This Dutch Colonial house had historic character and charm but suffered from a 1980s renovation that created several awkwardly proportioned spaces, including a cramped, inefficiently laid out kitchen and a long, narrow den. It also had undersized bathrooms and dated finishes throughout that gave it a dark and dim feel.

We strategically renovated the house to improve the livability of its interiors and meet the demands of an active family lifestyle. Stylistically, the goal was to reinvigorate the house with a modern sensibility while retaining much of the original 1920s-era moldings and trim.

The ground floor plan was reconfigured to improve the flow through the house and create a cozy media room and a graciously scaled mudroom. A new powder room is accented with a vibrant green zellige tile wall. The breakfast room, lit by a new oculus window, is centrally located and functions as the hub of family life.

In the kitchen, we designed custom millwork in white oak and blue lacquer with crisp, modern detailing. New windows bring in abundant light and open up views to the wooded rear yard. Radiant heating was installed under concrete terrazzo tile flooring.

Upstairs, we enlarged the kids’ bath and created a new master bedroom suite by annexing an unused bedroom. Creamy, white-painted walls and trim and bleached hardwood floors throughout lend the house a light, airy feel.