Magnolia Tudor shakes up the neighborhood with contemporary drama out front

ABOUT EVERY three years or so, when the phone rings at architect David Colemans office, he will think to himself, You know, its about time for Cindy and Rob to call.

It is. And here they are, Colemans serial remodelers Cindy Chin and Rob Graham. The three of them working together to tweak and improve the couples Magnolia bluff Tudor into modern living. Since 1999.

We lived here 15 years before we started remodeling, says Graham. So we knew how the house lived. We never wanted a bigger footprint, but we wanted it to live bigger.

We couldnt figure out how to get modern into a 1929 house, says Chin. After touring a Coleman-designed home, however, they knew exactly how.

I think David has an idea formulated before we even know what were going to do. Chin laughs at the collaboration that, over the years, comes naturally.

Once they commit, Graham and Chin are a pair of troupers. No matter the scope of the work, theyve never vacated the place, even when, perhaps, they should have. At one point, if we wanted to come in the back, we had to use a screw gun to take down the plywood, Graham says.

Work began in the kitchen, opening it, connecting it to the backyard and dining room (achieved on both sides with steel and glass French doors) increasing storage and functionality.

Then it was down to the basement. David makes us call it the lower level, corrects Chin. Heres why: Large windows brighten spaces that are now media room, guest suite, a full bath.

In Phase 3, cabinetry was upgraded to match the new kitchen. (Theyre sapele.) Work then headed upstairs, new dormer.

And now, there is this, the front of the home, its public face, remade front door to sidewalk. Born of a desire for a new porch. The couple thought there was no there there. No place to land out of the weather, make the transition indoors.

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Magnolia Tudor shakes up the neighborhood with contemporary drama out front