A Renovation Success Story Starting with a Wish List
Just like great recipes that start with a list of ingredients, a great home renovation starts with a wish list. “It’s the first step in understanding our clients and their needs,” said Tim Frost, owner of Peregrine Design/Build who along with Shawn Sweeney, a designer for the company, worked closely with the owners of this home to define what they wanted and help them stay within their budget.
Christine had a number of things she wanted to accomplish with her renovation; first, and foremost she wanted a simple, farmhouse feel with great living spaces for her family. It was important to have a sense of connectedness throughout the rooms of the home while also incorporating some smaller spaces for a more intimate feel. It all sounds easy enough but often times this request can be a challenge to any builder. And after many hours working with the design/build team, the end conclusion was that Christine and her family would renovate their kitchen, family room, dining area and living room.
Christine loves to cook, and her first wish was for a kitchen with lots of counter space, top quality appliances and an island where people could sit and eat at or double as a service bar. In keeping with the farmhouse feel, the kitchen renovation included custom beadboard cabinetry painted in a creamy antique white color, which adds tons of charm as well as storage space. The kitchen also included a beaded refrigerator door for continuity in the look, an office station, a pantry and glass front cabinets for displaying her dishware. The countertops are a unique combination of mahogany wood and Kerala granite, which together add simple elegance as well as plenty of space to work. The Viking stove area stands out with an antiqued jade tile backsplash, open shelving for spices and a pot faucet. Add the recessed lighting and mini-pendants and cooking is a breeze.
One of the most exciting additions to the kitchen appears on the north and east walls which once held cupboards. They now host big picture windows that not only let in a lot of light but also now show off their outstanding views, including one of Shelburne Bay that for many years went unnoticed by many of their guests.
Another wish of Christine’s was that the family room area be cozy but also convenient and open to the rest of the house. She wanted a separate space with comfortable seating and a fireplace that could be seen from the kitchen but also felt as if it stood alone. In order to accomplish this request the design team separated the room from the kitchen by using a header and detailed columns placed on the mahogany counters of the kitchen. The new American Ashlar stone fireplace in the family area makes a dramatic centerpiece to the family room that can now be seen from the kitchen area. What makes it extra special is that each stone was hand-picked by Christine, her children, and Rick Vaillancourt, the production manager. The gas fireplace not only looks elegant but also serves to warm the space in the colder months while its’ simple wood mantle allows for a variety of decorating options for holidays and all four seasons. “Our old family room was hardly ever used. Now it is one of our favorite gathering spots,” Christine remarks.
In addition, the oak floors were sanded and stained to give it a deep rich look, which complements the countertops and the new cabinetry, giving the entire space a warmer feel. In the living room, built-ins were added to both sides of the fireplace to pull the rooms together and to add storage space for the television, stereo system and the kids’ games.
The overall goal was to provide a peaceful feeling in the new spaces, making them feel connected while allowing them to stand alone. Now, the family room, kitchen, dining and living room are all unique spaces which flow together beautifully and have the warmth and country elegance the family wanted. Mission accomplished and wishes granted.
"It really is spectacular. The new space manages to be warm and inviting, but the use of such gorgeous materials and wonderful craftsmanship really gives it an incredibly luxurious feel as well. We are so pleased."
— Chris, November 2006
Photography by: Susan Teare Photography |
