“This system is a great solution for older houses,” says David Rich of David Rich Heating and Air Conditioning. He notes, however, that given this particular home’s additions over the years, he had to deal with a lot of tight attic space and areas “where it was physically hard to get through” during installation of the tubing and air handlers. The subcontractor’s work on the system spread over half a year as he completed work in phases in coordination with the rough-in of walls and other work. “It helped that Mike Kelly generally had someone from his crew here when subcontractors were working,” Ed says in appreciation. “It kept things running fairly smoothly.”
The family’s desire to keep an elaborate servant-bell system, based in the kitchen pantry, added another twist to the project. “There were wires everywhere,” architect Cullen says with a laugh. “It was like spaghetti.” (See “Ringing That Bell” at the end of the article.)
New work added for other parts of the home and delays in selections affected Kelly’s schedule for the kitchen project. The remodeler, who serves as his own project manager, also saw two other jobs significantly increase in scope during this project. Yet the company was able to finalize work for all of the clients with only minor delays. “We are very successful at delivering manpower where and when it’s needed,” Kelly says.
Aspen Valley’s track record confirms that clients value the company’s quality work and its experienced workforce. Kelly takes pride in the fact that three of his six workers are long-term employees, two having been with the company 20 years and one for 12 years. “I am sure that is one of the reasons why Mike is so successful,” Ed says.
— Colleen C. Derda is a Pittsburgh-based freelance writer who specializes in design, construction, and restoration topics.
Historic View
Architect John Cullen believes that previous residents added to the home at least three times. The original portion dates from the 1880s, with the most recent work done during the 1920s, according to dates on fixtures in upstairs bathrooms, the styles of interior doors, and other clues. The house is located in a local historic district, so the owners knew that they would need to submit photos and architectural drawings to the Historic Review Commission to show how the remodel would affect the exterior.
The homeowners presented the information and received approval that same day, in part because a majority of the proposed work wasn’t visible from the front (street) elevation of the house and because the family decided to continue the original diamond-pattern first-floor window design in the addition. The team agreed that repeating this window pattern was the best way to blend old and new, maintaining the home’s architectural integrity.
Aspen Valley ordered and installed the custom wood windows by Kolbe & Kolbe and removed, repaired, and reinstalled three original diamond-pane windows above a kitchen counter.
Ringing That Bell
The annunciator box in the butler’s pantry is a throwback to another era. It allowed the former owners to let servants know where in the house assistance was needed. Almost every room has a button, including one beneath the dining room table that the man of the house could discreetly tap to request, say, dessert or more coffee.
With charming bells and “keys” that dropped down when a button was activated, the call system seemed a delightful feature, but the team wasn’t sure it would survive the extensive remodel.
“Wires were draped all through the house, through every wall and ceiling,” electrician John Mitzel says. His company, Silver Electric, accepted the challenge to save the box. “Coming from the box were single-conductor wires, three for each button, with maybe 50 different wires leading to the main unit,” Mitzel says. He disassembled the box himself, cutting wires and marking them as he went. “Everything was tagged,” he says.
Despite the effort, most upstairs buttons were disturbed when the family decided to have drywall installed over many of the plaster walls. “If a wire is broken somewhere inside the wall, we could still have problems,” Mitzel says. Still, he anticipates that most of the system will work again when it is reconnected during the next few months.