The Carriage House: Coastal Decor and Collectable Cars

Awards

NH Cornerstone Awards 2021 Winner
Gold – Specialty Outbuilding Residential

Project Description

Location: Governor’s Island, Gilford, NH 03249
Year Completed: 2021
Subcontractors: Lauren Milligan Design; Freer and Son; ALLC Mechanical; Pella Windows and Doors; Forrest Noe Painting; John Groesser Plastering; Sheehan Tileworks; Epoxy Floor New England, Cullen Concrete; Blouin Steel Fabricators; Belknap Landscaping; Daniels Electric.
Commercial Photography: Ridgelight Studio

This was the third time the homeowners hired Lighthouse Contracting Group for their large scale home renovation project. The goal was to build a carriage house with space for guests, additional vehicles and outdoor furniture storage. The exterior design would match the main house.

The Success Story

We began discussions for this carriage house build May of 2020. August 2020 we broke ground and completed within one week of the May 2021 target date. A total build time of 9 months.

Carriage House: Garage 1200 SF

The location built to house the client’s collectible cars, is a suspended concrete slab supported by steel beams and columns. The epoxy coated slab is sloped 8 inches from back to front. Finished plywood is installed on the walls rather than drywall. Specifically, for durability. It’s also a great way to mount anything anywhere you want.

Custom low voltage LED lighting and windows provide a well-lit space for the client to work on his cars. In addition, there is a central vacuum system with retractable hose and a retractable hose for washing the cars with hot or cold water.

Carriage House: Guest Suite 400 SF

The finished space under the garage is an ocean lovers dream. The coastal design style is inspired by the client’s Nantucket vacations. The floor plan includes a living room, galley kitchen, guest bedroom and full guest bathroom.

Coastal decor elements include a color scheme of orange, red, grey and blue. The wall to wall shiplap, waterfall tiled shower, sand colored luxury plank flooring and natural light from the many windows complete this seaside themed guest space.

Along with 180 degree views of Lake Winnipesaukee, guests can exit the suite to a patio with firepit. This mirrors a similar lakeside space at the main house.

CLIENT FEEDBACK

First and foremost the carriage house project you completed for us is what Lighthouse is all about! First class from the planning stages all the way through completion. Thanks to you and your crew the carriage house is a big time hit with all that come visit. Not sure what I would do for a project next, but I do know it would be with the best…Lighthouse Contracting Group!

Jerry

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Modern Farmhouse Makeover: Lakefront Outdoor Living

before and after modern farmhouse renovation

Project Description

Location: Laconia, NH 03246
Year Completed: 2020
Subcontractors: Lauren Milligan Design; Middleton Lumber; Cyr Lumber; Pella Windows and Doors
Commercial Photography: Ridgelight Studio

The goal of this project was to make the most of the Lake Winnisquam waterfront. The homeowner wanted to fully experience lake life using multiple outdoor gathering spaces. The result is an updated, modern farmhouse style design with a screened porch with cathedral ceiling, a sitting area with fire pit and a third sitting/conversation area complete with smart home light features.

The Success Story

The entire exterior of the home was sided with Boral TruExterior siding and trim. (click the link to learn more about pricing and product details.) It is a low maintenance, moisture resistant wood-alternative that looks just like wood once it is painted. The homeowner chose a smooth white finish in a nickel gap and board and batten design.

All the white windows in the home were replaced with black Pella windows and a front porch was constructed. These were crucial design details that gave this traditional home that sought after, industrial farmhouse look. One last detail on the front of the home, was the addition of a garage overhang with smart, ambient lighting.

On the back of the house, we built a 16’ x 19’ screened in porch with cathedral ceiling. Each fir board was painstakingly chosen to build the tongue and groove design. The screen porch houses a 14-foot outdoor kitchen, fit for a chef with features like 100% weatherproof cabinets, Lynx appliances, a powerful exhaust hood and UV, scratch and stain resistant countertops. On the one wall, framed by insect, moisture-resistant board and batten siding, is a smart television nook. Another great feature for getting the family outdoors!

This outdoor living space also includes a sitting area with fire pit, plumbed into the propane, and a catwalk that leads you to a sitting/conversation area. The deck itself is Azek TimberTech PVC decking in the color cypress. The cocktail rail on the radius railing creates clean lines that lead you from one area to another.

This entire outdoor gathering space is custom designed for all day lake living. At night, the smart ambient lighting can be seen on the deck posts, under the steps and inside the ceiling of the screened in porch. Each light can be controlled via an app on the homeowner’s phone.

This modern farmhouse was part of The Lakes Region 2020 Parade of Homes. A self-guided tour of 8 crafted homes featuring superior designs by premier builders and trade professionals.

Published

1. Best of the Lakes Region Best of Summer 2020 – September 5, 2020

2. The Laker Fall 2020 edition – fall 2020

Awards

NH Cornerstone Awards 2020 Winner
Gold – Residential Remodel $300,000 – $500,000
Gold – Best Design for Outdoor Kitchen
Silver – Outdoor Living Space

Client Feedback

Parade of Homes 2020 Tour

Videos

If you are interested in learning more about the home renovation process, watch our videos. Content includes drone footage of the build during the construction phase and views of the renovation from Lake Winnisquam.

VIEW MODERN FARMHOUSE VIDEO PLAYLIST

Mahogany Deck & Sitting Room Addition

before-sitting-room-addition-outdoor-deck-laconia-nh

after-sitting-room-addition-outdoor-deck-laconia-nh

Project Description

Client:   Stone Family
Location:   Laconia NH 03246
Year Completed:   2008

We built a 12 X 16 addition off the back of the house with a new mahogany deck, patio area and backyard. While doing so we also re-roofed the entire house and built a new custom staircase in the front foyer.

The Success Story

This backyard was in desperate need of a makeover. We took the existing porch & deck space and turned it into a 18 x 16 sitting room with a beautiful mahogany deck attached. The landscaping was due for some improvements so we pushed the tree line back to make a bigger back yard, added a nice patio for grilling and entertaining on those beautiful summer days, and we also added some plantings & an irrigation system for low maintenance.

Inside, when you first walked through the front door was this ugly “builder grade” staircase. The staircase is in the middle of the house so we decided to make it a show piece. We opened up the staircase by using mitered treads so that the balusters would go down into the tread rather than into a knee wall. From there we added a bullnose step with a climbing volute handrail, iron balusters and an over the post railing system with oak treads.

completed home addition outside view laconia nh

Children’s Study Addition

before and after home addition laconia nh

before and after home addition laconia nh lighthouse

Project Description

Client:   Hattan Family
Location:   Laconia NH 03246
Year Completed:   2015
Subcontractors:   Brittain Plumbing; Mike Harvey Electrical; Quality Insulation; Clifford Drywall

This growing family required more space. The goal was to give the children a quiet place to do their studies without completely separating them from the rest of the family.

The Success Story

We had a budget to work with so we decided to build the addition on pier style footings rather than a full foundation. We blended the addition with the existing structure by using all the same building materials. We even re-used the window and door that was removed. We spray foamed the underside of the floor before installing ½” pressure treated plywood to ensure that the room would stay warm. Dense pack blown-in insulation was installed in the walls and ceiling.

We installed a gas stove with a thermostat and two in-wall fans to move the warm air into the main living area to supplement the existing heating system since they had trouble balancing the level of comfort in the main living area. A nice set of 6 foot wide glass french doors gave them the option of closing off the space or keeping it open to the main living area. With windows on all three exterior walls this room will be a nice spot to enjoy the breeze on a quiet summer night.