09 Elevated
Alamo Heights Home Remastered
Molly Sowry, Vice President, Virtuoso Builders
From the Designer
Our clients purchased a new home which was new for them but built in the ’90s — and overdue for an update. We opened up the kitchen area into the sunken living room to make the space more open and less compartmentalized so that you can dance from the kitchen right into the dining room. Also, we made a complete transformation to the laundry room and bedrooms throughout home.
Features:
● Open floor plan
● Custom cabinetry
● Walk-in pantry
● Quartz countertops
● Custom-stained hardwood floors
● New lighting
● Updated laundry room
How does the design enhance the homeowner’s lifestyle while maintaining a refined feel?
The design was crafted for a multigenerational family moving into together. It’s expansive yet intimately composed so several cooks can be working at once and every element was considered.
What innovations—smart technology, lighting, sustainability—were integrated into the design?
We installed Energy efficient appliances, new windows offering more natural light and are energy efficient, automated LED lighting, and installed repurposed brick at the area where we closed in a window. For the wood floors, rather than removing the existing hardwoods and purchasing new, we kept existing wood flooring and only laced in new flooring where old damaged pieces were and then refinished all of the wood flooring for consistency.
How did you ensure that the spaces feel both elevated and comfortable for daily living?
The palette our client chose of black and white with gold accents establishes a bold yet timeless design with the warmth of light stained hardwood floors and the classic look of marble backsplash.
Is there a “showstopper” space in this home? What makes it special?
The island is quite the centerpiece with the quartz waterfall panels yet, despite the bold look, the design remains livable with a drop down table for daily use on one side and custom storage on the other. Every drawer had a purpose and the height of the table was important to this family so everything was completely customized for them.
How does the home’s design elevate entertaining or gathering spaces?
Originally, the house was dark and compartmentalized. In order to open up the kitchen into an adjacent Living Room a wall and home bar had to come out. On the opposite side of the old kitchen, a large walk in pantry was in the middle of the room so this had to be moved. We also borrowed room from an unused Powder Bathroom near by. The new design created an expansive kitchen without any obstructions and plenty of room for two islands with two sinks, a new walk-in pantry, and easy flow from one area into the other perfect for gathering with just the family or entertaining guests.
