Columbia Charmer
The spark for this project happened during a casual tour of office listings with a colleague when we stumbled upon the sad state of this 1929 home. We had long talked about working together on a remodel, and one look at each other confirmed it: this was our project.
Along with my husband Don, we completed much of the work ourselves, diving into the bones of the home to make strategic improvements for better flow and functionality. We also reimagined the basement and transformed it into a bright, usable space with a kid’s playroom and a laundry area that no longer felt intimidating.
The renovation was completed in 2020, and we sold the home just as the pandemic began—fortunate timing for an incredibly meaningful project.
Curb appeal was a top priority, so the first step was a full exterior repaint in a classic gray, paired with a bright, sunny yellow door for a pop. The wrought iron railings were refreshed with new paint, and a modern stainless steel light fixture and mailbox were added for a crisp, updated look. Fresh landscaping completed the transformation and enhanced the welcoming feel of the front yard.
After clearing out the unruly landscaping, we replaced the dated chain-link fence with a warm wood fence that instantly softened the space. A fortunate score of closeout pavers from a local nursery made it possible to build a cozy patio, and a new path was laid leading from the parking area directly to the new back door.
The detached garage was a valuable find, as many vintage homes don’t offer one—but it was in serious need of repair due to rot. The footers were replaced, the walls stabilized, and a brand-new garage door and roof completed the rehabilitation. Additional gravel was added to maximize parking and improve overall access and function.
We were thrilled to uncover original fir floors beneath the carpet and have them beautifully refinished. The formerly rough ceiling was updated with smooth sheetrock for a modern finish, and can lighting was installed throughout for even, ambient light. The fireplace kept its charming original tile, while a black interior spray gave it striking definition and a clean, updated presence.
With its generous size, the kitchen offered great space for a smaller house. We chose bright white shaker cabinets for a timeless look and complemented them with stainless appliances and nickel hardware for subtle shine. The extra-large glass pendant light offered a subtle but striking focal point.
There was extra unused space along a back wall in the kitchen that was originally the location of a wood stove (long since removed). We were able to use it to add a significant amount of additional cabinetry to provide excellent storage for the kitchen.
The downstairs bedroom originally had a very small closet, while a much larger closet sat unused in the adjacent living room on the other side of the wall. We reassigned that space to the bedroom which dramatically improved storage and added rolling doors to maximize access while introducing a stylish architectural element.
The original bathroom layout was awkward and limited the room’s functionality. By relocating the toilet beside the new vanity, adding a window in the shower for natural light, and selecting bright white textured subway tile, we transformed the space into a classic, light-filled retreat.
The laundry and extra storage were originally tucked into the basement, but the space was dark and uninviting. After cleaning everything back to the bones, we painted the floors and walls, upgraded the lighting, and enclosed the heating system—transforming it into a bright, clean, and truly usable multi-functional space.
The backyard was once overgrown and lacking charm, complete with a derelict garage, chain-link fencing, and no true seating area. After rehabilitating the garage, we replaced the chain link with a warm wood fence, added a paver path, and created a charming patio with custom pavers sourced from a nursery close out sale. With these changes the backyard transformed from a depressing spot to a welcoming outdoor retreat.
