A1DESIGNBUILD just completed a bathroom and kitchen renovation on a historic home built in 1911 in South Hill, Bellingham. The goal of the project was two-fold: to maintain the classic integrity of the house while adding modern functionality and design.
Dave and Teresa Martinelli purchased the house because they wanted to be closer to their kids, as well as enjoy the beauty of Bellingham.
Photograph courtesy of A1DESIGNBUILD
Being avid hikers, they knew they were in the right place. But they also knew their classic craftsman needed a few tweaks, most specifically a complete kitchen and bathroom remodel. After talking to lots of people and doing extensive research, they decided to go with A1DesignBuild because of the firm’s expertise of seamlessly integrating great design with the historical charm already present in older houses.
“We talked to a lot of different people, but then I happened to read an article online about A1DesignBuild and another house that they’d worked on in South Hill,” says Dave. “And the main premise of the story was how they did a great job blending the historical character of the house with modern upgrades. That’s a fine line to walk but they did it beautifully.”
Photograph by A1DESIGNBUILD
The first step in the project was making sure everyone was quite clear on project goals, including design, timeline, and budget. So designer Sharon Petker of A1DesignBuild met with the Martinellis and reviewed all the details of the project from top to bottom. No detail was too small, and everything was communicated either in person, over the phone, or using their online portal to assure everyone was on the same page. This ‘clear vision’ around the project minimized hiccups and helped guarantee there wouldn’t be any overages.
“One of my jobs as designer is to work within the scope of the project, and make sure I come up with ideas that fit squarely within the budget,” says Petker. “I present a variety of options to the client, and together we gradually refine them to select the final concept. Our online tools enable us to fully visualize these ideas, providing excellent project management and collaboration with the client. This way, everyone is clear on the design before any work begins.”
Photograph by A1DESIGNBUILD
To continue this theme of collaboration, A1DesignBuild arranged a ‘marathon day’ for all subcontractors to meet with the owners and share their approaches. They toured the house, discussed any potential challenges and solutions, and set about reimagining what both new spaces would ultimately look like.
For the kitchen, basically everything was started from scratch, save for the placement of the appliances. New cabinets were put up, along with new counters, an island was added to the space, and new tile was installed, including a decorative backsplash. A new color palette and lighting elevated the space considerably, and today the space is the center of attention for family gatherings.
Photograph by A1DESIGNBUILD
The bathroom already had some charm, but the goal was to maximize the space for storage while adding a new shower, vanity, toilet, and bathtub—again being sure to maintain the integrity of the house. An old radiator from the early 1900’s still provides warmth to the bathroom, for example, with its wonderful detail and craftsmanship on full display. Though A1DesignBuild prides itself as a builder of high-performance homes from the ground-up, they also love working on classic older homes to integrate modern touches into timeless design.
“Some of these older homes just can’t be duplicated,” says Design Manager Maggie Bates. “By making them more functional and with an eye towards design that integrates the old with the new, we can help assure these houses have a life ahead for decades to come.”
About A1DesignBuild
The A1DesignBuild philosophy is simple: Like a great bike, your favorite hiking boots or your best friend, the best home holds you up, not back. It is simple, smart, and ridiculously durable. Built for and of its place, it does as much as possible with as little as possible, exploiting nothing and no one in the process. Since 1955, A1DesignBuild has been living up to these values on hundreds of projects, and today operates as a co-op with 22 employees.
