“Get Off My Deck”: Entitled Couple Demands Woman Share Her Gazebo, Gets Evicted Instead

This article details a home renovation project undertaken by Barbara Herbst and her husband in their early-1900s Watertown home. The couple, both avid cooks, faced challenges with a cramped kitchen layout due to an existing mudroom that encroached on the space, making it difficult for two people to work simultaneously. Rather than expanding their 2,005-square-foot home, they opted for a renovation focused on maximizing kitchen functionality, a decision that initially caused hesitation about removing the mudroom. The Boston-based designer Meredith Thayer was brought in to address these issues. Thayer's solution involved demolishing the mudroom walls to create a more open and efficient kitchen area. A key part of the redesign was relocating the refrigerator, which had previously occupied a central position, to an adjacent wall next to a window. This strategic move created a new mini-entryway, equipped with a peg rail for coats and bins for shoes, ensuring that the function of the mudroom was not entirely lost but integrated more seamlessly into the home's flow. Further enhancing the kitchen's functionality, the sink was moved from under the window to an enlarged center island. This change provided the homeowners with more workspace and a better view, facilitating easier interaction during food preparation and fostering a more efficient 'cooking triangle' that was absent in the old layout. The main storage and utility areas were positioned behind the island, contributing to a streamlined design. The couple embraced Thayer’s suggestion to switch from a gas range to an induction cooktop. Pantry cabinets, designed with a shallow depth of just 12 inches, were installed to align flush with the range, preventing a bulky appearance and preserving the island's size. Aesthetically, the kitchen features creamy white cabinetry, white marble countertops for the perimeter, a walnut island with a soapstone top, and cardamom-colored subway tiles. These material choices were made to retain the warmth characteristic of the older home while also brightening the space, with the walnut and tiles complementing the existing dark woodwork. To improve the connection between the dining room and the newly designed kitchen, Thayer incorporated softly curved cabinetry. This design element includes a dedicated compartment for guests' coats, ensuring practical storage without the need for a separate mudroom. The curved cabinetry, featuring V-groove planking and walnut accents, also added visual richness and a smooth transition between the two living areas. The homeowners expressed complete satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the added storage and the removal of the mudroom resulted in "zero regrets." The project underscores a thoughtful approach to home renovation, prioritizing practical functionality and aesthetic harmony within the existing footprint of an older home. The design solutions effectively addressed the homeowners' specific needs for a more spacious and usable kitchen, demonstrating how strategic modifications can significantly improve daily living without requiring a major expansion of the property. Resources for the project included Thayer Design Studio for interior design and Austin Design Build as the contractor. The article includes photographs illustrating the transformation, with a focus on the new kitchen and a 'before' shot of the original mudroom area, along with a detail of a powder room vanity made from leftover soapstone. The overall tone is objective, detailing the design choices and their practical benefits. #HomeRenovation #KitchenDesign #InteriorDesign #WatertownHome #SpaceOptimization #MeredithThayer #HomeImprovement #KitchenExpansion #HouseRemodel

Dana Jenkins and Colin Davis embarked on a six-year journey to "unflip" their mid-century house in Atlanta, Georgia, documenting their restoration efforts on Instagram under the handle @un.flipping. Their goal is to restore the home to its original 1960s aesthetic, reversing the changes made by previous flippers. When they purchased the house, it had been recently flipped, featuring a "millennial gray" aesthetic and functionality that did not appeal to them. The couple expressed significant dissatisfaction with the flippers' modifications, noting that nearly every change resulted in a downgrade in both quality and design, leading to long-term issues. A major disappointment was the painting of the original brick, both interior and exterior, which stripped away a defining feature of the home. Although reversible, restoring the brick is a time-intensive process that may never perfectly replicate its original appearance. They are committed to undertaking this effort. Another significant issue was the poor quality of bathroom renovations. Flippers removed original fixtures and tiles, which are now expensive or impossible to replace. A vanity even fell off the wall due to substandard construction. The previous renovation also reconfigured room layouts, reducing already limited space and making areas feel more constrained. To address these issues, Dana and Colin adopted a room-by-room approach to restore the house's original 1960s charm. Initially, they hired professionals for complex tasks, gradually taking on smaller projects to build their skills and confidence. Family assistance also played a crucial role in their learning process. They found some projects, such as adding paneling and stripping brick, to be relatively straightforward, requiring mainly time and effort. However, other tasks proved more challenging. The most difficult project involved replacing all the original wooden doors with cheap, incorrectly hung, and mismatched six-panel doors. Undoing these changes and rebuilding them correctly required extensive time and patience, as flippers had used random trim and caulking to cover imperfections. For others considering similar "unflipping" projects, Dana and Colin advise overcoming decision paralysis by slowing down and allowing ample time to solve complex situations. They emphasize the importance of seeking out vintage and secondhand pieces to infuse character into the space and recommend researching the home's architectural style and historical period to make informed restoration decisions. They highlight that their progress, visible in the "before and after" photos, is the result of continuous effort over six years, noting that online presentations often only show the final outcome, not the dedication involved. The couple's restoration efforts have garnered positive reactions, with one commenter praising their decision to embrace the home's original architecture, resulting in a more harmonious living space. Another commenter expressed a desire for a renovation show based on this "unflipping" concept, critiquing current house-flipping trends. The next major projects for Dana and Colin include renovating the bathrooms. They plan to expand the main bathroom and incorporate custom details that align with the home's era. The guest bathroom will be restored with original pink tiles and fixtures, while the downstairs bath will be given character and warmth. #MidCenturyModern #HomeRestoration #HouseFlipping #BeforeAndAfter #InteriorDesign #DIYHomeImprovement #ArchitecturalPreservation #VintageDecor #RenovationProject