PROJECT DESCRIPTION - PINNACLE SOLUTION - TESTIMONIAL

Project Description :
East Comes West

The Client Story

Having been born and raised in Eastern Canada, our client’s had a desire to closely replicate a ‘Cape Cod’ look to their tired and dated two storey home in the desirable Willow Park area. Renovating in order to stay in this established neighborhood presented many benefits including friends within walking distance, stately mature trees, and as avid golfers the proximity to Willow Park Golf course also made this project a win-win proposition.

This couple sought out the Pinnacle Group because of a referral from a close friend whose home Pinnacle had recently renovated (once again in Willow Park). Conducting an initial discussion and subsequent feasibility study, Pinnacle covered the areas of architectural theme, budget parameters and specific needs and wishes; once understood, an agreement was made to move forward with Pinnacle’s ‘Design-Discovery’ process.

Assessing the needs, desires and lifestyle issues of this client included giving careful consideration to their stage in life which was nearing an ‘empty-nest’ scenario. Needs like a main-floor laundry, large mud room area, an ample walk-in closet were some of the needs and issues discussed. They also felt very confined in their dated kitchen; outside of the formal dining area, there was very little room in the nook area simply to have a few guests over for a visit and refreshments. Pinnacle’s assessment included such ‘wish-list’ items as significant exterior design changes, estate-level appliance package, steam shower, substantial ensuite closet & dressing room, balustrade and stairway changes, front entry door updates….and so on.

The Pinnacle Solution

Bringing in a local architectural-design firm along with Pinnacle’s interior designer, the process of incorporating our client’s needs and wishes began. Capturing the square footage required for the new main floor laundry, sizeable walk-in pantry, kitchen and South-facing ‘Morning-room’, Pinnacle designed an 8’-0” extension to be added along the back of the home, complete with an over-sized set of solid-fir garden doors, leading to a future patio and courtyard area.

The reconfiguration brought the kitchen to a more central position of the house and gave the couple significantly more kitchen space than they had before. The new design now allowed for a walk-in pantry, gorgeous two toned maple cabinetry and a large single-level island incorporating a 3-person eating bar area.

With the primary sink now on the 8’-0” long island including skylight above, comfortable conversation now flows freely while preparing a meal or refreshment with those seated at the eating bar; as well as those seated around the ‘Morning-room’ table. The wall-mounted LCD TV now fully visible from the island sink now makes meal preparation a pleasant experience; time spent in the kitchen is now more than just to cook; it’s become a natural gathering place. The crowning touches include dramatic double-edged granite counters, broken-tile mosaic backsplash, halogen puck lighting in the display cabinets and halogen undercabinet task lighting.

Rounding out this stunning kitchen area is an appliance package worthy of mention. The package included a 48” Subzero fridge, 36” Thermador cooktop, double wall ovens and microwave along with a Meile dishwasher. The kitchen is then embellished with a wine-prep hutch area including a 24” Marvel wine cooler, undermount oval bar sink complimented with a long-necked bar faucet.

Ramping up the elegance of the main floor, as well as incorporating ‘forward-thinking’ design involved several key items. The large mud-room now accessed from the garage, leads to an elegant powder room complete with pedestal sink, then a wonderful walk-in rear door closet, and finally a generous laundry room complete with a Meile laundry pair with counter’s-over, laundry sink and upper cabinets.

Several items were incorporated which added significantly to the level of gracious estate living. All newly renovated areas received the same oak hardwood as the balance of the main floor with the stain matched to the existing flooring; as well an ‘estate’ baseboard, casing, door and lockset package was added to the balance of the home.

Stepping into the front foyer, the inviting visuals include a fabulous new wrought-iron balustrade, oak clad stairway complete with carpet runner, and an arched and recessed art niche complete with halogen puck lighting. The rich color palette creates an invitation to explore further; you’re invited up the stunning staircase by a peculiar wash of light; gazing upwards you notice a double skylight completely bathing the once dark and dreary upper hall and stairway in a wash of natural light.

The upper floor including 4 bedrooms, a main bath and ensuite were reconfigured to give way to a fabulous ensuite and dressing room area. The first step was to diminish the once gangly main bath to a more pleasing scale; the newly captured space now provided the footprint for a fabulous walk-in closet & dressing room. The ensuite space was enlarged by marginally decreasing the large master bedroom giving the necessary space required for the stunning new spa-like retreat. An enclosed water-closet, a generous soaker tub surrounded by striking tile embellishments, large walk-in steam shower, radiant in-floor heat, a substantial granite-topped vanity, and finally a wonderful walk-in dressing room complete with closet organizer package, round out this master bedroom sanctuary.

From the exterior you’re immediately drawn to the front entrance by a winding exposed aggregate walkway to a grand pair of white columns planted on a circular concrete step. The stately columns support an overhead portico, which is graced with wrought iron rail circumventing the upper radius. A custom, oversized 42” wide oak front entry door greets homeowner and guests alike; the underside of the portico is finished in a carefully stain-matched oak to compliment the entry door.

Affectionately labeled the ‘White-House’ by passers-by, several design-specific items bring the Eastern ‘Cape-Cod’ look to this once tired western exterior. The dramatic carriage house garage doors, the clean and crisp sight lines accentuated by the horizontal 5” ‘James Hardie’ siding, new contrasting roofing and strategically placed keystones above the window battens add the final touch to a stunning all-inclusive Willow Park makeover.

Working with this client was an enjoyable experience for Pinnacle for several reasons worthy of mention. The ability to transform the exterior and interior (of what’s almost become an ‘inner-city’ neighborhood), adding enjoyable living space for the homeowner while enhancing the overall street appeal was a very gratifying endeavor. In addition, our client’s keen interest in every step of the transformation process stemming from being raised in a family involved in home-building in Eastern Canada, created a truly unique client-builder partnership.