Historic Home Renovation: 1930s Estate Restored
- Abbey Partika
- Jan 21
- 4 min read
The Charlottesville area and Central Virginia is full of older, historic homes, which have stood the test of time, but need careful and detailed renovations to honor their historic character while also embracing modern life for new homeowners.
We had the pleasure of working on a sprawling estate in Albemarle County, providing architectural services for a whole home renovation as well as a gym and sauna addition on the property.
Originally built in the 1930s, this home had a renovation and addition in 1999 that carefully maintained and preserved many of the original aspects of the property. Likewise, the new owners were committed to preserving the charm and aesthetic of the house, outbuildings and property that they had fallen in love with. Our design followed their lead, minimizing disruption and blending in with the original characteristics of the house.
Working alongside us on this project was Foxchase Design who provided a pitch-perfect interior design that melded timeless finishes with modern functionality. They provided insightful input on the furniture layout and lighting while selecting the finishes. Greer & Associates provided construction services that are sure to hold up beautifully for generations to come. Their input and execution on details was critical to have on site as there were many unknowns and conditions that arose during the demolition. Throughout the project they provided options for solutions and worked collaboratively to execute the vision.
On the architectural side, we worked collaboratively with the clients who were excited to be involved during the design process, producing renders, drawings and assisting with material selections and decision making. We took a holistic approach with the demolition and refreshing of the spaces to create one consistent “language” for the house that still adhered to the existing structure’s integrity.
We went on to focus on the small but important details with functionality and client preferences in mind. A unique design detail includes back to back vanities in the primary bathroom, an idea born from space limitations and the desire for his and her water closets. This creative solution provided more space as well as fun details on the countertop, backsplash and mirror. In the shower, a unique custom tile that we designed with pencil tile picture framing paired perfectly with the fixtures and lighting in collaboration with Foxchase. Over in the kids’ bathroom, a unique “country club” vibe was achieved with a sophisticated color palette and finishes. We custom designed a toilet stall to provide a unique yet functional privacy feature.
In the kitchen, custom built-ins were designed to meet the client’s every culinary and storage need. More built-ins were designed for the mudroom area as well as the kids’ play space and office.
The renovation had a heavy focus on fully renovating the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and mudroom as these were the most in need of modern updates. But to keep the home functioning its best and ready to last another century, many necessary updates were made behind the walls, including better energy performance, upgraded plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems along with additional structural support.
In addition to the modern upgrades, the rest of the spaces in the home received cosmetic improvements such as new finishes, paint and wallpaper to create a warm and welcoming home that reflects the new homeowners’ taste. Additionally, a full gut and renovation was done on the previous office (a secondary structure) to convert it into a study and play cottage for the kids.
Equally important in this renovation is what was not removed or changed. All the interior stucco walls and ceilings were preserved, with only minor and very careful demolition done to add light fixtures. All the original trim, exterior elements, original hardwood floors, many of the doors and hardware, stone walls, staircases and other quirky, character-filled aspects of the home remained fully intact. When new doors, trim and even radiator covers had to be installed, they were carefully chosen to match the originals. Outside the house very minimal disruption was done to the mature landscaping as new exterior structures were built.
We’re so honored to be able to provide architectural services to a family who truly appreciates the inherent character of a home, and who is willing to be a partner in making intentional, long-term decisions that respect that and reflect their style to turn the house into a home.