Renovation

Before: This family room felt unfinished to the homeowners and they asked for some cozy touches as well as some updates.

After: With some custom built-ins, new furniture, accessories, paint, carpet, lighting and an updated TV hung above the new mantle on the fireplace, the this family now has a room they are proud of.

THE DILEMMA
This neglected third floor space was dark and dreary; only used for storage.

 

THE DESIGN PLAN
The homeowner requested a home theater with a theme, a "Mediterranean Ski Lodge". Add to that a request to incorporate a dash of Moroccan accent to the motif.  Now, that may not seem like a big deal but think about it, the Mediterranean is a pretty warm place, no downhill skiing going on there. And Morocco, well that’s in Africa. Challenging surely, but it was a challenge we were up to.
 
Step one was to remove a 9’ foot sheet rock ceiling, exposing the 15' ceiling above. With the ceiling vaulted, the space immediately felt much larger. The support beams, which were now exposed, gave the room the appearance of a ‘lodge’; the exact look the homeowner had expressly desired.
 
We proceeded to design a floor plan which divided the space into zones according to the homeowner's needs. The plan included a play zone, a film viewing zone, a wet bar, and an office with powder room. While budget constraints were not homeowner's biggest concern, being environmentally friendly was. Those concerns played a large role in our design choices and continued to do so throughout the project.

A GREEN WAY OF THINKING
Eco-friendly bamboo now adorns the new ceiling. The new, Mendota direct-vent gas fireplace (www.mendotahearth.com http://www.mendotahearth.com/ provides warmth on demand and serves as a great heat source for the room. In addition, it uses less energy to operate than your standard electric baseboard system. We utilized Moroccan doors from a previous home, reclaiming them for use as the grand entrance.  Twig wall sconces were created by an Amish artist from fallen twigs on his own property. The desktop, which we designed, was made from a fallen oak tree on the homeowner's property as is the curio shelf located above the mini-bar. In the powder room the sink is made from a granite boulder reclaimed from the sea while its base is made from a naturally petrified tree trunk. The colorful floor is made from natural river rocks and the new Toto toilet is low-flow. Although the theater seats were purchased new, most furniture pieces in the room were purchased from local antique stores or second-hand shops.  
 
ELECTRONICS
The electronic equipment in addition to the ‘state of the art’ surround sound system was designed and installed by Louis Foranoce of ‘Sounds Dimensions’. http://www.sounddimensionsplus.com Located in Syosset, New York, this Long Island based home entertainment specialist met all criteria. Every detail was meticulously planned to suit the homeowners' needs and far exceeded all expectations.
 
From the cozy carpet to the rustic fireplace; the authentic Moroccan light fixtures to the little design surprises here and there, this room is anything but ordinary.  Natural elements combined with function and originality made for a successful transition from a cold and dreary space to a warm and inviting place, a perfect setting for a family night or any night.  Just ask the happy homeowner.