
The house had suffered from neglect and then, in 2011, from the devastation of Hurricane Irene. With an L-shaped footprint, the big house boasts 10 bedrooms.
The building probably dates to ca. 1836, though the Italianate touches may have come a bit later. It's a country example of a Tuscan Villa-defined by the boxlike symmetry, a heavily bracketed cornice, and the belvedere on the roof. (That "cupola with a view" historically was used as a viewing pavilion. It is also a passive ventilation device.) Like this house, many Villas have a front verandah.
A rear ell had been constructed on stilts, without the basement that supported the front section. "It was so cold in that part of the house!" says Sarah Blank, the interior designer who worked with the family to design the kitchen and furnish the interior. Excavation, structural work, and new mechanical systems preceded final design of rooms inside.
1. A WELCOMING ENTRY
A new mudroom connects the back door to the kitchen. The antique settee came with the house. A Dutch (split) door is versatile, controlling egress and ventilation; it complements the simple battened wainscoting. The pine wide-plank floors are original.
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Esta historia es de la edición Renovation Lookbook 2023 de Old House Journal.
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uncovering the charm
An eye-popping restoration followed when the owners removed faceless aluminum siding to find a handsome brick exterior with original details intact.

A Touchup for Knotty Pine
More than a simple cleaning, this process removes grime and a tired finish while preserving the mellow quality of vintage knotty pine.

Quick Fixes
Do it fast but do it well.

the KITCHEN UPFRONT
When this 1880s Philadelphia house was built, the kitchen was undoubtedly in a different location.

MORE THAN A HOUSE MOVING
even good smells can be too much Homeowner Jeremy Stock insisted that he and Danielle not only needed a stove vent but that they'd need a very efficient one that would vent steam, smoke, and smells to the outside.

A Pattern Match
The discovery of a patch of historic linoleum led to the re-creation of an 1890s-style floor, using paint and vinyl.

the door IN ITS FRAME
The frame is often overlooked as a key component to a properly operating entry door.

bathroom inspirations TIPS, TRICKS, HACKS FOR ROOMS OF REASONABLE SIZE & BUDGET
Even considering the usually small square footage, the bathroom in an older house is often the most challenging design conundrum during renovations.

Sunshine in a Cottage Kitchen
A happy room demonstrates that simplicity often underlies good design.

A REWARDING EXPERIENCE!
We revitalized a long-forgotten building on a prominent corner and would do it again.