From the exterior, the bungalow looks to be its original size, which was 1560 square feet, but with the new loft, its 2340 square feet.
The loft railing is expanded metal mesh, and the floor is white-painted fin ply.
Carie uses the loft for a variety of purposes: watching TV, practicing yoga, or an extra guest bed when needed.
The hall bathroom was given glossy black tile, for a departure from the predominant scheme.
The fireplace brick is framed in the adjacent bedroom as well.
The strip of ceiling framework above the bookshelf in the dining room earmarks where they removed a bit of the bedroom’s closet space, as it was encroaching on the flow between the living and dining rooms.
Carie installed the wood counter and tile. “She’s got her own blood and sweat in the project,” says Ruffin.
Blue Verner Panton Flowerpot pendants flank the bed.
The ceiling framework in the bedrooms, which had to be all rebuilt so as to be able to support the weight of the loft above, creates a cozy effect.
The new loft runs the entire expanse of one side of the house. Ruffin wanted the cross-braces at the ceiling peak visible, as well as the patina on the new wood. “We left all the stamps on the lumber to just let it be really honest,” says Ruffin.
New door and window units occupy the existing openings. There’s now a lounge space at the end of the kitchen run. Carie installed the cabinets and hired out for the waterfall marble counters.
The fireplace was kept as a reminder of the house’s previous form, and its mantle and cladding removed to bare the remaining brick. Then it was framed, “almost like a piece of art on the wall,” says Ruffin. “We wanted to expose some of these old moments.”
Now, a loft overlooks the combined living areas. Carie patched and refinished the original wood floors to anchor the predominantly white interior.
From Dwell June 2016, James River House
From Dwell June 2016, James River House