Inspired Design
| By Juanita Hickerson |
ShareThis With two working parents, four children, a fulltime nanny and a dog, the Jeff and Heather Larson family is a dynamic one. As eldest child Britta was reaching her teenage years (complete with expanded social calendar), the very busy family simultaneously outgrew the finished, but not exactly inviting, lower level of their Plymouth home.
Fortunately, the Larsons had a vision for change—a place where their kids and friends would want to congregate and have fun. Realizing that turning the space into a welcoming one would require external resources, they attended an open house at interior designer Andrea Kerrison’s home and left excited by the possibilities. In April 2008, the couple began working with LarsonKerrison Interior Design to create a comprehensive overhaul of their non-descript lower level.
The existing area, though open with a view to the Churchill Farms neighborhood’s manmade pond, had some issues, including an oversize soffit, housing main mechanical elements to the home, and a floor-to-ceiling pinkish brick fireplace (which the couple was not fond of). The bland space was finished in contractor-grade trim and basic wood slab doors. The family’s home, a two-story built in the early 1990s, has a traditional feel throughout. Kerrison’s game plan was to marry this tradition with wood reminiscent of the family’s summer cabin in the new entertaining area.
The designer’s custom solutions to the room’s challenges today give it presence and personality. A knotty alder wood fireplace mantle, surround and wall serve a dual design purpose: The striking paneled wood façade gives weight to the room, and it covers the majority of the onerous fireplace brick, revealing just enough as a textural accent. Jeff Larson finds the cabinetry to be “outstanding,” one of his favorite elements of the remodel. He also appreciates Kerrison’s suggestion to upgrade to the custom work, which he says “was not the biggest expense, but worth it.” The larger scale, detailed trim and six-panel doors give a custom-built look and add a new dimension to the room.
The entertaining space adjacent to the fireplace seating area houses a wood-paneled micro-fridge, also of knotty alder. A deep granite countertop houses a copper bar-sink with oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, and a microwave rounds out the refreshment needs for guests who gather to watch football and golf tournaments on the 46-inch television nestled in the corner. Bridging the two areas remains the family’s traditional round wood table with fold-down sides, which Kerrison re-purposed from another area of the home.
Beyond the entertaining space, Kerrison carved out an attractive and functional workspace from the spacious hall leading to a guest bath and bedroom. The same knotty alder cabinetry and matching granite unifies the space. The guest bath was refreshed with wallpaper and custom window treatments matching those in the living area.
The Larsons appreciate the design contributions on several levels. Previously, they had worked with an interior designer only to select some furniture pieces and colors in other areas of their house. During the four-month construction, completed in fall 2008, Kerrison coordinated all details of the remodel with an all-inclusive, turnkey approach, keeping interruptions to the busy family at a minimum. Her favorite aspect of the makeover is that it is “congruent with the classic, traditional feeling of the home,” she says. “The space works so well for them. I love that they love it.”
Just the Facts
When working with clients, Andrea Kerrison uses her own technique to determine the ideal outcome of the project. Using the acronym FIND, she learns: the Facts, to establish the parameter and scope of the project; the Issues to be addressed; the clients’ Needs for the area and the Dreams they have for the space.
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RESOURCE GUIDE:
Custom designed cabinetry, fireplace surround, bar area and work center: J and B Cabinets, Anoka; 763.753.9577
Painting and staining: Decorators Services Co. Inc., Plymouth; 763.383.2955
Carpet: Stark
Leather sofa and loveseat: Hancock & Moore, through Baker furniture
Custom window treatments, ottoman and reupholstered lounge chair: all fabric by Kravet
Fortunately, the Larsons had a vision for change—a place where their kids and friends would want to congregate and have fun. Realizing that turning the space into a welcoming one would require external resources, they attended an open house at interior designer Andrea Kerrison’s home and left excited by the possibilities. In April 2008, the couple began working with LarsonKerrison Interior Design to create a comprehensive overhaul of their non-descript lower level.
The existing area, though open with a view to the Churchill Farms neighborhood’s manmade pond, had some issues, including an oversize soffit, housing main mechanical elements to the home, and a floor-to-ceiling pinkish brick fireplace (which the couple was not fond of). The bland space was finished in contractor-grade trim and basic wood slab doors. The family’s home, a two-story built in the early 1990s, has a traditional feel throughout. Kerrison’s game plan was to marry this tradition with wood reminiscent of the family’s summer cabin in the new entertaining area.
The designer’s custom solutions to the room’s challenges today give it presence and personality. A knotty alder wood fireplace mantle, surround and wall serve a dual design purpose: The striking paneled wood façade gives weight to the room, and it covers the majority of the onerous fireplace brick, revealing just enough as a textural accent. Jeff Larson finds the cabinetry to be “outstanding,” one of his favorite elements of the remodel. He also appreciates Kerrison’s suggestion to upgrade to the custom work, which he says “was not the biggest expense, but worth it.” The larger scale, detailed trim and six-panel doors give a custom-built look and add a new dimension to the room.
The entertaining space adjacent to the fireplace seating area houses a wood-paneled micro-fridge, also of knotty alder. A deep granite countertop houses a copper bar-sink with oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, and a microwave rounds out the refreshment needs for guests who gather to watch football and golf tournaments on the 46-inch television nestled in the corner. Bridging the two areas remains the family’s traditional round wood table with fold-down sides, which Kerrison re-purposed from another area of the home.
Beyond the entertaining space, Kerrison carved out an attractive and functional workspace from the spacious hall leading to a guest bath and bedroom. The same knotty alder cabinetry and matching granite unifies the space. The guest bath was refreshed with wallpaper and custom window treatments matching those in the living area.
The Larsons appreciate the design contributions on several levels. Previously, they had worked with an interior designer only to select some furniture pieces and colors in other areas of their house. During the four-month construction, completed in fall 2008, Kerrison coordinated all details of the remodel with an all-inclusive, turnkey approach, keeping interruptions to the busy family at a minimum. Her favorite aspect of the makeover is that it is “congruent with the classic, traditional feeling of the home,” she says. “The space works so well for them. I love that they love it.”
Just the Facts
When working with clients, Andrea Kerrison uses her own technique to determine the ideal outcome of the project. Using the acronym FIND, she learns: the Facts, to establish the parameter and scope of the project; the Issues to be addressed; the clients’ Needs for the area and the Dreams they have for the space.
&
RESOURCE GUIDE:
Custom designed cabinetry, fireplace surround, bar area and work center: J and B Cabinets, Anoka; 763.753.9577
Painting and staining: Decorators Services Co. Inc., Plymouth; 763.383.2955
Carpet: Stark
Leather sofa and loveseat: Hancock & Moore, through Baker furniture
Custom window treatments, ottoman and reupholstered lounge chair: all fabric by Kravet
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