Jane's Home: September 2010

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

After: Plantation Shutters

When Jane and Van initially began planning this renovation, they seriously considered keeping the existing window treatments in the living and dining room (you can see these formal curtains here) and music room (you can view the old wood blinds here). As the project scope expanded with each day, it became apparent that the living and dining rooms' once elegant statement-making curtains would look a little dowdy and dated in their madeover home, so off they came. After thinking over the options, they decided to install three inch, solid wood plantation shutters on all of the first floor windows throughout the house (with the exception of the windows in the fabulous new sunroom/kitchen) for a beautiful and uniform look. The results are striking.

First are a few photos of the shutter installation in progress. The first is taken from the living room looking towards the foyer (as a reference, check out this before shot from about the same place!), and the second from in front of the secretary seen in the first photo.

Second are a few photographs taken after the installation was completed. The first photo is taken from the foyer looking into the living room.

Next is a photo from the stairs looking into the front hall closet and into the dining room.

And last is a photo of the music room. Again, what a contrast to the before look!

Renovation Overview

1. Overhaul of Kitchen, Breakfast Room and Sunroom - several walls will be taken down, and these areas will all be combined into one big, open room. The kitchen will feature granite countertops, wood floors, wood cabinets, recessed and undermount lighting, a custom hutch with interior LED lighting, a marble backsplash, and stainless commercial grade appliances. The sunroom will receive all new exterior windows and doors and a heated travertine floor.

2. New Paint Throughout - the entire interior of the house will be repainted -- ceilings, walls, doors, and closets. Prior to this massive paint job, all of the old wallpaper will come down, and the plaster walls will be patched as needed.

3. Refinished Hardwood Floors Throughout - all of the wood floors in the house will be sanded and stained.

4. New Powder Room - the old front hall closet and kitchen pantry will be combined to make a powder room. The powder room will be accessed off of the front hall through a new doorway.

5. New Air Conditioning and Heating Zone for the Upstairs - the second floor of the house will receive its own air and heat separate from that of the first floor. New insulation will be blown into the attic.

6. Plantation Shutters - All existing window coverings throughout the house will be removed. With the exception of the new sunroom, all windows on the first floor will be fitted with custom three inch plantation shutters.

7. Carport Attic Upgrades - The attic above the carport will receive heat and air, will get a new dormer and entrance, and will see its former entrance converted into a decorative Juliet balcony.

8. Sound System - speakers will be built into ceilings and walls throughout the house. A central audio/visual closet will control everything.

9. Fire and Burglary Alarm - The house will be wired to ensure its residents' safety and the security of their possessions.

10. Chandeliers Cleaned and Re-Wired - The house's handful of crystal chandeliers will all be removed, cleaned, and rewired.