Sabin Cottage
Project Summary
How could this little house NOT catch my eye? With at least eight exterior colors and even more internal hues, this house was yelling, "Pick me!" I happily obliged. My vision for this house was to transform it into the gem of the block, drawing attention for its polish and tasteful design details.
This remodel was about efficient use of space and respectful modernization. A key design decision was to open the wall between the kitchen and the living room. That transformed the light in this home. Taking out the chimney bought us precious kitchen space. Adopting a cohesive, neutral palette of materials throughout - oak floors, soft gray walls, timeless tile - achieved a classic look that will stand the test of time. Walking inside, eyes are drawn to the beautiful details instead of being distracted by decades of questionable paint choices.
Outside, this house benefitted from exterior and landscaping work. The biggest visual change was achieved with classy dark blue paint and white trim. We also replaced the front walk and stairs, put in a new curb along the driveway, and took out some hazard trees in the backyard. A new fire pit area creates more outdoor living space.
Beyond the visible differences, I'm proud to have made this a safe house for the next owner. When I bought the house, the electrical was scary and some of the circuits would constantly trip. The brittle pipes were starting to give out and the sewer... well, don't get me started on the sewer. The air had high levels of radon. An old oil tank could have leaked into the yard. The absence of these problems is not as visible as the open concept kitchen, but taking care of them was key to giving this home its next hundred years.
Before and after - Scroll for more photos!
