV. I had a good foundation of dark wood floors and grey walls to work with. Everything else was newly purchased. Instead of a formal dining room, they requested a more relaxed space to hang out with friends. I had a custom L-shaped banquette made in a slate blue velvet and a glamorous statement chandelier installed for a wow factor. The bench came as part of the table set, but I had it reupholstered in the same fabric as the banquette. A ceiling fan and a new entry light were installed to reinforce the rustic vibe. Elegant, yet comfortable furnishings were purchased, custom 2 finger pleat drapes in an oatmeal fabric were hung, and accessories and decor were layered in to create a “lived-in” feeling. Overall, the space is now a great place to relax and hang out with family and friends.

RUSTIC GLAM Time Frame: 5 Weeks // Budget: $16,000 // Design Fee: $1,250 After purchasing a new home in north Upland, this young couple enlisted me to help create a warm, relaxing environment in their living/dining space. They didn’t want anything too fussy or formal. They wanted a comfortable space to entertain, play cards and watch TV. I had a good foundation of dark wood floors and grey walls to work with. Everything else was newly purchased. Instead of a formal dining room, they requested a more relaxed space to hang out with friends. I had a custom L-shaped banquette made in a slate blue velvet and a glamorous statement chandelier installed for a wow factor. The bench came as part of the table set, but I had it reupholstered in the same fabric as the banquette. A ceiling fan and a new entry light were installed to reinforce the rustic vibe. Elegant, yet comfortable furnishings were purchased, custom 2 finger pleat drapes in an oatmeal fabric were hung, and accessories and decor were layered in to create a “lived-in” feeling. Overall, the space is now a great place to relax and hang out with family and friends.

Lighting: Scott Dumas Interior Designer: Mansfield+O’Neil Interior Design Photographer: Paul Dyer
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