How One Designer Saved a Decrepit 1930s Spanish Colonial in West Palm Beach, Florida

Alison Victoria of “Windy City Rehab” undertook one of her most ambitious projects, transforming an incredibly run-down 1885 home in Chicago, IL, into a stunning modern-meets-historic short-term rental. The renovation, documented in the Season 5 episode "Second Time's a Charm," spanned two years, addressing significant damage and aiming to preserve the home's quintessential Chicago architecture and history while introducing contemporary elements. Victoria's primary focus for the exterior was preservation and meticulous restoration. Despite extensive wear and tear, she chose not to alter the external appearance significantly. Instead, her team meticulously rehabilitated existing features, such as saving the corbels at the entryway, repainting the original front doors, and recreating the roofline molding to match its historic design as closely as possible. This approach ensured the home retained its original charm and historical integrity for future generations to appreciate. Inside, a major challenge arose with the staircase. Victoria initially intended to salvage the original stair railing and newel post, but these were mistakenly discarded during demolition. Committed to maintaining the home's historic aesthetic, she opted to replicate the intricate design of the original staircase from old photographs. The result was a new staircase that perfectly mimicked the historic design, appearing seamlessly integrated and indistinguishable from the original, demonstrating that features beyond repair can be faithfully recreated. The home featured four old fireplaces, which Victoria revitalized by exposing the original brickwork. To enhance their classic appeal, she added antique mantels, creating a charming blend of the home's original materials and period-appropriate additions. This design choice highlighted the inherent beauty of the building's original structure without concealing or removing its historic essence. For a touch of modern functionality, Victoria introduced arched glass and iron doors to separate the kitchen and living room. While not antique, these doors were chosen for their elegant design and ability to create a sense of openness while still defining distinct spaces. This clever addition enhanced the flow and functionality of the first floor, providing layers to the house and demonstrating a successful fusion of modern elements with the traditional architecture. Victoria emphasized that this blend of old and new, modern and traditional, was crucial to the home's successful transformation. Throughout the renovation, Victoria prioritized using materials and designs that resonated with the home's historical period. Even newly added features, such as kitchen sconces and bathroom tiles, were selected for their timeless quality. A notable example was the replacement of three small main bedroom windows with custom stained-glass windows, crafted by her team in a simple, old-fashioned floral design. This decision provided a beautiful, classic touch that honored the home's heritage, showcasing Victoria's commitment to a thoughtful, historically sensitive renovation. #WindyCityRehab #AlisonVictoria #HomeRenovation #HistoricHome #ChicagoArchitecture #ModernMeetsHistoric #InteriorDesign #ExteriorPreservation #StainedGlass

Jacque Hamilton acquired her dream home in WaterColor, Florida, nearly two decades after first discovering it. The property, located on Buttercup Street and designed by architect Jim Strickland of Historical Concepts, captivated Hamilton with its distinctive front porch, French doors, and floor-to-ceiling windows. After initially being unable to purchase it, she rented the home and later managed it as a rental through her business, Exclusive 30A. The house, having served as a rental for twenty years, required significant repairs and an update to reflect Hamilton's personal style and modern durability needs. Hamilton engaged Birmingham-based designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas for the renovation, a recommendation from the original architect. Hillegas undertook a comprehensive decorating project, focusing on revitalizing the interior without structural changes, thanks to Strickland's well-conceived floor plan. The renovation process, completed in just four months, was expedited by Hillegas's resourceful approach, which involved reupholstering existing furnishings, repurposing fixtures, incorporating antique pieces, and pre-stocking textiles to minimize delays. A key design element is the front porch, which Hillegas transformed into a cozy and private space using curtains and shutters in a classic blue-and-white color palette. Benjamin Moore's Narragansett Green (HC-157) was chosen for the shutters, and Perennials' Vintage Stripe fabric in Lagoon was used for the curtains, setting a consistent color scheme throughout the house. Inside, Hillegas employed creative solutions for window treatments, layering tent-flap curtains with a bold print (Katsugi in Blues by Schumacher) on the front and a stripe on the back over woven blinds from India, to achieve visual impact efficiently. The open-concept kitchen and living area, a potential design challenge, was effectively delineated by Jim Strickland's strategic placement of ceiling beams. Hillegas enhanced the kitchen's functionality and aesthetic by installing a counter-depth panel-ready refrigerator to blend with existing cabinetry, which was repainted in Sherwin-Williams' Natural Tan (SW 7567). The island received a vibrant touch with Sherwin-Williams' Labradorite (SW 7619). Personal touches included incorporating Hamilton's dining table and hutch. Throughout the home, found objects were displayed as art, such as a collage of antique hats above the bed in the master bedroom, creating a beachy, casual ambiance. The master bed was dressed with linens from Peacock Alley, a Pottery Barn quilt, and a vintage throw. Built-in bookcases were updated with grass cloth wallpaper from Crezana, and the walls and ceiling were painted in Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster (SW 7008). The primary bathroom saw its existing vanity, light fixtures, claw-foot tub, and wooden elements revitalized with fresh paint, while original pickled walls upstairs were preserved to maintain their vintage appeal. The stair landing was updated with a Roman shade in a Quadrille fabric, New Batik Cloud New Brown on Tint. In the bedrooms, Hillegas blended new and vintage elements. One guest bedroom features a brown-and-white color palette with Caribbean-inspired decor, including a sunburst mirror and natural woven table, reflecting the coastal surroundings. The bedspread was custom-made, and the headboard covered in Heather Chadduck Textiles' Little Bamboo in Chocolate. Another guest bedroom showcases a playful mix of blue patterns reminiscent of the ocean, with drapes in a Heather Chadduck Textiles fabric complementing the blue-and-white bedding. The design approach successfully transformed the property into a personalized and functional Florida getaway, combining timeless style with practical durability for family use. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #FloridaHome #CoastalLiving #HomeDecor #DesignTransformation #WaterColor

This article details the comprehensive renovation of a historic 1894 officer's quarters on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, undertaken by Donivon and Anne Glassburn. The project aimed to retain the home's historic aesthetic while integrating modern amenities and design. A significant aspect of the renovation involved carefully dismantling and then reusing 200-year-old oak boards from the original structure, which were milled into floorboards for the second level, creating a sense of continuity with the ground floor's reclaimed wood. This approach contributed to the home's perceived 'soul,' as noted by interior designer Allison Elebash. Architect Beau Clowney was instrumental in designing a 900-square-foot addition that harmonized with the original structure's scale and details. This addition primarily created an open living space at the back of the house, featuring steel doors that open to a pool area, envisioned by the Glassburns as a private resort. Elebash's interior design strategy focused on bridging the old and new elements through classic finishes, sculptural furniture, durable fabrics suitable for a coastal environment, and the strategic display of the family's modern art collection. The renovation emphasized creating a sense of spaciousness. The addition of a wall of steel windows and doors in the living area, despite its moderate size, makes the room feel significantly larger. Careful planning by Clowney and Elebash regarding interior doorways, kitchen layout, and furniture placement contributes to the illusion of a much larger home, with visitors often estimating it to be 3,600 square feet, when it is actually 2,950 square feet. The front room serves a dual purpose as an everyday entry and a special-occasion dining room, facilitated by clever furniture choices like a round dining table that allows for ample foot traffic. The design incorporates a mix of high-end and inexpensive items, such as antique dining chairs paired with an acrylic table and a durable seagrass rug, ensuring both elegance and practicality for daily life with pets. The kitchen, where the addition meets the original structure, features marble used in contemporary ways, such as a waterfall island and slab backsplash, creating a focal point on the range wall. Transom windows above the doorways enhance light flow and character. Shaker cabinets, painted in a diluted Benjamin Moore's Collingwood (OC-28) to match the original window and door trim's thin bead detail, and walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117) complete the cohesive look. A pass-through area, originally intended as a sitting room, was converted into a cabinet-lined butler's pantry, easing traffic flow during entertaining and complementing the petite kitchen. The cabinetry in this area is painted Farrow & Ball's Stone Blue (No. 86) as a nod to the coastal setting, and polished nickel hardware was predominantly used, with brass accents in the butler's pantry. Upstairs, a bedroom was transformed into a den, initially appearing bland with white walls. Elebash introduced Thibaut's Kasai wallpaper to add a significant visual impact. The renovation budget was managed by limiting the home's size to 2,950 square feet, allowing for investment in high-end materials and features like a vaulted ceiling with early 20th-century style beams and shiplap walls that visually distinguish the new addition from the original drywall. The main bathroom includes carved storage nooks to address an awkward bump-out and a wall-to-wall mirror to enhance the sense of space. The daughter's bedroom features a cheerful Quadrille's Sigourney Small Scale fabric for the headboard, bed skirt, and Roman shades, complemented by a bright white palette, rattan accents, and colorful woven baskets as wall decor. Externally, Clowney restored the exterior to its original 1890s appearance while adding modern touches, such as a 10-foot-deep porch, substantial shutters, and dramatic rooflines with replicated trusses. Contemporary elements like ipe decking, oversized pool pavers, and modern landscaping by Sheila Wertimer contrast with the historic facade. This blend of historical preservation and modern convenience has created a home that the Glassburns cherish, with their daughter already expressing a desire to inherit it. #HistoricRenovation #CoastalHomeDesign #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalAddition #ReclaimedMaterials #LuxuryRenovation #SullivanIsland #TraditionalMeetsModern #HomeTransformation

This article details a recent remodel project undertaken by Studio McGee in Maryland, focusing on transforming a client's childhood home to better suit her young family. The project involved a comprehensive renovation of a Cape Cod-style house, aiming to synthesize the client's long-held dreams for the space with the design team's expertise. The scope of work included significant structural changes, such as moving interior walls, along with the installation of new finishes and the selection of furniture tailored to the client's unique aesthetic. The core challenge and opportunity lay in respecting the home's inherent character and 'good bones' while introducing modern functionality and style. The article emphasizes the collaborative process between the client, who brought a deep personal connection to the house, and the design team, who translated those sentiments into a cohesive design plan. It highlights the importance of balancing preservation with modernization in heritage remodels, ensuring that the updated space feels both fresh and deeply personal. The remodel aimed to create a home that not only accommodates the practical needs of a growing family but also resonates with the client's nostalgic attachment to the property. The project serves as an example of how thoughtful design can update a home for contemporary living while honoring its past. The successful integration of new design elements with existing architectural features demonstrates how interior design can evolve a space without erasing its history, offering valuable insights for individuals considering similar renovation projects. The transformation showcases how a well-executed remodel can breathe new life into a beloved family home, making it suitable for future generations while retaining its cherished heritage. The article implicitly suggests that such projects require careful planning, a deep understanding of the client's vision, and a creative approach to problem-solving, especially when dealing with pre-existing structures and personal attachments to a space. #HomeRemodel #InteriorDesign #HeritageHome #CapeCodStyle #FamilyHome #DesignProcess #ArchitecturalPreservation #Modernization #StudioMcGee

Spanish Colonial architecture, a revival style popular in the early to mid-1900s, draws inspiration from homes first built in Spain approximately 500 years ago. These homes are recognized for their striking curb appeal, featuring white stucco walls, red tile roofs, and meticulously designed landscaping. Key characteristics include red-tiled roofs, arched doorways, stucco exteriors, iron accents, and exposed beams. Two distinct types of Spanish Colonial architecture exist: the original style from 16th-century Spain and the revival style that emerged in North America during the early 20th century. An example of the latter is a home owned by interior designer Carole Marcotte, which features white bricks instead of traditional stucco and simple red shutters, lending an old-world feel. The renovation of Marcotte's home included expanding its Spanish motif with a loggia, a partially enclosed room opening to a garden. Loggias often include architectural features like fireplaces and arches, with exposed wood beams on the ceiling being another common element in Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Private courtyards and gardens are integral to classic Spanish Colonial homes. FormLA Landscaping designed a lush, native garden to complement a revival home's asymmetrical structure, using a tree canopy to soften its lines and providing contrast to the red roof tiles. Additional greenery, such as coffeeberry shrubs and California lilacs, enhances privacy behind wrought-iron fences. Both terra-cotta and colorful tile flooring are standard features in Spanish Revival homes, used both indoors and outdoors. For instance, delicate blue ceanothus shrubs were planted to match vibrant tiles on stairs leading to a side entrance. Spanish Colonial architecture is prevalent in California, partly due to its relaxed aesthetic. A relatively new construction, owned by interior designer Erika Frank and built by her architect father, embodies this style with thick walls and arches. The exterior stucco is a grayish-white shade called Santa Barbara, and the roof features red barrel tiles, often made of ceramic or concrete, ideal for warm climates. Drought-resistant plants are commonly used in landscaping to suit California's weather. Juliet balconies add dramatic, old-world flair to Spanish Colonial mansions, such as one renovated by Justin Krzyston of Stonehurst Construction. These balconies enhance outdoor enjoyment by seamlessly connecting interior spaces with the backyard. Driveways often incorporate paver-style brick, adding a Mediterranean touch. Modestly sized homes remodeled by Stonehurst Construction feature wood slat partitions for privacy, concealing elements like AC compressors. Midcentury ranch homes can also be inspired by Spanish Colonial architecture. Tracy Lynn Studio merged contemporary style with original Spanish influence in a ranch home, utilizing regional vegetation to create a long loggia that functions as an outdoor room. Red mulch is used to complement red barrel roof tiles, and a warm pale gray paint tone modernizes the stucco exterior. Spanish Colonial-inspired fireplaces, featuring Spanish tiles and concrete mantels designed to resemble wood, contribute to the home's aesthetic, as seen in a project by Tracy Lynn Studio. The style remains popular in Florida and Southern California due to historical settlement patterns. #SpanishColonial #ArchitecturalRevival #HomeDesign #ExteriorDesign #InteriorDesign #Landscaping #ArchitecturalFeatures #CaliforniaArchitecture #HistoricalArchitecture