Harriet

The Harriet home's original woodwork — window casings, door frames, built-in bookcases, and the original staircase — was carefully preserved and refinished. This was the most labor-intensive decision in the project, but it was the right one: the original woodwork is what gives the home its character, and replacing it with modern trim would have been an irreversible loss. The refinished woodwork now anchors the home's updated interior with a sense of history and craftsmanship that new construction simply can't replicate.

The kitchen update was designed to feel like it belonged in the home's era while functioning like a modern kitchen. Shaker-style cabinetry in a warm white with oil-rubbed bronze hardware references the craftsman tradition. The countertops are honed Carrara marble — a material with period-appropriate associations that also happens to be beautiful and durable. The backsplash is a classic white subway tile with a dark grout that gives it a slightly vintage feel. New stainless appliances are integrated seamlessly into the design.

Both bathrooms were updated with tile choices that felt appropriate to the home's craftsman character: hexagonal mosaic floor tile in a warm white, subway tile walls with a classic running bond pattern, and pedestal sinks that reference the home's original plumbing era. The primary bathroom received a new walk-in shower with a frameless glass enclosure — a modern element that was introduced carefully to avoid disrupting the bathroom's period character.

The original hardwood floors — narrow-strip red oak in a warm honey tone — were refinished rather than replaced. This decision preserved the floors' character and patina while restoring their beauty. The refinished floors are now the visual foundation of the home's main level, connecting the spaces with a warmth and continuity that new flooring couldn't have provided.