Just 10 months ago, construction began in historic Lexington, MA to make a 1960 mid-century modern home accessible for a family whose son has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Because the prognosis of the disease is a complete loss of mobility within a year, Charlie Silva and his team of experts fast-tracked this project to meet this deadline.
Today, the crew is back to check out the transformation. Major changes to the house include—a redesigned entry with an integrated ADA-compliant ramp and a modern steel post and beam feature, a new geothermal heating and cooling system, and a two-story rear addition.
On the interior, the oldest son Wix’s blown glass is on display in the new dining room. Homeowner Michelle gives Kevin O’Connor a tour of the reconfigured main floor spaces. Part of the space, which was once daughter Marlowe’s bedroom, is now the formal living room with a new modern fireplace.
Marlowe shows Jenn Nawada her bedroom that now has built-in nooks for storage and reading. A new hallway with a wall of glass windows to the exterior bluestone patio connects the original house to the rear addition that houses Caffrey’s and his parents’ bedrooms.
Caffrey gives Richard Trethewey a tour of his bedroom and ensuite pointing out his favorite accessibility features in the bathroom while homeowner Billy gives Tom Silva a tour of the new light-filled primary suite.
Accessibility also drove the landscape design with zero-threshold access at all entries and thoughtful drainage systems.
Back inside, not much has changed in the family room, except for insulation, better windows and upgraded mechanicals.
The original brick chevron wall remains dividing the space from the new open floor plan kitchen where the crew, family, and team gather to celebrate a mission accomplished—accessibility made modern.
Original Air Date: Feb 22, 2024, Season 45; Ep. 16 23:42
Products and Services from this Episode
- Garage door supplier: Middlesex Door Systems
- Solar panel contractors: Sunbug Solar
- Architect: Ruhl Jahnes
- Carpentry contractors: TJ Berky Builders
- Masonry contractor: Town and Country Masonry, Gloucester, MA
- Glass artist: Vitricca Iannazzi
- Glass blowing studio: NOCA Glass Studio
- Office rug supplier: Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting
- Metal railing manufacturer: Cassidy Bros. Forge, Inc.
- Mudroom built-ins installer: Conor’s Custom Carpentry, Inc.
- Fireplace assistance: Commonwealth Fireplace
- Artwork: Powers Gallery
- Living room built-in installer: Kenyon Woodworking
- Door hardware manufacturer: Baldwin Hardware
- Tiling contractor: Artistic Tile & Design, Inc.
- Interior design assistance: Rachel Dunham Design
- Flooring supplier: Hunt Hardwood
- Flooring contractor: Quality Floor Services Corp.
- Elevator installer: Above and Beyond Elevator, Inc.
- Elevator manufacturer: Inclinator
- Audio-visual assistance: Audio Visual Intelligence
- Plumbing fixtures supplier: FW Webb Company
- Plumbing fixtures manufacturers:
American Standard
DXV
Grohe
Duravit - Accessibility consultant: Solutions for Accessibility
- Plumbing contractor: Bilo Plumbing & Heating
- Soaker tub manufacturer: Hydrosystems
- Landscaping supplier: Wagon Wheel Farm Stand & Plant Nursery
- Landscape contractor: K & R Landscape
- Therapy pool supplier: Mainely Tubs
- Lift system supplier: Lift & Care Systems
- HVAC duct system manufacturer: The Unico System
- HVAC contractor: Back Bay Mechanical Heating & Air Conditioning
- Kitchen countertop supplier: CBS Exotic Stones, Inc.
- Countertop assistance: Stone Surfaces, Inc.
- Kitchen design assistance: Bespoke of Winchester
- Appliance manufacturer: Gaggenau
- Appliance supplier: Yale Appliance