It's in the Details

With selection of trim for doors and windows, the character of the house begins to take shape.  In order to stay true to the original details of the house, tall baseboards and simple trim around windows were called for.  To dress up the main room – the original part of the house – crown molding would be applied.  A modified version of this detail will be repeated around the kitchen exhaust fan hood and adjoining shelves as well as the fireplace mantle.

Window Trim Mock Up

Selecting Crown Molding

Fireplace Mantle Detail

The house was abuzz with activity as trim carpenters went about their work.  Windows and doors were trimmed, crown molding was applied to the main rooms and the staircase began to take shape.

Finishing the South Window

French Doors are Framed

West Bedroom Windows

Transom in West Bathroom

Relocated Antique Fretwork Window

Simple Base Trim is Applied

Following the simple lines of the house and the design of the fireplace surround, stairs were trimmed and construction of the stair railing began. 

Determining the Layout

Trim Detail

Planning the Newel Post Configuration

Newel Post Construction

Planning the Rail Configuration

Stairway Leading Up

View of Staircase from Upstairs

With the kitchen located in the front of the house, the hood surround in the kitchen is a major design component.  Glass shelves, suspended by steel rods flank the hood on both sides.  In order to support the weight of the shelves, a structural steel support is concealed in the upper shelf.  This is hidden by the crown molding detail.

Steel Provides Support for Shelves

Crown Molding is Added

Corbels Add Elegance

Completed Hood Trim

Using the reclaimed fir from the floor of the old house on the ceiling upstairs makes an interesting transition from old to new.  Imperfections exist even though the planks were re-milled.  Once whitewashed, these little flaws will add texture and interest to the vaulted ceiling.

Spacers Being Removed from Between Planks

Finished Plank Ceiling

View of Plank Ceiling through Fretwork Window from Master Bath Interior

The old front door that was so prized by Ray Calabrese had been taken off site for restoration.  It needed a lot of work.  Parts of the applied carved detail were missing and, over the years, holes had been drilled to accommodate various locks and door hardware.  Its edges were battered and layers of paint obscured delicate carving.  Now it was back home, refreshed and ready to resume its rightful place.

Restored Front Entry Door

Doors and Floors

The new north wing of the house has a relatively long hallway with main floor bedrooms, a guest bathroom, and laundry room opening off this hall. While the openness of the stairwell helped to keep this part of the house from feeling confining, the hallway needed dressing up.

To achieve cross-ventilation and help cool old buildings, many homes and commercial buildings had operating transoms above doors. The high ceilings in the new addition made it possible to add working transoms above the interior doors opening off the hall as well as en-suite bathroom doors. The result was amazing. It brought more light into the hallways and added charm and period character to the new addition.

Transom Above Interior Doors

With the doors hung and transoms installed, work began on the floors.  3 ½ inch hickory planks were delivered and distributed throughout the house to acclimate.  The fir floor boards that were reclaimed from the old house were re-milled and will be used on the ceiling upstairs.

Hickory Plank Flooring

Reclaimed Fir Floor Boards

Moving Inside

With most of the work completed on the exterior it was exciting to see activity indoors.  It began with the application of a spray foam insulation that provides a thermal barrier making the house more energy efficient.  This was covered with a loose-fill cellulose insulation providing even more thermal resistance.  Specific walls including the media room and bedrooms got additional soundproofing treatment.

Walls are "Red Lined" for Soundproofing

Texture is Applied

The texture of the walls is meant to resemble old plaster.  The finish was applied by hand, smoothing the walls until there were only a few voids remaining.  A thorough sanding and it is ready for paint.

Great Room Fireplace and TV Cabinet

Master Bath Medicine Cabinets