How do you remodel a historic home for modern living? Thoughtfully, carefully, creatively, and collaboratively. Homeowners often purchase a historical home due to its charm and craftsmanship. They fall in love with its unique character, but in time, they crave modern upgrades for practicality and convenience. While they desire renovations to suit 21st-century daily living, they don’t want to sacrifice the charm of the original details.
Collaboration plays a key role in the success of historic home remodels. From design through construction, the design team, builder and homeowners must maintain open communication as they make decisions and troubleshoot construction surprises. Yes, it is almost guaranteed that an older home will present a few unforeseen circumstances as deconstruction begins. However, challenges are opportunities for creativity, and the right team will help clients navigate these pivotal project moments.
More than overcoming project challenges, creativity supports the thoughtful blending of old and new. The design and construction team explores modern planning strategies, materials and applications to provide an updated space plan and palette that refreshes the home while respecting the original architecture. Finally, the blend of old and new comes together through careful execution and quality craftsmanship.
Irvington Bathroom & Basement Remodel
The owners of this beautiful 1908 NE Portland home wanted to breathe new life into their unfinished basement and dysfunctional main-floor bathroom and mudroom. The goal was to create comfortable and practical spaces while staying true to the preferences of the homeowners and the age of the home.
The existing half bathroom and mudroom were situated in what was originally an enclosed back porch. The homeowners wanted to create a full bathroom on the main floor, along with a functional mudroom off the back entrance. The team completely gutted the space, reframed the walls, leveled the flooring, and installed upgraded amenities, including a solid surface shower, custom cabinetry, blue tile and Marmoleum flooring, and Marvin wood windows.
In the basement, the team created a laundry room, designated workshop and utility space, and a comfortable family area to shoot pool and relax. The renovated spaces are now up-to-code with insulated and finished walls, heating and cooling, epoxy flooring, and refurbished windows.
The remodeled spaces achieve the homeowner's desire for function and comfort and preserve the unique quality and character of their 1908 residence.
"We love our beautiful, remodeled bathroom, mudroom and basement,” says the homeowners, “Daily communication with the supervisor, David, was excellent. Issues always arise with older houses. We discussed details and options on almost a daily basis. The result is a lovely remodel that is exactly what we wanted."
NW Portland Historic Condo Remodel
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The homeowners of this 1929 Portland condo sought to renovate and maximize their space without sacrificing the historical charm of their home. This project involved a thoughtful reconfiguration of the kitchen floor plan and the incorporation of custom built-ins throughout the other living areas, all tailored to the homeowner's vision for a contemporary, clutter-free dwelling while safeguarding the property's architectural integrity.
The main concerns of the original space were a lack of functionality and flow. The kitchen was notably confined. There was one doorway for entry and exit, and the space was dimly lit, limiting both cooking activities and entertainment possibilities. By infilling the doorway and opening an adjacent wall, the team created an inviting kitchen. The new arched opening stays true to original details throughout the home while updating the space with modern finishes. Storage options were enhanced in the kitchen and improved throughout the entire residence.
The design intent was to honor the integrity of the historic building while infusing a classic style and Art Deco accents. In collaboration with Molly J Littlejohn Design, this transformation was brought to life through off-white painted cabinetry, black granite and walnut butcher block countertops, and a mosaic tile backsplash to add depth and visual interest. Other details include champagne bronze plumbing fixtures and custom-scribed crown moulding to create a beautifully finished and elegant look. The result is a refreshed space that brings functionality and beauty to this 1920s condo.
“We love the finished product and how it fits in with the style of the building,” describes the homeowners. “I feel like we were able to stay true to the historical nature of the space while adding modern amenities.”
Award-Winning Historic Porch Restoration
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When the team was enlisted for this 1850s farmhouse project, the porch was dangerously fragile and falling apart. It had an unstable foundation and rotting columns, handrails, and stairs. In addition, the ceiling had a sag in it, indicating a potential structural problem.
As the family home to Oregon’s 31st Governor, these homeowners were committed to being good stewards of the property. Their goal was to create a usable outdoor living space while maintaining and respecting the architectural integrity and legacy of the home.
The team began by shoring up the porch roof structure to allow for the complete deconstruction of the porch itself and what was left of its foundation. From the ground up, the team rebuilt the whole structure, reusing as much of the original materials and millwork as possible. Since many of the 170-year-old decorative profiles aren't readily available today, Kraft’s team of carpenters custom-milled the majority of the new corbels, dentil molding, posts, and balusters. The porch was finished with new lighting, composite decking, and a tongue-and-groove ceiling.
The result is a charming outdoor space for the homeowners to welcome guests and enjoy the views of the old-growth trees surrounding the home. “We are very happy with the detailed craftsmanship and artistry that seamlessly blended restored original woodwork with new construction materials,” says the homeowners. “The result is a beautifully rebuilt porch that we look forward to enjoying for years to come.”
1930's Vintage Kitchen Remodel
After nearly 20 years of working in a cramped and inefficient kitchen and doing most of their cooking on a hotplate because of ongoing issues with old appliances, these food-loving homeowners were more than ready for a major kitchen remodel.
The goal was to open the kitchen and living space without compromising the architectural integrity of this gorgeous 1930s home, allowing them to cook and entertain guests at the same time. The team, guided by the design direction of Petra Geiling Interior Design, made sure to retain key elements, such as the plaster cove moulding detail, arched doorways, and glass knobs, to maintain the look and era of the home.
Notable features include a new bar and prep sink area, new appliances throughout, a cozy dog bed area incorporated into the cabinetry design, a shelving niche for cookbooks, a magnetic cabinet door on the broom closet to display photos, a recessed television niche for the flatscreen, and radius steps with custom mosaic tile on the stair risers. The homeowners can now cook and entertain guests with ease while their beloved dogs are on standby to keep the floor clean.
“Kraft is the most honest and realistic about what a project will entail,” says the homeowners. “Doing this kitchen renovation meant digging into our retirement, which was scary for us. However, having said that, I will be forever happy we went ahead with it. This kitchen has now brought us so much joy.”
Whether exterior details, a whole home remodel or focused updates to a kitchen, bathroom or basement, refreshing historic houses with modern conveniences continue the legacy of a home.
A creative and skilled team working collaboratively with homeowners can thoughtfully and carefully bridge old and new, celebrating the historic charm with updates to support modern life.
Kraft Custom Construction has a 42-year history of success with historic home remodels and welcomes the opportunity to learn more about you, your home, and the projects on your mind. As a leader in historic home remodels, we want to help continue the legacy of your home. Give us a call.
