This project is the consummate project, blending contemporary ideals with familiar design to achieve a timeless home. This was achieved by the amazing collaborative efforts of the Owners, Tom & Holly Wade, the architect, Clive Phol of Phol Rosa Phol, & Crawford Builders and all of the construction partners.
The project begins with the homeowners. Tom & Holly started planning this project in the summer 2004. They had done the research and determined that they loved their current location, with the mature landscaping, the large lot, & the close proximity to his work and that to achieve their goal of a larger more modern house that it made financial sense to remodel their existing house. So they interviewed architects and in November of 2004 hired Clive Phol of Phol Rosa Phol. They knew they wanted a modern, more contemporary feel but blending familiar design elements to achieve a happy balance and to end up with a home that is "timeless". The design process took nearly 8 months and 6 revisions before they settled on the final plans.
The original house was built in 1960 and was remodeled once in the mid 1970's. The goal of the Wade's was to achieve a first floor master suite, a new kitchen, dinning area, family room, and living room with lots of natural light, an open floor plan, and added volume. What they ended up with was much more. The project consists of keeping the existing garage, utilizing the main body of the house, while persevering the second floor. What we did was removed the front porch, added a front addition with a new front entry point, completely re-worked the first floor and added another addition off of the rear of the house.
One of the first things you'll notice is the use of different products, materials, textures, and colors to blend everything together. We painted the existing brick while the additions have a limestone skirt with lap siding, all the windows have been replaced with new clad windows with an accent color and a custom mull detail that align with all the doors. As you approach the house from the driveway you are lead to the front of the home by a new walkway with limestone retaining walls. The new front entry point is a gabled covered porch and foyer that directs you all the way through the house and into the back yard. Throughout the entry and foyer there are large transom windows above a light tray that allows natural light in during the day and glows like a lantern at night. This effect is enhanced by the warm feel of the tongue and groove Douglas fur material that is on the ceiling. The flooring throughout the first floor is a 2 1/4 ' red oak some of which was existing and all of which was refinished to match the new flooring.
As you enter the home, to your left is a new entry into the existing garage and a mud room with custom built-ins and pegs for coats. To the right is the new living room with large windows looking out over the front yard. There is also a hall way that leads to a new powder room, the existing staircase to the second floor, and to the master suite. As you move forward through the entry, to your left opens up into a new galley kitchen with custom cherry cabinets and black granite tops. The kitchen has such features as a breakfast bar, an appliance garage, double ovens, and an island cook top with a custom downdraft vent system. The kitchen and dining area is separated by the large 12 foot island with seating for 4 or more people. The dinning area also has a trey ceiling with 6' Douglas fur and a light rail with custom low voltage accent lighting. There is also a 4' cherry inlay in the hardwood floors to define the space. From the dining room you look into the great room. The great room ceiling is 12 foot tall with 4' Douglas fur and custom painted box beams on the ceiling. Tall casement windows with large transoms surround the room on three sides. As a focal point in the center of the room is a limestone fireplace with a cherry mantel. There is a custom bookcase to the left of the fireplace to house the audio and video equipment.
At the end of the foyer is a set of glass French doors that lead onto the new colored concrete patio area out back. To the right is a set of matching glass pocket doors into the office and laundry area. This is a very unique space with a custom desk area for multiple workstations and as well as a completely concealed area for the laundry. Just past the office is the existing staircase to the basement, the master closet with custom closet shelving, and another entrance to the master suite. As you walk into the master suite, to your left is a set of double French doors that open into the master bath room. Straight ahead is a window seat that was added. To your right is a private room for the water closet and a custom vanity with custom mirrors, lighting, and vessel sink. To your left is another matching vanity and a curb less custom tile shower.
One the main reasons this project came together so well was everyone commitment to details. For example, in the powder room we custom built a vanity with a vessel sink, custom powder coated steel brackets, hand picked slate tiles, and a custom cherry band. Everyone associated with the project took a vested interest in making sure every detail was explored. One of the biggest challenges in this project was mechanically and structurally being able to tie the old and the new. Completely reconfiguring every interior wall on the first floor while maintaining the integrity of the second floor was a huge undertaking. With all that said, due to the diligence and planning of everyone evolved the project was completed in 8 months, on time, and within 5% of the original budget.
Meeting with Tom and Holly Wade, they gave me one of the best complements I think you can give a project. "There is nothing we would change. Every day that goes by we appreciate more the quality and detail that went into our home. We love our home."
