Before & After: The Journey from Ugly Duckling to Swan - First Floor

It's been a long journey, but we're finally ready to share all the Before & After photos.

This is the first day we bought the house.  The previous owner had gutted it, so there were lots of possibilities.  And a few unknown problems, that we'd yet to discover!

10 months later, it's changed a lot!  We've gone from concept to reality and transformed the Ugly Duckling into a Swan.

The interior was pretty rough.  The original staircase was intact, but was so woefully out of building code compliance, we had to rebuild it.

Richard, examining the staircase

Now - well let's just say it's changed a bit!

Many hours went into cleaning up and installing this antique mantle.  Now the gas fireplace and built-ins make the living room the perfect place to curl up with a book on a cold Maine night.

Photo by Jamie Salomon

House jacking in progress.....

Surprises?  Oh yeah, we had some of those.  Like when we discovered the back of the house didn't have any footings under the foundation.  We had to jack up the house to dig and pour footings, so we could get started.

This was a view from front to back on day 1.  Note the joists running across the ceiling (why were the bottoms painted white?  No clue!) - we kept those in the final design.  But we removed the old flue and added new engineered beams to carry the loads of the second floor.

First floor 'Before'

First floor - 'After' 

We changed the original, tiny kitchen into a space that's truly the heart of the home.  It has a custom curved island and walnut top.  And a layout that works for serious cooks!

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Photo by Jamie Salomon 

Photo by Jamie Salomon

Photo by Jamie Salomon

But to really make this house work for the 21st century, it needed more space.  That was accomplished with a dining room addition across the back.

And the garage and mudroom addition - which includes a much needed powder room.  

Photo by Jamie Salomon

And throughout the house, we paid attention to lots and lots of details.  Like adding the glass top in the powder room above.  And these reproduction doorknobs.  The result?  Well, we're pretty pleased with the outcome!  And of course we did a lot more. Click here to see the 2nd floor.


Want to see our latest project?  Follow along on Facebook or Instagram for updates!  

Sources:  

Paint colors - Walls, Sherwin Williams Snowbound, Island and mudroom Sherwin Williams Tidewater, Front door Sherwin Williams Cloudburst

Stove - Thermador

Microwave - Sharp

Kitchen  & Mantle Backsplash - Oceanside Glass 
Doorknobs - Nostalgic Warehouse
Starfish Doorknocker - Michael Healy

Dining Room Pendant - Ralph Lauren Moutauk for Circa Lighting

Kitchen Island Pendant - Restoration Hardware Classic Pendant

Dining Table - Crate & Barrel
Living Room Rug & Dining Chairs - Pottery Barn  

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Open House - The Ugly Duckling Has Become a Swan

The house is finally finished and we've put it on the market!!!

And that means it's time for an Open House!  Local friends, please join us on Sunday, June 18th from 11 am - 3 pm, at 11 Henry St, SoPo.  The 'Ugly Duckling' has gone through a major transformation and is now a lovely, coastal cottage - aka 'Swan'.  We would love for you to see it!

First floor - the day we bought the house

Same view - first floor today

Front bedroom - when we bought the house

This 1906 home has been enlarged and transformed for today's lifestyle.  We've tried to keep many original features - including the first floor ceiling, funky roof lines and vintage charm.

Front bedroom - today

But we've included all the amenities that people want today.  Open concept floor plan,

Photo:  Jamie Salomon

Photo: Jamie Salomon

large kitchen with big island, built-ins and pro appliances,

and a master suite that lets you get away from the hustle and bustle of the household.

Photo:  Jamie Salomon

And if you need closet space?  Well this closet has space galore.

And wait till it's cocktail time - this rooftop deck is the perfect way to relax after a long day.

Want to come see it, even though you're not in the market for a new home?  We'd love to have you stop by.  But would you please bring a donation to the South Portland Food Cupboard?  We had over 100 pounds of donated food at our last Open House - I'm hoping we can break that record this time and help even more neighbors in need!  Here's a link to the things they need the most.

For those of you that are not local, I hope to get more 'Before & After' photos published in the next couple of weeks.  Thanks so much to everyone that has followed along on the transformation of The Ugly Duckling!  It's been quite the journey!!!

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Coming Soon - Willard Beach Beauty: The Ugly Duckling Becomes a Swan

This project started 10 months ago and thanks to the black and yellow color scheme, we nicknamed it 'The Ugly Duckling'.  It had already been gutted by a previous owner - so we only had the shell of a building to start with.

Now, thanks to the skill of our craftsman, it's been transformed to a 'Swan'.  We're still finishing up the last few touches, but it will be completed soon!























This is the quintessential beach cottage, with all the charm of its 1906 heritage and all the amenities you want for today's lifestyle.  The exterior is all low maintenance, from the Hardie Plank siding (won't need painting for 15 years!) to the mahogany decks.

Think of the entertaining you can do, with this open floor plan.  Vintage features include the cottage ceiling with reclaimed lumber beams.  And reproduction lighting has been used throughout.

Photo:  Jamie Salomon

Your guests can join the cook during meal preparation on the new professional range.  Informal meals are easy at the large walnut topped island.

Photo: Jamie Salomon

Bring the whole family together for celebrations in the large dining room.

Photo: Jamie Salomon

The living room is the perfect place to curl up with a book in front of the gas fireplace, surrounded by an antique mantle and custom bookcases.

Photo: Jamie Salomon

Photo: Jamie Salomon

And this is Maine - so you need a place to come in from the garage and drop all your stuff.  There's a large mud bench to remove your boots and plenty of storage for coats, beach stuff and more!











A powder room is located conveniently next to the mud room.  And check out the glass top,  that accents the sea glass beach style.

And when the day is over and you're ready for some rest, there are four bedrooms with room for everyone (or a home office, if you need it).

The master suite provides lots of privacy from the rest of the household.  It's located off the main hallway and provides a big, bright space to get away from it all.  There's room for a king size bed, a sitting area

Photo: Jamie Salomon

and a desk that overlooks Casco Bay (which might make it hard to concentrate).

The walk in closet is a dream, with lots of storage thanks to custom built-ins.

And the master bath has a spa-like feeling with a big double vanity, marble floors, and large shower.

Photo: Jamie Salomon

This is the perfect cottage bedroom with tall ceilings and lots of windows.

Photo: Jamie Salomon

The middle bedroom is flooded with sunlight and provides lots of space for sleeping and playing.

Photo: Jamie Salomon

The back bedroom has large windows, overlooking the large backyard.  This could be the perfect home office, tucked away from all the noise of the household.

Think how lovely it would be to have a cocktail on this rooftop deck at the end of a long day.  Watch the ships go by Spring Point Lighthouse and Fort Gorges.  The guys are finishing the deck and if the weather cooperates, it will be completed next week!

Soon the grass will be coming up in the big, sunny backyard.  It's perfect for a vegetable or flower garden.

Interested? Want to see the before photos, floor plans and more of the transformation?  Just click here.   The completed home will go on MLS soon.  All this is offered at $790,000.  

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