What’s the best way to get through a successful kitchen renovation? Be prepared, be realistic and, most importantly, be sure to read the JWH Survival Guide! As we impart to our clients, “It’s all part of the countdown to your fabulous new JWH Kitchen!” Read the JWH Survival Guide>
What's New
Investing in a Kitchen Remodel
01-23-12
JWH is well-known for designing kitchen renovations that retain their value by staying true to the architecture of the home, while still accommodating the lifestyle needs of the homeowners. See JWH featured in the recent 2011 Kitchen & Bath Buyer’s Guide, NY SPACES >
Amazing Transformations by JWH
01-16-12
Nothing can replace the joy of hearing how a client’s home life has been transformed by our work — and industry recognition ranks a close second. See our feature in the recent “2011 Amazing Transformations” Issue of East Coast Home + Design (click and turn to page 78).
Cottages & Gardens, Kitchen Issue
01-11-12
CT Cottage and Gardens’ January Kitchen issue: great photos, resources and tips from JWH (and other local design experts.)
Rye Kitchen Revealed!
11-23-11
Do you remember this project we featured on our blog a few weeks ago? It’s barely recognizable from its earlier photos! Minimizing the impact of the renovation on the family, we were able to have the kitchen up and running within 5 1/2 weeks, leaving week 6 to wrap up the final touches, such as finding the perfect pendant light and barstools (courtesy of Crate & Barrel). The final touch should arrive any day now — a custom magnetic bulletin board. We pulled the blue from the piping of the custom window seat cushions for the frame and used a cream colored board for a kid friendly hub of family notes and information.
In the adjoining living room, we installed gas starters in the 100 year-old fireplace and replaced its dated brick surround with a gorgeous non-combustible marble. We kept the beautiful architectural mantel and breathed new life into it with a coat of fresh color. Maintaining the home’s beautiful architectural elements while being sensitive to what’s needed for the family was the key to protecting the value of this home and building confidence with the homeowners. As it often happens, an ongoing relationship blossomed once the homeowners saw the result and experienced firsthand how easy it was — so watch our blog for more before/afters from this family!
In the Works: A Total Home Renovation
11-20-11
We’re in the midst of a complete home renovation for a family in Old Greenwich, CT that recently purchased a home within walking distance to town and the beach. Besides the ideal location, the home itself is situated on an enviable corner lotinside a classic shoreline neighborhood — absolutely gorgeous. However, despite its beautiful surroundings, the home itself was outdated and not the right fit for the family’s needs. It’s been such a pleasure working with this family to fully transform this cramped split ranch into a shingle styled custom home spanning 8000 square feet over three levels, each room with a unique purpose customized to the family’s lifestyle.
How the Project Began
The homeowner was referred to JWH and contacted us before hiring an architect. As a result, our conversations evolved from cabinetry to big picture brainstorming — and our role quickly changed to that of a general contractor. Once the architect was hired, the homeowner felt more confident in communicating their vision for the home and were actually able to sit back and enjoy the process while JWH managed the details of electrical, plumbing, painting, fabrics and furniture. Besides their peace of mind, we saved the client countless hours; consistently keeping each project to schedule and on budget.
Current Status
The outdated split ranch is currently in the process of being transformed into a grand home full of graceful curves, custom moulding and specialty windows. Below, you’ll see a few pictures from the framing and sheetrocking stages, as well as the computer rendering of the kitchen design. We are anxiously awaiting December 1 when the kitchen cabinets are delivered and this computer rendering comes to life.
Keep following our blog for the stunning reveal!
FRAMING
AFTER SHEETROCK
Free Kitchen Design Winner Announced
11-01-11
A Greenwich, CT homeowner’s dream has become reality — she’s won a free JWH Kitchen Design! Keep watching our blog for updates during this exciting renovation project. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of you that entered; it was such a pleasure reading your enthusiastic responses and sharing in your excitement over our new website.
Our winner, the mother of 4 young children, spends nearly 75% of her at-home time in the kitchen since her family loves to cook and entertain. That’s her “before” kitchen pictured below — cramped and a hindrance to their current lifestyle. For years she’s dreamed about the ease and convenience of a more modern layout, which would combine the dining room and kitchen to create a large and functional yet family-friendly space.
We can’t wait to start making this kitchen dream a reality. We’ll start with the design, streamlining the process from start to finish and minimizing the impact of the renovation on the family as much as possible. Join us online and track our progress as we post the designs and ideas for this project on our blog throughout the coming weeks.
Please continue to use our new website to save examples of your favorite designs and start planning your dream project — and at any point, join us in the JWH showroom in Rye and let us share our ideas for your dream project.
The “Before” …
Watch our blog in the coming weeks for the stunning “After !”
We are launched!
07-27-11
Check out our new JWH Website for a chance to win a FREE Kitchen Design (or other room with cabinetry): layout, elevations and 3-dimension persective views. Value: $2500
Click “Log In”, enter your email and pick a password. Good luck!
In the Works: 6-Week Family Kitchen Redo
07-25-11
This Rye family purchased this home only one year ago. Reminiscent of 70’s decorating style, the homeowner’s goal is to bring the house to the present, room by room. They hired JWH to design and renovate their Master Bathroom. As soon as this project was completed, and they could start/end each day in their luxurious space, they felt brave enough (and excited) to start the Kitchen.
The most important part is the design stage of the project: balancing the traditional architectural features of the home, while utilizing the latest appliances, cabinetry and materials. The final choices for this Kitchen: JWH Custom Cabinetry, inset with concealed hinges; stainless steel Viking appliances; porcelain floor with radiant heat; concrete countertop on the Island and “Classic White” granite on the perimeter.
Here’s a look at the progress during the first few weeks of construction. We are now at the finish line and we can’t wait to photograph the result of this dramatic 6-week renovation!
The Day Before Demolition
This is the original Kitchen design, which had ample light streaming through the windows but lack of heat in winter and air conditioning in the summer, making it an uncomfortable space for the homeowner and her young kids. The inefficient design (and ill-placed island) did not allow for ease of movement throughout the room or comfortable entertaining. Expanding the footprint was not an option, and minimizing the impact of construction was our goal.
Weeks 1 and 2
Demolition in an old house always reveals “surprises” so we make sure we are all prepared. Exposing as much of the space as possible allows us to correct the framing, level the ceilings and floors, bring the wiring up to code, and make sure the space is ready for the new work.
Adding air conditioning to the first floor, will not only add comfort to the house but tremendous resale value.
Installing electrical radiant heat ensures that the new stone floor will be comfortable when barefoot.
And replacing the old cast iron radiator with a sleek wall-mounted Runtal increases the heat output in the space without taking up valuable floor space.
Week 3
We are getting ready for the finishes. The new taller bay window for seating is installed; we will build in extra storage in the space below.
The radiant heat floor is operating (and tested) before we start skim-coating the floor and installing the tile. These fabulous porcelain stone tiles were a “find”—great look, great price. The larger size set in a staggered pattern adds visual space to the Kitchen and will be a perfect backdrop for the white cabinetry.
Clean-up, inside and outside, is part of the daily routine by JWH.
Next Steps
Walls were sheetrocked and primed; trim installed to match the rest of the house, and the cabinetry arrived in Week 4. Countertops, backsplash and final painting were completed in Week 5. The new Kitchen is cleaned and our Clients are cooking in Week 6. Final photos of this great “Before” and “After” project by JWH to follow soon!
Almost ready to Launch!
07-18-11
Our new JWH website is almost ready to go! Stay tuned for the official launch.