Award Winning Designs

2006 Small Bath

2005 Large Kitchen

2005 Large Master Bath

2005 Powder Room

2004 Large Kitchen

2003 Large Bath Remodel

2002 Master Bath Suite

2002 Powder Room

2001 Other Room (Library)

2001 Additions/Bath

2000 Large Bath Remodel

2000 Large Bath/Addition

2001
1st Place Award
Other Room Category
NKBA Design Contest

18th Century reproduction style library located in the Highlands.

Design Problems

• The existing circa 1970's open plan family room, with its rough hewn, dark stained beams, old brick raised hearth and white peninsula counter top shared with the existing kitchen was not in harmony with the formality and grace of the 18th century colonial Virginia architectural style of the home.

• Inadequate storage and display opportunities for numerous books and antique collectables.

• No place for the television.

• The room was dark, cluttered and uninviting for the quiet evenings and stylishly relaxed family entertaining envisioned by the clients.

Client Requests

• The client, enjoying fond memories of her Virginia childhood, built her copper gabled, old brick and wood colonial reproduction home overlooking the Puget Sound in 1979. Spending the next twenty years creating formal gardens, courtyards and terraces, she and her husband at last turned their attentions to the interiors. As a part of a whole house remodel they requested for the family room:

• Separate the family room from the kitchen while maintaining easy access for less formal dining in the family room.

• An open, viewable home for the television (on all the time for the CNN addicted family). Not behind doors, please!

• More storage.

• Create the elegance, warmth and intimacy of an 18th century library as a setting for their French and English antiques, reproductions and books.

Design Solution

• A wall was constructed between the kitchen and dining room with two open, arched doorways flanking the library cabinets. The left arched doorway facilitates the flow between kitchen and formal dining room. The right facilitates the flow between kitchen and family room dining. The arches and keystones repeat but do not compete with the more elaborate, hand carved arches and key shells in the cabinetry. A double row of cabinetry was recessed under the header in the wall created between kitchen and family room. The cabinets on the kitchen side were recessed into the family room to make room for an island and hidden by ¾" panels and plant on door panels. Six specially ordered modular cabinets create the appearance of a single three sectioned, custom built, library unit. The arched wall and base units were built as one. A single, seamed ¾" panel was applied to the top forming a foundation for the application of moldings. Hand carved arches and key shells rest on fluted fillers. Cabinet crown molding is accentuated by classic dentil and egg and dart motifs below. A flush toe kick and simple base molding add to the appearance of fine furniture. The angled entertainment unit was created in the same manner open above to house television. VCR and stereo equipment are stored behind doors below.

• The old brick and raised hearth were removed from the fireplace wall and the firebox lowered and rebuilt. The angled entertainment unit was recessed into the wall to make room for the side panel and jabot of the existing window treatment on the wall beside it. The remaining wall was paneled. Matching plant on door panels, crown and dentil molding encircle the hand carved, finished to match mantel. Absolute black granite tiles surround the fireplace and create the hearth. Concealed around the corner is a recessed cabinet near the entry to family room with vertical partitions behind doors for storage of old newspapers.

• Painted crown and dentil moldings were applied to built up existing glulam beams and repeated around the perimeters of the room. Painted wainscoting below completes the traditional vocabulary, further enhanced by the formality of the black and brass decorative lighting. Black is again repeated in the granite tile fireplace surround and hearth.

• A complementary color scheme enhances the warmth and beauty of the wood while providing a serene back drop for the profusion of classical ornamentation in keeping with the period architecture. Historic colors were used throughout.Pale, light reflective greens employed for walls and ceiling. A dark, rich green on wainscoting and all painted moldings contrasts elegantly with the cherry cabinets and paneling. The result is a delightful room for a delightful family who express their joy in the space as limitless.