Big Bend, Kirkwood, MO 63122
Site: .33 acres
Building: 1,266 SF
Completed: 2014
Known for its community pride and charming turn-of-the-century homes, Kirkwood is one of most desirable suburbs in St. Louis to live. Unfortunately, many of its older homes are pushing more than 100 years and have fallen into disrepair like this cottage home originally built in 1910.
To transform it back to its glory days of the previous century, we enhanced many of the homes' existing features while integrating new materials and designs to improve comfort, functionality and energy efficiency.
After working with landscape architects to clean up the yard, we outfitted the exterior with new painted cellular PVC trim and vinyl bead board soffits to simulate the original details of the home while re-finishing the bead board porch ceiling, wood porch floor and wood front entry door to create a compelling contrast in colors and textures (see above).
With its curb-appeal restored, we then turned our attention to updating the interior. To create a more open floorplan, we removed several walls and enlarged the doorway to the butler pantry while utilizing the existing hardwood features including the stained wood doorways, built-ins and butler pantry that were original to the house.
With walls removed and larger windows installed, we were able to transform the kitchen while remaining true to its original design. We removed three layers of flooring to expose the original hardwood floors for refinishing and then selected new cabinets and appliances in a soothing color palate to convey the craftsman style of the original 1910 cottage.
We then updated the long and narrow master suite - which was previously a 3-season room addition to the original building - to a space with a retreat-like atmosphere. We added insulation and a wood accent wall on one side of the room with new windows on the other side to increase the natural light and give the homeowners the cozy, but inviting room they desired.
We re-purposed space from an existing linen closet and adjacent hallway to create a much larger bathroom. The new bathroom featured a second sink and a 7' countertop with ample under-counter storage to help offset the removal of the linen closet. We then used period-appropriate subway tile for the shower, re-glazed the antique tub and added other finishes to keep the historic charm of the old house.
