This project was a whole-house remodel, a long, slow process with many months between the “before” and the finished product. After a year the remodel of this outdated suburban house was complete with an all-new kitchen, laundry and baths, new hardwoods to replace all carpet, a screened porch-to-sunroom conversion, installation of wood panelling, new fireplaces and mantels and lots of other improvements both inside and out.
The house as we found it had an English Tudor exterior that had been painted purple with a bright yellow door. The interior had a good layout but had issues (e.g., a dining room niche that was curiously off-center and a kitchen full of angles in an inefficient, confusing layout). Along with the more serious issues was a general lack of identity – the Keeping Room had a vaulted ceiling with attractive Tudor style-appropriate half-timbered trim but also had unattractive half-round windows that had no connection to a Tudor style. Mantels and bookcases were also disjointed in their style, appearing as if they’d been borrowed from another jobsite.
Since the original construction of the house had begun just before the real estate crash of 2008 and it went on the market unfinished and “as is”, it seems the house had a quality beginning but a less desirable finish. The next fourteen years saw no real improvement. Read along for a glimpse of some of the main changes we made to improve the spaces and impart a clean, classic English look!
Front Door – the original 8’x36″ front door appeared out of proportion and had no style. We replaced it with a 8’x42″ planked door, adding a glazed finish and black iron Tudor-style hardware.
Foyer – we replaced the “Old World” railing with classic wood balusters and added a striped wood runner to replace the existing overused animal print runner.
Study – we gave this small, nondescript room an identity by adding built-in bookshelves and ceiling beams. Modern lighting and furnishigns balance the more traditional aspects of the room.
Dining Room – we corrected the off-center niche in this otherwise well-proportioned space. We added coffered ceiling beams to complete the English country look.
Powder Room – we replaced the vanity in this tiny space under the stairs with an antique console and added wainscoting, a wall-mounted faucet and new lighting.
Living Room – we replaced the existing mantel and bookcase with sleek, more style-appropriate ones and added ceiling beams to create a more refined classic style in the formal-casual space.
Keeping Room – we opened this vaulted space to the new sunroom at right. The arched windows were replaced and we added more half-timber trim and a new fireplace and mantel.
Breakfast Room – we opened this room to the new sunroom at left. Wainscoting and wood on the vaulted ceiling help to visually separate the space from other areas.
Side Entry – we began by closing in the wall niche and removing a closet behind the niche to open up the entry area. We also widened the doorway to the laundry and garage and added pocket doors.
KitchenColumns – the columns are load-bearing so couldn’t be removed without a low, unsightly beam. We made the most of them by reducing their size and cladding them in white oak.
Kitchen – we added painted Shaker-style inset door cabinets, Danby marble countertops and bronze hardware and lighting. We also added wood wainscoting and ceiling panelling.
Laundry Room/Mudroom – we removed unneeded framing in the corner to open up the small room and installed new cabinets, wood wainscoting and a stacked washer and dryer.
Sunroom (interior) – we converted the former screened porch into a sunroom with windows on three sides. We painted the wood ceiling and also added wood walls and hardwood flooring.
Sunroom (exterior) – we enclosed the screened porch and clad the exterior with cedar shakes to blend in with the existing home. We added a cute faux window with shutters on the street side.
Main Bedroom – we added wood paneling and beams to the 14′ high ceiling in this octagaonally shaped room. The heavy shutters were removed and replaced by floral panels over woven wood shades.
Main Bathroom – we replaced the cabinets, removing the angled closet and shower. We added a new, glass-enclosed shower and the tile floor was replaced by hardwood flooring.
Boys’ Guest Room – we replaced the carpet with hardwood flooring. We then added two full-sized beds to this large room decorated in a British Navy style for two young grandsons.
Boys’ Guest Bath – we repainted the existing cabinets and added new stone counters and hardware. A new black and white mosaic tile floor, wood wainscoting and wallpaper create the new look.
Guest Room – we began by replacing the carpet with hardwood flooring. We then added new lighting and a mix of new and antique furnishings to create a comfortable guest space.
Guest Bath – we repainted the existing cabinets and added new stone counters and hardware. A black and white mosaic tile floor, wood wainscoting and wallpaper create the new look.
Girl’s Guest Room – we began by replacing the carpet with hardwood flooring. We then added new lighting and a vintage Baker four-poster bed for a young granddaughter’s guest room.
Upstairs Office – we replaced the carpet with hardwood flooring and raised and painted the too-low desk to a standard height. We then added slim upper cabinets, new hardware and wallpaper.
