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Before And After
This classic Cape grew in size, comfort,
and sophistication
during a flawless remodel/addition project.
by Angela Palmer
Cape Cod & Islands Home - Spring 2005
Previous to purchasing
this traditional Cape, the homeowners knew they wanted to return
to their native New England. Cape Cod was the ideal location:
the wife had vacationed here since she was a small child and
the couple had often rented houses and visited friends in the
area during the summer. Looking for a place to comfortably fit
their large family, they found this home in East Orleans late
in the summer of 1990. They liked its layout and size, but knew
that eventually adjustments would have to be made as they spent
more time on the Cape.
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By September of 2001, 11 years after purchasing the home, the
owners could no longer live comfortably in their small, main-level
bedroom and realized they needed a master suite with a walk-in
closet. They approached Architectural Design Inc. in Orleans
and began working with Principal Architect Peter Haig. “We
had seen some of Peter’s work in a home he designed for
our good friends and were impressed by his creativity,”
explains the husband.
The renovation process also involved another important task:
opening and brightening the main living area (living room, dining
area, family room, and kitchen). “When renovating, you
really have to keep what works well in the home,” explains
Haig. “If you don’t, you might as well start over.”
Major changes included creating a main entrance hall where none
had previously existed and adjusting living room and kitchen
walls so that natural light would penetrate the entire home.
“Now, when you open the front door, your eyes are drawn
right through the heart of the home and out the French doors
in the family room,” explains Haig.
 The
previously dark, narrow living room is now a cozy space, which
the couple uses for entertaining and relaxation. “We were
surprised at the difference,” enthuses the husband. “Now
it’s really warm and welcoming and a great place to read
or just listen to music.”
Haig suggested keeping the two windows and sliding glass doors
in the family room but removing the adjoining dining area’s
large window. Instead of this window, he decided upon triple
sliding French doors—the wife’s favorite addition
to the home—leading out to the back deck. “We matched
new to old wherever possible as a cost-saving measure,”
points out Haig.
 Improvements
continued even into the basement, where the mechanical room
was renovated to make room for a new furnace, hot water heater,
and electrical panel. The home’s old lighting system was
stripped and replaced with stronger, more modern alternatives.
“What really strikes us are the subtle changes Peter made
to the home,” reflects the husband. “The quality of
materials and utilization of space—these are things we
never would have thought of ourselves and we’re really
pleased with. We just love what he did.”
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