Transforming a reverse-oriented Tudor-style dwelling into a singular-level residence brimming with character: A closer look at the design process.
Refurbishing antique homes with a touch of class and respect for their historic beauty is an art. These vintage properties often bear the scars of numerous less elegant makeovers, calling for a careful examination to uncover their original charm. That's exactly what the team at Kaminski + Pew tackled when they took on a Tudor-revival style residence.
They're no strangers to reviving historic homes, specializing in this niche area, restoring the soul of the structure to its former glory. Transforming an askew home into a welcoming den designed for an elderly couple who desire a space that adjusts to their needs was their dream project.
Here, the firm's founders, Kevin Kaminski and Alexis Pew, walk us through their vision for the transformation.
The Pre-makeover Scene
Kevin explains, "This home was originally the carriage house for a more substantial estate. Over the years, the estate was divided, and the carriage house became a standalone property. Designed in the Tudor Revival style by G.W. and W.D. Hewitt, it was built in 1902. The home had experienced various lives, and when the current owners purchased the property, it was showing signs of wear, yet many of the original details remained intact."
The Post-makeover Picture
"The new owners had moved from Iowa to Philadelphia to be closer to their children (and now grandchildren!). They wanted to preserve the historical character and intricate details of the structure while creating a comfortable and welcoming haven for family and friends," says Alexis.
Initially, the house was a bit disjointed, with a studio on the first floor and all the living areas upstairs. "We were hired to refurbish the entire ground floor of the house," explains Alexis. The space was previously used as a dance studio, and the owner lived only on the second floor. The owners desired to relocate the kitchen to the ground floor, eliminate an awkward spiral staircase for a safer alternative, and create a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor to accommodate aging with ease.
"We were drawn to the project due to the house's charming character, as well as our clients' delight in the design process. From the start, our goals were aligned, which is essential for a successful project," says Kevin.
Digging Deeper into the Details
The first step for the team was to catalog the existing details. Fortunately, this home boasted several beautiful original characteristics—diamond lattice windows, substantial wood wainscoting, heavy masonry, gently rounded plaster walls, tin ceilings—which served as a foundation for their design decisions. Most of the details were in good shape, necessitating mainly undoing previous insensitive renovations.
To harmonize the new work with the existing, the team sanded, stained, and matched the wood floor to a rich chestnut shade. They repaired damaged or missing sections, rebuilt the wainscoting, and matched the tin ceiling where needed. The aim was to make the transformation seamless to the naked eye.
The primary objective was to bring the living space back downstairs. The ground floor of the house was devoid of much existing infrastructure, so the team had to figure out how to incorporate a kitchen, living area, dining room, and a bathroom into the vast open space. "The main room was completely open," says Kevin. "The original construction of the carriage house featured steel to create large open spans. This configuration suited the building's most recent use as a dance studio, but it felt excessive for a couple."
Adding a kitchen to the ground floor was critical for the clients' desire for single-floor living and helped create a more intimate scale in the space. They added modest wing walls and a gently arched opening to create a division between the kitchen and the living/dining area. They modified the tin ceiling and wainscoting to make the transition look as if it had always been there.
The kitchen cabinets were finished in Rookwood Red from Sherwin-Williams. The clients initially had reservations about the bold color, envisioning something more neutral. However, once the team explained the reasoning behind the choice—matching the home's red roof and front door—they were on board. "The kitchen countertop has the appearance of soapstone," says Alexis, "but it's actually a leathered granite. Initially, we planned to use soapstone, but, comparing prices and maintenance requirements, we decided on a granite alternative."
The kitchen table and chairs were purchased at a local auction, while the pendant lights were from Visual Comfort, and the sconces were from Hudson Valley Lighting. The kitchen was custom-fabricated, featuring a faucet from Rohl, a sink from Kohler, and Bosch appliances, except for the Wolf induction cooktop.
Now, you might think that old homes don't come without challenges. In fact, the best parts about old homes are often the challenges themselves. As Alexis explains, "The original tin ceiling was a significant challenge, and keeping this existing original feature was a luxury. We adore the texture and scale it lends to the space, but tin ceilings are not easy to work with."
"When we began the project, two ceiling pendants served the main living area," Alexis continues. "To discretely add multiple new surface-mounted lights, we ran new wires between the ceiling joists above the tin. We were fortunate to find a manufacturer that still produces similar profiles and an installer to make the new work blend seamlessly with the original. The contractor performed an excellent job, and it's challenging to distinguish the old from the new, like the wing walls framing the kitchen and the hood."
Finally, the team eliminated a poorly placed spiral staircase and devised a more elegant staircase from the entryway. Luxury, elegance, and functionality—all characteristics of a beautifully remodeled historic home.
The team at Kaminski + Pew applied their expertise in home-improvement, specifically in reviving historic homes, to transform the ground floor of a Tudor-revival style residence. The new layout, designed for an elderly couple's lifestyle, designated a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen on the ground floor, catering to their needs for single-floor living. They carefully preserved the home-and-garden's historical charm by harmonizing new elements with existing details, such as diamond lattice windows, substantial wood wainscoting, and a tin ceiling.
