A Growing Family’s Need for a 2nd Floor Addition
Our clients, the Hussains, own a lovely two-story, single family home with four bedrooms upstairs, along with a hall bath and a master bath. They needed more living space for their growing family. The Hussains decided to utilize the vast empty area inside the 16’ cathedral ceiling above their family room for a second floor addition.
Their goals were to add a bedroom for their baby girl and a second hall bathroom for the older children to share, plus relocate their master bath. Originally as they envisioned this 2nd floor addition, our clients intended to design it themselves. However, the more they discussed it, the more they realized the complexity of the project required the expertise of a professional remodeling firm. So they contacted T.W. Ellis Design/Build.
Establish a Goal and Vision for Design
Tim Ellis along with Novie Siegars, our designer, met with the Hussians to go over their goals and vision. Novie finds it is important to discuss a family’s daily activities at home before beginning the design process. Our clients explained that they wanted the new hall bath to be located between the boys’ room and the baby girl’s room, while the new master bath should be alongside the master bedroom. Novie also discussed the Hussain’s preferences in terms of style and interior finishes. Their existing master bath has a Jacuzzi which they never use. They envisioned an open, spa-look for their new master bathroom with a free-standing tub and tub-filler.
After Novie designed the space, she accompanied the Hussains on a shopping trip to assist them in selecting the cabinets, fixtures, and finishes. The focal point of the master bathroom is the Victoria and Albert free-standing soaking tub along with the elegant chandelier positioned overhead—a gift from a family member. The wainscoting of chiseled ready stack tiles creates a wonderful contrast with the smooth surface of the tub. The elegant cabinets by Medallion are in a warm Champagne Burnished finish, while the floor is covered with stylish 12” x 24” Santino Bruno wood-like tile.
Work Through the Challenges, They Bring Great Reward
There were multiple challenges with designing this project. First of all, we needed to devise a cost effective plan that would align the new 2nd-story rooms with the existing plumbing, heating and cooling systems, as well as with the windows. Secondly, we wanted to be sure that the existing building envelope would experience only minimal disturbance. And finally, we had to mastermind a strategy for allowing the homeowners to comfortably reside in their home during the construction process. We were gratified that all of these goals were accomplished ahead of schedule and on budget.
The Hussains love their new addition and enjoy the many compliments they receive from friends. This spa-like master bathroom won an Award of Excellence in the category of Bathroom Remodel over $100,000. We are proud of how it drew great accolades from the judges. Novie was pleased when one of the judges told her personally that the redesigned 2nd floor addition was so seamless that the judges couldn’t tell which walls had been moved and which were still in their original locations. She said the judge’s comment to her was, “That is the most beautiful bathroom design I’ve ever seen!” Novie was clearly overjoyed when this project she designed won.