First Floor Transformation – Clarks Summit, PA
Location: Clarks Summit, PA
Property Type: Residential – Historic Pennsylvania Tudor-style home
Year Completed: 2024
Products Used
- Schrock Boutique Ingalis Cabinetry
- River Blue Granite Countertops
- ZLINE Autograph Edition Appliances (Polished Gold & Black Stainless)
- Schrock Boutique Cabinetry in Foxhall Green
- 24″x24″ Regallo Calcutta & Marquina Tile Flooring
- Classic White 3×6 Subway Tile Backsplash
- ProVia Endure Casement Windows
Project Summary
The Challenge
The homeowners loved the charm and character of their historic Pennsylvania Tudor-style home, but the original floor plan no longer served their lifestyle needs. Like many older homes, the first floor was divided into small, separate rooms—a design that reflected traditional living patterns but created significant obstacles for modern family life.
The closed-off spaces made it difficult for the family to interact and spend time together during everyday activities. The narrow doorways and separated rooms also made it challenging to move freely between spaces, creating bottlenecks during busy morning routines or when hosting family gatherings.
The outdated kitchen lacked sufficient counter space, modern storage solutions, and an efficient workflow. There was no central gathering spot where family members could sit together while meals were being prepared. Additionally, the absence of a dedicated organizational system meant coats, backpacks, and shoes were constantly cluttering the entryways and living spaces.
The existing powder room and laundry room were functional but felt disconnected from the rest of the home’s potential. The homeowners wanted to maintain the historic charm that drew them to the house originally, but they needed a first floor that could accommodate the realities of raising a young family—one that prioritized openness, functionality, and connection without sacrificing the home’s architectural character.
Our Solution
We designed and executed a first-floor renovation that transformed the compartmentalized layout into an open, family-friendly space while honoring the home’s Tudor heritage. The project required careful planning to remove interior walls safely, creating a seamless flow between the kitchen and dining areas that now serves as the heart of the home.
The centerpiece of the renovation is a completely reimagined kitchen featuring a spacious U-shaped layout that maximizes efficiency and workspace. We installed a large island that serves multiple purposes: it provides ample counter space for meal preparation, offers comfortable seating for casual dining and homework sessions, and creates a natural gathering point where family members can interact throughout the day. The island’s strategic placement maintains the open sightlines parents need to keep an eye on children playing in adjacent areas.
To address the family’s storage and organization challenges, we designed and built custom cubby lockers that give each family member their own designated space for coats, bags, shoes, and personal items. This thoughtful addition eliminates clutter and teaches children organizational habits while keeping the main living areas tidy.
The powder room and laundry room received complete renovations with carefully selected high-end finishes and fixtures. Rather than simply updating these spaces, we reimagined them as integral parts of the home’s design story. The laundry room, in particular, was transformed from a purely utilitarian space into a room that balances function with beauty, featuring custom cabinetry and durable finishes that make daily chores more pleasant.
Throughout the renovation, we took great care to preserve and complement the home’s original Tudor character. The new open layout maintains architectural integrity with thoughtful material selections, trim work, and design details, combining historic charm and contemporary living. The result is a first floor that feels both timeless and perfectly suited to modern family life.
Materials Used
Kitchen:
- Cabinetry: Schrock Boutique Ingalis with soft-close hinges, dovetail drawers, and plywood construction
- Countertops: River Blue Granite
- Appliances: ZLINE Autograph Edition in Polished Gold & Black Stainless
- Backsplash: Classic white 3×6 subway tile
Laundry Room:
- Cabinets: Schrock Boutique in Foxhall Green
Windows:
- ProVia Endure Casement with custom Sherwin-Williams exterior color (SW9140), colonial-style grills, and UV-blocking DLA-UV coatings
Flooring:
- 24″x24″ Regallo Calcutta & Marquina tile
Process
The renovation began with a thorough assessment of the home’s structure to identify which walls were load-bearing and determine the safest approach for creating the open-concept design. Working closely with the homeowners, we developed detailed plans that balanced their vision for modern functionality with the need to preserve the home’s historic Tudor character.
The demolition phase required precision and care. We systematically removed interior walls while ensuring the structural integrity of the home remained intact. Temporary supports were installed where necessary, and all work was performed with attention to protecting the home’s original architectural features. Throughout this phase, we maintained clear communication with the homeowners about progress and any discoveries that might impact the timeline or design.
Once the space was opened up, we turned our attention to the kitchen transformation. The existing kitchen was completely gutted, and we began reconfiguring the layout into the planned U-shaped design. Electrical and plumbing systems were updated and relocated to support the new configuration, including connections for the island and modern appliances. We ensured all systems met current code requirements while planning for future needs.
The installation of the Schrock Boutique Ingalis cabinetry required meticulous measurements and precise placement. Each cabinet features soft-close hinges and dovetail drawer construction, reflecting our commitment to quality and longevity. The cabinets were carefully leveled and secured, creating a seamless look that complements the home’s architecture. The large island was positioned to optimize workflow between the sink, cooking areas, and refrigerator while maintaining comfortable seating space.
River Blue Granite countertops were templated, fabricated, and installed to exact specifications, providing both beauty and durability. The stone’s natural veining adds visual interest while standing up to the demands of daily family use. The classic white subway tile backsplash was installed with careful attention to grout lines and alignment, creating a timeless look that bridges traditional and contemporary styles.
The ZLINE Autograph Edition appliances in Polished Gold and Black Stainless were integrated into the design, providing high-performance functionality with distinctive aesthetic appeal. Each appliance was professionally installed and tested to ensure optimal performance.
Custom cubby lockers were designed specifically for the family’s needs and built on-site. We considered the heights and storage requirements of each family member, creating a system that’s both practical and teaches organizational skills. The cubbies were finished to coordinate with the overall design palette.
In the laundry room, we installed Schrock Boutique cabinetry in Foxhall Green, transforming the space from purely functional to thoughtfully designed. The cabinetry provides ample storage for laundry supplies, linens, and household items while adding visual appeal to a frequently used space.
The powder room renovation included updated fixtures, finishes, and thoughtful design touches that make the small space feel elevated and cohesive with the rest of the first floor.
Throughout the main living areas, we installed large-format 24″x24″ Regallo Calcutta and Marquina tile flooring. The substantial tile size reduces grout lines and creates a sense of spaciousness while providing exceptional durability for high-traffic family areas.
ProVia Endure Casement windows were custom-ordered with Sherwin-Williams exterior color SW9140 to complement the home’s Tudor styling. The windows feature colonial-style grills that honor the home’s historic character and UV-blocking DLA-UV coatings that protect interior finishes and furnishings from sun damage while improving energy efficiency.
Final details included trim work, paint selection and application, hardware installation, and thorough cleaning. We conducted a comprehensive walkthrough with the homeowners, ensuring every element met their expectations and functioned as intended.
Results & Benefits
This renovation has fundamentally transformed how this family experiences their home on a daily basis. The open-concept layout has eliminated the isolation that previously defined the first floor, creating a connected environment where parents can easily supervise children, help with homework at the island, and prepare meals simultaneously. The visual connection between spaces means family members naturally spend more time together, fostering communication and shared experiences throughout the day.
Perhaps most significantly, this renovation has achieved the delicate balance the homeowners sought: preserving the historic character that makes their Tudor home special while creating a layout that supports modern family life. The home now functions beautifully for a young, active family without sacrificing the architectural charm and craftsmanship that define its character. Guests frequently comment on how the renovation feels both fresh and timeless, as though the open design had always been part of the home’s story.
The family now has a first floor that will serve them well through the years as their children grow, adapting to changing needs while maintaining its beauty and functionality.
Key Specifications
Approximate Cost: $330,000
Cabinetry Features:
- Soft-close hinges
- Dovetail drawer construction
- Plywood construction
Window Specifications:
- Custom Sherwin-Williams exterior color (SW9140)
- Colonial-style grills
- UV-blocking DLA-UV coatings
Flooring Dimensions:
- 24″x24″ large-format tile
Special Features
- Complete wall removal for open-concept living
- Custom-built cubby locker system for family organization
- U-shaped kitchen design with workspace island
- Historic home preservation integrated with modern functionality
- Premium ZLINE Autograph Edition appliances in unique finish combination
- ProVia windows with custom color matching and UV protection
- Coordinated cabinetry across multiple rooms (kitchen and laundry)
Highlights
- Open-concept design connecting kitchen and dining areas
- Spacious U-shaped kitchen with large island
- Custom cubby lockers for personalized family storage
- Premium Schrock Boutique cabinetry with soft-close, dovetail construction
- ZLINE Autograph Edition appliances in distinctive Polished Gold & Black Stainless finish
- River Blue Granite countertops
- High-end laundry room with Schrock Boutique cabinetry in Foxhall Green
- ProVia Endure Casement windows with UV-blocking coatings and colonial-style grills
- Large-format 24″x24″ tile flooring
- Classic subway tile backsplash