Recognized as a National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), Contractor of the Year (CotY) award-winner.
After completing their residency on the West Coast, our clients Adam and Brittany, who are doctors, returned to their hometown of Madison, Wis. to settle into their careers and commit to an amazing home. They chose a big beautiful 1980s contemporary home in the Arboretum Neighborhood of Madison. They came to us with an extensive wish list after a referral from their realtor. They wanted us to do a complete interior makeover on their 1980s home. They were looking to create a feeling of a modern, mountain, industrial home, like a Utah Mountain Home, but not a cabin.

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Bringing This Home Up to Today's Standards

In the 1980s, when the home was built, it was very stylish for the era. It featured a double-height living room and long sloping rooflines. Adam and Brittany were attracted to the location and the feel that the ski-chalet roofline provided. However, the home was original and was dated both in its functionality and its aesthetics. It required a new interior design and remodel to bring it up to today's lifestyle standards. The kitchen was dark and isolated from the home's main living areas, and there were seldom used features that we addressed and repurposed. For example, the seldom-used solarium became an extension of the master bedroom, and two screened porches were converted to more practical 3-season rooms. The powder room, guest bathroom, and master en suite were redesigned to improve functionality and aesthetics. In essence, the entire interior design of the home was reimagined—even the lower priority bedrooms receiving new flooring and paint.

Redesigning An Open Concept For 21st Century Living

Our clients wanted improved functionality while keeping the clean lines of the original design in the remodeled home. Their goal was to let the home speak for itself in its design and functional elements, making them the focal point of the interior design. To achieve this look and functionality in the remodeled home, we opened up the space. We removed half walls in the loft and stairway and created a more open floor plan by connecting the once disjointed and dark kitchen to the adjacent dining, media, and living rooms.

In the master suite, the seldom-used solarium carefully became a direct extension of the en suite master bedroom, allowing light, views, and comfort that were not previously present. In addition, the floor plan was opened to include an indoor-outdoor living space (the dining porch) to create the feel of a contemporary Utah Mountain Home.

Preserving The Past While Looking To The Future

We carefully worked to preserve and integrate the best parts of the original interior, making it look like it was a part of the newly designed interior. At the same time, we introduced new finishes. They are seamlessly integrated into the existing design of the home and creating the design motif the clients desired. For example, a new gas fireplace was installed while preserving the existing limestone surround and the cedar wall feature above. In addition, Java stain was introduced into the mantel and surrounding bookshelves for a powerful combination of natural wood and dark tones so popular today.

A Remodeled Home That's A Blend of Modern Design and Natural Materials

Adam and Brittany requested that we use natural materials and bring outdoor materials into the interior design like wood, stone, and metal. Further inspiration for the home is the client's love of plants. As you can see, plants are a part of nearly every room in the house. From the living room to the solarium, plants are present. In addition, the windows of the home show off and bring in the beauty of the Arboretum.

The house fits together perfectly with its perfect combination of indoor and outdoor living space, soaring ceilings, inspiring views, natural materials, and high-end finishes. This home remodel gave Adam and Brittany the spectacular home they were dreaming of!

 
 
 

Project Design

Dave Duewel,
Senior Designer

Lead Carpenter

PJ Ender,
CLC, CRPM

 
DDBR Clients Adam and Brittany, Madison, Wis.
We were most impressed with Dave’s work on layout, attention to detail, and ability to make selections in line with our overall vision.
— Adam and Brittany

Award-Winning Project: We are proud to announce that this remodel has won the 2021 NARI Madison CotY award, and the NARI Regional Award, in Residential Interior $250K - $500K. Download the Before-After Case Study PDF.