There are plenty of benefits to working with a design/build firm, but one client’s recent project truly highlights how extensively a home can be transformed thanks to a long-lasting relationship.
The Kris family loved their MetroWest town, but they didn’t have such fond feelings toward their 1970’s colonial home. The design was no longer conducive to their lives and the decor made them feel like they were stuck in the 1980s.
Some homeowners may have opted to sell given the undertaking, but given how much they loved the location, they elected to remodel the entire home, updating the layout and adding all the conveniences that modern design elements and appliances provide.
“We started out thinking we wanted a bathroom refresh,” said Deborah Farmer Kris. “And then Covid hit, so we had [JM Construction] do a deck, and then we had them do the basement, and then somehow we decided that ‘let’s just redo the entire first floor?’ And then the upstairs bathrooms, and then why not an addition because we both decided to work from home and sharing an office just wasn’t working.”
Simply put, the results are stunning.
From Colonial to 21st Century
The design phase was the first task to tackle. JM Construction’s interior designer worked closely with the client to plan out spaces that would suit their needs – from family fun, to relaxation time, to appreciating the arts.
“Their capacity to remain curious about what we wanted was really important,” Mike Kris enthused.
Deborah added, “They did both the design and the building, and so they took the time to get to know us as people and that really influenced how they designed.”
To banish the ‘80s back to whence they came, our designer also curated selections of cabinetry, appliances, and other finishing touches that would reflect their style: clean and modern with a touch of retro inspiration. Mike was extremely pleased with the overhaul, stating, “When we first moved to this house, before the construction, there were rooms we didn’t use, and now we use everything.”
A Modern Kitchen for a Coffee Connoisseur
The kitchen was a top priority for the family. Mike has a passion for coffee roasting and brewing, so we created a dedicated area for him to perfect his formula, and keep his trusty espresso maker. If you’re planning on remodeling your kitchen, JM Construction absolutely recommends caffeine lovers go for a built-in coffee system.
“They took things that they knew mattered to us. Like, they knew it was very important to me to have a very big island so that the kids could do homework and could be a family gathering place,” said Deborah. This kitchen island, along with the rest of the countertops, was made with pental listra polished quartz with eased edges. It’s a bright and inviting place for the kids to eat, do their work, and spend time with their parents while dinner is prepared.
To fully deck out this artisanal kitchen that could handle anything thrown at it, we added an apron front fireclay sink, a Suvie oven, a vacuum sealing drawer, steam oven, under counter double drawer refrigerator, and induction cooktop.
Make Room for More Art in MetroWest
The culinary arts aren’t the only ones that this family loves. We designed and built a custom storage and display solution for their book collection, located in a dedicated office. We also created space to house a baby grand piano and artwork, which required creating a barrier between the living room and the kitchen.
To add more modern comforts, we redesigned the entrance, installed radiant floor heating to the entire first floor, and designated space for an electronics charging station. We complemented these contemporary updates with a touch of old school style – a fireplace with built-in wood storage.
An Evolving Home for Evolving Needs
As a design/build firm, we were able to form a strong relationship with our client, which helped them achieve their design goals. We kicked off this extensive, phased project in November of 2020 and wrapped up in October 2022. Our client can now fully enjoy the form and function of their house – and stay in a community they love.
“A couple years later, once they’d all become members of the family, we had a whole new house in a gorgeous neighborhood,” Deborah enthused.
Our phased approach across this 2-year period helped us deliver a gradual yet entire renovation of the home, with minimal disruption to the family’s everyday life. This was extremely important to the Kris family, as they have two kids and a dog, so it was a relief that there wasn’t an abundance of added chaos. Now, everyone is happy with the house, from the sunroom to the kitchen, and from the basement to the wine closet.
A long-lasting partnership with JM Construction means you can get exactly what you want – especially when that’s an entirely new interior of your home! Thinking about adding some modern updates to your home? Get in touch!
