I have had the pleasure to see Harmon Builders at work as they have tackled a few different renovations in our home, as well as to work for them as a blogger to highlight the wonderful work that they do. As I wrote the client profile about the Miller-Varley family earlier this month it really struck me: the Harmons not only do great things as craftsmen and professionals, but they look to celebrate the people that they know. Their admiration for their farming friends’ community-building mindset mirrors their relationship to their own community, and this approach makes it is a joy to work with them and for them.
The first project Harmon Builders took on at our home was to put an addition off the back of our cozy yet tiny 1920s shed dormer bungalow. To add space for our growing family just as we were bringing our younger child home from the hospital they completed a family room with half bath off of our kitchen, a basement level room below, and a backyard deck. It was important to us to respect the style of architecture that drew us to the house to begin with, so Harmon Builders was a perfect choice–they beautifully detailed custom trim carpentry to match what existed in the adjacent rooms.
In a later project they replaced original windows with energy efficient historic reproductions, retro-updated our exterior paint to a color palate from the period, added supporting columns to the front porch to recreate the original aesthetic of the front porch, and hung a solid wood door appropriate to the style. The most recent project involved finishing the basement to convert the room they added into a bedroom, and enhancing the existing basement area with painted trim carpentry. They have helped our family grow into and beautify our home over the years.
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- Sherwin-Williams paint on the siding and red porch ceiling, gray trim paint by Farrow & Ball. Restored center columns that had been knocked out by a previous owner. Copper gutters. Farrow & Ball is locally available at Patrick Street Interiors.
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- Mahogany door from the Eagle Window and Door series by Andersen.
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- Living room addition 2007: 10 casement windows, sliding glass door exit to added deck, and two skylights flood the room with light and a vast sense of space when the shades are open. 24 x 24 inch ceramic tile floor, laid on diagonal and beadboard wainscoting.
In each of these projects everyone who has visited our home has not only done high quality work, but had an impeccable, professional, friendly, and helpful attitude. Their excellence, their knowledge of products and techniques, and the friendship that grows out of their attention to their jobs make my job as a writer an absolute pleasure, since I get to play a part in promoting the work of a team so easy to find praise for. I also enjoy learning a bit from them about the construction and environmental science, the design aesthetics, and the industry as I work.
Another client of theirs treated me to a home tour and explained a great deal about the project and scientific concepts important to a design that focused on passive solar gain. This has been one of my favorite projects of theirs to write about–a Middletown Valley renovation–and it particularly illustrates how their eagerness to learn, the open communication with their clients, and the professionalism of their entire team accomplishes amazing results. I continue to be impressed with how Harmon Builders is building both homes and relationships, and I always look forward to seeing what amazing things they accomplish next.
By Melanie Smith-Bell