This traditional-style home with a cathedral ceiling and fireplace in the living room was transformed into a luxurious modern space. Contemporary media shelving, cabinetry with bookcases along with a flat screen television that was recessed into the wall above. The upgraded Spark Modern Fires gas fireplace completed the space.
The project was to create and attach a therapy pool (hot tub) room to a 60 year old house, and make it look like it belonged and was not an add-on. This was accomplished by matching the architecture of the original house. Note that the stone work, window height, and roof line match.
It involved a 4 foot excavation, so that the step into the hot tub was comfortable and not a climb. A drain was installed in the foundation, so that any water that spilled from the tub would drain into the sewer and not just accumulate. Concrete block was placed on the footer and extended to under the window sill. The block was then faced with stone that matched the house.
This contemporary, barrier-free master bath complements the mid-century modern style of the home, one of about half a dozen similar homes in the immediate neighborhood. The 8’ x 9.5’ space feels larger because the entire room is unobstructed. An art glass panel separates the shower area from the dry area at the sink and vanity. A heated, textured tile floor over a full-room waterproof membrane slopes gently to a trench drain on one wall. A single thermostatic control feeds shower head, body sprays, and hand shower. LED lighting enhances energy efficiency, the exhaust fan was replaced with a modern energy efficient model, and the toilet was replaced with a modern 1.6gpf toilet.
Our design objective was to provide unobtrusively for aging in place, avoiding any hint of an institutional feel. To that end, the sandstone sink, floating vanity, and large mirror satisfy ADA dimensions; the open shower area includes a 60” wheelchair turning radius; two folding seats and a hand shower allow seated bathing; and the 2×4 trim rail is anchored firmly for use as a grab rail. Blocking in the walls behind the tile allows addition of other support fixtures in the future without reworking the walls. The door was widened to 36” and replaced with a pocket door.
This kitchen addition/remodel kept the authenticity of the home while adding space and comfort around the large center island that housed a large sink. The walls were plastered throughout. Large oak beams span across the cathedral ceiling adding to the warmth of the space. Random-width, pegged hardwood flooring was used to match the existing.
