Open House Sunday

built 1929

If you can believe that! But totally redone 2019.

Here is the before. 

This house might not have been the finest example of 1929 design but I would have rather seen a renovation that paid tribute to its origins rather than making it into a house that looks brand new. But that's just my opinion. Yes, placement of windows is odd. I wouldn't object to adding widows. Modern farmhouse is still very hot around here. Problem is...this house will look dated in a few years. If they had gone with a more classic renovation it would not look dated. That said...they did a good job.

Nice open foyer. Simple pretty staircase.

 Fireplace is cute. But will look dated in a few years.

Although, that said my own fireplace is of course very dated to 1931. I like that it's antique looking. But I'm sure people living in 1961 hated it. But you give something some time and it becomes cool even if it isn't in style. That's why I like antiques.

This house is staged and they did a good job. I love those bobbin chairs. I like the light wood color.

Classic Chesterfield sofa. When I was working in furniture stores - people always came in wanting a Chesterfield and we did not keep them in stock. They had to be ordered. I always wondered why they wouldn't just keep a leather chesterfield in stock and one in a neutral fabric. I could have sold them over and over. Now you'd think the store owners would ask us designers what people came in asking for. Nope. They did not. They let the merchandisers pick what was on the floor even though those merchandisers never had contact with the public. Very frustrating. 

On the inside you'd never think this house was built 1929. It looks like new construction except the ceiling you can see where walls were taken out.

Very nice kitchen and dining. A little too masculine for my taste but I know buyers like all of this.

Do you like the stacked subway tile? I prefer the traditional brick pattern. But this is more modern. Everyone says they are over white subway tile that bolder patterned tile is the way to go but I still love it. Love these countertops.

I imagine this used to be a den rather than a bedroom. And must have been an addition. I love a fireplace in a bedroom. 

This room looks huge. 

I really like this. Those lights are very pretty. 

I love the floor in here but not crazy about that large tile in the shower. It's practical, I suppose.

 

Love the tub.

Another bath

Oh...see you can see that the master bedroom was an addition. 

see the full listing here

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Open House Sunday

Today...a Modern Bungalow...sort of...

built 1917

Well, this is an old house...for sure...but inside it's brand new!

This little bungalow is in the Plaza District neighborhood of Oklahoma City.

Twenty years ago this neighborhood was really down on it's luck but now it's one of the most popular areas of town for dining and shopping and just hanging out.

All the old homes that were long neglected are being renovated in this neighborhood.

 This neighborhood is not on the register for historic places so anything can be done to a house and anything is being done to houses in the Plaza.

This one is cute...of course. But new modern windows replace the original wood windows.

In my neighborhood if it's decided a window is in such poor condition that it needs to be replaced a new one must be made of wood just like the old ones. 

Thankfully there is a company in town that does a fantastic job at this.

Wood Window Rescue

They restore and repair historic windows. They did my neighbor's house a few years ago and they did an amazing job!

 So if your house is designated Historic and is on the Historic register - you are not allowed to willy nilly do whatever you like on the outside. I'm happy about that...it keeps people from doing weird renovations. But on the other hand there are things I'd like to do to my house that are period appropriate but because my house didn't have them to begin with...I'm not allowed.

Like I'd like to turn my windows in front into french doors going out on to the front patio.

This was something that was done to other houses when my house was built but because my house didn't have this...I can never do it.

Oh...well...I'll survive. I understand they want to keep it all authentic to the time period. 

 Back to this house...it's very light and bright inside. I love that but....

Bungalows traditionally were not light and bright.

They were cozy and dark. 

So I wonder about renovations that take all the original inside character out and replace it with modern things. Like that modern wall fireplace. It's cool...I suppose...but I'd rather the original fireplace if there was one. 

 This house is staged and it's a crazy mix of furniture. I do like that it's fun.

But if I bought this house - the first thing I'd do is put in a more traditional looking fireplace.

 So the wall is gone between living room and dining room and kitchen. One of the things I love about bungalows is they usually have a pretty divided wall between living and dining. Maybe this one didn't but I hate to see those gone. 

But it is a nice open space.

I do like this kitchen ...but it's so modern farmhouse. I love a white kitchen. My own kitchen is white but this kitchen doesn't look like it would be in a bungalow at all.

And that bothers me.

But a lot of people will love it.

 I guess that's all that matters. Actually...I should try to design a bungalow kitchen that is light and bright but still feels like a bungalow..that would be a nice challenge for me.

The tile is fun. I'd get tired of it very fast though.

 I really like this mirrors and the lights over them...again..this does not feel like a bungalow at all.

 Very cool shower and tub.

 Very modern

 They created rooms in the attic...so it's a two story now.

The backyard has a ways to go to reach it's full potential. That's for the new owners to work on.

 see full listing here

 What's your feelings on renovations like this? Do you think they should stay more true to the original character of the house or go with what's trending at the moment?

Personally, I think it's better to mimic the original vibe of the house than to go with trends that will be dated quickly. 

But I know it's mainly younger buyers in this neighborhood and they have to do what appeals to them. 

Happy Sunday!

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Open House Sunday

Old Made New

 built 1929

This little house is on my street but in the neighborhood to the west of me.

It actually sold last summer but I was too busy at the time to blog about it so doing now.

This house had a huge makeover before going on the market. 

I think it turned out very pretty but personally I would not have made it quite so modern.

This is the before. This neighborhood is not designated historic so you can do whatever you like to your house. In my neighborhood you would not be allowed to make the cosmetic changes that were made two this home. 

I don't mind that they painted it white. I like that. But I would have kept the original windows.

I think I would have kept the wall too that surrounds the front porch.

I do like how open the house is now without the wall but there are ways you could have made that wall special and more cozy without removing it.

Back to how the house is now.

I like a lot of the choices made on this home. I just think they could have made them and kept the original details intact.

 Colors used throughout the home are very cheerful.

I like the front door painted blue.

I do like how the inside was staged to sell. 

It's very modern appealing to the young buyers who want to live in the city.

I like the color they painted the fireplace. It would have originally been brick.

Pretty arched doorways throughout.  

I would have fallen in love with this house back when I was shopping but wouldn't have bought because I wanted original details. 

Can you imagine how beautiful that original window was in this room with it's arched top?

That was such a mistake removing it. 

I'm sure it was a financial decision.

Not a fan of the ceiling fan.  

They opened the dining room up to the kitchen. All these houses are being opened up in this way.

Both houses on either side of me have had complete remakes of the kitchen dining areas. 

Both have been opened up. Mine is still closed. 

I understand why they do it. It's beautiful and feels so airy.

Maybe some day I will - maybe 

 Just a very nice black and white kitchen.

I'd prefer a range hood. I am not a fan of a microwave over the stove.

I know it's convenient. I just don't like the look of it.

I'd have fun accessorizing this kitchen.

 I'm jealous that there is a laundry area off the kitchen. 

My laundry is stacked washer dryer in the hall closet.

I am growing weary of that arrangement.

 Basic bedroom.

 Another bedroom/office

Again...this home was staged. No one living in it.

Bathroom is cute. Small but cute.

The bathroom cabinet is more modern than I would have gone but I'm sure it appeals to many.

 Oh...my! I am digging that shower head. I absolutely need. 

Where can I get one? I'm going to go searching. 

I like the hex tile used in this bath.

Back yard is very basic. It's interesting what they did with the garage. 

Looks like they tore it down partially or built it back up partially.

I don't mind it. I wouldn't want to put a car there though. I'd want to decorate it

as an outdoor room. Lots of room here to create something fabulous. 

See the full listing here 

although it sold last year. 

So I got another design project last week.

There are these cute little brownstones near downtown.

It's called The Hill at Bricktown

One of my past customers asked for my help finishing up her brownstone.

She has done an excellent job of furnishing it and just needs help accessorizing and adding a few pieces here and there.

I helped her with her dining room last fall.

This will be a fun project for me just adding the little things that makes a house a home.

Here are photos of the neighborhood.

I told her you can almost pretend you are living in Brooklyn, NY.

 They are awfully cute and close to downtown as you can see.

There is a clubhouse and a swimming pool. 

 Hope you are having a nice Sunday. I'm staying in working at the computer. I'd like to be out but it's 100+ outside. 
This is that time of year when I start thinking summer cannot end fast enough for me.

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