Clients of mine downsized to a historic home fashioned from the renovated barracks at Fort Benjamin Harrison. They loved the history, location and original architectural details. However, once they moved in, they found they needed some functional upgrades. What started with one project has led to many additions and renovations. We joke that I have touched every room in the house, even the outside. Our goal was always to add functionality while honoring and enhancing the original details.
Adding Crown Molding
During the initial renovation of the old barracks, the original brick was left alone but the new drywall was added that looked unfinished. They wanted large format crown molding installed and painted white. Working with older architecture is a challenge because things are not square. A lot of care needs to go into measuring and making custom cuts to ensure new architectural elements look original. Case in point – there were large support beams in the middle of some rooms, none of which had symmetrical sides. Each one required a custom design – and a lot of patience.
Entertainment System & Wet Bar
The lower level was turned into the casual living area where the family watches TV and plays video games. My clients have an eye for design, so they drew up what they wanted to house the entertainment system. We built the floor to ceiling custom cabinetry, adding special nooks to house electronics, books and accessories as well as closed storage. We then added trim molding so it would blend with the rest of the home.
A chase way had to be added for an A/C ceiling vent to ensure proper airflow.
My clients also purchased additional high-quality cabinetry for their wet bar area that almost fit their needs and the space. They had me reconfigure it to house a wine refrigerator and add trim molding to give it a more custom look.
Fireplace Mantle
The common area off the kitchen included a more formal living space. My clients were looking to elevate the look of an existing fireplace by adding a new custom mantle. Since the mantle was not that large, I suggested using mahogany which turned out to be the perfect accent for the room. I angled the cuts on the ends to match the wall for a truly custom look. No, they weren’t the perfect angle since we were dealing with an old home where nothing is square, but that’s what custom woodworking is all about.
Custom Wine Rack
The mahogany in the living room led to mahogany in the kitchen. My clients had purchased a high-quality wine rack that fits perfectly at the end of their kitchen cabinetry but needed a top. I fashioned it out of the left-over pieces from the mahogany mantle – no waste and a gorgeous addition to the kitchen.
Porch Reconstruction
Our most recent project was adding a beadboard ceiling to both levels of the outside porch. My clients really enjoy sitting out there but felt the ambiance was limited by the open beams. We thought the project was going to be straightforward, but as is typical in a historic home, it grew into something complicated. First, there was a huge approval process for outdoor renovations – my clients got to wade through that. Once approved and started, we found that so many of the support beams had deteriorated that we had to rebuild both porches. Turns out, many of the homes in the neighborhood had the same issue. I designed my clients’ porches to have a crown in the middle to channel water off the structure. Many of their neighbors used another company that did not address that important detail and now have standing water issues. Turns out that though my clients paid a bit more, they received the best deal because they are not dealing with problems that are not being addressed.
Purchasing a historic home means putting a lot of love and care into maintaining its unique characteristics. It also requires attention to detail to honor the architectural details. If you are looking to add new cabinetry, a custom fireplace mantle or moldings to your historic home, send me an email or give me a call at (317) 679-5890. I can help you achieve your vision.
The arches were only part of the window – the rest of the molding had to be rebuilt as well. While it did not have to be bent, the wood had to be custom milled to the correct size and style. This project required a lot of detail and engineering ingenuity, as well as again making up my own process to complete the work. When I was approached by the homeowner, I agreed without understanding how I would accomplish the project because it sounded like so much fun. Other woodworkers had turned the work down because they did not know how to approach it. I had the confidence that my engineering background would help me figure it out. Lots of my projects are that way – they challenge me to come up with a unique solution and I always do. This skillset is what homeowners need from a custom woodworker -– creating something they can’t get elsewhere.
