When an environmentally conscious couple and their two young children moved from New York City to their 100-year-old home in West Hartford, Connecticut, they wanted to preserve as many of its original features as possible. The house is historically protected, but the family needed the property to serve them as a comfortable and functional living space. They wanted to update the interiors to fit their modern family lifestyle while still retaining its historical charm. They called in an interior designer to help them achieve the right look.
The resulting remodeled home provides exactly the balance the family was looking for. An elegant blend of new and original features, along with recycled and repurposed elements, preserves the character of the original building and makes it one of the best homes in the world.
The family called up interior designer Georgia Zekas, who was thrilled to come up with inspiration and practical solutions for a complete renovation of the 1920s historically preserved home. I understand their desire to preserve many of the original features that exist and reduce waste. Georgia’s ideas included recycling as many of the materials found in the house as possible under the new remodel, and the family was pleased with the results.
We have selected top 9 ready made designs of remodeled home.
1. Open Kitchen Dinner
(Photo credit: Jane Beals/Georgia Zikas Design)
The house is full of clever ideas of recycling and reusing materials in a way that respects the original character of the house and adds a new sense of style. Moreover, since the main drive was to redesign to be environmentally conscious, it didn’t really cost the Earth – being planet-friendly and budget-friendly.
Anyone looking for kitchen ideas will find plenty to inspire in this spacious, open plan space. Designer Georgia Zikas says the kitchen is her favorite spot. “We opened up the walls and integrated the pantry into the kitchen,” she explains. “We got rid of the old dining room to instead function as an open kitchen leading into their new family room.”
2. Lighter and brighter
(Photo credit: Jane Beals/Georgia Zikas Design)
One of the main requirements to update this family home was to make it brighter. All of the original 1920s woodwork was dark and dated, Georgia explains, and the wood was not in good enough condition for repair. “It was in good shape to take coats of paint,” she says, and a light, neutral palette of Benjamin Moore’s paints was used on all the walls and woodwork, brightening the building throughout.
Georgia suggested removing the walls between the old butler’s pantry and the new kitchen to open up the space. Remnants of the old pantry—including the original walnut countertops (seen around the sink, above)—have been preserved in the family dining area as a reminder of the home’s history. An oval walnut table provides a setting for family dinners and school projects. This casual open plan dining area is another great takeaway from home for those looking for dining room ideas.
3. The island is made from recycled tanks
(Photo credit: Jane Beals/Georgia Zikas Design)
Georgia describes the kitchen island as “a Frankenstein-like creation made of old kitchen cabinets, along with new pieces of stuffing.” This is a great way to repurpose unwanted sections of an old kitchen and save cost for anyone looking for kitchen island ideas.
Georgia respected and shared their clients’ sustainable approach to renovation, adding: ”We didn’t want to be wasted by getting rid of well-made cabinets, so during the pilot phase we were keen to salvage them, painting them fresh in contrast against the white ocean. The couple found barstools online, and opted for cheap ones that can stand up to greasy kids’ fingers!
The pendant lights above the island are from Visual Comfort.
4. Multifunctional space for adults and children
(Photo credit: Jane Beals/Georgia Zikas Design)
By opening up the walls and incorporating the old dining room into the new open-plan kitchen, there is now room for a cozy sitting area at the far end of the kitchen. This fits with the family’s ideas to create a multifunctional space to suit both adults and children. “The result is a sophisticated space but nonetheless nothing too precious for kids to destroy,” Georgia explains. We designed bookcases that frame the windows for modern storage and storage function. With young children around, toy storage space was a must.
5. A fresh but timeless look
(Photo credit: Jane Beals/Georgia Zikas Design)
Updates to this 100-year-old home needed to balance its history and original features along with the family’s desire for a new look. “They wanted it to feel fresh, but timeless — not something trendy,” Georgia says.
Benjamin Moore’s soft palette paints a faded white, with choppy bursts of fresh coastal blues truly ticking the boxes for anyone looking for living room ideas. A modern abstract blue palette provides great range and a dose of color to the room.
6. Fire perimeter made of antique marble worktops
(Photo credit: Jane Beals/Georgia Zikas Design)
In a brilliant stroke of recycling genius, the couple decided to reuse old marble worktops from the kitchen to create a fire in their new living room. It’s definitely one of the best living room fireplace ideas we’ve come across for those keen to salvage and reuse old materials. “We saved everything we could,” Georgia says. “Not really to save money as much as we didn’t want to waste.”
Custom size sectional sofas from Highland House are covered in a performance fabric because they have a great deal of use in this family room. The ottoman is also custom sized, with legs painted in Benjamin Moore Paint. The rug is from Stark.
7. Dining area for entertaining
(Photo credit: Jane Beals/Georgia Zikas Design)
Why dedicate an entire room for formal dining and entertainment? This is the question Georgia asked as I approached the redesign. And it’s a question we should all ask ourselves when we’re looking for dining room ideas.
“Although they did need a place to entertain and eat adult meals with their friends, that rarely happened, so he didn’t need the amphitheater location,” she explains. A remodeled basement design allows for a formal dining space at one end of the main living room. This also features great access to the sunroom, outdoor patio and outdoor kitchen.
Dining table from West Elm. The chairs are from Lexington.
8. Family use bath and luxury spa time
(Photo credit: Jane Beals/Georgia Zikas Design)
When you think of bathroom ideas, how do you combine two seemingly contradictory needs—kids bathrooms and a luxurious spa setting for adults—into one master bathroom?
Here’s how Georgia completely revamped the gut for this family’s essential pigeon:
A double vanity offers great storage, along with convenient medicine cabinets, and flush floors to not get bogged down in and out of the massive shower. The mother explained that it is often easier to clean little boys at a ‘big human car wash,’ Georgia says, ‘that’s what it is, toys and everything. Plus it’s a luxury life for adults as they start or end their busy days of work.
9. Quiet Bedroom Design
(Photo credit: Jane Beals/Georgia Zikas Design)
Updating an old home sympathetically with its character doesn’t mean sticking strictly to the furniture styles of the era.
“Customers appreciate mid-century modern design, so we stayed true to this style in this basic bedroom with polished walnut furniture, and still allowing for gorgeous bedside storage,” says Georgia.
The bed and bedside table offer fresh, clean lines and a calm, uncluttered look, which are staples in all our great bedroom ideas.
The bed and bedside table of the room and the board. Throw pillow from Rebecca Atwood Designs.