It’s down right hot outside and when I arrived at the Chapman home (thirty five minutes early!) and when you drive down the long driveway you immediately get the feeling that this family lives life to the fullest. Two little boys playing a make-up game in the garage and the chatter from the two of them tells me the parent have their hands full. I wasn’t briefed on what to expect on this project so I was very interested in seeing what was done to accommodate a busy lifestyle.

Jen Chapman has a surprised look on her face as she greets me at the door dressed in a running shorts and t-shirt and it looked like she just got back from a hot afternoon run. Perfect, and a great day for a run, too! Coming from a family of runners, I totally get it. The only thing missing here is a dog or a cat. Plus, Google was way off on how long it would take me to get here.  Sorry about that Jen.

This home is beautiful with a long front yard and a wooded view out back and when you step inside you immediately notice a large tiled fireplace that sits at the left end of the living room but off the wall. The firebox faces the living room and the short hallway behind the fireplace divides the room and guides you down the hall to the bedrooms. The fireplace is wide enough so when you sit in the living room you can’t see the hallway. Good idea!

Jen informed me that the home was designed and built by a builder who lived in the house as well. That’s always a great sign of quality and when I saw the before pictures I knew the home was just in need of an update. Jen told me that she was hesitant of a remodel and put it off as long as she could but when Connie Man showed her the drawings she was all in and couldn’t wait to get started.

“I love it! As soon as the job was done I knew I should have done this sooner.”
~Jen Chapman

I hear that all the time. The back wall is painted with a deep plum color and is striking against the white bead board ceiling and the beautiful wood floors. The three large beams are now prominent fixtures on the ceiling and if you saw the before pictures there was a large wall that divided the living room from the kitchen which cut into the beams on the ceiling. With the wall removed and the space wide open, the dark brown beams become incredible contemporary pieces, which changes the room dramatically. Very nice and once again, fantastic space planning by designer Connie from DKDR.

Sunlight pours in from the front of the house, the dining area, and the kitchen window and bounces all over the place including the beautiful stacked 30″stainless steal Jenn-Air Convection Ovens making shooting this home a challenge. Rooms like this becomes “spaces” and the home now seems twice is big and definitely brighter than the before pictures.  Connie could have easily done a HGTV special on this kitchen as well as the entire space and the transformation would have been spectacular.

The kitchen island is gorgeous and the three bright red stools really pop underneath the island overhang. The cook top is positioned perfectly in the island and above tons of storage and the cook now becomes part of the living space should any gathering require snacks or food prep. Removing the dividing wall and adding the island enabled space for six or seven people to easily gather and converse and still be part of the living area.

Moving around the room to the fireplace you can’t help notice the detailed work of the tile and whoever did the work is a master installer. I guess that makes sense considering its Dream Kitchens but, tile work is not easy and you immediately notice the quality work! The firebox is big and I love everything about a fireplace. There is nothing better than a big roaring fire to make any evening or a holiday special and this fireplace can handle it. It’s beautiful!

I can’t help thinking about the before pictures when I see the finished job and when I get them I’ll add them to this blog, the showcase page, and the home page.  Stay tuned!

Jim
DKDR