Beach House Remodeling House Ideas 06

Remodeling House Ideas : Beach House Remodeling House Ideas 06

The effect of the long, narrow living room, which Lee likened to a trailer, was mitigated by the addition of a rectangular bay window that makes a perfect dining alcove. The original fireplace remained, though it was redone with recycled bricks and enhanced with an art deco–style surround.

The use of salvaged materials and furnishings is a recurring theme in Lee’s work. Here, a kitchen worktable from his grandmother’s country house was refashioned into an elegant living room table. Except for some crown molding, most of the interior trims came from century-old Pennsylvania houses. Even the kitchen cabinets, made of window shutters, are recycled.

The only really new living space is the “winter garden.” Once a screened-in porch, it became an air-conditioned, year-round living area. In the winter garden, as elsewhere in the three-bedroom house, inexpensive, easy-to-maintain tile flooring was installed. Walkways and decks were created throughout the property to function as outdoor rooms surrounded by tropical plants and lush foliage native to the region. According to Lee, “This bungalow exemplifies my belief that the livability of a house is more important than its square footage.”