When a growing family needed more room to live, work, and entertain, they turned to their existing Black Pearl home rather than leaving a neighborhood they loved. The goal was not to reinvent the house, but to expand it thoughtfully, preserving its historic character while creating space that could evolve with their family.
The home’s original sidehall layout and double parlor were central to that approach. These front rooms hold much of the Eastlake Victorian character, and maintaining the layout, details, and relationship to the home was a priority from the start. Rather than altering what already worked, the design focused on building up and rethinking how the home functioned beyond those formal spaces.
A second-story camelback addition allowed the house to grow without compromising its historic presence. Because the building falls under partial HDLC oversight, the design carefully balanced new construction with the scale, rhythm, and detailing of the existing structure, ensuring the addition felt like a natural extension of the home.
Inside, the stair became the organizing element of the renovation. Positioned at the center of the house, it shapes the plan around it. Opening up a downstairs bedroom created space for a comfortable den with custom built-ins and a tucked-away powder room beneath the stair landing. The result is a family space that feels intentional, layered, and connected to the rest of the home.
The existing commercial kitchen was preserved, remaining a functional anchor for daily life and entertaining. Behind it, the old laundry room was redesigned into a colorful butler’s pantry and mudroom that improves flow and storage while keeping the kitchen efficient and uncluttered.
Upstairs, the camelback addition creates room for the home’s next chapter. Equal-sized children’s bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and an upstairs laundry were designed with practicality in mind, while a generous primary suite offers privacy and flexibility, with space for both a large bathroom and a dedicated office.
Throughout the renovation, moments of personality such as bold wallpaper selections and thoughtful built-ins add warmth and character, reinforcing that this is a historic home designed for modern family life. The result is a house that feels like home, preserving what mattered most while making room for what comes next.
