Remodel projects vary from small to extensive. Typical small projects involve interior alterations or additions/changes to master bedrooms, master bathrooms, kitchens, decks, or attic conversions. Larger projects may require expansions to a second floor and/or additions to the rear or side. Before any design work is done, zoning regulations are verified to determine allowable lot coverage and setback restrictions. Some neighborhoods require architectural review from a neighborhood committee and/or a city review process. Extenuating circumstances may require an application for a Variance with the local zoning department. Remodeling Designers and Remodeling Builders require a special appreciation and experience in working with existing structures. Some buildings may be historic in nature requiring coordination with preservation agencies. Many architects and builders avoid remodel projects. I enjoy them.
- Overview
- Adger Residence
- Cottonwood Residence
- Key West in Columbia
- Maple Residence
- Newberry Residence
- Northwood Residence
- Old Shandon Residence
- Park Residence
- Preston Residence
- Salem Church Residence
- Sims Residence
- Southwood Residence
- Springlake Residence
- Tudor Residence
- Twin Gates Residence
- Wildewood Residence
Adger Residence
This classical brick home sits on a beautiful lot with extensive improvements in the rear yard including a large pool and pool house. The existing Breakfast Room was very small in comparison to the other large-scaled Kitchen, Den, and Living Room. The cramped Breakfast Room and wet bar were located at a crucial circulation point between the Entry, the Kitchen, and the Living Room creating minor grid-lock for the family and major grid-lock when the CEO of a large company and his wife entertained. The solution cleared the Breakfast Room by moving it to a new Breakfast Pavilion on the back of the house. This not only created a beautiful room with vaulted ceilings and panoramic views to the pool, but also allowed opening up the Kitchen to the Entry and to the grand Living Room.
Cottonwood Residence
Two clients had outgrown their two bedroom, two bath bungalow in Cotton Town. One a musician and the other a new ceramic potter, they needed more gallery and entertainment space that would allow them to enjoy their beautiful back yard. The existing rear porch and tacked-on bath came off to allow the addition of a dramatic vaulted den/dining room, new master bath, and an outdoor living room with fireplace. The den has natural light streaming in from a high eave window and generous display platforms over the laundry and master bath. The fireplace allows extended use of the porch into the cooler months.
The new outdoor Living Room features painted, vaulted beadboard ceilings, stained concrete floors, shallow arches with roll-down shades to block the western sun when needed, and a brick wood-burning fireplace. The fireplace allows extended use of the porch into the cooler months. The view to the backyard encompasses lush planting, water features, and outdoor sculptures. The new porch more than doubles the amount of entertainment space in this otherwise modest bungalow.
The vaulted roof extends over the new master bath on one side and the new laundry and computer niche on the other side, creating generous platforms above for display of the clients’ extensive pottery collection. At the end of the roof vault is an eave window that allows natural light to flood into the gallery space from above. Arts and Crafts, and Stickley furniture are featured along with collected paintings from various southern painters.
Key West in Columbia
The clients dreamed of a vacation resort feeling for their existing home. The area between the house and the garage was largely ignored with an unused lawn area and many large pine trees. The existing master bath was very small and the house had little access to the outdoors. A large new master bath was added onto the house creating a walled courtyard and potential for a new “cocktail” pool with hot tub and fountain. The master shower is big enough for two and features an orchid bench with dramatic lighting. Floating mirrors above double sinks have wonderful natural light from the glass block backdrop. Existing rooms along the backyard were opened up to the new “Key West” pool setting complete with a waterbed for cool sun-tanning. The existing garage was converted into a guest house for weekend visitors. The clients have discerning tastes and an extensive art collection that now fills the house and master bath.
The walk-in adult shower provides a dramatic focal point for the new master bath, complete with orchid bench, natural light, glass partitions, slate floors and vibrant green ceramic tiles on the bench, wall, and ceiling.
Maple Residence
This large home in Old Shandon benefitted from a rear addition that included a new Kitchen, Breakfast area, Screened Porch, and Master Bath. The new Kitchen boasts a vaulted ceiling and natural light into the space with center island and commercial appliances. Nearby the new Breakfast area opens out onto a large screened porch. The Master Bath features a large walk-in shower and sunken tub area that further opens out into a private courtyard with outdoor shower.
Newberry Residence
Along with transforming the Dining Room using new vibrant colors, elegant lighting, and rich window treatments, the access path from the Kitchen was re-organized to allow easier flow to the new Screened Porch, Sunroom, and Dining Room. This also allowed space to create a new Pantry and Butler’s Pantry/Laundry area. In addition to the cosmetic changes, improvements were made to the plumbing, electrical, heating/air conditioning, drainage, and roofing. Old radiators and boiler were removed for installation of central air and the floors were re-finished.
Northwood Residence
The Owners purchased this home because of its beautiful lakefront location and convenience to downtown Columbia. However, the floor plan did not allow ANY views or access to the lake. The existing Master Bedroom had a wall of closets blocking the view. A major remodel resulted in an expanded master suite with views out and access to a screened porch. Kitchen and Dining functions were reversed to allow lake-view dining. A new card room was added adjacent to a billiard room and bar. Interior finishes were updated with contemporary styles and vibrant colors. The house now opens up not only to the lake but a new in-ground swimming pool and Pool House. Lakeside living and entertaining at its best!
Old Shandon Residence
The existing house and gardens are a true urban oasis with art studio, outdoor dining pavilion, and guest cottage all on a double and deep lot close to downtown. Earlier renovations had added and updated the kitchen, introducing the vocabulary of vaulted, beamed ceilings and triangular clerestory windows. These elements were repeated in the second floor addition that creates a bathing and dressing sanctuary for this artist & law professor.
Park Residence
Located in historic Elmwood Park, this home has been featured on the Historic Homes and Gardens Tour. At one point the house had been converted into two flats with two entry doors on the front porch. The clients restored the home to a single family residence. On the interior, all of the bathrooms and kitchen were re-designed in keeping with the historic style of the home. Notable are the custom painted finishes on the cabinets and the new fireplaces in the Kitchen and Dining Room. The new design incorporates many unusual treasures collected by the clients.
Preston Residence
The Client had owned this small rental house for several years. The small interior layout was a warren of dark rooms with no meaningful circulation pattern. The Owner, a judge stationed in Baku, Azerbaijan, decided to undertake the massive renovation while she was out of the country. Whereas the exterior look remained basically the same, the interiors were entirely gutted to open up and allow an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. A guest suite was added on the left rear that can also serve as a small efficiency apartment with its own kitchenette, laundry, and entrance. With the unlocking of one interior door, it becomes a guest suite connected to the two bedroom, two bath house. An enclosed garage and work space was added to the right rear. A vaulted screened porch with see-through fireplace opens out to a view of the existing mature shrubs and a secret fountain in the rear yard. Filled with collectibles, the interior is a treasure.
Salem Church Residence
This lakeside home evolved from one of those lake houses that had been in the family for years and had been remodeled and expanded numerous times. Its history could be traced through a series of additions, one tacked onto the other. This dramatic transformation rose from the original footprint as it became a two-story contemporary with expansive interior spaces and vibrant colors. It now boasts a three story entry tower with custom-made art mobile, a soaring Great Room with large window views to the lake, a mezzanine walkway enlivened with an imported Chinese dragon, and a dramatic red fireplace tower with an internally lit glass block and concrete hearth punctuated with art glass. The Master Bedroom features lake views, a fireplace, custom-made millwork, walk-in shower, and a secret moving wall. One of the son’s bedrooms leads to an observation turret to survey the lake’s boating activities.
Sims Residence
This large home in Shandon occupies a double lot allowing for a feeling of a family compound. The main house was altered to improve the side entrance to the house and incorporate space for a future elevator. A new ground floor bathroom provides convenience for guests and allows the existing Den to become a Guest Room. To the rear a new SunRoom was added to complement the existing in-ground pool. Upstairs, a new Master Bath features elements from the clients’ travels to Bali, notably a wooden tub and a vaulted, latticed ceiling. A new detached garage has a Guest Suite above to accommodate visiting family and dignitaries.
Southwood Residence
The new owners of this two story brick home on a corner lot in Wales Garden wanted to transform it into something very contemporary with clean lines and strong geometry while adding additional space for their four children. A family room was added on the rear opening up from the existing kitchen and breakfast area to provide a vaulted, light-filled room for TV and entertaining. This new space leads out to a new screened porch that overlooks the new urban pool complete with glass-tiled privacy wall and fountains. Upstairs a new bedroom, bath, and laundry room were added. The trees that were removed to allow more light into the pool area were replaced with new landscaping. The rear of the house now becomes the center of the family activity with the Kitchen opening to a Breakfast area which steps down into the new Family Room. Within the Family Room, the fireplace, TV, and pool views form focal points. From the vaulted Family Room a new Screened Porch connects to the deck and stairs leading to the Pool terrace. Visible from the Kitchen is a sitting and study area that also provides space for a beverage bar. The cool urban pool creates a calming and dramatic focal point for the rear yard. Placed very near the rear property line, the back wall of the pool is covered in glass tile and rises up from the water to create a privacy wall complete with cascading fountains and fiber optic lighting. Clean slabs of concrete are complimented by the rich Ipe wood decking and stainless steel cables.
Springlake Residence
An expansive rear addition provides a growing family with a two story Family Room, Kids’ Play Area, a new Master Suite, an impressive Light Tower, and a rear Loggia. The new Loggia triples the outdoor living and entertainment options with a cast stone wood-burning fireplace, outdoor dining and generous seating for enjoying the fireplace, TV, and views to the re-landscaped yard. The new Family Room features a ring of clerestory windows in the upper part of the two story space flooding the room with natural light. A curving half wall provides a transition from the existing house to the new addition. Expansive walls provide locations for a growing art collection. Elegant finishes include travertine floors and a cast stone fireplace mantel.
Tudor Residence
This stunning example of Tudor architecture, designed by Lafaye and Lafaye in the 20’s was recently acquired from the original owners and updated with extensive improvements and alterations. In addition to infrastructure and tile roof repairs, additions allowed the transformation of a porch into an expanded den, enlarging and updating the kitchen, adding a new master bath, the creation of a large new space in the attic, and development of the basement recreation room.
Twin Gates Residence
This lake-front home was expanded to create a new entrance, master suite, and double garage. The dramatic two-story foyer leads up to the master sitting, entertaining, and sleeping areas. The existing Living Room was converted to a Guest Suite with new Bathroom. The entire house was finished in painted stucoo to blend the old and new together.
Wildewood Residence
This imposing lakefront residence offered few outdoor spaces that were comfortable, protected, and varied. The rear additions created a new and imposing center stairway that descends to the pool. On one side is a large screened porch with outdoor kitchen and bar. On the other side is an open porch opening off large double living rooms, providing an expansive view of the lake. Under the new porches are covered patios providing shaded areas for potting plants and more outdoor living accessed from the home office. A new front porch and extensive landscaping now present the house to the circular driveway and street.
The existing kitchen was adequate but dated. Although sizable, the center area was largely wasted. The new owners enjoy entertaining and one is an accomplished dessert and pastry chef. All of the cabinets, appliances, and countertops were re-placed. A new center work island was custom tailored to suit the height of the chef and facilitate pastry creations while eliminating back pain. The end of the island provides a bistro height dining area with high stools and ring-side viewing of the chef’s preparations. The large commercial grade refrigerator, cook-top and appliances compliment the new look and provide ample space for storage and cooking. One wall provides floor-to-ceiling cabinet space to store an impressive collection of vintage china. Bon Appetit!