Our clients had recently purchased an 1800's home with a too tiny kitchen and a dated 70's indoor pool addition. They wanted to optimize and revitalize this antique home, while keeping its historic character.
Because it was not financially feasible to keep the pool, we filled it in, adding a significant amount of usable living space to the home, including guest quarters and a sunny playroom.
An addition atop the pool allowed for an expanded gourmet kitchen adjacent to the family room and a new mud entry, while improving the "look" of the rear of the house. The final layout offers an open informal space for the family to gather at the heart of the home with features and details that respect the integrity of the original antique home.
Careful attention was paid to respecting the age of the home and its details, although new materials were introduced so the client could take advantage of the latest and greatest in building materials. Maintenance free energy efficient replacement window sashes, closed cell foam insulation, composite decking materials mix with custom wood cabinetry, fir flooring and cedar roof shingles to create a harmonious blend of old and new.
Befores and Plans
To get started, let's look at some "befores" and look at what we plan to do.
Here's the pool. An indoor pool addition had been built in the 70's, but had not been properly maintained. No provisions had been made to manage humidity generated by the pool.
This excess humidity was creating problems in the home.
We explored the option of restoring the pool and installing a humidity control system in the home, but it was costly.
Our clients decide that this was not the best possible use of their remodeling budget, and made the decision to have the pool filled in and repurpose the space for mixed family use.
Before Plan Lower Level
Here's what the layout of the lower level was like. Most of the space was taken up by the pool. There were narrow steps from the upstairs which landed in a dingy laundry room.
After Plan Lower Level
Filling in the pool gave space for a playroom with adjoining flexible space that can be used as a guest suite along with an en-suite bath, or as an exercise room.
A new open staircase will lead down to the lower level mezzanine.
On this lower level, there is more closet storage, including a huge walk-in closet, a fresh appealing laundry room, and space for a future wine cellar.
Before Floor Plan, First Floor
Atop the pool was a woefully undersized kitchen, family room and a leaking deck.
The clients wanted a chef's kitchen for two: one that better integrated with the family room. They also wanted to improve the entry and have a mudroom.
Adding an addition gave us an opportunity to improve the architectural lines as well.
Here are some "before" shots of the kitchen. The only access into the house from the driveway is through the door on the right. There's no coat closet, and no place for our clients to dump their stuff as they came in the door.
There's very little counter space, too little storage, and certainly no room for two people to cook together.
The appliances dwarf the space, and the cabinets were dated.
After Floor Plan, First Floor
The kitchen will be expanded, and placed alongside the great room, allowing the two spaces to work well together.
The side entry will be relocated, allowing us to carve out some space for a mudroom and an easily accessible set of stairs to the lower level.
The mudroom will have built-ins as well as ample closets for coats.
We even found room to shoe horn in a walk-in pantry off the new kitchen.
Rear Elevation
The lower level guest room and en-suite bath layout necessitated eliminating the two sliding doors on this face of the pool addition.
We popped in a couple of windows and filled in the grade. This allowed us to create a way to get from the deck to the lower level's walk out patio.
A new staircase was added and descends from the deck to a flagstone walkway on top of the filled in space near the guest bedroom windows. From here, new flagstone steps lead to the walk out patio.
Here you can see the old shed and gable additions atop the pool addition, and the sliders that we will need to take out in order to install the guest bedroom windows.
The shed dormer was over the kitchen, and the gable roof over the family room.
Here is the area that we will be filling in so that we can make a pathway from the upper deck to the lower patio.
Reworking the roof lines meant removing the old awkwardly placed balcony seen in this photos which was accessed from the upstairs hall.
The old door and window were replaced with an arched window that features a period correct, Gothic arched grill pattern. The new window will be aligned with the existing shed dormer above to improve symmetry and balance.
Left Elevation
The side entry was relocated to allow for a new mudroom, and finished off with a landing and roof above.
We will be replacing all the sashes with energy efficient versions. This will allow us to retain all the original moldings inside and out, as well as keeping "the historic look" of the home.
Right Elevation
The pool originally had a series of five extra tall sliders that opened to a sunken patio.
Two, previously mentioned, were on the right end and were eliminated where we popped in two windows for the guest bedroom.
The remaining 8' sliders were replaced with standard height sliders, with detailing to make them look like they have always been that way.
Here are those extra tall sliders.
Construction Begins
Here's the pool - Ready to go!
We removed one of the sliders so that we could get the machine in to break up the pool.
The machine just fits through the opening.
A hydraulic hammer was used to break up the pool.
We had to break it up because if we didn't then if the water table rose, the pool would rise up as well.
Starting to break up the pool surface.
You can see the dirt underneath as the base is broken up.
Once the base was broken up, fill dirt was added.
Gravel was added on top of the fill dirt as a base for concrete.
Rebar was drilled into the sides. This ensured that the concrete would not drop after it was poured and time passed.
Now the pool is completely filled in.
After the concrete gelled we used a power trowel to smooth the surface. This puts a proper finish on it.
After we had a solid working floor, demolition of the ceiling began.
Doing it in this order was so much easier and more efficient than trying to manipulate ladders over a 10' deep uneven pool floor.
As we demoed the ceiling, we discovered extensive black lumber and rot.
A Professional Engineer was called in to evaluate the structure and make recommendations for our clients.
While we waited for his recommendations, we framed a floor atop the concrete in order to be able to insulate the space and have somewhere to run the ducts and pipes.
Since the ceilings were 12' to 16' high, it wasn't like we needed the extra height.
Where we've taken the sliders out, temporary walls were required to hold up the ceiling.
Typically sliders and doors are raised up a few inches from the grade outside, so that you "step down" when you step out through them.
In this pool addition they had been built flush to the patio. We built them up with concrete block to preclude future water incursion.
So that the facade would look more original, we filled in the top of the openings with masonry to provide for more standard height slider openings.
Here's where the guest bedroom windows will go.
Note that the concrete block has a "brick pattern' so it will look like painted brick rather than concrete block when it is done.
After the wall was built it was waterproofed.
Then, as a "belt and suspenders" practice, plastic was added over the waterproofing.
We'll do everything we can to keep the house watertight!
This area was backfilled, and then we reset the old flagstone, creating a new walkway to the backyard.
The mason is making the steps from the back patio to the side. These will be faced with flagstone.
The steps are complete.
And then a wrought iron rail was added.
Here we are digging a trench so that we can run the electrical and propane lines for the generator.
A big hole was needed to bury 1000 gallon underground propane tank.
Lowering the tank into place.
Positioning it exactly.
Now it's in place.
Man and machine work together to cover up the propane tank.
A concrete pad was poured to provide a stable base for the generator.
Here's the generator in place. It's settled in and the flowers are blooming. Note how they match the Generac logo!
More importantly, this generator is big enough to run the whole house, so power outages will be a "non-event" for the clients.
Once the masonry work was complete, demolition of the family room began.
The engineer's recommendations included replacing the whole ceiling at the deck end of the pool addition, and sistering up a lot of joists nearer the original house.
Here a joist is sistered up where the original one was rotten.
This is where the addition connected to the house. There was extensive rot here as well.
Demolition is complete. Here we are looking into the kitchen.
We were able to retain the ceiling and outside wall of the great room, although we had to remove the entire roof structure.
Here the ceiling of the lower level (aka the floor of the kitchen) has been removed for replacement. This gives you a bird's eye view of the ducts running across the floor on the lower level.
Rotten structural material removed. The lower level is open to the sky.
Here's the material we are going to use to reframe the damaged areas and restore their integrity.
The whole ceiling of the lower level was replaced.
Here you can see the ring beam circling the perimeter.
Peeking inside, on the lower level, gives you a view of the newly raised interior walls.
With structural work out the way, the sub floor went down in the kitchen.
Then work was able to start up again in the lower level. Here the insulator gets ready to spray closed cell foam in the floor.
Closed cell foam was used for two reasons. First, since fiberglass insulation would have absorbed the moisture created by the concrete floor's temperature differential with the room, and to avoid having a "cold" floor, typical of a concrete room.
He will return after rough mechanicals are complete to spray insulation in the walls.
Now the floor is down, and interior walls are laid out, framing materials are in place, and we are getting ready to frame the interior walls.
Work on the lower level HVAC is underway.
The interior walls are going up; here is the door to the guest quarters.
HVAC ductwork is being installed the wall on the right, with the mechanical room straight ahead.
The clever layout of the space eliminated the need for unsightly soffits to disguise the steel I beams that traversed the ceiling without reducing the ceiling height.
Here's the guest room with its windows cued up for installation.
This is where the steps that descend from the mudroom to the lower level will go.
Back on top at the addition, the new perimeter kitchen wall is up.
With everything open, it was important to keep it dry and night. Massive tarps did the trick.
Underneath the tarp, the interior walls for the kitchen and great room are taking shape. Here is a shot looking from kitchen to great room.
On the left we'll have the pass through. Between the two walls, cabinetry.
Here the walls of the addition are framed, and insulation is installed that will provide cushioning for the EPDM roof above it.
Here the insulation is being installed, and you can see the deck posts which are in place.
The ceiling joists are on the great room. It's starting to look like a house again! The deck has been trimmed out, with the EPDM roof complete.
The new sliders are being installed in the openings on the lower level.
Upstairs, in the great room and kitchen, the walls have been framed. Here you can see the recess for the TV in the great room. The controls will be housed in a cabinet in the kitchen, keeping it sleek and simple on the great room side.
In the kitchen, the bay window and window seat have been framed.
In the middle where the island will be located you can see where the plumbing has been roughed, ready for the island sink.
Here's the mudroom, and the relocated door to the outside and the covered porch.
The roof has been covered with builder's felt and awaits cedar shingles, matching this detail on the antique home.
Ice and water shield is applied first, directly on top of the plywood. This provides a watertight surface. Then on top of that, there is cedar breather which allows air movement under the shakes, and allows them a longer life.
Cedar shakes are being installed.
The new sunroom doors with side lites are installed.
Siding is installed.
Now the siding is done.
Back on the lower level, the walls are being sprayed with closed cell foam.
Here's a closeup shot!
This is what the walls look like after the spray foam is complete.
The tile installer is creating a "mud" (concrete) base in the shower for the shower tile.
Once framing is complete, and rough mechanicals and insulation are done, sheetrock begins.
Here's the pass through after sheetrocking.
After sheetrock is finished, tile installation begins in the lower level playroom.
Of course, it is important for the tile to be installed straight. A string is run to make sure that it stays straight across the room, and great care is taken positioning it.
Here is the completed tile floor.
Steps down to the lower level have been installed. A hand rail will be installed on the right, but is not there yet.
Rosin paper covers the floor in the lower level ready for paint.
Painting is underway. The floors have been carefully covered to protect them.
And here is a very bright yellow for the laundry room.
Cabinets are being installed, and await finishing details and counters.
Counters are installed.
Here is the finished pass through.
The mudroom floor has been tiled.
The counters are installed, but covered so that they don't get damaged while the finishing details are completed.
The appliances have been installed and it's starting to come together.
The backsplash has been completed. It looks classic, with a little pattern to it, giving it some interest, without being "in your face".
The window seat has been trimmed out.
More painting.
On the outside, the deck with its rails.
Here's the outside of the kitchen. The window seat is within this bay window with its cedar roof.
Trex has been used on the steps.
Sunroom doors are done.
Here are the new steps off the back deck going down to the backyard, with Trex decking.
The lower level steps have been completed and painting is underway.
Here's a modern floating vanity for the bathroom.
The shower is now complete.
Floating shelves adjacent to the shower will be very convenient for towels and baskets of toiletries.
Now it's time to finish the hardwood. You can see the squares of stained floor samples at the end of the island used to select the final flooring color.
From the mudroom, you can see the floor finishers at work.
Here they are screening the floor.
While much of the flooring work can be done with a big machine, the edges are done by hand. Good quality prep work is essential for good results with the final finish coats.
The finished hardwood in the great room, appropriately looks great!
The finished floor in the kitchen and great room with the sun making patterns on it.
Here's the finished window seat.
The island features butcher block recessed into the counter and a farm sink.
Here's a shot of the mudroom floor.
The steps down to the mezzanine with the new handrail.
A stone landing makes the stairs more interesting than they would have been if they were "all wood".
Here, at the base of the stairs, the combination of wood and stone looks great.
A final challenge was to replace over fifty windows with new energy efficient versions while preserving the various original case moldings found in the different additions that had been built over 150 years ago.
Rather than doing full replacements, we replaced just the sashes.
Simulated divided lite grills were ultimately chosen and look historically appropriate for this new England classic.
After Photos
Looking at the house from the backyard, you can see the addition we built atop the former indoor pool addition.
The kitchen is on the right side. On the left, the great room. Below the kitchen and great room is the lower level where the pool was located. It's been replaced by the guest bedroom, playroom and en-suite bath.
Attention was paid to bringing the pool addition back in line architecturally with the rest of the home. Squaring off the addition allowed for a “ski slope” roof line to replace the former gable and shed dormer.
You can see on the lower level where we filled in the grade and popped in a couple of windows for the guest suite. A new staircase was added from the upper deck that leads down to a slate pathway. Now there's easy access to the backyard and the lower level spaces both the great room.
The new covered side entry porch leads into the new mud room.
By relocating the side entry, we were able to carve out some space for this mudroom area, and fit in an easily accessible set of stairs to the lower level.
The new covered mud entry on the side is just steps from the driveway and detached garage. The stone flooring will hold up to years of muddy shoes and snow covered boots. The custom built in storage bench and shelves keep gloves, scarves and the like organized and within reach.
Building on clues from the original styling led to a kitchen and mudroom that is a felicitous pairing of old and new. The cabinetry and trims, with an abundance of traditional detailing, molding and pilasters, feel fresh and classic at the same time.
Custom furniture style details are found throughout the kitchen in arched toe valances, beaded side panels, decorative corbels at the island and the mantle style hood.
Even the placement of the required electrical outlets at the island was carefully considered. They are neatly integrated into the corner posts.
Contemporary lighting fixtures, whimsical window coverings, (on order) and pops of color make this classic kitchen feel fashion forward in an antique home.
Oversized Calacatta gold subway tile for the backsplash offset the honed black stone used on the counters.
A charming window seat allows for casual family meals while the island stools lend themselves to quick snacks.
Classic inset style white painted cabinetry was chosen for its neutrality and broad appeal.
A large built-in cutting board was cut into the island top next to the sink and directly over the pullout trash bin to make rinsing and chopping of vegetables a breeze.
This large pass through between the kitchen and family room serves as bar, buffet and homework spot away from the island and kitchen table.
On the family room side, a couple of stools provide an ideal homework station.
By matching existing fir floors and mimicking existing moldings, the new section blends seamlessly with the old original areas of the home. The addition of a large dog has aided in aging the new floors to blend in further with the original flooring.
And here's the family room. It's a much warmer space now that we have insulated the walls and ceiling and replaced the windows. Lighting changes make it feel more cozy.
On this side you have a good view of the new addition, the deck and other improvements to the lower level that were made.
Perhaps, the best feature of the interior reconfiguration is the location and design of the new stairs that go from the mudroom to the lower level. The elimination of the awkward dark stairs and fear of bumping your head makes an inviting entrance to the lower level.
As a bonus, the fact that the client's children can come and go from the side entry without needing to pass through the main living areas will help keep the peace in the house.
As you go down the stairs, there's a lower mezzanine, with storage, and room for a future wine closet.
Here's the lower level playroom. In the distance you can see the guest quarters. Any sign of the former pool is gone from sight.
The repurposed lower level adds quality space to the home; dark dank spaces have been replaced with open, bright rooms full of custom features not often found in antique homes.
The lower level is a flex space, and can be used in limitless ways. The owners opted to tile the lower level playroom floor as they envisioned their young son using the space to ride his bicycle indoors. It will work just as well as an exercise room or as a family room.
The guest quarters are bright and sunny, with an en-suite bathroom. The French doors will allow this space to act as a future office or work-out room should future owners not wish for another bedroom.
The new bath, with its' contemporary design, feels like a day spa.
The en-suite bath was purposely designed in a contemporary style and boasts a huge shower to enjoy after taking a turn in the sauna.
Our clients initially had reservations about the challenge of mixing in contemporary details and finishes, but are ecstatic with the balance that was achieved between classic and fresh touches.
Here's the new and bright laundry area. We had removed a duct that ran across the window, replaced the window, and relocated the stairs that came down into this room, so it is much larger and sunnier now.
Even the former laundry room received a fresh update. The tile floor replaced dingy carpet. A bright yellow wall and one wall of blackboard paint makes this space a pleasant one in which to spend time while doing laundry. The original door that led to the former pool space now accesses a bonus space that will act as storage and wine cellar.
The clients are thrilled with the new space.
Any doubts our clients once had in eliminating the pool have long dissipated as the new living space offers something for everyone.
They are thrilled with how the spaces flow seamlessly together, both inside and out.
They find it reminds them of past homes they have loved, and so they feel right at home here, as if they have been here all along.
