Second floor Addition removes A-Frame after numerous studies- Anacortes, WA

“After” shot of a Lakefront House (Heart Lake) in Anacortes, that once had an A-frame top.

The A-Frame had been built by the clients uncle in the 1960’s. I tried every conceivable way to do an addition to increase the useable space.

The first idea was just to pop out one side of the A-frame to be able to get a full staircase in to access the upper loft, which just had a ladder up to access.

Staircases take up so much room!

So then, I extended the pop-out to add more useable room in the living room.

But that looked kinda weird and they decided no.

So finally after much pacing not he cost to do the pop-out, it was cheaper to tear off the whole A-Frame and build a place that has more useable room.

This was a better use of the 2nd floor that allowed for. more light to bath the space, instead of being under a huge roof that sloped down tot eh floor.

It is just finishing up construction, as you can see from al of the ladders and equip. still scattered around, but I wanted to see how it was turning out.

The exposed beams go from one side of the house to the other, in a nice shed simple roof.

I really like the rusted corrugated metal siding that they wound up using- kudos to a no maintenance siding that never needs paint! It is called “Corten Steel”, if you ever want to specify it for your house. It comes shiny metal and rusts very quickly over time, to a finish that stops rusting once the surface is coated. It does not keep rusting.

MADE IT TO A PROGRAM COVER!

Skagit Island Counties Builders Association! This was the kitchen that I did for my neighbor in Anacortes! The Contractor was “True Bearing Built”- my 3rd project with them- great contractor to work with!

KITCHEN & BATH MAKE-OVER IN ANACORTES, WA.

This was a challenging existing space with many 45 degree angles. I was determined to get rid of the 45 angles in the cabinets and not ditto them as the previous design had done.

Kitchen “AFTER” uses rift cut Oak Cabinets from “Smith & Vallee” in Bow, WA. Photo Credit- Damian Vines Photography.

The Kitchen “BEFORE” had angled cabinets everywhere and a refrigerator that took center stage. We moved the stove to the peninsula, moved the refrig. and kept the sink where it was.

The Kitchen “BEFORE” had a weird corner area to the right of the refrig. with more angled cabinets, even in places where the wall did not angle.

Kitchen “After” backsplash detail is glass mosaics that go well with the Quartzite counters. The gas stove was supposed to have a pop-up downdraft, but there was a structural member in the way so had to go with an over-head fan. New doors go out to the deck, where there once was a picture window.

AFTER- New Master Bathroom utilizes that existing space much better then the old design with flanking storage cabinets.

AFTER- The backlit Vanity Mirror really floats off the wall and adds good light at the same time.

The Master Shower ”AFTER” features a pre-fab shower base, a bench under the shower head, glass tiles (from Home Depot, no less) and a glass enclosure. The free-standing tub replaces a huge tub deck that took up most of the bathroom before. This is very light and airy.

Master Bath BEFORE had 2 sinks, an enclosed shower.

Master Bath BEFORE with huge tub deck. Very dated looking and not a good use of space.

CONTRACTOR = TRUE BEARING BUILT CONSTRUCTION (This is my 4th kitchen/bath job with them- they really keep the clients informed on weekly progress with reports that are very helpful)

FIDALGO ISLAND KITCHEN REMODEL FOR ARTIST COUPLE

It is my honor to be able to work with Josh Williamson of TRUE BEARING BUILT CONSTRUCTION on another project! The clients are both amazing artists and the centerpiece of the kitchen was all about the La Cornue Periwinkle Blue 110 Range and matching Hood.

https://www.truebearingbuilt.com/portfolio-items/fidalgo-island-remodel/

ARCHITECT: Island Architecture

CABINETS: Smith and Vallee Cabinet Makers

COUNTERTOPS: Creative Surfaces

PHOTOGRAPHY: Damian Vines

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This is a fully re-visioned kitchen space that is hardly recognizable as compared to the old layout. Some bold moves make all the difference! The former location of the refrigerator was turned into a butler’s pantry, allowing the workflow to be rearranged for better functionality.

A new lighting plan with dimmable LED cans and undercabinet task lighting provides a warm ambiance, greatly improving functionality throughout the kitchen. Dramatic floating shelves add definition to the space, and the countertop and tile finishes complement the warmth of the wood finishes.

The project was made possible by a collaboration between Smith and Vallee Cabinet Makers and Island Architecture. Together, they tied the client’s love of art and design by adding pops of color and unique hardware to the project.

The wrap around corner floating shelves were quite the challenge to install, but with the help of the Artist, who is a wood worker, it was a collaborative vision that came to be.

The upper counter continues as a shelf that runs in back of the sink and into the lowered window sill to become a place of distinction for future art and plants to occupy.

The window was enlarged and the sill dropped. The clients have a huge art collection that they plan on displaying and I can’t wait to get some more shots with all their collection up and displayed! It will be a transformation of this Zen look, for sure. All the up-lighting above the cabinets is for art!!!! Can’t wait to see…..

Here is a photo of that amazing stove during construction- the photographer did not get a shot of this side of the kitchen for a good after shot, sorry! Love the color!!!!

This is the kitchen before. Dark Cherry cabinets with the stove in the back and heavy upper cabinets- we punched out a wall and added a window back where the old pantry was and expanded the kitchen back to gain counter space.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen Before- see how the window sill was high and cut off view to the garden?

Here is the shot I was looking for of the finished stove side!!!!!! Art is starting to bubble in….

Roof Modeling- Gabled Dormer of Cupola?

This is a house in the Skyline neighborhood of Anacortes that has a simple gabled roof with no articulation. The owners want to give it some character and I am trying out various options in my 3D model of the house.

Another view from the side of the single gabled dormer.

Here is the Cupola Idea.

Here it is from the front- which one would you vote is best?

BLUE STOVE ALERT- It's all about the cooking altar!

The original CornuFé range, this 43" range is the center of a new kitchen that I designed for 2 artists in Anacortes. The “Periwinkle Blue” really pops out against the Rift Cut Oak cabinets- the floor is still masked off- more photos of when it is complete to follow!!!

The original CornuFé range, this 43" range is your first La Cornue love. It’s available in sixteen colors and

3 trim accent choices of Polished Brass, Satin Chrome and Polished Chrome. The CornuFé 110 features two

electric convection ovens, one of which is a seven mode multifunction oven, the other an electric convection

oven, five powerful gas burners and one large storage drawer.

Can’t wait to see it all done!

New stairway idea for Victorian in Cap Sante

My client called me a “Genius” on this one! Always nice to get that kind of compliment!

This is the same house that I did the last blog post for the interior remodel and now the owner wants to tackle the tiny staircase that has 9” treads (the part that you put your foot on- so 11” treads are standard today). The only way to get the stairway to work is to punch out the side of the structure towards the driveway (this is my 13th option on how to solve this, so went through a lot of ideas to get to this point). This still allows to park cars, and does not touch the ground- cantilvered off the side. So then I don’t have to do a “Stormwater Plan” yipee!

The stair punch out from the side

Here is a 3D model shot of the interior- there is a closet above that we donlt want to touch, so that is the main restriction.

Another view of the model to see how it is working.

Here is the house as it is now.

This is looking up into the existing stairway.

Existing stair

Right now, you open the front door and walk directly into this stair and it is tight. The new stair will turn the other direction and leave more space in the entry. You will be looking at the side of the staircase when you walk in. Much better Feng Shui! All the energy of the house will not be pulled out the front door!

The big question is why the top of the stairway has a lowered ceiling that comes down? That has to be demoed out for this to work. Also, those balusters take up space and there is only 2’6” clearance between the balusters and the wall. People were smaller in 1905! The interior doors are all 24” wide! I am going to come up with a plan to re-use the balusters somehow in other places….to be continued:-)

Thinking that the new punch out should be in a different material to contrast with the existing shingles. There is a philosophy in Historic Preservation (and I do have a Masters in Historic Preservation from Columbia University in New York) that any additions should be evident as being new. This HArdi Plank Lap Siding in “Beavertail Brown” would blend in with the existing old weathered shingles and yet give a nice detail- what do you think?

Also the “Shou Sugi Ban”, almost black could look very handsome…..any votes?