Longfellow Residence
Private Residence. Completed at Barrett Made.
After over a decade of navigating a quirky, inefficient kitchen layout from a prior owner’s bad renovation, the owners of this 1930s residence undertook a comprehensive transformation to harmonize its historic character with high-performance living standards. The most significant architectural challenge—a severe driveway slope that forced a one-story exterior climb to reach the entrance—was resolved by integrating a new two-car garage at the lower level. This addition includes a dedicated mudroom equipped with built-in lockers, bench seating, and durable, along with a new internal staircase leading directly into the kitchen to streamline the transport of groceries and daily essentials.
The kitchen was reimagined as the home’s focal hub, shifting from a closed-off, cramped space to an expansive open-plan area that flows into the dining area, den, and living rooms. This redesign features a large central island for casual gathering and a spacious walk-in pantry to provide the storage capacity the original home lacked. To bridge the gap between interior and exterior, a large bi-folding door replaces the rear wall, fully retracting to merge the kitchen with a new walkout 625-square-foot roof deck located atop the garage. This outdoor sanctuary is finished with ipe decking—known for its lifespan and natural resistance to rot and is further accented by a custom metal guardrail and a sun canopy designed to provide essential shade during intense southern sun exposure.
Beyond the main living level, the project involved extensive structural and systemic upgrades to future-proof the home. The entire basement was excavated to increase ceiling height, successfully transitioning a former restrictive ceiling height into a versatile lower level featuring a playroom, workshop, and ample storage. A three-story addition allowed for a reorganized primary suite that now features a private ensuite bathroom and a full-size walk-in laundry room. Architecturally, the new addition honors the neighborhood's period-specific heritage by using traditional materials while introducing a clean, modern flair that reflects contemporary design aesthetics.
