Historic Home, ADU, and Garage Whole Property remodel
Project Overview
MAK's Project Strategy
This home has been in the owner's family for more than three generations! In the time that has passed since its initial construction in the 1920s, the needs of the family have changed but their love for the property has not. With this emotional investment, the homeowners came to MAK in the hope that they could transform their historic lot into a home that meets their current needs and wishes. The property includes a main house, a back cottage, and a detached garage, MAK remodeled portions of all three structures throughout the project.
This project was so large it was divided into phases. In Phase 1, MAK focused on remodeling the back cottage and garage while the homeowners lived in the main house. During construction for Phase 1, the main house’s updates were in design. By the time Phase 2 was ready for production the homeowners were able to move into their newly renovated cottage for the entirety of the construction on the main house. During Phase 2, MAK replaced all the original windows of the house, remodeled 3 of their bathrooms, redesigned their kitchen, and added a laundry nook. The result is a home that retains its original charm but is much more functional and comfortable to live in!
It was a pleasure working with MAK Design + Build on the extensive remodel and renovation of our 1926 home, cottage and garage. They listened to our needs and guided us through every phase of this complex project. High quality and meticulous work was completed on time. Staying on schedule during a pandemic exemplified their extra measure of professionalism. Without exception, every MAK Design + Build individual who worked on this project was polite, respectful, acessible, and a highly skilled professional. Truly a five star plus team.
KATHY & BOB C.
2020
REMODELEDGALLERY
Phase 1
Cottage & Garage Renovation
The back cottage and detached garage were the priorities of Phase 1. The cramped cottage was needed to be reworked to transform it into a place the family could comfortably host guests and enjoy. The detached brick garage required a few key changes to make it more useful and structurally sound. MAK reframed the structure, added a side door, and put up drywall to make it a finished space. The biggest challenge was that since both the cottage and the garage were such old structures when assessed it was found that both foundations were insecure and needed to be addressed. MAK wanted to keep as much of the existing building’s charm and brick as possible so the team engineered a way to lift the structures off the ground for a week so that MAK could remove and replace both foundations then remodel what remained. Both structures were lifted and in the air for over a week. Amazingly, very little of the original brick was lost and MAK’s masonry subcontractor was able to replace the few bricks that the walls shed so that when the project was done the remodeled structures looked nearly identical to the original exteriors.
The back cottage was reconfigured and reframed to create a more efficient floor plan that all fit within the original footprint. The homeowners wanted this to be a space that could host their children and grandchildren when they came and visited as well as a comfortable place to live while the main house was under remodel in Phase 2. They wanted the space to feel open and airy, despite the 367 square-foot footprint. To make the cottage more livable, they wanted a kitchen that included space for a dishwasher, full-sized oven, and stovetop, as well as a place to do laundry in the unit. With smart design choices in the kitchen and a small stacking washer dryer set nestled behind a blue farm door, the MAK designers were able to deliver on all of these wishes. The remodeled space is a delightful retreat - so much so the homeowners say that their guests now argue over who gets to stay in it during visits!
Phase 2
Main House Remodel
The primary goal of Phase 2 was to keep the building intact and highlight the original charm while also marrying it with the modern fixtures and materials that needed to be added to make the home functional and efficient.
MAK replaced all the original steel single-pane windows with custom new dual pane windows that stayed true to the character of the original design. Aside from the window and door replacements, the original scope of the main house was to remodel the kitchen and master bathroom. As the project grew the clients realized that while their home was under construction, they wanted to update two more bathrooms and make improvements to the home to make it a safe and up to code home that their entire family (themselves, their children, and young grandchildren) could gather in, enjoy, and use safely.
MAK opened up a wall the previously divided the kitchen from the sunroom to create a more integrated space, added a laundry nook, reoriented the downstairs bathroom configuration to make the new bathroom in the existing footprint feel less cramped, and completed updated all the fixtures and finishes throughout. In every room that MAK remodeled the designers were careful to include period details like the ornate trim, red brick, and traditional style detailing to make the remodeled space feel integrated and classic. The result is a home that retains its original charm and character with all the benefits of modern amenities. In the words of the clients, “this was a home worth saving” that now has new life.
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