Kit House

Commissioned for a growing family with a modest budget in Essex County, New Jersey, the Kit House breathes new modern life to this 1920’s mail order home originally designed for Sears, Roebuck and Co. The formality of its vintage floorplan was transformed into a small but mighty workhorse that provides flexible spaces for entertaining, relaxing, playing, working, and functional storage--without a costly addition to the footprint of the home. The addition of a powder room on the ground floor enabled a reorganization of the space to allow for a more generous kitchen and a glassy rear door to the back yard. A three-season porch was incorporated into the home for use as additional living space and a mud room. The renovation includes tile, lighting, and trim selection throughout that recalls the historic roots of the home while tugging the overall appeal toward a more modern aesthetic. New LED lighting throughout accents special pieces of art and complements the scale of the home. Upstairs, the shared full bath was completely re-evaluated for efficiency, and features a palette of materials that are durable and serene. Through the back door, the addition of a deck creates a cheery space with built-in seating, planters, and a hammock that quite literally ties the space together. Considered landscaping provides privacy and a lush green backdrop perfect for spending long summer days with friends and family outside. The functionality of Kit House is more than just skin deep. A new two-zone HVAC system, new windows, and a fully-insulated envelope were incorporated into the renovation as non-invasively as possible, and work together to improve interior thermal comfort and keep the family's energy costs far lower than comparable homes.

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Architecture: TIGHT HOUSE

Interior Design: TIGHT HOUSE

Photography: Christian Phillips

Before: Entry

After: Entry

Before: Living Area

After: Living Area