Focus on Design: A Townhome Transformation
Focus on Design: A Townhome Transformation
One of the best parts of the job when you’re a Realtor is getting to see tons of seriously gorgeous homes. And in Central Park, a master-planned community where the oldest houses were built a mere 25 years ago, it’s especially fascinating to see how owners make each builder model their own. So we’re doing a series of posts on design and renovations that you’ll see here on Central Park Scoop!
We’ve touched on smaller renovations, like a gorgeous powder room and an elevated and efficient laundry room. Now we’re taking a look at a much bigger project: a whole home redo. I saw this home when I met with the former owners who were looking to sell last year and I needed to know more about what went into this gorgeous remodel! So we asked the interior designer, Ashley Dancho, owner of Mud Room Living interior design firm, to share all the behind the scenes details.
What is your process as an interior designer?
I handle every project from concept to completion. I begin by drafting the as-built drawings of the space. Then I lay out various options for the client to consider, offering different pros and cons, price points and construction timelines. We then work together to revise the plans into one that works best for their needs. We present the plan with preliminary material specifications so that general contractors may submit a project estimate.
Once the GC is hired and the project is confirmed, I move into material selections. I chose the textures, colors, features and lifestyle story the owner wants their home to convey. I finalize pricing and materials, draw up all elevations for cabinets, tile, and plumbing, and create a reflected ceiling plan to locate light fixtures, ceiling features and switches.
Once the project is underway, I act as the owners’ representative and am on site for regular meetings, tracking the construction progress from demo through the final punch list. Lastly, I oversee the delivery of furnishings, art and decor to welcome clients back to their new home.
What were the overall goals of this project?
My clients were relocating from the heart of San Francisco and had previously lived in cities all over the world. This gave them a worldly appreciation for spaces with patina and history, while still appreciating contemporary details. We set out to enliven the space with texture, contrast and timeless modern finishes. The result was a meticulously finished space fitting of urban locations worldwide.
What was the secret to getting such an elevated look in the kitchen and living room?
This narrow, multi-floor townhome evokes the feeling of a historic brownstone. Exposed brick is common in this type of architecture, so it was the first and most prominent material selected to set the tone. We applied the brick and mud to the standard sheetrocked walls, ensuring we covered the window drywall returns with corner bricks to complete the 'exposed brick' look.
Next, I created rooms within the larger space, a tactic Frank Lloyd Wright was famous for. The open concept divides into a kitchen, dining and living area with creative use of cabinets, a banquette seat and living room furnishings making the space multifunctional.
It looks like the main elements and plumbing didn't move in the bathrooms, correct? If so, is that a big help as far as time and budget?
Correct. Any time you can do a “remove and replace” remodel, where your plumbing lines and locations do not move, you will save money and time. The existing bathroom layouts worked fine in this application; however, as a designer, it's not uncommon to see a better way. My job is then to show the client why a layout should be reworked and how the changes are worth the extra time and money to do so.
In the kitchen, what elements pack the biggest punch?
We didn’t want to cover the beautiful brick and aimed for a more industrial feel for the storage elements. Ceiling-mounted, powder-coated metal shelves are great for this application. Then we brought the cabinets down to the countertop in an area tucked away from the common sightline creating a great pantry space. This location, flanked by the fridge, prevented the area from feeling cumbersome and heavy and it gave my clients a significant amount of additional storage.
For anyone who loves the look—what would you tell them to keep in mind to achieve something similar?
Texture is everything and less can be so much more!
For more information on Mud Room Living, check out their website (their FAQs page is especially informative.) They work by referral only, (720) 384-6904 or mudroomliving@gmail.com. General construction for this project by Beyond Boundaries.
Interview lightly edited for space and clarity
