Renovation and expansion of a 1930s-era classic. Buying an old house can be daunting. But with careful planning and some creative thinking, phasing the improvements helped this family realize their dreams over time. The original International Style house was built in 1934 and had been largely untouched except for a small sunroom addition. Phase 1 construction involved opening up the interior and refurbishing all of the finishes. Phase 2 included a sunroom/master bedroom extension, renovation of an upstairs bath, a complete overhaul of the landscape and the addition of a swimming pool and terrace. And thirteen years after the owners purchased the home, Phase 3 saw the addition of a completely private master bedroom & closet, an entry vestibule and powder room, and a new covered porch.

This luxurious bathroom includes a 1/2" frameless glass enclosure with a vented transom for the full steam shower. The handcrafted Water Works tile was used on the walls and ceiling. The polished nickel plumbing fixtures include a diverter that distributes water between a hand held spray and a fixed shower head. Also in polished nickel, is the steam shower supply which is controlled by dual thermostats.

In this classic Brooklyn brownstone, Slade Architecture designed a modern renovation for an active family. This bathroom features an immersive surround of green mosaic tile.

Christopher Davison, AIA

Photo: Caroline Sharpnack © 2019 Houzz

Master bath with japanese soaking tub

Features sconces from Waterworks. Photo: David Duncan Livingston

The owner of this 1960s, low-slung house challenged Board & Vellum to give it a major overhaul. Located across from Puget Sound, the house already had a lot to offer but the dated style, low ceilings, tight spaces and interior walls that blocked Sound views kept it from fulfilling its full potential. Board & Vellum gutted and reimagined the whole house, giving it a more traditional style. The interior—previously quite dark, thanks to brick- and wood panel-clad walls—was transformed with white trim, bright detailing (such as the hand-glazed tile in the kitchen), and plenty of built-in casework for the homeowner to display the travel mementos she collected throughout her career in the airline industry. Removing a fireplace in the center of the house and opening up the floorplan through to the staircase and entryway lets light flood in and allows for water views from across the main living area and kitchen. The exterior of the house received a dose of character with brick, corbels, and a curved eyebrow roof above the front entry, which also gave the home office area its distinctive barrel ceiling. Photo by John Wilbanks.

Erhard Pfeiffer