Houzz Tour: 1947 Colonial-Style Home Updated and Expanded
Architects renovate an Ohio home for modern family living while preserving exterior details and scale
A complete remodel and addition of nearly 2,000 square feet gave this 1947 Colonial-style home a boost into the 21st century. Located in Chagrin Falls, a historic village in the Cleveland suburbs, the family home was transformed by architect George Clemens and Jordan Construction into a modern farmhouse with preserved historic details. The homeowners used Houzz ideabooks to collect inspiration photos while working with Clemens on the redesign.
Previously, the home’s first floor had two small bedrooms that shared a bathroom, and there was one small bedroom on the second floor with its own bathroom. “The homeowners had a huge amount of input into the program, which we discussed from the first meeting,” Clemens says. “I developed the architectural vision to create the first-floor master, vaulted and open kitchen addition, new mudroom area and garage, and expansion of a one-bedroom second floor into a three-bedroom, two-bath second floor with bonus room,” Clemens says.
Previously, the home’s first floor had two small bedrooms that shared a bathroom, and there was one small bedroom on the second floor with its own bathroom. “The homeowners had a huge amount of input into the program, which we discussed from the first meeting,” Clemens says. “I developed the architectural vision to create the first-floor master, vaulted and open kitchen addition, new mudroom area and garage, and expansion of a one-bedroom second floor into a three-bedroom, two-bath second floor with bonus room,” Clemens says.
Before: The house was in good shape, but the owners wanted to add space and do some updating. The architects and construction crew renovated the Cape Cod Colonial-style home to avoid tearing it down. In front, they wanted to make a bigger presence by enhancing the porch and accommodating new second-floor space.
After: The team added a long front porch and metal-roofed dormers. “Reuse of the original stone veneer on the front facade and maintaining the same roof line as the original home preserved the scale in the neighborhood,” Clemens says. “We married the new elements with the existing Cape Cod Colonial aesthetic using a new front porch, dormers and colors to update the look. Inside, we created a clean, open, transitional vibe.”
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The home’s entry is in the original location but was redone. “Even though the entry space is part of the existing footprint, we completely reconfigured the space to allow for a grand stair to the second floor,” Clemens says. “The previous staircase was a narrow stair hidden behind a door.”
The kitchen got a big makeover. The architects needed to add space on the second floor but didn’t want that to affect raising the ceiling in the kitchen. They managed to do both and the result is a showstopping new kitchen with a soaring ceiling that reaches 15 feet high.
“We needed to add a very large addition to this Cape Cod-style postwar house, but we fiercely defended the space above the kitchen addition to allow for the expansive, vaulted centerpiece of the first floor,” Clemens says. “Vaulted space gives relief to the 8-foot ceilings that existed in the home.” The kitchen island and wood ceiling beams are stained alder.
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“We needed to add a very large addition to this Cape Cod-style postwar house, but we fiercely defended the space above the kitchen addition to allow for the expansive, vaulted centerpiece of the first floor,” Clemens says. “Vaulted space gives relief to the 8-foot ceilings that existed in the home.” The kitchen island and wood ceiling beams are stained alder.
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Before: Though functional, the kitchen hadn’t been updated since the house was built.
After: The whole kitchen was opened up and new larger windows and a smaller window near the ceiling peak were added. Black modern industrial sconces purchased on Houzz and a modern linear chandelier over the island help brighten the space. “We prioritized connectivity and flow, natural light and views of the beautiful rear yard,” Clemens says.
Countertops: HanStone Quartz in Montauk; cabinet paint: Salty Dog, Sherwin-Williams; wall paint: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams; windows: Marvin
Countertops: HanStone Quartz in Montauk; cabinet paint: Salty Dog, Sherwin-Williams; wall paint: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams; windows: Marvin
The homeowners chose the tile, countertops and cabinet colors in the kitchen, Clemens says. “We detailed the cabinets and hood and sculpted the space,” he says. The wood range hood shroud was custom-made to fit around a stainless steel hood inside.
“Storage was critical, and a walk-in pantry provides generous storage space in lieu of upper cabinetry,” Clemens says. “We prioritized openness, windows and view over upper cabinets.” The pantry can be seen behind the open sliding barn door.
“Storage was critical, and a walk-in pantry provides generous storage space in lieu of upper cabinetry,” Clemens says. “We prioritized openness, windows and view over upper cabinets.” The pantry can be seen behind the open sliding barn door.
The homeowners particularly love the kitchen and the wife especially loves the pantry. “She has an appliance ledge in the pantry and she loves the option of just ‘closing the barn door’ to hide the appliances,” Clemens says. The small cabinet doors at counter level are a pass-through the homeowners use to access items in the pantry without having to enter it.
Before: Here’s the plan for the home’s first floor before the renovation.
After: In the new floor plan, the areas outlined in gray are part of the addition.
The architects added a breakfast nook that fits neatly between the kitchen and family room. Its wraparound built-in wood bench and rustic table complement the new classic-looking millwork.
A bar area is conveniently located between the main kitchen space and the dining area. The spot is equipped with a wine cooler, beverage refrigerator and built-in wine bottle holder. The blue cabinetry corresponds with the rest of the kitchen, but the picket-shaped backsplash tile and wood counter make the space visually distinct. The opening on the left leads to the family room.
Backsplash tile: Highball Sidecar Gloss, Astoria collection, Sonoma Tilemakers
Backsplash tile: Highball Sidecar Gloss, Astoria collection, Sonoma Tilemakers
Before: The stone-lined fireplace and log storage niches took up an entire corner of the previous living room.
After: This is a view of the family room from the dining room. There’s plenty of comfortable seating to enjoy the fireplace and television, both on a crisp new white shiplap wall. The room gets abundant light through large windows that the workers painted black to match the new windows in the addition areas.
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Before: The previous living areas had nice large windows but didn’t have the open-concept layout the owners wanted.
After: Here’s another view of the renovated family room. The architects opened up the space and included a cutout wall that looks into the breakfast nook to add to the sense of airiness.
This view encompassing part of the kitchen nook, dining area and family room shows how the finishes, furnishings, engineered oak flooring and classic millwork meld together in a crisp design.
This is the library, located just off the home’s entry. It’s in the space that was formerly the dining room. The team equipped it with plenty of storage, shelves and lighting.
The addition also includes this side entry, adjacent to a new garage. A door with a sidelight lets plenty of natural light into the mudroom, which features a tile floor, built-in cabinetry and an industrial-style pendant light.
The mudroom has built-in cubbies, cabinets and hooks for holding shoes and outerwear. The door on the right leads to a new powder room.
Here’s a look at the home’s side entry from outside, adjacent to the renovated original garage on the left and the new one-car garage on the right. The modern farmhouse style is evident in the sharp white siding and column, black garage doors and window trim and black-finish wall light.
Before: This is the previous garage, which the architects spruced up and adjusted to accommodate a new bedroom above it.
After: Here are the old (left) and new garages after the renovation. “The asphalt shingle roof was completely replaced and we added a cupola over the existing garage,” Clemens says. “We added a dormer to provide better space for a bedroom over the garage, which was previously an unused attic.” The children’s play room sits above the new garage.
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Who lives here: A couple and their three school-age children
Location: Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Size: 4,673 square feet (434 square meters); four bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
Architect: George Clemens Architecture
Builder: Jordan Construction