Renovating a Bronxville Tudor: Part 1--Open Concept
Editor’s note: This is the first article in a three-part series about a home renovation in Bronxville: Open Concept, Functional Living and Updating. This article will focus on the open concept.
By Tisha Leung, Sweeten.com
Jul. 10, 2019: You get married, you have a baby, you move to the suburbs. That’s the usual path. Living in a co-op in Riverdale, Sara and Mike were no exception, but they were ready.
After watching HGTV for twelve years, planning for their perfect house, they found it--the first day of looking at homes in Bronxville.
A 2,500-square-foot 1930s Tudor checked off quite a few boxes for the duo, who have a three-year-old son and were pregnant with their second child. The architecture style had the charm and character of dark wood details on the interior. They loved the amenity-filled neighborhood with good schools within 30 minutes of the city. The price of the house landed in the sweet spot that allowed them enough budget to renovate. And it had a most coveted feature--a big, flat, private yard.
Although it had been well maintained by the previous owners, the house had a choppy main floor, awkward layouts, and a kitchen and baths that showed their age.
The couple’s vision? “We wanted to keep the feel of the classic Tudor but hide the modernization away,” said Sara.
Open Concept
The plan for the first floor was to remove several walls to open up the space. The single-family home felt smaller because of the layout.
Floor plan before and after.
A new beam replaced the dividing wall and spans the length of the room, providing structural support and an architectural flourish that echoes the existing woodwork in the century-old home. An existing bedroom was also demolished, changing the path to the only bathroom on that level (you previously had to go through the bedroom to access it).
The new kitchen includes a large center island custom designed by their contractor; it also divides the dining space and the cooking area. The counters extend fully over the stools, allowing plenty of room for legs to fit underneath. With more storage built in, features inside the cabinets include dish drawers with peg separators, swiveling corner shelves, and drawers in every cabinet, which keep daily items within reach and neatly organized.
Kitchen before the renovation
Kitchen after the renovation
Other touches add to the cooking experience: a touch faucet, a pot filler, an appliance cabinet with pull-outs and outlets. Their general contractors installed a utilitarian quartz countertop with a marble look to contrast with the custom wood island stained to match the molding throughout the house. The Dutch back door, off on one side of the kitchen, will be useful for indoor-outdoor living for the warm-weather months, taking advantage of that perfect yard.
Read about creating more functional space in Sara and Mike’s house by creating a pantry, mudroom, and powder room in the next issue of MyhometownBronxville.com.
Sweeten is a free service that matches homeowners with vetted general contractors.
Photos courtesy Sweeten.com
Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.
Home & Garden Directory
Would you like to join our directory? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Architects
Brian O'Keefe Architecture ("BOKA")
Dordevic Architecture + Construction
Landscape Architects
Renee Byers Landscape Architect P.C.
General Contractors
29 West Devonia Avenue
Mount Vernon, NY 10552
914.906.5984
Gutilla Contracting
Would you like to join our directory? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Decorators & Interior Design
Chapin Interiors
Chapin Interiors works closely with clients to blend furniture, fabrics and accessories in a creative mix that makes each newly designed interior as sophisticated, comfortable and unique.
914-361-1157
228 Main Street, New London, N. H. 03257
Nicole Interior Designs, Inc.
Nicole Interior Designs is a one-stop full service interior design boutique serving Westchester for over 20 years. They carry a wide selection of custom fabrics, furnishings, window treatments and finishes.
Patricia O'Shaughnessy Design
Patricia O'Shaughnessy Design is a full service, residential interior decorating firm.
Would you like to join our Directory? Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Garden Clubs
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
Florists
Lulevere/Tryforos
The Tryforos family has roots in the floral industry since the late 1800's and is privileged to be serving Bronxville since 1963. They deliver and send flowers worldwide.
M-F: 9am-6pm
Sat.: 9am-5pm
73 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
914.337.2525
www.tryforosflorist.comTree Services
Would you like to join our directory? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Computer, Network & Internet Services
Gerry McLoughlin
914-337-7084
www.GerryMcL.com
Computer Tutor @ PCI
914-337-1700
www.computertutorpci.com
Geeks on Wheels
Dylan Hall
Harrison, New York 914-562-1800
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.geeks-on-wheels.net
The Computer Nerds, Inc.
PO Box 31
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-7952
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.thecomputernerdsinc.com
The Dream Foundry, Inc.
Creative Services & Custom Web Development
763-390-9299
http://www.thedreamfoundry.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Home & Garden Recent Articles
Quick Links
Newsletter
MyhometownBroxnville reserves the right to monitor and remove all comments. For more information on Posting Rules, please review our Rules and Terms of Use, both of which govern the use and access of this site. Thank you.
The information presented here is for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to present accurate information, myhometownBronxville, LLC, does not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information herein. We urge all users to independently confirm any information provided herein and consult with an appropriate professional concerning any material issue of fact or law. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of myhometownBronxville, LLC, its officers, staff or contributors. The use of this website is governed by the Terms of Use . No portion of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed, either in whole or part, without the express written consent of the publisher.
Copyright © 2009 myhometownbronxville.com, All rights reserved.