Although Peter and Lori Rapinchuk bought their gracious two-story home in Tinley Park less than six years ago, they already have experienced growing pains.
In fact, the couple has put together a “wish list” of features they would like to add to their four-bedroom, 2,400-square-foot home on a quiet cul-de-sac.
First, they would like a more “open feel” throughout their home, possibly incorporating additional windows, skylights or even a Florida room.
Currently, the south side of their home has no windows, so little natural light enters the house.
Their second goal is additional storage space for their growing family.
The couple’s basement, crawlspace and garage are already crammed with family possessions.
A small access door to the crawlspace severely limits what the couple can store in the space.
Play space
Third, the Rapinchuks would like to create a new playroom for their two young daughters.
“Currently, we use our living room as a playroom,” said Peter. “But it’s the first thing people see when they enter our home and we would like it to be out of the way, as it’s usually a big mess.”
They also would like to add a deck to the home and perhaps an enclosed outdoor space that would be bug-free on warm evenings.
The Rapinchuks also want new space to accommodate a range of family functions: a media area, a home office area and a sewing area. Office and sewing areas currently are crammed into a guest bedroom upstairs.
On top of all this, if possible, the Rapinchuks would like to add more counter space in their kitchen.
To help the Rapinchuks sort out their wish list, we called on Chicago-based architect Michael Graham of the firm Liederbach & Graham.
Noting how a breakfast nook now juts about 12 feet off the back of the house, he suggested that the family room wall, on the north side, and the dining room wall, on the south, both be moved outward to square off with with breakfast nook wall.
Wrap-around deck
The new configuration would add 400 to 500 square feet of floor space, and then a deck could wrap around the back of the house, Graham said.
Because the home is only 6 years old, the aesthetics of blending in the new additions with the present structure would not be a problem, said Graham. “The brick used here is still in production and is not difficult to obtain,” he said, surveying the exterior.
Building straight out would also remove any concerns over side lot restrictions and still allow for plenty of yard space in the trapezoid-shape lot.
On the interior, Graham suggested flipping the dining room over to the north side of the building and turning the new space on the south side into a “great room-like family area.”
To add the “spatial quality” the Rapinchuks are hoping for, Graham suggested adding a cathedral ceiling over the new family space.
After inspecting the attic above the current dining room/living room area, the architect gladly noted that the type of construction “would allow us to easily add a cathedral ceiling.”
To heighten the sense of openness, skylights-with motorized shades to block out sunlight on hot days-and ceiling fans could be added. Wood floors (a touch the Rapinchuks strongly endorsed) could also be installed to enhance the natural feeling of the room, Graham said.
A small greenhouse-about six by eight feet-could be added outside of the new family area and connected via patio doors, bringing in abundant natural light to the south of the house and allowing the Rapinchuks to grow a vegetable garden year-round.
“With screened windows, a Florida room would also be a nice place to enjoy a summer evening without the bugs,” Graham said.
At the front of the house, the living room, currently being used as the children’s playroom, could be converted into a study, serving as both a home office and sewing room space.
“We could create storage space for the sewing materials,” said Graham. “As a result, the first thing you would see coming into the home would be this orderly, sort of formal, area.”
Graham asked the couple if they would be willing to forsake a formal living room.
“A formal living room is not important to us, as we spend much of our time in the family room,” said Lori. Nonetheless, the couple would like a large area that could accommodate family gatherings.
Graham suggested that the rest of the new south side space be designated as a family room/media room area, which also would serve as a nice gathering spot for family get-togethers.
The playroom could be shifted farther back into the new space, closer to the kitchen. “That way, the kids’ toys could be kept out of sight to people coming in the home,” said Graham. “Yet, you can work in the kitchen and keep an eye on the children playing.”
Turning to the kitchen, Graham said there are a number of ways to add counterspace and a feeling of openness.
Kitchen shift
Physically, the kitchen could be expanded into the new south side addition, he noted. Graham then suggested that a wall of cabinets be moved from the south side of the kitchen to the north, opening up the kitchen to the new south side space and allowing for the infiltration of natural light.
As for the need for more storage space, Graham suggested constructing a full basement below a part of the new construction.
Although there has been little in the way of major remodeling to the homes in the Rapinchuks’ neighborhood, Graham said he believes the additions would not overprice the home for potential resale.
“I believe what you would create is a more desirable home than many of the other homes on your street, especially with the open feeling to the new space,” he said.
Including the basement construction, Graham estimated the new space would cost about $100 a square foot, with modifications to the kitchen, plus decorating touches, pushing the project into the $60,000 to $70,000 price range.
The cost did not surprise the Rapinchuks, they said. “Added to the purchase price of our home, that amount would still be less than what it would cost for a new home that would offer us the same features,” said Peter. “We love our neighborhood and would rather stay here than move.”
