Sometimes the best renovations aren’t about more space, but a better layout. That was the case for this double shotgun renovation in Uptown. Located just blocks from Audubon Park, the owners were preparing for their next chapter and wanted a home that matched their goals for the future.
The front of the house didn’t need much. It was in good condition, with many of the original details intact. We did a light touch, adding built-ins to the guest room and dining room for extra storage without impacting the historic footprint of the home.
In the center of the home is where we really started making changes. For the primary suite we moved the bedroom from the back of the home forward into a center room. The awkward space where the original primary and guest bathrooms once sat became a vestibule leading into a large walk-in closet and spacious primary bathroom which includes a walk-in shower and double vanity with windows above it to let in natural light. On the other side of the home where the old kitchen used to be, we tucked in a full guest bathroom, laundry room, and pantry. Useful spaces all designed for function without competing for attention.
The back of the home is where the space really started to open up. By extending the back of the house 5 feet we added an extra 180 square feet. While it doesn’t sound like much on paper, we’ve seen before how a small addition can make a big impact. We vaulted the ceilings and carried the roofline straight through to the back. The result reads as one continuous home, not an add-on.
The heart of the home now features a large open concept kitchen and living area with a wet bar for entertaining. A full wall of windows and doors open onto the back porch, anchoring the space and giving the owners even more room to entertain outdoors.
Entertaining was the driving force behind this historic home renovation, and it shows. What was once a disjointed home that barely allowed for a dinner party is now a home built around gathering. It’s a small addition on paper, but it’s the difference between a house that worked around old routines and one built for how its owners actually want to spend their time for the next chapter.
