A Whole-House Remodel is Completed in Two Stages for Clients Tori Ward and Jerry Chinn
by Tom Reilly, Principal & CEO, RENOVATIONS
When beginning any remodel project, we always start by trying to discover our client’s vision. For this remodel, that vision was clear from Day One.
The kitchen and dining area were first. The look was to be clean and contemporary, but not overly slick, with warm colors and a Japanese influence.
When there are two people who use the kitchen, there needs to be space. There is an area for baking. A large counter where dough can be rolled out amidst the bowls, pans and staples necessary for baking is the center point for this side of the work area.
The cooking surface includes an integral serving and eating counter celebrating the informal day- to-day needs. Central in the cabinet-covered wall is the coffee station, a staple for this household. The cleanup and food storage are close to the decidedly Japanese influenced Torii archway.
The single most overriding influence for this space is the circular window with the Japanese pattern in the wood insert. Supporting this motif are the Shoji-style doors used in lieu of curtains for the west facing sliding glass door leading to the outdoor deck. The hood was selected by the clients for its simple line, adding to the clean, warm, contemporary feel of this space.
While designing part one of this home’s remodel, part two was given a lot of thought so the two parts would blend. This portion reclaimed the two-car garage for additional living room, laundry, gallery and the pantry.
The pantry was adjacent to the side of the kitchen where the food is stored and large enough to accommodate some appliances, freeing up counter space in the kitchen.
The gallery includes some specific lighting options to highlight the client’s art and doubles as a gracious transition space from the kitchen and dining spaces of part one to the living space of part two.
The living space was designed to be the new entry to the home as well. The simple, elegant space set aside for sitting while removing your shoes is adjacent to a small closet for outerwear and a cabinet shelf for art display. The client worked through several permutations of this area before arriving at the final design. Well worth the effort! Note again the round window that captures morning sunlight and the Japanese wooden pattern that again sets the vibe for this room.
A recessed door (the recess was another great idea of our clients) to the garage addition plays down the utility of this adjacent space.
For more information on transforming your home with RENOVATIONS, call 928-445-8506 or visit renovationsaz.com
The Inspiration
For photographer and travel agent Jerry Chinn, a home renovation “is like hitting yourself in the head.”
“It feels so good once it’s over,” he said.
Chinn and his writer and travel agent wife Tori Ward lived in their North Prescott home during their renovation, and survived without a kitchen for two months. Phase 1 began in June 2014 and was completed in September that year, and phase 2 started in July 2016 and was completed in March 2017.
“I have to say she did amazing with just a toaster oven and single-element induction cooktop,” Chinn said. “I contributed as grill master on the backyard grill.”
Ward said their renovated home blends both of their styles to create a peaceful and beautiful ambiance.
“I love abstract, while he is much more figurative, so we settled on an Asian influenced aesthetic that we both loved, and started slowly with rooms we could remodel ourselves,” Ward said. “Our home, with its carefully selected design elements, reflects our love of art combined with harmony and makes it a home where it’s difficult to have even a small argument because of its peacefulness.”
Chinn said that the renovation allowed them to remain in their preferred location – adjacent to a seasonal creek and only minutes from town – as well as creating an aesthetic that reflects their “personalities and artistic sensitivity.”
“Am I happy, do I love it? Yes,” Chinn said. “Is there more to come? Yes. It’s hard to explain the feeling of envisioning something and having it organically and magically become a physical reality.”
