“Viewing Backyard Paradise”- New Hope Addition

Project Details:

Project Viewing Backyard Paradise
Category Additions
Clients Linda Myerson
Location New Hope, PA
Project Year 2006

Project Highlights

Neatly nestled into the foot of a mountain, our client’s 150 year old home felt cramped. With a road right outside their front door, neighbors tightly tucked on each side and the mountain slope for their backyard, our clients wanted to maximize their living space within.

As the present working kitchen did not lend itself to a sit-down mealtime environment, they had always desired a dining room.

Also, their master bedroom was snug and rather plain in design and could not provide them the romantic private paradise of their dreams. Introducing as much natural light into the new proposed space was of high priority.

Arch top windows were a specific desire. They greatly wanted the finished project to take full advantage of the backyard view as well as having a visual of a nearby river running in front. All renovations were tastefully fit into the flow of an original structure, increasing its charm while adding practical functionality.

A two-story addition that was artfully designed and specifically tailored to fit the existing home incorporated all our customer’s needs and desires. The back, side door off the present kitchen became the entrance into the new dining area. French doors and adjoining side lights captured the entire back wall of the new room inviting in the outdoors. Directly above the newly established dining area housed the master bedroom expansion, dramatically highlighted by two twin cathedral arched windows and another set of French doors with full sidelights opening onto a step-out, wrought iron balcony.

Continual challenges presented themselves from the onset of this project.

To gain access on and off the property while the work was being done, permissions from the next door neighbors needed to be secured because the structures were in such close proximity to each other.

All construction had to take place without disturbing the fixed stone wall running the length of the proposed addition. The finished framework was to be within 36’’ of the wall. Normally used heavy machinery to assist in various tasks in the renovating project was unable to be utilized due to a lack of space and the steep mountain slope directly off the back of the house. This resulted in the entire foundation needing to be dug by hand using jackhammers, shovels, and wheelbarrows to haul away debris.

In addition, once off the delivery trucks, all windows and the two large double doors and sidelights that were made as one unit were man-handled only. Getting the units to the second story was another challenge that was addressed by using creatively designed pulley systems. The detailed task of enduring the new blended undetectably with the old was an ongoing challenge.

Project completed, the homeowners can experience a relaxed dining environment and then retire to a spacious master bedroom suite. Both renovated areas not only give the feeling of being outside, but provide the opportunity to simply turn a knob, take a step, and really be there.