When West + Main agent Kate Kazell and her family began their search for a new home in early 2021 they encountered an issue many homebuyers face: the houses they wanted were starting within budget and then ended up getting bid out of reach. Their search terms were a bit unique as well.
"We were looking for a bit of a unicorn, as we wanted a historic home...but also wanted some more modern features like an open-concept living space + a primary suite - which just isn’t how houses were built 100 years ago,"
-Kate Kazell
They got creative with the search and started looking for homes with potential to turn into the space they hoped for.
"During our house hunt, we made an offer on a super cute bungalow that had a couple walls taken down to create a huge open living area instead of the small, long and skinny living rooms that are standard in homes of that era,” said Kate. “It was beautiful and the best of both worlds - a charming historic home with a big space that we could envision kids running around in and having friends and family over without feeling cramped. When we didn’t get that house, we were kind of set on re-creating that feel and layout, and knew it would be possible to do ourselves."
Once they closed on this West Wash Park home, they got to work. The project was split into two main parts: knocking down walls on the main floor and removing a small bedroom for the open concept living room, and converting the original attic into a primary suite. This was no small feat.
"Truth be told, it was a pretty big project that required help from several professionals: an architect, a structural engineer, and a general contractor who managed dozens of subcontractors,” said Kate. “We shared with them what our vision was, and they created the plans taking into account what was physically possible, required by permitting, etc."
With a project of this scale, it was important to have professionals guiding Kate through the process and applying their knowledge. While she initially thought the attic conversion would be simple like finishing a basement, it ended up having a fair amount of structural implications and required architectural planning in order to work within the confines of the existing structure. With so many moving pieces, this project required professionals from almost every trade including framing, plumbing, HVAC, drywall + tiling. Using a General Contractor with good contacts in all of these fields to coordinate and manage the project was helpful to keep it all on track.
Below: Before photos of the downstairs of Kate’s home.
After of Kate Kazell’s living space
The new upstairs primary suite features a bedroom, a full bathroom with dual vanities, a shower with a skylight, and a reading nook on the other side overlooking the street.
"The design aspect of it was really fun because we got to pick everything - but it was a little overwhelming at times because there are SO many options," admitted Kate. “Thankfully the vision I had in my head ended up coming together really well! I wanted to bring back some of the original features of the home that had been lost in renovations over the past century, so we chose new Craftsman style trim to match the original window and door casings, traditional 5-panel doors, really cool unique replica doorknobs and a traditional penny-tile in our new bathroom that is similar to what you’d find in original early century homes.”
But overall, it also has a bit of a Scandinavian/minimalist vibe, with some modern features like the stair railing, bathroom finishes, and light fixtures.
As with any renovation, this project came with surprises, delays and additional costs. Kate's advice is to prepare for the unexpected: It’s definitely not a quick episode of 'Fixer Upper,' but it’s worth it in the end to have a space you love!
Kate on Design + Inspiration
Q: When it came to the design + finishes, what was your process?
Kate: “Ultimately our project ended up being two-fold - we knocked a few walls down and turned a small bedroom into part of a big living room…and we also converted the empty unused original attic into a primary suite. Truth be told, it was a pretty big project that required help from several professionals to include an architect, a structural engineer, and a general contractor who managed dozens of subcontractors. We shared with them what our vision was, and they created the plans taking into account what was physically possible, required by permitting, etc. The design aspect of it was really fun because we got to pick everything - but it was a little overwhelming at times because there are SO many options. Thankfully the vision I had in my head ending up coming together really well! I wanted to bring back some of the original features of the home that had been lost in renovations over the past century, so we chose new craftsman style trim to match the original window and door casings, did traditional 5-panel doors, found really cool unique replica door knobs to closely match the originals that were only left on one closet door, and did a pretty traditional penny-tile in our new bathroom that is similar to what you’d find in original early century homes. But overall, it also has a bit of a Scandanavian/minimalist vibe, with some modern features like the stair railing, bathroom finishes, and light fixtures.”
Q: What is your favorite part of the finished project?
Kate": “I absolutely love the bright open living/dining room - it’s a unique space and is super practical. I also love so many of the smaller touches we put on it - like the skylight in the shower, the exposed beams in our bedroom, and the original window in the dormer that we’ve made into a cozy reading nook.”
“A plus side to doing a full renovation is being able to create areas perfect for your own family.”
-Kate Kazell
Upstairs Bed + Bath Serenity
All in the details
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