oldhomestyle@wtdesigns.biz
Paul's & Barbara's Foursquare Renovation
Above is the BEFORE Photo
AFTER - A new old style Foursquare home, from an addition and whole house renovation
This project is another excellent example of what can be done with an ordinary older home. And what is even more special is the personal dedication and years long follow-through work, most from their own skill & labor - by owners Paul & Barbara - to meld era-consistent architectural details throughout the interior of their home.
See below photos.
Most modern attention by the general northwest homeowner public has been on Craftsman Style or Tudor or Queen Anne home themes. But the Foursquare style was popular during the same pre-war construction era. And as can be seen, its configuration offers a distinctive style, which presents a strong element of symmetry. Which certainly brings a sense of balance to a home.
New Kitchen
Attention to detail by Paul & Barbara is clearly shown. The correct era tile counter top, with moss green backsplash tile, nicely compliments the antique white painted, flat panel cabinets. Even the old molded glass hardware fits. And look, they found a decades old electric stove - with a typical color enamel. And from the ceiling are suspended light fixtures that have not been used in about 50 years. And the bulk food bins for an island is a master touch.
BEFORE Kitchen
Here is what the kitchen used to be. Functional, but kinda depressing, huh. And look, the new windows and lighting add such an elegant glow of light. These old homes - "old" to us - provided our grandparents with a sense of character and manner we may have lost.
New Entry & Dining
The new front door is to the right, new dining space just beyond the kitty. Photo taken from the living room. This entry arrangement - one guest-use room to each side of the entry - was often found in pre-war homes. It placed the "public spaces," like dining and living rooms, near the front door.
This was considered an important reflection of our more structured society then. And look at the four-in-a-square tapered columns with wall paneling and inset shelving.
And the French Doors and matching windows. Oh, there is even a decades old push button light switch with brass plate. My my, maybe today we could use some of that structure and grace.
BEFORE - Interior Rooms
Here is what the interior rooms used be. Whaddya think, are we making any improvement?
Interior View
Through the entry from the dining room we can see part of the new living room (more below). Paul's & Barbara's home is like a museum - even the furniture is from the period.
And yes, better homes of the era had hardwood flooring, which received large hand woven rugs - wall-to-wall carpeting was a concept not yet known.
And there's a kitty's house there too - though not era-consistent. But kitty also seems completely happy with living in a 100 year old style home. And again we see light fixtures of the period, and crossing ceiling beams.
Front Door & Sidelights
Looking back through the entry to the inside of the front door, again we see a remarkable display of detail and precision work. It is all so nicely done, with exactly the correct side lights and hardware. There is a warm and comfortable feeling that comes over a person, just by looking.
New Living Room
Looking further into the new living room we see another beautiful pre-war era style of tile-faced fireplace. This one is fitted with a functional wood burning insert. The displayed artwork and artifacts are also era-consistent. And yeah, while neither that TV nor the idea nor technology for it existed 100 years ago, this model must be one of the first ever made!
New Stairs
Take a look at the cut outs in the stair railing balusters. We are witnesses to a genuine labor of love. Expertly executed in faithful fidelity to the craft of the era. The realization of what this work required is almost a reverent experience.
From The Landing
These three era-consistent windows at the back wall of the home provide a leafy green view, from the upstairs open landing. And the daylighting floods the stairwell with an inviting glow.
Phone Cubby
Down the hall, just around the corner from the kitchen, is another period item - an inset telephone shelf (today we would call it a phone cubby). And it features a genuine 1920s phone, with a little door below to note pad and pencil. And yes, because Will is an old guy, he can say, "That's exactly how they looked."
New Bathroom
No a big glass door & panel in a shower did not happen then. Nor a large shower pan. But the pair of matching square pedestal sinks is actually from the late 1920s. And while new, the sink hardware is era consistent. And the sconces came from their original boxes, finally, after 80 years.
There is good cause to make this very functional space more pleasant, sanitary and safe. And every other feature, especially the tile work and cabinetry and window, is just as it would have been made those many decades ago.
Serendipity Design
Serendipity is defined as a happy chance, a pleasant accident, a fortuitous fluke. That's how Will views the meeting with Paul & Barbara, and being retained to create the replacement home layout, to design the spaces and Foursquare Style feature configurations to the client's criteria. It was such a unique opportunity, to prepare the plans to place a genuine Foursquare Style on an ordinary Rambler - then fashioned by the owners over many years of personal perseverance. Will says, "And I got to be the designer."