How One Couple Molded a House Full of History Into Their Own Legacy.
Building a Legacy
a House Full of History
Built in 1917, this historic home has been a staple in the neighborhood for over 103 years. Our couple fell in love with it’s historic beauty and charm after moving in from out of state due to a job relocation. With 1,960 square feet, 3 bedrooms, and 2 small bathrooms, this home was almost perfect. The young couple wanted comfortable space to house out of town family and because the 2nd floor bathroom was small and crowded, they sought to take their extra large bedroom and turn it into a true master suite. This would not only increase the property value within their glowing neighborhood, but would also offer convenience and comfort for the couple especially when it came to visiting family members or even a future addition to their family.
The family’s needs and desires
1.Reduce morning friction:
With an existing bathroom that was entirely too small to accommodate two people at once, utilizing the space was challenging
2.Reduce the chill:
An old home faces challenges with cold spots. Thus the cold floors were necessary to address for the new bathroom.
3.Better utilize the space:
With frequent out of town visitors, better utilizing the space was a must.
4.Freedom to relax:
To have the freedom to relax and spread out within their existing space.
5.Balance between spaces:
A new bathroom meant a smaller bedroom, bringing the need for balance between the two spaces.
6.Address the unused fireplace:
The unused fireplace and mantle needed to be addressed in order to make better use of the space.
7.Useful outlets:
Due to the age of the home, outlets were inconveniently placed and inadequate for the room.
8.Reduce Strain:
The existing space only had one light source so this would need to be addressed within the new bathroom.
The Old Floor Plan:
The challenge was to add the floor plan of the bathroom to the existing bedroom without expanding the space. For this reason, finding balance between the two rooms was imperative.
The New Floor Plan:
Careful consideration was taken to plan the new layout of this space, challenging the design team to come up with the perfect balance between bathroom and bedroom size. This 110 square foot bathroom was created to accommodate a large, 24.5 square foot walk-in shower and double vanity.
Addressing the Needs of the Family:
Reduce Morning Friction: The addition of a double vanity with ample counter space, an extra large shower with dual shower heads, and a toilet carefully placed within a nook on the other side of the room vastly improved the flow to allow for two people to function without friction.
Reduce the Chill: New insulation was installed on all exterior walls to improve overall energy efficiency and reduce the chill that comes with an older home. Underfloor heat was added in the new bathroom for further warmth, convenience, and a touch of luxury.
Better Utilize the Space: Having an additional bathroom meant more privacy for the couple when family comes in from out of town, and also allows those family members to use their own space freely.
Freedom to Relax: The new bathroom features two sinks with dedicated task lighting for each, enough storage for two, and a shower large enough to comfortably spread out when shaving legs, relaxing, or simply getting ready for the day.
Balance Between Spaces: The new floor plan perfectly divided existing space between bedroom and bathroom. The existing footprint was 292 sq. ft. The bathroom was carefully planned at 110 sq. ft. leaving 182 sq. ft. for the bedroom.
Address the Unused Fire Place: While the fireplace needed to stay for structural reasons, the design team was able to creatively utilize the space with a nook on one side for the toilet and a bench within the shower on the other. This allowed for both of the original windows to remain in order to maintain the natural light.
Useful Outlets: The age of the house meant awkwardly placed outlets that were few and far between. To improve this, electricity was run through the backsplash of the vanity to allow for the use of multiple devices at once from a convenient location.
Reduce Strain: To reduce eye strain and improve mood, creating more lighting was imperative. An LED can light was added in the shower, and each sink has its own individual task lighting above.
The existing footprint of the master bedroom remained the same, but a perfectly planned and positioned floor plan allowed for a true master suite transformation. The new en-suite master bathroom is equipped with a custom tile shower, double sinks, underfloor heat, and plenty of additional storage. The bathroom addition successfully added value to the family’s existing home while addressing their immediate pain points and needs.
