Our clients wanted to help their 1910 home in the Alameda neighborhood of Portland meet the new century without losing its historic feel. In particular, the existing kitchen was tiny, short on circulation and work space and not at all cohesive to the rest of the home. Wise Design and Clarkbuilt (now Owen Gabbert LLC) worked to create a new layout for the kitchen complete with pantry, adding in layers of details including ceiling beams, classic materials, colors and cabinet styles as well as reclaimed doors, plaster and moldings to help the space feel as original as possible to the era of the home. Our clients hale from England so the design held to the concept of 'a British cottage in Oregon,' starting with the kitchen and radiating outwards into the rest of the home.

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The front door, which previously opened straight into the living room now become its own designated foyer through the addition of an elegantly trimmed half wall and built-in bench. The entry floor received a new tile inlay, custom made through Heritage Tile, showcasing the year the home was built. Original features like the unique living room fireplace, window seat and quaint sitting room were kept. The dining room's original wainscot was kept and new openings to the kitchen mirror the original moldings.

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Upstairs, the primary suite glows with its new en suite addition. A new custom white oak vanity, wainscot as well as classic pairings of black and brass accents were added to the space. The adorable daughter's room has a new secret hide-a-way room, accessible through her closet and her adjoining bathroom keeps its historic sensibilities with color and materiality.

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Photos by Meagan Larsen