Cape Cod Renovated into Craftsman Style Home

The homeowners of a 1930s Cape-style home that had been remodeled and expanded several times before they purchased it wanted an exterior facelift that would upgrade and unify the home's aesthetics while adding much needed functionality. The clients went to Titus Built, LLC with a desire for a more appealing interpretation of their traditional Cape exterior, with Craftsman elements and a sophisticated level of design. The home needed significant structural work to improve water management in storm conditions, as well as an overall tightening of its envelope to better conserve energy. This exterior facelift required thoughtful planning to successfully achieve the aesthetic and functional goals of the clients while retaining the original character of the home and its detached garage. When adding elements of Craftsman styling to the 80-year old Cape home, it was essential to establish authenticity in the details and in the overall exterior impression. The design was meticulously researched, revised and implemented to faithfully integrate with the home's fundamental nature. Many of the elements in this project were custom-designed and handcrafted in the builder's millwork shop. This included everything from the extra-large gable end rafters (called barge board) to over 100 handcrafted mahogany and cedar brackets, along with custom flower boxes and shutters. Exterior details created from the sourced raw lumber Sapele (African mahogany) contribute to the character of the finished design. Since almost nothing was bought "off the shelf," accurate planning was crucial to the project's timely completion. In addition, a project with so many custom-designed features required a prudent balance of needs, desires and budget. A new covered front porch affords protection from seasonal elements and presents an appealing welcome. The front door is stained in a warm persimmon, and the front entry was remodeled to improve traffic flow in what was once a claustrophobic area. The finished design substantially enhances the home's aesthetics and significantly improves its functionality, while honoring the original character of the house with care. Specified Products - Brick/Masonry: Connecticut Fieldstone Doors: Simpson Door Company Hardware: Baldwin Hardware Corp. HVAC: Lennox Lighting Fixtures: Arroyo Craftsman Paints/Stains: Benjamin Moore Windows: Marvin Windows and Doors Titus Built, LLC Won Gold in the 2010 Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards for this Exterior Facelift.