Renovating a 1930s Dutch Colonial Home

Space had lately become an issue for the owners of this 1930s-era Dutch Colonial. With just three bedrooms, roughly 1,600 square feet, and now two growing children, their close quarters started to feel even closer.

Throw a cramped 10- by 10-foot kitchen into the equation, and it's easy to understand why the family had been considering trading up to a larger home or building an addition. Ultimately, the opportunity to tailor their present house to suit their exact needs proved irresistible, and the couple chose to stay put and add on. Their mission: to stay true to their home's architectural character while incorporating energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building materials that would stand the test of time.

Remodels are a good time to consider upgrading systems in your home, as the walls will likely be stripped down to the studs. These homeowners updated their electrical system and replaced the furnace with Carrier's Infinity, a highly energy efficient heating and cooling system.

BEFORE THE ADDITION: Prior to construction, the house featured aluminum siding, an asphalt roof, and a tiny stoop leading to a small patio. To preserve the house's character and match the roof lines of the rest of the house, the addition was given a gambrel roof. Curb appeal improved with an attractive new color scheme done in Benjamin Moore's Louisburg Green, Chestertown Buff, and Cottage Red.

WINDOWS: Andersen's 400 Series Tilt-Wash Double-Hung windows help reduce energy bills.

SHUTTERS: ATLANTIC SHUTTERS.

PEDIMENT: A pediment enhanced with a decorative louver vent and brackets from Fypon adds interest to the gable.

ROOF: This slate-look roof from Authentic Roof is made from recycled materials, such as car bumpers.

DECKING: TREX. SIDING: CertainTeed fiber cement siding is easy-maintenance and durable.

LANDSCAPING: BILL KUCAS, GARDEN MAKERS.

The couple worked with residential designer Lou Heiser, of Tall Tree Studio, to create a seamless addition. Following Heiser's plan, All State Builders & General Contractors transformed the original kitchen into a combination mudroom/home-office area, and added a large kitchen and adjoining den (as well as two bedrooms on the second floor). Mission accomplished: The homeowners now enjoy an extra 700 square feet of space. Better yet, "You can't even tell we added on!"

"Our lives revolve around the kitchen," explains the homeowner. Installing the French doors from Simpson between the kitchen and the den offered the flexibility to use the rooms together or separately. Country Living editor Jennifer Vreeland, who consulted on the interior design, suggested Benjamin Moore's Philipsburg Blue for the den to create a smooth transition into the blue-and-white kitchen.

Eight-and-a-half-foot-high ceilings -- which were lifted to make room for decorative touches such as the beams and crown moldings -- bestow a light and airy feel. With limited space for upper cabinets, Plain & Fancy Cabinetry's deep, easy-to-access drawers help maximize storage. The charcoal Vermont Soapstone countertop and slate floor from Artistic Tile complement the blue-and-white decor.

APPLIANCES: KITCHENAID. SINK & FAUCET: ROHL. ISLAND COUNTERTOP: EXPO DESIGN CENTER. PENDANT LIGHTS: CIRCA LIGHTING.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

THE DINING ROOM: The windows that overlooked the backyard were removed to create an entrance to the new kitchen that echoed the arched doorway on the opposite wall. After the builder enlarged the opening, he reinforced it with a header beam, then framed the arch with two-by-fours (right). To form the arch, they bent the drywall and then sealed the edges with compound and drywall tape.

Protect as many of your belongings as you can before the renovation begins. Cover furnishings with plastic tarps, remove delicate items, and tape off rooms to keep sawdust and debris contained. Taking into account the projected length of your renovation, move anything you may need to access into another room.

Furnishings help set a relaxed atmosphere in the dining room. Jennifer Vreeland mixed black wicker and ladder-back dining chairs around Bluefish Trading's cherry extension table. When set with blue transferware, yellow chargers, and ruby goblets, a primary color scheme emerges.

Decorative elements add character.

SHUTTERS: Vintage louvered shutters replace curtains or blinds, making the window a focal point, while also allowing extra light into the room.

MULLIONS: Painting the dining-room window mullions black, an accent color in the room, enhances the overall sense of drama and contrast.

PANEL MOLDING: White raised-panel molding serves to heighten the architectural detail and create continuity between the kitchen and dining area.