Photo: Michaela Dodd © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a timeless bathroom remodel in DC Metro

The beautiful, old barn on this Topsfield estate was at risk of being demolished. Before approaching Mathew Cummings, the homeowner had met with several architects about the structure, and they had all told her that it needed to be torn down. Thankfully, for the sake of the barn and the owner, Cummings Architects has a long and distinguished history of preserving some of the oldest timber framed homes and barns in the U.S. Once the homeowner realized that the barn was not only salvageable, but could be transformed into a new living space that was as utilitarian as it was stunning, the design ideas began flowing fast. In the end, the design came together in a way that met all the family’s needs with all the warmth and style you’d expect in such a venerable, old building. On the ground level of this 200-year old structure, a garage offers ample room for three cars, including one loaded up with kids and groceries. Just off the garage is the mudroom – a large but quaint space with an exposed wood ceiling, custom-built seat with period detailing, and a powder room. The vanity in the powder room features a vanity that was built using salvaged wood and reclaimed bluestone sourced right on the property. Original, exposed timbers frame an expansive, two-story family room that leads, through classic French doors, to a new deck adjacent to the large, open backyard. On the second floor, salvaged barn doors lead to the master suite which features a bright bedroom and bath as well as a custom walk-in closet with his and hers areas separated by a black walnut island. In the master bath, hand-beaded boards surround a claw-foot tub, the perfect place to relax after a long day. In addition, the newly restored and renovated barn features a mid-level exercise studio and a children’s playroom that connects to the main house. From a derelict relic that was slated for demolition to a warmly inviting and beautifully utilitarian living space, this barn has undergone an almost magical transformation to become a beautiful addition and asset to this stately home.

Our client, with whom we had worked on a number of projects over the years, enlisted our help in transforming her family’s beloved but deteriorating rustic summer retreat, built by her grandparents in the mid-1920’s, into a house that would be livable year-‘round. It had served the family well but needed to be renewed for the decades to come without losing the flavor and patina they were attached to. The house was designed by Ruth Adams, a rare female architect of the day, who also designed in a similar vein a nearby summer colony of Vassar faculty and alumnae. To make Treetop habitable throughout the year, the whole house had to be gutted and insulated. The raw homosote interior wall finishes were replaced with plaster, but all the wood trim was retained and reused, as were all old doors and hardware. The old single-glazed casement windows were restored, and removable storm panels fitted into the existing in-swinging screen frames. New windows were made to match the old ones where new windows were added. This approach was inherently sustainable, making the house energy-efficient while preserving most of the original fabric. Changes to the original design were as seamless as possible, compatible with and enhancing the old character. Some plan modifications were made, and some windows moved around. The existing cave-like recessed entry porch was enclosed as a new book-lined entry hall and a new entry porch added, using posts made from an oak tree on the site. The kitchen and bathrooms are entirely new but in the spirit of the place. All the bookshelves are new. A thoroughly ramshackle garage couldn’t be saved, and we replaced it with a new one built in a compatible style, with a studio above for our client, who is a writer.

An outdated 1960’s home with smaller rooms typical of this period was completely transformed into a timeless lakefront retreat that embraces the client’s traditions and memories. Anchoring it firmly in the present are modern appliances, extensive use of natural light, and a restructured floor plan that appears both spacious and intimate.

Photo: Edmunds Studios Design: Angela Westmore, LLC
Kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped brown floor kitchen idea in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored backsplash

Sticking to the classics. The Center Hall Colonial evolved primarily in colonial Maryland and Virginia beginning to appear about 1700, and became very popular. It partially developed as greater economic security transformed the reality of the American landscape, but it was also heavily influenced by its formal architectural relatives, the Palladian and Georgian styles with their emphasis on symmetry. This Center Hall Colonial constructed Franklin Lakes is no exception as it follows the historic precedence set by the colonial period and the folk form house. Sometimes if you want a house that evokes a sense of familiarity and simplicity of for, you got have stick to the basics.

1924 Carriage House horse stable transformed into a Award winning up to date kitchen will conserving the period of the house.
Inspiration for a large timeless u-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Las Vegas with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

1924 Carriage House horse stable transformed into a Award winning up to date kitchen will conserving the period of the house.
Example of a large classic u-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen design in Las Vegas with white walls, a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

1924 Carriage House horse stable transformed into a Award winning up to date kitchen will conserving the period of the house.
Large elegant u-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen photo in Las Vegas with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

1924 Carriage House horse stable transformed into a Award winning up to date kitchen will conserving the period of the house.
Inspiration for a large timeless u-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Las Vegas with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

1924 Carriage House horse stable transformed into a Award winning up to date kitchen will conserving the period of the house.
Example of a large classic u-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen design in Las Vegas with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

1924 Carriage House horse stable transformed into a Award winning up to date kitchen will conserving the period of the house.
Example of a large classic u-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen design in Las Vegas with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Houzz Kitchen of the Week April 8, During construction extra space was discovered an additional built-in cabinet was add to this kitchen renovation for Victorian home north of Boston. Designed by north shore kitchen showroom Heartwood Kitchens. The white kitchen custom cabinetry is from Mouser Cabinetry. Butler's pantry cabinetry in QCCI quarter sawn oak cabinetry. The kitchen includes many furniture like features including a wood mantle hood, open shelving, bead board and inset cabinetry. Other details include: soapstone counter tops, Jenn-Air appliances, Elkay faucet, antique transfer ware tiles from EBay, pendant lights from Rejuvenation, quarter sawn oak floors, hardware from House of Antique Hardware and the homeowners antique runner. General Contracting: DM Construction. Photo credit: Eric Roth Photography.

1924 Carriage House horse stable transformed into a Award winning up to date kitchen will conserving the period of the house.
Enclosed kitchen - large traditional u-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen idea in Las Vegas with white walls, a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

1924 Carriage House horse stable transformed into a Award winning up to date kitchen will conserving the period of the house.
Inspiration for a large timeless u-shaped ceramic tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Las Vegas with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Side Elevation. JRP
Large elegant gray three-story concrete fiberboard exterior home photo in New York with a hip roof

Front & Side Elevation. JRP
Inspiration for a large timeless gray three-story concrete fiberboard gable roof remodel in New York

Side & Back Elevation. JRP
Large traditional gray three-story concrete fiberboard gable roof idea in New York

Midcentury Modern Gated Entry
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1950s white one-story stucco gable roof remodel in Los Angeles