During the design phase, our in-house designers work closely together with each client to develop a plan that matches their functional and aesthetic requirements.  We then produce conceptual and construction drawings and help to select specific materials and finishes, while staying within budget.  This is one of the most important and time consuming portions of the entire remodeling project, and requires a coordinated effort between all parties involved.  (Often, design and materials selection takes longer than actual construction.)  We expedite this process by creating a Design Gantt Chart, in which tasks, responsible parties, and projected milestones are outlined.  Visit our General Remodeling, Processes page for more information on this process http://fourbrotherscarpentry.com/k_processes.aspx.

For the project at 753, we worked with the clients to establish some guiding parameters for the layout.  Initially they wanted an open floor plan that included two bedrooms per floor, but upon further consideration, they narrowed their requirements to include the following (for each floor):

• An open and interactive kitchen, living, and dining area with a contemporary feel;
• Two full bathrooms and a powder bath;
• Easy access to the rear yard and roof deck;
• Maximum storage space;
• A comfortable master suite;
• A second functional bedroom with its own bath;
• Since resale/appraisal value was important to the clients, a third bedroom was also a must.  Although the intended use was actually an office, this room needed to meet the minimum requirements for a bedroom: egress, minimum square footage, minimum width, and a closet.

Working together we explored several possibilities that met these requirements.  The various options are outlined below.