Kitchens we have loved.

Kitchens - the engine of the house. All engines run similarly, but unlike engines, kitchens must satisfy the aesthetic of its owner.

Creating a kitchen that fulfills the aesthetic, and also meets a family's functional demands, requires careful attention to materials, scale, detail and history. A kitchen design must consider the context of the house vocabulary and its relationship to the house plan and site, overlaid with the family's use patterns and lifestyle.

We have assembled a slideshow of a few of the kitchens that reflect these considerations. Many of these examples were kitchen restorations that required integrating the design into a historic style. The larger task of the design of the kitchen is to fully integrate the kitchen into the whole of the house, in a seamless manner. This process requires an awareness of the subtleties of design, style and space. It is what the best architectural design is about. We believe these are good examples of that achievement.

[Slideshow notes: To review some details about each image, move your cursor to the top of the frame to reveal "Show info" and click on the words. Click "Show info" again to turn off the text. Move your cursor to the bottom of the frame to reveal thumbnail images or to pause the slideshow.]

Baths we have loved.

A thoughtful bathroom can expand the sense of comfort that a well designed home offers. The bathroom is a place of shelter and rejuvenation. The space must provide warmth, refreshment, intimacy and comfort. The innovative use of materials and the selection of appropriate plumbing and lighting fixtures can amplify its sense of comfort and repose. In this respect, the size of the bath is not as important as its details and materials.

Whether it is the master bath or the children’s bath, the space requires thoughtful consideration. Because a bathroom is so necessary and basic, many forget to bring design into it and it becomes a collection of objects pushed to the walls---a sink, shower, bathtub and toilet. We have found that working with tactile materials such as concrete counters, glass tile and woods, for example, integrates these basic plumbing fixtures into a larger, refreshing whole. Rather than being a utilitarian space, good design creates a bathroom that is a center of peacefulness and tranquility in our home.

We have assembled a slideshow of custom baths we have renovated or built from scratch that reflect these ideas.


[Slideshow notes: To review some details about each image, move your cursor to the top of the frame to reveal "Show info" and click on the words. Click "Show info" again to turn off the text. Move your cursor to the bottom of the frame to reveal thumbnail images or to pause the slideshow.]

Swell House - Double Award Winner 2008

Swell House - Entrance
Flickr slideshow


MINIMUM SPACE - MINIMUM BUDGET

We recently received a Citation from the Maryland Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, 2008 Design Awards, and a Honorable Mention in the Baltimore Chapter of the American Institute of Architects 2008 Excellence in Design Awards competition, in the Single Family Residence Category, for the home we designed entitled: "Swell" House.

This tiny, 660 square foot, Baltimore City row house is actually and alley house, off an alley. The homeowner was working with minimum footage and a minimum budget. She sought to incorporate as much green material and systems as her budget would allow. Because the construction dollars were directed to her green priorities, this first phase of the home was completed without the built-ins that will finally shape the house in the second phase.

The original first floor of this classic alley house, had an elongated sequence of rooms. Upon entering, one walks a straight line through the living room, dining room, kitchen and a bathroom. The second floor traditionally had two tiny bedrooms, one for the kids and one for the parents. We inverted this form to recognize our 21st Century sensibilities. We located the kitchen and living area on the second floor and extended a deck out beyond the kitchen. We made the first floor into a quiet, low-lit, master suite with bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet.

The owner's wish was to create a modern, colorful living space, that was thin, luminous and light. We first gutted the house to abate the lead, leaving the original, narrow, space-saving staircase in the center of the house. Energy-Star appliances, energy-saving HVAC equipment, a dual-flush toilet, batt insulation, bamboo flooring and recycled rubber flooring provided energy and sustainability solutions. We added aluminum clad, energy-efficient, Low-E Weathershield casement windows.

We integrated galvanized aluminum and polycarbonate ¾ walls on aluminum studs to save money and to provide “thin” solutions to save space and, in the case of the polycarbonate wall, provide luminosity. We designed sliding doors on industrial tracks to save further space.

The kitchen appliances are simple GE appliances that were purchased from a small local dealer. The kitchen cabinets are inexpensive Ikea brand, however, they are an interesting mix of two different models providing a more dynamic look. Simple perforated metal was used on the stairwell railing and echoed on the deck railing.

Small house. Small budget. Swell result.

Porches we have loved

Our client's, as part of their renovation or addition, often decide to add a porch. Over the last few years we have produced many that we really enjoy seeing. Here is a Flickr slide show of some of them to inspire winsome summer thoughts.

Small. Historic. Green.

We wanted to post this project because the owner's desire for green home certification and tax credits prevailed over the sometimes daunting process . This historic home was remodeled to meet both Virginia Historic Tax Credits and Arlington County Green Home Choice Program certification. Both ratings were hard won through persistence and good design.

The house maintains its existing footprint, saving the surrounding land from additional loss. Waste management practices were employed from the demolition stage through the construction phase.

The lower lever of the rear section of the house was a one-story screened porch.
The former porch was turned into a family room and the second floor became an additional bedroom.

Green materials and highly efficient lighting pervade the house. Good quality, original materials from one part of the house were reused in other parts. At least ten doors, which would normally be discarded during renovation were reused in another part of the house. To do this we identified, early in the design process, which doors would be reused, then sized the frame at the door's new home, in the drawings, for the builder. Bricks that were removed, to make way for new windows, were reused to expand the front entrance porch. Hardwood floors from the first floor were reused in the second floor bedroom. The reuse of good, historic, materials enhances the authenticity of a historic home. Importantly, reuse contributes to the reduction of waste and the unnecessary use of our limited environmental resources.

Water efficient systems and appliances were installed to reduce water usage. This included dual flush toilets, a tankless water heater, washer/dryer, and even rain barrels on the exterior to catch run-off water for garden watering.

The renovation and new addition for this house included a new family room, dining room, study, office, powder room, and parlor on the first floor. On the second floor an additional bedroom and bath were added. The basement was redesigned to provide a playroom, mudroom and laundry room.

With good planning, useful space can be increased substantially. When sustainability is a priority, the overall effect is increased value and a home environment that is both beautiful and healthy.

Entrance Hall - new 1/4 wall with storage


New built-in window bench

New stained cedar overhang at rear

Recycled Icestone glass counter top

Recycled glass tile throughout 2nd floor bath

Concrete counter top, recycled glass back splash, master bath

New built-in reading nook for children.

Birch plywood counter with color wash.
Attractive, inexpensive counter top solution.
High efficiency, under counter washer and dryer.

USE THE SPACE YOU HAVE : Works in Progress

Often a homeowner's first thought when they are running out of space is to add an addition. This home is a good example of another way to solve the space problem. When we saw the interior, we were able to determine that the small, unused attic provided all the space that this family needed, at less cost than adding an addition. The attic can now serve as a full second floor with two bedrooms, a much needed office and two baths.

To create this new space, we added dormers, sky lights and a new stair. We were able to maintain the original footprint, the house's historic character and, importantly, the proportions of the original house. We think it is a good way to enlarge a house and bring daylight in, while at the same time maintaining its character in the community. This solution also fit with our sense of environmental ethics: using what we have, reducing our impact on the earth and supporting the ideas of the not-so-big housing movement.

BEFORE - exterior

AFTER - exterior


BEFORE - exterior rear


AFTER - exterior rear


BEFORE - interior


BEFORE - Interior


AFTER - Interior


AFTER - interior


AFTER - interior skylight

AFTER - new bathroom taking shape

AFTER - new stairs underway

Helpful Hints

Helpful hint #1: Save the planet!
These floors are salvaged oak flooring purchased from Second Chance, Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland. They have been installed and refinished. They look absolutely beautiful. The character and color of these old floors enhances the warmth of the space.

Our client was able to save a substantial sum by buying the recycled flooring. It is noteworthy that the actual installation of the recycled flooring was more expensive than installing new flooring, because of the wood filling and fitting that was required. However, it is fair to say that the when you add up the installation and purchase costs of recycled flooring versus new flooring, the difference is insignificant. The value to the planet of recycling rather than plundering our forests is impossible to quantify, but is part of the worth to be considered. And then, of course, the recycled floors provide an authenticity and beauty that cannot be achieved with newly manufactured wood.

Oh, yes. Remember, when going for a satin finish, the first coat should be glossy. The glossy finish provides a harder coating to protect the floors. The satin finish goes on top of the glossy.

Helpful hint #2: Save money with thoughtful design!
This tiny bathroom is only 5 feet wide. We used lots of windows, including our favorite ‘porthole in the shower’ and an affordable, beautiful finish palette. The field tile is an inexpensive 3x6 ceramic from Daltile. We added a splash of luxury with a band of Oceanside’s glass tile. We also saved money by switching to plywood beadboard wainscot in the sink area, but continued the glass tile to tie everything together.

Improvisation on Color

We are in the final stages of a renovation that includes a new kitchen which you can see under construction in these two photos.

When the green, glass tile arrived for installation on the back splash, our client was not comfortable with the brightness of the color, nor the yellow hue. Looking at the three samples below, our client thought she had chosen the darker second tile, but in a mix-up, she had actually selected the first. Because it would require a minimum of a five-week turnaround to secure the darker color of this tile, time we did not have, we decided to improvise.



Normally a white or off-white grout would serve to frame the tile. Because we were working with glass tile, the white grout would also be seen through the tile and lighten the color. In order to "tune-down" the brightness, and get back to the darker color our client desired, we asked our tile installer to experiment with a gray grout.

The results were very interesting! The color quieted down and darkened perfectly. We think the green with the gray is also a very sophisticated look. Everyone is pleased. We wanted to share this solution with our readers. Below is an image of the mock-up of the tile with gray grout.

Feathering Your Empty Nest

We're pleased to say that we did the renovation design for a Howard County home that is featured in Baltimore Magazine's, March 2008 issue. The article can be found here. Unfortunately the online article does not include the photos that are part of the magazine coverage. So buy the magazine. You'll enjoy the whole article (not to mention, the annual list of restaurant recommendations).

The topic of the article is renovations that "empty nesters" have undertaken to enlarge their changed lives. The home of our client's Nancy and Jerry Berson is featured. Here's a quote from the article:

"The Bersons also wanted their home to be more environmentally friendly, so Brennan used bamboo flooring in the bedroom and recycled tile and IceStone® countertops, made from 100 percent recycled glass and cement, in the kitchen and bath. The Bersons said they got a kick out of researching the IceStone company, which commits to progressive labor practices and employs a number of Tibetan refugees in its environmentally friendly factory in Brooklyn, New York.

To make the additions blend in with the existing structure, Brennan removed all of the aluminum siding and replaced it with HardiPlank®, an innovative masonry material that resembles wood but is much more durable. A new fiberglass roof was installed, and several clerestory windows were added in the bedroom to let in late afternoon light, while an overhang was designed to block hot summer sunlight from the west.

The house, built in the ‘60s, was “tired-looking,” Brennan said, and lacked curb appeal. He added larger windows and clad them in a cranberry-colored metal, to add some punch, and painted the front door the same shade of red. He chose the HardiPlank siding in gray-green and stone shades, to complement the brick base. New bluestone patios and walkways, and new exterior lighting, were added as well.

“It’s sort of crazy,” observes Jerry Berson, that all of these improvements were still less costly than buying a larger home. But the Bersons expect to be very happy with their new digs, once everything’s finished. “We really don’t want to move from here,” he said."