What a Difference a Wall Makes ! (when it's gone !)

This is an illustrated story of how a 40+ year old tiny kitchen was transformed into an open-space, modern kitchen / living space created by Jenalzoco, LLC.

This load bearing wall enclosed a functional, but tiny kitchen.  The new owners of this home wanted a larger, brighter space.  Jenalzoco engineered the removal of the load bearing wall with the installment of a new beam in the floor of the attic and columns in the basement. The heating and electrical elements that had been in the wall were also relocated.

With the wall gone, the owners were able to envision their new kitchen and living area. They loved dark cabinets so they replaced the original painted cabinets with these raised panel dark walnut cabinets from Metropolitan Cabinet in Norwood, MA

New floors added to match the existing wood floors.
The custom designed kitchen island is fitted with electricity.

The pendant lights installed over the island are a nice addition for intimacy.

The recessed lights around the kitchen are added to improve the area lighting.

The space is opened up into functional and beautiful living area.

This kitchen is now the central station of real living for this family.

Jenalzoco - New Visions in Home Renovation Services



Click for more photos of this project



Now that we have a man-cave, my marriage is perfect!

We asked our Basement Makeover Family if it would be okay to use photos of their project in our blog....

Here is their response.....

I am busting up laughing over here at how atrocious our basement was !!!
No wonder I avoided it at all cost ! It gave me anxiety attacks 

Use our photos! Use our name! I would gladly take calls, give references, whatever is needed. 'Our basement is the first update to our home that I feel that was really done RIGHT. From top to bottom. Mitch guided us, shared his expertise, and crafted a room for our family. Hands down the best experience I have had with in the construction field - from Mitch to each and every one of his workers.' (Thats a quote you are free to use!)

Seriously, you and your crew are hands down the best contractors I have ever worked with.... And I used to own a drywall company!


 Now that we have a man-cave, my marriage is perfect!

(Thanks, Kristi we are so happy that you and your family can enjoy your new space.)

Basement -> Transformed -> Fabulous Family Room

DO YOU SEE THE VISION THEY SAW?

 This active family wanted a fun, comfortable and versatile space for family and friends to 'hang out'. Their decision was to convert their cement basement into an 'entertainment haven'.

Not sure where to start, they called Mitch to get some ideas. They knew they wanted a pool table, TV/Video game area, a fireplace and a bar area. But how would it all fit in? 

  

ARE YOU SEEING IT YET?

Well, of course there was a good amount of preparation prior to the finished room.
     (don't skip to the ending yet.... let it be a surprise)

Where to put the bathroom?

This corner became this.......

We wanted to hide the standard sewer ejection pipe that would be housed in the bathroom, so we created a custom-built enclosure.

No Chimney?    No Problem !!

A propane fireplace/heater takes the place of the treadmill

Now, that's a BIG difference !

Look at how the stairway transformed.....

MORE VIEWS OF THE FINAL ROOM....

For more photos of the before/after views of this project, visit our online album

Transformations of a Cement Basement

From Shoebox to Showcase

Click on the photo to link to a slideshow showing an impressive transformation from a tiny box-type home into a showcase- quality seaside residence.

"After consulting with an architect, I sent bids out to five separate contracting firms... The project presented many problems, the permitting process was arduous, and the site was extremely difficult. We were compelled to stay within the existing foot print, which limited construction options. Two of the (construction) bidders declined to take the job, citing "...too many obstacles to completion."
Mr. Finn cheerfully accepted the jog, brought in very capable subcontractors and manged the job seamlessly from start to finish"

-- Andrea Lapey, M.S. Ed., MLS
Director of Federal Grants/Regulatory Compliance
Lynn Public Schools

Jenalzocollc - Portfolio

Jenalzoco LLC
Portfolio of current and past work
Over 20 years of design/build.
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