NARI CotY 2012 Dallas Chapter Winner

For this project our client wanted an accurate historical restoration. They bought their “dream home” 10 years ago at a great price due to the amount of work it needed. They were planning to fix it up on their own. After many years of struggling with the home and trying to do the renovation on their own, the homeowners realized that to achieve their dream, they needed a professional to come in and help.

Our company brought in a great design team and together we worked with the homeowners to plan the restoration. Our major focus was to restore the home to its former glory while maintaining the integrity of the original design, provide more storage, and a second bathroom. We worked diligently to give the homeowners an accurate historical renovation while also giving them a well functioning home that works with today’s style of living.

Due to historical city zoning, all modifications had to be within the original footprint of the home. Keeping the traditional flow, we tried to integrate the homeowners need for more working space in the kitchen without disrupting the integrity of the original design.  We utilized the original walk-through pantry area that wasn’t being used by the homeowners and added that space to the new kitchen. Making a few adjustments to the storage areas in the home, we were able to add a second bathroom to better suit the needs of the family.  This follows the traditional guideline of the bungalow being functional.

To benefit the home’s overall function we did the following:

• Added a second bathroom
• Finished converting an original back porch to give the home a useful utility room
• Removed the pillar in the dining area and expanded the cased opening dividing the living and dining room
• Incorporated an unused breakfast room and two smaller closets to increase the size of the kitchen
• Relocated water heater to increase storage in closet

The home had a wonderful original concept but we needed to bring the home up to code and fix some of the issues caused by the home’s age. The house tested positive for lead and we had to use lead safe practices. To minimize risk of movement of the house the owner directed us to perform a foundation shim and adjustment before work began.

New dining and living room opening with pillar removed

MATERIALS

The 1920’s kitchen stressed utility and convenience. A proper kitchen was equipped with convenient cabinet space and a farmhouse style sink. 

Our kitchen employs these attributes as well as durable repurposed pine flooring and a beautiful and extremely resilient soapstone countertop. 

All new windows and doors used were salvaged to match the existing features. 

LIGHTING

Lighting is a very important aspect for a bungalow home. The amount of windows and natural light let in help differentiate the public and private spaces as well as emphasizing the connection of the home to its natural roots. 

By choosing handcrafted period fixtures we adhered to the style of the 1920’s bungalow while providing adequate light to perform necessary tasks. 

Simplicity and symmetry were the key points to the lighting of this period.  For task lighting we installed under counter lights and a pendant over the sink.  Ceiling mounted vintage schoolhouse pendant fixtures were great lighting choices for the kitchen work space.

A singular pendant with four symmetrical extensions provided overhead lighting in the dining room.  Many exterior windows provide outstanding natural lighting for the home.

In keeping with the period, materials had to be durable and beautiful.  By using reclaimed pine for the wood floors we succeeded in integrating nature with the home.

All of the replacement windows and doors were salvaged to keep with the period.  Any necessary replacement glass was float-glass chosen for its obscured translucent properties.

The countertop surface is 3 centimeter soapstone.  Soapstone has been used for sinks and countertops for centuries.  It is denser than marble, slate, limestone and granite. Since soapstone is impenetrable (non-porous), it will not stain because no liquid will permeate its surface.

Bungalows were designed for the typical American family, with small means but the desire for a charming home.  Beauty of design was obtained by harmony of line, color, and proportion.

By slightly modifying the floor plan we were able to greatly emphasize the visual connection between the living room and dining room, opening the flow between spaces.  The transitions between public and private spaces in the home are delineated with a change in the ceiling height or a cased opening detailed with millwork that relates to the window and door trim.

Bright classic colors complete the design of the home.  A vibrant brick red coats the walls contrasting with white trim. Stainless metal fixtures and cabinet pulls complete the look.

Bungalow homes, with their small footprints, utilized built-in storage to remove the need for excess furniture and make the rooms feel cozy but not cluttered.  Built-in bookcases give the living room organization and provide a logical pathway for lighting fixtures and furniture arrangement.

STORAGE FOR LAUNDRY/MUD ROOM

The heart and soul of a bungalow lies in the details.  To keep the historical restoration as accurate as possible we had salvaged lumber taken from homes in the area milled into the pine flooring.  All of the built-in cabinets were designed as they would have been in the period the home was built. 

Detailed casings and moldings were used in keeping with the spirit of the 1920’s.

To maximize the use of space we installed bookshelves next to the fireplace.  All of our cabinets were designed to match the existing full height cabinets the owners requested be retained from the previous breakfast area. Fully inset shaker style cabinets with plain glass and simple molding.  In the kitchen the cabinet hardware was chosen to closely match the original hardware on the butler’s pantry cabinet.

In the early 1900’s, bead board became very popular when used in the more informal areas of the home, kitchen, bath, etc.  It was a way to use up leftover wood from other projects; a thrifty way to add interest to a room.  In the kitchen, laundry, and both bathrooms bead board was applied as an accent.  It gives the whole house a more classic bungalow atmosphere.

LIGHTING DETAIL

Out-of-plumb structural wall

Location of out-of-plumb wall

Framed shower with shims
to level wall