Challenges and Solutions
The home had a retro aesthetic that worked in many ways, but clashed with the style of the homeowners in others. The layout was also not working for how the clients intended to use the home. Here are the issues we faced and how we resolved them:
A Floor Plan Built in 1995
The kitchen was closed off from the rest of the house. The fireplace had no clear connection to either the living room or the foyer. Several rooms felt dark regardless of the time of day. We opened the kitchen to the living area, moved the fireplace to the wall between the two main rooms, and added windows along the rear kitchen wall.
The House Didn't Get Much Sun
The site doesn't get direct sun, and the existing layout made that worse. We used solar tubes to bring daylight into areas that couldn't get it any other way. We layered the sconces and recessed fixtures so the lighting felt natural. Our clients and team chose floor and surface finishes to reflect light without making the interior feel washed out.
Materials That Look the Part and Hold Up
Our clients knew what they wanted, which was reclaimed wood beams, marble countertops, aged brass hardware, oak floors with real character, and inset cabinetry in a creamy off-white. Getting those choices to last in a home they plan to live in for decades meant being deliberate about how each one was set up. We used stone near the shower door instead of wood to prevent warping. We went with engineered oak for the floors and kept grout to a minimum throughout.
A Suite for Federico's Mom
The clients wanted a space that gave Federico's mom genuine privacy and her own access to the outside, without permanently giving up two bedrooms. We worked with the existing Jack-and-Jill layout, one room as a bedroom, the other as a small living space with a mini fridge and microwave, and converted a window to a door so she can step outside without walking through the main house. It functioned as an apartment and could revert to two bedrooms, without anyone ever touching a wall.
Project Materials
Here are the carefully selected materials that brought this remodel to life:
| Category |
Selection |
| Windows |
Marvin Essential Casement and Picture Windows |
| Exterior Doors |
Marvin Essential and Elevate Sliding Doors, Therma-Tru Half Lite Door |
| Front Door |
Simpson, painted or stained wood |
| Roofing |
Metal, deep brown or dark grey |
| Kitchen Countertops |
Olympian Danby Premium marble, honed — 3CM |
| Kitchen Island |
Dark-stained wood |
| Kitchen Hardware |
deVOL Classic Knobs and Pulls, Aged Brass |
| Kitchen Faucet |
Kohler Artifacts Pull-Down, Polished Nickel |
| Kitchen Sink |
Kohler Ironridge 34" Undermount Single-Bowl Farmhouse |
| Cabinetry |
Inset, creamy off-white; Stofter Home Cabinetry |
| Wood Floors |
Reward Flooring Costa Collection, European Oak Conero, Rustic Grade, 5/8" x 7-1/2" |
| Fireplace |
Flare ST-45EH See-Through Gas Insert |
| Primary Bath Stone |
Limestone Blue Lagos |
| MIL Bath Stone |
Limestone Gascogne Blue |
| Exterior Lighting |
Hinkley 19" and 25" Sconces |
| Exterior Fans |
MinkaAire 62" Fan |
Project Highlights
While this whole-home remodel has been memorable so far for many reasons, here are some items that stood out:
A Fireplace Made for Gathering
The original fireplace competed with the TV and didn't anchor either room. Moving it to the wall between the living room and foyer gave it a purpose, as the new see-through gas insert with a tapered stone chimney fit in much more naturally within the space.
A island-centric Kitchen
Our team designed the island to feel like a piece of furniture, not a block in the middle of the room. It's finished in a darker wood stain, counter stools sit to one side, and the sink, dishwasher, and trash pull-out are all built in. Four slabs of Olympian Danby Premium marble, honed, run throughout the kitchen. Cabinets go to the ceiling. No range alcove.
A Breakfast Nook With a Coffee Bar
Our clients wanted a small spot for morning coffee that wasn't on the island. The nook sits just off the kitchen with a banquette, two chairs, and a built-in coffee bar, so it was contained enough to feel like its own space, but close enough to stay connected to the kitchen.
Beams, Floors, and the Beadboard From the Barn
Wood floors throughout, with no carpet, and tile only where it made sense. We updated ceiling beams to a reclaimed finish. The clients had a barn full of vintage beadboard from a family property. Our clients wanted to use it somewhere, so we used it for this structure.
An Outdoor Kitchen With an Argentine Grill
The covered porch was already the best feature of the property. Around it, we added an outdoor kitchen with an Argentine grill set inside an enclosed chimney, a spot for a gas grill, a fire pit, seating, and lighting. Stone and landscaping brought the whole area together. Trash storage was built in and accessible from the path to the street.
New Windows, New Roof, New Door
All new Marvin windows, with wood headers above the openings and transoms removed in favor of taller glass. A new metal roof in deep brown or dark grey. The client decided to go with the Simpson front door to make an impression from the street and hold up to whatever seasonal decoration our clients have in mind. We also gave the barn and workshop the structural attention they needed.
