An addition to the back of their Keswick home brings year-round enjoyment for the whole family

Every morning, you'll find Sandra and Joe Da Costa perched on a bar stool, enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee and taking in the panoramic landscape. The stunning view is new for them and is all thanks to their brand new sunroom addition and its dramatically large windows on three sides of the space.

The idea for the sunroom began about 18 months ago with the couple contemplating a three-season addition. During the planning stages, it changed to become a room that they could enjoy the entire year, with heating, air conditioning and a stunning floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace.

Although handy, the Da Costas knew they wanted to hire someone to complete this ambitious plan and found Alair Homes Aurora a premium custom-home builder in York Region. With Alairs expertise and attention to detail, the Da Costas idea quickly started to take shape, and in four months the sunroom project was complete.

Now that the paint has dried, the windows have all been installed and the heated floor is turned on, the Da Costas have added approximately 350 square feet to their home and have successfully turned their old deck into a bright, contemporary space that their whole family can enjoy.

Link:
Family enjoys year-round addition to the back of their Keswick home - YorkRegion.com

A tasty salad of tender pea shoots. Handfuls of fragrant herbs for the stew. Snack veggies for lunch boxes.

Keeping a fresh supply of greens and herbs on hand can be challenging as the growing season winds down, or if you dont have a garden. But now you can plop a planter anywhere in your house, set a few timers, and in about 10 days youll be nibbling greens like a contented rabbit. All year round.

There are a variety of indoor grow gardens on the market that come with everything you need: planter, planting medium, seeds, fertilizer and a high-intensity grow light. Smart tech and remote controls adjust lighting and moisture levels, so even if your thumbs not the greenest, you can still find success.

Linnea and Tarren Wolfe of Vancouver, British Columbia, decided to design a home grower after watching their kids gobble up sunflower and pea-shoot microgreens like potato chips.

Their Urban Cultivator looks like a wine fridge. It comes as a free-standing unit, topped with a butcher block, or it can be installed under the counter and hooked up like a dishwasher. The company offers an extensive seed selection, but anything from your local garden center will grow. (www.urbancultivator.net)

Linnea Wolfe advises home gardeners to do some research into the benefits of the edible, immature greens known as microgreens.

Most of them only take about 7 to 10 days to grow, she says. You can mass-consume them, and the health benefits are extraordinary.

The indoor garden trend is part of a, well, growing movement, says New York landscape architect Janice Parker.

The technology of these kits simplifies hydroponic gardening at its best, and makes it available to all, she says. You dont need a yard, or favorable weather.

What a pleasure to have fresh herbs, flowers and vegetables, and experience a connection to nature no matter where you are, says Parker.

She thinks these kits shouldnt just be relegated to the kitchen.

Id put them anywhere dining room tables and coffee tables come to mind. Or in dead spaces that have no light or interest, she says.

She recommends growing plants with both flavor and flair: Chives, dill, rosemary, fennel, basil and nasturtiums all have gorgeous flowers and beautiful foliage.

Miracle Gros line of Aerogarden indoor planters includes the Sprout, which is about the size of a coffee maker and suitable for herbs, as well as a larger model in which you could grow just about anything. Pre-packaged seed pods like lettuces, cherry tomatoes, herb blends and petunias come ready to pop in the planter. An LCD control panel helps adjust lighting and watering needs. (www.miraclegro.com)

Click & Grows planter is compact. It has room for three plants, and an integrated LED light pole and special lightweight soil are included. The planter comes in white, gray or beige. Theres a walnut wood case available for the herb model. (www.clickandgrow.com)

LA Urban Farms vertical garden would make a vibrant addition to a sunny kitchen or sunroom. A circulating pump brings a soothing burble of water up and through the tower-shaped planter.

So what to grow in it, if youre a novice?

Leafy greens such as arugula, kale and butter lettuce, and herbs such as parsley, cilantro, thyme and oregano prove to be easiest for indoor growing, says LA Urban Farms founder, Wendy Coleman, of Los Angeles. These plants require less light, have an easy germination process and typically grow more quickly than other produce.

See original here:
Indoor grow gardens bring your gardening inside - Uniontown Herald Standard

By KEN LAHMERSReporter

AURORA The citys landmark commission on Aug. 17 granted certificates of appropriateness, which will allow renovations at three historic district homes.

One of the homes is known by many longtime Aurorans as"the Green Monster." It is the large Queen Anne-style home at 50 S. Chillicothe Road, which has a new owner. It acquired its nickname because of its exterior green paint.

The other structures are located at 432 Eggleston Road and 270 S. Chillicothe Road.

"The Green Monster" eventually might not be green anymore, since new owner Helen Peterson announced she is considering repainting it a blue-gray color with white trim.

The home was built in 1898 and was owned by Willis J. Eldridge, a cheese merchant, in its early years. More recently, it was owned by former City Councilwoman Marcia Colombo and her husband Donald.

Architect George Clemens outlined plans to convert a screened porch in the back into a sunroom, replace some windows and add some railings around the front porch to closer match the houses original look.

Meanwhile, exterior alterations and additions were approved for the Eggleston Road home now owned by Robert and Charlotte Emrick and historically known as the Chauncey Eggleston house. He was one of Auroras early settlers.

Eggleston, a member of the Ohio Senate from 1830-33, built the federal-style brick and stone house in 1831 after he moved to Aurora from Connecticut in 1807. It sets on a 14-acre parcel.

The Emricks plan an addition to the existing garage, adding a breezeway between the house and existing garage and a dormer and building a detached barn/workshop behind the house and garage.

Landmark panel chairman Jeff Clark commended the Emricks for their desire to improve the historic property.

The third certificate of appropriateness was granted to Isaac Pennock for his South Chillicothe Road home. He plans to replace 13 of 21 windows in the house because they are deteriorating.

In another matter, panelist John Kudley, president of the Aurora Historical Society, announced the dedication of an Ohio Historic Marker focusing on the Geauga Lake area will be Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Geauga Lake Improvement Associations lakeside property on Route 43 across from East Boulevard.

The public is welcome to attend the dedication.

Email: klahmers@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-541-9400 ext. 4189

Read the original:
Renovations eyed to historic homes in Aurora - Columbus Alive

This weeks open house column is sponsored by Kate McDonough

About 54 properties available for your viewing pleasure in the Greater Baristaville area this Sunday.

32 Dodd Street, Montclair

List Price: $539,000Taxes: $15,084Acreage: 0.13BRM/BTH: 4/2

Colonial near NYC bus, train, shops and restaurants at Watchung Plaza and Walnut Street. Easy access to Brookdale Park and Farmers Market. First floor includes living room, sunroom and dining room all with inlay ribbon hardwood floors and original wood trim plus updated kitchen with marble backsplash. Three bedrooms and updated bath on second floor and en-suite master bedroom on third floor. Finished recreation space and storage in basement. Backyard with one-car garage, mature plantings and tree house. Freshly painted inside and out. Open 1-4 p.m.

153 Highland Avenue, Montclair

List Price: $1,250,000Taxes: $28,643Acreage: 0.47BRM/BTH: 7/4.1

Ninety-year-old Colonial featuring large, eat-in kitchen with Viking stove and stainless steel appliances, family room, living room with French doors leading to garden with view of New York City. First floor also features dining room and powder room. Home has large master bedroom with with walk-in closet. Basement ready to be finished by the new owner, features laundry room, full bath and entrance to two-car garage. Home sold As Is, Home Owners Warranty Included. Open 2-4 p.m.

137 Forest St, Montclair

List Price: $600,000Taxes: $13,035Acreage: 0.08BRM/BTH: 3/2.2

Newer Colonial built in 2005/2006 is close to Walnut Street and Downtown Montclair and features a basement office that can be converted to mother/daughter space. Each of the three bedrooms on the top level are a good size and the master has its own en-suite bathroom. In addition to the open kitchen, there is a pantry area, formal dining room, additional home office space, a back deck, large powder room and a living room with balcony. Open 1-4 p.m.

756 Broad Street, Bloomfield

List Price: $294,000Taxes: $8,464Acreage: Not AvailableBRM/BTH: 2/1.1

Cape Cod style two bedroom in Brookdale section with NYC bus directly across street. Hardwood floors throughout. Eat in kitchen offering breakfast bar and granite countertops. Main level features three-season Florida room, two bedrooms, full bath and large living room/dining room combo. Unfinished attic has potential. Natural sunlight fill the rooms. Partially finished basement has large family room, laundry room, storage and powder room. Open 2-4 p.m.

34 Sommer Avenue, Glen Ridge

List Price: $389,000Taxes: $11,258Acreage: .09BRM/BTH: 3/1

Stone-front Colonial located in Carteret Park neighborhood. First floor features hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplace in living room, a formal dining room, updated kitchen and an enclosed front porch. The second floor has three bedrooms with ample closet space and updated main bathroom. The backyard patio is good for BBQs. Home has two-car garage. Jitney service to the train station. Open 1-4 p.m.

54 Avon Drive, Essex Fells

List Price: $749,000Taxes: $15,045Acreage: .73BRM/BTH: 4/3

Four-bedroom ranch on quiet street on almost three-quarters of an acre features slate foyer with Dutch door entrance, formal living room with large bay window and fireplace, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, lower-level family room with fireplace, attached 2-car garage and hardwood floors throughout. Walk-up full-sized attic offers potential for even more finished space. Home features new furnace from 2013, updated electrical service done in 2013, new hot water heater installed in 2013 and new central air in 2015. Open 2-4 p.m.

More:
Baristaville Open Houses: Sunday, Aug. 20 - Baristanet

A tasty salad of tender pea shoots. Handfuls of fragrant herbs for the stew. Snack veggies for lunch boxes.

Keeping a fresh supply of greens and herbs on hand can be challenging as the growing season winds down, or if you don't have a garden. But now you can plop a planter anywhere in your house, set a few timers, and in about 10 days you'll be nibbling greens like a contented rabbit. All year round.

There are a variety of indoor grow gardens on the market that come with everything you need: planter, planting medium, seeds, fertilizer and a high-intensity grow light. Smart tech and remote controls adjust lighting and moisture levels, so even if your thumb's not the greenest, you can still find success.

Linnea and Tarren Wolfe of Vancouver, B.C., decided to design a home grower after watching their kids gobble up sunflower and pea-shoot microgreens "like potato chips."

Their Urban Cultivator looks like a wine fridge. It comes as a free-standing unit, topped with a butcher block, or it can be installed under the counter and hooked up like a dishwasher. The company offers an extensive seed selection, but anything from your local garden center will grow. (www.urbancultivator.net)

Linnea Wolfe advises home gardeners to do some research into the benefits of the edible, immature greens known as microgreens.

"Most of them only take about 7 to 10 days to grow," she says. "You can mass-consume them, and the health benefits are extraordinary."

The indoor garden trend is part of a, well, growing movement, says New York landscape architect Janice Parker.

"The technology of these kits simplifies hydroponic gardening at its best, and makes it available to all," she says. You don't need a yard, or favorable weather.

"What a pleasure to have fresh herbs, flowers and vegetables, and experience a connection to nature no matter where you are," says Parker.

She thinks these kits shouldn't just be relegated to the kitchen.

"I'd put them anywhere - dining room tables and coffee tables come to mind. Or in 'dead' spaces that have no light or interest," she says.

She recommends growing plants with both flavor and flair: "Chives, dill, rosemary, fennel, basil and nasturtiums all have gorgeous flowers and beautiful foliage."

Miracle Gro's line of Aerogarden indoor planters includes the Sprout, which is about the size of a coffee maker and suitable for herbs, as well as a larger model in which you could grow just about anything. Pre-packaged seed pods like lettuces, cherry tomatoes, herb blends and petunias come ready to pop in the planter. An LCD control panel helps adjust lighting and watering needs. (www.miraclegro.com)

Click & Grow's planter is compact. It has room for three plants, and an integrated LED light pole and special lightweight soil are included. The planter comes in white, gray or beige. There's a walnut wood case available for the herb model. (www.clickandgrow.com)

LA Urban Farms' vertical garden would make a vibrant addition to a sunny kitchen or sunroom. A circulating pump brings a soothing burble of water up and through the tower-shaped planter.

So what to grow in it, if you're a novice?

"Leafy greens such as arugula, kale and butter lettuce, and herbs such as parsley, cilantro, thyme and oregano prove to be easiest for indoor growing," says LA Urban Farms' founder, Wendy Coleman of Los Angeles. "These plants require less light, have an easy germination process and typically grow more quickly than other produce."

View post:
Is it time to bring your garden indoors? - Lewiston Morning Tribune (subscription)

The following building permit information has been obtained from the Hardin County Planning and Development Commission and Elizabethtown Planning and Development. The name of the applicant, applicants address and use of permit are listed.

Weston Conway, 1232 Summit Road, Eastview. Use: Detached accessory structure.

Karen Hill, 1595 Glendale-Hodgenville Road West, Glendale. Use: Detached accessory structure.

Docvo Enterprises, 128 Habersham Drive, Cecilia. Use: Detached accessory structure.

Thomas Russo, 1350 Brizendine Lane, Vine Grove. Use: Detached accessory structure.

Bradley Hunt, 40 McDreamy Court, Rineyville. Use: Detached accessory structure.

Peter Jocham, 644 Flushing Meadows Drive, Rineyville. Use: Basement finish.

Linda Ammons See, Lot 1, Ammons Estate, Rineyville. Use: Double wide.

Wade Helm, Valley Creek Road, Elizabethtown. Use: Single wide.

Jason Phillips, Section 2, Lot 35, Arlington Forest Subdivision, Rineyville. Use: Single-family residence.

Docvo Enterprises, Section 3, Lot 4. Habersham Subdivision, Cecilia. Use: Single-family residence.

Docvo Enterprises, Section 3, Lot 4.8 Habersham Subdivision, Cecilia. Use: Single-family residence.

Brandon Goodman, Lot 4, Seagraves Farm Subdivision, Elizabethtown. Use: Single-family residence.

Overlook at Buffalo Creek, 111 The Loop, Elizabethtown. Use: Assembly, Starbucks, shell structure.

Overlook at Buffalo Creek, 121 The Loop, Elizabethtown. Use: Assembly, Culvers.

Walker Lane Boutique, 114 W. Dixie Ave., Suite A, Elizabethtown. Use: Commercial, remodel.

Hardin Memorial Health, 913 N. Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown. Use: Institutional, sterile processing equipment.

Severns Valley Baptist Church, 1100 Ring Road, Elizabethtown. Use: Assembly, addition.

Alan and Bonnie McKeag, 105 Antler Court, Elizabethtown. Use: Detached garage.

Eric and Barb Carr, 631 Foxfire Road, Elizabethtown. Use: Single-family home, sunroom addition.

Radcliff Homes Inc., 216 Huckaberry St., Elizabethtown. Use: Single-family residence.

E-town Homes Inc., 214 Huckaberry St., Elizabethtown. Use: Single-family residence.

Charles Ferguson, 611 Nicholas St., Elizabethtown. Use: Single-family residence.

Will Harris Homes LLC, 253 Harmony Way, Units A and B, Elizabethtown. Use: Multi-family residence.

Will Harris Homes LLC, 220 Harmony Way, Units A and B, Elizabethtown. Use: Multi-family residence.

See original here:
Building permits: Aug. 4, 2017 - Elizabethtown News Enterprise

By Michael Smith, Contributing Writer

Ever picture your next home in an ideal quiet, heavily treed neighborhood within a short walk to a waterfront park and a short drive to the local business districts and schools, while you relax with a beverage by the pool?

If this is what you envision for your next home, then this weeks Home of the Week may turn your dream into reality with a quaint, cozy home located in Fairhaven.

Set on a corner lot two blocks from Fort Phoenix in a desirable, serene neighborhood, this four-bedroom Dutch Colonial home offers warmth and regality in design, while also being convenient in its location in short proximity of leisure, schooling, and shopping. So take advantage of the nearby tennis courts, bike paths, and marina!

Built in 1935, the home has plenty of space for any sized family with two floors, a partially finished basement, and an attic that can be used for storage or made into a bonus room.

The ground floor offers a classic floor plan that includes a grand entry hall with hardwood maple floors as soon as you cross the threshold.

To the left, the living room is bright and airy with large windows with shudders, hardwood floors, and a wood-burning fireplace to keep you warm during the throes of New England winters.

To the right of the entry hall is the formal dining room. Also bright with wainscot walls, the dining room adds class to your dining experience with glass French doors, a stylish chandelier, a built-in china cabinet, and hardwood floors.

Nearby the dining room is one of the highlights of the home: the four-season sunroom. Equipped with large windows and access to the backyard deck through glass sliding doors, the sunroom will be a popular destination to relax during any season as it is equipped with heat and a ceiling fan and light fixture.

The kitchen provides all you need in making your grand feasts with plenty of cabinets, modern appliances, and countertops. The kitchen also has access to the backyard and has a nook that makes a great computer station so you can download the next great recipe.

The second floor is special in that all four bedrooms are on each corner of the home and are similar in size and design, meaning you can have your choice in which one you would like as a master bedroom, home office, guest room, or an exercise room.

In addition, the second floor has a full bathroom and a vestibule with enough space for accent furniture such as a roll-top desk and chair to add sophistication to your home.

If youre in the need for storage space, the home features an attic that also can be made into a bonus room for entertainment. For more storage space, the partially finished basement offers solutions other than storage. The basement features a half-bathroom, a separate shower stall, a laundry area, and several rooms that can be used as workspaces and offices.

For the backyard, the epicenter is the large in-ground pool. Fenced all around, the pool will provide years of summer fun and relaxation. The backyard also includes two storage sheds, gravel and stone pathways with benches creating a peaceful aesthetic, and a paved patio area.

The backyard deck also has distant westward views of Fairhaven Harbor and the waterfront.

To fully appreciate what this unique home has to offer, please call realtor Bette Hamilton of Olde Dartmouth Realty at 508-965-3889 or email her at bette@oldedartmouthre.com to schedule your own private showing of what could be your own slice of suburbia.

Continue reading here:
Home of the Week: Classic Fairhaven Colonial offers a peaceful paradise - SouthCoastToday.com

The yellow colonial house at 17 McLaren Road is walking distance to Royle Elementary School and less than a mile to downtown and the Metro North train station.

The yellow colonial house at 17 McLaren Road is walking distance to Royle Elementary School and less than a mile to downtown and the Metro North train station.

The formal living room has a red brick fireplace painted white, and a door to a den or sunroom.

The formal living room has a red brick fireplace painted white, and a door to a den or sunroom.

The kitchen features a backsplash of gray glass tiles and Carrera marble on a long peninsula-like counter/breakfast bar, which separates the kitchen from the family room and breakfast area.

The kitchen features a backsplash of gray glass tiles and Carrera marble on a long peninsula-like counter/breakfast bar, which separates the kitchen from the family room and breakfast area.

The formal dining room has two built-in corner china cabinets with decorative molding and a sliding door to the wood deck.

The formal dining room has two built-in corner china cabinets with decorative molding and a sliding door to the wood deck.

The family room has a cathedral ceiling with a ceiling fan, four skylights, bookshelves, an entertainment center and French doors on the rear wall to a small wood deck and the backyard.

The family room has a cathedral ceiling with a ceiling fan, four skylights, bookshelves, an entertainment center and French doors on the rear wall to a small wood deck and the backyard.

The den, or sunroom, has three walls of casement windows, bead board ceiling, and a shelf for storage of board games, books, and electronics equipment.

The den, or sunroom, has three walls of casement windows, bead board ceiling, and a shelf for storage of board games, books, and electronics equipment.

The house sits on a largely level property of just over a third of an acre comprising attractive landscaping with rhododendron and boxwood shrubs, perennial flowers, tall trees, and large rock outcroppings.

The house sits on a largely level property of just over a third of an acre comprising attractive landscaping with rhododendron and boxwood shrubs, perennial flowers, tall trees, and large rock outcroppings.

A large wood deck between the house and garage can be accessed from the dining room and kitchen.

A large wood deck between the house and garage can be accessed from the dining room and kitchen.

A large wood deck sits between the house and garage and it has privacy fencing on the side that faces the street.

A large wood deck sits between the house and garage and it has privacy fencing on the side that faces the street.

On the Market: Bright, sun-filled, charming colonial

DARIEN The waning gibbous moon is in the sky over Darien this week. It wont be visible as a 24-percent waning crescent moon until next week, on August 17. That particular shape is visible every day on the front faade of the yellow colonial house at 17 McLaren Road.

Each of the exterior white shutters of this house is adorned with a crescent moon cut-out. Such detail might go unnoticed by some people but, according to the Atlantic Premium Shutters website, shutter cut-outs add an eye-catching dimension and personality to a home.

In the case of this house, the shutter detail is a subtle proclamation that this updated early 20th century house has character and personality, and is worth a peek inside. It was built in 1926 and through the years it was updated to suit modern living. In 1991 an addition gave the house a larger footprint, bringing the total square footage to 2,056. The addition houses the kitchen, family room and breakfast area, which are all open, one to the other.

Even after the addition was constructed the homeowners continued to make improvements to this six-room home. They have remodeled the kitchen and replaced windows. The roof was replaced about a decade ago and it has a high efficiency boiler/furnace, newer oil tank and newer hot water heater.

The house is in a great location, just under a mile from downtown and the Metro North train station. It is also within easy walking distance of Royle Elementary School. One unusual feature is the sidewalk in front of this house and several others in this neighborhood. The house sits on a largely level property of just over a third of an acre. Its attractive landscaping includes rhododendron and boxwood shrubs, perennial flowers, tall trees, and large rock outcroppings.

Belgium block lines one side of the driveway that leads to the one-car garage and a slate path to the covered front entrance marked by two columns. The front door is framed by sidelights and a fanlight transom topped with a keystone. Inside, a small foyer provides access to the formal living room, which has a red brick fireplace painted white, and to the formal dining room. The living room has a door to a den, which could also be used as a sunroom. It has three walls of casement windows, bead board ceiling, and a shelf for storage of board games, books, and electronics equipment. The dining room has two built-in corner china cabinets with decorative molding and sliding door to the wood deck, which sits between the house and garage.

ABOUT THIS HOUSE

STYLE: Colonial

ADDRESS: 17 McLaren Road

PRICE: $949,500

ROOMS: 6

FEATURES: 0.37-acre level property, move-in condition, fully fenced backyard, close to town amenities, walking distance to the downtown Darien Metro North train station and Royle Elementary School, wood deck, porch, open floor plan, one fireplace, hardwood floors, high efficiency boiler/furnace, thermal windows, skylights, walk-up attic space, professional landscaping, one-car garage, full unfinished basement, roof replaced about 10 years ago, three bedrooms, one full and one half baths

SCHOOLS: Royle Elementary, Middlesex Middle, Darien High School

ASSESSMENT: $740,600

MILL RATE: 16.16 mills

TAXES: $11,968

From the dining room a caf-style door opens into the kitchen. The kitchen features a backsplash of gray glass tiles and Carrera marble on a long peninsula-like counter/breakfast bar, which separates the kitchen from the family room and breakfast area. Appliances include an LG refrigerator and a Bosch four-burner range. A pocket door separates the kitchen from the laundry room and half bath. The family room has a cathedral ceiling with a ceiling fan and four skylights, bookshelves and an entertainment center. French doors on the rear wall access a small wood deck and the backyard, which is bordered by tall trees. Another wall has sliding doors to the larger deck.

On the second floor there are three bedrooms, including a good-size master with three closets. The full bath in the hall has a mosaic tile marble floor and bead board on the lower walls. In the hallway there are drawers and cabinets built into the wall, and a linen closet. Another bedroom provides access to the stairs that lead to the unfinished walk-up attic, which can be converted into living space.

Upcoming open houses are planned in the coming weeks. For dates and times visit http://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com.

For more information or to make an appointment to see the house contact Jo Lombardo of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage at 203-856-8325 or Jo.Lombardo@coldwellbankermoves.com.

Continued here:
On the Market: Bright, sun-filled, charming colonial - The Darien News

American firm In Situ Studio has overhauled a mid-century modern dwelling in Raleigh, North Carolina, that had been "haphazardly chopped up" over the years.

The Ocotea House is situated within a suburban neighbourhood dotted with mature trees. The brick, ranch-style home was built in 1959 and had been significantly altered over the years.

"What was originally a clean image of midcentury residential architecture had fallen into disarray," said In Situ Studio, a local firm established in 2010.

"The basement had been haphazardly chopped up to accommodate additional bedrooms, the main floor and public spaces had been reconfigured in an odd way, and a very poorly built sunroom had been added to the right side."

The architects set out to remove the modifications and uncover the home's original character. In addition to new finishes inside and out, the firm added and removed elements and restructured interior spaces.

"The house now sits comfortably in its midcentury neighbourhood, a stark alternative to the method of buy, bulldoze, build-out that currently plagues Raleigh's first-ring suburbs," said the studio, which previously designed a cabin in a North Carolina forest.

On the east side of the home, the team did away with the sunroom and replaced it with a covered carport that extends the line of the roof. A new elevated deck was added to the street-facing elevation, which introduces "a floating, thin aesthetic to the formerly heavy front facade".

Red brick was painted blue, and soffits were painted white.Trim and mullions were painted black, which lendsa crisp look to the exterior.

"We considered a range of colour palettes, from light to dark," the architects told Dezeen. "In the end, we felt the darker colour made the house feel more trim and worked well with the palette of the surrounding site, including several large white oak trees and a beautiful cedar tree at the front of the property."

The team did remove select hedges and trees that were overgrown or needed to be cleared to make way for a new, buried power line. "In the front, we kept a planted area of trees, but limbed them up to allow screened views of the house from the street," In Situ said. The rear yard was also cleaned up, with plants like gardenias and white oaks left in place.

Inside, a wall between the living room and kitchen was removed, resulting in an open area punctuated with a large brick fireplace. The ceiling, including its exposed beams, was painted white, giving the room a light and airy feel. In the kitchen, the team replaced dated decor with modern walnut cabinetry.

The cramped master suite, located on the ground floor, was overhauled. The team raised the ceiling and enlarged closets.

It also redesigned the bathroom, adding a shower with frosted glass walls that are visible in the bedroom.

"While it is only marginally larger than the tiny original bathroom, the main feature is what we call a lantern shower," the studio said.

"This shower is about half the square footage of the bathroom, is surrounded by frosted glass on the two sides that face the bedroom, and has a large skylight in the ceiling. This fills the entire master suite with light."

In the basement, the architects created a new bedroom and family room. The lower level also contains a garage, laundry room, bathroom and storage area.

The old stairs leading to the basement were removed and replaced with a more open scheme.

"The original stairs ran in the other direction, dead-ending at a dark landing in the corner of the basement with a door," said In Situ. "We flipped the stair to open it to the main space of the basement and left it open (no door)."

The team also added a skylight over the stair, enabling more natural light to enter thebelow-grade space.

Photography is by Keith Isaacs.

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In Situ Studio revives mid-century modern home in North Carolina - Dezeen

It is highly unlikely that youd find a property quite like this one on the local market today. Complete with 42 acres of lawn and woodlands including a 7-acre parcel, multiple stone terraces, and three distinct dwellings, this Boxford listing affords boundless possibilities. Whether you are an equestrian, a hobbyist, an artist, or simply a lover of nature, this could be your perfect fit. Proudly presented by Diane Zanni of By the Sea Sothebys International Realty, it lists for $1,650,000.

This home radiates an ambiance of solidity and permanence with seamless indoor and outdoor living space in a private and rare natural setting, saysZanni. Where it is rustic in nature, it provides you with the best of both worlds by eliminating the need to head north. Here, you can be on holiday all year long.

Custom built in 1975, the main house has recently received more than $300,000 in updates, resulting in a light and bright main level. The sunken living room is striking with 30- to 40-foot wood ceilings, built-in shelving, glass doors, and a fireplace with an intricately hand-carved surround. In the kitchen, find every amenity one might expect in a home of this caliber, such as granite counters, a center island with prep sink, a generous dining area, and top-of-the-line appliances that include a Bosch dishwasher and Viking stove. What may come as surprise is the absolutely arresting cedar room a $100,000 addition by the current owner. Just a few steps down, this hand-crafted space is simply unparalleled. Wrapped in the finest of woods from around the globe, it features three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows from which to admire the grounds, stunning indirect lighting, and easy access to a working greenhouse.

Sharing this spectacular floor is a master bedroom extraordinaire that features an expansive dressing room, front-to-back stone fireplaces, an attached sunroom with secluded terrace, a tremendous walk-in closet, and an en suite bath with a striking Asian flair. Topping it all off, a curved field stone stairway leads down to a wine tasting room and 5,000-bottle wine repository. The second story of this amazing residence is home to numerous bedrooms and two full baths.

Separate living quarters complete with several rooms, a full kitchen and a bath are located above the heated, two-story garage where a car enthusiast could easily store ten automobiles. A third building with cathedral ceiling would be ideal for a yoga studio or home office perhaps, suggests Diane. Additionally, this potential horse property brings with it a barn, an animal shelter, and a man-made pond.

This home was built to very precise specifications that center around its location. In the summer, all you can see for mile after mile is green. In the fall, it is a glorious, artists pallet, says Diane. It is the serenity of this country estate that beckons to ones sole. This is a vacation lifestyle lived all year long.

An open house at 240 Main St. in Boxford is planned for Sunday, July 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information on this astounding offering, call Diane at 617-529-8844.

AT A GLANCE:

42 acres

First-floor master en suite bath

Heated8-plus car garage

Barn and accessory buildings

LISTED BY:

Diane Zanni

By the Sea Sothebys International Realty

617-529-8844

http://www.bytheseasir.com

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Boxford property affords unsurpassed craftsmanship, versatility - The Salem News