Victorian Kitchen Remodel

Bob’s new project kicks off in Rowley, Massachusetts, named for a minister from Rowley, England, who brought 20 families to worship in the New World in 1694. This Queen Anne Victorian on one acre was built with two others in 1890 and is part of Rowley’s historic district. Its gable end, scalloped shingles, and square window edged in colored squares are all characteristic of the style. Remodeling led to an enclosed porch, an additional mudroom with exterior concrete steps, and a separate garage and studio where the stable and outhouse once stood. Bob meets with homeowner David Masher and architect Greg Colling to discuss the design, which follows the linear plan of the home, opens up the dining room and kitchen, builds a mudroom, and creates a new exit scheme with a deck to the newly graded backyard and landscaped side yard. Inside, Jeanne Sanviti Masher joins them for a tour of the house, which reveals how additions have been handled and original elements like the two-over-one windows have been retained. General contractor Tim Berky gets approval to dig, removes the concrete steps, and prepares the footing for the new mudroom. Maintaining and strengthening the existing foundation is key to the project.