A finished kitchen! by Phillip Jefferson

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This North Raleigh kitchen renovation was a full redesign of an existing kitchen space.  The kitchen needed a more functional layout.  It wanted a new look that would capture the lifestyle of the family and provide a more efficient space for cooking, entertaining and as the heart of the house, serve as a space that could be used throughout the day.  The exterior shell remained unchanged, however, new windows and full lite glass doors were inserted.  The full kitchen space was demolitioned, which allowed for a new kitchen layout to be explored.  Cabinets flank the north and south walls.  New full height storage cabinets with built-in oven and microwave were placed on the south wall and an appliance nook bookends the north wall.  The existing range is relocated on the north wall surrounded by new casement windows and ceramic tile to allow for more uniform natural reflective light to enter the space.  A large casement window opens as a pass thru for the existing deck on the south. 

A new island became the feature of this space, with a stainless-steel farm sink inserted, this new island is placed along the east/west axis to allow for open efficient movement through the space.  The island is designed to accommodate meals and entertaining.  It will comfortably seat seven people with additional space to meet the needs of upwards of ten seated.  A coffered ceiling connects both the ceiling to the details of the grid tile pattern throughout the space and centralizes the island as a focal point.  This space is a design that accommodates friends and family.  It brightens the space and allows the kitchen to feel more open and engulfed in natural light.

For coffee and seating

For coffee and seating

An open view.

An open view.

Visit us at Here, to see more final images. Photography by Sterling Stevens Design Photo.

Renovating a Kitchen by Phillip Jefferson

What has PhillipJeffersonDesign been doing lately?  With spring and summer, comes spring and summer projects.  We've been spending time designing kitchens.  The design of a kitchen is not always the easiest project nor is it a simple construction process when you deal with many existing conditions.  If you start from scratch, the world is your oyster.  If you begin from a shell, there are other issues to take in to mind, like plumbing line locations or gas line locations.  Let's not forget waste lines.  Do you really want to move that?  Is the cost minimal?  It all depends on how far you move it and if there are any building code changes with connections with new lines.  Is the existing structural system going to be a problem?  We make assumptions from initial site review and understanding of the as-built work, but in reality, until you tear out a wall or open it up, there is no idea what is there in a renovation project. 

Demolition and revealing the existing conditions.

Demolition and revealing the existing conditions.

Good experience with spaces as they exist and understanding of the construction methods of different decades is a part of experience gained through years of observation and construction; this helps during the design process.  

What would you say is the most important part of your kitchen renovation design?  For some, the appliances make the kitchen; the majority will say it is the cabinet selection.  Again, for others, it is the countertop surface.  Then there are those that say, it is the flooring and wall color selections.  Design wise, it is all of it.  It is however a measure of the function of the design.  It is not meant of function as just a kitchen space, but the function of all of the intended use throughout the day; breakfast making, sitting at a counter doing homework,  discussing the day while dinner is made, searching for new recipes at your work station, or merely, watching birds in the morning land on your window sill.  What does this look like for you?  Each individual has their own interpretation and need in the spatial design of the kitchen.

New kitchen renovation.  Where would you sit?

New kitchen renovation.  Where would you sit?

New kitchen renovation wide angle view.

New kitchen renovation wide angle view.

More construction images of summer kitchen renovations are to come!

 

The Making of an Addition by Phillip Jefferson

How does one represent an existing house, but justify the needs for additional space?  What are the important elements of the program?  Each client has a specific need.  Each house has a specific desire to connect to the new in recognizable ways.  Some of these ways are traditional, some are modern, others are contemporary.  The relationship between the two can begin to complete a language or create a new one.  How do we complete the language between old and new?  There isn't one answer, but many options. 

Front exterior elevation showing existing and new addition

Front exterior elevation showing existing and new addition

This traditional design explores a new garage and master bedroom suite in Wake Forest, NC in a way that attempts to feel as if it were already there.  The design hopes to work with the existing language to create a new whole.

The garage addition wall framing.  Photograph by Lloyd Dunn.

The garage addition wall framing.  Photograph by Lloyd Dunn.

Keep the tree.  The walls and roof are up as well as the dormer.  Starting the drying in process.  Oh, and a porta potti.  Every job has to have one.  Photograph by Lloyd Dunn.

Keep the tree.  The walls and roof are up as well as the dormer.  Starting the drying in process.  Oh, and a porta potti.  Every job has to have one.  Photograph by Lloyd Dunn.

Connecting to the existing.  Photograph by Lloyd Dunn.

Connecting to the existing.  Photograph by Lloyd Dunn.

The Beauty of Mies by Phillip Jefferson

I have realized I have not had a regular posting for some time.  But after some recent travel, my moment of blogging needs have arisen yet again.  This particular post, is a representation of one of the best of the International Style.  Mies Van Der Rohe's work has always resonated with me.  After many years of study of the work of this great architect the opportunity to experience his work in person, brought about a sense of joyous silence, a sublime experience. 

Crown Hall, this amazing space on the campus of IIT, ever so well designed in steel and proportioned with beautiful detailing of glass and stone brought me to a peaceful awe.  The beauty of his connections and the tension of simple recognized moments of material simplicity are ever so strategically placed from his mind.  What an amazing building.  Harmony of steel and glass is truly evident in this International Style.  Images do this space no justice.

Crown Hall upon approach.

Crown Hall upon approach.

Crown Hall, a beautiful since of symmetry.

Crown Hall, a beautiful since of symmetry.

Crown Hall, connections.

Crown Hall, connections.

Crown Hall, strength in steel.

Crown Hall, strength in steel.

a changing bungalow by Phillip Jefferson

In the process of renovating spaces, the bungalow has seen many variations over years.  Footprints remain the same, scale and proportion remain the same but the opposite is true for the enlarged bungalow of larger footprint. This redesign makes use of the existing footprint, while creating a full second floor, which at one time was all contained under the second floor roof structure.  That has changed, but the qualities of the original structure influences the new.  Can we retain the proportion of the that which exists? How about our perception of what a bungalow is or used to be?  In this project, a 1930's bungalow is changing considerably to meet new design standards and client needs.  Though simple ideas shape the form, it mimics language from the original structure.  The small house was always added on in order to make room for growing families.  Large spaces may not be necessary if spaces can be designed simple and efficiently.  Coming soon, is a redesign of the bungalow.  What is the first image or word that comes to mind when someone asks you to describe a bungalow?  Post your comment below.

Perspective showing rear addition

Perspective showing rear addition

Gillham Residence finally complete by Phillip Jefferson

This project has taken some time to complete.  With weather delays early in they year and construction delays afterwards, this small porch addition is finally complete.  With a new mahogany door installed, this porch addition has finally come to life.  More Photographs to come.

New front porch addition 

New front porch addition

 

This addition blends in well and feels as if it was always a part of the house.  

This addition blends in well and feels as if it was always a part of the house. 

 

A beautiful new mahogany entry door with art glass and wrought iron detail provides a level of grandeur as one enters the porch.

A beautiful new mahogany entry door with art glass and wrought iron detail provides a level of grandeur as one enters the porch.

The Importance of the sketch by Phillip Jefferson

An architectural sketch conveys quick information that verbal communication sometimes cannot.  It gives a formal or informal representation of images conceived within one's mind, but also begins to open conversation about likes, dislikes, relationships, materials, scale, proportion but most importantly form and function.

These quick sketches demonstrate the initial concepts for the Goetz-Cunningham Residence addition.  Form, function, scale and proportion begin to order this project from the beginning.  It starts a conversation between owner and designer.

The Section-Elevation

The Section-Elevation

The isometric view

The isometric view