David Litchfield Building & Remodeling

“It was an amazing experience to work with your remodeling firm!”

- Janet Gross, West Hartford

“ It was great to have a contractor who cared about our family's needs and who brought quality and creativity to the highest level. ”

- Larry Gillis, Simsbury

“ We are fortunate to see the results of your company's skill and handiwork every day. ”

- Ethel Croxall, West Hartford

“ Thanks for the great and timley job! I wish we had been using your services for the past 27 years! ”

- Tom Daniels, Avon

“ It was terrific working with all of you, a terrific team. Thank you for all the hard work. You made it so easy for me. ”

- Pam Nadler, West Hartford

“ Once again, exceptional service, fast as lightening. ”

- W. R. Peelle, Jr., West Hartford

“ We will certainly use you again. ”

- H. Keating, West Hartford

Renovation of Vintage homes is something we know a lot about! With so many wonderful houses in this area built in the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s, there is a need for careful, knowledgeable craftsmanship. At David Litchfield Building & Remodeling we lead a great team of experienced carpenters, roofers, plumbers, electricians and many other specialists who are sensitive to the beauty and quality of these homes of yesteryear. Many of the distinctive features, moldings, fixtures and the like are indeed available, and we know where to find them and can blend old and new to great effect.

Though not nearly as plentiful in Connecticut, Mid-Century Modern houses present their own challenges. For one thing, they are often built like hospitals: reinforced concrete, steel beams and large areas of plate glass are typical. With clean lines and open spaces, it’s hard to know where to begin to “modernize a Modern.” Our sensitivity to these issues make us uniquely suited to assist you in making your house work, and work better, for you.

The following are descriptions of two notable projects for which we were awarded “Outstanding Residential Project” in 2009 by The West Hartford Historic District Commission. Historical research is by David Booth Beers.

Historic Restorations to 26 West Hill Drive, West Hartford

This 1923 home in the West Hill Historic District had endured generations of neglect and misguided improvements prior to its purchase by new owners in 2006. Designed by Smith & Bassette and completed in 1923, building costs were $37,000, “light fixtures excluded.” A garage extension with a flat, concrete roof was added in 1937 at a cost of $1,535. A separate structure to house 2 cars and “a recreation room” was designed by S.F. Jeter, Jr. in 1939. This building was extensively remodeled for an artist’s studio in 1983.

With the help of a number of talented professionals, we have been able to return to this house much of its former elegance:

• David Litchfield Building & Remodeling replaced drafty windows with historically-sensitive insulated ones. Of particular note are the French doors at the North balcony.
• Architect Richard Hughes designed a library dormer, replacing an acrylic-domed Jacuzzi room added in the 1970’s. During construction, carpenters suggested tearing off a shed-style roof section (covered with asphalt) and wove the new roof line into the original. The new slate roof has the color and texture of the older sections.
• Rich Susca of Bostwick Roofing repaired the slate roof, adding lead-coated copper ridge venting and cresting, as well as copper half-round gutters to replace aluminum K gutters.
• Jean Pepin Masonry repaired stucco walls and slate-and-stone patios. The roof of the single garage was restored, using a modern membrane pan system with copper scuppers, covered by irregular-cut red slate in a random pattern.
• Charter Painting & Restoration carefully prepared and painted all windows, doors and stucco. The stucco was painted with “Odessa Pink,” a selection from Benjamin Moore’s Historic Colors exterior paints. The idea for the change from the older blue color was the home owner's; she had encouragement from architectural historian David Dangremond.
• All of this work, and many other interesting details, were coordinated and supervised by David Booth Beers and Bruce Allen of David Litchfield Building & Remodeling

Historic Restorations to 62 Walbridge Road, West Hartford

While many of the fine houses on Walbridge Road were constructed in the 1920’s, this house was built between 1910 and 1912. Town records are incomplete, but we know that there were extensive alterations in 1928 at a cost of $900 and in 1935 for the princely sum of $4,956. In 1927, and again in 1928, additions were made to the garage, which now has 4 bays. In 2003 changes were made to the rear of the 2nd floor, and some energy-efficient but historically-sensitive windows were introduced.

One significant change to the appearance of this house occurred in 1970, when the façade was entirely covered with aluminum siding and trim. While this “improvement” was very well done (at a cost of $7,000), it had weathered over the past 38 years, and had dents and penetrations.

With the help of a number of talented professionals, we have been able to return to this house much of its former elegance:

• Based on a preliminary floor plan and concept from the homeowners, David Booth Beers designed an addition to the rear which complements the original structure, and provides
  
  1920s Butler's Pantry
  51 Walbridge Road, West Hartford
  for an expansion of the kitchen. The older, unheated rear entry to the kitchen, which was removed, had been filled in with aluminum storm windows, and an exterior stair to the basement caused chronic water problems. The new addition, with wraparound porch. organizes the façade in a more orderly manner, with deep overhangs which shade the structure.
• The new wood siding was milled specially for this house from pine stock, as no modern millwork supplier had this product available.
• The exterior details, including molding profiles, closely resemble original details.
• The thermal windows are constructed with proportions very similar to the original double-hung windows.
• Also, drafty kitchen windows were replaced with historically-sensitive insulated ones.

Other Awards

These projects are the 4th and 5th time David Booth Beers has been recognized by this Awards Program.

He was honored in 2005, 2006 and 2007 for other historic renovation and restoration projects in West Hartford:

4 Mohawk Drive, West Hartford
1st Place - West Hartford 2005 Historic Preservation Award Recipient

51 Walbridge Road, West Hartford
West Hartford 2006 Award for Restoration of a Private Residence

Bishop Road, West Hartford
2nd Place - West Hartford 2007 Historic Preservation Award Recipient