This home is a remodel and addition of a Colonial Revival style house on the banks of the McKenzie River. From the start of the project, the designers and the owners agreed on the need for authenticity in both design and craftsmanship, so that the addition would ultimately appear seamless. This required the use of traditional materials and proportions, as well as excellent workmanship throughout.

The views from all of the new rooms are oriented towards the river. The strong connection between the indoors and the outdoors is enhanced by the exterior rooms which serve as extensions of their interior counterparts. This design demonstrates that it is possible to create spaces that flow seamlessly from old to new and from indoors to outdoors.  Furthermore, sightlines through the house are maintained by an open plan that uses elements such as columns and custom glass panels (by artist Annah James) to divide the space into distinct, yet interconnected, rooms.

The owners were actively involved in the design and construction process. Early on, Shugar and the owners agreed on the need for authenticity in both design and craftsmanship, so the addition would appear seamless. This required use of traditional materials and proportions, as well as excellent workmanship throughout. All this was intended to honor the home’s heritage.
 
All of the areas in the addition were designed to flow easily into one another while respecting the classical forms that appeal to the owners. By carefully blending the old and new areas, Shugar was able to accomplish a remodel that does not feel like a remodel.

In order to accomplish the mission of this project, Shugar paid close attention to classical forms, including the precise proportion of the columns in the main hall. This area was the main transition space between the old and the new, and the columns create a dynamic sight line that moves your eye from the front to the back of the house without a stop. By altering ceiling heights and materials in different rooms, the spaces don’t feel like they were added on. Additionally, the views from all the new rooms are oriented towards the river, bringing the natural world in to the space, with the eat-in kitchen as the focal point of the new addition.

The master bedroom was envisioned as a retreat, and has a dramatic barrel vaulted ceiling whose line gets carried outside above the patio. It creates a sense of warmth and comfort in the simple space. There is a two-sided fireplace in the bedroom that faces onto the tub as well. The large window above the tub was designed to give the feel of bathing outside, even while enjoying the comfort of flames in the fireplace.

The natural stone hearths in the family room and the outdoor terrace ground the house to the site. The family room features a coffered birds-eye maple ceiling which gives it definition from the adjacent hallway areas. The built-in cabinetry in the family room / wet bar area was designed to fit in with the traditional feel of the house.

Feeling the kitchen would be one of the most important elements in the project, Shugar referred the owners to Neil Kelly Company for kitchen design. They worked very closely with Neil Kelly designer, Kathleen Donohue, to perfect every detail of this classic space, declaring this would be their “last kitchen.” 

Donohue selected Décor cabinetry for its rich cherry glazed finish and styling, as well as the beautiful selection of moldings, trim, and paneling that would help achieve a country manor look. Because the owner is an accomplished gourmet chef who loves to entertain neighbors and friends, they specified large scale, professional appliances to provide the infrastructure of the kitchen. 

The furniture detailing and rich patina of the cabinet finish takes the industrial edge off and provides the dramatic backdrop for her culinary events. The crowning touch was a custom designed fish platter, embedded into the backsplash above the range, proclaiming this place to be “Barking Trout Farms”.