This three-story townhouse was originally constructed in 1981 in a wooded and secluded valley in Rocky River, located just inland from Lake Erie. While the Clients loved the location of the home, they sought changes to better fit their modern lifestyle and love of entertaining family and friends. They decided to pursue a total renovation of the townhouse including the plan layout, spaces, and finishes.

Most of the interior finishes, exterior windows, and deteriorated exterior cladding were demolished. A new courtyard “service” link was constructed to connect an existing two car garage to the newly renovated kitchen area.

The first floor living room, dining room, and kitchen were opened up to allow spatial flow from the entry foyer all the way through the rear woodland views. A new open-riser oak stair with skylight above replaced an existing stair to bring natural daylight through the center of the townhouse. The existing fireplaces and a chimney were removed and replaced with new contemporary fireplaces, relocated to improve room use and furniture layouts. A welcoming new central chef’s kitchen with natural light and flow to the main living room and dining spaces was created and finished with white oak cantilevered shelves, upper cabinets with clear glass lights, and matte-finished night green base cabinets. Wide plank white oak flooring unites the various spaces, while a subtle paneling with raised painted molding links from the main entry hall to the living room.

At the top floor, the primary suite was entirely reconfigured to create a larger master bathroom, dressing and wardrobe areas, and bedroom all giving on to the wooded valley beyond through new windows matching original period construction.

At the garden level, bearing walls were removed to create an informal entertainment room and guest bar area that also features a concealable home office- all crafted from the project standard rift white oak.