Closet Addition Nearing Completion.

The closet addition to our previous mudroom project is almost complete. The closet system went in today. This project filled in an unused porch area located above a mudroom addition we designed a few years ago. The owner wanted the new addition to be modern and sleek and stand out from the existing house. Dark stained cedar siding ties the new portion into the previous addition. We ended up removing and replacing some of the lower siding with the dark boards as well to pull it all together. More pics to come (without the large van). Once fall hits, the new facade will be very visible as it is currently veiled by foliage. 

Mostly veiled by foliage, the new cedar infill sits above the mudroom we designed a few years ago. Fall will bring a much more visible facade exposing the two windows. The East window serves the closet while a North facing window is over a small desk area off the master bedroom.  

The vertical wall flanking the doors entry was changed to the cedar to help tie the two floors together. 

The main conceptual idea behind the design was to carve the corner of the building out to represent a response from the noisy school nearby.  

The view from the driveway approach. The narrow trim around the new window provides a small shadow line around the new widow. The windows on the second floor of the addition relate to those below. 

 

PLANNING TO RENOVATE? - MPINK THOUGHTS

Are you planning to renovate a space in your home this spring? Maybe your project needs to be completed by July 4th or even by Thanksgiving 2014? The question of when to start designing your project is one that people don't actually consider until it is too late. Watching renovation shows on tv can lead you to believe that in one short weekend, you can have a brand new kitchen or bathroom. The reality is projects take time on all ends to develop in both design and construction.

The designer needs time to bounce ideas off of the client, and home owners need time to consider their options, understand the design, see materials and products in person, and fully understand what their spaces will look like when the project is completed. There are also schedules to consider. It may be difficult for you to find time in your busy schedule to meet with a designer or contractor. Being rushed into a design decision because the clock is ticking can lead to regret. Take your time and ask questions of your designer, even if they seem trivial.

So, the short answer is once you've decided you are considering doing a project, contact a design professional and get the ball rolling. Have the designer measure the spaces you are planning to renovate and start drawing options for you so you can decide if your project is worthwhile. The designer will most likely come up with new ideas you haven't considered and potentially show you that your original schemes for your space may not be feasible. Winter is the perfect time to start thinking about projects you are planning to start construction on in the spring, summer or fall of the same year. Give yourself time to truly develop your project into one you will love.

Good luck and let us know how we can help you!
J + C - MPink Design LLC.

Piggy-Back Plans

We are just about completed with the Piggy-Back house second floor rehab. Here is a plan showing the before and after layout. As you can see, we reduced the size of the secondary bathroom to fit a 4th bedroom into the plan. We also made better use of a hallway connecting the master bathroom to the master bedroom by building custom desks and file and book storage. In the master bedroom, we raised the ceiling to match the small cathedral portion they already had so that the entire master bedroom has a peaked ceiling. In addition, we better utilized the shape of the room and created 2 large master closets behind the bed wall. 

The big trick in all of this was figuring out how to tackle the house plan changes while keeping the original West exterior wall intact.  This wall, which now separates the two bathrooms, is crucial to the structure as it carries much of the roof weight down to the foundation. 

Piggy Back House

We're almost there. Master Bedroom is finished with furniture still to arrive.

The secondary bathroom is almost there as well. Better photos coming soon. 
The new raised ceiling in the master bedroom makes a huge difference in the perception of the space. At the entrance to the master bedroom we've created a small office area with built-in file storage, bookshelves, and a desk. 

Mudroom Addition

The Mudroom Addition project is well underway. The framing is mostly up and you can now see how the porch will be transformed into an enclosed and glassy addition.

We kept the addition up on piers instead of using a full foundation to keep costs down and leave the space underneath the addition for outside storage. 

Piggy-Back House Remodel

We're well underway what we're now calling the "Piggy Back" House.  This late 19th century balloon frame house has been changed, gutted and renovated over time. The original footprint remains with a newer addition "piggybacked" over the top of the roof and walls. We even uncovered the original siding and windows inside an interior wall. It truly is a layered home which makes this renovation very special. The new owners have asked us to reconfigure the second floor and add a bedroom. The master suite will now be more efficient and elegant.  We've also completely re-structured the ceiling in the master suite area to both stabilize it and provide a dramatic space.