Category: Project Spotlight

Since 1973, Schrader and Company, Inc. has distinguished itself as the remodeling company to trust in the capital region. In projects both big and small, they have earned a reputation for quality of craftsmanship, professionalism and customer care. And while remodeling and renovation will always remain at the core of the company’s services, new construction is an exciting new venture for both employees and clients.

Our Design/Build model allows Schrader and Co. to partner with the best architects in the business to conceptualize and then create our clients’ complete dream homes. Our team of experienced professionals guide homeowners through every part of the process, helping them to make selections that will result in a house specifically designed for their family’s needs. We remain in a managerial role throughout a new build project, while also subcontracting out to our respected trade colleagues, which allows us to keep competitive with costs specific to this industry. Because new construction can be so minutely tailored to a homeowner’s needs and wants, the end result can vary from large and grandiose to a more budget-conscious downsized domicile.

An excellent example of Schrader and Company’s new construction success is this stunning home, designed to be the forever residence of a local couple. The clients were originally interested in working with Schrader and Co. on an extensive renovation to their home, with the goal of creating first floor living spaces that would allow the owners to age in place. But when the idea of a new custom home was brought to the table, with a location just a few hundred feet from their current house, it became clear that a fresh start would best suit their needs.

Local architecture firm Architex was brought on to the project, headed by owner and principal architect Tim Gallagher. Tim and his team brought their extensive experience and consummate knowledge to the table.“When we enter into a Design/Build agreement with a client, we form one cohesive team with the clients and with the architect. Tim is so wonderful to work with because he knows the right questions to ask of a homeowner to understand their needs,” says Ben Cangeleri. “ Tim and his team are talented, flexible, and can turn initial ideas into a beautiful, functional design.”

The clients also play an important role in any project, and their involvement here contributed greatly to the successful end result.

“These clients were excellent at communicating their needs and hopes for this home. They were great at making decisions and giving clear feedback. With careful scheduling and planning, the project unfolded incredibly smoothly,” says Ben.

Through this kind of intimate collaborative process, great creative strides are made. The home boasts many unique touches that illustrate just how far a new custom home can be from a cookie-cutter model. The mantel in the living room was once a beam from the owner’s grandfather’s barn, bringing a sense of history to a fresh space. The bar countertops are done in Ohio State University colors, in deference to the owners’ pride in their alma mater. And special accommodations were made for the way the clients wished to live in their home, with rooms being designed to work with a pool table, and Christmas tree.

The homeowners are absolutely thrilled with the results of the process, and have become dear friends and member of the extended Schrader and Co. “family”. They recently expressed how much they were looking forwarding to hosting holiday celebrations this year.

“That’s a huge testament to how well the house is working for them and their needs, and that gives all of us involved tremendous satisfaction,” says Ben.

We have had rewarding opportunities over the years to work in homes that have famous or historic footprints, and in this Project Spotlight we’ll delve into what it involves to respect the original vision of a noted architect while updating a home to suit the current owners’ needs and wants.

The scope of work for this project involved renovating the original 1950 kitchen in a home that was designed by renowned Massachusetts based architect, Royal Barry Wills. The owners hold Wills’ architectural design and sense of proportion in high regard so it was critically important to maintain both in the kitchen renovation.

The original kitchen consisted of site-built, birch plywood cabinets with laminate countertops, neither of which were deserving of such a beautiful home. The windows in the kitchen were original and although they were lovely in their proportions, they were single pane glass, and not energy efficient. These shortcomings, and their desire to finally have a kitchen that they could be proud of, inspired the owners to contact the professionals at Schrader and Company.

All of the work the owners had completed to date since purchasing the property was done with respect to the original architecture of the home. The clients made it clear that whatever was done during the design and planning process, it should not veer too far from the spirit of Wills’ design.

The new windows installed during the renovation are the perfect example of the delicate balance that was struck. The new windows are a combination of custom, cottage style, double hungs and a custom, triple casement unit at the kitchen sink. All are completely made of wood (inside and out) and have simulated divided lite muntins with spacer bars between the insulated glass.

Upon closer inspection of the original double hung windows, it was discovered that the size of the individual panes of glass differed slightly in size as they progressed upward from the bottom sash rail at the sill area, up to the check rail between the top and bottom sash. When the owners were made aware of this, they determined that if it was an important enough detail to Royal Barry Wills, it must be important. Therefore, they asked to have this detail replicated in the fabrication of the new windows, and it was done.

The owner’s had been given a custom, stained glass panel as a wedding gift many years ago. It had been stored away in a plywood box and never been enjoyed by them. As part of the Schrader custom cabinetry work, they hoped to find a place in the kitchen where this prized glass panel could finally be displayed. Cabinetry designer Robert Page was successful in building it into the custom hutch cabinet. And illuminating it from behind with LED lighting finally gave this piece the place of prominence it deserved.

In addition to the above improvements, the new kitchen boasts cherry cabinetry, wainscoting and millwork fabricated in our cabinet shop, and beautiful black granite countertops with a honed finish that fit the style and character of the home perfectly. The black slate flooring in the kitchen (and the adjacent mudroom) compliment the countertops beautifully. The tile flooring in the kitchen also features a tile warming system. A flush, ceiling-mounted cooking ventilation system provides an unobstructed view. This system has the blower unit mounted in the attic space above to cut down on noise and also features LED lighting directly over the range surface.

Updating the home in these ways yielded huge benefits in energy efficiency, via the installation of the new windows along with new wall and ceiling insulation. Prior to this remodel the function of the original site-built cabinetry was poor. The new cabinetry was outfitted with full extension roll-outs, drawers, and many other custom accessories. The former kitchen did not have a sufficient cooking ventilation system so the installation of the new ceiling mounted unit was a vast improvement in removing cooking odors.

Honoring Royal Barry Wills’ original plan for the home while simultaneously providing the homeowners with the comforts and efficiencies of modern living was the true challenge of this particular job, and project planner Brian Taber feels that test was passed with great success.

“The clients wanted to preserve the feel of the home as was intended by the architect, and their good, clear communication of that goal to us coupled with careful planning and inventive design has resulted in a luxurious kitchen filled with modern amenities that fits seamlessly into a turn of the century home. The clients love it and we loved working on it with them.”

No matter the skill-level of the cooks who inhabit it, the kitchen tends to be one of the most used and most enjoyed rooms of any house. Quite literally the hearth of the home, the kitchen often becomes the setting for holiday memories, the place where guests and hosts converge as special dinners are prepared, and the room where the business of family life is conducted.

When one is a serious home cook, as is the case for the homeowners in this Project Spotlight, the importance of the kitchen grows exponentially. A cohesion of careful planning and smart design resulted in this stunning renovation, which gave the clients a beautiful, efficient and spacious kitchen in which to enjoy their passion for cooking and entertaining.

The original kitchen was a large space, but the homeowners wanted better functionality, a more efficient cooking ventilation system, and improved lighting.

To accomplish the goal of letting in more light, the existing mulled double hung windows at the sink were removed, a new larger opening was framed, a plumbing vent was repositioned, and a new Springline fixed window unit with two flanking casements window (which open for venting) were installed alongside it. The existing six foot wide patio door was also removed, the opening reframed, and a new eight foot wide sliding patio door was installed.

Another design goal was to cordon off the mudroom/laundry area from the kitchen proper. This was accomplished with a pocket door wall between the two areas with a full light, decorative glass door.

Cabinets are the cornerstone of any kitchen, and this project called for extensive custom cabinetry, made under the direction of Robert Page in the Schrader and Company Cabinetmaking Shop. To make the most of the ample space and take advantage of the existing nine foot ceilings, the drywall soffits were removed which allowed the new upper cabinetry to extend to within six inches of the ceiling. The cabinets were then trimmed out with an attractive cherry cove moulding. Outlets were mounted in strips underneath the upper cabinets. They provide for an undisturbed tile backsplash and a much cleaner look, and allow for complete convenience when using any electronic device or appliance.

The cabinets offered another opportunity to meet the client's’ desire for better light in the kitchen. Undercabinet LED lighting was installed, and all of the upper, glass door cabinets are illuminated with LED lighting.

The homeowners had also expressed a need for better ventilation. A low-profile, ceiling mounted system made by Best was installed above the new kitchen island, and with careful trimming and framing, it blends seamlessly into the ceiling.

In addition to the storage provided by the cabinetry, a large two-tiered island was constructed. Other major changes to the space included new wood flooring and new large-format tile backsplash, as well as the installation of top of the line appliances.

Project Planner Brian Taber speaks for much of the Schrader staff as he recalls this renovation being particularly beautiful and luxurious.

“We were able to give these clients what they wanted and needed as serious home cooks. I know they are enjoying and relishing in this space every single day, and that gives us tremendous satisfaction.”

The best design is that which works with a home’s environment. When structure and setting come together cohesively, both are made better for it. A renovation can give us the opportunity to make the most of a home’s surroundings, as illustrated beautifully in this Project Spotlight, in which a kitchen undergoes a modern transformation and the most is made of incredible views of Ballston Lake.

For this project, the clients wanted to update their kitchen to reflect a more modern aesthetic and to make the feel of the space light, bright, and open to their beautiful vista of the lake. The coveted feature of a two-sided fireplace bisecting the kitchen and living area was already in place, but needed renovating to match the client’s contemporary vision.

 

In the kitchen itself, some features were completely replaced, while some pre-existing aspects were reworked to fit in with the new vision. The new kitchen island was positioned in a different location than the old one, but the original tile flooring was able to remain, as the client had enough leftover tiles to infill at the former island location. The new island cabinetry was positioned to align with the existing feature tiles.

Speaking of that kitchen island, it includes a built-in table and a three inch Miter Fold edge profile on a Cambria quartz countertop. Together, the results are spectacular.

In order to take full advantage of the home’s winning views of Ballston Lake, the existing casement window over the sink was replaced with an awning style window. The new unobstructed view of the lake is a major improvement, and brings the outdoors in for the owners on a daily basis.

 

In order to take full advantage of the home’s winning views of Ballston Lake, the existing casement window over the sink was replaced with an awning style window. The new unobstructed view of the lake is a major improvement, and brings the outdoors in for the owners on a daily basis.

The standout feature of the two-sided fireplace was also beautifully improved. Stacked stone was used from floor to ceiling, and a floating mantel completed the clean, modern look.

Project Planner John Hudson gives credit to the clients for helping to make this renovation such a success. “The owners attention to detail and our ability to create the beautiful, modern look that they described really sets this project apart.”