Petite Tudor

This English Tudor was built in 1929 by a prominent local attorney for his family and neighborhood lore has it that his abundant law library was located where the master suite is now. Although the current family has lived in the home for a number of years, they thought long and hard before embarking on a major remodel in 2021–2022. They removed walls, raised ceilings, added glass French doors in the entry, and exposed an original chimney that was hidden for years behind plaster.

 

Entering the home, you walk through a beautiful traditional Tudor rounded arch door, with the original leaded glass peephole. A cozy new office space, with a wall of books styled in a rainbow of colored spines, is concealed behind glass French doors. The living room has three large floor-to-ceiling windows, framed in the same wood as the crown molding and the accent strip on the floors. The coved ceiling increases the sense of space and a fun whimsical sphere chandelier from Ballard Designs hangs front and center. Notice the highly collectible and acclaimed “Batchelder tile” fireplace surround. This unique hand-crafted tile, created by artist and educator in the American Arts and Crafts Movement, Ernest Batchelder, is pressed and glazed in small quantities. He started working from his Pasadena home kiln in 1909 using a neutral color palette of browns and beiges. His business flourished and was marketed via catalogue so that consumers could ‘mix and match’. The results are custom surrounds of field and square tiles with corner accents featuring animals, birds or flowers, such as the thistle inspired motif in this home.

 

Turning left, you’ll walk past a wall of pantry cabinets and concealed laundry room, to the newly-designed bathroom.  The warm earth tones continue with custom walnut cabinetry flanking the sink.  A hexagonal silver mirror is surrounded by bright green geometric wall tile that was hand-made in Mexico via All Natural Stone to match the color swatch chosen by the homeowner.  

 

A cylindrical Eden white glass pendant light from Circa Lighting illuminates the space and complements the thick white tile grout lines.  The widespread polished nickel Terra Mar Cross Handle faucet and shower fixtures add a contemporary look to this Zen-like oasis.

 

This kitchen is a homemaker’s dream with the Thermador appliances arranged in a workable style. The cabinets are painted ‘Intense White’ by Benjamin Moore, with gold oversized pulls and knobs from Belmont Hardware, echoing the metal from the carriage style light fixtures. Additional natural light fills the room from a row of narrow windows above the cabinets. A unique column refrigerator and separate freezer are concealed with custom panels and topped with illuminated glass front cabinets. The original wood detail of the home continues on the walnut hood trim over the Thermador Pro Harmony 4 burner and griddle gas range and bar counter above the sink, all coated in clear varnish. A brick chimney, original to the home, was discovered during the renovation and is now the backdrop for the bar. The wood countertop and shelves, with undermount task lighting, is often used for dinner for two, instead of cocktail mixing, as it faces a ‘frame television’. Art images of the subscriber’s choosing fade to reveal the latest film or sporting events.

 

The adjoining dining room has a peaked ceiling, raised during the remodel, with distressed wood beams that connect to the kitchen, creating an old-world feel. A perfect 6 ft. x 6 ft. square dining room table by James & James in Springdale, Arkansas, one of the fastest growing custom wood furniture companies in the country, is where the family gathers for dinner and holiday celebrations. Two antique burnished brass Plantation lanterns from Circa Lighting are centered over the dining room table and in the kitchen.