About This Project

Within a larger renovation project that began in their kitchen, our clients wished to enhance the first floor of their home to the next tier. 

Our design build process allows us to envision an entire floor plan from the top down, rather than focusing on one single room or space at a time. This means that we were able to map out ways of repurposing non-functioning elements, in this case walls, an old chimney, and a small linen closet, into usable space in new, purposeful ways. 

In this 1920’s home, a long-dormant chimney impeded the functionality of the kitchen and was removed to add usable space and a built-in bake station. However, the original fireplace connected to this chimney still served a purpose in the foyer as a beautiful focal point. To retain the original architecture of the fireplace and wood mantle while removing the chimney, we updated it with a new stone surround and screen. The homeowners now continue to enjoy the added visual interest year-round and the usefulness of this mantel for holiday decor. 

Extending from the kitchen entryway, we incorporated a mudroom into a formerly non-functional space. Lee Kimball interior designer Madison Cota was inspired by the look of traditional English mudrooms, and she incorporated a tongue and groove wood wall to add definition to this space. The elements here are intentionally simple, elevating the space with a subdued sophistication in the choice of one color throughout, with open shelves and bench seating. The wood for the bench is stained the same as the wood in the kitchen, pulling these two areas together cohesively. Antique copper coat hooks and copper hardware in the storage area provide texture and refined style.

Leading from the mudroom, we reconfigured the entrance into an adjoining powder room which was previously only accessible by walking out and around this area from the dining room. To improve the flow into this powder room, we removed an unnecessary linen closet, moved the placement of the sink to open the space, and added a door between here and the mudroom. As the small powder room didn’t require much storage, removing the linen closet freed up space to move the sink to a side wall for improved usability. Richly patterned wallpaper and a board and batten wall lends a sophistication to this small bathroom, and the open vanity exudes a sleek style while incorporating a rail to hang a towel from. 

By reenvisioning the first floor of this 100+ year-old home from a top-down view, we were able to adjust and repurpose non-functioning spaces into a layout that would suit the homeowners for many years to come, while preserving the original structure and authentic elements that endowed it with charm and uniqueness.