Forest Hills, New York
Project Overview
Trusting our meticulous attention to detail and confidence in our ability to provide excellent service, Greg from GHD Designs referred us to clients who had faced a previous challenging renovation. From the outset, the architect, designer, and I worked together to understand and execute the clients vision merging 2 townhouse structures into one home.
Unique Element
The combination of the two homes required strict adherence to fire safety codes; we installed a roll-down gate with hidden mechanisms that would automatically close if a fire occurred. The bespoke closets have slat walls featuring movable shelving, allowing the clients to lift drawers and shelves, unhitch them, and arrange them to suit their needs.
Custom Creations
The kitchen, featuring Cesar cabinets from GHD Design, is the central design aesthetic of the house. The cabinets are finished in a distinctive shade of green constructed with upper cabinet doors made of metal frames and clear glass. The bathroom with custom slab floors and a unique shower setup, including a floating freestanding bathtub inside a spacious shower room, is a relaxing, all-in-one space. The lower level was transformed into a multi-functional space with a gym and a lounge. Other unique features include custom invisible doors that blend seamlessly into the walls, giving the appearance of a continuous surface. We installed two integrated gas fireplaces, one framed to disappear into the wall, with a TV installed above it.
We worked hard to maintain the Tudor aesthetic for the home’s exterior while blending in new elements. This included new trim, custom fiberglass doors, awnings, and complete stucco work on the house’s front and back, including a new driveway and garage doors. In the outdoor area we installed walkable skylights in the deck, maintaining natural light flow into the basement windows.
The HVAC system was upgraded to be efficient and environmentally friendly. We added an advanced sound system that featured a centralized system controlled via smartphones. The property includes a legal rental apartment, allowing the clients to rent the apartment while still living in the main home, adding a practical element to the renovation.
In The Details
In the end, the clients were thrilled with the outcome despite previous renovation challenges. They praised us for bringing their dream renovation to life while treating their home as ours.