These homeowners came to us with a design for a home addition for their historic home. Upon reviewing the plans with them we realized it was incongruent with their needs and wants. This blended family hoped to accomplish a larger kitchen/eat-in area, a new master suite and additional bedrooms. It was important to improve the aesthetics they wanted as well as the function, while keeping with the period of the home to ensure this did not feel like an addition but part of the original home.
In re-designing the addition, we enlarged their small, outdated galley kitchen into an open space with an eat-in kitchen, a mudroom area from the new garage and a drop zone for keys and cell phones. We removed a window in the dining room and replaced with glass French doors as well as enlarging the walkway from the dining room to the kitchen, which allows for improved flow of traffic between the spaces. We re-purposed their existing cabinetry, to create an island with seating as well as a drop zone near the back door. New large windows surround the room which had been dark and now has a great panoramic view of their gorgeous backyard to watch the kids play. We searched long and hard and found pendant lights with an old-world aesthetic that coordinate perfectly with their vintage lights in the hallway and dining room. New granite countertops, tile backsplash and plumbing features make the space feel fresh and modern while significantly improving the function.
With this addition, we added not only a primary suite and one bedroom, but space to accommodate a second new bedroom for the kids to each have their own rooms. We converted the original primary bedroom and a closet that bumped over the stairs to gain more headroom and space at the landing. This allowed us to create a TV lounge area as well as a new hallway to the new primary suite and bedrooms. A larger primary bedroom was added with large windows to capture the sunshine during the day and a great view of the backyard. The primary bathroom was designed closely with the homeowners to capture their style. The geometric tile pattern for the bathroom floor was laid out precisely utilizing two different tiles that complemented one another well. A custom maple vanity and countertop allows for good storage for the couple and a large mirror that rests on the back splash and bar light coordinates well with the tile. The large shower is gorgeous with the back of the niche matching the bathroom floor tile. A walk-in closet is nestled between the bedroom and bath with storage for two.
The result not only increased the function of this home but kept true to the period it. The enlarged eat-in kitchen allow this family of five to eat together in a comfortable space with easy accessibility from the new garage entrance and mudroom, as well as from the dining room. The additional 3 bedrooms, including a new primary ensuite, allow everyone their own private space. It’s difficult to tell the old from the new on this home, and the homeowners love their new-old home.
Unique Features:
- Historic home addition
- Polished granite counters
- Antique kitchen pendants
- Lounge area at top of stairs
- Customized tile pattern in primary bath
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Credits: Photography by Sara C Imagery