Posts from the ‘Backyard Living’ Category

Apr 28

Adventures in Remodeling Part 1: the Secret Wine Cellar

How do you make your home something special to you? This series of 3 posts will share stories about how we helped clients make this home all their own.

In 2011 on a corner lot in the heart of Lake Oswego sat a charming 1920 bungalow for sale. It captured the hearts of a globetrotting family living in Florida, and they purchased the house with plans to relocate closer to their Oregon roots.

They hired design-build firm Arciform to help turn this gem into their forever home. With plans for a cross-country move, a flurry of emails, team meetings, and trips to local salvage shops started.

The home sits in First Addition, one of Lake Oswego’s oldest neighborhoods. Many homes in this area were first owned and occupied by Oregon Iron & Steel Company workers, built in a variety of architectural styles.

Principal Designer Anne De Wolf worked closely with the couple on a thoughtful interior remodel and additions. They shared a respect of the home’s style and era, using this to guide design decisions: from how to increase the footprint, down to door & cabinet hardware.

Reconfigured spaces and more square footage were desired, so the new plans provided a larger kitchen, a mudroom, a master suite, a new bath for the kids, and an outdoor living space.

The couple has a knack for finding wonderful old pieces with stories to tell. There are many antique fixtures, finishes and furnishings integrated into the project. Reclaimed sinks, shiplap paneling and more were salvaged from all over, including demolition sites, Salvage Works, Aurora Mills, eBay, and The ReBuilding Center.

The clients’ inspired vision brought so much fun to this project. One of many examples is the creation of the secret wine cellar.

It all started with four existing concrete steps in the basement. Though he didn’t know what to do with them, our client knew he wanted to do something. What purpose could those serve: storage of some kind? He needed somewhere to keep their wine…but how would they access it?

The adventurous spirit of the client inspired the trap door in the new kitchen floor.

Before: the abandoned steps in question

After: vision and teamwork gave this area new purpose

Site lead Eric Delph says, “When thinking of all the work accomplished at this residence, the one thing that stands out in everyone’s mind is that wine cellar! It evolved from an idea to reality with many hands and great interaction with the clients. From the hidden hatch doors to the storage system and that great final touch by the client himself: a confessional door!”

There are more stories to tell about this project! Stay tuned for the next chapter: Adventures in Remodeling, Part 2: the Garage.

Professional photos by BlankEye and Photo Art Portraits

Aug 3

Designing an Adventure-Ready Home

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The weather is perfect for getting out of the house to explore the beauty of our fair state. Its also a great time to consider how your home can better support your family’s active and adventurous spirit.

Here are a few of our favorite active family design solutions:

MilliganUsher_1926_Basement_Entry_A_P_Pro (1)

Designed by Arciform Senior Designer Kristyn Bester. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

Biking may be a year-round sport in Portland, but with 8 months of rain it’s important to consider how to keep the bike dry and safe when you are not riding it. For this Portland client, we integrated bike storage into a basement mudroom to give the whole family a place to prep for the ride in comfort.

Hardison_1902_Mudrm_A_2_P_Pro

Designed by Arciform Principal Designer Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

The transition from home-time to adventure-time is more fun when everything you need is organized and ready to hand. A great mudroom keeps all of your outdoor gear right where you need it (and NOT on the kitchen table or in a pile in the corner of the basement).

Hardison_1902_Exterior_A_3_P_Pro

Designed by Arciform Principal Designer Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

A bit of whimsy can make even the chore of loading out gear more of an adventure. This hidden door offers direct pass-through access to the mudroom for sports equipment, bikes, and other outdoor gear. It’s also spectacular for hide and seek with the new kids on the street.

MilliganUsher_1926_Basement_Entry_A_P_Pro (4) Designed by Arciform Senior Designer Kristyn Bester. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

Another great option for stashing gear is to add lockers in your mudroom space. These were integrated into the space under the stairwell, making clever use of an otherwise wasted space in the home.

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Designed by Arciform Principal Designer Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

Even in the glorious summer months, there will be rainy days that require at-home activity and adventure. Some activity-friendly finishes can turn your basement bonus room into a place for dancing, yoga, or even an indoor soccer arena. The wraparound metal trim in this basement family room allows the kids to roll back the rug and push back the furniture for a little rainy day footie match when needed.

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Designed by Arciform Principal Designer Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

All that adventure can really work up a muddy mess of sweat, and you probably don’t want your master bath to bear the brunt of the clean up. For this we recommend a wet room in your basement or adjacent to your mudroom that minimizes the distance your family has to travel to wash up after a day’s hike in Forest Park.

JensenGardner_1924_WetRm_A_4_P_Pro
Designed by Arciform Senior Designer Kristyn Bester. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

Wet rooms are designed with floor-to-ceiling water safe finishes that are designed for maximum mess with minimal clean up. This basement wet room (above and below) takes a narrow space and gives it style and practicality with floor-to-ceiling subway tile and polished concrete floors.

JensenGardner_1924_WetRm_A_1_P_Pro

Designed by Arciform Senior Designer Kristyn Bester. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

Last but not least, a weekend full of adventure often leads to a week full of laundry. Taking the time to design a thoughtful and convenient laundry space in your basement, mudroom or even upstairs like this family (below) can make preparing for your next adventure more pleasant.

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Designed by Arciform Principal Designer Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

And then, when all the tromping and stomping and climbing and rolling and cleaning is complete, isn’t it time for a nice, relaxing soak in your outdoor spa? This family (below) tucked an elegant spa area in a wooded corner of their yard, creating a peaceful post-adventure oasis in the heart of their home.

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Designed by Arciform Principal Designer Anne De Wolf. Photo by Photo Art Portraits.

How can we help you make your home more adventure-ready? Explore our design galleries and get inspired for your next project here.

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Oct 9

Mary Poppins Inspires Rooftop Boat Hatch

We like to say that if our clients dream it, we can do it.

Recently, we had the opportunity to put that idea to the test when a client requested a VERY unusual rooftop accessory:

A custom fabricated stainless steel boat hatch.

The Inspiration: Our clients loved the scene at the beginning of Mary Poppins where Admiral Boom shouts hello from his crazy nautical rooftop widow’s walk. They loved the view from their own roof, and they wondered: Could they have a roof deck like that? And if so, how would it be accessed?

Arciform owner and designer Anne De Wolf suggested they borrow a solution from her own coastal cabin: install a boat hatch.

The challenge: Most boat hatches are designed for circumstances where all of the surrounding materials are waterproof and water tight. If a little water falls into the cabin below, that’s considered part of life on a boat.

By contrast, this hatch was going to open into a wood paneled reading loft… and it wouldn’t work for that room to get drizzled on each time the hatch was opened.

The Solution: Arciform Project Manager Spencer Fransway did significant research to find a company that would custom fabricate the hatch to unusual specifications that would force any rooftop water away from the hole. After much searching, a firm in Taiwan whose primary business is in outfitting luxury yachts agreed to take on the project.

A Few Hiccups Along the Way

Communicating with Taiwan across a language barrier, separated by two oceans and several time zones created the some of the biggest challenges.

Many late night conversations and early morning draft revisions were exchanged to get the details of the hatch exactly right.

Along the way, Spencer lost sleep repeatedly, wondering:

Were the specs clear enough? Were there logistical elements we weren’t considering? Is this Taiwanese firm going to be able to meet our clients’ exacting standards?

Spencer sweated every detail.

Then we waited… and checked… and waited….and checked… and waited for the hatch to be fabricated.

While we waited, a few other cool features of the rooftop deck and the reading loft were installed…

Some salvaged railings were added to the roof deck create that nautical “Admiral Boom” look.

In the reading loft below, some very cool metal strapping was applied to hand milled plank flooring and walls to give the loft a bit of a pirate’s treasure chest vibe.

The ceiling was finished, sealed and polished and the hole for the hatch was prepped to receive the hatch.

At last, when all the people involved in the design and ordering of the hatch had begun to worry that it might never be completed (the whole thing took about 8 months from initial concept to installation)… the hatch arrived!

Here is Arciform draftsman and purchaser Bradley Horne getting ready to pull the hatch from its shipping crate.

Next Step: How to Get it to the Roof?

The hatch weighed about 200 lbs, making it a two person project to lift it up the multiple flights of stairs. Getting it to the deck required actually removing a window and shimmying it out onto the roof, where the hatch was secured with a rope and dead lifted the remaining few feet.

Luckily, the hatch fit perfectly into the hole waiting to receive it, and the installation was a breeze.

Thinking about installing your own roof hatch?

Spencer has a few recommendations based on this experience:

“Be aware that the lead time is a big factor,” explains Spencer. “Working with a custom fabricator from another country allowed for a lot of creative freedom but also added communication challenges and significant time delays. Also, consider incorporating a boat designer in the initial design phase. Boats and houses are built quite differently, and it will help to have a little nautical expertise involved in the design decisions.”

In the end, the result is utterly delightful… and perfectly in keeping with this family’s quirky and creative approach to home design.

What wild hair ideas do you have for your own home? Spencer can’t wait to get started making your dreams a reality…

Just as soon as he’s gotten caught up on his sleep.

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Jul 1

Building a Nest

I’ve known Anne and Richard for a long time. And Arciform’s been working on projects at my house for well over ten years, so I’m pretty comfortable stating that they, as a group, can do anything. Any crazy project I dream up, they can do it. Perhaps you’ve experienced this yourself?

Recently I read this article about human nests in the NYT, and it got me thinking. Personally, I don’t want one of these nests, because I’m more of a hedonist than a roughing-it kind of gal. If the nest had a good mattress and a reading light, maybe, but it’s doubtful. What would be really cool, though, is if one of my friends built a nest, and I could enjoy it and then go home. Kind of like how I feel about children.

But how much would a nest cost? Whom could I con into building a nest? Richard came to mind first, and I think I know why. For years I’ve spent July 4th with Anne and Richard. They have a big camping trip for the 4th, with fireworks and campfires and all that type of thing. I do not camp, of course, but I love to drive over from the local motel, freshly showered, with a coffee and some donuts, and check on the festivities. Scoff at the campers, sip my coffee, watch the bonfire.

The bonfire. This is probably why I associate a nest with Richard. Every year he makes a HUGE funeral pyre / mountain of driftwood on the beach. He salts the interior of the pyre with fireworks; the goal being to light the bonfire and start the festivities with a bang. But this is Oregon on July 4th. The driftwood is always soaking wet. How do you start a fire with wet wood? Well, Arciform guys can do anything. Richard pours a gasoline trail to the bonfire and throws a match.

Unsafe you say? Well, it’s just a fire and gasoline with a bunch of families sitting around. Nothing to worry about, right? The first year I participated, I was so scared I almost wet myself. The children were generally just excited at the prospect of fire, the dads thought a gasoline trail was a fantastic idea, and the moms? Well, after a few days camping with husbands and kids, without a shower, the moms are drunk. So they’re all calmly watching Richard pour the gasoline while I’m halfway up the trail to the car, 9-1 already dialed on the phone, with my thumb over the last 1, waiting to call the paramedics, fire department, whatever.

And of course, the gasoline lighting goes off without a hitch. No injuries – year after year. And then one year the wood is so drenched that even the gasoline isn’t doing the trick. Richard is laboring away, perhaps getting frustrated (hard to tell), when a ten year-old boy looks up at him and says, Too bad you don’t have a flame-thrower.

Richard looked down at the kid with a speculative look in his eye. I do have a flame-thrower.

That’s Arciform – always prepared. Getting the job done. Here’s a pic of Anne and the pyre before the lighting ceremony. If Richard can make this every year just to burn it down, don’t you think he should make a nest? How about in your backyard? He can leave the flame-thrower behind.

About Nancy Ranchel

Nancy is an accountant who offsets the practicality of her day job with extravagant and outrageous remodeling projects, often involving massive amounts of scrap metal. In her free time she can be found dreaming up new ways to turn her house into an art installation, digging through scrap heaps, and contemplating a world without plastic. Check out Nancy’s blog here: www.replaceinpdx.com/

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Jun 4

10 Steps to a Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

as published in NW Renovations Magazine’s June/July 2013 issue

Oregon’s brief but brilliant summer months demand to be celebrated with frequent backyard dining adventures. The trouble is, there’s never a great place to prep the meat for the grill… and where do you put the grilled corn while you are waiting for the sausages to finish? A chef with a sunburn is never attractive… and wouldn’t it be nice to have a sink to wash up as you go?

Sounds like it’s time upgrade to a full outdoor kitchen.

Sound intimidating? Here are 10 simple steps to create a beautiful and functional backyard kitchen:

1. Get Oriented. Choose your site to work with the elements. Consider:

What direction does the wind blow? Typically, Portland area winds come from the south & southwest, so screening elements at the southern end of your space will keep your napkins and work utensils from blowing away in a sudden summer breeze.

Where is the sun? East-facing spaces will be cooler in the evening. If your backyard faces west, add in curtains to screen the late afternoon sun.

This east-facing pavilion provides ample shade and the gently sloped roof keeps the area dry and comfortable.

2. Integrate Your Natural Wonders. Carefully consider existing trees and shrubs to ensure you are making the most of their beauty and shade without causing future maintenance headaches from expanding root structures or falling fruits. That cherry tree creates a beautiful show of color in the spring… but will it stain your decking when the leftover cherries come down in the fall?

Rain chains can help manage rainwater runoff and create visual interest in your outdoor kitchen.
Rain chain from www.rainchains.com.

3. Manage Your Rainwater. It’s safest to assume that every surface in your outdoor kitchen will get soaked at some point. Minimize the damage by selecting waterproof surfaces and creating gentle slopes on all horizontal elements to encourage water to drain away from your public spaces and foundation. Great waterproof surfaces to consider include concrete, yellow cedar, stainless steel, stone, quartz or copper for a naturally antiqued look.

The tile wall on this outdoor kitchen adds personality and interest… and provides a durable waterproof surface.

4. Create a Utilities Plan. Utilities can be connected to your home’s main supply and waste lines to provide complete electric, gas and water hook ups, but this can get expensive. Another approach might be to use a tank-based propane grill or cooking appliance and to connect your sink to an existing outdoor hot and cold water spigot. Buried pipe connections can route your waste water to an appropriate exterior garden feature or rainwater catch system. Be sure to use phosphate-free dish soap to protect your plants.

Stainless steel counters flank the client’s own Weber Genesis gas grill. Note the integrated vent hood (from Zephyr Essentials) to handle airflow and exhaust. This client elected to install permanent integrated can lighting fixtures for a polished look.

5. Light the Night. You don’t need to invest in a permanently wired exterior lighting fixture to have a festively lit outdoor kitchen. Strings of inexpensive exterior chain lights with colorful shades can add charm and task lighting. Balance your lighting plan with candles, oil lamps and fire pits to keep things warm as the night settles in.

6. Create Airflow. Don’t let your 4th of July feast end in smoky disaster. Be sure your structure’s roof includes appropriate venting for your cooking surface. Prevent mold and mildew on your permanent structures by encouraging airflow around and through the space.

A built in bar and metal stools add seating options without adding to the footprint of the space.

7. Consider Seating and Storage. Where will you store your furniture and cooking utensils when not in use? Integrated storage benches can shelter your soft goods while adding flexibility to your seating plan for larger groups. Add a broad ledge to a nearby raised bed to create additional seating that will give your guests an up-close look at your favorite blooms and veggies. A moveable island can be tucked under cover in inclement weather or stationed in the garden on sunny evenings to create an inviting satellite buffet station.

8. Delight Your Senses. Rain chains create soothing sounds… and aromatic herbs in nearby garden beds will whet your appetite for the dinner to come. For the ultimate treat for the senses, add a hot tub tucked halfway under an overhang (to enjoy during inclement weather). Leave the other half open to the stars for those rare clear summer nights.

This cedar hot tub enclosure featured spiral stair steps and integrated covered dressing area with towel hooks and wood decking for maximum comfort for barefoot feet. The exterior path includes natural stone pavers embedded in pea gravel directing guests around the side of the house.

9. Pamper your Feet. What flooring surface will you provide that will drain well but be gentle on new summer feet? Pea gravel and natural flagstones can be an inexpensive option, but keep in mind that their uneven surfaces can trip up guests at the end of a long evening. One practical but beautiful surface? Exposed aggregate concrete with a dark stain.

10. Frame the View. Finally, what will your outdoor chef have to look at while whipping up that grilled salmon and asparagus? Add keyhole windows to frame secret garden views that can be enjoyed by chef and guests alike. Utilize perforated screens and semi-transparent materials to create interesting perspectives of your favorite garden features while keeping the wind and rain at bay.

An outdoor kitchen can transform your enjoyment of your home during the warmer seasons, expanding your living space and creating an inviting and convenient space for outdoor entertaining.

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May 29

Arciform’s Summer Reading List

One of our favorite design blogs, Remodelista, recently inspired us with a post of their summer reading suggestions. Arciform’s design team have a few ideas of their own- feel free to borrow a few of your favorites for your next “lazing about in a sunny corner” afternoon.

Senior Designer Kristyn Bester has an ambitious nightstand. Here’s what she’s reading this month:

Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed…..by Jared Diamond.
She explains, “It’s about the fates of past societies that have collapsed for ecological reasons, and how the collapse might have been prevented. I’m a non-fiction junkie so it’s been really interesting.”

On the Road….by Jack Kerouac.
“Good ol’ classic American fiction. Can’t go wrong. I’m reading the original version.”

Outliers: The Story of Success….by Malcom Gladwell.
“Love anything by him.”

Junior Designer Jeffrey Kelly reveals some hidden talents in his reading selections.

The Complete Book of Western Hatches by Rick Hafele.
What’s this? He explains, “Entomology for fishermen and how to mimic regional and seasonal insect hatches to catch more fish.”

Now you know who to invite as your ringer on your next Deschutes River trip…

Next on Jeffrey’s list?

The Spider’s House by Paul Bowles.
“A novel set in 1950’s Fez, Morocco, that explores the social impact of the French occupation during this era.”

Charred and Scruffed by Adam Perry Lang. A revolutionary approach to cooking methods regarding the grill and cooking by fire.

Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris.
“This man and his musings should need no introduction,” says Jeffrey. But just in case you need a bit of an explainer, see Portland Center Stage’s annual production of Sedaris’ The Santaland Diaries.

Design Assistant Marty Hegg‘s daughter Brigitta does most of the reading selections for her, making her the office’s reigning expert on all things Beatrix Potter.

“I’ve been trying to finish Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie since Birgie was born,” she explains. But when midnight is the earliest you have any time to yourself…

Should she get a moment to spare, she’d love to revisit some of her favorite magical realism classics. Here’s what’s next in her queue:

The House of the Spirits by Isabelle Allende

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

Senior Designer Chelly Wentworth just joined the team and we are so happy to have her!

She’s evidently experiencing some wanderlust… and her summer reading list is giving us wanderlust too!

She’s reading In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Her take: “A very entertaining armchair travel book about Australia.”

Next on her list is The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin, which she describes as “a historical novel that takes place in the Pacific Northwest”

Last, but surely not least, she’s picking up some travel books about France and Scotland, “since I am going there in September.”

Maybe we can sneak into her suitcase and hitch a ride?

Senior Designer and co-owner Anne De Wolf seems to be prepping to go undercover with her cloak and dagger themed list:

She is currently in the midst of Gang Leader For A Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets (by Sudhir Venkatesh) and will read Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything (by Steven D. Levitt) next.

“Very interesting,” she explains, “They were both recommended to me by (Arciform client) Jim Hardison.”

Hmm. We wonder what roguish impulse inspired those two selections?

Anne continues, “I also read The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, and am planning on reading The Man Called Intrepid which is a book about the actual James Bond.”

Anne’s husband, Arciform co-owner Richard De Wolf has one brief but telling suggestion:

Erik Larson’s Devil in the White City, a true story about the architect behind the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the serial killer who used the fair for his own nefarious ends. Richard relates to the architect, of course- not the serial killer!

What’s on your nightstand these days? And how can Arciform help you ready your perfect summer reading nook?

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May 23

Bringing the Inside Out: Creating a Balcony Retreat

A comfortable robe… that morning latte (or evening cocktail)…and a little something to read… all in a location that lets you enjoy the breeze and watch the world go by….

Adding a balcony to your home can add to your home’s curb appeal and gently nudge your family to spend more time in the fresh air. It can also have some significant structural engineering challenges.

Here’s the who, what when, where and whys you should consider when planning to add a balcony retreat to your home.

Where. Before you add a balcony to your home, take a moment to consider your lifestyle. What time of day are you home the most? Are you a morning person who’s day begins with a leisurely perusal of the morning paper? You may be happiest with an east facing balcony to make the most of the morning sun.

Or do you prefer a bit of cocktail hour entertaining? A south or west facing balcony will take advantage of the sun… but may leave you a bit squinty during the hottest days of summer. Consider adding in flexible screening options to take advantage of the light and stay cool at the same time.

Are you an intensely private person? Consider adding in permanent landscaping and architectural features (fences, trellises, living walls, etc) that will improve your view while preserving your privacy.

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Do you love to watch the world go by? A street-facing or rooftop balcony might be an ideal choice to create a friendly connection with your neighborhood.

(Hello Neighbors!)

Who. Next, consider who will be making use of the space. What ages will be using the space? If you have a toddler who is at the “climb everything” stage, you will need to plan for higher and more robust railing and screening options than if the space will be used exclusively by adults.

(This balcony on the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower in Chicago looks terrifying, but actually consists of a completely enclosed transparent box to keep you safe while enjoying the jaw-dropping view.)

Equally important, who will be able see into the space? Where are your neighbors’ windows located? Is your house higher or lower than your surrounding properties? Think carefully about how you will protect your own privacy and protect your neighbors from unexpectedly intimate views of your family.

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What. Balconies can be made in a variety of shapes and configurations and showcase a variety of materials in their construction. Here are a few common choices to be made to ensure a balcony that is structurally sound and serves your needs well.

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Support. How will the balcony be supported? Common choices include building the balcony atop an existing roof or exterior structure, adding post and beam support beneath the balcony (creating an additional covered space beneath for storage or entertaining) or cantilevering the balcony out so that it appears to be floating in thin air.

Weather. To avoid causing future water damage to your home, consider carefully how you will tie the balcony support and the railing into the existing house structure. When the floor of the balcony doubles as the roof for an interior space, avoiding puncture holes as much as possible is important. Every hole you create adds a potential entry point for water, moss, mold and creatures that can damage the inner support structures of your home, creating future maintenance issues. You’ll also want to consider a roof or screen to shield you from the NW weather and allow you to extend the seasons your balcony is available for use.

Flooring. The flooring for your balcony can range from a rubber membrane roofing material to aggregate concrete to floating floors featuring a tile or wood decking system. When selecting your flooring options, consider how the rain will flow onto and off of the flooring and how much energy you would like to invest in maintaining its surface appearance. Rubber membrane roofing material can be an affordable and attractive solution that has the added benefit of being extremely low maintenance.

Railings. Railings can be made of tempered glass, suspension wire, wood, or elaborately designed and welded metal. Whatever you elect to construct your railings out of, they will need to meet strict structural codes designed to address wind pressure, weatherization, child safety and structural integrity. Consider the proportion of the railing height when adding a balcony to an old home. Current codes require taller railings than would have been required when homes were built in the past. This can cause aesthetic issues that should be addressed.

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The choices can be complex, but a well-designed balcony can keep you connected to the outdoors while enjoying the comforts of home. Arciform’s design team specializes in creating personalized solutions that will fit your personality while respecting the architectural integrity of your home.

Ready to maximize your outdoor living spaces? Join us February 18th for a Master Suite Design Workshop to get inspired for your next project. Details and RSVP here.

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May 7

Now and Then

Our Carpenter on Call team is getting started on a project for a home in the Sabin neighborhood in NE Portland. The goal: to restore the home’s exterior to match its original 1913 look.

Luckily, we have some great shots of the original exterior to work from.

Here’s the home now:

And here’s how it looked back then:

Here’s a little context for what the neighborhood looked like back then:

That’s our project home in the back right corner. Wild, isn’t it?

We’ll be rebuilding the home’s front and back porch and replacing the asphalt shingles with wood siding that more closely matches the original exterior. A little spring facelift in time for the warmer weather!

We’ll keep you posted on how it turns out.

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Apr 25

2 Comments

Rescuing a 100 Year Old Wisteria

Normally we work to conserve the integrity of 100 year old homes. In this case, we had a unique opportunity to restore the architecture holding up a rare and beautiful 100 year old wisteria vine, protecting this extraordinary plant and providing our client with a safe and beautiful space to enjoy the beautiful days ahead this summer.

The challenges were obvious and many: This vine had twined around and through the pergola structure, making it extremely difficult to identify where the rotting and failing pergola wood stopped and the vine began. Arciform carpenters needed to find ways to gently remove the old wood and re-weave the new wood into the structure without compromising the support the wisteria needed.

Arciform client Janell Neulinger shares her “client’s eye view” of this unusual project here:

What were your goals for this project?

This wasn’t, as you know, a new construction project. The existing pergola was rotting and threatening to take down at least one of the hundred-year-old wisteria vines. My goal for the project was to replace the structure with a new design that is strong, durable, and architecturally compatible with the house.

What challenges did the project face?

The obvious challenge was supporting the plants and working in close quarters with them while dismantling the old structure and building the new.

What is your favorite part of the completed project?

I really like the way the new structure fits into the landscape. The heft and blunt corners match up really well with the house and the scale of these ancient vines. The dark color ties in with the fence and makes a nice contrasting background for the new growth.

Tell us about the experience of working with Arciform:

Working with Arciform was painless and pleasant. The carpenters were very friendly and happy to answer questions. They seemed pretty jazzed at the “puzzle” of supporting the vines during demo and construction. It wasn’t easy for the guys to thread the rafters through the branches of the plants, but they managed to do it, cheerfully, and with minimal damage to the plant. The site was reliably tidy during and after each workday. We had a few schedule changes, but everything was promptly and effectively communicated.

We very much enjoyed working with you too, Janell!

As we enjoy this week of unexpectedly beautiful weather, what structures are you considering adding to your garden to make the most of the summer sunshine? A pergola can be a simple and beautiful way to add shade and create a home for your favorite climbing flowers and vegetables.

Want some more outdoor living inspiration? Join us for our Bringing the Inside Out Summer Home Design Workshop on June 13th. Get the details and RSVP here.

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Mar 27

Bringing the Indoors Out: Front Yard Library?

As the weather warms, we are turning our thoughts toward ways to enjoy more of our home’s amenities outdoors.

Just in the nick of time, Houzz offers some great examples of front-yard lending libraries made from salvaged mailboxes and other intriguing materials. Take a look:

Book It: Bring a Mini Library to Your Front Yard

What do you think? Have some books your neighbors could benefit from? Curious to see what they might add?

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Posts from the ‘Backyard Living’ Category

Adventures in Remodeling Part 1: the Secret Wine Cellar

Professional photos by BlankEye and Photo Art Portraits

Designing an Adventure-Ready Home

Mary Poppins Inspires Rooftop Boat Hatch

Building a Nest

10 Steps to a Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

Arciform’s Summer Reading List

Bringing the Inside Out: Creating a Balcony Retreat

Now and Then

Rescuing a 100 Year Old Wisteria

Bringing the Indoors Out: Front Yard Library?

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