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The
idea of taking on a renovation and two story addition started
when Jim DeSimone gave his wife Beth cooking lessons for her
birthday. As an attorney, Beth found gourmet cooking a relaxing
change of pace. "I had the best time in those classes!"
Beth recalls. "Cooking is an escape for me. After a busy
week, I enjoy doing something different and working with my hands."
The idea of a home renovation, that ultimately resulted in a
kitchen remake and a new addition, came after Beth started using
a gas stove in her classes. "I wasn't satisfied with my
existing kitchen," Beth says. "I had basic appliances
that were ready for replacement, and I wanted to upgrade them
so I could better use what I learned in my classes."
Beth and her husband, who is Vice President of Communications
for Darden Restaurants, decided to not only renovate their Longwood
home, but also capitalize on their backyard which had been underused."Our
back yard flows into a beautiful wooded area that is owned by
Seminole County," Beth says. "But we had an old wood
deck that you couldn't use anyway because it would get so hot--or
the mosquitoes would drive you indoors."
The classic French colonial also lacked enough windows in the
back to fully enjoy the woods. "So we ignored the beautiful
view," recalls Beth.
The DeSimones were intent on changing all of that. Using their
design/build services, PSG Construction helped them update their
existing kitchen, replace the deck with a screened porch, and
add a fully enclosed sunroom above the porch.
To upgrade Beth's kitchen, PSG re-painted the wood cabinets,
replaced the laminate countertop with granite, and added a new
maple floor, new lighting, and stainless steel appliances. By
removing an upper cabinet, the kitchen appears more spacious
and is opened up to the adjacent dining area.
With three walls of windows, the new sunroom is bathed in light
and provides the DeSimones with a view of the woods they had
missed for so long. "We added this room with the idea of
coming in here with our morning coffee and enjoying the outside,"
Beth says. "We wanted to bring the outdoors in. New landscaping
also was added so you can see something special from every window."
The sunroom displays distinct character with a tongue-in-groove
painted ceiling, maple floor and built-in bookcases. A grand
piano is prominent in one corner of the room.
"With the wood ceiling and wood floor, the acoustics are
great," Beth says, who also is a violinist. "On New
Years Eve, we had a gathering in the sunroom with a number of
local string musicians. We all played and had a wonderful time!"
The sunroom, which added about 350 square feet to the home, is
conveniently accessed from two sets of doors in the adjacent
family room.
The screened porch below the sunroom was designed with graceful
columns, arches, and an aged brick floor. "Now we are able
to sit outside and enjoy the Florida air. We can enjoy meals
on the porch without being bothered by bugs," Beth says.
PSG also solved a storm-water problem that caused the DeSimone's
garage to flood during heavy downpours. By re-grading the front
of the property, and adding new drains and a new driveway, PSG
eliminated the water problem. A bonus was that the front of the
home was distinctly enhanced. Brick pavers were inset in the
driveway at the entrance and a new set of brick steps leads to
the front door. The brick pattern is also repeated on the walk
leading to the back of the house for a unified look.
Although Jim DeSimone had no idea his wife's birthday gift would
unfold into a full-scale renovation project, the entire family
is benefiting-- from Beth's inspiring cooking as well as an inspiring
view. PSG
SOURCES
Electrical - J.D. Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Plumbing - Modern Plumbing
Drywall - R.K. Edwards, Inc.
Interior Trim & Doors - Residential Building Supply
Appliances - Southeast Steel
HVAC - Air Masters |
