Life After Fire

A remodel is born from devastation left by smoke and fire.

By John Frye

Photographer Omar Salinas

Most beautiful renovations do not begin this way. They usually take shape when a number of small desires and needs become substantial enough to warrant a change. They usually begin with a choice. Steve and Julie Chapin’s remodel began with a fire.

Not a month after they moved into their Bethesda home on Edgemoor Lane, a blaze erupted from the sauna in the basement. The basement itself suffered complete destruction, a devastating blow. Even worse, the flames and smoke that ventured up to the floor above were much more damaging.

The very heart of the house, the kitchen and great room, was essentially ruined. Although the fire was stopped in time, and most of the house remained unaffected, the losses made the house unlivable. The family retreated to a nearby hotel to await the reconstruction.

As time dragged by, the family realized that the fire restoration company they had chosen was not making headway. Taking matters into his own hands, a welcome bout of good fortune brought Steve Chapin into contact with Scott Rogers of Cambridge Design/Build.

From the Ashes

Referred by Mark Butterfield, a mutual contact and former client of Cambridge, Rogers struck a chord with Steve. Rogers was more than willing to take up the reins of the job. “We were able to come to an informal agreement over an e-mail,” Rogers says. “There were no contract terms and no construction documents. I saw a family in need and we just jumped right in.”

After his initial assessment, Rogers realized that the scope of work would require total reconstruction of the damaged rooms. “Everything had to be gutted,” he recalls. “Totally ripped out. We had to rebuild from scratch.”

As owner of Cambridge, Rogers was able to nimbly maneuver and control the flow of the job. The Chapins were so impressed with his efficiency that they soon began to realize there might be a silver lining to the smoky cloud that had consumed part of their home. The damage had left an entirely blank slate. They could go any direction they wanted with the rooms.

“The previous kitchen was dated, almost cave-like,” Steve explains. Gradually, as the Chapins embraced the possibilities, the initial concept of a restoration began to evolve. Quickly, Cambridge moved from design to construction. They re-worked the supporting beams and electrical setup completelyócreating new arches, even new systems for lighting and sound.

The new space bears almost no resemblance to the old. Perfectly placed lamps hang gracefully above the arches, and the level of light can be adjusted to accentuate any mood. For perhaps the most dramatic touch, Rogers was able to remove the old chimney and put a highly stylized hearth in its place. A painting hangs on the new mantel, concealing a compartment that houses a cleverly placed flat-screen television. Wide glass windows arc over the fireplace, creating a splendid view that follows the line of the arches that stream across the room.

While the kitchen underwent a rebirth to the specifications of the Chapins, the basement was being reinvented as well. Cambridge reshaped the burned-out area so that it provided something the homeowners wantedóa game room and sanctuary for the family’s three sons. Cambridge made sure to construct it with a kitchenette, bar, and full bath, so that the boys would have everything they needed close at hand.

At last, the two ruined rooms were livable again. In fact, they were more than livable. During the process, the upstairs kitchen and living area in particular had become a work of art. For this reason, and many others, the Chapins decided they weren’t quite finished with Cambridge.

Soaring Beyond

As the relationship grew between Rogers and the Chapins, so did the size of the job. The Chapins decided to move outdoors next, and Rogers went to work on a series of changes, large and small. Rogers worked with the Chapins to refresh the entire outside of the house with a new coat of paint and a fully reconstructed front entrance.

The patio, adjacent to the renovated kitchen, needed an upgrade in quality to achieve balance with the inside. To accomplish this, Cambridge tastefully recapped the flagstone patio and constructed a graceful white pergola that flows well with the arches used to define the kitchen.

As the appearance of the backyard became more satisfying, the Chapins also wanted to enhance its functionality. “They asked us to tear out and fill in the pool,” Rogers says. “But it made sense. They have a community pool behind their house, and they have three athletic boys. This gives them room to run…space to do the things they want.”

After filling in the pool, Cambridge laid new sod for the entire yard and a full complement of landscaping was added to complete the project. “Rogers really focused on us, and our needs,” says Steve.

A year and a half later, there are still aspects of the home that the Chapins want to change, so they have decided to keep going. They have brought Cambridge back in the house, and are currently working together to develop another part of their home.

Rogers and the Chapins have grown beyond a simple business relationship. He is a part of their lives, a fast friend. He knows how their three boys are doing in school. He has access to come and go in this home that he helped transform.

What began with fire and misfortune ended with friendship, trust, and a wonderful remodel. It’s fascinating how the worst circumstances can sometimes bring out the best.