Renovating a 1925 house requires a minimalist approach. This maximizes light and allows original features to shine, such as Craftsman-style millwork.
Sometimes, the best way to honour an old house is to highlight its good bones. This principle was the driving force behind the renovation of this 1925 house. The original, valuable features were kept intact. Scott Moren, who purchased the house in Washington, D.C., says it felt like an old soul house with lots of potentials.
BEFORE – The dining room was given a Victorian-era vibe by using a patterned wallpaper over the stained chair rail.
After living in the house for eighteen months, Scott hired an architect to prepare the initial plans and permit, and Evelyn Pierce Smith was brought on board as the designer. Her approach was to preserve the period charm and chestnut woodwork, brighten it up with new windows and rework any rear additions. This will allow the house to be more efficient. Scott’s dream kitchen was expanded to accommodate the high-quality appliances he wanted and a bright breakfast area.
The old screened-in porch was remodelled as a sunroom. The step-down was eliminated. Cantilevering the back wall above the foundation gained 2 feet. The space is brightened by tall windows and patio doors that lead to the backyard. White-painted casings add brightness.
Laura Metzler
Grayson and his yellow Labrador, Grayson, love to hang out on their screened porch. The living room is the best place to host company.
The homeowner cleaned the limestone fireplace with dish soap and water. The original smaller windows were replaced by tall, narrower double-hung.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Scott says that the fireplace and woodwork attracted him to the house. Inviting friends and having a good time around the fire is great. It’s now a place where people can gather.
The front door was moved, the radiators were replaced with forced-air heat, and the kitchen was made larger. Rebuilding the rear additions also updated the layout.
To enlarge the living area, moved the front door towards the stairs; moved two windows.
To make the range wall usable, we removed steps and a doorway that led into the kitchen.
Two small closets were swapped for a shallow pantry and side-by-side coat closets.
We removed the sink wall and created a breakfast nook with a new bay window to annexe the former family area.
The powder room was closed up, and the toilet moved.
The doorway from the sunroom to the dining room was made wider at 8 feet. French doors were added to allow more natural light.
Rebuilt the screened porch to be used as a sunroom. Cantilevered the back wall above the foundation to gain 2′; added patio doors to the back.
