Remodeling

RENOVATIONS / ADDITIONS / HISTORICAL RESTORATION

Whether it’s a new addition, kitchen renovation, or whole house historical restoration, Alexandra Fine Homes can help you transform your existing residence into something extraordinary. Award-winning design, forward thinking floorplans, green & sustainable building practices, and superb craftsmanship assures that your investment pays real dividends in comfort, personal enjoyment, energy-efficiency, and lasting value for years to come.

Our design & construction process mirrors our new construction outline, with every project detail and option organized meticulously in writing. This ensures an enjoyable and organized fast-track project timeline with no surprises or hidden costs. From our free “no-strings attached” initial budget and design consultation through construction & warranty, our process is designed to give our clients peace of mind every step of the way, and is built to exceed your expectations at every milestone.

BEFORE & AFTER: Circa 1877 Victorian Farmhouse, Chagrin Falls, OH

Historical Restoration, Renovation, & New Addition

• Before

  This century home (circa 1877) located in Chagrin Falls Village was in poor condition and in serious danger of being knocked down.  The historic structure had great massing, and was a perfect example of simple Victorian farmhouse architecture.  Inside, there were three tiny bedrooms, only a single bath, a very outdated kitchen, and overall structural problems to be considered. The home sat on a gorgeous peice of property, perched high off of Main Street, with beautiful views to the side and rear.

• After

  The entrance was moved from the left to the right, and a wonderful wrap-around porch was added to break up the vertical massing of the home and incorporate a very charming "wedding cake" proportion which is appropriate for the style and architecture of the home.  We further developed the existing "fish-scale" dormer detail, and re-sided the home using environmentally friendly cement board siding.  The old, drafty windows were replaced with high efficency windows, and the home was fitted with blown-in, high r-value insulation.  

• Before 2

  The side elevation was in severe disrepair, and took no advantage of the South-facing sun exposure and beautiful high views.  The lower roofed, rear portion of the home was demolished to make way for a new addition.  The old hand-stacked foundation stone was carefully removed and salvaged for new retaining walls lining the reworked driveway, which was originally dangerously steep.

• After 2

  A new addition was designed to remain sensitive to the historically significant form of the existing structure.  Tall, thin windows were used, respectful of the existing architecture. The south-facing courtyard now connects the indoors and outdoors, creating an extremely pleasing, light-filled home.  New gable dormers follow the proportion of existing gables.  The old foundation stone was re-used to create the retaining walls-- not a single piece of stone was brought on site!  A new garage was fashioned after a historic blacksmith shop, re-using the 130 year old "wavy glass" windows from the existing home.