TURLOCK, CA— Ask Jim Madsen, and he will probably agree that everything old is new again. How else to explain this 20'-6"Wx15'-2"D Colonial-style new construction that he – along with Sid Nightengale Construction in Atwater, CA – designed to replicate Thomas Jefferson’s “Monticello”?

Madsen, owner of Design Classics, based here, explains: “The family had traveled to Colonial Williamsburg, VA on vacation several years ago, fell in love with the architecture and decided to bring it home with them. We incorporated as many Colonial design elements as possible while still creating a practical space with all of the modern conveniences.”

He continues: “Since the family loves to entertain, it was important to design a home with rooms large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. The kitchen was designed so that multiple cooks could work at one time.”

To that end, there is a 48" aisle between the primary sink and cooktop for multiple cooks to work back to back. Meanwhile, a 60" aisle between the island counter and wall offers room behind the eating bar.

“I placed peninsulas on either end of the kitchen, since adding walls would have closed in the space,” he says. “The large island in the center seats four and is the primary work surface.”

Period Piece

But, capturing every detail needed to make the design authentic also created some unique design constraints, he points out.

“Most flooring in the late 1700’s [in this area] was pine. We compromised and chose slate with a multi-sized pattern for the high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, family and mud rooms, and Carlisle wide-plank heart pine flooring for the lower traffic, more formal areas,” he offers.

However, one element that Madsen was able to accurately duplicate was the custom copper hood from Rangecraft, which he cites as the true centerpiece of this historical-themed design.

He continues: “With four children under the age of 12, the clients wanted a large kitchen with all the modern amenities.

However, homes in the 1700’s didn’t have ‘kitchens’ as we know them. So, we tried to conceal the modern appliances and provide a period-style focal point. That piece turned out to be the custom copper hood, which looks like it was forged by the village blacksmith.”