(Ridgefield, CT)
Our clients wanted a true Great Room with a wood burning fireplace where they could all hang out, and a kitchen big enough for all of them to cook together. Beyond that, they needed more storage and to make the spaces more functional for their lifestyle.
What they started with was a sunroom that was a step down from the rest of the house and a dated, poorly laid out, laminate kitchen. Complex structural work with multiple beams was required to take out the sunroom wall and open up the kitchen.
Guest bedroom/bath areas were reconfigured to optimize those rooms and make space for a mud room and walk through pantry.
The Great room is now better connected with the Music Room above and the areas are more open to one another.
The cased opening and glass doors allow for long clear sight lines through the house, to the outside.
This is a continuation of an existing architectural element in other areas of this home and is one of the elements that help make the renovation feel natural in the home.
The mudroom was carved out of the old bathroom space.
The mudroom has a place for everything - school papers, notices, ample storage for each person’s accessories and treasures, as well as a supplemental washer/dryer for tablecloths and napkins.
A well stocked pantry is between the kitchen and the mudroom.
The clients appreciated the role of the transparent pricing, because it allowed them to easily make value-based choices. They commented that "We were impressed with the level of detail in the forecast budget. We received several of those, and Clark's was by far the most detailed. So we knew that if we wanted to change, we would know where to focus."
The hickory floors were stained to coordinate with a custom stain on the island cabinets. The island features a double thick counter, with slightly shortened cabinets so that all work spaces are at the same height.