Judkins Park Jewelbox Victorian

Two kinds of glass doors — hinged French and sliding — make up most of the kitchen’s rear walls, soaking the space in natural light. When open, these doors create a truly ‘al fresco’ feel while also connecting the kitchen to the patio beyond.

This optimal indoor-outdoor connection allows parties and gatherings to flow easily from the home's interior out into the garden. When closed, the abundance of glass gives the kitchen a jewel box look and feel, making the space appear larger, brighter, and fresh.

The expansive glazing ends at a custom, inset wall of shelves designed to display antique cookware and ceramics from travels abroad.

In the pantry, the green cabinets are paired with an avian-print wallpaper for a contemporary take on a popular Victorian-era motif. The nearby powder room uses brighter, more vibrant greens that maintain an aesthetic link to the kitchen while giving the space its own unique identity. Chartreuse beadboard wainscotting is paired with a statement wallpaper, making this room a daring, memorable moment in the home.

Delighted with the progress of the kitchen remodel, the homeowners were inspired to turn their attention to the upstairs of their home — a personal, intimate area that would be dedicated to them, rather than guests. For a twist, they envisioned a modern, crisp, and clutter-free space that could serve as a serene retreat and provide balance with the opulence of the downstairs.

Steep rooflines upstairs presented our team with some tricky design challenges. In the primary bedroom, a vaulted ceiling meant our designers needed to identify clever design solutions to optimize use of the space. To maximize storage space without occupying more floor area than necessary, we designed custom closet casework to fit within the limitations of the roofline. The result is a clean, discreet abundance of closed storage that’s equally functional and sleek.

In contrast to the powder room downstairs, the primary bath features cool, calm, neutral tones with durable, easy-to-clean materials. Shades of blue are paired with white and grey for a crisp, fresh feel. A rich blue vanity anchors the room, while a custom, tall, grey cabinet maximizes storage. Minimalist black hardware throughout the bathroom ties everything together, creating an aesthetic link to the ornate black hardware throughout the rest of the home.

Down the hall, the last space the homeowners hoped to improve was a small home office that needed to double as a guest room. A nook beneath the sloping roofline created the ideal spot to nestle a compact twin bed. An accent of playful of wallpaper provides a unifying anchor for bright pops of color in the small space for a creative, visually-interesting flare.

This quiet, sunny room helps maintain cohesion between the upper and lower levels of the home — the deep green cabinet is reminiscent of the kitchen casework, while rusty orange accents in the decor recall the rich shade of the wood flooring below.

What began as a tragedy developed into an exciting opportunity for creativity and customization. Now, these homeowners can enjoy a home that feels more personal and unique than ever before.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this historic Victorian retains the stylistic soul of the original home while transforming into something new that reflects the passions and individuality of those who’ve made it their own.