Timberhill Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Magazine March 2022
We won Best of Design!
Pittsburgh Magazine named Timberhill Best of Design 2022: Renovated Home on March 7, 2022 — "A century-old former barn in Sewickley Heights underwent a dramatic transformation."
Timberhill is a three-bedroom stucco-and-stone structure in Sewickley Heights. It has a really neat history — once the barn of a 1920s-era estate, turned into a house in the 1980s. Before our clients bought it in 2017, falling in love with the 5-acre property at top of hill with pond, it had a major 2010 overhaul that added a separate carriage house with two-car garage.
The challenge: five young adult children who visit often, and a basement with ceilings less than 6 ½ feet tall. The owners envisioned a spacious lower level where family could gather, and wanted to connect the main house to the carriage house 25 feet away.
Much of the nearly two-year construction involved excavating a gigantic hole between house and garage — lower than the foundation of the existing house. Architect Timothy J. Morgan of TJM Architecture + Planning and builders Bogel and Joseph handled massive foundation work and waterproofing to keep it dry in Pittsburgh rain.
New plans: seamless gallery at main level, lower level below, plus new laundry room, mudroom, study, powder room, dramatic stairwell topped with skylight. Space above garage became guest suite with full bath and office.
For interiors, the homeowner says: "She is very creative and very collaborative. She identified a few colors we really like and she was able to come up with all sorts of shades and patterns that sort of played off each other to give it a really fun outcome."
Best of Design judges raved over the color choices and lower level — which thanks to a large window with views of the property, is hard to believe is underground.
1. Lower level as destination. Deep blue grasscloth wallpaper reflecting the homeowner's tailored style. Now houses media area, bar with walnut console by John Malecki, dartboard and games — gathering point for family and friends. Judge Crystal DeCastro Knapik: "I love how each room is unique and different, yet still feels cohesive."
2. Gallery as seamless connector. Grasscloth to warm the space, herringbone floors matched to original house, dotted with vintage vegetable-dyed rugs sourced from New York City — 60-70 years old, one-of-a-kind.
3. Signature details. My favorite room is the study — powdery blue abstract wallpaper by Lindsay Cowles. Above the desk, cork board wall covered in glittery mica paper. "We do that in every project; it's our signature. It's just a cool backdrop for anything you want to hang there."
We also cut out pattern repeats of the wallpaper mural and framed them as large-scale prints. "If you love something, frame it — could be page from coffee table book or kids' artwork."
Showstopper staircase between serene guest suite — calming gray-green, cream and purple — and new lower level. Bold striped runner from STARK Carpet Missoni Home collection. "It's a classic and really striking."
Out back, newly expanded terrace with gas firepit. "In the summer, we sit out there under the stars, and it's great."
Thank you to Pittsburgh Magazine for naming Timberhill Best Renovated Home 2022, and to architect Tim Morgan, Bogel and Joseph Builders, and photographer Nick Sargent.
Winner Best of Design 2022: Renovated Home Pittsburgh Magazine
See project: Timber Hill
See Full article: Pittsburgh Magazine