CLASSIC CRAFTSMAN UPDATE

This 1907 Craftsman style two-story family home called for a traditional Craftsman architect. Saikley Architects updated the home for resale. In this Craftsman home, we added modern design elements and amenities while retaining the home’s original charm in the layout, like the covered front porch and bungalow style, and other key details. The aim was to optimize the value of the property for a prospective buyer, within a reasonable budget.

Part of the redesign included new French doors from the kitchen and a rear bedroom opening to a bi-level deck with better views, functional outdoor living space, and easy access to the outdoors. This private high deck overlooks the garden full of mature fruit trees. To maximize the outdoor views and space, the garage has also been converted to a family room that opens to the garden.

The bathrooms and kitchen were remodeled with simple, light, classic materials and contemporary lighting fixtures. New windows and skylights flood the spaces with light. Stained wood windows and doors at the kitchen pick up on the original stained wood of the other living spaces staying true to original Craftsman style.

Wood and handicrafts were an important part of the arts & crafts movement. To stay aligned with the style of a true Craftsman home, new redwood picture molding was created for the living room where traces in the plaster suggested that picture molding had originally been. A sweet corner window seat in the living room was restored. At a downstairs bedroom we created a new plate rail and other redwood trim matching the original at the dining room. The original dining room hutch and woodwork were restored and a new mantel built for the fireplace.

As part of this Craftsman remodel we built deep shelves into space carved out of the attic next to upstairs bedrooms and added other built-ins for character and usefulness. Storage was created in nooks throughout the house. A small room off the kitchen was set up for efficient laundry and pantry space.

We provided the future owner of the house with plans showing design possibilities for expanding the house with a traditionally style Craftsman house addition, creating a master suite with upstairs roof dormers and a small addition downstairs. The proposed design offered a plan to keep consistent with a Craftsman style home, and a way to optimize the house for current use while respecting the original integrity of the house.

Photography: John Hayes, Open Homes Photography 

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