Historic French Normandy, Grosse Pointe, MI

Detroit Home Award Winner

Our challenge was to facilitate a 1,300-square-foot renovation of a poorly designed kitchen and conservatory “remodel”, which was outdated and unrelated to the original design of the home. This 6,500-square-foot lakefront French Normandy home was designed by noted Midwest architect Hugh T. Keyes in 1928. We worked closely with the homeowner to redesign the space to be much more consistent with the rest of the home. We specified classic architectural details such as ceiling beams, French doors, and stone floors. The focal design feature was the application of two and a half centimeters of Hamilton Limestone used throughout the space, including a beautiful new fireplace, surround, and hearth mirroring the original exterior stone. As with many historic renovations, we were forced to replace a large portion of the original disintegrating foundation. Authentic materials were sought to ensure a careful blending of the new with the original. A large structural column found during the removal of the partitioning wall could not be relocated. We devised a new plan incorporating it into the arch that anchored the sink wall. Layers of organic materials such as marble countertops, iron, copper sinks, steel hardware, and light fixtures added layers of authenticity to this successful renovation.

After Renovation

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Before Renovation

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