by Craftsman Design | Aug 9, 2016 | About, Timeline
Wade had always been interested in older homes and their histories. In 1994, he finally was in the position to purchase a home of his own. The 1906 fixer became not only Wade’s first experience with home-ownership, but as a general contractor as well. Frustrated with the quality of work and poor communication he encountered, Wade fired his contractor and assumed the role himself. Realizing his passion, temperament and skills for the work, Wade switched careers, leaving behind his job as a department head at an exhibit design firm, and setting up shop in his home attic in 1996.
by Craftsman Design | Nov 1, 2014 | Kitchen
It’s holiday season, when our kitchens get a workout from a range of ambitious endeavors, from hosting holiday dinners to crafting artisanal treats for gift-giving. And most of us find that our cookie-cutter kitchens don’t make the grade. It’s a good time, then, to take notes on what does and doesn’t work for you, so that when you’re ready for a remodel, you can help create a kitchen that’s truly yours.
In a recent kitchen project, part of a larger remodel of a grand Portland Foursquare, we worked with a couple who had carefully considered their tastes and habits. Consequently, we could customize their space for enduring enjoyment.
A kitchen that fits the home’s historic context
Having a clear vision of the aesthetics of the kitchen, the clients informed just how faithful the design and construction needed to be to the home’s historic origins. For instance, we custom built cabinets to match the cabinetry elsewhere in the home, both in wood species and profile details. We also encased a built-in fridge and pantry, visible from the dining room, in custom-built fir cabinetry. If historic fidelity is important to you, make sure you hire a professional who can recreate the space convincingly.
Personalizing with furniture
The remodel took into account a treasured antique table and display cabinet that the residents wanted in the newly expanded room. Knowing what furniture, if any, you’ll want in a space helps ensure they’ll fit and be shown off to good advantage.
An island that works for the cooks
The couple wanted the additional work space and focal point of an island but didn’t want it to dominate the room. A simple yet elegant table with a Carrera marble top was custom-built to serve as a workspace for baking, food prep, and additional storage.
Open Shelving for Kitchens
After living with the original kitchen, the homeowners realized they liked the convenience of open shelves, and also enjoyed seeing their collection of Arts & Crafts pottery prominently displayed. The new kitchen now has open shelving that fits into the kitchen’s genre and befits the collectibles they hold.
Functions that fit your kitchen
Both doctors, the clients requested a hygienic feature adopted from their work environment: foot-operated hot/cold water faucets at the sink. Additionally, the double-wide sink allows the two to keep out of each other’s way while working side by side. Dual dishwashers allow for similar multi-tasking: one can wash pots and pans while the other washes delicate glassware.
Taking the time to assess your tastes, habits and aspirations will ensure a remodeled kitchen that is a joy to work in now and for years to come.
by Craftsman Design | Jul 19, 2013 | Historic
A trendy, open floorplan can be tempting when you own a historic home. The space you have may feel too close or dark to be liveable. Before knocking down walls and installing track lighting in your Victorian, take a look at these five simple tips for historic home preservation and design:
Tip #1: Keep the floor plan clean and simple.
There is a certain hierarchy of public and private spaces that houses generally follow. Public spaces (like a front entry) often lead to other public spaces (like a living room or dining room), then to more private spaces (like a bathroom or bedroom).
Don’t remove walls in an attempt to “open up your floor plan” and end up with one giant room. Instead, half walls or columns can be utilized to keep the room open, yet allow a little separation and flow to your floor plan.
Tip #2: Keep the history in your home consistent.
Modernizing your home doesn’t mean you should give an ultra-modern interior to an Arts and Crafts home. You can upgrade your home, change the way the space flows, but keep touches of the original period. A transition from an older home on the outside to a modern interior is jarring and can reduce the home’s value.
Tip #3: Save and reinstall original pieces.
Keeping or reinstalling an original mantel, period-appropriate molding, or intricate knobs can keep the home’s character while allowing you to remodel it in order to match your 21st century needs.
Tip #4: Match the roofline and roof pitch
If you are looking to add on to your historical home, be sure to match the roofline and roof pitch. Changing the pitch or type of roofing makes it very obvious addition was installed. The addition of a dormer can also change your roofline, but when done properly, can look as if it was always there.
Tip #5: Add in your own family history
Don’t just buy pieces that fit with your home’s vintage, find family photos, furniture or quilts that you can use for your home. It’s your house, so bring in your own family history while you make more memories for generations to come.
We specialize in remodeling historic homes right here in Portland. Our services will take your project from design to build. Visit www.craftsmandesign.com today for examples of our award-winning designs.
