A 1920 Tudor-style house in Riverview was the perfect fit for this family. The lower part of the house was dark brown brick and the upper was stucco with wall battens. The interior was bright with natural sunlight beaming through the windows. They saw the size of the rooms and the spaciousness and realized the house had the potential to be “family friendly,” which is what they were looking for. They needed a larger space and they knew they wanted to be in Riverview. The house was purchased and plans were made for a full renovation.
Rob Vannoy of Graham Vannoy Builders and Josh Cooper of JCC Design Studio were enlisted as builder and architect, respectively, to take on the project of gutting and recreating the 84-year-old house to fit the client’s vision.
When entering the home, guests are now treated to a grand foyer that stretches to a rear back porch. In the center of the foyer hangs an iron chandelier and the original staircase constructed of white oak treads and ornamental iron railing with brass capping.
Inside, the floor plan has been dramatically altered to add comfortable living spaces including a kitchen, breakfast room, and sunroom complete with dining, seating, and kitchen service areas.
In the main kitchen, patterned tiles decorate the recessed wall above the range, continuing the neutral color scheme of the home. The cabinetry is a mix between gray and taupe, while limestone countertops and a tile backsplash accent this stunning room. The under mounted sink is custom made. A center island has a black walnut countertop and built-in refrigerators and dishwasher. Over the island are two antique hanging lantern light fixtures that were salvaged from an old church and retrofitted from gas to electric.
Adjoining the kitchen is a quaint breakfast room. An English pub table has white French provincial style benches with rush seats on either side. “Time flies” could be the name of a whimsical corner floor clock, built like a birdhouse with wings on either side as if it were going to fly away. The floor has the room’s original green and brown tile.
The neutral color scheme with green accents is presented in this lovely dining room. A federal double pedestal table has empire style chairs covered in a green and ivory checkered fabric at either end. Six side chairs around the table are covered in a light green linen fabric with decorative floral embroidered banding at the hem. The original wood wainscotting in the dining room has been restored and painted a refreshing white, while the upper half of the walls are adorned with green trellis pattered wallpaper. The center of the two facing side walls has floor to ceiling molding flanked by engaged, fluted columns. On one wall the columns frame a window and on the other wall an antique buffet rests with an arched mirror and wall scones above. The home’s original corner cabinets with gold diamond shaped mullions round out the room.
In the middle of this spectacular home, a spacious living room extends from the front of the house to the rear. Soft colored walls accentuate an already calm and serene area. Neutral walls set off white molding on the upper and lower walls; the upper walls with egg and dart molding. At the far end of the room a khaki and white striped sofa and two Queen Anne style arm chairs surround a coffee table. The fireplace is one of two original to the house. It was converted back to a wood burning fireplace and has a new gray and white marble surround and hearth. Grouped around the fireplace is a sofa and two armchairs both with beige linen upholstery. The armchairs have a blond wood frame with turned bobbin supports. In keeping with the room’s neutral color scheme, beige sisal area rugs are used throughout.
At the opposite end of the home an exterior porch was converted to a sunroom complete with sitting, dining, and kitchen areas. French doors replaced the pocket doors and the footprint of the porch was extended. White brick walls, travertine flooring, windows, and a door to the outside pool were added to make the space more functional and open up views to the pool. Placement of windows and doors flood this comfortable space in light and appear as a lantern illuminating the pool area at night.
In the dining area of the sunroom, a beautiful heirloom trestle table rests tastefully in this quaint space. Over the table is a round iron chandelier with burlap wrapping around four central supports. The seating area’s furnishings mirror the sunroom’s feel: cheery and relaxed, with some unusual pieces mixed in. A glass top coffee table is made from an old wooden shipping crate, and on either side of the sofa are old wooden fish crates converted into tables with glass tops.
The master suite was carefully restructured from a series of existing spaces to provide his and her closets and a spacious bedroom with a sitting area. The sitting area is furnished with a sofa and two club chairs covered in a blue and white checked fabric that coordinates with the soft blue wall color. A sleigh bed is covered in white linens with a central gold embroidered monogram.
The bathroom was enlarged outward to encompass what was an old second floor porch. Now, the lower walls and floors are gray and white marble with a center design of tile woven in tones of gray. A beautiful double vanity with white cabinetry and a gray and white marble backsplash accentuate the room, while a spacious corner walk-in glass shower and soaking tub provide even more style.