Case Study: Family Roots in a Two-Family Renovation
Case Study: Family Roots for a Two-Family Renovation in Jamaica Plain
Helios played with the idea of a traditional multigenerational household, fully renovating a two-family home to meet the needs of three generations. Upstairs the goals included a new primary suite, renovated kitchen, and more storage; downstairs the goals provided design elements for living-in-place.
Home to the daughter and her family, the upper unit features an open floor plan, clever storage solutions, and a kitchen that accommodates multiple cooks and family gatherings after the extensive renovation. The stunning millwork and casework are a hallmark of this project, so Helios collaborated with Schiefer Woodworking. In the primary suite, they built a linen cabinet and shelves that wraparound a brick chimney, creating much sought after space in a relatively limited footprint. Faced with low vertical space in the bathroom, the team installed a skylight to ensure enough height in front of the vanity.
Existing Floor Plan Unit 2 Upstairs
New floor plan Unit 2 Upstairs
The light-filled, spacious upper unit kitchen takes design cues from an organic aesthetic with stream-lined, white oak cabinets, stone surfaces and modern lighting. The kitchen allows space for a table at one end, while a large cased opening allows conversation with those in the dining room and beyond.
Upstairs bath with skylight and wrap around shelving
White oak kitchen cabinetry with stone backsplash
The lower unit benefits from smart, inspired elements resulting in an accessible space that can accommodate our client’s parents, moving to Massachusetts from Louisiana. The transformation of the new primary suite meant incorporating two existing bedrooms and an existing bathroom to reimagine that space. Helios focused on details like a large, zero-barrier shower with special consideration paid to the location of the plumbing fixtures (for someone assisting with starting the flow of water without getting soaked), and easy to grasp cabinet drawer pulls. To maintain a feeling of openness, the clients opted for exposed custom wardrobe cabinetry over a walk-in closet. Also fabricated by Schiefer, the closets showcase illuminated rods and a purple painted interior, complementing the green and orange scheme from the other spaces in their unit.
The two units offer mostly parallel layouts but differ with the use of wood species: natural walnut downstairs provides the tone the clients desired with the twist of an interesting grain, working well with the overall colorful design scheme.
Existing Floor Plan Downstairs Unit 1
After Floor Plan Downstairs Unit 1