From House to Home: A Historic Cottage Renovation
When our long-time clients approached us and asked if we could do a full renovation of this 1920’s historic cottage, we could not say yes fast enough. Come with us as we take you through the story and process of transforming this house into an inviting, joyful family home.
Putting Down Roots
For many of our clients, purchasing a house here is about returning to their roots. That was certainly true for this family, who were returning to Chapel Hill after decades of living and working abroad. Forever a special place to them, they had both attended UNC and begun their life together here in Chapel Hill many years ago. When they found this charmer of a 1920s cottage located just down the street from the UNC campus, it was a perfect fit. The challenge was to transform this neglected house into a cozy, inviting, and comfortable home —and that’s where we were happy to be part of the journey.
Preserving the History
The amount of charm and architectural detail in this house can’t be understated (that original stairwell and bannister, y’all. Original molding throughout, custom historic millwork- that original front door-we cannot even!). One of our specialties here in the studio is historic preservation- our industry term for the art and science of renovating historic structures while preserving their historical integrity at the same time. It’s a special love of ours over here at CFD, and we are always so grateful and overjoyed when we have the opportunity to work on a historic gem like this one. It requires an extra dose of creative thinking and problem-solving to bring a home like this into full livability for the modern era. For us, it is incredibly rewarding to create a space that is both fully functional and comfortable for modern living, while also retaining all the special details that honor and celebrate the history infused in every original feature. Taking a structure that has stood for over 100 years and giving it a meaningful new life is a rich, rewarding experience for us and our clients alike.
A Modern Space in a Historic Place
The family room is incredibly important to us in any home, and it's often where we begin. This is a place where we gather, relax, talk to each other, and spend quality time together. Great design really matters in this space, because so much connection and memory-making happens here. In this room, we faced the creative challenge of blending the traditional architecture with beautiful, comfortable, and durable furnishings. CFD lead designer Rebecca took the lead on this project, and if you know her, you know that she is the most positive and happy person that most of us will ever meet (she truly glows from the inside!). One of her (many) superpowers is bringing light and joy into any space, and this room is a perfect example. Set against the gorgeous original trim, fireplace surround, and built-in shelving, the contrast of soft and comforting tones in the striped swivels, paired with a bright and fun sage couch, is visually dynamic and calming at the same time. The design brings playfulness and levity to the room, making this classic space a perfect gathering place for families.
Your Story, by Design
One thing our new clients always mention is how each of our projects look completely different. And it’s true - they are all completely individual, just as our clients are! One of the many reasons we love this work is that we get to know our clients on a deep level, and we work with them collaboratively throughout the entire process of creating their dream home. When it is all said and done, their space is completely, wonderfully, and incredibly personal. Their home is creatively designed, intuitive, and richly layered with all of the things that bring them happiness, reflect who they are, and fit how they want to live. These clients have an incredible life story- one that has come full circle with the return to their native state of NC and the historic college town they’ve always loved. We took advantage of some of the beautiful architectural details in the original built-ins above by curating some special items that echo their beautiful, unique family history. We transform a house into a home by ensuring every detail in the design feels thoughtful, purposeful, and intentional in the ways that matter most to each client.
A Quick Getaway
We also have to give a moment to this gorgeous sunroom just off the family room. Previously an unused area, we saw a perfect opportunity to transform this into another family space, and a place for connection. Whether it’s sharing morning coffee, sitting down for some afternoon reading, or a family game night, the soft color palette and muted textures keep the space so relaxing. And, a quiet design also allows those glorious wall-to-wall windows to bring the outdoors inside. It’s a truly serene space that feels like a world away, but only steps from the main rooms. Sometimes a change of scenery can make all the difference, and this space is a perfect quick escape from the busyness of the day.
We’re so glad you came over to hang out with us on the CFD blog today. We’ll be showing you more of this historic cottage renovation soon (there is so much more to see!). Until then, if you’re looking for more CFD design work, take a tour around our Portfolio page. Curious about our process? Check out more about our full-home design process here. Curious about our team? Check out our decades of design experience and how we make your home one-of-a-kind here.
Have questions about designing your own dream space? We’d love to help. Start here at our contact page. Or, feel free to just give us a holler at hello@catfrenchdesign.com.
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