A Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece
In charming Lake Mary, Florida, on a secluded, tree-lined lane lies a small bungalow built in the 1960’s. New owners, D and C, dreamed of purchasing a blank slate for their plans to completely recreate a mid-century home in the way it might have been built originally. This home was perfect for them — complete with original terrazzo floors; long, rectangular windows; and a gentle sloping roof line.
The current entrance to the home features a large door which was relocated when the original front porch was enclosed, and the side-facing entrance was modified into a front-facing entrance with a small foyer. D and C wanted to remove the wall between the foyer and the dining room while retaining the distinction between the spaces. They wanted a guest entering their home to be able to see clearly through the space and out the picture windows in the kitchen to the lake and wildlife beyond.
In the main living room of the home a massive, floor-to-ceiling fireplace built of coquina dominated the space. Coquina is a naturally occurring “stone” of crushed seashells. This particular construction was poorly finished and in disrepair. Because the fireplace was integral to the structure of the house, removing it was an expensive proposition. D felt that a new facade would change the look and feel of the room while helping to keep costs under control.
It was difficult for the home owners to find a qualified craftsman with both the vision and the skill to realize their dream. After weeks of unsuccessfully searching, C posted a simple question to a social media site, and the responses came quickly to contact Gleason Craftworks. The initial consultation was easy and helpful—the home owners only asked that the installation included wood components matching the new cabinetry in the kitchen. Gleason Craftworks would imagine and design the solutions to defining the space between the dining room and entryway and to renovating the fireplace feature.
In the end, D and C are extremely pleased with the final project results. Their new home is warm, inviting, and open, and the architectural elements created by Gleason Craftworks are always the topic of conversation among family and visitors.
Photos of the project progression, design drawings, and the finished works are presented here to inspire the next beautiful home transformation provided by Gleason Craftworks. Please browse the image gallery to see additional photos.
