A Country Home Updated

Every genuine country home is unique, and that means that alongside all the wonderful one-of-a-kind features there are at least a few unpleasant quirks. But talented designers turn problems into opportunities, and good homers can always be made into great ones.

TRUE COUNTRY HOMES have a certain indefinable charm for which there is simply no substitute. Unfortunately, these homes can have a downside: they are often fraught with structural and technical problems that have gone overlooked for years or decades, or that have been hidden with patchwork repairs. Designed for a different lifestyle, country homes can also lack many of the amenities and luxuries that most homeowners have grown used to. Sometimes it takes major changes to address these drawbacks, and this thorough renovation was no exception.

The project, which encompassed the kitchen with its attached bathroom and entryway, started with a complete tear-down. A large portion of the main floor was stripped down to the frame and rebuilt with several upgrades. The wiring and plumbing were completely reworked, and new windows, insulation and heating and cooling systems were installed to increase comfort and decrease utility bills.

These functional improvements became the foundation for a brand new décor that blends perfectly with the country home but also has a distinctly contemporary flare. A wealth of detailed custom cabinetry and wainscoting lines the walls of the kitchen, complete with large glass display cabinets, and the space is marked by rustic but sleek features like the copper double-basin sink and the island's vessel sink. The long, narrow island is itself a décor centerpiece: the natural wood top stands out next to the granite of the main counter, and the rubbed black cabinetry of the base, with its eye-catching display area in one end, is the perfect mix of tradition and fashion.

Attached to the kitchen is a spacious entryway that was completely rebuilt to provide a convenient mud-room for winter coats and boots, with new bay windows to make it bright and inviting. The entryway also grants access to the new three-piece bathroom, freshly tiled and featuring a shower box with a tempered glass door.

Renovations this complete are expensive, but when new insulation and heating are part of a project, the price is offset by significant savings in the years to come. And when there are structural concerns to address, it makes a great excuse to build a dream room like this kitchen. Although tackling all these challenges can be a difficult job, the joy of living in a country home updated to modern standards is reward enough and more.