Sim Acres Design Showcase Volume 1

Welcome to the first in our series of design excellence!  First up is Summerset House in Twinbrook!

Autumn Summerset grew up in Bridgeport and always felt that she was a city girl for life.  Then she got word that she had inherited old Uncle Chappy Summerset’s house in Twinbrook.  When asks about how she came to inherit she laughs and says “It was simple!  My name starts with A and I was at the top of the list!”

It didn't take her long to decide to give up her crazy city life and give a slower paced life a try.   Sadly, when she reached town she found the house in shambles.  The gardens were overgrown.  The pool was a science experiment and the house itself needed a good overhaul.  Teaming up with designer, Trent Lawler, they gave Summerset House an updated classic style.

The house is set on a fairly busy street and the seating area is a perfect spot to watch everyone go by and also to meet up with the neighbors.

The kitchen itself was in pretty good shape.  New paint job on the cabinets and new wallpaper brightened up the whole room.  New appliances made the kitchen space useable. 

“Having a large kitchen has inspired me to improve my cooking, especially to take advantage of the new garden, “ mentions Autumn “It’s such an improvement over my tiny one in Bridgeport!”

An old hutch found in the garage is filled with things from the local antique shop.  The table was handcrafted by a local artisan.  The color scheme is only slightly modified from the original.  The light fixtures are the only original part of the room.

The living room was in the worst shape.  A broken window led to water damage to the hardwood floors among critters making their home in the fireplace.  A bar made of recycled wood from a local contractor adds to the entertaining value of the room.  The chairs are imported from France.  A new rug rounds out the conversation area.

The piano is Autumn’s own from Bridgeport and her favorite painting she purchased while traveling.

“We were trying to go for a cozy, homey feel in this room” says designer Trent Lawler.  “A great place to sit after a long day, especially on those chilly nights that there seem to be plenty of, “adds Autumn.

From the first time she saw it, even in its decayed condition, Autumn fell in love with the red color of the bedroom.  Trent wanted to brighten things up by going with a lighter wood but wasn’t allowed to change a thing.  In the end Trent was happy with the choices.  The lamp and rug are antiques also from Autumn’s world travels.

 

The red color was also transferred to the bathroom.  Hand-made tiles line the shower.

Since the house was in basically good shape with just minor repairs needed a majority of the budget went into redoing the whole backyard.  “In his later years, Uncle Chappy rarely left the house and became quite the eccentric.   The locals were not shy about sharing stories about him!” mentions Autumn.

Like how, he’d sit in the living room peeking out of the curtain and would quickly close it when people walked by.  There were also stories of grand parties held at the house and that’s what Autumn and Trent were going for in the backyard.  A large deck off the kitchen leads to the pool area and the garden.  A smaller deck off the master bedroom contains a telescope for star gazing.  “I’m still a geek at heart,” said Autumn; “And the clear country skies are just perfect!”

The garden area was overrun with weeds, not having seen an actual plant for years.  After getting tips from the Twinbrook Horticultural Society new crops were planted.  “Having a garden was something that never crossed my mind in the city but I’m finding that it’s quite relaxing and nice way to earn some cash.”

The whole pool area was done over.  An added hotub, along with plenty of conversation areas for guests.   “There was nothing about the pool that could be saved,” said Trent.   “The science club from the local high school came over to get a few samples and we’re pretty sure they found some undiscovered ones,” adds Autumn.

Lounge chairs are perfect for sunbathing and a firepit allows for longer evenings spent outside on chilly summer nights.

In the end Autumn is pleased with the outcome but wouldn't do it again on another house.  “This house turned out exactly as I pictured it and Trent was just wonderful to work with even going along with my ideas when he wasn't sure!” says Autumn.

Adds Trent “This job has become one of my favorites to do because Autumn was great to work with.  It’s helps when there’s good communication between designer and client because  they have to live with it.”

Autumn doesn't regret giving up her lavish life in Bridgeport for the slower country life in Twinbrook.   “It’s nice to come home at the end of the day and sit on the porch and chat with neighbors strolling by or heading out to local festivals on the weekends.  The sense of community is very strong here but most importantly it feels like home.”

Download Autumn and Summerset house here!

Go 4th and Sim!

This thing has been just a freaking nightmare to do so unless I get my patience back or find an easier way to do this it will most likely be the last volume.