The Steiner’s 1961 split level home presented several design opportunities: to furnish each of their three girls with a personal bedroom, to modernize and revitalize a dark and dated kitchen area and to provide the Steiners with a modern, private master suite. In order to create additional bedrooms for the girls while staying within the existing footprint, the existing master suite was moved downstairs to a space formerly used as an office. The former master bedroom became a new bedroom for one of the girls, and bathrooms were updated.

For the new kitchen, walls were removed and an island added. Removing the walls dramatically redefined the space, filling it with light and life and allowing a full appreciation of the exposed ceiling beams. Rich black honed granite countertops contrast with stylishly retro subway tiles to create a crisp look, enhanced by locally built and finished white Purebond cabinets. The dining room remained in its original spot and a bar was added for casual eating.

Since the existing downstairs sliding doors served as an all-purpose entrance, we recognized a design opportunity to add order and convenience to day-to-day life. The sliding door was eliminated and entrances consolidated to one in the front. By taking advantage of a height differential between the first floor and the front entrance and by a slight ductwork change, shoe cubbies, bookshelves, and a mail sorting area were added to the first floor entrance to deal with the realities of active family life.

The new master suite was only part of a full reinventing of the downstairs space. By reassigning household mechanical elements to the crawlspace, an upgraded laundry, reconfigured office and TV room were added in addition to a full master bath with separate soaking tub and walk in shower.

The efficiency of the home was enhanced through the replacement of all window sashes with double-paned Low E insulated panes and Icynene spray foam insulation was used in all new areas. Low flow fixtures, Energy Star appliances, and Marmoleum floors were among some of the green features that were added.