THAT
The property was chock full of untapped potential .
BY KAITLYN MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON USHER
’ S WHAT THE CALORES THOUGHT WHEN THEY first stumbled upon this grand estate tucked away on a secluded East Greenwich street in 2018 . The size and location were spot on , but the structure ’ s half-timbered Tudor-style didn ’ t quite suit the couple ’ s contemporary style while its interior layout didn ’ t quite complement their social nature .
“ We knew we loved the house , but we also knew it needed some work ,” says Michael Calore . “ It needed the Red House touch ,” adds his wife , Aili . They first learned of Red House Design Build in 2012 when they witnessed the Providence-based company masterfully rejuvenate a nearby historic church-turned-private residence . Thus began a steady , long-standing partnership : the couple called on Red House to complete a number of projects in their former residence over the years , including redesigns of a master bathroom , entryway and powder room . Then , once they decided a move was in the cards , they naturally turned to Red House again .
“ We actually brought [ Red House ’ s general manager , Justin Zeller ] with us during the walk-through to get a sense for what we could do ,” says Calore . “ It really helped us make the decision to buy the house .”
All involved in the renovation planning assumed the exterior work would come first , but after spending their first round of holidays in the new space at the end of 2018 , updating and refining the layout became a priority for the self-proclaimed serial-holiday hosts . The original footprint of the open concept living area was long , narrow and cramped , making it less than ideal for entertaining guests . The surrounding walls were lined with too many doorways , both interior and exterior , and an awkward no man ’ s land separated the kitchen from the family area . It was the Bermuda Triangle of design . The kitchen ’ s dark cabinetry and fixtures also clashed with the couple ’ s bright and cheery vision .
“ We ’ re looking to partner with clients , which means that we want to know what ’ s important to them . We take what ’ s important to our clients and we make that important to us ,” says Zeller . “ We think about what the client wants , what their inspirations are , what the house is and how do we marry those together .”
Keeping the couple ’ s lifestyle and aesthetic in mind , the Red House team went to work . First , they shifted the kitchen footprint and enlarged it . This made room for an extended
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