Home Renovation and Remodeling Melrose, MA
The Personal Home Renovation of Larry Gamst, Owner of New England Painting and Contracting
Larry Gamst, the owner of New England Painting and Contracting, recently undertook a personal project on his home in Melrose, Massachusetts - the ambitious renovation of his home. This charming property, built in the early 1900s, had a kitchen that had last been updated 30 years ago. The challenge? To maximize functional space within the existing footprint, both inside and outside.
Home Renovation and Remodeling Melrose, MA
Scroll to See the Process and Complete Gallery Below
The Planning Phase
Larry's goal was to create an open concept, but this required installing four load-bearing beams. He collaborated with multiple designers and engineers to bring his vision to life. The planning phase took about a year, with meticulous designing and redesigning of the interior floor plan.
Fine-Tuning the Details
Working closely with a kitchen designer, Larry fine-tuned the layout and cabinets to ensure the new kitchen would be both functional and aesthetically appealing. He sourced the best products from various suppliers, including Harvey windows, Jeldwin exterior doors, and solid wood interior shaker style doors. Prefinished hickory flooring was chosen for its durability and ability to withstand the antics of Larry's two dogs.
The Renovation
The renovation included enlarging the kitchen and bathroom, adding a first-floor laundry room, and converting an enclosed porch into a mudroom for extra storage. The kitchen was fitted with Diamond Vibe cabinets, a Metallica blue backsplash, Amerock Champagne Bronze pulls, Cambria Portrush quartz counters, and KitchenAid appliances.
Larry also upgraded the heating system, moving from an older radiator system to a Navien wall-mounted heating system with hot water on demand. The insulation was updated to closed cell insulation, and the electrical system was enhanced to a 200-amp service. All new lighting was installed throughout the house, adding warmth and brightness to each room.
16 Weeks to Complete and on Budget!
In total, the project took about 16 weeks to complete, with Larry successfully staying within his set budget. His goal was to have the home ready by Christmas, and he achieved it! Coordinating each subcontractor to keep the project moving was a challenge, but with proper planning, Larry managed to ensure overall success.
The Final Result
The end result was a complete open-concept renovation. With new heating, insulation, doors, and windows, removed first-floor walls, a converted exterior porch into a mudroom, an enlarged kitchen and bathroom, plus a new laundry room, Larry added nearly 200 square feet of functional space without altering the original footprint. The ceilings, walls, and trim were painted to perfection, giving the home a fresh, modern look while still preserving its historical charm.
At New England Painting and Contracting, we believe in breathing new life into old spaces. This personal project of Larry's exemplifies our commitment to quality, attention to detail, and respect for the historical integrity of the homes we renovate. We take great pride in the transformation of Larry's beautiful 1900s home and eagerly look forward to our next renovation adventure!
