Best Practice worked closely with the Chez Shay clients to create a modern home sporting cool details and interesting spaces in the shell of a 1919 home. The couple and their young toddler loved the house, despite its ramshackle additions over the years and odd spaces with little natural light. Rather than tearing the home down, the design team leaned into the eccentricities of the house to bring forward its best qualities, creating a functional and livable home for family, gathering, working-from-home and rambunctious kid life.

A new bent steel beam and column were incorporated in the design to reshape the living and dining spaces. Rather than hide or clad this element, it was painted a vibrant coral color to reinforce its presence.

The existing spiral stair up to a loft was eliminated and a new plywood clad stair with skylight was inserted. Connecting to the new addition, it creates a light filled entry to the primary suite above.

The lower level had a kitchenette and separate access originally, allowing the designers to easily reimagine the space as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

The house is surrounded by tall trees from a neighboring nature preserve, and nestles into its landscape of greenery. Along the North side of the home, a new patio and pergola frames an outdoor room that is handy to the front door, and protected from the street by the garage. This makes a perfect gathering space for outdoor dining, preserving the small rear yard for a grassy play space.