A Chestnut Hill renovation – part two

A Chestnut Hill renovation – part two

When we last visited our Chestnut Hill project, we outlined the existing design and our plans for the renovation.  Today, we’re taking a look behind the scenes at the down and dirty details of the demolition and construction.  In between the kickoff and completing the final punch list, the middle of a project encapsulates everything that we love about design.

Chestnut Hill renovation – meeting in the middle

The middle of a renovation project is usually a client’s least favorite part and when they’re happiest to have us.  As Andrea says, “this is where the grit is.”  We get down to bare bones with demoed walls and torn up floors in order to confirm our designs and uncover anything unexpected (which of course never happens, haha).  At this point, your team – designer, architect, and general contractor – has reviewed and fine tuned structural plans and construction documentation.  It’s go time, and there are no do-overs.  We recognize the enormous amount of trust that our clients place in us, and our goal is to nail every detail.

Mapping out milestones like demo, framing, windows/doors, electrical, plumbing, and drywall not only helps us on the design side, but also gave our clients a solid idea of the process and what it takes to get from the beginning to the end.  Communication with the client is key, and a big part of our role in this phase is helping the client sort through all of these details.  The mental load for a project of this size is heavy, and our job is to shoulder the bulk of it.  That’s especially important when you walk into your home one day and see this:

 

Design details

In this project, details matter more than anything else.  One small change can trigger so many other changes.  For instance, all new wood floors throughout informed finishes for millwork, lighting, wallpaper, paint, etc.  Every element of the house is tailored to our clients’ wants and needs.  For now, we want to highlight some specific details about the design that we really love!

First floor

On the first floor, a new butler’s pantry just to the left of the front door features a cozy built in bench, and allowed us to expand the existing kitchen footprint to include the previous pantry.

A new, large window overlooks the backyard and will fill the finished space with natural light.

 

In a new addition off of the kitchen, we designed a mudroom and took special care to ensure that it blends seamlessly with the existing structure.  Custom storage will keep our clients’ gardening supplies well organized, while a built in bench provides a place to sit and remove dirty shoes and gloves.

Second floor

The second floor features the same level of detail in its millwork.  Custom cabinetry lines the dressing room, den, and even a wall at the top of the landing for linen storage. Every inch is carefully accounted for; our client even measured her clothes, bags, and shoes for the dressing room to ensure we maximized each inch of space!

 

 

In addition, the stairwell and landing have paneling to create a focal point in the center of house that is complemented by herringbone wood floors.

 

There’s even more coming that we can’t wait to share, like the transformation of the cramped hall bath to an open space with an oversized niche.  Note the soffit is gone – no small feat as it was filled with 18″ of stone.  Stay tuned!

 

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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog!