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ENGLISH COTTAGE MAKEOVER
Atherton, California
Before An English cottage dating back over 100 years was situated on a narrow deep lot.
Client Needs Much as they loved the house, the owner needed more space and wanted to build an entirely new home, keep the English cottage style, and get the new plans approved, despite the stringent building code.
Approach Building code requirements on an entirely new structure would have made for an unfunctional house. We decided instead to demolish everything except the living room, a strategy that turned the project into a major remodel that was subject to less restrictive code requirements. We would match the new style to existing, so that from the outside the home would look the same as before.
After The new home remodeled around the living room we left standing is a delightful remake of the original it replaced. Only now, there was significantly more living space. We doubled the footprint of the original house from 1200 square feet to 2400 square feet.
Inside are specialty features such as a wood burning stove in the bedroom built in to look like an old-fashioned fireplace, and also in the bedroom a master bath suite with a "his and hers" section, complete with roman bath. Outside, details such as a steep, rounded roof structure, all true-divided light windows, copper dormers and romantic back garden with pool and cabaña create the feeling of gracious country living in a traditional English setting.
Benefits to the client People regularly approach the owner with offers to buy the house. Desirability has raised the home’s value considerably. |
