Transforming a Historic Family Home: Renovation Rekindle S3E6

June 27, 2024

When Linda reached out and shared her story, we knew it was meant to be. In 1993, she and her husband, (also a devoted firefighter named Paul!), bought a charming historic New England colonial. Initially planning to stay for just ten years, life took an unexpected turn with the arrival of their three children. Soon, the couple found themselves contemplating a long-term stay and a renovation to create their dream home.

Tragically, Paul passed away unexpectedly at a young age, leaving Linda with a monumental decision: sell the house and move on, or honor their shared dream by renovating the family home. Encouraged by her family, Linda chose to stay and transform the house into the place they had always envisioned, turning a home filled with memories into a renewed space of love and legacy.

Linda’s renovation journey is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s a story of resilience, love, and the powerful bond of family. The historic New England colonial with its unique architectural charm became a canvas for Linda to paint her dreams, creating a space that reflects her husband’s legacy and the family’s future.

The entryway

Image of a dated foyer featuring mismatched flooring, dull grey walls, and dark green carpeted stairs. The lighting is inadequate, making the space feel cramped and uninviting. Historic home over 100 years old in New England. — Before

Image of a modern foyer with walls painted in Benjamin Moore Pale Oak, sleek white doors, front door painted with Benjamin Moore Graphite, and new hardwood flooring. A stylish capiz light fixture and a patterned area rug enhance the sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere. Historic New England home over 100 years old. Looking out to the mudroom. — After

Image of a renovated staircase with polished wooden steps and white risers. The crisp white railing complements the new wall paneling, adding texture and interest to the space, illuminated by an elegant light fixture. Original post was restored. — After

The old foyer of Linda’s historic New England colonial was a relic of the 80s, featuring a dated brown mosaic tile floor and a staircase clad in forest green carpet. To breathe new life into this space, we designed this renovation to honor the home’s original charm while introducing fresh, modern elements.

We started by replacing the dated flooring with elegant hardwood, instantly elevating the foyer’s appeal. A stunning Capiz flush mount light fixture now graces the ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow as soon as you step inside. The front door was replaced and painted with Benjamin Moore Graphite, a soft black that adds warmth but isn’t too stark.

Maintaining the home’s historic character was very important so we preserved the original stair post, increasing the height to meet code, and added a beautiful molding going up the stairway. The foyer seamlessly transitions into what was once the old vestibule, now transformed into a practical and chic mudroom.

The Mudroom

Image of a newly renovated mudroom featuring Sherwin Williams Jade Dragon paint on the wainscoting. The space includes elegant wooden hooks for hanging items, with an accent of natural wood trim. The checkerboard marble floor adds a touch of luxury, and a large window floods the room with natural light, highlighting the stylish and functional design.

Image of a charming mudroom bench painted in Sherwin Williams Jade Dragon, complemented by a checkerboard marble floor. The bench, adorned with decorative pillows, offers a cozy seating area beneath a large window that provides a scenic view of lush greenery outside. The black door - Benjamin Moore graphite- adds a striking contrast, enhancing the overall aesthetic of this inviting and practical space.

The old vestibule, once a forgotten space with unfinished concrete floors and plain plastered walls, underwent quite the refresh. Preserving the large windows to maintain the home’s historic exterior charm, we reimagined this area into a highly functional and stylish mudroom.

To create a practical space for daily use, we added brushed brass double vintage style hooks for hanging coats and bags, and installed a comfortable bench perfect for sitting and removing shoes. We chose a gray and white marbled tile checkered pattern for the floor, striking a balance between durability and aesthetic appeal. This eye-catching flooring greets guests with a warm welcome as they transition from the outdoors into the home.

Living Room and Dining Area

Image of an open concept dining and living area in a newly renovated vintage New England home. The dining area includes a round wooden table surrounded by upholstered chairs, illuminated by a stylish woven chandelier. The living area features a wall-mounted TV, large windows, and a cozy sectional sofa, all tied together by white walls and recessed lighting, providing a fresh and inviting ambiance. — After

Image of a beautifully renovated living and dining room in a vintage New England home. The space features custom cabinetry with sleek wooden countertops and modern hardware. White walls and large windows allow natural light to brighten the room, showcasing the new hardwood flooring and contemporary decor, creating a harmonious blend of classic and modern design. — After

Image of a bay window area in the dining room of a vintage New England home before renovation. The space features dark green wallpaper above white wainscoting and a built-in corner cabinet. The bay windows allow ample natural light to flood the room, which has worn hardwood floors and an old chandelier. The adjacent room with yellow walls indicates a dated and eclectic interior style, emphasizing the need for renovation. — Before: Notice the built-in with the missing door

Image of an elegantly renovated space in a vintage New England home, featuring a built-in display cabinet with glass doors and wooden shelves. The entryway showcases updated hardwood flooring, white walls, and modern fixtures, including a chic light fixture and a decorative rug. The adjacent office area is visible through a pair of French doors, completing the sophisticated and functional design. — After: The repurposed door from the built-in

Image of a vintage New England living room before renovation. The room features large windows with pink curtains, outdated light grey walls, and worn hardwood floors. A ceiling fan with outdated lighting and a floor lamp contribute to the room's dated appearance. The space, with its traditional wood trim and baseboard heating, reflects the home's historical charm. — Before: Too many windows with no usuable wall space

Image of a newly renovated living room in a vintage New England home. The room features a wall-mounted flat-screen TV between two large windows, allowing natural light to illuminate the space. A cozy sectional sofa with neutral-colored upholstery and decorative pillows faces the TV. The hardwood flooring adds warmth, while a side table with potted plants and woven baskets underneath enhances the modern yet comfortable aesthetic. The walls are painted white, providing a clean and bright atmosphere. — After: Closing up the wall and adding windows to the side was a huge improvement

Continuing our home tour, we turned our attention to the main living and dining areas, aiming to improve the flow and functionality between these two key rooms. By removing the cased opening and built in, we were able to make the space feel more open and connected.

The old dining room closet was repurposed to house a beautiful built-in unit, adding both charm and practicality. The arch door was preserved from the old built in and integrated into the new design, maintaining a touch of the home’s historical character.

In the living room, the challenge was to find a suitable space for the TV without sacrificing natural light. The original layout forced the TV to cover the only window on the main wall. To address this, we removed the central window and installed two new ones on either side. This adjustment not only provided a perfect spot for the TV but also enhanced the room’s overall light and symmetry.

the Office

Image of a beautifully renovated dining and office space in a vintage New England home. The dining area features a round wooden table with upholstered chairs, illuminated by a stylish chandelier. The office area, visible through French doors, has updated hardwood flooring, fresh white walls, and modern fixtures, creating a cohesive and inviting environment. — After

Image of a dated office space in a vintage New England home before renovation. The room features dull grey walls, a simple light fixture, and worn hardwood flooring. A small doorway leads to a kitchen area with old cabinetry, and a stained glass window adds a touch of character to the otherwise outdated room. — Before

The office space played a crucial role in our renovation strategy, ensuring the overall flow and functionality of Linda’s new layout. Originally, the office was open to the front foyer and kitchen, but closed off from the dining room. To improve function, we made several strategic changes.

First, we eliminated the access to the foyer, creating space for a much-needed coat closet. On the kitchen side, a key element of Linda’s wishlist was a wider kitchen to accommodate an island with storage and seating. To achieve this, we moved the wall, which also altered the location of the original stained glass window. The repositioned wall created a charming nook, perfect for a built-in unit with storage and shelves for the office, adding both style and functionality.

We installed elegant French doors from the dining room, providing a new way to access the office. This redesign not only fulfilled Linda’s dream of a more functional kitchen but also transformed the office into a more integrated part of the home.

The Kitchen

Before Renovation Kitchen with Old Appliances: Image of a kitchen in a vintage New England home before renovation, featuring old wooden cabinets, blue countertops, and outdated appliances. The yellow walls and worn flooring further highlight the need for a comprehensive update to bring the space up to modern standards. — Before

Image of a kitchen in a vintage New England home before renovation, featuring old wooden cabinets, blue countertops, and outdated appliances. The yellow walls and worn flooring further highlight the need for a comprehensive update to bring the space up to modern standards. — Before

Image of a beautifully renovated kitchen in a vintage New England home. The kitchen features a large island with seating, white shaker cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. The space is illuminated by pendant lights and recessed lighting, with natural light streaming in from large windows, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. — After

mage of a kitchen in a vintage New England home before renovation. This view shows a large hole in the yellow wall, old wooden cabinets, and blue countertops. The room also has a ceiling fan, outdated appliances, and a mix of old flooring, indicating significant wear and tear. — Before

Image of a dated kitchen in a vintage New England home before renovation. The kitchen features yellow walls, old wooden cabinets, and blue countertops. The space includes outdated appliances, a ceiling fan, and worn laminate flooring, all contributing to an overall need for modernization. — After

Image of a newly renovated kitchen in a vintage New England home, showcasing a close-up of the elegant backsplash. The herringbone pattern is framed by white subway tiles, and a sleek brass pot filler is mounted above the stove. Wooden cutting boards add a touch of warmth and functionality to the modern design. — After

The kitchen in Linda’s historic home was not only tired but also incredibly narrow, making it difficult to achieve her dream of having a spacious island. To create more space, we had to move some things around.

First, we removed the old chimney and then closed off the former access to the office from the kitchen, which was inconveniently located to the right of the old refrigerator. These changes allowed us to widen the entire kitchen, even if it meant slightly reducing the size of the dining room and office. The result was a much more open and functional space, perfectly accommodating the island that topped her wishlist.

The new kitchen boasts classic white cabinets paired with an off-white island, painted in Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak. The brushed brass fixtures add a touch of elegance, while the white backsplash, featuring a checkered pattern of matte and glossy tiles, brings a subtle yet sophisticated texture to the space. This design not only modernizes the kitchen but also retained the timeless charm of the historic home.

Sunroom and Entertainment Area

Dining room with built in with arch door looking into kitchen — After

Image of a dining room before renovation in a vintage New England home. The room features outdated green and yellow walls, a dark wood chandelier, and large windows letting in natural light. The hardwood floors are scuffed, and there is a visible patch on the green wall, indicating the beginning of the renovation process. — Before

Image of a beautifully renovated kitchen in a vintage New England home, showcasing the open view into a sunroom. The kitchen features white cabinetry, marble countertops, and hardwood floors. French doors lead to the sunroom, which has been updated with green walls and modern furniture, creating a seamless and inviting transition between spaces. — After

Image of a newly renovated kitchen in a vintage New England home, highlighting the long countertop with white cabinetry and brass hardware. The bright and airy kitchen opens up to a sunroom, which has comfortable seating and large windows that bring in plenty of natural light. Fresh flowers and decorative items add a homely touch to the modern space — After

Image of a beautifully renovated kitchen in a vintage New England home. The kitchen features white cabinetry, marble countertops, and hardwood floors. The view includes a seamless transition to a laundry room on the left, equipped with modern appliances, and a sunroom on the right with comfortable seating and large windows, creating an inviting and practical space. — After: The Sunroom

Image of a fully renovated sunroom in a vintage New England home. The sunroom features light green walls, large windows, and marble tile flooring. It is furnished with two brown leather armchairs and a small round table with a floral arrangement, providing a cozy and bright space to relax and enjoy the view of the backyard. — After: The Sunroom

Image of a sunroom before renovation in a vintage New England home. The room has worn-out bamboo blinds partially covering large windows, a light blue wall, and a slightly stained carpet. A decorative lantern hangs on the wall, and the room appears to be in need of a thorough makeover. — Before: The Sunroom

Previously, the sunroom was only accessible through a hallway off the kitchen, limiting its functionality and appeal. As part of our floor plan redesign, we created direct access from the kitchen area, bringing the sunroom front and center. Right by the new entry, we installed an entertainment bar complete with an under-counter refrigerator, ice maker, and additional cabinetry for storage. This setup not only adds convenience but also elevates the space for hosting gatherings. The inclusion of an all-glass door and side lite visually extends the area, creating an easy flow between the sunroom and the living space.

We chose a gray and white marbled checkered tile for the flooring, matching the mudroom’s aesthetic at the front entry, to ensure design continuity throughout the home. This layout change not only improves the sunroom’s accessibility but also provides direct access to the back deck, making it perfect for indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Pantry, Laundry, and Bathroom

After image of a renovated coffee nook and adjacent bathroom in a vintage New England home, showcasing modern cabinetry, stylish open shelving, and a refreshed bathroom with elegant fixtures

Renovated laundry room in a vintage New England home featuring modern washer and dryer, custom cabinetry, and a sleek, organized space.

Before image of a laundry room in a vintage New England home showing outdated appliances and cluttered space prior to renovation

Beautifully renovated bathroom in a vintage New England home, featuring a modern vanity, chic mirror, and a stylish walk-in shower with elegant varied crackled subway tilework."

Before image of a bathroom in a vintage New England home featuring dated fixtures and a cramped layout prior to renovation.

The hallway off the kitchen was a busy area, housing the washer and dryer, providing access to the sunroom, and featuring a small bathroom with a very small shower. One of our goals was to streamline and enhance this space, making it more functional and visually appealing.

We kept the laundry in its original location but added much-needed storage above to maximize space efficiency. Although we wanted to enclose the laundry area with doors, space constraints due to necessary framing corrections made this impossible. Nevertheless, the improvements have significantly upgraded the functionality and look of this area.

Across from the laundry, we removed the old door leading to the sunroom and replaced it with a tall pantry cabinet, adding valuable counter space and storage. This change not only organized the hallway but also provided more utility for daily tasks.

The bathroom received a major upgrade as well. We removed the awkward window that faced into the sunroom and extended the shower to span the entire length of the bathroom.

Linda’s renovation journey transformed her historic (and tired) New England colonial into a modern, functional, and charming home. Each carefully planned change, from the entryway to the kitchen and multifunctional hallway, is a blend of preserving historical character while meeting contemporary needs. We were honored to be part of helping Linda realize her dream of transforming her family home into a space that not only honors her past but also embraces her future. We know that the new revitalized space will be cherished for years to come.