We recently helped a client in Illinois remodel their 60's home on a wonderful pastoral lot with a winding stream, bridge, rolling meadows and forests. The house was divided into small confined rooms and did not allow the lot to be seen from the primary living areas. Our clients love to entertain and have a lot of visiting family (as the following letter describes) and were feeling very stifled by their disfunctional, constricted floor plan. We designed a remodel of about 2/3 of the main floor, moving the center stair to an outside wall and opening up the home to a large central kitchen, a light and windowed nook addition, and a cozy hearth room, all with beautiful views of their beloved stream and woods. The design also opens these rooms to a formal dining room, a bar and art display area, and provides a large opening into the beautiful wood panelled living room with its spectacular 5' x 8' stained glass art window.
Last week we received the following wonderful e-mail from our Client.
Hi Karen,
The remodel has gone through a very rigorous trial by fire since we had no time to study how to use the ovens, microwave, steamer, or dishwasher before all were in full use with minimal help of instruction booklets.
The floor was completed Dec. 22, we had full access to the house Dec. 23 and the first of 4 parties with 31 guests was Dec. 25. Most boxes had been unpacked,but others dotted rooms here and there. We had multiple chefs working in the kitchen at the same time. It was FABULOUS! Nobody got in each other's way. The two islands and sinks and ovens facilitated everything. The prep sink has a small foot pedal for a hands free faucet which made it easy to quickly rinse or wash hands during food preparation. That was Mom's birthday gift to me. The plumber could only find large commercial ones, but I went on line and found a small residential foot pedal - a suggestion from one of the many kitchen magazines I had been studying. It's very functional.
Within one week we had 4 parties feeding a total of 80 people!
Lawre's and my hearts sang seeing the children perched on their stools and absorbed in projects at one of the islands on Christmas morning. You can see Grandma's tapestry fit the dining room wall perfectly. There are return air ducts at the top behind it so Ed mounted it on a board to give the ducts a few inches to work properly. And what a joy to see the stained glass window from the kitchen.
I wish I had stepped back to take a photo of how both islands functioned at Xmas.
Below is a photo of our annual craft tea party Dec. 26 for the children. After the children and adults made and ate their own pizzas, my brother, Tom, taught the children an origami lesson. They all gravitated to the nook.
Unfortunately I didn't take any photos of the Thank You party with 21 guests who helped with the house. There was a big hole without you, but your name was mentioned many times. After everyone arrived we went around the room to describe how each person had contributed, starting with Kathleen who was the catalyst for the whole thing and how Bill counseled me day by day as questions arose. And of course you, and your design for the whole thing.
Finally the last great kitchen party - New Year's Eve with mom, brothers and spouses.
The morning after:
Kathleen loved, loved, loved the display cabinet you designed. The railing selection is perfect! The walls behind will be art walls - yet to be hung.
We traded in the 46" tv in for a 55" tv to fill the space better. And you were right. We needed and use the mantle.
So thank you, Karen. Lawre and I just love your work. It has made a big difference in our lives. Every single person who has seen the kitchen area just loves it including all the workmen from the plumbers to the duct cleaners, the Woodmode cabinet person and our builder. They all comment that they have never seen a kitchen like this one. Our family and guests who help with food preparation finds it a wonderful space to work in, efficient and easy and beautiful. And best of all it's a happy home. Our kitchen area rings with laughter and hums with conversation. Nothing can top that!
Love,
Terri
Thank you Terri and Lawre! Your letter perfectly explains why we love what we do. Enjoy your new home!
