310 Woodward

SETTING THE STAGE

Pamela & Joel Rose began planning their new kitchen near the end of 2015.   Their initial desire to simply renovate the existing kitchen quickly blossomed, with inspiration from their architect Kathleen Kinan, into a completely new addition with a full basement.   The entire renovation by Four Square Builders took over two years to complete.  

The Roses home was constructed in 1890, with classic Victorian features including a Queen Anne tower with a 3 window bay,  and grooved casings with corner block trim around the windows.  The original house featured gumwood and oak woodwork, a front and back stairway, fireplaces on the first and second floors, four bedrooms, and one and a half bathrooms with laundry in the half bathroom on the first floor.   The exterior is now a vivid deep reddish-purple with cream and dark green trim.  

The architect’s vision, based on Pamela’s desire for a prominent display area for her cobalt glass collection, was to create an experience similar to the Darwin Martin House entrance, where one sees down the long pergola to the statue of Winged Glory.   Solving all of our storage problems and bringing garden views into the home were also priorities.  Careful attention was paid throughout the build to match existing architecture and moldings and the exterior paint color scheme.    Tom Kolbeck replicated some of the original house trim, having special knives made to cut the same profile.  

THE RENOVATION

Pamela knew the project would take many months, and so insisted on setting up a temporary kitchen in the den, just to the right of the front entrance.  A sink and cabinet were installed, along with a table and microwave oven, a small mobile cart, and bookshelves for storage.   We learned to cook many things in the microwave during those two years!  

The renovation not only expanded the size and layout of the former small and incredibly decrepit (!) kitchen, but also included a new full downstairs bathroom, renovation of a bedroom into a 2^nd floor laundry, brand new solid oak paneled doors throughout the house, new furnace and A/C, expanded deck, tool shed with train-station style roof designed by Joel, stepped storage area over the new basement entrance (also designed by Joel), and storage in the back hall for coats.   Choosing pocket doors for the new bathroom and back hall entrance eliminated issues with open doors in narrow hallways.  

Throughout the build, the Roses also had to wrangle their Bernese Mountain Dog and seven cats.  Fencing and makeshift gates were set up just beyond the outside build area for the dog, and plywood barriers blocked the back stairway to make it easier to isolate the cats when necessary.  

The landscape damage was a perfect opportunity to install Victorian light poles around the yard, create garden beds next to the house, and replace the boring concrete patio with a lovely, curved, colored walkway that matches the deck and harmonizes with the house color.    An awning was also installed over the larger deck for shade and privacy during the summer.  

ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF LABOR

The display case housing the cobalt glass (and also a mineral/gemstone collection) is visible directly ahead on entering the front door, and is highlighted by the light coming through four bay windows overlooking the lovely back yard gardens, just as the architect envisioned.    The new bathroom is just to the right before entering a hallway off which one can choose two entrances to the kitchen on either side of the long central counter.   Space is such that the refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, ovens and cooktop are all within a functional triangle for working efficiency.  

Special features in the kitchen include a sub-Zero refrigerator; built-in microwave and two ovens, including a Blue Star commercial french door oven with built-in pizza stone; quartz countertops with a curved extension for counter seating; convection cooktop with exhaust fan, and window seating with cabinet storage.   Recessed lights around the ceiling perimeter as well as directly overhead are controlled separately, as is the stained glass parrot light that hangs in front of the window bay.  

The custom cabinets were crafted by John Drummer from solid white oak.  The cabinets feature a clear varnish, soft-close drawers and upper shelf sections with internal lighting for added display space.  Custom matching panels grace the refrigerator and dishwasher.   One of the cabinets houses a special pull-up-release hinge for the heavy mixer below a drawer fitted with a cutting board.    A special HUGE pantry cabinet is tucked into a corner opposite the new bathroom, with a narrow set of cabinets for cookbooks and flexible storage.   All cabinetry has heavy duty hinging and doors to carry larger loads, and shelving is adjustable.   Flooring is ¾” solid wood with antique cherry finish and titanium coating made by Lauzon.   Two years after they were finished, Pamela discovered the perfect throw rug to protect the floors at Lowes.  

The Roses are enjoying the new space.   The kitchen opens out to the expanded deck and awning where their Berner loves to hang out.    A bubbler rock garden installed in front of the tool shed fills the deck and kitchen with soothing sounds, and their cats enjoy the window seat with a view to watch birds and insects.