aia silver medal winner -From Classic to Cool

A devastating electrical fire gutted the interior of this home. Thankfully, the family was not home and the horror of losing everything became an opportunity to take a holistic approach to resolving fundamental architectural issues that plagued the home. All fixtures, finishes, and furnishings were either restored or selected by the design team at Clawson Architects in collaboration with Clawson Cabinets. The American Institute of Architecture, Newark and Suburban Chapter awarded Clawson Architects a Silver Medal for Design Excellence.

The home, while in a dense suburb, is sited high on a hill with a steep drive up from the street and into a wooded hillside. It creates a secluded oasis of natural privacy allowing for large windows with sweeping views of a woodland setting to the west, and NYC to the east. There is no need for privacy blinds. We seized on the opportunity to reframe the roof with a gable over the front primary suite and the rear family room and kitchen addition. Then, we followed the roof line with larger windows, and added sky lights in the primary suite and kitchen. This, together with the new sawtooth roofline and clerestory windows, allows natural light penetrate deeper into all the living spaces.

As you ascend the driveway, the home reveals itself. A new detached carport separates utility space from the primary residence. The front entrance foyer was relocated to the south end of the floor plan closer to the driveway. A defined walkway provides a clear path of circulation to the new formal pergola which identifies the main entry. A distinctive mid-century style door, made of white oak and flanked by ribbed glass side lights, highlights the hierarchy of the public point of arrival. The gracious width of the door coupled with the light and airy foyer evoke a sense of welcome that makes coming home a delight.

The owners were originally attracted to the setting of this 1950’s ranch home enveloped by mature trees and positioned high into a hillside with gracious views of NYC from the front of the home and park like setting in the rear. The single-story, slab on grade, ranch over the years experienced “plan sprawl”.  Additional living space was achieved by the previous owners over the years by enclosing a breezeway and then annexing garage as additional living and storage space. In doing so, the home lost scale and its organizational flow. The front door was no longer used. It was inconvenient, undistinguishable from the many patio doors that had been added. The open plan and lack of storage made every room a closet.

To organize the flow of the the home, Clawson Architects started by defining the entry and sense of arrival. Upon entering thru the new white oak doors from the exterior you are welcomed into this gracious foyer. A glimpse to the back door, and the formal dining and living room as well as the family room to the other side set you up to understand the circulation of the home.

The use of natural wood as a finish on the interiors became a way of connecting the indoors and outdoors.  Custom vertical wood paneling mirrors the surrounding forest, while deftly hiding closets and storage. Beyond the foyer is the generously sized walk-in closet hidden behind pocket doors, family mudroom, and a powder room. The glass back door (not shown) provides a glimpse and access into the fenced rear play yard.

A back door offers a more casual mudroom entry and the conveniently located powder room just inside the back door is the perfect location.

Below is the kitchen addition. The goal was for as much natural light as possible. This was achieved by adding onto the back and creating a vaulted ceiling with sky lights and windows that follow the slope of the roof. For more details and images of the kitchen design and custom cabinets visit Clawson Cabinets.

The Primary Suite is truly a retreat from the everyday. The corner windows that follow the new lines for the vaulted ceiling and the skylights allow nature to surround you. With ten windows and two skylights in all…spending time in this space is nothing short of a delight.

Natural light via the windows and skylights flood the space. The skylight centered over the shower provides views to the sky above making everyday a spa-like retreat.

The children’s playroom was the former dining room plus an addition. The new vaulted ceiling and space creates fun place to play and tumble or watch tv. The fun collection of pebble-shaped ottomans are easily moved around and have become a part of the creative play. To see more including before images click here.

Below, previously a breeze way, this space was enclosed by former owners to gain more space. Clawson Architects created a cozy family room with views of the city to the east and the park-like setting in the rear. A new wood burning Malm fireplace speaks to the original era of the home as does the Eames chair and orange grasshopper floor lamp. To learn more about the custom book cases and window seat by Clawson Cabinets, or to see the before pictures click here. Pocket door gives a peek of the home office with views of the city beyond.

Photos by Aimee Ryan Photography. Dining Table, Eames chair, and credenza from Salvage Style. Chairs salvaged from fire and recovered in Knoll Textiles by Ultimate Upholstery in South Orange. Rugs by Ruggable and FLOR were a perfect solution for this active family with young children and two dogs! Custom built-in bookcases and cabinets by Clawson Cabinets. Counters by Marvic Corp. Construction by Kasdan Construction Management Engineering by KSI . Art by owners. Light fixtures: wall sconces by Rejuvenation, dining room chandelier by West Elm, living room Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant by Herman Miller, Design within Reach, Foyer Crystal Dandelion Chandelier from Shades of Light. Closet interiors by PM MIller Luxury Closets.