Historic Restoration
A
n 1877 Victorian in a
coastal resort com-
munity had become
dilapidated and over-
run by bushes and trees. Ten
came a new owner looking to
convert it from an old, ramshackle
summer home into a primary res-
idence, ft for a modern family. Extensive research
and extreme care went into the restoration. Davitt
Design Build went so far as to set up a millwork
shop on-site to replicate rotted trim, damaged
moldings as well as shutters, baseboards, wain-
scoting and exterior clapboards.
Newell posts, railings and spindles with at least
a dozen layers of paint were stripped, sanded and
stained. Douglas fr foorboards were repaired,
sanded and stained throughout. Amidst all of
the millwork restoration was a subtle reconfgu-
ration and modernization of plumbing, electri-
cal, HVAC and lighting systems. A few interior
walls, some load-bearing, were removed to create
larger, more light-flled open spaces. Steel beams
were added to redistribute those loads. Hurricane
straps were added to the structure to bring it up
to coastal code.
And when it was all done, old blended
with new quite seamlessly. Exterior colors for
Idlewild's restoration were approved by a local
historic commission. So too was the home's ex-
terior woodwork. At the same time, a host of
new conveniences were included — everything
from heated toilet seats to a modern kitchen/
great room and an outdoor-living program that
fts remarkably well with the massing of this
historic gem.
|
GOLD
DAVITT DESIGN BUILD, NORTH
KINGSTON, R.I.
davittdesignbuild.com
Project name: Idlewild
Location: Narragansett, R.I.
Square footage: 3,600
SILVER
Cummings Architects, Ipswich, Mass.
cummingsarchitects.com
32 September 2015 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com