Design: Hartford House Design & Build PC: Nick Sorensen

https://www.lowellcustomhomes.com Photo by www.aimeemazzenga.com Interior Design by www.northshorenest.com Relaxed luxury on the shore of beautiful Geneva Lake in Wisconsin.

Our client purchased this small bungalow a few years ago in a mature and popular area of Edmonton with plans to update it in stages. First came the exterior facade and landscaping which really improved the curb appeal. Next came plans for a major kitchen renovation and a full development of the basement. That's where we came in. Our designer worked with the client to create bright and colorful spaces that reflected her personality. The kitchen was gutted and opened up to the dining room, and we finished tearing out the basement to start from a blank state. A beautiful bright kitchen was created and the basement development included a new flex room, a crafts room, a large family room with custom bar, a new bathroom with walk-in shower, and a laundry room. The stairwell to the basement was also re-done with a new wood-metal railing. New flooring and paint of course was included in the entire renovation. So bright and lively! And check out that wood countertop in the basement bar!

This Greek Revival row house in Boerum Hill was previously owned by a local architect who renovated it several times, including the addition of a two-story steel and glass extension at the rear. The new owners came to us seeking to restore the house and its original formality, while adapting it to the modern needs of a family of five. The detailing of the 25 x 36 foot structure had been lost and required some sleuthing into the history of Greek Revival style in historic Brooklyn neighborhoods. In addition to completely re-framing the interior, the house also required a new south-facing brick façade due to significant deterioration. The modern extension was replaced with a more traditionally detailed wood and copper- clad bay, still open to natural light and the garden view without sacrificing comfort. The kitchen was relocated from the first floor to the garden level with an adjacent formal dining room. Both rooms were enlarged from their previous iterations to accommodate weekly dinners with extended family. The kitchen includes a home office and breakfast nook that doubles as a homework station. The cellar level was further excavated to accommodate finished storage space and a playroom where activity can be monitored from the kitchen workspaces. The parlor floor is now reserved for entertaining. New pocket doors can be closed to separate the formal front parlor from the more relaxed back portion, where the family plays games or watches TV together. At the end of the hall, a powder room with brass details, and a luxe bar with antique mirrored backsplash and stone tile flooring, leads to the deck and direct garden access. Because of the property width, the house is able to provide ample space for the interior program within a shorter footprint. This allows the garden to remain expansive, with a small lawn for play, an outdoor food preparation area with a cast-in-place concrete bench, and a place for entertaining towards the rear. The newly designed landscaping will continue to develop, further enhancing the yard’s feeling of escape, and filling-in the views from the kitchen and back parlor above. A less visible, but equally as conscious, addition is a rooftop PV solar array that provides nearly 100% of the daily electrical usage, with the exception of the AC system on hot summer days. The well-appointed interiors connect the traditional backdrop of the home to a youthful take on classic design and functionality. The materials are elegant without being precious, accommodating a young, growing family. Unique colors and patterns provide a feeling of luxury while inviting inhabitants and guests to relax and enjoy this classic Brooklyn brownstone. This project won runner-up in the architecture category for the 2017 NYC&G Innovation in Design Awards and was featured in The American House: 100 Contemporary Homes. Photography by Francis Dzikowski / OTTO

Lincoln Barbor

Custom designed bar by Daniel Salzman (Salzman Design Build) and the home owner. Ann sacks glass tile for the upper shelve backs, reclaimed wood blocks for the lower bar and seating area. We used Laminam porcelain slab for the counter top to match the copper sink.

Photographed by Colin Voigt