46 | Oregon Home Going Up? DESPITE NEVER HAVING placed an elevator in a residential project, Garrett knew it was possible and set to work figuring out how. In the design phase, he amassed the options and created detailed price comparisons that allowed Gittins to easily compare costs. “The elevator option was about the same — or even more economical — as completely redesigning the main floor,” says Garrett. “In the end, we were able to remodel the home to accommodate an elevator while maintaining the exterior aesthetics.” While Willco attended to the structural and technical details of the project, Gittins had a clear picture of what she wanted in terms of interior design and finishes. Carving space from a main-floor office and the kitchen made way for the new elevator shaft. Then the main floor layout was reconfigured with a larger kitchen, a new office space and a new bedroom. The result is an open and bright kitchen with modern cabinets in a rich, deep-blue hue and a large center island. A centerpiece range vent hood was a collaborative, creative reuse effort between Gittins and Willco, using butcher-block and cabinetry remnants from the project. Upstairs, the primary suite is now accessible via the elevator, which is discreetly hidden beyond what looks like an ordinary interior door. The adjacent bathroom shower was enlarged and the threshold dropped to make it more accessible. The elevator also extends to the unfinished basement and laundry room.
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