While working from home is commonplace today, creating a functional, private office space under the same roof can be challenging—especially if you plan to meet with clients. Our team designed and built a combination residence and business office for our clients, Joanne Linden and Shep Melnick, demonstrating how to integrate work and home life seamlessly.
“As with any project, we started by getting to know our clients and understanding their needs,” explains CMG Owner/President Nick Colarusso. Nick and his team learned that Joanne and Shep were downsizing and planned to live in their new home through their retirement years and beyond. Their business office needed to be part of their home but separate from their living space.
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Visionary Design
Cedar Mill Group believes every successful home building project begins with a visionary design—a forward-thinking, innovative approach.” We go beyond standard designs to craft customized living spaces that are adaptable to the needs of tomorrow,” Nick explains.
Project Goals
“The project's primary goal was to mesh a residence with an at-home business office under the same roof. It needed to look and feel like a home from the outside while maintaining privacy between the two spaces inside,” Nick notes. Since Joanne and Shep plan to age in place, the home is designed to easily adapt to changes in lifestyle and functional needs.
Aging in Place home remodeling and construction accommodates the changing needs of individuals as they grow older, allowing them to live comfortably and safely in their own homes for as long as possible. This type of construction typically includes modifications like wider doorways and hallways, step-free entrances, non-slip flooring, bathroom grab bars, and other features that enhance mobility, accessibility, and safety.
Project Details
2800 square-foot Colonial-style home
Residential Space
The home is designed for accessibility, featuring wider doorways and hallways throughout. Passage doors are 36 inches and hallways are 48 inches.
First Floor:
Primary Bedroom
The first-floor plan, designed for aging in place, includes a primary bedroom. It features vaulted ceilings and plenty of natural light from the south. It includes a large, walk-in closet custom-designed around the client’s storage needs.
Primary Bath
The bedroom adjoins an oversized bathroom designed for accessibility, should it be needed in the future. Intricate tile inlay provides visual interest and a nice contrast to the neutral-colored space.
Light and Bright Kitchen
The home’s light and bright kitchen offers an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional space to prepare meals and gather with friends and family. It features clean and simple Shaker-style cabinets with a blue Spanish tile backsplash. A wall of windows lets sunlight pour into the space and offers a beautiful view of the home’s scenic backyard.
Open and Spacious Living Room
The open, two-story living room offers natural lighting throughout the day. A two-story, gas fireplace with custom-made mantle brickwork provides a striking focal point and additional warmth and ambiance.
Laundry Room
A first-floor laundry room with ample storage was a must for Joanne and Shep. The space sits between the residential living area and business/office space, with sliding pocket doors for easy access.
Secondary Entrance
A secondary entrance is shared between the home and business. A mud room with storage is on the residential side, and a client waiting area is on the business side. In the future, someone could easily open the space by removing the wall between the two sides.
Second Floor:
Guest Bedrooms
The second floor offers guests ample space with two bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and a walk-in closet.
Personal Office
A third second-floor room serves as a personal office. Should the need arise, someone could easily convert the space into another bedroom.
Additional Living Area
The home’s extra large landing area serves as additional living space where friends and family can relax and watch television.
Unfinished Space Above Garage
The second floor includes access to the unfinished space above the garage, which would be used for additional storage or other living space if finished.
Business/Office Space
As noted above, a secondary entrance shared with the home's residential part provides access to the business/office. The space includes a client waiting area on the office/business side of the building and a mudroom and built-in storage on the residential side.
¾ Bath
Should the Smiths decide to convert the business space into residential use, we installed a standing shower in the office bathroom.
A Home for Today and the Future
Within nine months of our initial meeting with Joanne and Shep, we designed and built their new home (and business office). Our team thoroughly enjoyed bringing their dream home into reality. Together, we created a home that will meet their needs today and in the future.
About Cedar Home Group
Cedar Mill Group specializes in luxury home design, building, and remodeling in Central and Southern New Hampshire. Visit us online to view our project portfolio and get inspired!