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This year we had a project in Webster Groves win two awards. We were honored to receive a Webster Groves Award of Excellence for Architecture on the local level. On the regional level, the project received the St. Louis Home Builders Association 2008 Homer Award for Outstanding Addition/Renovation.
OVERVIEW
The owners of 21 Mason Rd. loved their newly purchased home. It had traditional farmhouse architecture coupled with a warm, hometown feel. The house was close to their church and children’s elementary school and within easy walking distance to the library, YMCA, and downtown Webster Groves business district.
The farmhouse feel was everything the owners sought. However, cramped living space, one full bathroom, and a tiny kitchen did not accommodate their growing family. Low water pressure from century-old plumbing virtually eliminated the option of showering. The antiquated electrical system dictated the use of multiple plugs and extension cords for modern appliances with the resulting risk of fire. The original wood posts and beams had sagged dramatically along with the over-spanned floor joists. Many of the interior doors had been cut into trapezoids and other interesting shapes in order to simply open and close.
The owners were fully prepared for an extensive remodel. They were also intent on retaining the farmhouse feel by saving and restoring as much of their old house as possible. They contacted Consolidated Construction Group because of our long-held reputation for award-winning sympathetic restoration of classic homes in their neighborhood.
The design/build process allowed the homeowners to be directly involved in the final design. The second floor retained the original offset angled stair foyer. A large, full bathroom accessible by two bedrooms complemented the existing bathroom. A new laundry room eliminated the need for trudging laundry up and down two flights of stairs. Finally, a new master bathroom suite was added complete with a claw foot soaking tub and a walk-in closet large enough for a window. The finishing touch was a vintage back stair, hearkening back to a time when service stairs were more commonplace.
The original floor plan of the first floor was mostly retained. The old porch was torn down to create a cozy den and convenient powder room which could be accessed from the living room or the new wrap-around front veranda. A mud room with cubbies for each family member and a butler pantry designed for entertaining family and friends replaced the existing kitchen. Another powder room was tucked next to the existing main stair.
A new offset angled foyer to mirror the existing second floor foyer was the connecting link between the new basement stairs and the newly remodeled areas of the home. A new family room and breakfast room with a fireplace replicating the existing living room fireplace allowed the family to be together in one large area.
The hand of the homeowner was most evident in the spacious, new kitchen. Black distressed cabinetry, a cast iron stove, and reproduction light fixtures all worked in symphony to retain the old farmhouse feel. A new rear porch in the same style as the front veranda provided protection from weather while waiting to enter with kids and groceries as well as sheltering the barbecue grill with ready access to the kitchen.
DETAILS
Throughout the entire process, we kept the fundamental architectural style intact.
This was accomplished through careful selection of cabinet finishes, lighting fixtures, doors, hardware, and other key materials. The original radiators were cleaned, re-fitted with new valves, and re-painted. All original millwork profiles were reproduced including picture rail which was extended into the dining room.
Most of the original first floor plan was unchanged. The cased openings in the living room and dining room were made the same size to cohesively blend the formal areas of the home. The original hardwood floors were refinished, preserving the warmth and intricacy of quarter-sawn oak.
The old kitchen was demolished to make room for a compact butler’s pantry and mudroom with an adjoining powder room
  
A new kitchen and breakfast room was incorporated into the new addition. The new family room contained a new fireplace surrounded by an antique mantel discovered by the homeowners at a local antique shop
The new kitchen utilized an open floorplan with a large island to accommodate multiple cooks (and homework!).
A walk-in pantry offered plenty of storage. The dual dishwashers, dual ovens, deep cast-iron sink and large range provided needed space and convenience when preparing meals for the extended family or a large group of friends.
Due to the failures of the structural components in the house much of the plasterwork on the second floor suffered damage. The entire second floor wall finishes were removed to expose the existing wall framing. The old solitary bathroom was transformed into a new laundry room. The two front bedrooms were enhanced with larger, energy efficient windows in new positions to complement the architectural style of the home.
 
 
The original front stairs were protected throughout the entire project needing only minor refinishing. The handrail on the second floor was painstakingly disassembled and saved for reinstallation after the new oak floors were installed. These added measures were taken to insure that the look and feel of the old house was well preserved. Authentic preservation and detail was taken in milling new trim to match existing. New five-panel solid core doors and period hardware were selected to complete the transformation.
Bathroom fixtures and hardware in all of the bathrooms were carefully chosen to be reminiscent of the original.
In all the bathrooms faucets, drawer pulls and locksets were selected that were reminiscent of turn of the century design were fully implemented. A perfect example of this was in the master bathroom
 
Pedestal sinks, period-style plumbing fixtures, and use of vintage-style tile in the Master Bathroom maintained the style of the original home. The focal point of the room is a new cast iron claw foot tub positioned beneath a large, double window. The new Master Bathroom gives a respectful nod to the design elements of the past.
At some point early in this home’s life, a two story porch was added to the south face of the house.
 
In the 60s, the first level of this porch was converted into a small den and powder room. The original project intent was to reconfigure the space into a new larger den with a new bathroom and closet on the second floor. However, during demolition, extensive insect damage was discovered that compromised the structural integrity of the entire two-story structure. It was decided to start from scratch and build a new south addition. This decision, although unexpected, not only insured a sound construction, but also allowed for a slight increase in the size of the addition. This created a spacious full bathroom and walk-through closet on the second floor.
Since our directive from the homeowners was to preserve the look and feel of the original house, extensive attention was paid to the exterior architecture. The siding on the house at the time of demolition was a 6-1/4”cedar lap style. Underneath this siding was 4” fir lap with the original white paint still clinging to it. Following the removal of the original siding, new vinyl siding was installed in the original style of the 4” lap, thus reestablishing the original look of the house.
 
The front porch was a major architectural feature of this house. The addition of a new veranda that wrapped around the south east corner of the house provided continuity and flow between the yard areas and interior public spaces of the home. The addition of new fans and lighting provided needed amenities when comfortably viewing children at play or having a friendly chat with neighbors.
 
The addition to the south side of the house is fully integrated into the architectural flow of the house with the new veranda. The existing window style was retained with the new windows. The original windows had top sashes with vertical lights over a single light lower sash. This style was enhanced by the simple contrast of black windows set off by large, white trim.
The homeowners and Consolidated are pleased and honored that this project drew so much attention on the local and regional level. It reminds us that loving attention to the restoration of a classic home serves to enhance the entire community. We especially thank our family, friends, neighbors, and business associates for the support and recognition this project has received.
This year we had a project in Webster Groves win two awards. We were honored to receive a Webster Groves Award of Excellence for Architecture on the local level. On the regional level, the project received the St. Louis Home Builders Association 2008 Homer Award for Outstanding Addition/Renovation.
OVERVIEW
The owners of 21 Mason Rd. loved their newly purchased home. It had traditional farmhouse architecture coupled with a warm, hometown feel. The house was close to their church and children’s elementary school and within easy walking distance to the library, YMCA, and downtown Webster Groves business district.
The farmhouse feel was everything the owners sought. However, cramped living space, one full bathroom, and a tiny kitchen did not accommodate their growing family. Low water pressure from century-old plumbing virtually eliminated the option of showering. The antiquated electrical system dictated the use of multiple plugs and extension cords for modern appliances with the resulting risk of fire. The original wood posts and beams had sagged dramatically along with the over-spanned floor joists. Many of the interior doors had been cut into trapezoids and other interesting shapes in order to simply open and close.
The owners were fully prepared for an extensive remodel. They were also intent on retaining the farmhouse feel by saving and restoring as much of their old house as possible. They contacted Consolidated Construction Group because of our long-held reputation for award-winning sympathetic restoration of classic homes in their neighborhood.
The design/build process allowed the homeowners to be directly involved in the final design. The second floor retained the original offset angled stair foyer. A large, full bathroom accessible by two bedrooms complemented the existing bathroom. A new laundry room eliminated the need for trudging laundry up and down two flights of stairs. Finally, a new master bathroom suite was added complete with a claw foot soaking tub and a walk-in closet large enough for a window. The finishing touch was a vintage back stair, hearkening back to a time when service stairs were more commonplace.
The original floor plan of the first floor was mostly retained. The old porch was torn down to create a cozy den and convenient powder room which could be accessed from the living room or the new wrap-around front veranda. A mud room with cubbies for each family member and a butler pantry designed for entertaining family and friends replaced the existing kitchen. Another powder room was tucked next to the existing main stair.
A new offset angled foyer to mirror the existing second floor foyer was the connecting link between the new basement stairs and the newly remodeled areas of the home. A new family room and breakfast room with a fireplace replicating the existing living room fireplace allowed the family to be together in one large area.
The hand of the homeowner was most evident in the spacious, new kitchen. Black distressed cabinetry, a cast iron stove, and reproduction light fixtures all worked in symphony to retain the old farmhouse feel. A new rear porch in the same style as the front veranda provided protection from weather while waiting to enter with kids and groceries as well as sheltering the barbecue grill with ready access to the kitchen.
DETAILS
Throughout the entire process, we kept the fundamental architectural style intact.
This was accomplished through careful selection of cabinet finishes, lighting fixtures, doors, hardware, and other key materials. The original radiators were cleaned, re-fitted with new valves, and re-painted. All original millwork profiles were reproduced including picture rail which was extended into the dining room.
Most of the original first floor plan was unchanged. The cased openings in the living room and dining room were made the same size to cohesively blend the formal areas of the home. The original hardwood floors were refinished, preserving the warmth and intricacy of quarter-sawn oak.
The old kitchen was demolished to make room for a compact butler’s pantry and mudroom with an adjoining powder room
A new kitchen and breakfast room was incorporated into the new addition. The new family room contained a new fireplace surrounded by an antique mantel discovered by the homeowners at a local antique shop
The new kitchen utilized an open floorplan with a large island to accommodate multiple cooks (and homework!).
A walk-in pantry offered plenty of storage. The dual dishwashers, dual ovens, deep cast-iron sink and large range provided needed space and convenience when preparing meals for the extended family or a large group of friends.
Due to the failures of the structural components in the house much of the plasterwork on the second floor suffered damage. The entire second floor wall finishes were removed to expose the existing wall framing. The old solitary bathroom was transformed into a new laundry room. The two front bedrooms were enhanced with larger, energy efficient windows in new positions to complement the architectural style of the home.
The original front stairs were protected throughout the entire project needing only minor refinishing. The handrail on the second floor was painstakingly disassembled and saved for reinstallation after the new oak floors were installed. These added measures were taken to insure that the look and feel of the old house was well preserved. Authentic preservation and detail was taken in milling new trim to match existing. New five-panel solid core doors and period hardware were selected to complete the transformation.
Bathroom fixtures and hardware in all of the bathrooms were carefully chosen to be reminiscent of the original.
In all the bathrooms faucets, drawer pulls and locksets were selected that were reminiscent of turn of the century design were fully implemented. A perfect example of this was in the master bathroom
Pedestal sinks, period-style plumbing fixtures, and use of vintage-style tile in the Master Bathroom maintained the style of the original home. The focal point of the room is a new cast iron claw foot tub positioned beneath a large, double window. The new Master Bathroom gives a respectful nod to the design elements of the past.
At some point early in this home’s life, a two story porch was added to the south face of the house.
In the 60s, the first level of this porch was converted into a small den and powder room. The original project intent was to reconfigure the space into a new larger den with a new bathroom and closet on the second floor. However, during demolition, extensive insect damage was discovered that compromised the structural integrity of the entire two-story structure. It was decided to start from scratch and build a new south addition. This decision, although unexpected, not only insured a sound construction, but also allowed for a slight increase in the size of the addition. This created a spacious full bathroom and walk-through closet on the second floor.
Since our directive from the homeowners was to preserve the look and feel of the original house, extensive attention was paid to the exterior architecture. The siding on the house at the time of demolition was a 6-1/4”cedar lap style. Underneath this siding was 4” fir lap with the original white paint still clinging to it. Following the removal of the original siding, new vinyl siding was installed in the original style of the 4” lap, thus reestablishing the original look of the house.
The front porch was a major architectural feature of this house. The addition of a new veranda that wrapped around the south east corner of the house provided continuity and flow between the yard areas and interior public spaces of the home. The addition of new fans and lighting provided needed amenities when comfortably viewing children at play or having a friendly chat with neighbors.
The addition to the south side of the house is fully integrated into the architectural flow of the house with the new veranda. The existing window style was retained with the new windows. The original windows had top sashes with vertical lights over a single light lower sash. This style was enhanced by the simple contrast of black windows set off by large, white trim.
The homeowners and Consolidated are pleased and honored that this project drew so much attention on the local and regional level. It reminds us that loving attention to the restoration of a classic home serves to enhance the entire community. We especially thank our family, friends, neighbors, and business associates for the support and recognition this project has received.
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| 533 Sherwood Wins Webster Groves Award of Excellence
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Winner of the Webster Groves Award of Excellence for Historic Preservation and Craftsmanship
Architect/Designer Consolidated Construction Group
Contractor Consolidated Construction Group
Others to be recognized John McCreery, building inspector
Mike Harney, building commissioner
Henry Moglia, public works
Many Helpful Folks at City Hall
Mike Voges, realtor and visionary
Brief Description of Project – Complete interior and exterior renovation of a unique 1924 home in the Tuscan style constructed in the Sherwood Forest subdivision.
History – The owners had long admired the distinguished and diverse homes of Webster Groves. They finally decided to seriously pursue moving into the area in late 2003. Mike Voges was contacted due to her familiarity with Webster Groves real estate. Knowing the owner’s background in architecture and construction, she found a real diamond-in-the-rough that needed “a little fixing up” and a healthy dose of TLC. The house was purchased in early June of 2004. Before closing the sale, the living room ceiling collapsed due to rotted ceiling joists caused by years of leaking plumbing. This was a sign of things to come.
Repairs, Demolition, or Preservation? – The original intent was to make cosmetic repairs and apply a fresh coat of paint. Unfortunately, as wallpaper was stripped and plaster came off in sections, the owners rapidly discovered that the house was in far greater need of repairs than originally thought (or feared!). Multiple roof leaks required removal of the clay tile roof and replacement of the original underlayment. The floor joists not rotted by bad plumbing were bowed due to spanning large distances, supporting bearing walls without proper support below, or both. Termites had returned to feast on the new lumber installed by the previous owners to repair old termite damage. The cause for slow drainage was found to be collapsed sewer lines. The original boiler built in 1919 gasped its last breath. A window air conditioner fell to its untimely death. The foundation had no footing. Site drainage ran over, under, around and through the basement. “A l ittle fixing up” was no longer realistic. The only decision was whether to demolish the structure or embark upon the long and arduous task of preservation. The graceful lines of the home with the exterior plaster and brick trim in the Tuscan style of Italy won out over the easier tear down option.
Preservation Preferred – A complete renovation was in order. The major projects within the project were:
- A new hand-dug footing and foundation was installed below the existing foundation to create a new 8 foot tall ceiling in the basement. Over 2500 bags of premix concrete were lovingly mixed by hand. A complete interior and exterior drain system with electric backup sump pump was installed with a complete underground piping system discharging at the curb.
- The existing interior doors and existing decorative windows were stripped, repaired, refinshed, and reinstalled including the original interior door hardware.
- Over 90% of the floor joists were replaced. A new steel column and steel beam support system was installed. All interior framing was removed. All of this was done while supporting the existing structure.
- All of the brick trim was unable to be cleaned. Each brick was subsequently replaced with new. The brick arches of the sun room were re-built with new steel support beams when the original arches collapsed.
Distinguishing Features and Special Materials Used – The gently swooping roof curves were maintained and enhanced by replacing the dilapidated front porch with a new structure complete with a curved gabled roof. Interior openings in the living room were widened and re-framed with elliptical arches to replicate the existing arches of the sun room. The arch theme was repeated in a smaller interior opening between the kitchen and hall, the fireplace, and arched ceilings above the shower and bathtub in the upstairs bathrooms. The entire exterior was re-plastered with colored stucco and new brick trim was installed in a palate chosen from pictures of Mediterranean and northern Italy homes. Bordered floors, representative of classic Roman and Greek design, were installed in the sun room, living room, dining, room, and upstairs bathrooms. The sun room used a native Italian multi-colored slate arranged in a pattern to mimic Roman baths. The hardwood of the living room and dining room incorporated the narrower oak flooring that was popular at the turn of the century with walnut boarder trim and inlaid walnut corner trim pieces. The upstairs bathroom floors and entry were likewise done in a border theme utilizing Italian marbles and patterns. The new millwork used simple eased-edge casing enhanced by ogee trim pieces that are found in northern Italian homes. The beamed ceiling of the dining room and panel mold on the walls as well as the fireplace mantle are reminiscent of homes built at the beginning of the 20th century. The first floor wall colors were also chosen after looking at magazine pictures of Tuscany homes. A slate-stamped dark colored concrete walk and stairs in extended widths was used to greet visitors to the newly restored home complete with cut-in stone steps and borders at plaza areas.
Craftsmanship – The entire project was a labor of love for the many trades that were allowed to showcase their talents. Replacing all of the structural elements of the house without causing more damage was particularly challenging. The plaster work, hardwood floors, tile work, masonry, and millwork were done by skilled craftsman who repeatedly expressed their delight in being able to take the time and employ their best efforts to create a result that the owners truly enjoy. Welcome home to Webster Groves!
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