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Here are two of our award
winning projects.
 
photos by John Cleave
Contractor of the Year Winner 1995
Best Interior Renovation
 | Brief Explanation of the Project (including scope and price) - The challenge of
this project was to transform a fully buried basement into an inviting, luxurious
extension of the rest of the house, that also contained informal space for a child's
playroom. The approximate cost of the project was $155,000. |
| Contractor's Goal - Our main goal was to generate a solution that would not only
develop "spaces" to accommodate a growing family, but would also take advantage
of our client's fascination with arches, columns, and curves. |
| Unusual Constraints - The existing unfinished basement was without windows and
therefore quite dark. It also featured a lot of low hanging mechanical and plumbing lines,
and haphazardly placed structural elements created challenges of their own.
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| Creative Solutions - A series of classically detailed arched openings, vaulted
halls, and curved |
| Light was also a critical element to creating an inviting atmosphere. More than
sixty lights were installed, including recessed lighting for general lighting and various
types of accent lights. |
| Finally, the finishes were selected to create a luxurious retreat for our clients
and their friends. A gas fireplace with a granite hearth and surround add warmth to the
entertainment area. Custom maple cabinets, with a light finish and rounded end panels,
beveled glass cabinet doors and granite countertops create the elegant feel needed to
complete the transformation. |
| Key Products Used (Brand Names) - Custom maple cabinets, Lightolier light
fixtures, Kohler plumbing fixtures, granite countertops. |
| Results - The end result is a subterranean extension of the house with the
elegance for entertaining, as well as the informal, family space required by growing
children. |
Contractor of the Year Winner 1995
Best Kitchen Renovation
| Background: When prospective clients recently came to us, they were looking for
more than just a kitchen renovation; they needed a complete overhaul for their favorite
room in the house. The existing kitchen lacked light, efficiency, and character. Our task
was to create a "state of the art" kitchen, with all the components of a gourmet
kitchen, which complimented the sense of style and personality already present in their
craftsman style house. |
| Solutions: Our first assignment was to import light. Of the four walls of the
kitchen, three were interior walls. The only exterior wall was also the only wall
available for wall cabinets. Three skylights were installed over the heart of the kitchen,
providing a flood of natural light by day and artificial light by night (with the help of
track lights inside the skylight wells). Halogen under-cabinet lights and "pin
hole" recessed light fixtures were installed to add task lighting as required. In
addition, a 5' 0" wide French door was installed in the dining area for supplementary
lighting. |
| Character and efficiency were difficult to combine. Character was inspired by our
client's collection of "mission" style furniture. Taking our cue from an antique
armoire in the living room, we selected quarter sawn oak, and hand blown antique glass, as
the feature materials for the space. |
| Each cabinet was custom made from quarter sawn oak. All of the wood material was
finished with a custom blend of stain and catalyzed lacquer to compliment the
"Stickley" furnishings in the rest of the house. The display cabinets were
constructed with antique glass panes, imported from Germany, a perfect setting for their
glassware. |
| The requirements for a gourmet kitchen were also addressed. Each cabinet was
designed for a specific task - spice racks of varying sizes, oversized canning pots and
pans, specialized storage for food preparation equipment, etc. To compliment their cooking
abilities and sophisticated palette, commercial grade appliances including a range, ovens,
hood, and dishwasher were installed. A separate preparation area was also designed to
allow an eager husband to participate in the cooking. |
| To meld their aesthetic requirements with the functional needs, colorful granite
countertops were installed. Each slab was carefully chosen, insuring that each piece of
granite complimented the custom stain of the cabinets and the finishes of the furniture in
the dining room. |
| Benefits: The final products is an extremely efficient kitchen, more than
doubling the amount of storage and counter area; providing our clients with the space to
cook a simple dinner for three and a occasional eleven course meal. Moreover, it
successfully combines the aspects of a "state of the art" kitchen, with the
personality and tastes of our clients, to create a unique "work of art".
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Major Products:
| Custom Cabinetry: T.W. Murdock Company - Tim Murdock. |
| Granite & Marble: Stone Craft. |
| Appliances: Subzero refrigerator, Miele dishwasher, Viking commercial grade
range, Dacor convection oven. |
| Custom Window: Weather Shield windows and French door. |
| Skylights: Velux. |
| Plumbing Fixtures: Blanco, Delta, |
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