, ,

Tangletown: Before & After

, ,

CHALLENGE Historic photos of this Craftsman bungalow, originally built in 1924, revealed a design flaw that existed from the beginning. The steps from the sidewalk were unfortunately aligned with a view of the side porch, rather than an approach to the front door. Sometime in the 1950′s, the original pillars and railings were almost entirely replaced by wrought iron panels, window sills chopped off, and beveled cedar siding covered with asbestos shingles.

SOLUTION The new stairs borrow the scale and details of the original porch railing and add curb appeal. The transformation required skilled carpenters to replace rotten boards, restore window sills, improve ventilation, and restore the structural stability of the porch roof.

'AFTER' PHOTOGRAPHY © Dan Achatz, 2008

Click here for more photos. 

A House Isn't a House...

...without a mouse.

Remodeling is always thought of as an opportunity to fix what is broken and make your house work better for you, but it can also be an opportunity to do something unique - just because you want to.

One of my recent clients had a special request. She always loved the children's book Loudmouse by Richard Wilbur, and wanted to pay homage by creating a little house for the imaginary mouse. At first, she worried that we would all think she was crazy. Instead, the whole crew jumped right on board. Our lead carpenter found the perfect visible-but-not-too-prominent location below the original "draft box" (refrigerator) and created a little shadow box and portal.

Although a real mouse will (hopefully) never take up residence there, we have already spotted more than a few smiles.

PHOTOGRAPHY  copyright Dale Lang, 2009

, ,

Queen Anne: Before & After

, ,

CHALLENGE  Revive the original charm and warmth of this historic Craftsman interior. Design a comfortable kitchen for a family of five within an existing narrow maze of circulation.

SOLUTION  The paint was stripped from the original millwork, and the perfect period-appropriate paint color was chosen for the plaster. A functional arrangement of appliances and ample workspace – all found within the existing walls – by simply eliminating one door.

'AFTER' PHOTOGRAPHY  © Dale Lang, 2008

Click here for more photos.