As with many older homes, room layouts and flow do not always work for 21st century living. In this classic house, there was a distinct disconnect between living space and landscape and an awkward addition further complicated the harmony of spaces. As such, the main goals of the renovation were to make the house feel like itself; to make it feel complete, thoughtful, and functional by improving the circulation and aesthetics throughout the home, finding more usable square footage within the existing footprint, and reconnecting the house to its landscape.
When approaching the home, we recognized that the most important aspect was the front landscape. We designed a new seasonal cutting garden that would reflect the changing seasons but stay beautiful and fresh all season long. In alignment with our client's aspirations, we made sure to include selections that would provide fresh flowers for them to enjoy inside and outside of the home.
In reimagining the functionality of spaces, we combined several small rooms - remnants of a different period in history - to create a new master suite better fitted for modern times and rife with natural lighting. The workhorse spaces (a kitchen & a family room) emerged through the reconfiguration of the existing mudroom - which gave plenty of space to include a new gourmet kitchen with a large central island - and the transformation of a small attic bedroom into an au-pair suite and playroom. The unique attic playroom was fitted with a custom stainless steel cable mesh 'net' that took the place of a traditional guard rail at the top of the stairs to increase the breathability of the space and natural lighting. Complete with a reading nook and window seats, we transformed a previously underutilized bedroom into a core area for the heart of the family.
Additional improvements included modifying the main staircase to create a butterfly stair to connect the front and rear rooms surrounding the central atrium space. As well, a heavy collaboration between Pirie and the client ensured our client's sensibility and taste was reflected throughout the home, making their project feel like a reflection of their personalities.
Finally, we also provided more connections to the landscape and treated it as an extension of the interior space through a series of landscaped 'rooms' for the family to enjoy. These included an outdoor kitchen, play areas, a pocket for a trampoline, and an allay of trees. With a new elevated terrace, the home now flows seamlessly to the exterior spaces, maximizing the usable area and enforcing connections.