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REMODEL, REDESIGN
THE EXPERTS
the designer
Melissa Lindsay, co-owner of Pimlico Interiors
the DESIGNER In September 2019, after eighteen years in New Canaan, Pimlico Interiors (pimlicointeriors.com) moved to Westport. It was time for a change, which is something most homeowners know all about. Refreshing the design of one’s home is not only invigorating, it also introduces changes that make for better, more efficient living. The firm settled into its comfy new nest at 1300 Post Road East, itself nestled among like-minded design aficionados: bird. salon, Kohler, Surface of Westport and Lars Bolander. Pimlico’s co-owners, Jill Kakaletris and Melissa Lindsay, team up to offer a full range of design services, from full-scale construction to reworking existing spaces. Having just been through the process themselves, as well as having helping countless clients decide what changes are needed, they offer advice learned from experience. WHEN TO DECORATE versus renovate? The single most important question to
ask is: Are your interior spaces functional for modern living? An expansive open floor plan in your kitchen and/or main living space is essential for today’s living. So this may mean taking down some walls and reconfiguring interior spaces. Renovating is a larger project to undertake but worth the investment to update your spaces to modern living. However, many rooms can dramatically transform with a decorating facelift. There may be an architectural element that is less than desirable— think an unappealing vanity or countertop—that can become less noticeable with a strong decorating plan. Paint and lighting can do wonders! We recently updated a butler’s pantry by painting all the stained wood cabinetry a rich deep taupe. We added antique mirror backsplash, new cabinetry hardware and a beautiful light fixture. The space was completely unrecognizable from its prior dated self. A seasoned interior designer will provide you direction on where it’s worthwhile to renovate and where in your home decorating can achieve more change than you may have expected.” —Melissa Lindsay
the architect
Brad DeMotte, R.A., owner of DeMotte Architects
the realtor
Mar Jennings of Mar Jennings Real Estate
above: Making a modern kitchen work for a charming 1916 cottage westportmag.com
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above: The renovation provides extra living space.
the ARCHITECT While you may have a plan in mind, flexibility might be the trick for success. Take, for example, a local cape replaced with a Colonial. The owners intended to add a second floor, but then talked about higher ceilings on the first floor. The project took a new direction, and Brad DeMotte and his team at DeMotte Architects (demottearchitects. com) were soon drawing up a new 7,000-square-foot dream home with an impressive front porch. The kitchen, breakfast and family rooms are tucked away in the rear of the house to take advantage of the southern exposure, the second floor has a master suite and three big bedrooms, and the main stairway extends dramatically. They’re living large and loving it. THE DECISION TO BUILD a new house came very early in the process—at our first meeting, I believe. In general, when you have a one-story house and would like to remove the roof and build a second-story addition, that typically means that all of the
JENNINGS HEADSHOT COURTESY OF S&J MULTIMEDIA LLC; PIMLICO ROOM BY JANE BEILES; LINDSAY BY SHE SNAPS PHOTOGRAPHY, JENNIFER MARRELLI, DEMOTTE IMAGES, CONTRIBUTED
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t’s that time. The house is feeling a bit tight or the layout is awkward. Something has to give. But is it a matter of redesigning a room or the whole house; remodeling it; or simply packing up and moving into a new place? Before you pick up a hammer or start scanning local real estate listings, read what local home pros advise.