Challenge:
The clients have a 1937 home that had been extensively refurbished and updated by the previous owners, though the work was not always done well or to the clients’ tastes. They are in a long-term process of fixing any inferior workmanship, and updating other things to suit their more modern sensibility.
Like many older homes, this house was designed for life 70 years ago. The homeowners would like to make improvements to bring the house more into line with today’s lifestyles while not sacrificing any of its age-old charm or character.
Solution:
Each room presents a different specific challenge, which will be handled over time as the budget allows.
Projects:
Living Room
Some living rooms were not designed for today’s living. The living room in this 1937 house is a case in point.
Dining Room
This dining room only requires a few cosmetic changes, like paint and trim, to be more welcoming.
Dining Room – Seating Area
With family and friends always hanging out in the kitchen during visits, a seating area in the large dining room/kitchen space is both welcoming and practical.
Kitchen
Bright color and new lighting make a good kitchen better, until a more major remodel can be undertaken.
Large Bath
Turning the plain white walls in this bathroom into a showcase for rich colors in both paint and paintings led to some other design changes in advance of a still longed-for remodel.
Small Bath
A new wall and pocket door improves the look and function of this tiny bathroom.
Laundry Room
The look of this tiny laundry room is greatly improved with rich colored paint, and white painted beadboard and trim (actually, laundry hallway would be more accurate).
Hallway
Too many doorways and not enough closets provides the impetus for closing off the end of this hallway and adding a coat closet.
Bedroom
A small master bedroom with little room for clothing storage offers plenty of space in the vertical dimension with a 15-foot high vaulted ceiling. But how to make the room feel more intimate?
Attic
A generous floored space in the attic becomes a great place for an office, sewing nook, library, and a plush daybed on which to read.
Porch
A porch floor that was rotting provides opportunity for a few additional improvements in this lovely old covered porch.
Deck
This house came with a crazy 3-part deck, no part of which was really large enough to be useful. A demo and rebuild of the deck also includes adding a beautiful pergola.
Sewing Space
Our attic remodel project provided me with a great opportunity to set up a dedicated yet flexible sewing space. It’s a great working space, and makes excellent use of the odd-shaped room.