Muirfield Addition

This continues to be a wonderful ongoing project. This home was featured in Columbus Home Trends a couple of years ago after a whole house remodel done by Paul Martin Builders—and it is exquisite. The only glitch in the former renovation was the kitchen design, done by an out of town company who did not serve these clients well—at all. The kitchen appeared to be beautiful, thanks to the immense talent of Paul Martin and his crew, but after the magazine cameras went away and the clients were expected to live in it and use—the numerous faults rose to the surface.

After hearing the complaints and seeing the shortcoming, we proposed to fix the flaws once and for all. We addressed everything from formerly being required to transit through the formal Dining Room, Foyer, and Living Room before being able to access outdoor living space, to the severe shortage of needed square footage for everyday living, let alone large scale entertaining. As the client said, “I’m tired of scootching! I want no scootching!”

An addition was required. The new space that we proposed was not huge, but it was sensible and refined, and it gave the clients more than they had asked for or expected. The addition provided solutions for all requests: very needed storage space for large seasonal items such as patio furniture at ground level (with disguised double doors. See picture), much appreciated outdoor living space in the form of both a deck and screened in porch above, and a spacious kitchen dining nook that exudes fine living. Finally, the addition appeares to have been built concurrently with the existing residence.

Inside, the expanded kitchen became truly grand, and functioned as good as it looked. Every cabinet and drawer was considered, every function and occupant action was considered, and every step that the cook would have to take was considered. Basic space planning and layout refinements solved much of the previous problems, and the client is able to cook with much more enjoyment because the kitchen works with her and for her rather than against her. Multiple food storage zones have been relocated, while food preparatory zones have been organized and centralized. Counter space was maximized by providing intuitive and accessible storage for any of the items that often find themselves placed on the counter in the typical kitchen. Elbow room was opened up by relocating full height pantry cabinets away from the busy and formerly congested traffic lane behind the breakfast bar, and all traffic lanes were widened and provided with multiple entry and exit points. There was even room for a sit-down desk that functions as a true work zone.

On the other side of the house, the home’s early 80’s vintage showed itself again. The typical two-car garage left little room for additional storage. Something as simple as large contemporary sized waste cans, which are large enough to have to be stored at the head of the garage in order to get the car doors open- severely limited access through the garage. Again, another small addition was needed, but it absolutely transformed the garage.

Working within extremely limited set-backs and easements, we were able to slip a full 1 ½ garage bay in beside the existing garage by pulling the front face of the new garage bay forward of the existing garage, and angling it 17 degrees to follow the lot line. In addition, we were able to greatly improve access to the garage attic by creating a larger access stair. Use of this additional storage space is further eased by installing an electric “cargo platform” to alleviate the need to haul items up and down the staris. Now boasting a full 3 ½ bay garage, plus much improved storage and access, the clients finally have ample room for the accessories and tools of modern life.

Again, this is an ongoing project that includes other areas of the home, and we are very excited to enjoy a continuing relationship with these wonderful clients.

MUIRFIELD ADDITION

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