John and Judy* live in a three-story row home. They both commute to their city office jobs on bicycles. They bought their home when it was just the two of them. Now they have two children and a dog.
When their kids aren’t studying after grade-school classes, they are on their bicycles, playing ball or walking the dogs. All of this activity means this family now has a lot to store away in their compact, urban home. It’s a happy clutter, but this couple still wanted ideas about how to get it more organized, so books, bicycles, toys, sports equipment wouldn’t be laying around the small foyer area any more.
When we met this couple, we learned that it was difficult for them to clean the house or entertain friends with all the clutter. The bicycle wheels would mar the walls when they were brought in the front door. School books were stacked on the floor. Sports equipment filled the small front room coat closet so there was nowhere to put coats when guests came to visit. They didn’t know where to begin, but they needed help.
John and Judy originally called us saying they wanted a simple renovation of a kitchen, and, if possible, to add a first-floor powder room. It’s common for these older row homes to have only one bathroom on the second floor, which is less than ideal in a modern home.
Because we spend time with our clients and listen to how they live in their home, we were able to identify John and Judy’s needs as well as their wants. To do a great project, we realized we’d need to provide them with not only a new kitchen and powder room, but we would also need to include thoughtful solutions to the storage issues that were impacting their quality of life.
The solution? We designed for them a new, modern kitchen and powder room. We created built-in bookcases, toy-storage areas, audio-component shelving, a small liquor/bar area, sports-equipment storage close to the front door. We improved interior lighting, hard-wired audio into the new spaces, and gave them a coat closet. And we did all of this inside the existing footprint of their home. We didn’t add on any space; we just organized the space they already had so that it worked better for them.
The results? We gave them a house that helps them live a happier life.
*Names have been changed to protect our clients’ identities.