Local architects have central role in annual historical society house walk

It takes a special gift to walk into a house and imagine its possibilities.

Most people see a house for what it is. However, only those with that special vision see a house for what it might become.

Arlington Heights architects Kirsten Kingsley and Keith Ginnodo have that particular gift of recognizing a home's potential, as well as the knowledge to make their vision a reality. In fact, three houses the couple has altered in recent years will be among the homes featured on the Arlington Heights Historical Society's annual House Walk on June 14.

Five private homes and the historical society's Banta House museum will be open for the afternoon tour. Kingsley and Ginnodo's own 1936 brick bungalow on the north side of Arlington Heights will be featured on the walk.

A year and a half ago the couple used their combined talents to renovate the charming old brick home, which Kingsley called "a charming little gem with a quintessential bungalow interior."

Ginnodo agreed. "It was a cute bungalow that no one had ruined. The tapestry brickwork was still original; no one had painted the stained doors and windows; and the wood floors had not been covered."

Kingsley and Ginnodo have owned the house and loved it since 1993. But the reality of their growing family convinced them that it was time to make some alterations. So they undertook a major renovation in 2006 in which they improved the livability of the home while respecting the original design.

The first floor's original design was preserved but the openings between rooms were enlarged and arched in order to enhance the spaciousness of the home. The kitchen was enlarged slightly by adding only 36 square feet, Ginnodo said, but they also enlarged it by eliminating some walls and doors into the former pantry and the back hall stairs. A breakfast nook and cabinetry were added and a microwave and refrigerator were recessed under the stairs for a better use of space.

"I love my new kitchen," Kingsley admitted. "But I still love my original dining room, too."

There are more changes on the second floor. By making use of gable roofs and shed dormers, Ginnodo said they accessed floor space previously inaccessible because of the sharply sloping roofline inherent in a bungalow.

"We took a bathroom that was four-feet by five-feet and through dormering made it into a 10-foot by 10-foot space. We can stand right next to the wall now without hitting our heads," Ginnodo explained.

They also added a third bedroom upstairs, as well as a "secret room" in attic space over the sunroom, which their children use as a playroom/crash pad.

Several blocks away, Kingsley and Ginnodo also designed renovations on a 1920 Craftsman bungalow owned by their friends, Matthias and Jenny Rohde. It will also be featured on the house walk.

"The Rohdes' home was a classic Craftsman bungalow with the porch all the way across the front, tipped roof and brackets," Ginnodo said.

"We only added about 375 square feet of space to their house, but used lots of little tricks to open it up," he explained. "But we remained faithful to they style of the home and how the original architect would have done things.

"The Rohdes are great entertainers and now they have a killer kitchen with a really long island that opens onto the dining room. And Matthias has been working really hard on his gorgeous yard and deck with its bluestone paving, pergolas and goldfish pond," Ginnodo said.

The Rhodes are pleased with the changes.

"We have lived in this home for 14 years and renovated it two years ago," said Matthias Rohde. "We loved it for its in-town location, its very formal layout and the fireplace in the middle of the home instead of on an outside wall."

"We didn't add very much square footage and we sacrificed one bedroom, but the renovation really changed the feel of the house," he said.

The other house walk home that Kingsley and Ginnodo worked on was the Arlington Heights Historical Society's Banta House and Garden, an Arts and Crafts eclectic home built in 1908. After years of study and fundraising, the society hired Kirsten Kingsley to do the restoration of the house museum's kitchen to its original appearance, complete with a marbleized blue floor cover.

The other three houses on this year's walk include a remodeled 1917 Arts & Crafts bungalow, a Colonial Revival home and an English Tudor home.

The bungalow is an up-to-date home with both period style and green house elements combined into one charming residence. Among the unique exterior features are the coach-house style garage, stamped "Old English Cobble" driveway and cedar shingle siding. Interior reproduction Arts & Crafts features include quarter-sawn white oak floors, trim and cabinets; and slate tiling throughout. Radiant floor heat and a whole-house water filter are among the "green" elements recently added.

The Colonial Revival home on the walk is new. It was designed by the owners and built in 2005. One of the only homes in Arlington Heights to receive the government's Energy Star rating, this home is the perfect marriage of form and function. With such "green" features as solar panes, low E windows, high efficiency insulation, skylights that open and eco-friendly building materials, the home is equally comfortable on the coldest nights and the warmest days while requiring 30 to 40 percent less energy than a conventionally built home.

The vaulted ceiling of the family room is structurally supported by beautifully stained beams that match the fireplace surround and mantel. The large fireplace is glass enclosed and adds warmth both literally and figuratively. The master suite affords the homeowners a private and spacious retreat. The master bath has a heated floor and a hot water recirculating loop that provides solar heated water in seconds.

The final home is a new brick English Tudor-style home with traditional keystone tabs and gables. The interior offers a volume entry with expansive living areas and higher ceilings. This home is a perfect blend the charming Tudor style with the bonus of an open, contemporary floor plan. The homeowner has been her own designer and has done the home with a contemporary traditional flair.

Those attending the house walk must pick up their walk booklet at the Soda Pop Factory Building on the Arlington Heights Historical Society Museum grounds, 110 W. Fremont St., between noon and 5 p.m. June 14, according to Kristine Lundstrom, the society's development coordinator.

Houses on the tour may be seen in any order and proceeds benefit the society's collections and exhibits.

Those who purchase their tickets before June 10 will receive a ticket to a complimentary tea, served from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the society's garden, weather permitting. There will be sandwiches, cool beverages and a chocolate dipping station with assorted dippers to enjoy.

<p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>What:</b> Arlington Heights Historical Society House Walk, a tour of six Arlington Heights homes.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>When:</b> Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 14.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Tickets:</b> $35 ($30 for Historical Society members) available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St.; 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and beginning at noon on the day of the walk at the Society's Heritage Gallery.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Etc.: </b>Tickets purchased before June 10 include a ticket to the complimentary tea, served from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the society's garden, weather permitting.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Information:</b> (847) 255-1225.</p>