This Victorian mansion just off of South Broad had an amazing amount of original details still intact.. as well as an amazing amount of structural problems. The entire side and rear of the property had to be rebuilt, and the exterior needed substantial restoration. With its elaborately carved stair railing, fireplace with intricate gold mirror, leaded glass transom window and beautiful ornate trim work, this house was begging to be restored to its former glory.
When our clients purchased this historic Chestnut Hill beauty, the main house was painted all different shades of pink and orange, and had outdated kitchens and baths. The once dazzling ornate trim was faded and the master suite lacked a closet worthy of such a gorgeous house. The carriage house next door was sectioned off into small rooms and the floors were in desperate need of restoration. We worked with the new owners to combine the simplicity of their own mid-century modern and Scandinavian styles with the extravagant architecture of the house, resulting in a truly beautiful and unique design.
The sheer amount of original details that we uncovered throughout the renovation, as well as meeting the sweet family that lived here years ago, made this such a special project. The exterior was constructed with Wissahickon Schist, a sparkly stone native to the area, and the the original woodworking was uncovered and restored. We restored the fireplaces, found reclaimed solid wood doors to match the other original ones, uncovered the windows in the kitchen and sunroom, and refinished the original flooring throughout. A visit to a salvage shop turned up some beautiful old doors with beveled glass that fit perfectly in our entry, and we restored the leaded glass side lights on either side. The large yard was landscaped from the jungle it had become from years of neglect, and when spring came around, some old flowers began to poke their heads out of the soil.
This adorable row home in South Philadelphia was a fun exercise in how to lay out a small space in order to maximize function and light. We reconfigured this tiny home into 2 large bedrooms (one with walk-in closet) and 1.5 baths. Whitewashed brick and light floors make this home feel spacious and bright, and bright geometric cement tile and gas fireplaces fill it with personality and warmth.
This little twin in Germantown had been completely stripped on the inside and the outside was in terrible shape, too. But with the remains of its cute front porch and peaked top, we knew that we could add some character back into it and make it shine again. The inside was designed to bring in warmth and glow, with its copper accents and honey colored floors. Custom copper lighting on the ceiling helps to define the space in this long narrow home, and navy cabinetry adds some color. On the second floor, the layout was changed to accommodate two bedrooms and two bath, including a black and white bathroom with vintage-inspired cast iron sink.
Situated in the heart of East Passyunk overlooking the Singing Fountain, this 3-story custom home by Hestia Construction will be featured on an upcoming TV show! The property has been completely gutted and renovated from top to bottom, to combine the best of the unique original structure with the comforts and high-end design of a brand new home. The home has its original brick facade with arched transom and ornate front door, all of which have been thoughtfully restored. Inside, however, everything is brand new, including electric, plumbing, and HVAC (which features a 92% efficient gas furnace with central air and Nest thermostat). The bright first floor features an open floor plan with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, gas fireplace with marble surround, brass light fixtures, iron railings, and tons of windows and natural light. The kitchen has white Shaker-style cabinetry with patterned cement tile backsplash, quartz countertops, brushed brass hardware, and island with seating and West Elm pendants. Under-cabinet lighting, stainless steel appliances (including French door refrigerator and wine fridge), garbage disposal, and range hood are also included. There is a large yard, with brand new fence and large planting bed. The 2nd floor features 3 good-sized bedrooms with exposed brick walls and large closets. The full bathroom on this floor features a cement tile floor, tub with white subway tile walls, and high-end Kohler fixtures and vanity (with custom white Carrara top). On the 3rd floor you will find your master suite, equipped with two large closets, exposed brick, and gas fireplace with reclaimed wood surround. The ensuite bathroom is accessed through a reclaimed wood sliding door, and features black/white patterned cement tile, freestanding tub, double vanity with white quartz countertop, black mirrors with polished chrome sconces, and shower with custom glass surround. In the finished basement you will find a porcelain tile floor that looks like hardwood, laid in a herringbone pattern. There is a laundry area with white Shaker-style cabinetry, front-loading washer and dryer, and brushed brass hardware. 10 year tax abatement applied for. This home has everything that you could want- tons of outdoor space, high-end design, natural light, and plenty of bedrooms and living space- all in the very heart of East Passyunk, with its boutiques, award-winning restaurants, and cafes!
This deceivingly big 2-story row home was in a great location, close to Dickinson Square Park, but with it's yellow walls and builder-basic oak cabinetry, it had lost its charm. During the renovations, we focused on defining the different spaces in the long open layout and adding as much natural light as possible. To keep things relatively neutral while still adding personality, we incorporated several natural elements into the design- exposed brick, reclaimed wood, cement tile, iron- and used neutral colored tiles in different shapes and patterns throughout.
This wide row home was covered in 70s paneling when we found it and the rooms were sectioned off. We opened up the entire first floor and rear wall, installing a custom iron door to the rear yard, exposing the brick along the party wall, and replacing the steps with an open staircase to allow light and flow. Stepping away from the traditional row home layout, we moved the kitchen to the middle and living room to the rear, in order to create a serene light-filled living space that would connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. Or, as the elderly previous owner of this house stated when he came back to look at the property after the rehab, “This would be a good place to enjoy a nice glass of wine.”
This little row home was in a great location, but had builder-basic finishes and a poor layout on the second floor. We eliminated a bedroom to add tons of closet space and a big bathroom, and packed as much color and personality into this little home as possible.
The day that I bought this property, it was pouring rain. I excitedly ran back to the house after settlement to begin to draft a design plan... only to find that the house was completely filling up with water! Needless to say, a lot of work went into this one to make it what it is today. Lots of bright light from the many windows and skylights, exposed brick, clean white marble, reclaimed wood, and green plants make this house a natural oasis in the heart of South Philly.
With shag carpet and a tiki hut in the basement, this vacation home used to be a step back in time. Our client chose beautiful bright finishes, white-washed floors, and carrera marble to bring this window-filled beauty into the 21st century.
