PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 87 them. Accessed by a staircase between the dining area and kitchen, the largely unfinished 3,000-square-foot downstairs offered ample canvas for the couple’s personal brushstrokes. “So we had the opportunity to design a great living space: media room, laundry and powder rooms, and two additional bedrooms/bathrooms,” they share. Julie describes their process as “a little bit like peeling an onion, because the house was such a massive remodel.” Once the core supported the overall house design, they then added the visible layers of proportion, textures and colors. They managed it all without changing any existing windows or doors. Once the 18-month renovation was complete, the homeowners and their two Frenchies opened their doors to family and friends. At a recent gathering with 20 guests, nine of whom stayed overnight, the house’s elegant, low-key versatility was on full display. Guests enjoyed a magic show from the great room, then a cocktail party and watching sports on the TV downstairs. On the top level, caterers made full use of the new kitchen and served from the island. The transformed kitchen made recent guests’ “wow” list with its blue cabinet wall, concealing the fridge and freezer, and new walk-in pantry, replacing an awkwardly situated powder room. Young kids really got into the new furnishings, building a pillow fort from the sectionals. {home & design}
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