Factor named 5280 Home of the Year

Modern Design combined with Traditional Features transformed this Cheesman Park estate

At Factor Design Build, one of our biggest passions is to breathe new life into an old home. And that is just what we did with a Cheeseman Park estate this last year. We were thrilled to learn that 5280 Magazine loved the completed project so much they gave us the award of 2018 Home of the Year: Traditional. Check out the feature article complete with photos.

In the highlighted project, Factor Design Build teamed up with interior designer Beth Armijo to completely renovate this 8,000 square foot estate. Built in 1912, this Italian Renaissance-style home had shockingly only housed three families in the last 100+ years. But in those years, homeowners completed a number of DIY renovations and other updates that were not consistent with the period of the home. The 5280 articles jokes,

“her third level, last updated in 1972 [was] every bit the Brady Bunch set sprung to life.”

What did we have to do to turn over 100 years worth of aging into a functional, beautiful, family-friendly space? To start, the design build team took the home mostly down to the studs. For such an old house, it had a surprisingly open layout. In fact, one living space was so large, the family even decided to split it into two areas that were more comfortable.

After reimagining the floor plan, the team brought in more light with new windows, brought in updated plumbing and electrical, and modern heating and cooling. The team updated flooring, in some cases using Italian marble for a stately look. Once many of these essentials were in place, the team had the challenge of creating finishings that matched the existing, true-to-period 

finishings. Matching these details took incredible attention to detail, and our woodworking team knocked it out of the park. They made sure original and new components matched seamlessly.

One of the most stunning features of the renovation was the addition of pocket doors that echoed the design of the original, historical windows behind them. The team commented that this was quite the feat since the custom-made doors were 1,000 pounds each and 10 feet tall. Nonetheless, the effect was beautiful. Now where there was once one overwhelming living space, there are now two cozy spaces separated by pocket doors with custom glass matching the window silhouettes. This allows the areas to be as connected or closed off as the homeowners want them to be.

Other details that stayed true to the period were the clawfoot tub in the master bath, custom radiator covers, and reuse of the existing crystal chandelier. This chandelier had previously hung in the dining room and had 10,000 crystals that needed cleaning. After each crystal was carefully cleaned and the home was completed, the design team placed the chandelier in the entryway of the house.

Interior designer, Beth Armijo, took our vision to the end with clean, modern design. She used many of the families existing pieces and adding elements that flowed from room to room. You can see more of the exquisite interior design in the photographs in the 5280 article.

For a family needing to take this well-loved and outdated home and turn it into a functional and warm space that suited everyone, a renovation from Factor was just what they needed. We are so thankful that the homeowners, and 5280 Magazine, appreciates the work and we were honored to be a part of such a significant project. If you have a renovation project that would benefit from the seamless teamwork of the Factor Design Build team, please contact us today.