FROM TINY ACORNS Mighty Oaks Grow
Project Summary Just as the storied oaks out front, this home and the family it shelters were like acorns that sprouted and grew with time while retaining what always made them special and strong. The original 1939 Cape with its two tiny dormers was charming if a bit lonely on the wide, quarter acre lot. With a fourth child on the way, the couple longed for the convenience of an attached garage, a mudroom and larger kitchen, a master bathroom to call their own and more upper level bedrooms. But the property s vintage neighborhood charm and trees could not be lost. The designers satisfied the family s space needs by adding nearly 1,500 sf up and out. An enlarged forward gable and wraparound porch were critical to preserving the home s character so it would stand up to the big garage, even as the corner of the porch was clipped out of respect for the tree. New Home Original Home
Function Chaotic, dual-purpose rooms gave way to defined casual and formal spaces for family life and entertaining in this remodel and addition project. Formal spaces now flank the front entry and central stairway, while casual areas absorb the marsh view out back. The home now brandishes an attached garage with entry into the new mudroom on the main level, and a master suite above which flows children s bedrooms upstairs. With a total of 5 bedrooms and 4 baths in the home, 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths are on the upper level. The front entry portico and wrap-around porch welcome and shelter arriving guests. The updated kitchen combines a large island/bar and custom, ceiling-height cabinets to maximize storage and work surfaces. A second story addition over the dining-room-turned-familyroom provides a large informal gathering space near the children s bedrooms. Enlarging one of the front dormers increased headroom and natural light for the bedroom within. A full-featured laundry room near upstairs bedrooms eliminates long treks to the old laundry in the basement mechanical room. The expanded basement under the kitchen and mudroom houses an exercise room and storage. A new egress window makes the basement bedroom safe and legal. Quality Craftsmanship Creative girder trusses and complex room and attic trusses were engineered to tie the new spaces to the existing stick framing and accommodate plumbing runs for the master suite. James Hardie specified, inspected and approved the installation for their best siding warranty All of the floors, millwork and custom cabinets are real wood installed by skilled craftsmen an finished to the clients specific tastes for superior fit and finish. Extraordinary attention to detail is evident in the grand stairway with its rounded base step and custom newel post and rail. Great care was taken in the drywall finishing and painting to achieve a high level of smoothness especially in highly visible areas. Some of the original lath and plaster was removed and updated in order to achieve level 4 for the walls and level 5 on ceilings.
Innovative Problem Solving A second HVAC system was installed on upper level to service the additions and avoid running ducts and offensive soffits from the main furnace in the opposite corner of the basement. All of the ductwork was sealed to meet 2015 MN Energy Code The old, single-story addition off the back was on a different plane than the house. The remodeler configured new second floor addition as a communal room for the kids to make sense of the step-up access from the hall. The floor framing was specially engineered to carry the additional load. The wrap around porch was designed with a clipped corner so it didn t encroach on the large oak tree in the front yard. Retaining The main level of the home was a hodgepodge of hardwood flooring with different widths and species in the existing rooms. Without removing all of the flooring and starting from scratch, the design team was able to work together with the installers to seamlessly lace in the new planks with the old so that the hardwood was the same throughout the entire home. Aesthetics The garage addition was stepped back to add dimension and keep the house dominant. James Hardie shake siding was used on the gables with lap siding below for varied texture and curb appeal. Luxurious but practical master suite features twin vanities, an elegant clawfoot soaking tub, large all-tile shower and a spacious walk-in closet. Brass and bronze hardware and fixtures were extended throughout the remodeled space with a switch to crystal knobs to reflect the original home s period style. Carrera marble counters, farmhouse sink and the sleek wine cooler in the kitchen reflect the owners eclectic tastes. Bold lighting fixtures impart personality in each room. A curved archway between the kitchen and the dining room sets off the formal space. The boys say they feel like they live in a tree house as they look down on the oak branches, squirrels nest and scenic march from their large upstairs windows.
New Basement Floor Plan Scale: 3/32 = 1-0 on 8.5 x 11 paper New walls are shown as solid black Existing Areas: Mechanical Room, Media Room, and Guest Bedroom Remodeled Areas: none Added Spaces: Playroom/Storage, and Unexcavated space underneath Garage Basement Basement Demo Plan Scale: 3/64 = 1-0 on 8.5 x 11 paper
New Main Level Floor Plan Scale: 3/32 = 1-0 on 8.5 x 11 paper New walls are shown as solid black Main Level Demo Plan Scale: 3/64 = 1-0 on 8.5 x 11 paper Existing Areas: Front Entry Closet, Living Room and Fireplace, Bathroom, Hall Closet, Stairs to Basement, Back Deck Main Level Remodeled Ares: Front Entry, Stairs to Second Level, Dining Room, Kitchen Nook, Family Room Added Spaces: Front Porch, Kitchen, Mudroom, 2 Car Garage
New Second Level Floor Plan Scale: 3/32 = 1-0 on 8.5 x 11 paper New walls are shown as solid black Existing Areas: Bedroom 1, Hall Closet, and Closet in Bedroom 2 Remodeled Ares: Kids Bath, Hallway, and Bedroom 3 Added Spaces: Bedroom 2 (expanded front dormer), Bonus Room, Laundry, 2 additional Hall Closets, Master W.I.C., Master Bedroom, and Master Bath Second Level Second Level Demo Plan Scale: 3/64 = 1-0 on 8.5 x 11 paper
Site Plan Exterior Before Exterior In-Progress Exterior After
Front Exterior Detached Garage Before Addition In-Progress Front Porch In-Progress Front Porch After Attached Garage After Primary needs for the clients included a large garage with direct access to the mudroom, and retaining the large oak trees in front of the home. The finished home includes an attached 2 car garage and a wraparound porch that accentuates the tree closest to the structure.
Back Exterior Part of the original deck was retained along with the brick chimney, while the new exterior additions complemented the initial structure. Back Before Back In-Progress Finished Back
Staircase After Front Entryway Staircase Before Staircase In-Progress Original Family Room Before Framing Phase Trimming Phase The front entry and staircase were both kept in their existing locations, but the right side of the stairs was given a large cased opening to lead into the new dining room space which was previously the family room.
Dining Room Arch After the dining room and family rooms swapped spaces for functionality and flow, the small doorway leading into the kitchen was turned into a large arched opening connecting the finished dining room to the expanded kitchen. Kitchen Before Cased Opening Archway After Arch Framing
Living Room, Nook, & Family Room The living room and 3/4 bath on the main level were both retained as existing spaces and were left untouched during the remodel and addition process. Existing Living Room Dining Room Before Dining Room Before Existing Hallway & 3/4 s Bath In-Progress Remodeled Family Room The space that previously served dual functions as the family s dining room and mudroom was given a facelift for its new function as the family room. Existing Living Room Kitchen Nook After With a large family, the clients requested room for a kitchen table as well as island seating and a formal dining room. The kitchen nook with its built-in bench and hanging light fixture fulfills this need as a classy but casual seating area.
Kitchen Nook & Desk Drop-Zone With their oldest child only 7 years old and a lot of school years left ahead of them, the clients desperately needed some dedicated homework space on the main level. The combination desk and dropzone area along with the kitchen nook are in prime central locations in the same room as the kitchen for easy multi-tasking. Kitchen Before Finished Space After Nook Wall Before
Kitchen Before In-Progress The expanded kitchen went from 16-8 lineal feet of cabinetry to 28-0 including a 7-0 island that comfortably seats 3. A 36 farmhouse sink with a window looking out onto the street provides a great view to the neighborhood. The 36 wide, standard depth refrigerator provides plenty of storage for hungry kids! After
Kitchen Farmhouse Sink Kitchen Before Kitchen View From Hallway After As the center of the home, the kitchen has access to almost every space on the main level. A pantry closet provides plenty of dry food storage adjacent to the mudroom which can be closed off with a hidden pocket door. The end of the island boasts a built-in wind fridge with great access for entertaining. Wine Fridge
Mudroom Mudroom in Dining Room Before A dedicated mudroom with direct access to the garage that could be closed off from the rest of the home if necessary was one of the top priorities for these clients. This mudroom has several different types of closed and open storage in the built-in bench unit, along with a full closet for longterm storage and cleaning supplies, and a window to the backyard for natural daylighting. Mudroom After Wall for Addition In-Progress Garage Entrance to Mudroom In-Progress
Bedroom 2 Reinforced Roof Rafters In-Progress Dormer Before Dormer Before Upstairs, one of the bedrooms on the front of the house was expanded by replacing the original dormer with a large gable. The roof structure was reinforced to provide adequate support. Expanded Dormer After Expanded Dormer After
Bedroom 3 Dormer Before Master Bedroom Before Remodeled Space What was once the master bedroom is now a 3 rd bedroom for the kids. The original front dormer was kept, but the side window and back wall were moved to make space for the master suite addition.
Master Suite Master Bedroom Addition After The master suite addition above the garage is the perfect retreat for the busy couple. A large double window gives a nest-level view of the oak tree s ecosystem in the front yard. The symmetrical knee-walls are reminiscent of the ones that were in the original master bedroom while allowing the rooflines to stay low on the exterior of the home. Hallway to Master Suite After
Master Bath 2 nd Level Bath Before Going from one bathroom with a single sink to two bathrooms with two sinks each was a major upgrade for this home. The master bath boasts individual his and hers single vanities flanking a clawfoot tub, a private toilet room, and a fully tiled walk-in shower with a rain head. Finished Space After
Master Bathroom Detailed Custom Cabinetry Clawfoot Tub His & Hers Vanities Details in the master bath include Hampton Carrara tile, cabinet hardware from Anthropologie, and aged bronze and gold lighting accents. Walk-In Shower
Laundry Room Before Originally located in the basement, the laundry room was relocated in its own space on the 2 nd level. Side-byside front loading washer and dryers allow for a large countertop space for folding and a wide space for hanging clothes on the built-in rod. Tiled floors and a large sink make for easy cleaning. While typically a lackluster room, this room was jazzed up with black cabinetry, porcelain hardware, and a fun semi-flush light fixture. After
Bonus Room Added space two steps above the rest of the second level gives a great spot for family hangout time. A set of French doors makes the transition from sleeping quarters to living space that can be closed off after the little ones go to sleep. Framing In-Progress After