All-American Dream

After living in their home for several years in a neighborhood they adored, the owners decided to stay and make their current house perfect for their young family—one that would include a larger kitchen, open family room and updated primary suite. They also wanted the home to reflect the classic architecture of the original design, which was traditional and clean but with touches of color and flair in the furnishings.

The project scope consisted of a generous two-story addition to the back of the house and a complete renovation of all spaces within the original structure. The design team tried to restore any of the original charm torn out in the renovation, including salvaging an original arched doorway in the entryway and precisely replicating it for an additional archway into the new addition. Extensive millwork was added to many spaces to recreate the feel of a traditional home.

One design challenge during the project was making the kitchen feel unique and classic while retaining approachable, family-friendly functionality. Another was working with the floor plan to fulfill the clients’ desire to seat a party of 12 in their dining room. The team tackled these challenges by incorporating a generously sized island that easily adapts to daily life and large gatherings. The design team selected honed quartzite countertops and a warm paint color to highlight this feature. A reeded design also runs from the tall glass cabinets to the millwork panels on the island. 

For the clients’ eldest daughter, the designers created a playful color-dip design with peachy-pink paint and finished the room with twin beds, making it perfect for sleepovers. Meanwhile, they added a soft mink color in the primary bedroom to create an enveloping retreat, topped off by a chandelier and four-poster bed. The finished product is clean and light, with a fun yet refined use of color and pops of whimsy.